Carey Green | Senior/Lead/Teaching Pastor Candidate
719-239-0303 || Carey(at)CareyGreen.com
A webpage like this is tough to compile. As a church search team, you need to accurately know who I am and what God has done in my life over the years. At the same time, I need to humbly but confidently represent His work in a way that gives glory to Him. By the grace of God I’ll give it a shot.
I echo the words of the Apostle Paul…
…by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:10
God has done greater things in and through me than I even knew to imagine.
JUMP TO A SECTION
Summary || Call to Ministry || Philosophy of Ministry || Statement of Faith || Ministry & Career History || Education & Training || Unique Experience & Skills || Preaching Samples || My Approach to Staff & Elder Relationships || Books I’ve Written || Influences || Additional Personal Information || References
SUMMARY INFORMATION
- 25+ yrs experience teaching the Bible expositionally
- My beliefs are Reformed/Covenant in direction
- I believe leadership happens through relationship
- I hold to complementarian views of male/female roles
- I am zealous to see the church BE the church
- I’m a creative, goal-oriented organizer
- I’ve been joyfully married since 1989
- I’m blessed with 5 adult children who all walk with Jesus
MY CALL TO MINISTRY
I am responding to a renewed call to ministry. The reason I say “renewed” is that I’ve not been working in a full-time church ministry role since early 2015, having stepped out of ministry for a season at the Lord’s leading. He’s recently renewed the call to lead and teach His people with an intensity I didn’t expect, but am grateful for.
The calling I speak of is to lead God’s people into lives of holy zeal and authenticity for His name’s sake, that the world may see His work in us and be drawn to His glory. His gift of teaching is one of the primary ways He’s equipped me to do that, along with a heart and skill for fostering connection and unity between people.
I believe I best fit in the leadership role of an established, Bible-focused church family that is both prayerful for and expectant of the Lord’s move in their midst. The intensity of the calling He’s placed on me at this time makes me eager to see what He has planned. The parable of the talents weighs heavily on me right now. I possess a deep conviction that the gifts I’ve been given must be maximized in this final season of my life (I’m currently 56 years old) and I hope to be at my next assignment for many years.
E.M. Bounds’ words resonate with my heart regarding my approach to preaching and leadership in Jesus’ church…
The real sermon is made in the closet. The man — God’s man — is made in the closet…. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor… Every preacher who does not make prayer a mighty factor in his own life and ministry is weak as a factor in God’s work and is powerless to project God’s causes in this world.
PREACHING SAMPLES
These sermons were delivered over the last two years (2022-2023). I was graciously invited to be a temporary part of the teaching team at the church where our oldest son and his family are involved.
PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY
The church’s calling is to make mature disciples, people who trust in Jesus as Savior and go on to grow in relationship with Him for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
It’s my aim to love, teach, equip, and demonstrate for my church family what it looks like to humbly walk in devoted fellowship with Jesus, day by day, for a lifetime. This is the privilege and joy of all Christians, to joyfully live under the reign of King Jesus. Led and taught properly, the church grows and builds itself up in love and unity, wisdom, and the use of spiritual gifts to build up the body. When this happens, the church becomes a compassionate witness and demonstration of the gospel, winning the lost and advancing the Kingdom.
Biblical areas of emphasis the Lord has impressed upon me:
[1] Wholehearted love of God (Trinity)
[2] Biblical plurality of leadership (Elders)
[3] Pastor as the spiritual leader among equals
[4] Leadership integrity through holy living
[5] The practice and power of effective prayer
[6] Clearly teaching all of scripture for all of life
[7] Biblical community and accountability
[8] Relational discipleship and ministry
[9] Spiritually healthy homes and families
[10] Biblical discipleship and equipping of men
[11] Biblical discipleship and equipping of women
[12] Family-supportive biblical education for youth
[13] Family-supportive biblical education for children
[14] Compassionate engagement with the culture
Open this toggle to learn about my views on these subjects ➨
[1] Wholehearted love of God
The primary command of Jesus is that His disciples love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This emphasis makes God the central focus of all of life, for us as individuals and as the church family as a whole. When we lose sight of this, other things, good and bad, take the primary place as the object of our affections. We are created to be worshipers, it’s just a matter of who or what we will worship. The triune God is the only one worthy of our worship.
