Care for Pastors Podcast

Care for Pastors

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. 11/25/2025

    Cultivating a Healthy Mind

    Send us a text Host: Robby Bolden Guests: Ron Cook (Founder, Care for Pastors), Robert White (Counselor, Care for Pastors) Episode Overview In the final installment of our Healthy Habits of Pastors series, Robby sits down with Ron Cook and Robert White for a meaningful conversation about the importance of developing and protecting a healthy mind in ministry. With decades of combined pastoral and counseling experience, Ron and Robert offer practical wisdom, biblical encouragement, and honest insight into the mental battles pastors face every day. Key Topics Discussed Why the mind is often the primary battleground for pastorsThe subtle lies spiritual leaders are most tempted to believeHow past wounds and ministry pressures shape mental habitsPractical strategies for preparing the mind for unpredictable ministry momentsThe connection between spiritual truth and emotional resilienceDaily practices that strengthen mental and spiritual clarityHow community and counseling play a vital role in mental well-beingNotable Quotes “You can plan your day, but ministry often surprises you—your mind needs to be anchored before the surprises come.”“Lies grow in the dark. Truth brings them into the light.”“A healthy mind starts with remembering who God is, and who you are in Christ.”Resources Mentioned Care for Pastors counseling and support programsPastoral health resources available at CareForPastors.comWho This Episode Is For Pastors and ministry leaders carrying the weight of daily spiritual and emotional demandsChurch staff looking to build sustainable, healthy rhythmsAnyone seeking biblical and practical guidance for mental and emotional wholenessConnect With Care for Pastors Website: CareForPastors.comFacebook: Care for PastorsInstagram: @careforpastors

    44 min
  2. 11/18/2025

    Healthy Marriages (Part 3)

    Send us a text Series: Healthy Habits of Pastors Host: Robby Bolden Guests: Art & Mary Ellen Eaton and Traci Bolden Episode Overview In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden wraps up our three-part series on Healthy Marriages with a conversation about intimacy—emotional, spiritual, and physical. Robby is joined again by Art and Mary Ellen Eaton, along with his wife Traci, for an honest and grace-filled discussion on how couples in ministry can strengthen their connection and build a marriage that reflects the heart of Christ. Together, they explore how healthy intimacy goes beyond physical closeness to include spiritual unity and emotional understanding, and how these areas impact both marriage and ministry. Key Topics: Understanding intimacy in marriage from a biblical and practical perspectiveHow emotional, spiritual, and physical connection work togetherCommon challenges pastors and spouses face in maintaining intimacyWays to rebuild connection when distance or busyness sets inEncouragement for couples serving in ministry togetherKey Takeaway: A healthy marriage doesn’t just happen—it’s cultivated through intentional connection in every area of life. When pastors and their spouses pursue intimacy with grace and understanding, they reflect the beauty of the gospel in their home and ministry. Resources Mentioned: Care for PastorsPastoral marriage and family care resourcesCounseling and support services for ministry couplesNext Episode: Join us next time as we close out our Healthy Habits of Pastors series with a powerful conversation on A Healthy Mind—how to guard your thoughts, manage stress, and stay centered in truth as you serve.

    55 min
  3. 11/11/2025

    Healthy Marriages (Part 2)

    Send us a text Series: Healthy Habits of Pastors Host: Robby Bolden Guests: Art & Mary Ellen Eaton, and Traci Bolden 🧩 Episode Overview In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden continues the conversation on Healthy Marriages—a crucial part of maintaining balance and wholeness in pastoral life. Joined once again by Art and Mary Ellen Eaton, along with Traci Bolden, this discussion dives deeper into the daily habits and heart postures that help ministry couples thrive. Together, they share real stories and lessons from their own marriages, explore the challenges pastors and their spouses face, and offer practical wisdom for keeping your relationship healthy amid the demands of ministry. 💬 Key Takeaways Intentional connection matters. Healthy marriages don’t happen by chance—they’re built through daily choices of love, grace, and communication.Shared faith sustains intimacy. Prayer, worship, and spiritual partnership are essential anchors for couples in ministry.Boundaries protect what’s sacred. Guarding time for rest, family, and emotional recharge helps strengthen your relationship.Honesty and vulnerability build trust. A healthy marriage grows when both spouses feel safe to be real with each other.📖 Scripture & Encouragement “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 Healthy ministry starts with a healthy marriage. When pastors and their spouses prioritize their relationship, they not only nurture each other—they model Christ’s love for the church. 🔗 Resources Mentioned Care for Pastors — Support, resources, and counseling for pastors and their families.Upcoming Episode: Healthy Marriages – Part 3🎧 Listen & Subscribe Don’t miss part three of this conversation, where we’ll talk about practical rhythms for staying emotionally and spiritually connected in every season of ministry. Subscribe to the Care for Pastors Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.

