TCMP Season 2 Episode 3

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Season 2 Podcasts

3d ago

Which is More Important? IDENTITY or Strategy | Episode 018

Should a new pastor lead with a strategy or with who they are? In this episode of They Call Me Pastor, Pastor Don Sanderson and Pastor Kyle Popineau talk about why a pastor's identity as a shepherd, formed in the presence of God, has to come before any vision, program, or growth plan. Don shares how he stepped into a church revitalization at Vista without a game plan: "Don't come with a strategy. Come and love the people." Kyle reflects on planting Legacy Church in Tustin, CA, and what God spoke to him about evangelism, discipleship, missions, and outreach. Together they unpack the seasons every church goes through, why decline isn't always bad, and why pastors are stewards of Christ's church, not owners. In this episode: • Why churches shouldn't call a pastor off one sermon, and what church boards should do instead • Why young pastors should record and review their preaching • Forming your pastoral identity in God's presence, not in church culture • Leading from abundance instead of depletion (2 Corinthians 12:9) • The four seasons of church life: winter, spring, summer, and fall • "Trophies of grace" on Sunday, "ambassadors of mercy" all week • Stewards, not owners: the church belongs to Christ Scripture referenced: 1 Peter 5:2–3, Acts 4:13, John 4:34, John 15, Ecclesiastes 3, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Kings 19 CHAPTERS 0:00 Don's book "They Call Me Pastor" 0:52 Welcome: Identity Before Strategy 1:20 Electing a pastor off one sermon 3:06 Why pastors should record their messages 4:03 How Vista handled Don's candidacy 5:47 Don't come with a strategy, come and love the people 7:46 A word from God vs. a word for our vision 9:59 Know the condition of your flock 11:14 Identity formed in the presence of God 13:18 Every shepherd is also a sheep 15:18 Can identity shape strategy? 18:55 What God spoke to Kyle in Europe 21:01 Planting a church vs. stepping into one 23:09 The apple orchard: pruning and seasons 25:00 Growth, plateau, and decline 26:20 Trophies of grace, ambassadors of mercy 27:51 Stewards, not owners 29:49 Wrap-up and next episode 📖 Get Don's book "They Call Me Pastor" on Amazon and BarnesAndNoble.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HJ6LWR8K/?bestFormat=true&k=book%20they%20call%20me%20pastor&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-v2_k0_1_24_de&crid=2YEL2ID1GR64Z&sprefix=they%20call%20me%20pastor%20book If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a pastor in your life and subscribe for more conversations on biblical shepherding. They Call Me Pastor is a podcast for pastors who want to become better shepherds. We're not CEOs. We're shepherds called to lead God's people toward Christ-likeness. #pastor #churchleadership #shepherding #pastoralministry #churchrevitalization #TheyCallMePastor
Oct 20

Can These Bones Live? | Episode 016

Pastor, what do you do when God drops you in a valley of dry bones? In our Season 2 premiere, Pastor Don Sanderson shares 32 years of lead pastor lessons from Ezekiel 37. When God asked, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel didn't say "sure they can." He said, "O Lord, you know." Don and Kyle talk about what that answer means for pastors facing tired churches, CEO-style metrics, and people who leave or push back. They cover being stewards rather than owners, why every word from God comes with an instruction, the danger of "DoorDash for the Word," and how a man who threatened Don ended up weeping in his arms outside a hospital. Don's new book, They Call Me Pastor, is a guide to a biblical, Pentecostal model of shepherding. It's headed to print soon. 📖 [link] Where is God asking you, "Can these bones live?" Journal it, then share a takeaway below. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Season 2 00:28 Don's book They Call Me Pastor goes to print 02:01 What Bible college didn't teach me 02:17 Ezekiel 37: "Can these bones live?" 03:28 Stewards, not owners of the church 04:11 Shepherd's Refuge and the John 15 journey 06:30 Feed my sheep vs. CEO metrics 08:55 A theologian's verdict: pastor, not CEO or celebrity 10:04 Helping people leave well 11:23 "The people who brought you here won't be the ones you pastor in five years" 15:03 Candidating Sunday: 39 people and a crawl to the altar 18:08 Obedience: prophesy to the bones 19:31 Every word comes with an instruction 22:05 Depending on God completely 23:37 Doing ministry so well we don't need God (Samson) 25:38 "DoorDash for the Word": online church and consumer faith 27:51 The man who threatened me, and the hospital call 31:16 Not everyone who snips at you is a wolf 33:12 What it really means to prophesy 34:27 Your next step: journal it Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts Subscribe for weekly conversations on pastoral leadership. #PastorPodcast #PastoralMinistry #ChurchLeadership #Ezekiel37 #TheyCallMePastor
Oct 19