Church leaders are responsible to hold this glorious objective before the church family at all times, both in the way that they live and in what they teach and emphasize within the church. The church family will follow what the leadership does, not necessarily what they teach.
Out of love, we obey what Jesus taught us, to work as workers in His field to further the work of His Kingdom. That is our primary mission: the expansion and furtherance of His Kingdom work on planet earth. This happens through making disciples (evangelism AND discipleship), first in our own homes, then within our church family and among those we live with in the world.
[2] Biblical plurality of Elders
I’ve written an entire training workbook on this topic, so for the sake of brevity I’ll summarize in the following way:
The Bible clearly designates the role of Elder to be filled by men (not women) of Christian Character. This is expressed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. It’s also clear in scripture that the ideal situation employs a group of qualified men serving in this role together.
The role of the elder is four-fold: Example — Overseer — Doctrinal guardian — Shepherd. Theirs is not primarily an administrative role, though it may at times require attention to administrative tasks, it is primarily a shepherding or pastoral role. They are responsible to oversee the spiritual health and progress of those under their care.
The church family should select these biblically qualified men from among their number and after a time of assessment, the decision should be made as to which men should serve as Elder and which should not. I believe the entire church family should participate in this decision. It is a sometimes a tedious process, but one that is vital and must be carried out with much prayer and great care.
[3] Leadership integrity through holy living
As a church leader (Pastor/Elder) it’s my deepest desire to love, teach, equip, and demonstrate for my church family what it looks like to humbly walk in devoted fellowship with Jesus, day by day, for a lifetime.
This principle is clearly taught by Jesus (Matthew 10:25) and expressed in more detail by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1). It is also the obvious implication of the character qualifications for Elders expressed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, and 1 Peter 5:1-4. The men who lead the church are to be examples of mature Christian living.
I am by no means complete in my Christian journey and will remain in growth-mode for the rest of my life, but I take seriously the scriptural injunction that as a church leader, I am striving, in the power and with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, to be a humble and admirable example of a true disciple of Jesus, one who lives a life worthy of the Lord and His glorious gospel. (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10, Philippians 1:27).
I also expect that those serving with me in leadership will take on the same attitude of diligence in the example they set. Our examples matter. A good example can cause many to be built up in their faith. A bad example can cause many to stumble and fall. For the glory of our God and the sake of His name, we must walk in the Spirit and be accountable to others (each other) who are on that same path.
[4] The Pastor as spiritual leader among equals
I believe it is the Pastor’s role to set not only the primary example of authentic, Spirit-empowered Christian living, but also to serve as a mentor and encouragement to his fellow Elders in their efforts to live according to Jesus’ teaching. The church will never rise above the maturity level of its leadership and the Pastor is responsible to keep a finger on the pulse of the spiritual health of the leaders through biblical, authentic, loving relationship and accountability.
There is no airtight biblical reference that establishes a Pastor as the spiritual leader among the plurality of leadership the bible describes, but there is a broad pattern that we can observe in how the early church functioned. It appears that Peter and James rose to places of influential leadership, even among the Apostles. As well, the Apostle Paul seems to have appointed Timothy, Titus, and others to places of leadership among the Elders of local churches.
Practically, the Pastor should operate under the loving and biblical accountability of the Elder team, but also on their behalf as the “point man” for the church family to follow. He must lead the group in shepherding the people of the church and he must guide them in making biblical decisions for the good of the church family that advance the Kingdom of God.
Being an Elder appointed to serve “full time” on the church’s behalf, he will naturally be more mindful of and informed about the practical aspects of implementation, communication, and working relationships within the organization. But even then, his actions and decisions should be made within the authority granted by the Elder team.
The Elders as a group must apply the humility of Jesus (Philippians 2:5–11) by submitting themselves to the Pastor as their appointed leader while this same self-crucifying attitude enables the pastor to be as one among them who serves (Matthew 20:26–27).
[5] The practice and power of effective prayer
The church, though an organization on some levels, is unlike any organization in the world. Its heartbeat is spiritual, its source of power is divine, its assets are heavenly.
