More Than a Pastor

Rich Avery

Where pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders come to grow your income and build financial security. We help you take your skills, experience, and ministry know-how, and leverage them into sustainable income outside of the church, through a business or side hustle that’s right for you. So you can serve God and provide for your family, no matter what. Download free resources and get the show notes for each episode over at www.morethanapastor.com.

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Episodes

Plant Like Jesus: Missional Ministry and Marketplace Engagement with Ben Ingebretson
Mar 6 2024
Plant Like Jesus: Missional Ministry and Marketplace Engagement with Ben Ingebretson
There is no shortage of tools, methods or strategies for church planting and growth. But what if the best strategy for sharing the message of Jesus in a post-Christian era is to actually follow the methods of Jesus?We’ll dive into Jesus’ methods for missional ministry and marketplace engagement with our guest Ben Ingebretson, author of Plant Like Jesus: The Church Planter's Devotional, in this episode of the More than a Pastor Show. Let’s get started!Links for Today's ShowShow Notes/Blog Post for This EpisodeBen's Website: BING ConsultingMy Latest Post on Pastoral Identity and the Future of MinistryWant to Support the Show? Buy Me a Coffee!Wondering How You Could Future-Proof Your Church Finances?Feeling the weight of financial concerns for your church? Wondering how you could ignite a culture of generosity in your congregation? Feeling like it's time to explore alternative revenue options? Know that you're not alone! We're here to support you every step of the way.We're offering individual and group coaching programs to help you unlock the strategies that are right for you and your church, so you can diversify your revenue streams, foster a growing culture of generosity, and navigate today's church funding challenges with confidence.Don't let financial challenges hinder your ministry's impact or jeopardize your personal livelihood. Take the first step towards financial resilience and sustainability today, and book your free 30-minute strategy session.
Greg Atkinson on the Secret Power of Kindness, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of the Church
May 23 2023
Greg Atkinson on the Secret Power of Kindness, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of the Church
Will the 21st century pastor look more like the co-vocational tentmaker of the 1st century church than the full-time pastor of the 20th century?Church leadership expert Greg Atkinson says YES, and shares several reasons why pastors and churches need to embrace entrepreneurship now, in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show.  Links for Today's ShowWatch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fHzhlTTCIJAGet the Blog Post/Show Notes: https://www.morethanapastor.com/blog/greg-atkinson-on-the-secret-power-of-kindness-entrepreneurship-and-the-future-of-the-churchGreg Atkinson's Website: www.gregatkinson.comEmail Greg: greg@gregatkinson.comGet Greg's New Book The Secret Power of Kindness: https://amzn.to/3OyUl3MFree PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for YouMy Last Post: Burned Out Pastors: Don't Quit, Give Yourself a Reset InsteadWant to Support the Show? Buy Me a CoffeeIntroducing Greg AtkinsonI’m excited to have Greg Atkinson join us on the show today. Greg has been in ministry for nearly 30 years.He is an entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, leadership and life coach, and consultant. He has worked with churches of all stages and sizes, including some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, as well as with businesses, non-profits, and organizations.In this conversation...Greg and I talk about how he began to leverage his ministry skills into resources that served pastors and churches, and how those resources have generated multiple streams of income.I also ask Greg for his thoughts on what the future of the church will look like over the next 5-10 years and beyond. His answer might surprise you.He takes us into the backstory behind his new book, The Secret Power of Kindness, which is available for pre-order starting today on Amazon. And we explore why the message of Kindness is needed in the church, and in our world, now more than ever.And now let’s get to our conversation with Greg Atkinson!