Seeing What Others Miss — The Pastor’s Role of Spiritual Discernment | Episode 017

What is spiritual discernment, and why is it essential for pastors and church leaders? In Episode 017 of They Call Me Pastor, Kyle Popineau and Don Sanderson discuss one of the most important—and often misunderstood—responsibilities of pastoral ministry: hearing the voice of God, recognizing what the Holy Spirit is doing, and leading the church with spiritual discernment. Spiritual discernment is more than identifying problems, judging people's motives, or recognizing spiritual opposition. It's about knowing the heart of God, understanding His timing, and having the wisdom to respond in obedience. But what happens when pastors lose their ability to discern? Too often, churches become consumed with programs, leadership strategies, organizational growth, and ministry trends while neglecting the presence of God. As Don explains, when pastors fail to see correctly, they begin to lead incorrectly. In this conversation, Kyle and Don explore how pastors can develop biblical spiritual discernment through prayer, Scripture, intimacy with the Holy Spirit, and a renewed commitment to shepherding God's people. They also share personal experiences of hearing God's voice, receiving spiritual direction, navigating difficult leadership decisions, and recognizing what God is doing in their congregations. In this episode, you'll discover: - What spiritual discernment actually means according to Scripture. - The difference between spiritual discernment and judging people's motives. - How pastors can recognize the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit. - Why prayer and time in God's presence are essential for effective pastoral leadership. - How to discern God's timing when making ministry decisions. - Why church growth strategies cannot replace spiritual leadership. - How spiritual discernment protects churches from mission drift. - The danger of pursuing manifestations of revival instead of pursuing Jesus. - How pastors can cultivate greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Whether you're a lead pastor, associate pastor, church planter, ministry leader, or someone seeking to grow in your relationship with the Holy Spirit, this episode will challenge you to prioritize God's presence over your own plans. Because effective shepherding doesn't begin with a better strategy. It begins with knowing the Shepherd. CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — What Is Spiritual Discernment? 01:27 — Discernment Is Not Judging People's Motives 02:47 — Learning to Recognize What God Is Doing 04:56 — It's His Church, Not Ours 05:56 — Developing Discernment Within Your Leadership Team 07:21 — Seeing Potential in People Others Overlook 09:23 — When God Reveals Something Through Prayer 11:40 — Hearing the Holy Spirit Before Important Decisions 13:21 — The Danger of Leading Without Discernment 16:35 — Why Pastors Must Prioritize God's Presence 18:26 — Developing Spiritual Disciplines That Strengthen Discernment 20:09 — Discernment Through Scripture 22:10 — Learning to Pray: "Show Me Your Glory" 23:04 — Have Churches Become Comfortable Without God's Glory? 25:20 — Recognizing the Shepherd's Voice 26:30 — How Spiritual Discernment Prevents Mission Drift 28:13 — Discernment During Difficult Seasons 29:58 — Restoring Expectation in the Church 31:23 — Don't Become Attached to God's Methods 32:23 — The Danger of Chasing Revival Manifestations 33:16 — Seek the Healer, Not Just the Healing 34:16 — Discernment Protects Pastors From Leadership Fatigue 35:02 — A Prayer for Spiritual Discernment ABOUT THEY CALL ME PASTOR They Call Me Pastor is a podcast dedicated to helping pastors and ministry leaders become biblically grounded, spiritually healthy shepherds. Hosted by Kyle Popineau and Don Sanderson, the podcast offers practical conversations about pastoral ministry, biblical leadership, preaching, church revitalization, spiritual formation, and the challenges of shepherding God's people. Our heart is to encourage pastors to lead with biblical conviction, humility, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Have a question about pastoral ministry or need encouragement? We'd love to hear from you. Email: Info@theycallmepastor.com Instagram: @theycallmepastorpodcast Subscribe for more conversations on biblical pastoral leadership, spiritual discernment, church health, and ministry. #SpiritualDiscernment #PastoralLeadership #HolySpirit
May 10

