In ministry, life fills up fast—and without a clear priority order, what matters most quietly gets pushed aside. In this episode, we walk through a framework every ministry couple needs: Jesus first, your marriage second, your kids third, then ministry to others. Getting this sequence right isn't about doing less—it's about leading from a life that's actually grounded and sustainable. Check out the article: How Should a Christian Leader Order Their Priorities?

1. Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV) — The greatest commandment: love God with everything you have, putting him above all else.
2. Matthew 6:33 (NIV) — "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness"—an active pursuit that shapes your schedule and energy.
3. Ephesians 5:22-25 (NIV) — The marriage model of total, sacrificial commitment that doesn't hold anything back.
4. Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) — "Start children off on the way they should go"—rooted in faithful, consistent parenting over time.
5. Ephesians 6:4 (NIV) — Raise your children in the training and instruction of the Lord without exasperating them.

1. Jesus comes first: Your devotional life shapes everything else—treat your quiet time as non-negotiable and protect it weekly.
2. Your marriage is second: Your spouse isn't your ministry's support role—they're your most important partner. Check with them before committing to anything new.
3. Your kids come before ministry: Your presence shapes their faith more than any lesson or sermon. Protect family time by default.
4. Decide in advance: Good intentions don't protect priorities—map out your week together and set clear limits on ministry commitments.
5. Build guardrails: You don't have to answer your phone at dinner or bedtime. Protecting those moments is stewardship, not selfishness.

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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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A mentoring handoff is the strategic transfer of a person needing care from a pastor to an equipped lay mentor. Grounded in Ephesians 4:11–12, pastors leverage their relational equity to normalize peer discipleship, prepare mentors with background context, and guide the initial meetings until the mentor confidently takes the lead.

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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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Notes

If you sat down with nothing but a Bible, would you ever actually come up with your current belief system? In this episode, Bryan reacts to a classic sermon clip from Francis Chan detailing his front-door encounter with LDS missionaries. But stick around for the twist at the end—because Francis doesn't just challenge LDS theology; he turns the mirror directly on modern evangelical church culture.

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The Unveiling Mormonism podcast pulls back the curtain on Mormon history, culture and doctrine. Join us for new episodes every Monday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/mormonism.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

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What happens when one of the most famous modern preachers gets a knock on his door from LDS missionaries?

In this episode of Unveiling Mormonism, Pastor Bryan reacts to a powerful sermon clip from Francis Chan. We dive into Chan's incredibly gracious, question-based approach to Mormon theology, compare "traditional" LDS doctrines (like eternal progression and the pre-existence) with modern LDS branding, and tackle a massive challenge that every evangelical Christian needs to hear.

• The Power of Asking Questions: Why Francis Chan’s gentle, curious approach to LDS missionaries is far more effective than getting "fired up" or preachy.
• The "Two Mormonisms": The difference between the front-page, Jesus-centric marketing of modern Mormonism and the actual, traditional doctrines of eternal progression and grandfather gods.
• A High View of Scripture: Why starting and ending with the Bible changes the entire conversation—and why we must encourage our LDS friends to read it without any external "filters."
• The Twist Challenge for Christians: If you only read the Bible from cover to cover, would you actually come up with the consumer-driven, mega-church programs we see today?