Care for Pastors Podcast

Care for Pastors
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity

A podcast designed to encourage pastors and their families with the support they need to persevere and thrive in ministry, ultimately impacting their church and communities for Christ.

  1. 3d ago

    Building a Flourishing Ministry Culture with Danny de Armas, Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail In part two of his conversation with Danny de Armas, Senior Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, host Robby Bolden explores the practices that can either strengthen a ministry’s culture or slowly undermine it. Danny explains how inconsistent decision-making, anecdotal evaluation, poor communication, and top-down leadership can create confusion and distrust. He also shares how First Orlando gives employees meaningful ownership through cross-functional “VIP teams,” clearly defined staff values, and the freedom to contribute their experience and ideas. The conversation concludes with an honest discussion about difficult staffing decisions, recognizing misalignment, celebrating progress, and why pastors need safe relationships where they can care for their own souls. In This Episode Robby and Danny discuss:  Leadership practices that can damage a staff culture  Why decisions should be consistent, logical, and informed by reliable data  The dangers of allowing the person with the most authority to dominate every decision  Inviting input from employees who work closest to an issue  How cross-functional “VIP teams” create ownership and accountability  Why a team’s solution may be different from—and better than—the leader’s original idea  Becoming value-driven instead of policy-driven  First Orlando’s staff values: change agents, hero makers, team builders, people persons, first followers, and tone setters  Knowing when to coach, correct, or make a difficult staffing change  How delaying a necessary transition can cause greater pain  Taking time to recognize progress, celebrate the team, and give glory to God  The importance of confidential pastoral care and coaching Key Takeaways Shared ownership builds trust. When staff members are invited to help develop solutions, they become participants in the mission rather than people who merely carry out decisions made above them. Values empower people. Policies cannot anticipate every situation. Shared values give employees a framework for making wise decisions without asking permission at every step. Misalignment should be addressed with courage and grace. Sometimes separation is the healthiest path for both the employee and the organization. Waiting too long can make an already difficult situation more painful. Leaders must celebrate progress. Ministry activity can feel frantic while progress appears slow. Looking back helps teams recognize what God has done, thank the people who contributed, and find renewed energy for the work ahead. Pastors need care too. Danny shares how Care for Pastors has given him a confidential place to lament, pray, process difficult experiences, and receive encouragement for his own spiritual health. Memorable Quotes “We don’t do things because the person with the most authority wants us to do them. We do them because they’re the best idea.” “We want to be value-driven, not policy-driven.” “Jesus didn’t come looking for leaders. He came looking for followers.” “Take time to celebrate the wins you accomplish.” About Danny de Armas Danny de Armas has served at First Orlando since 2008 and is now its Senior Executive Pastor. He has served on several local and national boards, including the North American Mission Board, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, and Best Christian Workplaces. Danny and his wife, Betsy, have been married for 42 years and have three sons and nine grandchildren. Resources Mentioned  First Baptist Church of Orlando  Danny de Armas at Best Christian Workplaces  Best Christian Workplaces  Intentional Churches  I Am a Follower by Leonard Sweet  Care for Pastors

  2. Sep 8

    Building a Flourishing Church Staff Culture with Danny de Armas, Part One

    Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Season 4 of the Care for Pastors Podcast! What does it take to create a church staff culture where people don’t merely work—but genuinely flourish? In this opening episode of Season 4, host Robby Bolden sits down with Danny de Armas, Senior Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando, for an honest conversation about trust, communication, organizational health, and the responsibility leaders carry for the cultures they create. Danny shares how painful staff feedback at First Orlando became a catalyst for meaningful change. Rather than becoming defensive, leadership chose to listen. Through professionally administered staff surveys, greater transparency, shared decision-making, clearly defined values, and intentional celebration, they began rebuilding trust and creating a healthier staff culture. In This Episode Robby and Danny discuss:  How difficult staff feedback exposed distrust and created an opportunity for change  Why leaders must take responsibility for the culture their people experience  How transparency and communication help rebuild organizational trust  Why employee feedback must be followed by visible action  Understanding what it actually feels like to work for you  Hiring people who fit the culture—not simply people with the right skills  Teaching staff when to talk and when to trust  Using cross-functional teams to create shared ownership  Becoming value-driven rather than policy-driven  Knowing when to coach, correct, or make a difficult staffing decision  Why delaying necessary staff changes can ultimately create greater pain  The importance of recognizing progress and celebrating what God has done  Why pastors and ministry leaders need safe, confidential relationships where they can process the pressures of leadership Key Takeaway Healthy staff cultures begin with healthy leaders. Leaders cannot ask for honest feedback and then ignore what they hear. Trust grows when leaders listen humbly, communicate clearly, take responsibility, and demonstrate through their actions that people matter. Danny also offers an important reminder about Christian leadership: Jesus didn’t first call us to be leaders; He called us to follow Him. Healthy Christian leadership begins with faithfully following Christ and then creating an environment where others can flourish. Memorable Quotes “If this is their reality, I have a responsibility to make it better.” “The bigger an organization and the higher up you go, the harder it is to know what it feels like to be on the opposite side of you.” “We want to be value-driven, not policy-driven.” “Jesus didn’t come looking for leaders. He came looking for followers.” About Danny de Armas Danny de Armas serves as Senior Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Orlando and on the board of Best Christian Workplaces. He brings decades of ministry experience and a passion for developing healthy leaders, flourishing staff teams, and healthy church cultures. Care for the Pastor Behind the Ministry Danny also shares how Care for Pastors has provided him with a confidential place to process difficult ministry and leadership experiences. Pastors spend their lives caring for others—but pastors need a safe place to receive care too. Care for Pastors provides confidential counseling, coaching, encouragement, and support for pastors and their families. Visit careforpastors.org and select Get Help if you or your family need someone to walk alongside you. Subscribe to the Care for Pastors Podcast and join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Danny de Armas.