How Pastors Can Create Passive Income Through Online Platforms with John Stange
Apr 18 2023
How Pastors Can Create Passive Income Through Online Platforms with John Stange
What would you do if your church suddenly couldn’t pay you anymore? For Pastor John Stange, it sent him on a mission to create multiple streams of passive income through his own online platforms. We’ll show you how he did it, and how you can too, in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show.Links for Today's ShowConnect with John Stange: PlatformLaunchers.com and DesireJesus.comShow Notes/Blog Post for this Episode: https://www.morethanapastor.com/blog/how-pastors-can-create-passive-income-through-online-platforms-with-john-stangeWatch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/D6H6nk0dkcEJoin our Members Community: Become a Founding MemberMy Last Post: How One Pastor Launched a Health Coaching BusinessAbout John Stange John is an author, podcaster, and pastor. He has written over 30 books. He hosts four podcasts with have been downloaded over 10 million times, including:The Chapter-A-Day Audio BibleDaily Devotions with Pastor JohnDwell on These ThingsPlatform LaunchersJohn has been serving in church leadership for the past 25 years, and is the lead pastor of Core Creek Community Church in Langhorne, PA.He also leads a membership community called Platform Launchers which helps members build, grow, and monetize message-based online platforms. More than that, I’ve grown to love John and the other members I’ve gotten to know in the community, and the support and encouragement we give each other, which has inspired me to finally launch my More Than a Pastor online members community as well.
Milan Bittenbender on How a Health Coaching Business is Creating True "Wellth" for Himself & Others
Apr 14 2023
Milan Bittenbender on How a Health Coaching Business is Creating True "Wellth" for Himself & Others
Pastors have many skills developed in the church which could be transferred into the marketplace. And being able to coach others is definitely one of those skills!Have you ever wondered how you could leverage your ministry skills into a thriving coaching business? And how coaching around health and wellness could enrich your life and the lives of others?Today we’ll share how one pastor discovered a renewed calling and passion to lead others toward health and wellness and launched his own profitable coaching program, and how you can too!Links for Today's ShowMilan Bittenbender's True Wellth Coaching Watch the YouTube Video for this EpisodeLeave Me a Review on Apple PodcastsLast Post: Jennifer Harshman is Making it Easy to Write a BookBuy Me a Coffee & Support the Show!Like my show and want to join our mission to help pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders create sustainable income outside the church?  Now you can show your support by buying me a coffee...or two...or three on a crowdfunding site for creators called Buy Me a Coffee.  Thanks for your support!Introducing Milan Bittenbender of True Wellth CoachingI’m so glad to have Milan Bittenbender with me on the show today. I’ve known Milan a bit over the years, as we’ve both served as pastors in the Wesleyan Church in the West Michigan area. In 2022 Milan transitioned from vocational pastoral ministry, and during a 3-month sabbatical, he decided to focus on his physical health and wellness. He lost 35 pounds in 67 days. Check out his Before (L) and After (R) pictures in the show notes/blog post for this episode!Through that experience, the Lord has given him a renewed calling and passion to lead others toward health and wellness - body, soul and spirit, which he does through his business, True Wellth Coaching. I’m so excited to have Milan on the show today to share his experience, and how he’s been able to create true wealth for himself and his clients. And now let’s get to our conversation with Milan Bittenbender!
