Pastoring on Purpose

Our booth is packed, the crowds are gone, and the final worship services have begun here at the Church of God General Assembly 2026. As we prepare for the trip home, we're proud to share our last mini-episode recorded here in Orlando. Dr. Tim Maness welcomes Francis Rodriquez to Pastoring on Purpose. Francis is a young man attending Lee University who has a powerful story of sacrificing his own interests to care for his family as he pursues his degree in ministry.

Dennis Laughlin is the lead pastor at Starkville Church of God in Mississippi. Dennis visited Pastoring on Purpose at the Church of God General Assembly 2026 to join Dr. Tim Maness and share his pastoral journey. He talks about his experience pastoring over the last 25 years, and gives insight into how he maintains healthy boundaries to protect his family relationships and his hobbies.

Shea Hughes is the Administrative Bishop for the Pennsylvania Church of God. Shea has written a book, Toy Soldiers, about his childhood trauma caused by his father's abandonment and his path to overcoming that past through God. Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent spent some time at the Church of God General Assembly 2026 talking to Shea about his experiences, the book, and how his past has shaped his life to his current role.

Lisia Malcolm Burnett visited the Ministerial Care team this week at the Church of God General Assembly 2026. Lisia is a wife, mother, church planter, and businesswoman serving on the Regional Youth board and the Evangelism and Church Plant board for Ontario/Eastern Canada. Lisia received counseling from Dr. Tim Maness and wanted to share her story of strength and recovery through our pastoral counseling program on this episode of Pastoring on Purpose.

Dr. Jess Bradley is a psychologist and the wife of Ryan Bradley, student pastor at Lifeline Church of God in Princeton, West Virginia. She spent some time with Dr. Tim Maness at the Church of God General Assembly 2026, joining our podcast to talk about her research on the mental health of ministers and her hopes for utilizing that information to improve the lives of Church of God ministers everywhere.

The Evangelist Joseph Richardson joined Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent at the Ministerial Care booth in the Church of God General Assembly 2026 exhibitor hall. Joseph is the youngest credentialed minister of all time in the Church of God. Joseph is 15, and joined our podcast to share his fire for the Lord and what it's like to be a young man in ministry.

Eighty-two-year-old author Sarah Glover stopped by the Ministerial Care booth at the Church of God General Assembly 2026 visit with Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent. They talk about Sarah's 42 years of youth ministry leadership and the trials and lessons she encountered along the way. Sarah is the author of Building a Youth Ministry and Well, I Declare, God, both available from Pathway Press.

Our next Pastoring on Purpose episode from the Church of God General Assembly 2026 exhibit hall features author Lesa Henderson. Lesa speaks with Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent about her son's childhood trauma and resultant addiction and how it affected her family. She shares the journey her family took helping him to recovery and also talks about her book, Armed & Victorious.

Our next mini-episode of Pastoring on Purpose, recorded live at the Church of God General Assembly 2026, featured Dr. Justin Walker. Justin is the new Dean of Theology and Ministry at Lee University. Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent get to know Justin, learn how his life as a PK shaped his journey, and gain insight into his perspectives on his role at Lee.

Continuing our podcasts recorded live from the Church of God General Assembly 2026 in Orlando, Dr. Tim Maness is joined by Bill Woodruff, Director of the Flourishing Congregations Project. PTS Flourish is based out of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and is a grant-funded program offering conferences for church leaders and their congregations to help develop healthier churches through training and discipleship.

Mitch Maloney was pastor of North Cleveland Church of God for more than two decades, and has been in ministry for over fifty years. He dropped by the Ministerial Care podcast to talk to Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent about how his experience raising two autistic children inspired his current project, Real Life Village, a live-in care facility in Cleveland, Tennessee, for individuals with intelectual and developmental disabilities.

Recorded live at the Church of God General Assembly 2026, Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent speak with Dr. Mark Taylor. Mark is the Ministerial Care Director for the California/Nevada Church of God, and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. He is also the author of Beauty from the Ashes: Breaking Through the Pain Where Grace Will Sustain, a powerful and hope-filled resource for anyone walking through pain, trauma, or life's unexpected challenges.