    51 min
  4. 11/04/2025

    Healthy Marriages (Part 1)

    Send us a text Show Notes: 🎙️ Care for Pastors Podcast Season 2, Episode 9 Title: Healthy Marriages (Part 1) Host: Robby Bolden Guests: Art & Mary Ellen Eaton (Care for Pastors Team), and Traci Bolden 🩺 Episode Overview: In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden continues the Healthy Habits of Pastors series with a conversation close to every pastor’s heart — marriage. Robby is joined by Art and Mary Ellen Eaton, part of the Care for Pastors team, along with his wife Traci Bolden, for an honest and hope-filled discussion on what it looks like to build and maintain a healthy marriage in the midst of ministry life. Together, they explore how habits of connection, communication, prayer, and shared adventure can breathe new life into a marriage and help couples stay grounded in their love for God and each other — even when ministry gets demanding. 💬 Key Takeaways: Ministry can magnify both the joys and challenges of marriage — intentional habits keep couples strong.Healthy marriages grow through consistent communication, shared prayer, and making time for fun together.You can’t give what you don’t have — caring for your marriage is part of caring for your calling.Grace and forgiveness are the daily rhythms that keep love alive.🧭 Episode Highlights: [01:45] The connection between pastoral health and marital health[07:30] How ministry seasons test communication and priorities[14:20] The role of prayer and spiritual intimacy in a thriving marriage[19:10] Rediscovering fun and laughter together[25:00] Encouragement for couples who feel distant or weary❤️ Next Episode Preview: Join us next week for Part Two of “Healthy Marriages,” where we’ll dive deeper into communication, conflict, and practical ways to serve one another with grace in every season of ministry. 🔗 Resources & Links: Care for PastorsLearn more about the Care for Pastors Marriage Support ProgramsSubscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform

    52 min
  5. 10/28/2025

    Healthy Pastors’ Kids

    Send us a text Series: Healthy Habits of Pastors Host: Robby Bolden Guest: Krissie Glass, PK Director at Care for Pastors Episode Summary: In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden sits down with Krissie Glass, PK Director at Care for Pastors and a pastor’s kid herself, for an honest and encouraging conversation about raising healthy pastors’ kids. Ministry life can put unique pressures on a pastor’s family — from constant visibility to unrealistic expectations. Krissie shares from her own experience and her work with PKs across the country about what it looks like to create a home where ministry kids don’t just survive the demands of church life but truly thrive in their walk with Christ. Together, Robby and Krissie explore how authenticity, grace, and intentional connection at home can protect pastors’ kids from resentment and nurture hearts that love Jesus for themselves. Key Takeaways: The health of a pastor’s family begins with authenticity — being the same person at home and in ministry.Pastors’ kids need permission to be themselves, not an idealized version of their parents.Protecting family rhythms and privacy helps kids feel secure and valued.Parents can model grace by showing vulnerability and inviting their kids into real faith conversations.A healthy home gives PKs the freedom to develop a genuine, personal relationship with Jesus.Resources Mentioned: Care for Pastors – PK Ministry https://pastorskids.org Connect with Krissie Glass and the PK network at Care for PastorsThe Pastor's Kid, by Barnabas PiperShepherding a Child's Heart, by Tedd TrippParenting, by Paul David TrippHabits of the Household, by Justin Whitmel EarleyNext Episode: Join us next week as we continue our Healthy Habits of Pastors series with a powerful conversation on Habits of a Healthy Marriage — exploring how to strengthen your relationship, maintain inti

