In this episode of the Rookie Pastors Podcast, the hosts engage in a light-hearted discussion about their Christmas traditions, including the most important of all, the RPP hat exchange. The group then share insights on navigating attendance dips during the holiday season, emphasizing the importance of community and connection.

In this episode of the Rookie Pastors podcast, hosts Josh Prince, Kyle Nieman, and Bryan Cawley engage in a candid discussion about the realities of ministry, focusing on the challenges of handling criticism while maintaining a tender heart and thick skin. They share personal anecdotes about odd church interactions, the importance of self-care, and practical strategies for discerning constructive criticism from negativity. The conversation emphasizes the need for resilience, perspective, and encouragement in the face of adversity, reminding listeners that their identity is rooted in Christ, not in the opinions of others.

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought, "No one ever told me what to do if this happens." There are innumerable skills a pastor has to have, most of which they never teach in a seminary class. In this episode of the RPP, Bryan, Josh, and Dustin discuss non-seminary skills every pastor needs to have.

In this episode, hosts Kyle, Dustin, and Josh talk about one of the most exciting—and challenging—aspects of ministry: planning special events at your church. From community outreaches to church-wide celebrations, we discuss how to make sure your events do more than fill a calendar—they advance your church’s mission.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure of planning an event that matters, this conversation will give you practical insight, encouragement, and a few lessons learned along the way.

Resources

Even Planning Document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EPqesGpqzl-F9FrylKzp0oRfiAzPZgaY/view?usp=share_link

In this episode, hosts Dustin, Kyle, and Bryan dive into one of the most talked-about topics today—artificial intelligence—and how it intersects with ministry. We discuss the ethics of using AI as a pastor, the potential benefits and pitfalls, and share practical tips for using it effectively in sermon prep, administration, and communication. Did we use AI to help write this description? Yeah, we did.

Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting with AI tools, this conversation will help you think wisely and strategically about how technology can serve (and not replace) faithful ministry.

Tools mentioned in today's episode:

ChatGPT

Sermon Research Pro

Speechify

CaptionKit

In this episode of Rookie Pastors, the hosts discuss their summer experiences and delve into the recent rebranding attempt by Cracker Barrel, which sparked controversy and backlash. They share personal 'Cracker Barrel moments' from their ministry, reflecting on changes that were met with resistance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, evaluation, and learning from failure in church leadership. The hosts highlight that while change can be uncomfortable, it often leads to growth and deeper understanding of the congregation.

In Episode 18, hosts Dustin, Kyle, and Josh dive into the challenge of raising the bar in ministry areas without causing burnout or discouragement. How do you evaluate what’s working, what needs to change, and how to bring people along in the process?

We share practical strategies for leading well through improvement, offering encouragement and vision while helping ministry teams grow and thrive. If you're looking to take your church's ministries to the next level in a healthy, sustainable way, this conversation is for you.

In Episode 17, hosts Josh, Dustin, and Bryan tackle a practical but often overlooked topic: how pastors can lead their churches in managing facilities well—especially when dealing with aging buildings.

From updating aesthetics and improving curb appeal to making the most of limited budgets and volunteer help, we share realistic strategies for stewarding church spaces in a way that reflects excellence, hospitality, and mission.

Whether your building is decades old or just in need of a refresh, this episode offers helpful tips and encouragement for making the most of what you’ve got.