The Best of 2024: Connect Hope (w/ Chuck Gordon) – Episode 263
Consistently spending time journaling each day was the most important thing that Chuck did that allowed him to navigate the tough times.
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.
Consistently spending time journaling each day was the most important thing that Chuck did that allowed him to navigate the tough times.
It’s imperative for us to find one or two trusted friends to help us walk through the valley of despair and discouragement. Without them, it’s almost impossible to regain ministry traction.
These resources provide practical tools that enable you to examine and expose areas where you may not be leading from a healthy soul.
There comes a point when you must identify and begin to intentionally train your next leaders with your succession plan in mind.
The “driver of the car” has to be healthy in order to reach your destination.
I could not afford to take my family on a vacation anywhere. I became worried that my children would not have any good memories of family vacations to draw from.
It’s not a “badge of honor” to ignore your own personal emotional health for the sake of the ministry.
At the end of the day, my desire is for everyone to know Jesus personally. He really loves us more than we know.
It’s not a “badge of honor” to ignore your own personal emotional health for the sake of the ministry.
If your family was interviewed, would they say you prioritize them above your ministry or your ministry above them?
A natural phenomenon that led to much of the megachurch movement was the relocation of the population to the suburbs.
Join us for episode 4 of The 95 Podcast as we talk with Tony Morgan, founder of The Unstuck Group, to talk through 10 characteristics of unstuck churches.
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.
In this episode, Dale Sellers & Joseph Bennett interview trauma counselor Bridget Trammell about trauma, triggers, religious abuse, purity culture, and practical steps pastors can take to heal and lead healthier churches.
We usually have it backwards. . . Most of us rest from work. However, God’s desire for us is that we work from rest.
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.