    53 min
  6. 10/21/2025

    The Healthy Practice of Sabbatical

    Send us a text Episode Title: The Healthy Practice of Sabbatical Series: Healthy Habits of Pastors Host: Robby Bolden Guest: Pastor Jason Borton Episode Summary In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden welcomes back Pastor Jason Borton for a powerful conversation on the Healthy Practice of Sabbatical. After 27 years in ministry, Jason took his first sabbatical — a journey that God used to restore his soul, renew his calling, and reshape his leadership. Robby and Jason explore what a true sabbatical looks like, why it’s not just an extended vacation, and how it can serve as a vital rhythm of rest and renewal for pastors and ministry leaders. They also discuss the importance of cultivating trust with church leadership, setting healthy expectations, and allowing God to work deeply in the stillness. Key Takeaways: Sabbaticals are a biblical rhythm of rest and renewal, not a luxury.A healthy church board plays a critical role in supporting pastoral rest.Sabbaticals provide space for clarity, healing, and renewed purpose.True rest often requires courage — the willingness to stop and trust God.Sustainable ministry begins with a soul that is restored.Recommended Episodes: Healthy Practice of Sabbath (Season 2, Episode 5) with Pastor Jason BortonCultivating a Healthy Soul with Ron CookHealthy Friendships with Pastor Michael ThedfordConnect with Jason Borton - jason@htbc.church Learn More: For more resources to help you stay healthy in life and ministry, visit CareforPastors.org. Subscribe & Connect: Subscribe to the Care for Pastors Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow us on social media for weekly encouragement and updates.

    53 min
  7. 10/14/2025

    The Habit of Being a Physically Healthy Pastor

    Send us a text Show Notes – The Habit of Being a Physically Healthy Pastor Care for Pastors Podcast | Host: Robby Bolden | Guest: Kevin Urichko In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden continues our series on Healthy Habits of Healthy Pastors with a conversation that often gets overlooked in ministry life—the habit of being physically healthy. Robby is joined by counselor and pastor, Kevin Urichko, who shares his perspective on why caring for our physical health is not just about exercise or diet—it’s about stewardship, obedience, and sustaining the calling God has placed on our lives. Together, they discuss practical ways pastors can take steps toward physical wellness, and why this habit is foundational for both personal and ministry health. Key Takeaways: ·        Why physical health is a spiritual matter as much as a personal one. ·        How neglecting your body can affect your family, relationships, and ministry. ·        Practical steps pastors can take to move toward better health. ·        Encouragement to see health as stewardship, not selfishness. Resources & Support: At Care for Pastors, we are committed to walking alongside you in every area of life and ministry. If you’d like to learn more about how we can support you, visit careforpastors.org. 🎧 Listen now and be encouraged to pursue the healthy habit of caring for your body. Mentioned: Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi The Spirit of the Disciplines, by Dallas Willard Too Busy Not to Pray, by Bill Hybels F3 Nation: Fitness, Fellowship, Faith Shepherd Ministries

    59 min
  8. 10/07/2025

    The Healthy Practice of Sabbath

    Send us a text Series: Healthy Habits of Pastors Guest: Pastor Jason Borton, Harvest Time Bible Church In this episode of the Care for Pastors Podcast, host Robby Bolden continues our Healthy Habits of Pastors series with an important conversation on the Healthy Practice of Sabbath. Many pastors live in constant motion, pulled by the unending demands of ministry. But God invites us into a rhythm of rest—a Sabbath that refreshes our souls and re-centers our lives in Him. Far from being an outdated command, Sabbath is a gift that helps us serve from overflow rather than exhaustion. Our guest, Pastor Jason Borton, shares his own story of ministry burnout and how rediscovering Sabbath reshaped his life, his leadership, and his family. Jason opens up about the challenges of slowing down, the lessons he’s learned, and the practical ways he’s building Sabbath into his weekly rhythm. Connect with Jason Borton - jason@htbc.church Mentioned:  At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor by Carey Nieuwhof Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero How's Your Soul?: Why Everything That Matters Starts With the Inside by Judah Smith In this episode, you’ll discover: ·        Why Sabbath is essential for the long-term health of pastors. ·        How to move beyond guilt or legalism and embrace Sabbath as a gift. ·        Jason’s personal journey from burnout to renewal. ·        Practical steps for building healthy rhythms of rest. If you’ve struggled to stop, rest, and recharge, this conversation will encourage you to rediscover God’s design for Sabbath—and help you lead from a place of health.

    58 min
5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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.