This episode is special to me. I sit down with two of my heroes in the faith—Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts. These men have been anchors for me in moments of doubt and discouragement, and I wanted to ask them the questions that most pastors eventually ask themselves: How do you stay faithful for the long haul? How do you finish well when so many don't? We talk about the rhythms that sustained them over decades, the call of ministry that’s far more than a career, and what it looks like to fight pride and pursue humility every single day. We also dive deep into marriage, legacy, and the sacredness of being a pastor. If you're in the trenches—especially in your 20s to 40s—this one's for you. I want to finish well, and I know you do too.

In This Episode

• [02:00] Rhythms That Sustain the Soul
• [05:00] The Call of God vs. a Career in Ministry
• [08:00] Shepherding, Not Hiring: A Vision for Pastoral Ministry
• [13:00] The Crisis of Calling in a Careerist Culture
• [16:00] The Tragedy of Falling Away
• [20:00] Discerning the Dangers in Different Seasons
• [25:00] Kill the Lion: Confronting Sin Early
• [30:00] The Deception of Success
• [33:00] The Call to Vulnerability and Brotherhood
• [36:00] Marriage, Legacy, and Intimacy
• [40:00] Cultivating Lifelong Love with Your Spouse
• [45:00] Final Encouragement: Stay Low, Stay Faithful

Resources

• Finishing Strong by Steve Farrar
• Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this episode, I sat down with Mason King and Nick Crawford—two of my fellow elders at The Village—to talk about plurality. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s biblical, and because it has been a safeguard in my ministry. Early on, I had all the power, all the control—and I knew it. It was efficient, it was fast, and it was dangerous. So we talk about why one-man leadership is a bad idea, what true elder plurality actually looks like, and how it’s protected us, humbled us, and served the body over the years. If you’re planting a church, rethinking leadership, or just wondering how to build something that lasts—this one’s for you.

In This Episode

• [03:00] The Biblical Case for Plurality
• [06:00] Why We Avoid Plurality
• [12:00] What Plurality Has Given Us
• [16:00] Shield-to-Shield Leadership
• [21:00] How We Choose Elders
• [30:00] When Plurality Prevents Church Hurt
• [38:00] Signs of Fake Plurality
• [43:00] First Steps Toward Plurality
• [49:00] Final Encouragements to Young Leaders

FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:

Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter

If you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!

Thank you to our Sponsors

Covenant Eyes

Victory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.

The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.

Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.

Communio

Communio is not another program. It’s a non-profit organization that comes alongside churches, training and equipping them to evangelize through the renewal of healthy relationships, marriages, and the family. Family structure is key for passing on faith to children, yet 72 percent of churches lack significant relationship ministry. That’s where Communio comes in. Communio has worked with hundreds of churches across the country. These churches have seen divorce rates drop – attendance rise – weekly generosity increase – and marriage and family bonds restored.

Visit: communio.org/overcomers to learn more about the Communio impact and how Communio can come alongside your church.

–

Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.

For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co