1 00:00:12,070 --> 00:00:14,970 Speaker 1: This is Donna Jones, and you are listening to That's 2 00:00:15,190 --> 00:00:17,890 Speaker 1: Just What I Needed. Hey, friend, if you've ever been 3 00:00:17,930 --> 00:00:20,790 Speaker 1: in a conversation where you've walked away thinking, wow, that 4 00:00:20,810 --> 00:00:23,530 Speaker 1: was just what I needed, you know how life-giving that 5 00:00:23,550 --> 00:00:26,070 Speaker 1: can be. Well, that's what this podcast is all about. 6 00:00:26,410 --> 00:00:29,290 Speaker 1: We're women who want to know, love, and follow God 7 00:00:29,470 --> 00:00:32,169 Speaker 1: in our real lives, but sometimes wonder just how to 8 00:00:32,220 --> 00:00:34,970 Speaker 1: do it. So each week, we'll talk about what following 9 00:00:35,010 --> 00:00:37,410 Speaker 1: God looks like in the midst of daily demands and 10 00:00:37,590 --> 00:00:41,590 Speaker 1: crazy cultural chaos, because this isn't just what we need. 11 00:00:41,900 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: It's actually exactly what we need. Hey, hey, my friend, 12 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:50,060 Speaker 1: and welcome to the podcast. I have a great conversation 13 00:00:50,120 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 1: with you today, a different one. I think you're going 14 00:00:53,260 --> 00:00:55,260 Speaker 1: to learn a thing or two, and if you are 15 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:57,910 Speaker 1: a member of a church that you are going to 16 00:00:57,930 --> 00:01:00,790 Speaker 1: be encouraged and your eyes are going to be opened. So, 17 00:01:00,970 --> 00:01:03,590 Speaker 1: but before we get to today's guest, I wanted to 18 00:01:03,650 --> 00:01:06,290 Speaker 1: remind you that I would love for you to subscribe 19 00:01:06,330 --> 00:01:09,959 Speaker 1: to this podcast. I have such good guests coming up 20 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:11,860 Speaker 1: and I don't want you to miss a single one. 21 00:01:11,940 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: So if you don't already subscribe, take that little phone 22 00:01:14,940 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: out right now, hit the subscribe button so you don't 23 00:01:17,860 --> 00:01:22,250 Speaker 1: miss a single episode. and share the podcast as well. 24 00:01:22,510 --> 00:01:26,150 Speaker 1: That's how algorithms work so that more people can find 25 00:01:26,230 --> 00:01:28,210 Speaker 1: out about this podcast. In fact, I just had a 26 00:01:28,230 --> 00:01:31,870 Speaker 1: conversation today with someone who told me that she listened 27 00:01:31,890 --> 00:01:35,030 Speaker 1: to the podcast and she was just telling me how 28 00:01:35,110 --> 00:01:38,860 Speaker 1: encouraging she found it and it just blessed my socks off. 29 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:41,800 Speaker 1: I hope that you'll share it and that you'll subscribe 30 00:01:41,840 --> 00:01:45,740 Speaker 1: so that more people will be blessed by the great 31 00:01:45,780 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 1: guests that I have and just their insights and just 32 00:01:49,360 --> 00:01:52,570 Speaker 1: you know, positive content. We all need a little friend 33 00:01:52,850 --> 00:01:55,050 Speaker 1: that comes along in our ear and keeps us on 34 00:01:55,110 --> 00:01:57,210 Speaker 1: track in our relationship with the Lord or gives us 35 00:01:57,390 --> 00:02:01,050 Speaker 1: wisdom in an area that we really desperately need wisdom in. 36 00:02:01,350 --> 00:02:04,270 Speaker 1: And so that's what I'm hoping that this podcast is 37 00:02:04,370 --> 00:02:07,140 Speaker 1: doing for you. And I would also love to connect 38 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:09,600 Speaker 1: with you on social media. On Instagram, I'm at Donna A. 39 00:02:09,620 --> 00:02:13,200 Speaker 1: Jones or Facebook, Donna Jones Speaker and Author. And since 40 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:15,620 Speaker 1: I'm on this role here, give me a little ad. 41 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:21,030 Speaker 1: Go to my website, donnajones.org. I come out with a newsletter, 42 00:02:21,050 --> 00:02:24,390 Speaker 1: a blog. It's like spiritual encouragement. I have lots of 43 00:02:24,410 --> 00:02:28,710 Speaker 1: free resources over there. So just check out DonnaJones.org. Well, 44 00:02:28,750 --> 00:02:30,780 Speaker 1: let me tell you a little bit about today's guest. 45 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:34,540 Speaker 1: Her name is Joanne Beckwith. She and her husband are 46 00:02:34,780 --> 00:02:37,820 Speaker 1: on staff with an organization called Standing Stone, which you're 47 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:41,220 Speaker 1: going to hear more about as we discuss it. And 48 00:02:41,440 --> 00:02:43,970 Speaker 1: Joanne is just a wealth of experience. She was a 49 00:02:43,990 --> 00:02:48,720 Speaker 1: pastor's wife for 45 years. And now she continues to 50 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:53,640 Speaker 1: shepherd women who are shepherds. It's such a holy calling. 51 00:02:53,660 --> 00:02:57,780 Speaker 1: And I am delighted to have you welcome my friend, 52 00:02:58,260 --> 00:02:59,369 Speaker 1: Joanne Beckwith. 