Walking in Faith

Chris Parrish has been the senior pastor at Buck Run Baptist Church for one hear. He talks to Treg about how Pastor York set up him to succeed.

Pastor Joe shares how being an assistant pastor is his third career and how his life experience has shaped the way he thinks about being an assistant pastor. Links: Treg's Book - https://bit.ly/43F2ag8 Scheduling Software - https://calendly.com/ Pastor Joe's article on assistant pastors - https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/associate-pastor-good-second/ Parenting book - http://bit.ly/4iTOSko Pastor Joe's contact - joe.carter@gospelcoalition.org #davidplatt #assistantpastor #churchleadership #churchleaders #churchleader

In this episode of AOA, Treg talks with Jonathan Beazley who has travelled as an evangelist, church planter, and fitness coach. Jonathan is going to share his struggles with church planting and ministry and how our fitness can advance our ministries as assistant pastors. Jonathan's website: mindandbodystrength.com  

Join Treg and Cary as they dive into the profound lessons they've learned from the trials God has guided them through. From sharing personal stories to offering insights, this episode explores how faith can grow in the face of suffering. Whether you're going through a storm of life now or just want to be prepared for the future, let this podcast be a source of hope, comfort, and wisdom for whatever lies ahead.

This is part two of a conversation Treg and Dan began last episode. In this episode Treg and Dan talk more specifically about what a thrown spear looks like in ministry and talk about some helpful ways for assistant pastors to avoid those thrown spears.

Treg and Dan are back in the Coffee Shop to record another episode of AOA! Treg and Dan talk about the struggles David had when he rejected the armor of King Saul and how assistant pastors can learn from those lessons. 

Dr. Chris Sanchez is the Executive Pastor at Flat Creek Baptist Church in the Atlanta, GA area. He started vocational ministry in 2016 and has been busy serving ever since! In January 2018, he began a three-year journey serving as vice president of the Georgia Baptist Association of Christian Educators (GBACE). In January 2019, he became president-elect of GBACE  and in 2020 served as president of the organization during which time D. Sanchez was able to lead the organization through a process of rebranding to become the Georgia Baptist Disciple-Makers Network. Also in January 2019, Dr. Sanchez began a five-year term as a trustee of the Georgia Baptist Foundation. At the 200th Georgia Baptist Convention, he had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Committee on Resolutions which presented messengers with seven resolutions which all passed.

Pastor Kurt Skelly is a senior pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA. He travels all around the country speaking at churches, conferences, retreats, and camps, and has a true passion for helping church leaders. In this episode of AOA he shares lessons on how to lead through a transition to a new ministry. 

Dan Larison has been an Assistant Pastor for 18 years. He joined the Parkside pastoral team in September 2005 but he and his wife, Pam, have been members of the church since 1998. Dan's responsibilities include overseeing their missionaries, managing their small groups, and is a mentor in their Residency program. Dan hails from Cincinnati and attended Adrian College and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and Pam have five children. 

On this episode, I have the privilege to interview Dr. Brian Fairchild.  Brian tells us the story of how God took the vision of a willing servant and allowed him to become the Director of the Academy for Expository Preaching. This one course has already impacted the lives of over 500 as they expand their calling.  The Academy is a ministry of OnePassion Ministries founded by Dr. Steve Lawson. If you listened to the whole episode and would like to take advantage of the offer given by AOA please email fbc@faithwv.org and put “the offer” in the subject box.  Also, if you share this episode on social media and tag @tregspicer and @academyforexpositorypreaching you will be entered for a chance to win “Called to Preach” by Dr. Steve Lawson. Also, please join our new Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/232375942928284/?mibextid=oMANbw https://theexpositorsacademy.org/ https://assistantpastors.org/

Brent has been with Dean Miller in three different states and in three different ministries. He is currently Pastor Miller's assistant at Front Range Baptist.  

Phil Johnson has served with Pastor John MacArthur for 40 years.  In this interview, he gives us the background of his calling and how God opened the doors for him to serve at Grace to You Ministries.  Phil is a teaching pastor at Grace Community Church and the executive director of Grace to You.  I think you will find this podcast interesting and encouraging.  

Can't we all get along?  Many times the answer is "No!"  People equal problems.  Interpersonal relationships can be tricky.  When a church has multiple staff members and no real divining force leading them and casting vision it can be a rough environment to work in.   In this podcast, we will go over a few scenarios that might sound all too familiar.  