Church leaders must model and teach biblically saturated prayer as the means of engaging in fellowship with God and receiving His guidance and power for life and action. I don’t believe that the Holy Spirit anoints plans, but rather men and women of prayer. If the church is to advance the Kingdom of God in our day, it will be done through humble dependence on the Lord, on our knees first.
I’ve had to learn this lesson the hard way, and honestly, more so in the later half of my adult life. I feel that I am finally beginning to know and see the effectiveness of my own prayers in both my leadership and my intercession for others. I hope to lead a church family in what I’ve been learning; to depend on the Father through prayer, then to obey Him as we join Him in what He is doing.
[6] Clearly teaching all of scripture for all of life
As one with a spiritual gift of teaching, I can easily fall into believing that teaching is more important than it is. I’ve had to learn that Spirit-led balance is necessary. It’s possible to biblically educate people through doctrinally sound teaching without building souls capable of applying what has been taught. For those who teach, it’s vital that instruction not only be made from the head, but from the heart, as it is guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit through prayer.
Having said that, the entire Bible (Old and New Testaments) is our source of guidance for all areas of doctrine and life. It’s vital that those in God’s family learn it thoroughly and understand how to apply its truth to life. For this reason, careful attention must be paid to scriptural fidelity in doctrine and application.
Those within the church family must also be taught to understand and apply scripture for themselves and how to develop personal disciplines of reading, study, and prayer in their private lives. Coupling this with the practice of prayer and the proper use of spiritual gifts, the body will grow and build itself up in love.
The truth of the gospel, contained in the scriptures is also the power of God for the salvation of everyone who will believe (Romans 1:16). I do my utmost to include a call to repentance and faith in a contextually and culturally relevant way, into every sermon I preach. The reason I do this is because though church gatherings are primarily for the edification and equipping of believers, we never know who might be among us who does not yet know Jesus as Savior and Lord. I want to take every opportunity to invite others into the family of God.
[7] Biblical community and accountability
The New Testament is replete with “one another” instructions, admonitions that insist that believers in Christ put their love for God into action through love for each other. This community (like any true fellowship) is hard to build, but so necessary for the body of Christ to be all God intends for it to be. Non-believers are supposed to be able to recognize that we are disciples of Jesus because of our love for one another (John 13:35) — which means our communal example is to be winsome, something they long to partake in.
Practically, this sort of relational closeness typically only happens in smaller settings or individual relationships. I believe that growth happens best in the presence of other committed Christians in small groups, Bible studies, prayer groups, accountability relationships, mentoring partnerships, ministry teams, and more. The face to face element of Christian community is an essential for health and growth.
One of the most difficult parts of this necessity is the application of loving accountability related to sinful behavior. Naturally, the deeper and more genuine our relationships with each other are, the more easily we can address sin issues that might arise.
As our brother, the Apostle John explains in his first epistle, the calling to “walk in the light” is a non-negotiable for disciples of Jesus and as a group, we are responsible for each other in this regard (1 John 1:5-2:11). Sin happens, and is easily dealt with through repentance and the forgiveness provided by God’s grace, through Jesus. But when repentance is not forthcoming, the church family, out of love, must take additional steps to restore the one caught/trapped in the sinful behavior.
Jesus outlined the “steps” to take in such an instance in Matthew 18:15-20. Rather than walking through that progression here, I’ll say that I believe this process must be followed in the church in a faithful manner. I believe that much of the church’s ineffectiveness in modern times can be directly traced to the fear modern believers have regarding such confrontations and the resulting neglect of them. For the sake of our brothers and sisters, and for the sake of our King, we cannot be negligent in these matters.
Having said that, let me say this: I am not one to “go on a hunt for sinners in need of a confrontation.” I don’t make this a major topic of conversation or teaching except where it is directly addressed in the text or applicable to a situation or need.
In addition, I don’t believe it’s wise to apply the pattern of Matthew 18 across the board for every type or instance of sin that is observed. When Christian community is healthy and strong as it should be, the later steps of the Matthew 18 pattern are a last resort that is seldom needed.
