The Jim Bradford Podcast
Episodes
241 episodes
How are you using AI in your preaching?
This isn't the first time we've discussed AI on the podcast, but things are changing fast. Nearly everyone, pastors included, has seen the advice and marketing about how AI will transform their work. But while the tools keep getting better and ...
If you had only one sermon left to preach?
We're taking a few weeks to talk about preaching, and this week we have a great question from a listener that takes us into a conversation on preaching themes, voice, and learning to embrace who you are as a preacher. We hope it's a helpful con...
How can we lead more generous lives and churches?
While the scriptures often direct our attention to how we spend money and our motivations for generosity, the topic can be uncomfortable for some people. In today’s episode, Pastor Jim describes why generosity matters and how church leaders can...
How can I stay focused with so many distractions?
We live in an age of distraction. From our phones to twenty-four-hour news cycles, there's always something competing for our attention. It affects us as leaders and also as Christians. Our attention can be hijacked, and our eyes pulled toward ...
What lessons did you learn in helping lead the Assemblies of God?
For more than 9 years, Pastor Jim served as the General Secretary of the Assemblies of God. In today's episode, we look back on that time and discuss lessons he learned from that work and what surprised him most. As the General Secretary, Pasto...
Celebrating America and Praying for its Future
This weekend, as our nation celebrates its 250th year, Pastor Jim explores what it means to be patriotic, why we can be grateful for this nation, and how we can lead in praying for the decades to come.
Is it okay for a Christian to be ambitious?
There are those who see ambition as only a virtue and others who see it as pure vice. Is it good to be ambitious, or is it a dangerous self-obsession? Perhaps most importantly, how should faith impact ambition? In our conversation today, Pastor...
When to Speak and When to Stay Silent
Surrounded by conflicts and controversy, there can be a lot of pressure to speak, whether you're a Christian in a workplace or a pastor speaking to a congregation. The Bible encourages both holding the tongue and the courage to be bold with the...
Are we in a season of spiritual awakening?
Many are reporting on an unexpected spiritual awakening in our culture. More people are exploring the Christian faith than before, and more are open to spiritual conversations. But how can the church steward this moment well? And what does disc...
How can you build trust in an age of skepticism?
We increasingly live in an age of skepticism. People do not trust institutions, and often they do not trust the church or pastors. Moral failures and corrupted leaders have violated the trust of many followers. But trust is one of the foundatio...
How to Set the Right Boundaries in Life and Ministry
Today, we’re talking about boundaries. There can be a lot of expectations in life and ministry. How do you know when to say yes and when to say no? Boundaries are important, but when can they also become boundaries to work God might be calling ...
How To Cultivate and Lead a Multigenerational Church?
For decades, Pastor Jim has led multigenerational churches. Today, serving at Central Assembly, the church is known for its multigenerational approach to ministry and worship. Pastor Jim explores both the challenges and rewards of serving all a...
How can we cultivate better friendships?
Forming a friendship can be difficult. Life and ministry can be full of loneliness. In today's conversation, Pastor Jim and I discuss the value of relationships and how we can be more intentional in forming them. Pastor Jim offers advice from h...
Why does the resurrection matter?
At the center of the Christian message is the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. But the gospel makes an even bigger claim. Because of Jesus's resurrection, we too will be resurrected. In this week's episode, we discuss why the resurrection m...
What are the hardest lessons you've learned in ministry?
Ministry is full of both great joys and often great challenges. Today, we're answering listeners' questions about the most challenging lessons of ministry. We'll look at how challenges often change from the early years of ministry to lessons th...
What are you reading and what should I read next?
It's a common adage that leaders are readers. In this week's episode, Pastor Jim and I discuss some of our favorite books and how we stay disciplined in our reading. We hope our conversation helps you pick up a new book and helps you incorporat...
Keeping Your Faith Through Church Hurt
Too many people are hurt by the church and pastoral abuses. The consequences are real, but the greatest loss is the loss of faith that often follows hurt. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim and I discussed the need for the church to do bette...
What is the value of studying in the Holy Land?
In today's episodes, we are answering a listener's questions about studying in the Holy Land. Though it has not previously come up on the podcast, it's a topic both Pastor Jim and Chase are passionate about. We'll discuss how it can impact your...
Serving in One Church for a Long Time
We never know how long God will keep us in one place. God often calls leaders to new work and new places, but there are both benefits and challenges to staying in one calling for a long time. In this episode, Pastor Jim discusses his own transi...
Why Missions Matters to Every Believer
Most churches participate in giving to support missions and missionaries, but in today's episode, we discuss why missions matter to every believer. We all play a role and bear responsibility for Jesus' great commission. So, how can people parti...
Finding Courage to Take Risks
Some people seem to be naturally wired to take risks. Others seem more naturally cautious and risk-averse. Is courage just a personality trait? The scriptures often call us to boldness and to take up difficult work, so how can we find the coura...
Balancing Relationships and Administrative Responsibilities in Ministry
The ministry is about people, but there are also plenty of administrative responsibilities in leading a church. For many pastors, the balance between relationships and administration can feel constantly out of balance. Ignore administration, an...
Recognizing False Teaching
We live in the information age. The internet is full of voices, advice, and increasingly theological teaching and commentary. Every day, we're forced to evaluate what is true and who is worth listening to. In our conversation today, Pastor Jim ...
Raising Children While Serving in Ministry
While you may have a job at a church, our families are also a part of the church community. Sometimes churches can have expectations of the whole ministry family. And sometimes growing up in the pastor's home can come with both benefits and cha...
What Is The Role of Prophets and Apostles in the Church Today?
As we continue taking you’re listener questions, today we have a question about the role of prophets and apostles in the modern church. From the New Apostolic Reformation to online YouTubers who claim to be prophets, there seems to be a growing...