The Apostolic Leadership Podcast - Episode 3: Tim Sullivan on Pastoral Succession, Preparing for the Future, Leading a Ministry Team, and Constructing a New Church Building

Episode 3: Tim Sullivan on Pastoral Succession, Preparing for the Future, Leading a Ministry Team, and Constructing a New Church Building

07/08/19 • 75 min

In this Episode, Austin interviews Pastor Tim Sullivan about the call of God, Pastoral Succession, Preparing for the Future, Leading a Ministry Team, and Constructing a New Church Building.

About Tim Sullivan:

Tim Sullivan has been the Senior Pastor at The Pentecostal Church in Fort Smith since 2006, when he and his wife, Lea Ann, moved to Fort Smith with their three daughters, Kaitlyn, Malorie and Gabrielle. They were married in 1989, after graduating from Jackson College of Ministries with Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology and Music, and have served side-by-side ever since. Pastor Sullivan has filled the roles of Assistant Pastor, Pastor and Church Planter in Washington, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as evangelizing across the country and around the globe. Since God has brought the Sullivan family to TPC, the church has experienced continuous growth under their dynamic leadership. Pastor Sullivan is a driven and optimistic leader, with an impassioned vision to see the Kingdom of God expand in the River Valley. He remains a sought-after itinerant speaker, and is also currently serving as District Secretary for the Arkansas District UPCI. Sis. Sullivan serves the TPC body as both Ladies’ Coordinator and Music Director. Her quick wit and inherent kindness contribute to the family-oriented atmosphere at TPC. She and Pastor Sullivan are a joyful couple, and their girls are enthusiastic participators in ministry. They strive to ensure that TPC is a safe haven for people of all walks of life, and that the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ shine brightly in all they do.

Key takeaways from this Episode:

Be encouraged that, whether you are paid or volunteer, giving your life to ministry is completely worth it.
Pastor Sullivan likens a ministry team to conduit. Your ministry team is a conduit for everything else to flow through.
We are challenged in this episode to create a culture of excellence in our churches no matter what size we are.
When it comes to delegation and leading a ministry team, we have to be willing to let other people take ownership.
On alignment:
- Keep the vision simple and clear
- Cast that vision often
- Your team has their own engines, but you give them the lane to run in
- Growing churches have clear vision

These are just a few notes from this conversation. It is loaded with thought-provoking content. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

Recommended book: “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

In this Episode, Austin interviews Pastor Tim Sullivan about the call of God, Pastoral Succession, Preparing for the Future, Leading a Ministry Team, and Constructing a New Church Building.

About Tim Sullivan:

Key takeaways from this Episode:

Be encouraged that, whether you are paid or volunteer, giving your life to ministry is completely worth it.
Pastor Sullivan likens a ministry team to conduit. Your ministry team is a conduit for everything else to flow through.
We are challenged in this episode to create a culture of excellence in our churches no matter what size we are.
When it comes to delegation and leading a ministry team, we have to be willing to let other people take ownership.
On alignment:
- Keep the vision simple and clear
- Cast that vision often
- Your team has their own engines, but you give them the lane to run in
- Growing churches have clear vision

These are just a few notes from this conversation. It is loaded with thought-provoking content. We pray it encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

Recommended book: “Failing Forward” by John Maxwell

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

Previous Episode

Episode 2: Jeff Morgan on Transitions in Ministry, an Amazing T.F. Tenney Story, Parenting, Discipleship, and the Goal of Church

In this Episode, Austin interviews Pastor Jeff Morgan on transitions in ministry and the journey in ministry that lead him to Mountain Home, Arkansas. It is a very rich and encouraging conversation that makes it very clear that God sees us right where we are and that He has a plan for us.
Other items discussed in this episode include parenting, discipleship in the local church, and a discussion about the goal of church.
We pray this conversation encourages, equips, and challenges you in your leadership.

Episode Links and Resources:

Recommended book: “Leading on Empty” by Wayne Cordeiro

See the door from the T. F. Tenney story told in this Episode. Here’s a picture of the replica of that door hanging above Bro. Morgan’s desk.

Episode Quotes:

“Abraham argued with God over the killing of Sodom and the Sodomites, but he never argued one time over the killing of his own son.” - Jeff Morgan Click to Tweet“Why would God want me to pray more for your children than He would my children?” - Jeff MorganClick to TweetOn Discipleship:“The common denominator should not be that we all look alike. The common denominator is we’re all headed the same direction.” - Jeff MorganClick to Tweet

Thanks for listening to The Apostolic Leadership Podcast! Be sure to check out our store and other resources.

Next Episode

undefined - Episode 4: David Bryan on His Recent Pastoral Transition, The Spiritual, Mental, and Emotional Health of Leaders, and an Introduction to Mission37

Episode 4: David Bryan on His Recent Pastoral Transition, The Spiritual, Mental, and Emotional Health of Leaders, and an Introduction to Mission37

In this Episode, Austin interviews David Bryan about his recent pastoral transition, the spiritual, mental, and emotional health of leaders, and an introduction to his new ministry, Mission37.

About David Bryan:

David Bryan is an international evangelist, teacher, author, and former pastor who now leads Mission37.

Key takeaways from this Episode:

On transition:

We must design and create ministry that will honor the work of God beyond us.
“I have to recognize that there is something beyond me.” - David Bryan [tweet this]
“I’m not here to build myself a memorial. I really want to see the kingdom advance.”
- David Bryan [tweet this]
Work to empower others to do what we could not do.
When working in the kingdom of God, we should be expecting next things. Greater things.
Point everyone toward what’s coming next.
You’ve got to be willing to follow the cloud and pillar of fire when they move.
Don’t try to do what only God can do.

“We put in 20 years worth of work in 5 and a half years.” - David Bryan on his years in pastoral ministry. [tweet this]

On struggles and the social pressure in ministry:

“We’ve set for ourselves terms of success that are not Biblical. They’re social.”
- David Bryan [tweet this]
As a minister or a potential minister we need to ask ourselves hard questions like:
What do we do with the spiritual, mental, emotional, social pressures and situations that we contend with on a constant basis? How do we deal with the realities of ministry?
Every story [in ministry] is not what we would call a success story that is marketable.
“We’ve got so many people gifted of God, but they’re so disconnected from their purpose.“ - David Bryan [tweet this]

On the need for rest in ministry: