Pastoring on Purpose

Season 7 Episode 15: False Guilt

August 19th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  42 mins 30 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 14: Joel Barron

August 5th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  49 mins 20 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 13: Dr. Jerry Devane

July 22nd, 2025  |  Season 7  |  35 mins 31 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 12: Myths About Women's Mental Health

July 8th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  42 mins

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.

Season 7 Episode 11: Anxiety and Leadership

June 11th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  40 mins 8 secs

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

Season 7 Episode 10: Decision Fatigue

May 27th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  44 mins 37 secs

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!

Season 7 Episode 9: Mary Steffy

May 13th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  40 mins 8 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 8: Drs. Raymond & Lorna Burch

April 29th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  52 mins 42 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 7: Kris Ware

April 15th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  51 mins 37 secs

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

Season 7 Episode 6: Macey Jones

April 1st, 2025  |  Season 7  |  39 mins 55 secs

church, faith, god, ministers, ministry, pastors, self-help, self-improvement

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.

Season 7 Episode 5: Bishop Wayne Dority

March 18th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  45 mins 46 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 4: Identity, Part 3

March 4th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  46 mins 8 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 3: Identity, Part 2

February 18th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  38 mins 32 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 2: Identity, Part 1

February 4th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  35 mins 16 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 1: Dr. Maness and the Philosophy of Counseling

January 21st, 2025  |  Season 7  |  48 mins 20 secs

On this first episode of season 7, Dr. Tim Maness, director of pastoral care and SpiritCare at the Center for Ministerial Care, shares his personal philosophy and approach to counseling.

Season 6 Episode 10: Christmas Thoughts

December 18th, 2024  |  Season 6  |  24 mins

In our final episode of the season, the Ministerial Care team has a little Christmas fun with some holiday trivia. They also offer some simple and encouraging words for ministers and church leaders as they navigate this holiday season!