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.
Some of us believe it’s part of our call as pastors to sacrifice our health for the people in our congregations. Others need to be seen as martyrs in order to fulfill a need for acceptance. Still other pastors are so driven that they justify ignoring a clear directive from motivator, nothing will cause us to lose perspective faster than exhaustion.
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.
This may be the most important point for pastors who speak each week. We must never forget that the volunteers in the children’s ministry, nursery, security teams, and other support ministries are at the mercy of our time awareness.
Have you ever sat through a two-hour meeting that had about fifteen minutes worth of importance? I have, and I can tell you there are few things more frustrating to me.
Responsibility. But we need to separate fault from responsibility. Fault is shame-based condemnation—“you’re bad, there’s no hope.” Responsibility is what you have power over. If you can name responsibility, you can change what’s yours to steward.
AI is already embedded in daily life and ministry tools; ignoring it leaves leaders unprepared.
Eventually, you will find yourself at a place where you realize that forgiveness is the only path forward for you. Holding on to unforgiveness will stop you in your tracks. You will not be able to go forward holding on to the pain from the past.
Discipleship doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective. A library of short, discussion-friendly content can help small churches build a repeatable pathway.
When failure frames the leadership change you’ve been attempting to implement, refuse to panic. Keep working the problem. Develop confidence within yourself to believe transformation is possible. Let the Holy Spirit fill you with confidence that He will guide you to a solid solution.
Connection starts with God first. If leaders are not connected to God, they will not lead people into meaningful connection.
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.
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.
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.
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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