  3. Apr 7

    From Hidden Pain to Healing: A Journey of Truth, Trauma, and Restoration, Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Tami Jackson shares what happened after the truth came out. As she reflects on decades of marriage, Tami opens up about the complexities of accountability, leadership, and communication within a pastor’s home. She candidly discusses the unintended consequences of performance-based expectations, the challenges of misunderstood submission, and the long-term impact of unresolved patterns in marriage. Then, in a deeply emotional turn, Tami recounts the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband—and how God met her in the middle of overwhelming grief. Through her story, we see a powerful picture of God’s faithfulness, the importance of spiritual and practical preparation, and the sustaining hope found in Christ. This episode is a raw and redemptive look at marriage, loss, and the grace of God that carries us through it all. Key Topics Covered Why some marriages struggle to heal even after truth is revealedThe dangers of unhealthy or misplaced accountability in marriageMisunderstandings of submission and their long-term effectsThe tension between public ministry life and private family realityWhy seeking help (like counseling) matters sooner rather than laterThe sudden loss of a spouse and navigating grief with faithFinancial stewardship and preparation for pastors and their familiesParenting, legacy, and rebuilding relationships with childrenLiving authentically in ministry instead of maintaining a façadeKey Takeaways Healing requires more than honesty—it requires intentional change and wise helpYou teach people how to treat you—healthy boundaries matterAccountability should be grace-filled, not performance-drivenPastors must lead their families with the same care they give their congregationIt’s never too late to grow, but delaying healing has real consequencesGod’s faithfulness is most evident in life’s hardest momentsPreparing financially and practically is an act of love for your familyBeing real in ministry creates space for true healing and connectionNotable Quotes “You do what you know until you know better.”“We lived in a way that wasn’t fully real—we kept up a façade.”“God’s faithfulness has been unbelievable.”“It’s always for His glory and always for our good.”“Be real as a pastor in life.”Discussion Questions Are there unhealthy patterns in your marriage that need to be addressed?What does healthy, grace-filled accountability look like in your relationships?Are you living authentically, or maintaining an image for others?How prepared are you—spiritually and practically—for the unexpected?In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in difficult seasons?Resources & Next Steps Seek wise, biblical counseling early—don’t wait until patterns are deeply ingrainedEvaluate your approach to accountability—ensure it’s rooted in grace, not performanceBegin or revisit financial planning as a way to care for your familyInvite honest, safe relationships where you can be fully knownSpend time reflecting on God’s faithfulness in your own lifeFinal Encouragement No marriage is perfect, and no story is without struggle—but God is faithful in every season. Whether you’re walking through healing, hardship, or loss, you can trust that He is working for His glory and your good.

  4. Mar 31

    From Hidden Pain to Healing: A Journey of Truth, Trauma, and Restoration, Part One

