3 Areas For Your Longevity

How you're doing is how your small group ministry is doing. After 40-plus years in ministry, Steve Gladen gets asked one question more than almost any other: how did you last? In this episode he and Derek Olson walk through three areas to check in yourself once the fall launch settles down, and Steve is clear that he's aiming every point at himself first. 1. Check your vital signs Four warning signs that your soul is running low: Apathy: you've grown callous about miracles Arrogance: you've grown casual about sin Divisiveness: you've grown cynical about staff and leadership Laziness: you've grown careless about the disciplines 2. Be battle ready Four giants that pull you off center, and what answers each one: Busyness, answered by prayer you keep up before the crisis comes Materialism, answered by giving Isolation, answered by living in the community you're asking others to join Ignorance, answered by time in God's Word, even if you start with one verse 3. Build your rhythms Divert daily: time alone with God Withdraw weekly: Sabbath Abandon annually: a retreat away from your ministry bubble A line worth keeping: "Nobody gets into a spiritual hole with a backhoe. It's always with a spoon." In this episode 0:16 Welcome 3:26 Why your longevity sets the pace for your ministry 6:21 Area 1: Check your vital signs 14:52 Area 2: Be battle ready 23:27 Area 3: Build your rhythms 27:22 Wrap-up Go deeper with All Access If this episode showed you something to work on, don't work on it alone. Small Group Network All Access gives you and your team the curriculum, training, resources, and cohorts to build a healthier ministry and a healthier you. Join here: https://go.smallgroupnetwork.com/plans/1975017 Help other small group pastors find the show Subscribe wherever you listen and leave a five-star rating. It costs nothing and helps the show reach more leaders. ★ Support this podcast ★