"God will provide" is a very true statement when it comes to our future and retirement, but possibly He is providing through wise people like Nate Skelly to help you prepare!  Nate offers great advice I think all of you could benefit from.  Below is his information and a few books he recommended.  https://www.nateskelly.com https://www.amazon.com/Money-Possessions-Eternity-Randy-Alcorn/dp/0842353607 https://www.amazon.com/Master-Your-Money-Step-Step/dp/0802481612/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2WNM3UWY7L3SK&keywords=master+your+money+book&qid=1649942938&s=books&sprefix=master+your+money+book%2Cstripbooks%2C64&sr=1-5  

If you have a strike against you it is your age.  Many of you are young.  Some of you are not yet married and if you are you are early in your marriage.  Chances are you are working with teens but you are years away from having teens of your own.  In light of this, you are struggling to be trusted and appreciated.  So turn your hat around like it should be, put on jeans that fit, and enjoy this podcast! :) 

This interview will be an incredible encouragement and a challenge to all of you.  Even if you are in the "1st" chair you need to listen to Cary share some insight on pastoring and fulfilling your role in whatever position you find yourself in.

It is one thing to be an assistant pastor when your pastor is there, but what if he is gone?  This was my situation for almost 8 months and today's co-host David Myer's as well.  David's pastor not only was out sick but passed away.  He then helped the church through the transition of finding another pastor.   These are tough situations to be in and I trust this episode will be an encouragement for you.  

Many times it is the assistant who is given the responsibility of taking care of missionaries or guest speakers.  In this episode, we go over some ideas that will help you and your church stand out in the speaker's itinerary.  

In this episode Dan and I will discuss when to go from your current position when God taps you on the shoulder, and what it might cost you to go.  I hope this episode is an encouragement to you as you prayerfully consider "what's next."

What's next is a question many of you probably ask yourself on a regular basis.  You find yourself daydreaming about working for or with certain pastors or ministries.  You long for the day when God opens the door for you to be a “real pastor” so you can be the one casing vision and direction. 

It was the day of my dad's open-heart surgery when I received a prophecy that would come true 12 years later.  The heart surgeon met with my brother and me and described the surgery.  He then said something that I will never forget.  “You boys are next.  There is nothing you can do to avoid it.  You can't deny the genes you were given.”  He then went on to tell us this story.  “I have a great friend and colleague who is an avid cyclist.  After one of his rides, he wasn't feeling well.  He demanded I give him a heart cath in light of his family history.  I thought he was crazy!  I did it, and he ended up with bypass surgery.”     After hearing those words I walked away with a choice.  I could either live life however I wanted, enjoy Little Debbies and fried food seeing I was destined to die anyway or try to beat the odds.  I opted for the latter. Did it keep me from a heart attack, no, but it did save my life when my day came.     Spiritually life is the same way.  Paul is much like my Dad's surgeon when he said, “All that live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”  Does that mean we should just live it up any way we want knowing our doomsday is coming?  No, we should work on our spiritual well-being so when it comes we survive and do not get destroyed.     It's amazing when one goes through a health crisis how many “doctors” and “nutritionalist" are out there wanting to help and offer advice.  Obviously, they believe in their products and procedures, and some might even financially benefit from them!  I recently read a post about a friend whose wife was diagnosed with cancer. After he informed everyone on their decision about treatments he then said something like this: “Understand this is the direction we have decided to go, and any other ideas for us you might have please do not share them.”     I don't think people mean to come across in a negative way, and I honestly believe they want to help, but when the whole nation chips in with their thoughts and ideas it can be and is overwhelming.     Bottom line is, I need to do what works best for me.  If McDonald's french fries is the only thing I can eat without causing me pain and agony bring on the basket of fries!  If it's blueberries and protein shakes so be it.  If it is an infusion every 8 weeks then I'll open my schedule up for these appointments.     I must do what works for me and what will give me life and health in the long haul.     When it comes to our spiritual health we tend to do the same thing.  We have attributed God's blessing to certain ways we have done things.  Due to the results, we tend to promote the method instead of the means.     That is the reason why there are so many books on prayer.  There is no one way.  We can pray like Daniel and see results.  We can pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day at 7:14 and see results.  We can pray the prayer of Jabez…well…I'll stop there.  God does not honor one prayer over another because of the time we pray it, or if we eat The Daniel's diet or Domino's pizza after we pray.      The truth is, much like our physical health, what works for us is not the answer for all.  There is no right or wrong way to help yourself spiritually.  There is no secret book or program for you to buy that will bless you or your family in a special way.  There is no pastor or evangelist that can give you the secrets of spiritual success so you never struggle again.  It just does not exist.     So my encouragement to you today is to pray.  Read.  Spend time with your Savior.  There is only one way to know Him (Phil. 3:10) and that is to spend time with Him!     But as assistant pastors one thing I think we lack is an appreciation and realization of exactly how powerful prayer is and necessary for our current ministry.     There are two reasons why prayer is so important at this stage of the game for our assistant pastors.  1) Prayer changes things.  2) Prayer changes you.     As assistants, we tend to put our focus on others and ministry.  We are in a hero mode many times wanting to solve problems, pick up pieces that are left behind, and do all we can to shine.  We are quick to brag on how many hours we work a week, but I have yet to have an assistant brag to me about the number of hours he prays. Do you think God is looking at how you punch the time clock or stop the clock in the prayer closet?   It is not until we realize what we can accomplish for God and ourselves by prayer, that we will find breakthroughs in our lives and ministries.     Alright Treg, if there is no secret recipe or divine design, what do I need to do to pray?  First, allow me to give you some practical advice.   1.  Find a place to pray.   2.  Find a particular time to pray.   3.  Have a plan to pray.     Set up a plan!  Here is a sample to get you started.   Monday-Missions Tuesday-Terrific people in my life (friends) Wednesday-Witness (Pastors local and global) Thursday-Taken request from Wednesday Friday- Family (extended, immediate is every day by name). Saturday-Summit Ridge (my neighborhood) Sunday-Sermon, the Spirit, and strength to preach the Scripture.        