Finally, I should be clear that the goal of any “church discipline” situation such as this is restoration of the sinning brother or sister.
[8] Relational discipleship and ministry
Building on the biblical teaching regarding how Christians are to love one another, build each other up in the Lord, and be a part of the preservation of one another’s faith (Hebrews 3:13), I believe that every discipleship relationship and every larger ministry endeavor should be arranged and organized with the nurturing of relationships as a high priority.
This begins with the way the Pastor and Elders relate to each other and do their work of shepherding, to the way they care for the members of the church family, to the approaches applied to leadership, activities, studies, organization, etc. Every ministry endeavor within the church should major on building solid, Christ-honoring relationships between believers as they seek to live out the instructions of Jesus.
[9] Spiritually healthy homes and families
Just as the human body can only be as healthy as the individual cells within it, the health of the local church will generally follow the level of health being experienced in the families within the church. For this reason, the church should major in equipping husbands and wives to build Christ-honoring marriages, according to biblical explanations of proper roles within their marriage. The husband is the head of the wife and leader of the family, the wife is the helper God has assigned to him to provide wisdom and strengths that he does not have to the work they are to accomplish together, in their home.
From this place of spiritual unity and commitment the two of them are to dedicate themselves to raising God-fearing children, based on the clear teaching of scripture. After their own personal relationship with the Lord, this is to be their first priority; more than career(s), more than hobbies or interests, or creative endeavors, more than self-fulfillment or success. We as parents are responsible to raise disciples, not just good children. A legacy of faith that lasts generations is our goal and one of God’s intended ways for the Kingdom of heaven to flourish and multiply on the earth.
[10] Biblical discipleship and equipping of men
From a biblical perspective, healthy families begin with godly, healthy men who are appointed by God as the spiritual head of the home. For this reason, it’s vital for every church body to place considerable emphasis and effort on the salvation, discipleship, and ongoing commitment of the men within their sphere of influence. I truly believe that as the men go, so goes the family, and as the family goes, so goes the church.
[11] Biblical discipleship and equipping of women
Women, married or single, are equal in value and worth with men, and those who have placed their faith in Jesus are co-heirs with Jesus alongside every redeemed man (1 Peter 3:7). For this reason, women play a vital role in the life and health of the church family, serving in Kingdom-advancing roles in both the church and in the home.
[12] Family-supportive biblical education for youth
I’ve seen a tremendous amount of spiritual fruit produced through the youth ministries of churches. The ones that have been most effective in aiding teens in developing a spiritual walk with Christ that extends into their college years and beyond, are those that come alongside parents to help and equip them, supporting their discipleship efforts in the home. There always will be and always should be students in the youth group who are from non-Christian homes, which makes this type of focus difficult in such cases, but the approach I’ve described is what I believe to be the best approach overall.
[13] Family-supportive biblical education for children
Children’s ministry is a powerful and needed area of ministry for every church, but again, care must be taken to orient the children’s ministry in such a way that it augments and supports the discipleship efforts underway in the homes of the children in their care. Parents should feel that the children’s ministry is an ally, equipping them in a variety of ways to raise God-fearing children who will one day place their faith in Christ and become members of the family of God who live for Kingdom purposes from their childhood forward.
[14] Compassionate engagement with the culture
A church that isolates itself from the culture is not doing its job as stewards of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19). A church that fears the culture is out of touch with the divine authority that belongs to its King, Jesus (Matthew 28:18). A church that accommodates the culture has lost its flavor and has failed to be the light it is called to be in this dark world (Matthew 5:13-15). But the church that engages the culture from a place of compassion, holding out the gospel as God’s open invitation to all who will believe, while maintaining its grasp on biblical truth is a church that is poised to make a difference in the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
GOD
I believe in one God, who exists eternally in three co-equal Persons: the Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit.
THE BIBLE
I believe the Old and New Testaments of the Bible are divinely inspired, without error, and are the Christian’s primary source of authority for faith and living. The Bible is God’s holy and truthful word, expressed through human authors.
HUMANITY
I believe that people are born sinful both in identity and action and are therefore separated from God. Though we still bear the image of God from the moment of creation, sin has corrupted us, making no one acceptable before God.