Dr. Phil Cook, the president of Lee University, visited Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent in the exhibit hall at the Church of God General Assembly. They discussed Phil's experience as a student whose life was changed by (then) Lee College and how that influences him today in his current role as president. He also shared the vision Lee has, and how he is leading the university forward.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent welcome Dr. Giovy Sanders to Pastoring on Purpose, live from the Church of God General Assembly. Inspired by her own experience as a pastor's wife, Giovy's doctoral research was on the mental health referral practices of clergy in the Church of God. Her research revealed a critical gap in how ministry leaders are equipped to recognize emotional and mental health challenges within their congregations. She talks about her research, as well as her new book, Navigating the Maze of Mental Health and Ministry.

Terre Haute Church of God Senior Pastor Bishop Dennis Sanders stopped by the Ministerial Care booth at Church of God General Assembly. On this episode, Dennis tells Dr. Tim Maness his story of dealing with pride, divorce, and remarriage as a visible church leader. From his ex-wife's infidelity to his own decision to not get counseling during difficult times, to the challenges of carrying baggage into his new marriage, Dennis is honest and open about how God has given him a new season of greater emotional and mental health.

Recording live from the Center for Ministerial Care booth in the exhibit hall of General Assembly 2026, this episode of our official podcast finds Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent welcoming David Gosnell. David is the General Director of Church of God Publications. He's brought by a selection of new books that are available on the Pathway Press Bookstore website (and in their store here at General Assembly), and shares his passion for helping guide others who are inspired begin their writing journey through Pathway.

In our first episode live from the exhibit hall at the Church of God International General Assembly 2026 in Orlando, Florida, Dr. Tim Maness and Producer Ryan are joined by Biji Abraham. Biji and her two siblings own AVM Enterprises, a hospitality supply service company her father founded. She shares the story of her father's love and his lifelong dedication to the church, as well as how she and her two siblings honor his legacy today.

Dr. Tim Maness and the Center for Ministerial Care team are heading to the Church of God General Assembly 2026 in Orlando! He's joined by Producer Ryan to talk about what Ministerial Care has in store for the event. We'll be recording live podcasts all week, handing out some fun swag, and sharing information about our professional mental health counseling and our retired minister program, SpiritCare. If you're attending GA, please stop by the Ministerial Care booth in the vendor hall and introduce yourself!

Dr. Tim Maness is joined by Producer Ryan and their guest, Tara Sarpe. As church leaders, Tara and her husband Justin are highly-visible parents of a special needs child, and she joins the show to share her story of the challenges and opportunities associated with that role. Through their experiences, Tara and Justin help train churches to effectively minister to families of children with special needs. Tara is the author of Beauty Behind the Pain – A Mother's Journey of Healing Through Raising a Special Needs Child. She is also the author of MADE, a soon-to-be-released Bible curriculum designed for special needs ministries within the church.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent are joined by Brian and Cathy Yaun to talk about families serving the church, transitioning between various church positions, and the importance of healthy communication amongst families. Brian is the International Youth and Discipleship Director, and Cathy is the International Girls Ministries Coordinator for the Church of God.

Pastoring on Purpose presents a special episode on women's health, specifically focusing on the topic of menopause and its symptoms, effects, and treatments. Producer Ryan is joined by Ministerial Care team members Melinda Maness and Lisa Jones as they welcome family nurse practitioner Stacy Flowers to provide informed clinical insight into the topic. Please note that this episode is a respectful discussion about a sensitive topic and includes clinical references to the female body that may be best suited for mature audiences.

Don't wake up on the wrong side of the internet! On episode 2 of our Social Media focus, Dr. Tim Maness continues his look at how social media can affect our lives in this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. Producer Ryan joins him for this discussion and also shares a few ways social media is good for us!

Dr. Tim Maness tackles the mental and emotional toll that social media can have on our lives in this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. He's joined by Producer Ryan, to discuss how our usage and experience on social media networks can influence our thoughts, behaviors, and even our ministry.