Growing and Learning as a Shepherd | Episode 014

Are you pursuing personal growth as a pastor? In this AUDIO ONLY episode, Pastors Don and Kyle discuss what lifelong learning could look like in the life of pastoral ministry. If you've ever felt behind or out of date in the approaches you're taking to ministry, this episode will encourage you and give you some practical ways to advance.
Apr 12

How to Lead a Board in Health (Part 2) | Episode 013

We pick up where we left off, discussing Church Boards and how to lead them in health, even when the budget doesn't match the vision. It's important to note that you can change the culture of your board, you don't always have to replace them. You can lead them to a healthy point.
Mar 29

How to Change the Culture of Your Board | Episode 012

What does it actually look like to lead a church board well? In this episode of They Call Me Pastor, we dive deep into church leadership, board dynamics, and Spirit-led governance—topics most pastors were never trained for. From navigating difficult board relationships to building unity between pastor, staff, and congregation, this conversation gives practical and spiritual insight for every pastor and church leader. If you’ve ever felt like you were “leading in the dark” when it comes to boards, staff, or structure—this episode will give you language, clarity, and a biblical framework to lead with confidence. This is not corporate leadership with Christian language. This is Spirit-led, pastor-centered leadership. ⸻ 0:00 – Leading without a roadmap: no one trained us for this 2:00 – The real challenge of working with church boards 3:10 – Why secular leadership models don’t work in the church 5:00 – The “arrow” framework for church leadership structure 7:10 – The danger of leading like a CEO instead of a shepherd 9:30 – The reality of small churches and pastoral leadership 10:30 – Lead, feed, protect—not drive the flock 11:00 – Why unity matters more than quick decisions 12:00 – Trust-building with your board over time 14:00 – Vetting and building a healthy board culture 16:00 – Structuring boards: oversight, staff, and trustees 17:00 – Why churches shouldn’t function like businesses 19:00 – When board members become family 19:50 – Key principle: pastors and boards shouldn’t be in conflict 21:00 – Accountability and vulnerability with leadership 24:00 – Using future language to shape vision 25:00 – Handling disagreement the right way 27:00 – Board meetings are not performance reviews 30:00 – Money, stewardship, and trusting God 31:30 – Don’t let finances drive vision 33:00 – Why slow, steady growth matters more than fast growth 35:00 – Structuring effective board meetings 39:00 – Pastor vs. chairman: don’t lose the calling 41:00 – Why pastors are burning out in leadership roles 43:00 – Don’t let present reality kill future faith 46:00 – Vision grows when you don’t focus on what’s in front of you 48:00 – Leadership is more than meetings—it’s relationships ⸻ Key Takeaways • Healthy churches are built on unity, not hierarchy • Boards should function as partners, not opposition • Pastors are called to shepherd, not manage • Spirit-led leadership produces spiritual outcomes—not corporate ones ⸻ Connect with Us Follow for more content on pastoral leadership, church growth, and Spirit-led ministry Instagram: @theycallmepastorpodcast Email: info@theycallmepastor.com
Mar 15

