Pastoring on Purpose

Season 8 Episode 1: Sussy Hunter

January 14th, 2026  |  Season 8  |  45 mins 9 secs

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

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.

Season 7 Episode 23: Christmas 2025

December 18th, 2025  |  25 mins 6 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 22: Ginger Robinson

December 9th, 2025  |  44 mins 43 secs

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

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.

Season 7 Episode 21: Thanksgiving 2025

November 24th, 2025  |  30 mins 47 secs

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!

Season 7 Episode 20: Human Trafficking

November 5th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  35 mins 8 secs

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.

Season 7 Episode 19: Forgiveness

October 21st, 2025  |  Season 7  |  44 mins 32 secs

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

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

Season 7 Episode 18: Managing Change

October 7th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  30 mins 23 secs

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

Season 7 Episode 17: Dawn Lipsey

September 23rd, 2025  |  Season 7  |  47 mins 46 secs

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

Season 7 Episode 16: Sandy Whitmire

September 9th, 2025  |  Season 7  |  49 mins 58 secs

This podcast is sponsored by the Center for Ministerial Care

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.