Lee University Chancellor Dr. Paul Conn joins our Ministerial Care team, Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent, to talk about the opportunities and struggles that have been part of his 35 years in leadership at Lee University. Dr. Conn also shares his journey that led him to Lee, and his recent health challenges.

Join Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent as they celebrate this 100th episode of Pastoring on Purpose! We'll listen to some inspiring testimonials, well-wishes, and past-episode highlights as we honor and give thanks for reaching this incredible milestone.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent are joined by Dr. Thomas Propes and his wife, LaQuita, to talk about missionaries and the mental health challenges they face. They also share their own personal story of losing a child and how that affects parents and the community around them. Dr. Propes holds a Doctor of Divinity from Pentacostal Theological Seminary and is the General Director of World Missions for Church of God. He served on the Council of Eighteen of the Church of God, and has been in ministry for nearly 50 years.

Dr. Tim Maness discusses the behaviors and habits ministers can practice to remain mentally and emotionally healthy. He also shares some of the behaviors church leaders can demonstrate to help manage expectations and boundaries between their family and their congregation.

Dr. Michael Reynolds joins Dr. Tim Maness to discuss ministering to police and other civil servants while maintaining your own personal mental health. Dr. Reynolds is the Director of Ministerial Development at the Church of God Division of Education and an Associate Professor at Trinity College and Affiliate Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Sussy Hunter joins Dr. Jeffrey Sargent and Dr. Tim Maness to share her experiences with family stress, lifestyle limitations, and challenging behaviors that lead to her being diagnosed with attention defecit disorder as an adult. She also discusses her journey to greater mental and spiritual health through prayer, medicine, and counseling. Sussy and her husband, Wes, are lead pastors at Hill Creek Church of God in Swartz Creek, Michigan.

In the Season 7 finale, Dr. Tim Maness and the Ministerial Care team reflect on the incredible past year and the joy of families, friends, and holidays. They also discuss some helpful ways we can manage the difficulties and emotions that some may experience this time of year.

Dr. Tim Maness welcomes Ginger Robinson, associate pastor of Westmore Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee. She discusses her journey as a pastor's widow raising two children in the shadow of her husband, Jeremy's, passing. She and her husband planted the Open Door Community Church in Northern Kentucky, where they pastored for 12 years before pastoring Bethalto Church of God in Illinois for 10 years. Their daughters were 16 and 14 when Jeremy died in 2015. In 2020, the Robinson's moved to be closer to family in Cleveland, where Ginger has taught part-time at TCPS and worked as director of the U-Turn Institute, as well as having led 15 GriefShare groups. Ginger has a BS in Communications from Lee University and an MA in Communications from Regent University.

Dr. Tim Maness and the Ministerial Care team have a light and fun conversation about giving thanks during this time of year. They play some games, share some stories, and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent welcome Sarah McKinnis, founder and CEO of WillowBend Farms. Willowbend Farms is a faith-based, Christ-centered, nonprofit organization focused on the restoration of survivors of human trafficking. Sarah is a survivor herself, and shares insight, information, and inspiration on this difficult but important topic.

In this episode, Dr. Tim Maness has an indepth conversation about the importance of forgiveness. Whether you are giving or receiving forgiveness, the personal transaction of forgiveness bears physical, emotional, and spiritual effects on our lives. Learn why we experience these and how you can facilitate healthier relationships and lifestyles through emracing the power of forgiveness.

Dr. Tim Maness has an honest discussion with the Ministerial Care Team about healthy ways to navigate changes. They discuss the kinds of emotions and the effects of experiencing changes in our lives, as well as techniques and strategies for dealing with them in healthy, productive ways.

Dawn Lipsey is a licensed minister in the Church of God, serves in leadership alongside her husband at South Cleveland Church of God, and is an accomplished author. She joins Dr. Tim Maness to share the story of her courageous battle to overcome breast cancer, and her message of hope.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent are joined by Pastor Sandy Whitmire on this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. Sandy and her husband pastor at Ocoee Church of God, and she is currently the Executive Assistant to the Administrative Liaison to the General Overseer at Church of God. Sandy shares her experience with a serious brain bleed and how it has affected her, her family, and her faith.

