When you have bipolar behavior related to bipolar disorder, everyday life can feel like living on a rollercoaster over which you have zero control. That’s especially true if you’re facing both the challenges of bipolar disorder and being in ministry living in the shadow of the cross. However, there is hope to be found when you work with a Counselor whose basis is in Christianity, part of the body of Christ, who can help you develop better coping strategies and deepen your dependence on God. But there are additional challenges a person may face when serving our Lord in the ministry, such as fearing the reaction of others or feeling that you shouldn’t need counseling and are somehow failing God. In this podcast, we’ll be busting some myths about mental illness and ministry and looking at how you can find hope and healing when you open yourself up to the help available from solid Christian counselors.

The purpose of Rubber Meets the Road Pastoral Conversations is to discuss the joys, sorrows and tribulations of pastors serving their Call to the ministry while they live in the shadow of the Cross. The focus of this pastoral conversation is to discuss the meaning of the Office of the Keys from the perspective of serving in mission field in multiple locations and the challenges that come with that ministry.

This month’s conversation is with Pastor Danny Tutwiler. Pastor Tutwiler is a retired pastor living in the Chicago area. Pastor Tutwiler leads a team of ministry veterans who each have involved in the renewal and growth processes necessary to turn around stagnant or declining congregations.

The Four Horseman of the Ministry are Isolation, Alienation, Division, and Loneliness. The Third Horsemen of the Ministry, Division so often leads to Depression which is a mental health and wellness issue that so many in the ministry deal with on a daily basis. Division leads to Depression, that takes us to Loneliness. A 2023 Gallup poll found that roughly 17.8% of Americans had or were being treated for depression. With the extreme pressures that most pastors deal with it’s hard to imagine what our numbers would truly look like if we really faced this problem. Depression is a disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in things and activities that you once enjoyed. It can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping. Our episode will discuss the signs and symptoms of the different types of depression that people deal with along with some thoughts and ideas on how to more effectively deal with the issue of depression.

The purpose of Rubber Meets the Road Pastoral Conversations is to discuss the joys, sorrows and tribulations of pastors serving their Call to the ministry while they live in the shadow of the Cross. The focus of this pastoral conversation is to discuss the meaning of the Office of the Keys from the perspective of serving in mission field in multiple locations and the challenges that come with that ministry.

This month’s conversation is with Pastor Ray Smith. Pastor Smith is a retired second career pastor living in Oklahoma. Pastor Smith currently services as a Circuit Visitor and is assisting serving a vacant congregation in his circuit.

Perfectionism can weigh heavily on pastors—creating unrealistic expectations, constant pressure, and deep anxiety. In this episode, we explore why so many ministry leaders struggle with perfectionism, how it's often rooted in fear and self-doubt, and how it affects both ministry and personal life. Most importantly, we’ll share practical ways to manage it, find peace, and embrace grace on the journey. can weigh heavily on pastors—creating unrealistic expectations, constant pressure, and deep anxiety. In this episode, we explore why so many ministry leaders struggle with perfectionism, how it's often rooted in fear and self-doubt, and how it affects both ministry and personal life. Most importantly, we’ll share practical ways to manage it, find peace, and embrace grace on the journey.

The purpose of Rubber Meets the Road Pastoral Conversations is to discuss the joys, sorrows and tribulations of pastors serving their Call to the ministry while they live in the shadow of the Cross. The focus of this pastoral conversation is to discuss the meaning of the Office of the Keys from the perspective of serving in mission field in multiple locations and the challenges that come with that ministry.

This month’s conversation is with Rev., Dr., Don Ray Ph.D. Pastor Ray currently serves as pastor at a Lutheran Church in northwest Washington State, where he also serves as chaplain for the local police and fire departments. Pastor Ray is a published author and a trauma researcher and educator.

In past episodes we have discussed the Four Horsemen of the Ministry: Isolation, Alienation, Division, and Loneliness, all of which can hurt or destroy your ministry and negatively effects your mental health and wellbeing. In this episode we will discuss the detriment of Social Isolation and some thoughts concerning the need to build a safe and secure Support Group and some thoughts on how to build that support network.

The purpose of Rubber Meets the Road Pastoral Conversations is to discuss the joys, sorrows and tribulations of pastors serving their Call to the ministry while they live in the shadow of the Cross. The focus of this pastoral conversation is to discuss the meaning of the Office of the Keys from the perspective of serving in mission field in multiple locations and the challenges that come with that ministry.