Chuck Fenwick is the lead pastor at the New Haven United Methodist Church in New Haven IN. Chuck has served at this church for 12 years and has a lot of fun and practical ministry stuff to talk about!
My favorite topics with him are his approach to sermon prep and delivery, and his philosophy regarding live-streaming versus pre-recorded weekend content. You will enjoy this and your imagination will be sparked for what you might do in your local ministry context!
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Are you ready to GO ALL IN??!!
Yeah, me neither. I hate the hype of self improvement. I really do think the tortoise beats the hare in the race. In this episode I talk about the way we really live, as pastors. Plus, the context of this episode is that I have lost 65 pounds in the last 5+ months. That sounds like "all in" or "radical", but it's really been one disciplined day after another. No BIG victories, until you start stringing a lot of individual days and choices together... inch by inch. Happy Friday! Enjoy... 
Jesus talks about how the Father wants us to produce fruit - fruit that will last. I often wonder, How much of what I am doing is going to stand the test of time? When our works are exposed to the test, how much of them will be wood, hay, and stubble, and how much of what we do will last for all eternity?
I want to produce fruit that doesn't end up with the eBay people some day. And, spiritual fruit that will last for all eternity... 
We put a lot of importance on family, and often spend a ton of time catering to family needs. As ministry leaders we sometimes speak about that almost apologetically. Yet, when Jesus taught his disciples to talk to God, he insisted they address him as "father" - family.
Many church growth experts insist our churches are organizations that need strategy, vision, and structure - and of course there is truth to that. But BEFORE that, we are a body, we are one, and we are a family. I talk today about how an hour with my grandson gave me a deeper appreciation for God. The theologian learns from the 5-year old! 
Boy oh boy! Pastors like me need to hear this message! Communication is more about listening than speaking.
I saw that message in a chapter title recently and this episode was immediately born in my heart. I have been, and need to continue, learning how to listen to my people. I am realizing how much that listening is connecting me to their lives, and connecting me to my messages in a different way as well. I hope this is encouraging and helpful for you Pastor! Enjoy! 
President Nixon infamously created an "Enemies" list, whereby he would punish those in the media and Administration that spoke poorly of him or his policies. These were the people he wanted blackballed, held at arm's length, prevented from obtaining interviews, etc.
Sometimes we as pastors, with the best of intentions, can lose our way, and create our own pastoral "Enemies" list. Today I talk with you about what to do when we are tempted to deliver retribution or revenge, or when we just want to get a little even. It's handy to be able to see what Paul wrote to Timothy about such things... 
Jonny Craig and I recorded with Ken Shigematsu, the author of God In My Everything - How An Ancient Rhythm Helps Busy People Enjoy God. As pastors, we are often harried and busy, and serving out of our scarcity of time and energy and passion.
Ken talks with us about time he has spent in monasteries, learning from the monks the ancient rhythms of life, and how he has established his own "rule of life" that guides him in his pursuit of spiritual intimacy and growth with God. Ken is a contemplative, reflective pastor, and he has some wonderful inspiration for us in this conversation. Enjoy! (and do a little yard work while you listen, you'll learn more!) :-) 
Jeff provides a little deeper dive into the best practices he talked about yesterday, also explaining the significance of taking the time and energy to keep yourself healthy, with margin, and a sane approach to your work.
A great benefit we have today is that there is a tutorial video on YouTube for almost anything, and especially for ever app that's out there. Utilize that library of teaching as it relates to apps that systematize your life help you with work/life balance and sanity. Enjoy! 
Jeff shares some really practical ways to keep your sanity in ministry regarding your schedule and communication with, and availability to, people. We must care for ourselves or we won't be healthy enough to care for our people. Enjoy!
Nobody warned me about one of the most painful tasks of parenting. It hit me and my wife like a tidal wave! We were crushed.
In that moment I had to assess whether or not my parenting had measured up, even to my minimum acceptable requirements. I hoped it had, but I wouldn't be sure for, not positive anyway, for years. Today I talk about parenting in a pastor's family. Parenting before it's too late and we no longer have those day to day interactions. Enjoy! I know you will... |
AuthorJeff Keady has been a pastor for 35 years and podcaster to pastors for 9 years - Coaching For Pastors is his latest podcast! Archives
April 2023
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