Real guidance for pastors navigating the challenges of everyday ministry.
Leading a small or midsize church comes with unique pressures. From burnout and soul care to church strategy and team development, our articles and podcast guides address the issues church leaders face every week.
I wholeheartedly believe that the leaders taking place in these conversations are the minority. But it doesn’t always appear that way to a watching world. Here’s the truth: When we get caught up on differences that really don’t matter in the long-run, we are limiting our effectiveness for ministry.
It’s also fair to point out that some pastors secretly want to have as many people hear them preach every week as possible. They have a “felt need” to have their emotional tank filled by having folks listen to them speak. Yet, if you study the New Testament, then you know it clearly says our primary focus should be on equipping versus educating those in our care.
It’s possible for you and I to arrive at a place just like Mary. Previous experience begins to cloud our ability to see beyond the here and now. But I believe Jesus has so much more for us as we diligently seek Him.
“If Jesus called you to start. If Jesus didn’t tell you to quit. And you if you want to honor Him by obeying what He’s asked you to do then you best need to stay with what you’re doing. Or else, you will come to a place in your life that you’ll have to start all over again. However, you’ll just be further behind.”
Anticipate visitor questions before they arrive: Where do I park? What door do I use? What about my kids? What should I wear? Answer these clearly on your website and communications.
If “it must be my fault” is your default setting, you are not alone. You are also not stuck. Freedom starts when you begin to ask better questions: What am I actually responsible for? What am I not responsible for? And what does God say is true right here?
Perhaps the words spoken into your soul continue speaking to you today. The fact is that your father, mother, coach, teacher, boss, pastor, or other authority figure thought he or she was helping you reach your potential. He thought he was making you a better person. She was probably just doing to you what had been done to her. Whatever the reasoning of those people, they most likely have no idea the effect their words had on you.
Most pastors carry father wounds (known or unknown) that shape how they relate to God as Father; healing requires naming shortcomings, connecting unmet desires to Scripture, and experiencing God’s personal care.
Discouraged. It’s how every leader has felt at one point or another when we want to be somewhere we’re not. Dale navigated his own experiences of disappointment in himself and uncovered key truths about leadership in ministry that can anchor and guide us today.
Dale Sellers of 95Network believes this trend is largely due to discouragement among our pastors. Many church leaders begin ministry with dreams of making an eternal impact. But years of striving, stress, and strain have left them feeling defeated, disillusioned, and stalled.
Thankfully, there is hope that ministry can turn around for the discouraged pastor. As a former minister who’s been in the trenches, Dale Sellers reveals that:
In STALLED, you will discover your sweet spot and realize you are closer to being “there” than you know.
All episodes will be posted here on the website, and are also available wherever you listen to podcasts.
Hosted by Caralee Culpepper and Dale Sellers, our executive director, and a former small church pastor, our 95Network podcast is a wealth of information specifically for small-church pastors—delivered in a candid, kind, and concise way. We cover pressing topics in modern ministry, annual trends, and more.
Most pastors aren’t refusing rest—they’re trapped by systems. Without a plan (and a bench), even a short break can feel impossible.
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Equipping can’t be reduced to a weekly performance; it requires presence, relationship, modeling, and shared life.
“If you got a pulse, he’s got a purpose for you.” Retirement isn’t the end of ministry; it’s a new season with fresh opportunities to serve, mentor, and impact the kingdom.
Self-awareness protects leaders from self-deception. Honest feedback is a guardrail for character and culture.
Build discipleship around practice, not just information. People grow through doing, feedback, and repetition in relationships.
Prayer is the engine, not the accessory. Easter effectiveness is not primarily about production, but about God’s presence.
Start with alignment, not content. Kevin begins sermon prep by praying, seeking God’s direction, and dealing with “known sin” to remove spiritual and emotional friction.
Less Is More—With Intentionality. Doing less with your whole heart is better than doing more and being worn out. Fewer tactics executed with great intentionality will be more effective than an overwhelming production.
Have the Conversation Before There’s a Problem. You can’t wait for something negative to happen before talking to volunteers. Schedule regular check-ins not just about their area of service but about their lives.
The personal God gets personal with us. Biblical counseling explores the active, desiring heart beneath behavior and connects it to Christ’s finished work and the Spirit’s present ministry.
Listen to Dale on The Stetzer ChurchLeader Podcast w/ Ed Stetzer discussing his book:
Get the 4 day Stalled devotional plan through YouVersion.
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