Leading Pentecostally | Episode 011

What does it actually mean to lead Pentecostally? In this episode of They Call Me Pastor, we sit down with Dr. Carolyn Tennant—professor emerita at North Central University and author of Leading Pentecostally—to talk about the theology behind Spirit-led leadership. Many pastors today are trained in corporate leadership models, strategic planning, and organizational leadership. But what happens when the Holy Spirit becomes secondary to strategy? Dr. Tennant challenges pastors and church leaders to rediscover what makes Pentecostal leadership different—not just in belief, but in practice. This conversation explores how pastors can lead churches, families, and ministries in a way that stays connected to the movement of the Holy Spirit instead of becoming predictable, program-driven, or purely managerial. If you’re a pastor, church planter, ministry leader, or Bible college student, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership. ⸻ In This Episode • What makes Pentecostal leadership different from worldly leadership • Why many churches unknowingly adopt corporate leadership models • The danger of losing deep connection with the Holy Spirit • The metaphor of the River of Life and Spirit-led leadership • Why ministry cannot be reduced to programs and planning • How pastors drift away from spiritual vitality • The importance of abiding in the Spirit • Why the Holy Spirit is more like a wild goose than a tame dove • How faith-filled leadership inspires others to trust God • Why pastors must keep going deeper in the Spirit ⸻ Timestamps 00:00 – The missing theology of Pentecostal leadership 00:42 – Introducing Dr. Carolyn Tennant 01:04 – The books that shaped this conversation 02:00 – Why Leading Pentecostally needed to be written 03:07 – The problem with borrowing leadership models from the world 04:43 – What Spirit-led leadership looks like on a Tuesday morning 06:09 – When ministry becomes program-driven instead of Spirit-driven 07:23 – The CEO model vs spiritual leadership 08:17 – The River of Life metaphor for leadership 09:44 – The Spirit moving through the “streets” of ministry 11:02 – Confessions pastors make about losing spiritual intimacy 12:12 – Why abiding in the Spirit is a leadership safeguard 13:40 – The danger of intellectual Christianity without spiritual vitality 15:10 – Leading Pentecostally in families, businesses, and churches 16:40 – Leadership as an adventure with the Holy Spirit 18:32 – Planning vs allowing space for the Spirit to move 19:18 – The Celtic metaphor of the “Wild Goose” Holy Spirit 21:18 – Following where the Spirit leads 22:03 – When Spirit-led decisions don’t make sense to others 23:08 – A mission trip with no oars: trusting God’s direction 25:31 – Why the world is looking for leaders who trust God 26:12 – Advice for young pastors entering ministry 27:09 – Learning to abide in the Holy Spirit 29:12 – Going deeper into the river of God 30:00 – Why pastors should never settle for shallow leadership ⸻ If this episode encouraged you, share it with another pastor or leader.
Jan 4

Pastoral Encouragement & Soul Care | Episode 006

Pastoral ministry is rewarding—but it can also be lonely, heavy, and discouraging if we’re not careful. In Episode 006 of They Call Me Pastor, Kyle and Don talk openly about pastoral encouragement, loneliness, rest, and soul care. This episode is for pastors, church leaders, and ministry students who want to lead faithfully without burning out or isolating themselves. This is an honest, practical conversation about staying healthy—emotionally, spiritually, and relationally—while carrying the weight of leadership. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Why pastoral encouragement and soul care matter 01:13 – Loneliness in leadership: is it unavoidable? 02:20 – Mentors, peers, and building healthy relationships 04:31 – Boards, overseers, and spiritual accountability 06:48 – Guarding your heart against isolation and discouragement 08:07 – Navigating friendships and pastoral authority 10:15 – Valuing people over performance 11:49 – Investing deeply in people and leaders 12:35 – Fatigue, boundaries, and the importance of rest 13:58 – Sabbath, sabbaticals, and sustainable rhythms 16:10 – What Sabbath can actually look like 18:10 – Encouraging yourself in difficult seasons 19:20 – Money, numbers, and discouragement in ministry 20:33 – Measuring health instead of attendance 23:02 – Why pastors shouldn’t make decisions on Mondays 24:30 – Ministry is heavy—but it’s also joyful 25:19 – Reflecting on God’s faithfulness 25:30 – Having fun and not taking yourself too seriously 27:20 – Collecting encouragement for hard seasons 30:55 – Being an encourager to other pastors 31:17 – Final encouragement and closing prayer 👉 If this episode encouraged you, share it with another pastor or leader who needs it. ⸻ 📩 Contact: Hello@theycallmepastor.com 📱 Instagram: @theycallmepastorpodcast
12/21/2025