JESUS CHRIST
I believe that because of His love for people, God implemented a way to overcome our sinful condition by sending His divine, eternal, and only Son, Jesus Christ, to die as a propitiation for our sins. Jesus’ historical, sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead provide the only avenue through which restoration with God the Father is possible. He not only makes it possible for our sin to be forgiven and relationship with God possible, He also fits us for service in the Kingdom of God.
FAITH
I believe that through the simple, personal act of depending on Jesus’ death as the full payment for sin, each individual is restored to a right and intimate relationship with God forever (becomes a Christian).
THE HOLY SPIRIT
I believe that the Holy Spirit is the one who both calls people into the family of God and regenerates their sinful hearts through faith.
Through the Holy Spirit’s regenerating power the identity of repentant people is changed from sinner to saint, from darkness to light. We become new creations in Jesus. This new identity is the basis from which character is transformed and God’s work in human beings is displayed.
The Holy Spirit serves the believer as their Helper, Teacher, and Guide in all areas of life and spiritual knowledge. He produces fruit in the lives of believers in the form of character, integrity, righteous behavior, and godly perspectives about life, the world, and other people.
The Spirit provides supernatural gifts to each Christian, as He desires, for the benefit and health of the church and in some cases, as a witness to those outside the church. No one gift or combination of gifts is an all-in-one evidence of being a Christian. The Spirit assigns and distributes His gifts as He pleases.
HEALING
I believe that provision is made in the work of Jesus Christ for the healing of mankind in body, mind, spirit, emotions, etc. Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are taught in the Scriptures and are to be practiced today. However, Jesus’ provision for healing does not guarantee that healing will occur in every case. All healing, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual occurs only as God, in His sovereignty determines it should.
THE CHURCH
I believe that all people who place their faith in Jesus Christ are united together into one family, one “body,” called the church. With Jesus Himself as its leader, the church is to gather together for prayer, teaching, community, and worship. We do this to come to know God intimately, to equip each member, to help others in the church, and to spread the message of salvation and spiritual growth through Jesus to those around us. The hallmark of a vibrant, healthy church is love and unity among its members.
THE FUTURE
I believe that Christ is bodily returning to the earth and at that time will judge the living and the dead. Until His return, believers are to live lives that bring glory to God through Jesus Christ and advance His Kingdom on earth. The Church is to be busy doing the work of evangelism and discipleship, proclaiming the pure, uncompromised gospel of Christ, and living according to the instructions found in the word of God.
CURRENT ISSUES
God determines and establishes a person’s sexual identity at conception, either male or female. It is to each person’s benefit and great joy to embrace their sexual identity and seek God’s purpose for them within that identity.
Marriage is a covenant between a man, woman, and God that is established by God Himself. It was created by God and exclusively engaged in by one man and one woman.
Sexuality and sexual relations are gifts from God to be practiced and enjoyed only within the context of a marriage relationship. Any sexual activity or sexual relations outside the marriage relationship are sinful.
The Bible never teaches that those who are Christians are guaranteed health, prosperity, or happiness. There is no biblical teaching that promises such things for those who have enough or the right kind of faith, either. The Christian life is one that expresses the nature and heart of its King, Jesus, that of joyful and loving self-sacrifice for the sake of others, to the glory of God.
The Bible is very clear that human life begins at the moment of conception and is sacred to God, the Creator. For this reason I believe that the act of abortion is a grievous sin in every instance. In this same vein, the aged and infirm are also valuable to God and must be to us, His people. The elderly must be honored and cared for, not discarded or disregarded.
MINISTRY AND CAREER HISTORY
My experience and time in ministry has paralleled my spiritual growth. Though gifted by the Holy Spirit in various ways, I started out like we all do, young and inexperienced. But I have always sought to humble myself before the Lord and trust Him to lift me up in due time (1 Peter 5:5-6).
Every move I’ve made, I’ve made in faith, believing that He was guiding me and to the best of my ability, serving with all my heart wherever He has placed me. No doubt, I’ve made mistakes or have at times misunderstood His leading, but I can humbly and gratefully say that my King has been faithful. I give Him praise for everything He’s done in and through me over the past 25-ish years.