Part Two of Making Disciples goes into some very practical ways you can mentor other believers.  Even if you are bi-vocational and have many irons in the fire this is a must for all of us.  Jesus told us just before leaving earth, "Go and make disciples!"  So jump in for some ideas on how you can invest in and impact the next generation.  

Discipleship has become a major part of our Christian culture.  There have been books, curriculums, and programs offered in all shapes and sizes to help people disciple others.  Is this what discipleship really is?  What does it mean to disciple?  Are you making disciples?  In this podcast, you will find it is not as difficult as you might think!  

Aaron has traveled as an assistant and now with assistants for over 20 years. Listen in as he shares some great insight from the perspective of an Assistant, Evangelist, and an observer to many church staff situations over the years.   

Part 2 of dealing with critics gets into some real-life issues.  Dan gets raw with us in regard to criticism pointed at him in his ministry. 

We had the opportunity to interview Joey Neal and Jeremy Cordova who serve as Assistant Pastors at Faith Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV where Treg Spicer is pastor. They talk about their unique roles in a very active Church and School ministry Note: We recorded this episode on different equipment. Please excuse some of the audio.  Like Art of the Assistant on Facebook and Instagram.  https://www.facebook.com/artoftheassistant https://www.instagram.com/art_of_the_assistant/  

Criticism is something we all must be prepared for in our misitries.  Very little we do is behind the scenes.  People want to be in the know.  People want to be in the know about you!  No matter what you post, print, or preach, it will be criticized.  You will never be like the former assistant pastor and you will never be as good of an assistant as your pastor was at your age.   In this podcast we will talk about how to handle criticism, how to handle the critic, and how to handle it when it hits home.   I trust this will be an encouargement and help. I do mention a blog in this episdoe.  Here is the link: https://www.michaeljkruger.com/what-is-spiritual-abuse/

You will find this podcast both practical and thought-provoking.  Carrie and Holly give an excellent perspective from the wife's point of view.  We talk about expectations, finances, and kids.  You will hear about some struggles as well as blessings.  I trust you will enjoy this podcast!  

Hey assistant pastors, if you only listen to one podcast this week, make this the one!  Steve Miller has been through the highs and lows of serving as an assistant.  He gets real with us about the trials and hardships that ministry can bring.  You will take away many insightful lessons from him on this podcast. Download it now!!

QUESTION: Are you the assistant to the pastor, the assistant pastor, or the administrative assistant pastor?  Possibly you are all of the above.  Does it really matter which one you are?  We believe it does.  This podcast deals with all three positions and explains how you can excel in whichever one you find yourself in.  

I believe this is something all of us have struggled with at one time or another.  No matter the situation we find ourselves we are always trying to keep everyone happy.  Even though we know this impossible, we still burn ourselves out trying.  I trust this episode will help you do a self search on why you are consumed with pleasing people.   

There is so much to glean from this podcast.  Clay gives us the inside scoop on what it is like to be an assistant coach at WVU.  He also gives awesome advice that will apply to all areas of life no matter what position you find yourself in.  I know you will enjoy this podcast!

Let's face it, we all have the potential of being lazy.  Some spend more time staring at a during the day than they do accomplishing anything.  Time Management is a topic that is much easier to talk and write about than practice.  This is a practical guide on how to use your time wisely for the Kingdom.  

This episode is an introduction to time management principles.  Time is a terrible thing to waste, and yet we wast more than we often utilize.  According to current research the average person spends 2hrs and 22min on social media alone! We trust these time management helps will encourage you to begin redeeming your time. For resources about time management you can click on the link below. https://www.tregspicer.com/aoa

Are you thinking about working or currently working for a family member?  Johnny Crane not only served as his father's assistant but also as a teacher in the school where his mother was the administrator.  This interview will give you some practical advice if you find yourself in a bind when your pastor and boss is your father.  

