God, Your plans are not my plans. Change my heart to be inline with YoursToday on the Pod, we take a deep dive into leadership in missions, as well as thinking through issues of identity and how to break from some of the lies we believe about ourselves. We also discuss measuring usefulness, understanding coping mechanisms, how to avoid burnout and much more. If you want to see those links, click here Timeline00:00 Intro 01:00 From militia to missionary10:14 Moving to the Middle East 12:38 Should you send yourself to the field? 15:00 What makes a great leader? 17:19 Characteristics of a good leader23:00 Measuring your own usefulness27:47 Coping mechanisms on the field34:31 Slowing down to avoid burnout 39:45 Thinking through some team stuff 43:00 Conflict resolution within teams 49:04 Building resilience against failure

What do we actually mean when we say God called me?Today on the Pod, we are talking about calling and what it actually means to be a follower of Jesus wherever you are. My guest today is passionate about seeing the whole body of Christ join in the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Bringing the Gospel to the whole world is not just for a few paid church staff and missionaries, it’s the mission of the entire church. Want to read more? click here00:00 Intro 01:00 From military kid to missionary 03:26 Missions in the 80s 05:56 The negative effect of two identities 07:45 Secular vs Sacred work 14:20 The priesthood of all believers 17:06 Getting everyone involved in the mission  20:19 We are asking too little of our people 27:00 Being intentional 32:31 Understanding our calling 35:00 Myth 1: Frontlines  36:51 Myth 2: Calling 42:09 Myth 3: Full-Time ministry 45:20 Myth 4: Significance 48:40 Myth 5: Pray, Give, Go50:38 Myth 6: Business For Mission 55:23 Myth 7: Missionaries

Everyone we talked to said it was normal, but we felt that something wasn't right.We often talk about the struggle missionary kids have following their parents’ calling, but how do parents respond to their calling when their kids aren’t thriving on the field? Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who had to make some hard decisions when he and his wife found out their oldest son had autism. To read more go to PMPod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 Getting called to missions 06:46 Being effective in the culture 09:45 Expectations on the field  12:30 The dangers of people pleasing 16:00 The stress on marriage 20:45 Having young children on the field 24:38 Ministering as a couple 28:20 The need for community 31:05 Autism diagnosis 40:37 Hard decisions

"May the Lamb who is slain receive the reward of his suffering."Today on the Pod, we get a healthy reminder of God's sovereignty over all things for the joy of all people. My guest is both clear and gentle and proactive and pastoral. He has ministry experience in both the 1-/40 Window and in one of the most secular countries in the world.    Find links and resources mentioned in today's episode at pmpod.org  Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 Getting Kicked out 09:21 From overseas to cross-culture back home12:16 Why is the church collapsing in the West? 15:40 Raising Children in the West 18:56 Why is family worship so hard? 22:15 Technology and raising kids 27:35 Discipleship 31:40 Healthy signs of spiritual growth 35:00 Six Characteristics for church leaders 36:26 Pitfalls in Discipleship41:08 Biblical Counseling 45:42 The sovereignty of God brings comfort50:28 The sovereignty of God for cross-cultural workers

Life itself takes more time on the field. Today on the Pod, I have a very real conversation with a cross-cultural worker who has spent the last 15 years ministering and raising his family overseas. Expect to learn some basics about Orthodox Christianity, some tips on helping people with physical needs, what some of the signs of spiritual maturity are, the toll missions takes on marriages, the value of spiritual retreats, the importance of mentors, the power of learning the local language well, avoiding the comparison trip, and much more. Find out more at Pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 Orthodox Christianity 7:42 Dealing with the physical needs of the people 12:42 Signs of spiritual maturity 16:00 The toll missions takes on marriage 24:15 Spiritual retreats 26:03 Family rhythms of rest 30:10 Raising third-culture kids 36:20 The Value of learning the language 42:45 The comparison trap53:35 Advice to the weary worker

The message of the Gospel is for all those who are weary and carrying heavy burdens to come to Jesus and find rest. Today on the Pod, my guest shared how she was able to let go of her feelings of failure and not being good enough and cling to God and who he is for her. My guest also shared with me about her own inability to have children and how difficult that was. "It takes a lot of courage to be honest with yourself about what’s happening in your life."To find out more, go to PMPod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 Figure out if missions for me04:10 The first two years in the Middle East 07:45 Being a single woman in the Arab World 10:42 The support of families on the field 12:55 Re-entry and transition 17:00 From cross-cultural to home office19:00 Getting married and moving back to the field 21:50 Feeling like a failure on the field 25:30 Feeling like you’re not enough 33:00 Dealing with anxiety 40:00 Dealing with the inability to have children