The following chronology is in reverse order.
Online Bible Teacher, MorningMindsetMedia.com — January 2018 to the present
I’ve not been in an official pastoral ministry role since 2015, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been inactive for the Kingdom. It was only a few years after leaving pastoral ministry that I sensed the Lord leading me to do something with the teaching gifts He’s provided to me. I began “The Morning Mindset” podcast on January 1, 2018 and it quickly grew to over 5,000 downloads per episode within the first 24 hours. That number ballooned over the years and today, the podcast is heard over 54,000 times per day.
Through this experience I have learned a great deal about how media can be leveraged to advance the Kingdom of God and would love to combine what I’ve learned with those in my next church family who have similar interests.
I expect to be able to continue publishing the Morning Mindset in my own time, no matter the Pastoral role I am entrusted with next.
Through the Morning Mindset’s success my wife and I have also begun publishing a Christian Marriage podcast and a Christian Parenting podcast (see the “Unique Experience” section).
Founder and CEO, PodcastFastTrack.com — October 2015 to present
When I sensed from the Lord that the calling for local church Pastoral ministry was waning, I transitioned away from my Pastoral position in coordination with the church’s elders and I stepped out in faith to find a job outside the church.
When it became evident that I wouldn’t be able to find adequate employment in my local community, I took the step to being my own company, which grew almost immediately.
Podcast Fast Track is a full-service podcast audio and writing production business. I run a fully remote team of 11 people and have been blessed by God with the ability to build a great morale and team spirit in spite of the distance between us, serve over 40 clients per month faithfully, and provide for my family and many others through the work the company does. My team-building and organizational skills have grown tremendously through this season and I am eager to put the things I’ve learned to use in a local church once again.
I’ve also had the opportunity to have meaningful spiritual conversations with many clients and would-be clients over the years.
Once I discover the ministry position the Lord has in mind for me, the plan is to transition my role as CEO of the company to my oldest son, who works with me in the company, taking a more passive advisory role for myself at that time.
Lead Pastor, Community Church of Leadville (EFCA) — Leadville, CO — 7/1/2007 to 2/31/2015
I stepped into this role on the heels of the church undergoing many disappointing and damaging Pastoral situations over the past 8 to 10 years of its history. My wife and I were able to lead the existing church family (then around 40 families) through season of repentance, healing, and restoration while establishing a firm footing for the path forward based on the clear teaching of the Word of God.
In our time there we saw many people come to faith in Jesus and the church’s worship attendance grew to 130 people in our time there.
When I arrived at the church there was only one remaining Elder and I identified, equipped, and trained 4 other men to come aboard the Elder team in time. This is the season during which I developed my “Elder Training Handbook” (see my book section below).
Lead Pastor, LifeWay Church Community (C&MA) — Reno, Nevada — 5/1/2004 to 12/31/2006
I took up leadership of this 3 year old church in the Northwest region of Reno after the founding Pastor’s marriage fell apart. It was my hope to bring stability and encouragment to a very tenuous situation.
After arriving and serving faithfully for about a year, it became evident that the emotional and relational damage experienced by the church family was deeper than any of us knew. Though we worked together to bring healing about, the damage proved too great and made the decision to encourage attenders (very few at that point) to join other fellowships around the city.
Church Planter, Living Faith Church — Castle Rock, Colorado — 1/1/2002 to 4/1/2004
Sensing the Lord’s direction to plant a church, my wife and I moved to Castle Rock, Colorado with the belief that since it was the County Seat in the fastest growing county in Colorado at the time, it was a good place to being a new church. We began with no support and I worked full time while hosting Bible studies for neighbors and others in our home. We had a small group of around 15 people meeting weekly by the end of our time there and were privileged to lead three of our neighbors to faith in Christ.
In the end, the demands of full time work and church planting, combined with the needs of my growing family (our 5th child was born during this time) proved too much and we sought out help from denominations in the area. This is where I came into contact with the local Christian and Missionary Alliance District Superintendent, who asked if I’d consider the work in Reno.