Jennifer Harshman of Your Book Bakery is Making it Easy for Pastors to Write a Book
Apr 4 2023
Jennifer Harshman of Your Book Bakery is Making it Easy for Pastors to Write a Book
Have you wanted to write a book, or wondered if you could, but the process of writing just seemed too complicated and confusing, so you never got started, or you started but never finished?Maybe you're a pastor wondering if you could turn a sermon series into a book? Or perhaps you have a message or passion that you feel called to share, but you’re just not sure the best way to get started, or if it’ll be worth the effort?Well what if writing a book could be as simple as following a recipe to bake a cake? Jennifer Harshman of Your Book Bakery says that it is! And she's here to show us how in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show!Links for Today's ShowYour Book Bakery: http://www.yourbookbakery.comHarshman Services: https://www.harshmanservices.com/Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nCDTa6OQn74Leave Me a Review: More Than a Pastor on Apple PodcastsRead my Last Post: Tom Bump on How a Blindside Clarified His Mission to Help Other PastorsWhy Pastors and Other Ministry Leaders Should Write a BookIf you've been a pastor, missionary, or ministry leader for any length of time, you've already written a book...you just might not realize it yet!Think of all the sermons and devotionals you've written over the years. Did you know you could easily turn each sermon series into a book, which you could make available to your congregation, or sell on Amazon or even your local bookstore? This is a great example of passive income: You create something one time and it can make money for you over and over and over again.And beyond the church ministry realm, if you’re looking to launch your own message-based online platform, or even a service-based or brick and mortar business, a book can really open doors for you and help you grow your audience and build your authority, which in turn will help you grow your income.Introducing Jennifer Harshman of Your Book BakeryJen is the author of Your Book Bakery: Making it Easy to Write a Book. And She believes that if you can follow a recipe to bake a cake, you can write a helpful non-fiction book.I met Jennifer through John Stange’s Platform Launchers community. But then I realized later that she and I are also members of Dan Miller’s 48 Days Eagles community for entrepreneurs.And I’ve been amazed at how many people just in those communities that Jennifer has worked with, let alone hundreds of other clients Jen has helped to write, edit, or publish their books, since 1992.In addition to her new book, Jen offers a 12-week book writing boot camp, one-on-one coaching, and even ghostwriting, to help you get your book out of your head and into the world. You’ll find her online at www.yourbookbakery.com.And now let’s get to our conversation with Jennifer Harshman!
Tom Bump on How a Blindside Clarified His Mission to Help Other Pastors Through the Hard Seasons
Mar 31 2023
Tom Bump on How a Blindside Clarified His Mission to Help Other Pastors Through the Hard Seasons
Can God turn a blindside into a blessing? And turn our pain into a renewed sense of purpose? Yes he can! And we’ll explain how this played out in one pastor’s life in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show. Let’s get started! Links for Today's ShowTom Bump & KMC Coaching: www.tombump.comRestoring Leaders: www.restoringleaders.orgShow Notes for this Episode: Tom Bump on How a Blindside Clarified His Mission to Help Pastors Through the Hard SeasonsWatch this Episode on YouTube: Leave Me a Review: More Than a Pastor on Apple PodcastsFree 30-Min Coaching Session: www.morethanapastor.com/coachingTom Bump on How a Blindside Clarified His Mission to Help Other Pastors Through the Hard SeasonsHave you noticed in your own life, or maybe someone else’s, how it often takes something bad happening to us, like losing our job, to finally launch us into pursuing a vision we’ve had for some time, but we didn’t have the courage to pursue it.Maybe we kept thinking the time wasn’t right, or we didn’t have enough money, or we wanted to wait for other conditions to be just right…before we pursued that thing we knew God was calling us to do.And then all of a sudden, something major happens, and the things that were holding us back suddenly fade away, or they’re no longer as important.I know that’s happened in my own life. And that’s exactly what happened to our guest today, Tom Bump. And I’m excited to have him share his story on how a blindside in his church launched him on a mission to help pastors through the hard seasons of life and ministry.