Today on the Pod, I talk to a guy who first left for the Middle East back in 1972! No matter where he was in the world, the Middle East was always in his heart. In today's Pod, expect to learn about the power of prayer, the value of short-term trips, the importance of languages, dealing with new believers, the strengths and weaknesses of DBS, the importance of knowing Islam, and the importance of knowing the Bible."My heart is to get across the deity of Christ in a way that Muslims can understand it."Find out more at Pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 Impacted by prayer and need 05:25 Spain in the 70s07:12 The Arab World in the 70s 11:55 A passion for languages 15:10 Helpful translations in Arabic 19:12 The values for workers to know the Bible in the local language 22:18 Teaching English on the field 27:00 Moving back to the field after 17 years 32:50 Discipleship issues 35:12 Strengths and weakness of DBS 38:45 The value of knowing Islam 42:15 The value of knowing the Bible

Today on the Pod, I talk to my guys from episode #45 Spiritual Abuse , and see where God has taken her life over the last three rollercoaster years. Expect to learn about trusting God through difficulties, finding new approaches after change, the blessings and challenges of living alone, what resilience is, the role others play in our decisions, starting over, re-entering into the Middle East, the pyramid of care, and the impact of the story of Joseph. Get more access at Pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Into01:00 Recap from last time04:55 The ability to not doubt God06:30 Understanding where God is during difficulties08:30 New approaches to communication12:22 Living alone13:08 Experiencing loneliness17:20 Resilience21:10 The role others play24:10 Starting the process again26:25 Choosing a new org31:15 Getting back to the Middle East36:00 What is different this time?38:45 The pyramid of care43:00 The story of Joseph

I read from Athanasius's Statement of Faith which he wrote in the mid-AD300s! It's amazing to see how Christian faith has been articulated and believed down through the ages.   Listen to this mini episode and rejoice that your faith is the same as theirs all those years ago. Read the transcript here

In today's PMPod Mini, I talk for ten minutes about a theological topic you've probably never really thought about, which is at the center of the Christian faith.

Are you willing to renounce everything and follow Jesus? Today on the pod, I talked to a guy with over 30 years of experience in cross-cultural ministry.  He has the heart of a pastor and wisdom that only comes through decades of following Jesus.  "This guy looked at me and said, "Are you willing to die in the Middle East?" Find more quotes from today's episode at pmpod.org   Timeline 00:00 Introduction01:00 Getting called 07:25 Called together  8:59 Advice for couples with tension in calling 11:15 The passion to keep going 14:03 Willing to suffer 17:00 The desire to quit 19:54 Raising a family on the field 24:55 The tension of ministry and family 28:44 Meditating on God’s Word 33:00 Preparing mission sermons 40:20 Preaching to other cross-cultural workers 45:00 How the devil attacks workers 49:00 Serving without a rule

Today on the Pod, I have a hilarious and highly insightful conversation with a woman with lots of experience on the field. In this episode, you can expect to learn what it looks like for God to call you into missions, what it’s like to minister to Arab women, the complexities of figuring out the culture, the complexities of ministry in closed countries, the importance of language, how to build friendships with Arabs, and much more.   "In my exhaustion, God opened up the most amazing opportunity."Read and learn more here pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Taking measures to avoid missions 02:35 Ministering to woman  04:58 Figuring out culture 12:23 Enjoying the culture 15:25 Ministry expectations20:30 Worship with locals 21:40 The importance of language28:35 Friendships with Arabs43:20 Getting rest 50:30 Healthy boundaries 54:56 Staying healthy on the field

Today on the Pod, I talk to a woman who has been in cross-cultural missions for longer than I’ve been alive. There is a depth of maturity and wisdom that only time and experience can give you, and she has it. Prepare for a blessing. "The Lord doesn’t owe us anything, but we owe our whole lives to him."Here is my conversation with my guest's husband, #29 Fifty Years in Missions Read more and find quotes from today's episode  at Pmpod.org Timeline00:00 Intro 00:59 Getting called at 13 years old 03:45 Missions in the 70s 06:22 Persecution and imprisonment 10:30 Overcoming cynicism 12:10 How to pray on the field 15:10 Spiritual longevity 18:10 Prayer in missions 21:35 Grief on the field 28:40 The costs of being on the field32:40 The cost for local believers 39:40 The cost for extended families 42:55 Changes in missions 46:50 Who would you want on your team? 49:45 Being a mother on the field 56:00 Do it all to the Glory of God

Today on the pod, I talk to a Christ-centered woman with a lot of experience in cross-cultural ministry, transition, dealing with difficult people, and finding peace with God through it all. "All the terrible things, all the wonderful things, but Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. It’s all about Jesus. Everything I’m doing, it’s all about Jesus. Everything that we get to be a part of, it’s all about Jesus."Read more at Pmpod.org Timeline00:00 Intro01:00 Getting into missions03:20 Called to the Muslim World06:20 The benefits of singles on the field10:10 Leading as a single13:48 Leading as a woman17:50 Turning your eyes to Jesus19:35 Staying Spiritually healthy26:25 Changing counties and languages33:04 Ministry never looks like you want it to35:05 The importance of prayer42:05 Experiencing despair and the gift of joy46:45 Resting on the field 55:25 Dealing with failure1:01:00 A final thought