Teaching Pastor, Pacific Island Bible Church (Non-denominational) — Mililani, Hawaii (pibcohana.org) — 11/1/1998 to 12/1/2002
I was called to serve as Co-Pastor at PIBC, focusing on teaching and curriculum development. I followed the founding Pastor and the church was very much a family to me and my growing family. I preached weekly approximately 40 Sundays per year, developed small groups and Sunday school programs, and participated as an Elder in making decisions and leading the church body. This is where my teaching gift was refined and grown like no other season in my ministry career.
I left PIBC in 2002 after believing that the Lord was calling me to Castle Rock Colorado to plant a church.
Associate Director of Ministry, Grace Church (Non-denominational) — Arvada, Colorado (grace-alone.org) — 5/1995 to 10/1998
The role at Grace Church was my first full-time, adult ministry role. I was fresh out of Bible College and eager to get to work for the Kingdom. When I joined Grace Church the Sunday attendance was around 300 people. I was tasked with organizing the office and systems upon which the church would run, create and run a membership track, establish a small group program and equip leaders to form and grow groups, and to oversee various other ministries, such as the singles ministry.
When I began at Grace Church there were three existing small groups, which I was able to increase to eighteen. By the time I left Grace Church, Sunday attendance was just over 1300. Naturally, this as a team effort but I saw the Lord us my organizational, leadership, and teaching skills to advance the work we were doing together.
Somewhere around June of 1997 I got my first opportunity to preach, and as I tell my wife, that’s the day something in me came alive for the first time. I loved preaching God’s word and felt that He wanted me to do so on a more regular basis. There was not much opportunity for me to preach at Grace Church, being one of several on staff, so I began a search to find a church family where my teaching gifts could be better used.
Director of Jr. High Ministries, Bear Creek Evangelical Presbyterian Church — Lakewood, Colorado (https://www.bridgebc.org/)— 1989 to 1991 (part time)
I graduated from Colorado Christian University in 1990 with a degree in Youth Ministry. I’d already begun working at Bear Creek at that time and enjoyed ministering to the students and families of the church. Under the leadership of the Director of Student Ministries I cared for and equipped Jr. High students in areas of discipleship, leadership development, and evangelism. My time at Bear Creek was rich and I still have friendships with some of the people I met there.
EDUCATION / TRAINING / LICENSING
Master of Arts (with distinction), Trinity Theological Seminary — Pastoral Ministry — November 1997
Bachelor of Arts (Magna Cum Laude), Colorado Christian University — Youth/Biblical studies — May 1990
Ordained Minister/Licensed Worker of the Christian & Missionary Alliance
Purpose Driven Church Seminar, Saddleback Community Church — May 1996
Institute for Biblical Community, Dr. Larry Crabb – March 1998
Ordained as a Minister of the Gospel, by the Pastors of Grace Church of Arvada, July of 1996
UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
Eight years ago I founded a podcast production agency, which I still run today. This experience has given me an appreciation for the powerful tool media can be for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. I am eager to lead my local church in using media of all types to spread the gospel message and lovingly care for and disciple even more people.
As an example, on January 1, 2018, I launched a daily devotional podcast that God has greatly used and blessed: The Morning Mindset Christian Daily Devotional. Among the top 1% of podcasts worldwide, the show averages 12,000 listeners per episode within the first 30 days. Based on this success, my wife Mindi and I founded a non-profit enabling believers in need to receive help from other believers. More at: https://NotANeedyPerson.org.
Another example: Mindi and I co-host two podcasts, covering the subjects of Christian Marriage and Christian Parenting. This bi-weekly podcast averages over 1000 listeners per episode within the first 30 days. By listening to a handful of these episodes you’ll get to know us and how our faith works out in our daily lives. You can see everything we’re doing with media at https://MorningMindsetMedia.com.
Click any of the images below to listen to the podcasts in a new tab as you continue to browse this page.
(You’ll get a much better feel for who we are if you do)
MY APPROACH TO STAFF AND ELDER RELATIONSHIPS
Positions of spiritual leadership or authority can be problematic in that they provide an environment in which the person in leadership can feel like they are walking personally close to the Lord by virtue of the ministry activities they are engaged in. Nobody would say it that way, but it often subtly happens all the same. For this reason it is vital that those in positions of authority within the church (Elders / Church staff) are intentional to develop open, honest, accountable relationships where the reality of their spiritual condition can be regularly encouraged, challenged, and spurred on.
