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Only one in three pastors finish well. And 78% say they have no close friends. Kevin Abbott, who leads pastoral health and resilience work for Texas Baptists, joins Eric Bryant to talk honestly about the isolation that quietly derails so many pastors — and what it actually takes to keep going the distance.
Drawing from 30 years in ministry, a season as a military chaplain, 13 years as a senior pastor, and now years spent walking hundreds of pastors through cohorts built on his doctoral research at Fuller Seminary, Kevin shares the habits that separate leaders who finish well from those who burn out. He gets real about his own dark nights of the soul, why ”every leader has a limp,” and the power of having a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy in your life.
This conversation is packed with practical wisdom and real stories — including pastors who found physical, emotional, and spiritual breakthrough through community, coaching, and the kind of friendship most pastors never let themselves have.
📚Resources mentioned:
”Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership” by Ruth Haley Barton
”Sacred Rhythms” by Ruth Haley Barton
”The Making of a Leader” by J. Robert Clinton
⛪ Learn more about Minister Strong: https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/minister-strong
Eric Bryant: https://www.ericbryant.org
Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Meet Kevin Abbott: Shepherding the Shepherds
00:48 – From Bible College to 30 Years in Ministry
03:06 – The Secondary Calling That Changed Everything
04:02 – The Book That Cracked Kevin's Heart Open
07:21 – The Sobering Stats on Pastors Finishing Well
08:28 – ”Every Leader Has a Limp”
11:23 – Why 78% of Pastors Have No Close Friends
12:42 – The Danger of Ministry Isolation
15:34 – Why You Can't Get to Clarity Alone
16:32 – Finding Your Paul, Your Barnabas, and Your Timothy
17:31 – How Coaching Builds Real Community
18:15 – One Pastor's Experience with a Coach
20:00 – Habits of Leaders Who Finish Well
22:00 – Pastors' Retreat: Fire Pits and Band of Brothers
25:00 – Transformation Stories
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Join a 12 Steps Group for Pastors with Q&A with John Ortberg: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/12steps/
Join the ”Surprised by the God of Hope” with Q&A with N.T. Wright: https://innovativechurchleaders.org/cohort/
Take the Free Pastoral Health Checkup: https://pastoral-health.scoreapp.com
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The Bible has been the most influential book in history, but it has also been misunderstood, misinterpreted, and even used for the agenda of people who did not have the heart of God or were a product of their times.
Regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey or what doubts you might have, I believe God will reveal Himself to you.
So join me in an experiment!
1. Pray: “God, if you are real, show me who you are.” Or “God, I need help to believe in you.”
2. Read one chapter.
3. Listen to the podcast of that chapter.
4. Journal what you sense God is showing you.
Philippians 1 – Does Your Love Abound?
Paul expresses a deep love for the church in Philippi. They sent one of their leaders along with financial help to Paul. This letter is his thank you note expressing his love for them, and he is also encouraging them that he is still experiencing the joy of following Jesus, and seeing the message of Jesus spread while he’s in prison.
For Paul it’s about a perspective that’s different than the rest of the world. For him “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” whether he lives or dies, he wants the Philippians to live a life worthy of the Gospel of Jesus. This means living in unity, enduring suffering, and not being afraid of those who oppose them.
#NewTestament, #Philippians, #BibleStudy, #Christianity, #BibleCommentary, #ScriptureAnalysis, #Faith, #ReligiousEducation, #Devotional, #ChristianLifestyle, #SpiritualGrowth, #ChristianTeachings, #Church, #EarlyChurch
Helping Students Belong Before They Believe
with Nick Blevins’ Family Ministry Podcast
How to Reach Those Who Aren’t Like You
with ChurchLeaders.com
Inviting New Generations to Come As They Are
with Regeneration Project
A Fruitful Life: An Interview with Dr. Eric Bryant
with Tony Morgan of the Unstuck Group
The Suicidal Missionary
with Margaret Feinberg
Helping Others Find Their Calling
Embrace Your Strengths Podcast with Barbara Culwell
Each week we post the audio of the message shared at Gateway Church in South Austin along with some of the classes we offer. You can find these messages on SoundCloud.