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful first part of our conversation, Tami Jackson shares the moment that changed everything—a phone call to her husband after ten years of marriage, finally revealing a painful secret she had carried since childhood. Tami opens up about the impact of sexual abuse, how unprocessed trauma shaped her view of intimacy, and the silent ways it affected her marriage, communication, and relationship with God. Together, we explore the danger of living in hiddenness, the pressure of performance-based faith, and how even well-meaning accountability can become harmful when it lacks grace and understanding. This episode is a raw and honest look at what happens when pain is buried—and why healing begins with telling the truth. Key Topics Covered The breaking point that led to Tami’s life-changing phone callThe long-term effects of childhood trauma on marriage and intimacyLiving on someone else’s faith vs. owning your relationship with ChristHow hidden struggles impact communication and connection in marriageThe difference between healthy and unhealthy accountabilityPerformance-based spirituality vs. grace-filled growthWhy honesty is the first step toward healing Key Takeaways Unresolved trauma doesn’t stay hidden—it shows up in our relationshipsSilence and secrecy can quietly damage even strong marriagesIntimacy struggles are often rooted in deeper emotional or spiritual woundsAccountability without grace can feel like control rather than careYou cannot experience true healing without honestyIt’s never too late to begin addressing the past Notable Quotes “I was living in a lie.”“I can’t live like this anymore.”“I wasn’t growing—I was living on someone else’s faith.”“It wasn’t a bad marriage—it just wasn’t as good as it could have been.” Discussion Questions Are there areas of your life where you’ve been hiding instead of being honest?How might past experiences be shaping your current relationships?What does healthy, grace-filled accountability look like in your life?Are you pursuing your own relationship with Christ, or relying on someone else’s faith? Resources & Next Steps Consider speaking with a trusted counselor or mentor if this episode surfaced personal strugglesBegin a daily rhythm of personal time with God—not out of performance, but relationshipInvite safe, grace-filled accountability into your life Next Episode What does healing actually look like after the truth comes out?  How do you begin to rebuild trust, intimacy, and a healthy relationship with God? Join us next week for Part 2 of Tami’s story—where the journey toward healing and restoration continues.

  5. Mar 24

    Was It Worth It? 36 Years of Ministry—The Truth About Longevity

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, Robby Bolden sits down with John Harvey to reflect on a lifetime of ministry. With over three decades of experience, John shares an honest and deeply personal look at the challenges, temptations, and triumphs that come with faithfully serving in pastoral leadership. This is not a polished highlight reel — it’s a real conversation about endurance, failure, growth, and the grace of God that sustains pastors over the long haul. 🔎 In This Episode, We Discuss: What it really takes to last 30+ years in ministryThe tension between ministry calling and family prioritiesHow pride and insecurity quietly shape leadership decisionsThe pain and reality of betrayal in ministryNavigating seasons of discouragement and burnoutGuarding your heart against long-term temptationThe importance of community, accountability, and trusted relationshipsLessons learned through failure, not just successWhy finishing well matters more than starting fast💡 Key Takeaways Longevity in ministry is built on faithfulness, not fame.Your family is your first ministry — neglecting them comes at a cost.Pride and insecurity are subtle but dangerous companions in leadership.Isolation makes pastors vulnerable; community strengthens resilience.Betrayal is painful, but it doesn’t have to define your story.By God’s grace, it is possible to finish well.❤️ A Word to Pastors If you’re in a hard season…  If you’re carrying wounds no one else sees…  If you’re questioning whether you can keep going… This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone. The road of ministry is long, and it’s often difficult — but it is also deeply meaningful. And as John shares so honestly, despite the hardships, the journey is worth it. Care for Pastors Podcast — because those who shepherd others need care too.

  6. Mar 17

    Beyond Behavior: Healing Shame and Reclaiming Sexual Wholeness, Part Two

    Send us Fan Mail In Part Two of this important conversation, Robby Bolden continues his discussion with Sam Jolman, author of The Sex Talk You Never Got. In Part One, we explored sexual formation, shame, and the deeper story behind behavior. In this episode, we move toward practical healing. How do pastors and ministry leaders begin reclaiming sexual health? What does real transformation look like? And how can broken trust actually be rebuilt? This conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply pastoral. 🔎 In This Episode, We Discuss: Why sexual struggles are often about emotional regulation, not just lustHow pornography can function as comfort or soothingThe importance of curiosity over condemnationIdentifying core wounds that fuel repetitive behaviorsThe role of fantasy and unmet longingHow to move from secrecy into safe communityPractical steps toward rebuilding trust in marriageWhy recovery is about reclaiming awe—not just avoiding failureThe possibility of recovering sexual innocence💡 Key Takeaways You cannot shame yourself into freedom.Sexual healing requires understanding your story.Emotional awareness is a critical part of spiritual growth.Community and accountability are pathways to lasting change.God’s design for sexuality is not merely restrictive — it is beautiful and life-giving.❤️ A Word to Pastors If you are leading publicly while struggling privately, this episode is an invitation — not to exposure, but to healing. Freedom does not begin with self-punishment. It begins with honesty.  Restoration does not start with fear. It starts with grace. There is a path forward. 🎧 Coming Next Week: A conversation with John Harvey on 36 years of ministry — lessons on longevity, guarding your family, navigating betrayal, confronting pride, and finishing well. Be sure to subscribe and share this episode with a fellow pastor who needs encouragement. Care for Pastors Podcast — because those who shepherd others need care too.