Erik K. Johnson on How to Build Authority with a Podcast
Mar 28 2023
Erik K. Johnson on How to Build Authority with a Podcast
Want to launch a podcast to help you grow your business or organization, and establish yourself as an authority in your niche, but you’re not sure how to get started, exactly what your show should be about, or you let the tech hold you back? Well, you’re going to love today’s show, because launching a podcast is easier and more affordable than ever before, and Erik K. Johnson, the Podcast Talent Coach, is here to show you how, in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show. Let’s get started! Links for Today's ShowErik's Podcast Launch Checklist: www.podcasttalentcoach.com/launchErik's Free Podcast Strategy Call: www.podcasttalentcoach.com/apply48 Days Eagles Community: www.morethanapastor.com/eagles Leave Me a Review: More Than a Pastor on Apple PodcastsJoin our Private Facebook Community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebookErik K. Johnson on How to Build Authority with a PodcastLaunching a podcast is one of the fastest ways to gain an audience and establish yourself as an authority in your area of expertise. But people get hung up when they don’t know how to get started, and they have fear of the tech that might be required.I know that’s what held me up and kept me from launching the More Than a Pastor show for several years. I’m so glad I found someone who could demystify the whole process for me, explain the basic tools I needed to get started, and show me how to launch my show and connect with and serve my audience. That person was Erik K. Johnson, the Podcast Talent Coach.I had the privilege of connecting with Erik for the first time back in 2020 through Dan Miller's 48 Days Eagles community for entrepreneurs, where Erik is the Dean of Podcasting. I participated in a 4-week podcasting course that Erik taught, and it was just what I needed to finally take action and launch the More Than a Pastor show.One of the things I’ve discovered, in building and growing my business, is how powerful a podcast is for helping you find your ideal audience - the people you most want to serve - and building a real connection with them.I believe every pastor who is launching a business should consider how launching a podcast could help you find your ideal customers and grow your relationship with them as well.That’s why I’m so glad to have Erik as my guest today. There are many podcasts and coaches who teach you the technical side of podcasting. Erik K. Johnson is the premiere coach focused on the art of podcasting with Podcast Talent Coach.He has been atop the radio ratings since 2000 and coached many others to even greater success. Erik uses what he mastered in radio to help coaches attract their ideal clients with their podcast.Erik is a nationally recognized podcast and radio talent coach, on-air personality and radio program director seen on stage at Podcast Movement, New Media Expo, Authority & Influencer Summit and more. Find him at www.podcasttalentcoach.com.
Greg Gerber on Why it's Never Too Late to Live Out Your Purpose and Passion
Mar 24 2023
Greg Gerber on Why it's Never Too Late to Live Out Your Purpose and Passion
Do you ever feel like it's too late, or you're too old, to fully live out your purpose and passion in life, and you've missed out on your opportunity to fulfill your dreams? Well I agree with George Elliot who said, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." And in this episode of the More than a Pastor show, we'll explore how our later years can be our greater years for enjoying the life, impact, and income we were made for. Links for Today's ShowConnect with Greg Online: Forward From 50 Join our private Facebook community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebookGet the Free PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for YouRead My Last Post: 4 Lessons the Church Can Learn from the Gen Z Revival of Barnes & NobleHey what's good my friend? Welcome to the More Than a Pastor Show. I’m Rich Avery, your host. This is where we help pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders take your skills, experience, and ministry know-how and leverage them into sustainable income outside of the church, through a business or side hustle that’s right for you. So you can serve God and provide for your family, no matter what. Thanks for joining me today. If you’re new to the show, you can learn more about me, get the show notes for today’s episode, and download some free resources to help you grow your income and build financial security over at my website: morethanapastor.com/50 for episode 50.
David Steininger on Navigating the Less-than-Fun Aspects of Working for Yourself
Mar 14 2023
David Steininger on Navigating the Less-than-Fun Aspects of Working for Yourself
So do you love the idea of starting your own business….but you get a little overwhelmed thinking about the tech, admin, and financial stuff that’s involved? What if there was a guide who could help you navigate the less-than-fun aspects of building your own business? Well the good news is that there is! And we’ll introduce you to your new self-employment sidekick on this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show. Links for Today's ShowGet the Blog Post Show Notes for this Episode: David Steininger on Navigating the Less-than-Fun Aspects of Working for Yourself New 8-Week Course: Earn $250 a Day from Your Own Online PlatformJoin our private Facebook community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebookGet the Free PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for YouRead My Last Post: The Power of Creating a Memorable ExperienceSo, starting a business or side hustle can “sound” easy and fun to many of us, especially if we’re making money…what’s not fun about that?But there’s a B side to business that’s not fun for everyone, and that often holds us back or slows us up from accomplishing what we know we need to do.On today’s show I want to introduce you to someone who definitely can help you out with the B side of your new business. My friend David Steininger. Dave is the host of the Self Employment Sidekick show, and he’s an expert at helping business owners navigate the less-than-fund aspects of working for yourself. He is also the co-owner of Brerro, which helps businesses design their marketing strategy.Before we get into the interview with Dave i want to share briefly how we met. We’re both members in a community called Platform Launchers, hosted by our mutual friend John Stange. John’s a pastor who’s built several successful online platforms that have created life changing income for his family. I’m telling you this now because next week John is launching a new 8-week course called “How to Earn $250 a day from your own online platform,” and he’s going to share the pathway he followed to gradually build and grow his online businesses. Note that I said gradually…because this is NOT get rich quick. I’m not into that, and neither is John. So if you’ve been wondering if starting an online business is right for you, why not check this out and see if it’s right for you?The regular price for the course is $500, which, to be honest, is a bargain for an 8-week course like this. But right now John is offering a 50% discount if you use the promo code EARLYBIRD.  I’m not sure how long that discount will last. So, check it out and see if the course is right for you. If it is, I look forward to seeing you there, and building our online businesses together.And now let’s dive into our interview with David Steininger...