Conflict Resolution | Episode 005

Conflict & the Pastor: How Peacemakers Lead Through Tension | EP04 Conflict is unavoidable in ministry — but unresolved conflict is deadly to a church, a staff, and a pastor’s soul. In this episode of They Call Me Pastor, Kyle and Don break down how to handle conflict biblically, courageously, and with a shepherd’s heart. Whether it’s tension on your staff, division in the congregation, difficult personalities, or a public interruption in the middle of a service… this episode will equip you to be what Jesus called blessed: A peacemaker — not just a peacekeeper. We walk through real pastoral stories, private and public correction, handling sin and restoration, Matthew 18, and why a shepherd can’t afford to sweep conflict under the rug. ⸻ In This Episode You’ll Learn: • The difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking • How to confront issues without attacking people • The “Conflict Sandwich” framework: affirm → correct → bless • How to know when conflict should be addressed publicly vs. privately • Why pastors must see both resolution and restoration as separate steps • How to pull tense situations off of text/email and into healthy face-to-face conversations • What to do when someone interrupts a service with an out-of-order “word” • How to shepherd people through failure with grace and clarity • What Matthew 18 actually teaches — and how to apply it without abusing it • Tools for dealing with conflict among staff (and even family on staff) • Why unity requires courage, clarity, and time with the Holy Spirit ⸻ Quotes Worth Remembering “He said blessed are the peacemakers. Those who bring peace with them — not just hope peace will be there when they walk in.” “It’s never about attacking. It’s about resolving issues with staff in a way that glorifies Christ.” “You can stop a conflict and still fail to restore a person — those are two separate steps.” ⸻ Timestamps 00:00 – Peacemaker vs. Peacekeeper 00:33 – Welcome back to They Call Me Pastor 00:56 – Why pastors must learn biblical conflict resolution 01:47 – Avoiding conflict never works: Don’s early ministry lessons 02:35 – The Beatitudes and being a true peacemaker 03:32 – Kyle on personality: golden retriever… with a lion’s mane 04:49 – Conflict in revitalization and inherited church wounds 06:24 – “I was supposed to be the pastor”: navigating difficult personalities 06:49 – How to use the Conflict Sandwich 07:57 – Two situations in 30+ years with no reconciliation 08:30 – Protecting the flock during public disruptions 09:40 – Real story: handling a disruptive message in tongues 12:02 – When public issues require public correction 13:28 – When correction needs to happen in your office 14:09 – Using Scripture as the foundation for all correction 14:43 – Story: restoring a fallen leader with grace and community 17:23 – Teaching a church how to restore the broken 20:12 – The role of older mentors in shaping conflict resolution 21:01 – Matthew 18 — the right and wrong way to use it 22:19 – A painting dispute, fasting, and standing firm 24:43 – How to start hard conversations kindly 26:20 – Why serious conflict can’t be handled by text 27:00 – Navigating staff conflict (especially with family) 28:38 – The meeting that sealed Kyle’s hire 29:56 – “It’s never about attacking” — pastoral posture in conflict 31:08 – What healthy conflict resolution produces 33:00 – Final recap: affirm, correct, bless, restore ⸻ Need Help Navigating a Conflict? We’d love to pray with you or offer wisdom. 📩 Email us: Hello@theycallmepastor.com 📱 Instagram: @theycallmepastorpodcast ⸻ If This Episode Helped You… ❤️ Like the video 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes 📤 Share it with a pastor, church leader, or Bible college student You’re not alone in ministry. Let’s lead — and love — well.
11/23/2025

