Great Podcasts For Pastors

(This is a guest post by Javier Diaz. He is a Ministerial Field Associate for the Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.)

You’ve most likely heard it said before, “A leader is a reader” or “A leader is a learner.” There’s no doubt in my mind that both of those statements are absolutely true. I certainly do my share of reading in order to continue my never-ending thirst for a deeper understanding of the things of God, leadership, mission, and more.

Though it’s been around now for about 12 years, podcasts are an ever-growing medium that has and is helping those who use it to learn and grow in their field. I started seriously listening to podcasts myself several years ago. Before that time, it was only on occasion, but it really came to be a way for me to learn when Apple came out with their own ‘Podcast’ app in 2012.

Let me give you three no-brainers of why you should be listening to podcasts in order to grow in your field.

1. It’s free

Podcast’s are free to listen to. We buy books and pay to see documentaries (Netflix, Amazon Prime, cable, iTunes store, etc). Why not try listening to content for free that will help you grow?

2. Listen on the go

So many of us have smartphones. Simply subscribe to the podcast and listen while you’re running, in the gym, driving, or while at your work desk. It’s also fantastic while you are in line, in a waiting room, or waiting for your spouse to finish shopping!

3. There’s some great content

Ultimately, I listen to podcasts because I hope it will help me in some way or at least give me something to think about, whether I agree or disagree with the content. And if you haven’t checked, there are some great podcasts out there!

So, what podcasts do I listen to? Here are three on leadership.

1. The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

I first came to know about Carey Nieuwhof when he finished his book, Leading Change Without Losing It, which I recommend. He has since written another book, his third, that launched last October. His podcast launched in Oct. 2014 and I’ve been listening to it since. He also has a great blog you should check out.

2. Rainer on Leadership

Thom Rainer is the president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources. The podcast is actually hosted by Jonathan Howe who serves as Director of Strategic Initiatives.

3. Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Andy Stanley is a well-known pastor, leader, and speaker. He started North point Community church, which is one of the largest churches in America. He puts out the podcast only once a month, but often has some great insights into helping leaders lead.

Here are a few sermon podcasts I listen to:

1. Let My People Think: Teachings By Ravi Zacharias

A well-known apologist of the Christian faith, he is well worth a listen.

2. Loma Linda University Church

Dr. Randy Roberts, lead pastor of the Loma Linda University church, brings the word of God to life in a very relevant way.

3. North Point Community Church

These are sermons from Andy Stanley’s church. He has a great way of also bringing God’s word in a way that people can apply it to their lives.

NOTE: These are just a few of the podcasts I subscribe to. More importantly, there are times I don’t agree with some of the content. Though I may not agree, it’s great to know where people are coming from and it also gives me something to further explore and be able to respond to if I needed.

Also, stay tuned next month. The Florida Conference Ministerial Department is launching a podcast that I will be hosting called Restore.

So don’t delay. Check out the podcasts above or explore on your own and please make sure to let me know about what you’ve discovered in the comments!

Happy learning while you listen.

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