Today on the pod, my guest shares with us the wisdom and insights she has accumulated over 33 years in missions. Our conversation is deep, thought provocating, and full of laughs at the same time. "There was a season in my life where I was like, “God, I’m fed up selling something that I don’t have myself.” Until you change something in my heart, this whole evangelism thing is on hold."Read more at pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:00 The impact of a short-term team04:14 Misconceptions and missions 05:35 From personnel to the field 11:54 Building your own job description 16:35 The worker and their identity  23:20 The inner voice of the missionary 28:10 Seasons of darkness and doubt  31:40 Examining your faith  40:16 What rest should look like 46:00 Costs and benefits of singleness 50:57 Singleness through the decades

I think the longer you stay out on the field the lonelier it gets. Today on the pod, your host gets interviewed by his guest. It was very humbling to be on the other side of the microphone and be challenged to think with many good questions. We talked about the challenge of multiple expectations from different directions on the cross-cultural worker, as well as loneliness, turnover, the danger of chasing fads, and much more. To learn more, go to pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro01:08 Challenging expectations07:00 Chasing fads11:41 The Western church and our methods15:05 Motivating passion for missions 19:25 Dangers of being on the field too long27:21 Dealing with cynicism30:09 Getting out of your comfort zone33:49 Turnover and trauma40:23 How the field changes you50:35 Advice you would give your younger self54:50 A single gives advice to marrieds58:12 The future of missions1:04:19 Called, gifted, enjoyment

Constantly striving to get better doesn’t mean you don’t take rest Today on the Pod, we cover a lot of topics like the drive to learn and grow over your lifetime, having mentors, good comparison vs bad comparison, having fun, resting well, learning to be outward focused, tent-making, doing aid and development, transitioning off the field with kids, and more! If anything of these topics interests you, you are going to love this episode.Find out more at pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Introduction01:00 The impact of others05:00 Mentors and disciples 9:13 Mission Creep 11:32 Good comparison 15:10 Striving and resetting 18:20 Having fun on the field 21:30 Beneath the surface needs 26:25 Encourage others 30:40 Why are missionaries tired all the time? 32:11 The upshot of tent-making38:05 Development as missions 43:50 Transitioning off the field and kids 50:00 Everyone leaves the field I interviewed my guest's wife in episode  56; check it out What You Model You Reproduce.

It’s not just preaching that’s the problem; it’s also the prayerlessness in the pew. Today on the Pod, I talked to a pastor about the importance of preaching and called ministers in missions and the church. Is preaching still meaningful for the church in the 21st century? Is the old model of training pastors too slow and clunky to reach the world? When are monolog preaching and question-and-answer style Bible study applicable? These questions and many more are taken up on today’s podcast. I hope you enjoy it. Email my guest at kevinjbidwell@me.com Read more and find links to the resources here    Timeline 00:00 Introduction 03:32 Naïve and ignorant 06:10 Why is preaching so bad? 09:28 What should preaching be?12:24 The history of preaching 17:40 Is preaching still meaningful today? 22:32 The value of monologue preaching 27:00 What are the Means of Grace?32:18 Pietistic problems 36:31 People need to pray 43:03 What is Biblicism?  49:20 Why do we hate authority? 51:15 The value of theological education 54:20 Is your model too slow and clunky?57:30 Why these questions?

Numbers are helpful, but they’re not the holy grail.Today on the Pod, I had a very insightful conversation with a guy about calling, marriage on the field, transition, integrating into local culture, when counting numbers is good, and a whole lot more. "If you feel called to a people or a region, and you want to live out Christ, then you better emerge yourself more with the locals than with the ex-pats."Read more at Pmpod.org Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:03 Coming to faith 03:45 Getting involved in missions 12:40 What keeps you in missions?15:40 Never wanting to quite 18:20 Serving as a couple 23:44 The role of team 25:50 Balancing relationships 30:15 Transition 36:50 How to make re-entry better42:23 The value of mission organizations49:30 What are healthy ways to count numbers?

Isolation is paralyzing for MBBs Today on the Pod, we talk about the messy realities of discipleship. When someone comes to faith on the field, we often think it’s all going to be up and to the right from now on. But in reality, the messiness begins the moment that person places his faith in Jesus. The whole episode today is about discipleship, and I think you’re really going to like it. Find links to the resources mentioned in the Pod here "I think what is very problematic and very impairing is when a believer lives in two different worlds. In secret, he’s a believer, and he has fellowship with other believers, but out in the open, he has to play the role of not being a believer or being labeled an atheist be he doesn’t go to the mosque or pray."Timeline 00:00 Intro 01:04 How the Devil attacks MBBs 06:52 Taking fear seriously 12:28 Signs of maturity in an MBB20:18 How should MMBs read the Bible? 26:27 Stop over-pressuring MBBs 36:20 Signs of Spiritual drift 48:02 Gospel vs obedience 53:55 Resources and recommendations