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Podcast Episode 161

Introduction

We love to hear pastors tell their own stories, and provide wisdom to others that they've gleaned and that has grown in them over their years of service. 

Today we have with us pastor Rich Lammay, who has been a senior/lead pastor for 32+ years in the relatively small town of Gardnerville, Nevada. 

Poimen Ministries recently served the church Rich serves, High Sierra Fellowship, as Rich and his wife Suzanne took three months to enjoyed a well-deserved and needed time away, to regroup and refresh. I was part of the serving team, and it was a wonderful experience for both me and pastor Phil Evans of Poimen Ministries.

So now that Rich is back in the saddle, so to speak, I wanted to have him share some of what he has learned, and some of what the Lord has done. 

I think you'll be encouraged.
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§  Welcome to Strength for Today’s Pastor, episode 161.

Poimen Ministries’ focus is for the strengthening and revitalization of the church. Therefore, the goal of this podcast is to provide interview episodes that will be encouraging to pastors and leaders anywhere.

§  So, today we have with us Pastor Rich Lammay, senior/lead pastor of High Sierra Fellowship, located in Gardnerville, Nevada.

High Sierra Fellowship is a wonderful church, a church I’ve personally gotten to know. It is an impressive work of God!

Rich has recently gotten back in the saddle after being given a three-month sabbatical after many years of ministry. So, we’re going to hear about that.

§  Rich, welcome to the program.

Interview

Bio Stuff

So Rich, let’s get to know you a bit here… you are married to Suzanne, and have been for over 50 years. Congrats on that…

Give us a 35,000’ view of your conversion, calling, and ministry life, if you would. (As an example, the church website does a great job telling the story concisely: https://hsfellowship.org/index.php/about-us/staff.)

Lessons of a Pioneer

So, you’ve been the lead pastor of HSF since 1992. You did that for a couple of years, and then by faith, left your corporate job to serve as a pastor-teacher full time. That was a pioneering step of faith! What did you learn, and how did that grow you?

Over the years, HSF has moved its primary meeting place a number of times. How many times has the church moved in the last 34 years? 

Now, the church meets in its beautiful facilities right in the heart of Gardnerville. And after a relatively short time, you’re already running out of room.

Lessons Learned Over the Years

What are the top five lessons/concepts you’ve learned in your years of pastoral ministry?

Sabbatical Experience (And the Return)

A three-month sabbatical: what preparation was required to pull it off?

People have no idea the pressures upon a senior/lead pastor, but there are many. Decompression is needed, and sabbath is needed. How long did it take you to decompress?

What did the Lord do in you and Suzanne during your time away?

What did He show you?

G. Campbell Morgan made this statement: “The value of distance is perspective.” With the perspective of being away for three months, what has changed, might change, will change moving forward?

Two Minute Drill

Rich, I’d like you to take two minutes or less to speak directly to your fellow pastors and

For Poimen Ministries, its staff, ministries, and focus, go to poimenministries.com. To contact Poimen Ministries, email us at [email protected]. May the Lord revive His work in the midst of these years!