But exhort/encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
The danger of spiritual callousness is real and as the family of God we are to help each other remain soft, pliable, and humble before our Father, King, and Maker. I long to be part of a staff and/or Elder team where this kind of familial care is innate and active, where every member expresses loving concern for the others in the group through regular interactions that penetrate the outer layers of appearance and quick responses, to get to the heart.
My desire is to lead the way in these kinds of relationships within the church in pursuit of the unity Jesus describes in the prayer He prayed just before going to the cross…
The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me. ~ John 17:22-23
There are many contexts where this type of connection can happen and it would be my goal to weave it into every one on one meeting, every group discussion, and every planning or organizational meeting with Church Staff and Elders.
I believe this happens best through the biblical admonition to love others as I desire to be loved, considering others as more important than myself as Jesus did. I’m obviously not perfect at this but have gained so much ground with the help of my wife, who seems to have been born relational and wise in such things beyond my comprehension.
BOOKS I’VE WRITTEN
- The Elder Training Handbook (non-fiction – Identification, Assessment, Training, and Evaluation of prospective Elders)
- The Marriage Improvement Project (non-fiction – Couple’s Devotional Study)
- ReCharge: Devotional Bible Study Methods compilation (non-fiction)
- Moving Toward God (non-fiction – 19-lesson discipleship curriculum for new believers)
- Through Heaven’s Eyes (a drama script)
- The Great Smizzmozzel Bash (children’s picture book)
- The Dragon Slayer Chronicles (3 volume fiction series)
- And a few more ideas are bouncing around in my head even now…
INFLUENTIAL AUTHORS AND TEACHERS IN MY LIFE AND MINISTRY
- Pastor John Piper
- Oswald Chambers
- Rev. Andrew Murray
- Rev. George Müller
- Dr. Bill Gillam
- Pastor Jim Cymbal
- Rev. E.M. Bounds
- Dr. Gene Getz
- Rev. Jonathan Edwards
- Rev. John Owen
PERSONAL AND “NICE TO KNOW” INFORMATION
- Born in July of 1967
- Born again in 1972
- Married since May of 1989
- Wife: Mindi.
- Mindi was born again in 1972 also
- Five children (all faithful Christian adults): Aaron, Melinda, Madeline, Caleb, Faith
- 5 grandboys (as of August 2023)
- I have two visible tattoos (Some prefer to know this sooner rather than later. I’m happy to share the stories).
- Interests – Family, friends, reading & study, music (listening and performing), hospitality in our home, outdoor activities, writing.
Those tattoos I mentioned…
REFERENCES
More available upon request
Ian and Beth Wienholt
Friends of 25+ years, former church members
8801 Links Bridge Road
Thurmont, MD 21788
Ian: iwienholt(at)structural.net
Beth: wienholtfamily(at)gmail.com
Ian: 443-324-3721
Beth: 301-524-2572
Dillon and Christina Cowing
Disciples of ours
1700 Valentia Street
Denver, CO 80220
Dillon: dilloncowing(at)gmail.com
Christina: sailercl(at)gmail.com
Dillon: 913-296-2084
Eric and Sherri Johnston
Friends, previous church members
960 Hemlock Drive
Windsor, CO 80550
Eric: bkfddance60(at)live.com
Sherri: wianisherri72(at)gmail.com
Eric: 719-221-3922
Trevor and Natalie Muzzy
Disciples of ours
9607 Legislation Drive
Converse, TX 78109
Trevor: tmuzzy11(at)gmail.com
Natalie: fischer.nmf(at)gmail.com
Trevor: 573-525-1050
Natalie: 573-999-0363
Don and Tricia Nelson
Friends of 25+years
P.O. Box 64112
Colorado Springs, CO 80962
Don: dnelson4god(at)gmail.com
Tricia: nelsontricia23(at)gmail.com
Don: 303-506-0211
Tricia: 720-234-0216