The Message & The Messenger | Episode 003

Is it enough to just “have a good sermon”? Or does who you are behind the pulpit matter just as much as what you say? In this episode, Kyle Papineau and Don Sanderson dive into the relationship between the message and the messenger. They unpack how Scripture gives us authority—but intimacy with God gives us access to that authority, and why pastors can’t afford to shortcut study, prayer, or character if they want to faithfully feed the flock. If you’re a pastor, preacher, Bible college student, or someone sensing a call to ministry, this conversation will help you: • Build healthier study rhythms • Develop a high view of Scripture • Guard your heart from personality-driven, copy-and-paste preaching • Align your life with the message you preach ⸻ In This Episode: 0:00 – Scripture, authority & intimacy with God 0:33 – Welcome to They Call Me Pastor 1:15 – Why “raw” pastoral conversations matter 1:25 – Social media preaching vs. weighty preaching 2:12 – Scripture gives authority, intimacy gives access 3:06 – Don’s devotional & sermon prep rhythm 4:55 – Kyle’s prep process & early Sunday grind 7:45 – Expository vs topical & making disciples 9:00 – Hearing God vs chasing every “word” 11:31 – What matters more: the message or the messenger? 12:48 – Hermeneutics: hearing the Spirit in the text 14:03 – Sitting longer with the text & preaching from overflow 17:26 – High view of Scripture & reading the old giants 20:36 – Questioning Scripture & chaos in the church 22:12 – When messenger and message don’t match 23:28 – Correction, instruction & the heart of God 24:14 – Mentors, models, and planning rhythms 27:12 – Good study habits vs lazy shortcuts 29:19 – Can the messenger hinder the message? 31:05 – Final advice: double your study & prayer; set boundaries ⸻ 👉 If this episode helped you, please: • Subscribe to the channel • Like this video • Share it with a pastor, Bible college student, or friend sensing a call to ministry 🖥 More Resources & Show Notes: Visit: TheyCallMePastor.com – Full show notes – Recommended reading – Blog posts & future resources for pastors and ministry students 📩 Stay Connected: Email: Hello@theycallmepastor.com Instagram: @theycallmepastorpodcast We love you, we’re praying for you— Let’s pastor well.
11/09/2025

A Call to Biblical Shepherding | Episode 002

Pastors Don + Kyle unpack biblical shepherding from John 10 and Psalm 23—calling pastors to feed, lead, and protect the flock with a prayer-soaked presence. They contrast CEO culture with the Good Shepherd’s model and get practical about scars, boundaries, family, and praying for pastors. Get the FULL show notes: theycallmepastor.com/episodes/episode-002-a-call-to-biblical-shepherding Connect with the Pastors: @donsanderson | Don@vistafirst.org @kylelpopineau | Kyle@legacychurch.online info@theycallmepastor.com #Pastoring #ShepherdNotCEO #PastoralCalling #MinistryHealth #PrayerLife #ChurchRevitalization #Discipleship
10/26/2025

Is Pastor Who I Am Or What I Do? | Episode 001

Pastors Don Sanderson and Kyle Popineau land on a both/and answer, calling pastors back to being with Jesus before doing for Jesus—recovering the biblical shepherd over the modern CEO. Episode 1 reframes pastoral ministry as a both/and calling—a recognized office and a Christ-given mantle—rooted in Mark 3:13–15: be with Jesus before doing for Jesus. Kyle and Don call pastors to reject CEO metrics (“nickels and noses”), recover a shepherding model, and rebuild a deep prayer life (including praying in the Spirit) that fuels preaching from the sacred desk. Through revitalization stories, boundaries, and family-first priorities, they urge pastors—especially in small churches—to anchor identity in Christ, prioritize presence, and make disciples who make disciples. Get the FULL show notes: theycallmepastor.com/episodes/episode-001-is-pastor-who-i-am-or-what-i-do Connect with the Pastors: @donsanderson | Don@vistafirst.org @kylelpopineau | Kyle@legacychurch.online info@theycallmepastor.com #Pastoring #ShepherdNotCEO #PastoralCalling #MinistryHealth #PrayerLife #ChurchRevitalization #Discipleship

12 Episodes

Season 2 Podcasts

Creator

yczh6fn2ct
Years Active

2026
Episodes

12
Rating

Clean
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TCMP Season 2 Episode 3