Have you ever apologised for something that was neither your fault nor your responsibility? Do you feel guilty when things at your church go less than perfect even when they are not under your control? False guilt is something we all experience, particularly as leaders who feel strongly about the success of our churches and our parishoners. In this episode, Dr. Tim Maness talks about false guilt: what can cause it, why we feel it, and the things we can do to avoid or manage it.

This episode welcomes Joel Barron back to Pastoring on Purpose! Joel is the associate/worship pastor at Starkville Church of God in Starkville, Mississippi. He is the Director of Choral Activities at Choctaw County High School, and serves as a missionary with the Church of God World Missions. Joel shares his experience as a missionary in Germany dealing with the stress and anxiety that missionaries face, and his success receiving counseling from the Center for Ministerial Care.

Dr. Jerry Devane joins Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent to talk about vicarious trauma and its effects on early and first responders, such as emergency personel and ministers. Dr. Devane has served in emergency response his entire career, from performing CPR on Elvis Presley while in medical school to developing EMS processes for Bradley County Tennessee. He shares stories of his time in pre-hospital emergency care and discusses the self-care that can help individuals better cope with vicarious trauma.

The women of the Ministerial Care team – Lisa, Donna, and Melinda – join Producer Ryan to talk about their personal experiences regarding mental health. They also share some of the common myths and misconceptions that can pose a challenge to women struggling with stress, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

Anxiety is a part of life we all share, but leaders experience anxiety in a variety of different ways. Dr. Tim Maness discusses anxiety and leadership in this episode, examining causes, effects, and management methods can help church leaders and those around them.

Have you ever found yourself unable to make a simple decision due to anxiety, exhaustion, or burnout? Decision fatigue is a real problem that many people experience when they are overworked or over-burdened with responsibilities. The Ministerial Care staff sits down to talk about this phenomenon and explore how you may be able to minimalize the causes and avoid or alleviate this stressful challenge!

Lee University senior Mary Steffy joins Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent on this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. Mary shares her experiences growing up as a pastor's kid (PK) and the challenges and benefits of being raised in the church. They discuss dealing with the expectations and pressures a PK faces as well as the opportunities and fun a pastor's kid enjoys.

Dr. Tim Maness is joined by Drs. Raymond and Lorna Burch to talk about the importance of healthy marriage and share insight and motivation to help others achieve success in their relationships. Raymond currently serves as an administrative bishop in New Jersey for the Church of God, and Lorna is an ordained minister serving as Women's Ministries Director for the New Jersey Church of God state executive office. Together, they have authored the book, Momentum in Marriage.

Pastoring on Purpose welcomes back Macey Jones. Macey is a junior at Lee University pursuing her degree in Theological and professional studies, with two minors – Christian Ministries and Psychology. Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent sit down with Macey to talk about the struggles and opportunities being navigated by young people in our churches today.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent are joined by Bishop T. Wayne Dority, D.D., who serves as the second assistant general overseer for the Church of God. Bishop Dority pastored for twenty-two years, giving him a special burden for clergy and churches, which he has used to encourage healthy behaviors and a focus on pastors' well-being. He shares his wisdom and experience, focusing on the dangers of feeling alone and the importance of Sabbaticals.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeff Sargent continue their in-depth discussion about identity and how we relate to God, ourselves, and one another. In part three of our series, they explore Social Identity Theory.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent's informative discussion of identity continues in this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. They examine how a person's identity is shaped and influenced by social interactions and circumstances, why we seem to have changing versions of ourselves, and where our true identity can be found. Take a deep dive into who you are in this second part of a series focusing on Identity.

Dr. Tim Maness and Dr. Jeffrey Sargent have an informative conversation about identity in this episode of Pastoring on Purpose. Learn how a person's identity is defined, what it is, and its role in who we are and how it influences our approach to being a minister. Take a deep dive into who you are in this first part of a series focusing on Identity.