Practical conversations for small and midsize church leaders.
Hosted by Dale Sellers, Executive Director of 95Network and former small church pastor, the 95Podcast addresses the real challenges pastors face every week—from church health, leadership clarity, to the everyday realities of leading without large staff or large budgets. These are straightforward conversations rooted in experience, not theory.
New episodes release every Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts or delivered straight to your inbox.
The false dichotomy of “sacred versus secular” has led to many thinking that only the “full-time ministry leaders” are actually “called” into ministry. Truthfully, everyone is called to minister through their lives.
Russell and Mike both attribute their sexual addictions to the dysfunctional home environments that they experienced as children.
Russell and Mike both attribute their sexual addictions to the dysfunctional home environments that they experienced as children.
Jeff says, “If you sit on their couch they will eventually sit in your pews.”
Ministry in the coming decade is going to require a renewed authenticity in how we provide ministry. The shift has already begun to move from “observing” a service each week to “participating” in it.
A healthy soul is developed through a rhythm of surrender and reflection. We were not created to live our lives in a wide-open, frantic pace continually.
God takes seriously the price His Son paid to provide our forgiveness. Therefore, He will not tolerate his leaders and children choosing to withhold forgiveness toward others.
Volunteers and servers inside a local church don’t exist to fulfill a leader’s vision or ministry. In fact, as leaders in the church, we are called to equip people (saints) to find and fulfill their ministry.
It’s your responsibility to make sure you are healthy in every arena of life. Leave it to chance and you will discover the consequences are often overwhelming.
Although hearing the truth sometimes really hurts, not honestly evaluating your ministry effectiveness can lead to a ministry on life-support.
Hope is not a strategy. It’s so important to take seriously the responsibility of setting goals for how you would like to live the final quarter of life.
There is so much misunderstanding about how the pastors housing allowance works. Even most IRS agents aren’t clear on how it was originally designed to help pastors.
Fault leads to shame; responsibility leads to freedom. Responsibility shows you what you can actually change and release what you cannot control.
Discernment stays human. AI can help refine communication, brainstorm, or summarize—but leaders must verify and own what’s shared.
Connection starts with God first. If leaders are not connected to God, they will not lead people into meaningful connection.
Kids ministry deserves top-tier support. If the mission includes evangelism and disciple-making, the next generation should be resourced accordingly.
Most pastors aren’t refusing rest—they’re trapped by systems. Without a plan (and a bench), even a short break can feel impossible.
Preparation beats panic. Healthy leaders build a plan before the crisis—then execute calmly when disruption hits.
Equipping can’t be reduced to a weekly performance; it requires presence, relationship, modeling, and shared life.
Prayer isn’t the warm-up—it’s the engine. Ministry strength doesn’t come from personal drive; it comes from dependence on Jesus and consistent prayer.
“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.
