Churchmen Podcast

In this episode, Pastors Jerry and Daron encourage shepherds and leaders to be ever watchful in their lives. The devil is seeking to devour, and he would happily find an "innocent" foothold somewhere in your thoughts - where a small entitlement, or perhaps a little discontentment, or the possible tinge of satisfaction as your hard work is finally being rewarded by increased influence... his options are many, and we are mere men. But the scriptures give us the armor and our Savior gives us the means to keep it effective. Here's how to watch out so that you are not devoured like so many others before and around you.

During this (or any) crisis, around every corner lurks another reason for even strong churchmen to slip into unhelpful speculation, worry, doubt and anxiety. And with every decision or situation, your responses will either provide a biblical salve or a stumbling block. In this episode, Pastors Jerry and Daron help us regain and maintain altitude by exposing some bad habits that weigh us down, targeting flawed thinking that blurs our navigation, and leveling biblical answers and perspective for our own hearts and those who rely on us to lead. Bonus: Pastor Jerry, recommended this beloved book toward the end of the episode: Trusting God by Jerry Bridges (1988).

Guest Jerry Rag is a pastor and author of "Courageous Churchmen," exploring the complex landscape of insecure leadership. He defines insecurity as hiding limitations, driven by shame and fear. The conversation reveals how leadership challenges can spotlight these insecurities. They also address the misguided focus on self-esteem and the importance of knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses. Highlights include signs of insecurity in various roles, from pastors to parents, emphasizing humility and Christ-like leadership as antidotes to pride.

In this engaging conversation, Jerry Ragg, a pastor and ministry leader, shares insights on the challenges faced by pastors' wives. He highlights the unique burdens they bear and the fears stemming from church pressures, including criticism and financial insecurity. Jerry discusses the importance of husbands modeling growth and maintaining a strong spiritual foundation to support their wives. He also provides actionable advice on identifying fears and emphasizes the significance of humility and encouragement in ministry. A thought-provoking dive into shepherding relationships!

The discussion dives into the insidious nature of pride within ministry. Pastors are often celebrated for their ambitions, yet this very pride can disqualify them from their roles. The hosts explore how cultural redefinitions disguise arrogance and the detrimental impact on congregations. They address the dangers of promoting untested leaders and emphasize the need for humility, character, and self-awareness. Genuine reactions to praise are highlighted as essential for growth, ultimately urging listeners to combat their 'darling sins' through reflection and Scripture.

Pastor Jerry Ragg, a seasoned theological leader, shares his deep insights on fostering strong relationships among ministry leaders. He explains the importance of trust and how it can prevent conflict, drawing parallels from Paul's relational style. Jerry highlights symptoms of relational weakness and emphasizes the need for accountability through shared doctrinal studies. He advocates for balance between love and truth while reminding leaders to practice humility and forgiveness. Ultimately, he provides practical strategies to strengthen team dynamics and overcome isolation.

Join Pastor Jerry and Daron as they chat with Dr. George Zemeck, a pastor and seminary professor dedicated to training future church leaders. George shares his journey from conversion to valuing expository preaching in the local church. He emphasizes the need for pastors to blend academic knowledge with practical experience. Warning against pride, he stresses the importance of humility and community critique. The conversation culminates in a heartfelt charge to young pastors: love the sheep and commit to their care through Scripture and genuine service.

Pastor Jerry Wragg and Daron Roberts look at developing leaders. Specifically what to look for, what to watch out for, and how to best encourage a hesitator.

As shepherds, it can seem like every one of our decisions, admonitions, words of encouragement, methods, sermons, leadership decisions, personality, home life, and just about everything else is constantly under ungracious scrutiny by others. Criticism is a daily encounter from nearly every angle and quite commonly from people who are unqualified to make such judgments. It's made that much harder when the loudest critiques come from within your own leadership team. It's made worse when men cannot agree, sometimes resulting in relationships damaged by sinful responses. This episode is aimed right at the heart of conflict at the leadership level. The scripture is our guide to the way God has asked us to humbly accept criticism, and shepherd our hearts together with others when they disagree with us.

Pastors Jerry and Daron attempt to assemble a Q.A. of NT Apostles to help us reveal a critical gap in the nuanced and volatile topic of social justice reform. The podcast is now available on Stitcher, iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts and of course, our website.