  7. Mar 10

    Beyond Behavior: Healing Shame and Reclaiming Sexual Wholeness, Part One

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful first installment of a two-part conversation, Robby Bolden sits down with Sam Jolman, author of The Sex Talk You Never Got, to address one of the most silent and misunderstood struggles in ministry: sexual brokenness and shame. For many pastors and their spouses, sexuality has been reduced to one primary question: “Am I behaving or not?” But what if that framework is far too shallow? What if sexual struggles are not just about behavior—but about formation, trauma, shame, and story? This episode moves beyond condemnation and into curiosity. Beyond secrecy and toward healing. 🔎 In This Episode, We Discuss: Why sexual formation is often neglected in spiritual formation conversationsThe difference between sexual sin and sexual woundingHow shame fuels isolation—and why isolation keeps the cycle aliveThe connection between abuse, early exposure to pornography, and later strugglesWhy many pastors feel they have nowhere safe to turnThe difference between conviction and toxic shameHow self-hatred masquerades as repentanceWhy kindness—not self-punishment—leads to real changeWhat it means to recover sexual “awe” and innocence💡 Key Takeaways Sexuality is not a curse to be managed but a gift to be sanctified.Shame is not from God; conviction draws us toward Him, shame drives us away.Isolation is the enemy’s playground. Healing happens in courageous community.You cannot hate yourself out of sin—but you can move toward grace and truth.There is hope for restoration, even if you feel “too far gone.”❤️ For Pastors and Ministry Leaders If you’ve felt trapped between leadership expectations and private struggles…  If you’ve believed that coming forward would cost you everything…  If you’ve wondered whether healing is even possible for you… This conversation is for you. You are not alone. And shame does not get the final word. 🎧 Next Week (Part 2): We move from diagnosis to direction. Sam shares practical steps toward reclaiming sexual health, rebuilding trust in marriage, and creating a pathway toward lasting healing for you and your family. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss Part Two. Care for Pastors Podcast — Because those who shepherd others need care too.

  8. Mar 3

    When the Church Lets You Go: Finding Hope After Forced Termination with Deanna Harrison

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a faithful pastor is suddenly forced out of ministry? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Robby sits down with Deanna Harrison, co-founder of Pastors Hope Network, to talk about the devastating experience of pastoral termination—and the long road toward healing. After over 30 years of loving ministry life, Deanna and her husband were blindsided by a forced resignation that unfolded in just 12 days. No due process. No warning. Just loss, grief, and trauma. But what the enemy meant for destruction, God used to birth a new ministry—one that now provides crisis care, counseling connections, financial guidance, and employment assistance to pastors and families who have lost their ministry positions. If you or someone you love has experienced the pain of termination, this episode will remind you:  You are not crazy. You are not alone. And you are not finished. Key Topics Covered The emotional and spiritual trauma of forced terminationGrieving ministry loss and understanding the stages of griefThe stigma pastors carry after being “let go”Why forgiveness is a process—not a one-time decisionProtecting your marriage when ministry collapsesThe importance of friendships outside your churchPractical advice for pastors: CPE training, chaplaincy, and vocational flexibilityKey Takeaways Termination trauma is real. Many pastors are blindsided and deeply disoriented after losing their position.Anger is part of grief. Emotional reactions don’t mean you lack faith—they mean you’re human.Your marriage is your ministry. When everything else falls apart, your spouse is your primary calling.You must build friendships outside the church. Losing a position often means losing your entire social network.Ministry doesn’t end when the paycheck does. God often redirects calling, not cancels it.Crisis care matters. The first year after termination is critical for mental, financial, and relational stability.Denominations don’t define kingdom partnership. If you love Jesus, we’re on the same team.Memorable Quotes “Forgiveness is a process. You don’t just say the words and move on.” “Our marriage was the only stable thing in our lives—and that was enough.” “Just because a church doesn’t sign your paycheck doesn’t mean you’ve left ministry.” “We show up like paramedics—we don’t ask whose fault it was. We ask, ‘Who’s hurt?’” Deanna Harrison is the co-founder of Pastors Hope Network, a nonprofit dedicated to helping pastors and ministry families who have lost their ministry positions. After walking through the trauma of forced termination herself, Deanna felt called to create a network of mental health, financial, and employment resources designed specifically for wounded shepherds. Her book, Moving On: Surviving the Grief of Forced Termination, has helped hundreds of pastors begin their healing journey. Resources Mentioned Pastors Hope Network – pastorshopenetwork.orgCare for Pastors – Counseling and support for ministry familiesClinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for chaplaincy pathwaysWho This Episode Is For Pastors who have been forced out or terminatedPastor’s wives navigating trauma and griefMinistry couples protecting their marriageChurch leaders who want to better care for wounded shepherdsNext Episode:  We continue the conversation around hidden pain as Robby interviews Sam Jolman about sexual formation, shame, and healing from sexual brokenness.

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About

A podcast designed to encourage pastors and their families with the support they need to persevere and thrive in ministry, ultimately impacting their church and communities for Christ.

Information

  • Creator
    Care for Pastors
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Care for Pastors
  • Show Website
    Care for Pastors Podcast

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