This week, we're diving into a special bonus episode to chat with Kayla Craig, host of Upside Down Podcast. You may remember her from Episode 262, where she talks about being married to someone in ministry. (Hint: That someone is Jonny.) Kayla grabs a mic at the kitchen table and invites our 200Churches listeners (Hint: That's you!) to the Upside Down Gathering, a two-day event Sept. 21-22 in Chicago, exploring faith, culture, and God's upside-down Kingdom.

In this short + snappy conversation, Kayla gives an inside peek into the Upside Down Gathering, which will feature pastors, authors, and speakers who are living out the Gospel in creative and Jesus-centered ways. (We're especially excited to hear Pastor Dominique Gilliard and Pastor Sandra Maria Van Opstal!) If you're looking for a place to be equipped and empowered to do justice, think creatively about ministry, and prioritize community, we're inviting YOU to join us Chicago in the fall!

Kayla even drops a code (It's: "200") for an EXTRA 10 percent off already discounted two-day tickets. Even if you can't attend, this would be a great place to send small groups, support staff, or ministry leaders in your church family. We love their emphasis on diversity and their intentional choices on everything from sponsors to food! :) Jonny will be there, Jeff will be wishing he was there, and we hope to see YOU at the Upside Down Gathering this fall.

Enjoy this chat, and as always, don't be a stranger!

Until next time,
Jeff and Jonny

Every so often we record an episode that you just know is going to be a different kind of an episode - a significant one, with the potential to help many others. This is one of those episodes.

Pastor Vinny Provenzano from the Derby Campus of NewLife Church in Trumbull CT contacted us several weeks ago to share the impact of our podcast on his life. As we heard his story, we knew we needed to share it with you.

After you listen, be sure to visit WeChoseLove.com to see how Vinny is encouraging others who going through similar struggles.

Sarah Bouma, a ministry consultant with The Unstuck Group, joined Jeff recently to talk about staffing strategies in your 200church. Sarah is an energetic and passionate leader who loves the local church. She enjoys combining her educational background, her career work, and her local church experience to help pastors and staff to maximize their efforts for the Kingdom of God.

Sarah is not a podcaster, but you'd never know it as she lays out such practical wisdom that can quickly be applied by pastors in any size church! Sarah got to know Tony Morgan, founder of the Unstuck Group, when she attended, then served at Granger Community Church in Indiana. Years later Tony tapped her to help coach churches and pastors in the area of staffing.

Tony Morgan and The Unstuck Group are working with Jeff's church, to help them through a strategic planning process that will put them on the road to intentionality, focus, and clarity (at least if Jeff cooperates and listens to their advice!)

The Unstuck Group's church coaching process has four phases: Assessment, Planning, Structure, & Action. Jeff's church is approaching the action phase now, and it has been a lot of work, with most of the work still ahead.

You can get more information on The Unstuck Group by going to www.theunstuckgroup.com.

You can also get on the TONY MORGAN LIVE channel on YouTube, where you will find dozens of videos and interviews from which you'll grow as a pastor.  BELOW is an interview Tony had with Thom Rainer on becoming a welcoming church. Both these guys are future guests on the 200churches Podcast!

Episode 284 tackles more questions from our listeners and from some of the pastors in the Small Church Pastor group on Facebook.

• Dealing with negative and divisive people
• I want a bigger church
• Large church pastors have it easier
• Best way to keep sermons fresh in a long pastorate
• Navigating people's expectations

Dave Jacobs, from www.SmallChurchPastor.com joins Jeff in answering the questions. 

Again, if you have even the slightest inkling that you want to be coached as a pastor, Dave Jacobs is your guy! Email him at dave@smallchurchpastor.com and he will schedule you on a free 30 minute call to determine if his coaching is right for you.

And, for senior and lead pastors, there is the Small Church Pastor Facebook group, which currently has 2,438 members as of the writing of this post. It's a great community of kind, supportive pastor friends that you should consider joining.

Until next week...