Ministry Mix
Real conversations for the strategies and souls of ministry leaders.
Our goal is to bring you a mix of conversations on topics you are thinking about to help you lead more strategically and care for your soul more intentionally.
Phil is the pastor of Connecting Church in Abingdon, MD. He also trains church planters with the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and serves as an adjunct instructor at Liberty University. Phil is married to Pam and has three children.
Richard is the pastor of Canvas Church in Salisbury, MD. He also serves as the Church Planting Leader for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and as a Multiplying Pastor with Send Network. Richard is married to Payton and has a dog.
Ministry Mix
Honest Thoughts on Becoming a Pastor (with Chris Ford)
In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard sit down with Chris Ford, a worship pastor and elder candidate at Canvas Church, to discuss the realities of stepping into pastoral ministry. Chris shares his journey from serving in worship ministry to becoming a pastor-in-training, offering honest reflections on the biggest surprises, challenges, and lessons he’s learned along the way. From the unseen burdens pastors carry to the tension between task-driven leadership and true shepherding, Chris opens up about the transformation required to move from simply leading worship to genuinely pastoring people.
We also dive into the challenges of balancing ministry with family, the process of training new leaders within the local church, and the importance of going “all in” when following God's call. Whether you're a seasoned pastor, a new ministry leader, or someone considering the call to ministry, this episode offers practical insights, encouragement, and a few laughs along the way. Don’t miss this candid conversation about the highs, lows, and unexpected realities of pastoral leadership.
Reflection Questions:
1) What are some of the hidden burdens you carry in ministry? How do you process them in a healthy way?
2) How can you ensure that your leadership prioritizes people over productivity, especially in high-pressure ministry roles?
3) In what ways can you better integrate your family into your ministry while still maintaining quality time with them?
4) Are there areas in your leadership where you need to better delegate responsibility?
5) What rhythms do you have in place to care for your own soul while leading others?