The Power of Creating a Memorable Experience
Mar 7 2023
The Power of Creating a Memorable Experience
What is it that makes some experiences so memorable that they really touch us, and make us want to tell our friends all about them? And how can we tap into this power to create meaningful, memorable experiences for the people we serve? That's what we're talking about in today's episode of the More Than a Pastor show! Links for Today's ShowGet the Blog Post Show Notes for this Episode: The Power of Creating a Memorable ExperienceJ Schwanke's TV Show: J Schwanke's Life in BloomJoin our private Facebook community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebookGet the Free PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for YouRead My Last Post: Charity Goodwin on Coaching Where Faith and Feelings Meet What Makes an Experience Memorable?We've all been impacted by memorable experiences in some way, haven't we?An experience is memorable because of how it touched or spoke to us, stuck with us long past the experience, and motivated us to some kind of action, which could be as simple as telling others about it, or something else.Sometimes memorable experiences just happen - like when we take the family camping and it rains for days and we're stuck in the tent the whole time playing games. No one would have asked for a washout camping trip, but it created a memorable shared experience that the family still talks about years later.But memorable experiences can also be created, and certain businesses, like Disney and Apple, are famous for creating memorable experiences for their customers....
Charity Goodwin on Coaching Where Faith and Feelings Meet
Feb 28 2023
Charity Goodwin on Coaching Where Faith and Feelings Meet
Could every pastor have a second calling as a coach? And how could coaching around emotional intelligence help pastors and other leaders to live and lead more like Jesus in a church and culture that is rapidly changing? We’ll talk about that in this episode of the More than a pastor show. Links from Today's ShowFind Charity Goodwin Online: www.charitygoodwin.comPlatform Launchers: www.morethanapastor.com/platformJoin our private Facebook community: https://www.morethanapastor.com/facebookGet the Free PDF: How to Know if Starting a Business is Right for YouRead My Last Post: 5 Ways Pastors and Churches can Profit from the Creator Economy Charity Goodwin on Coaching Where Faith and Feelings MeetCharity Goodwin is an elder in the United Methodist Church. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri and currently serves as the pastor of spiritual formation and groups at The Gathering, a UMC church in St. Louis. She has had experience as a site pastor and a lead pastor.In addition to her pastoral role in the church, she coaches other pastors and teams or boards/councils. Leadership development, vision casting, ministry start-ups, especially coaching around emotional intelligence, to help people take a more holistic view of transformation, change, and transition. And she's just launched new new podcast, Where Faith and Feelings Meet.I met Charity through an online community we’re both members of called Platform Launchers, hosted by our friend John Stange. If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own message-based business or online platform, `I’d encourage you to give Platform Launchers a try. You can get a free 30 day trial, join in on the weekly live calls, dive into the massive online learning library, and find your pathway to building and growing your own online business by going to morethanapastor.com/platform.