Bi-vocational is becoming more and more the norm as we see churches struggling from Covid.  But honestly, the second source of income can be a blessing not only to you but your ministry.   In this podcast, we will discuss ways to supplement your income without taking time away from your ministry or families.  

“I love having the elephant in the room conversations,” said no one ever! I have been in several meetings over the years when you knew everyone there understood what the problem was but no one had the guts to speak up.     You've been there.  Countless times.  It's always in the budget meeting. Staring at you is the elephant in the room yet you sit remaining silent.     These stories are “almost true” but the names are not real.     It is the night of the dreaded financial meeting with the elders.  Your wife begs you to speak up this time.  She sees the stress your current financial situation puts on you and is not only concerned about buying groceries but also her husband's health. “When the subject of raises comes up,” she says, “you had to let them know you were struggling.”  Finally, the question came, “Should we hand out raises this year?”  You sit in silence.  Granted, you are making the same you did 5 years and three kids ago, but who's counting anyway.  You are thinking: “Surely the board will see everything I have done and how much help I have been around here.  Man, without me this ministry would be dead in a year max.  They must see that!”   You continue to sit in silence.  “Well I think it would be unwise to hand out raises again this year,” Bill says.  “I think you are right Bill,” says the Pastor. “The economy is shaky, the old factory in town could close down at any time and money doesn't grow on trees.  It will be ok,” he continues, “God always meets our needs.”     You think! That is easy for him to say! It's just the two of them with a combined yearly income of more than I will make in five years!     The meeting is over.  You have a difficult time making eye contact with any of the board members as you leave.  Worse yet, you know your wife is waiting at home for the big news.   If you have been in those meetings, I am sorry!  I know what that feels like!     The fact is when you signed up for this (or when God signed you up) a vow of poverty seemed to come along as part of the calling.  somehow many churches and senior pastors feel by having their associates live like a monk or priest it is somehow good for them.  It is not.  Jesuit Father James Bretzke says about living within the realms of his vow to poverty, “Poverty is also meant to mortify us…”   Some of you reading this right now have been mortified.  You were mortified while standing in line at the DHHR applying for food stamps.  You were mortified while applying for WIC.  You were mortified when you had to do Christmas on December 27 because you needed the Christmas bonus to be able to afford presents for your children.  You are mortified every time your car pulls into a public parking lot.     But YOU DID NOT TAKE A VOW OF POVERTY.  Now what I am going to say is from my own personal experiences.  If you are looking for the strategy I recommend Dave Ramsey for a good shot in the arm. But please remember his book is not an appendix to the Scripture as some make it out to be.     So what can you do that I wish I would have done when I was an associate.    1.  Stay away from credit cards!     2.  Get a “real” job.   My oldest son was sitting in the back of the car when he was probably 6. Out of nowhere, he said, “Dad, I want a real job like Papaw when I grow up.”  I said, “What do you mean?”  “Well, Papaw works with tools and fixes things all day, all you do is read the Bible and talk to people!”  He was right.   It took ten years of living in poverty before Carrie and I finally realized I needed a “real job.”  The problem was I wasn't like Papaw. I can't fix anything!  So we began to pray about what we could do to help ends meet.  After much prayer, we felt I needed to start a martial arts business.  I love to teach, I love kids, and I love Tae Kwon Do.  I asked the pastor for permission to use the “annex” building on Tuesday and Thursdays and he graciously allowed me to do so.  Long story short we outgrew the annex gym and I leased a building and had a very successful business going.     3.  Have a difficult conversation.   Still not convinced bi-vocational is the way to go.  Then sit down with your pastor and have a heart-to-heart.    I then sat down with my pastor and told him we were struggling financially and asked if the church could help.  He said, “One time when we were in our early years of ministry we had no food in our house at all.  We had no money and weren't sure what we were going to do.  When I got home from church that Sunday someone had filled our kitchen full of food.  God took care of our needs.  God will take care of your needs.”   He was right, God's provision was there. It was most likely at another ministry or second job and I was too dumb, stubborn, and proud to consider it.     You have no one to blame for your current financial burden other than yourself.  Is your wife and family not worth providing for?  Is it fair to them to be the ones without?  Is poverty really a sign of spirituality?     No.     Pastor, get a real job!  If your church says you cannot get a second job let them know that is fine because it is soon to become your first job!     Be innovative and look for other ways to make money and when someone asks you “What's in your wallet” you can say, “Cash, NOT Capital One.”      

Is there still a place in our society for communication with the handwritten note?  In this episode, we will cover everything from the simple thank-you card to the unwelcomed anonymous letters!  

Failure to communicate causes frustration, hurt, and bitterness within our ministries.  This podcast will talk about how and when to text, email, or have the face to face conversation. 

Thank you for taking the time to listen to our podcast.  If you have any suggestions, questions, or topics to be discussed please feel free to send us an email.   treg@faithwv.org dan@hopespoint.org