53 00:03:01,430 --> 00:03:05,350 Speaker 2: Well, Joanne, welcome to the podcast. Thank you so much 54 00:03:05,430 --> 00:03:07,890 Speaker 2: for having me. I'm excited to be here. 55 00:03:08,610 --> 00:03:11,620 Speaker 1: Well, I have gotten to know you recently, and so 56 00:03:11,940 --> 00:03:15,840 Speaker 1: I'm really excited about to share you with my friends 57 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:21,360 Speaker 1: that are listening today. Tell us a little bit about 58 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:24,860 Speaker 1: what you do. Now, in the intro, my listener friends 59 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:27,560 Speaker 1: already know you work for a ministry called Standing Stone. 60 00:03:28,120 --> 00:03:29,380 Speaker 1: But what is that? 61 00:03:30,419 --> 00:03:35,220 Speaker 2: It's a ministry of encouraging and coming alongside pastors and 62 00:03:35,280 --> 00:03:39,580 Speaker 2: wives and other ministry leaders. And I didn't have that 63 00:03:39,680 --> 00:03:43,830 Speaker 2: in my life. And I love that this is available, 64 00:03:43,890 --> 00:03:47,850 Speaker 2: that we can do it. We had a couple called 65 00:03:47,910 --> 00:03:52,200 Speaker 2: Jim and Debbie Hogan had history in their lives of 66 00:03:52,660 --> 00:03:57,660 Speaker 2: churches with moral failure and were so burdened for the 67 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:03,770 Speaker 2: staff that had gone through the pain of what happened 68 00:04:03,950 --> 00:04:07,220 Speaker 2: in their lives and in the church. that they decide 69 00:04:07,300 --> 00:04:11,540 Speaker 2: when we can, we're going to build this house and 70 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:15,100 Speaker 2: we're going to use it to offer a place for 71 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:19,540 Speaker 2: these people to come and have a safe, confidential relationship. 72 00:04:20,080 --> 00:04:22,619 Speaker 2: And that's what they did. They built a log cabin 73 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:28,730 Speaker 2: in Colorado and started this ministry. Well, what happened is 74 00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:33,590 Speaker 2: people were sending their friends, they were getting blessed, and 75 00:04:34,510 --> 00:04:37,910 Speaker 2: not only was it the time they were there in 76 00:04:38,430 --> 00:04:42,570 Speaker 2: this relationship, it carried on. And when there was a 77 00:04:42,650 --> 00:04:46,790 Speaker 2: need for more advice or a crisis, they would call back. 78 00:04:47,650 --> 00:04:54,070 Speaker 2: And so it became a lifelong investment into these folks. Well, 79 00:04:54,350 --> 00:04:58,190 Speaker 2: this started in 2002. Let me get this straight. I'm 80 00:04:58,210 --> 00:05:00,510 Speaker 2: going to interrupt you real quick. This couple, the Hogans, 81 00:05:00,570 --> 00:05:03,609 Speaker 2: they were not in ministry. They were just regular people 82 00:05:03,710 --> 00:05:07,750 Speaker 2: attending church, right? They were in ministry on the board. 83 00:05:07,970 --> 00:05:08,990 Speaker 1: Okay, they were on the board. 84 00:05:09,250 --> 00:05:12,800 Speaker 2: He was on a board, and she had experienced this 85 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,380 Speaker 2: in a church as a child. So this is a 86 00:05:16,460 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 2: repeated pattern in their church. 87 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: Okay, so they've been through the whole... My pastor had 88 00:05:23,580 --> 00:05:26,860 Speaker 1: a meltdown, had a moral failure. They had seen personally 89 00:05:26,940 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: the effects on the whole pastoral staff and on the 90 00:05:30,720 --> 00:05:32,820 Speaker 1: entire church. Okay, I'm dragging with you. 91 00:05:33,160 --> 00:05:37,059 Speaker 2: Yes. And they're saying, what can we do to prevent this? 92 00:05:37,500 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 2: Why does this have to happen? How can we prevent it? 93 00:05:41,260 --> 00:05:44,289 Speaker 2: And so how can we build into these lives so 94 00:05:44,350 --> 00:05:48,590 Speaker 2: that they're solid, so that there is someone to talk to? 95 00:05:49,540 --> 00:05:54,690 Speaker 2: And so that was the whole core reason for this dream. Well, 96 00:05:54,700 --> 00:05:59,390 Speaker 2: then they found they couldn't do all that was needed 97 00:05:59,870 --> 00:06:05,690 Speaker 2: and got some very godly advice. And in 2014, let's see, 98 00:06:05,770 --> 00:06:10,580 Speaker 2: before that, they opened it up to more shepherds to 99 00:06:10,620 --> 00:06:14,279 Speaker 2: do what they do. But it was mostly focused on couples. 100 00:06:14,810 --> 00:06:19,610 Speaker 2: And so it actually developed into a week-long retreat of 101 00:06:19,930 --> 00:06:24,450 Speaker 2: things that they found helpful in ministry and in marriage 102 00:06:24,990 --> 00:06:29,060 Speaker 2: and in future of people in ministry. And so this 103 00:06:29,160 --> 00:06:33,099 Speaker 2: is what the curriculum was. And they would love on 104 00:06:33,160 --> 00:06:38,060 Speaker 2: these people, gourmet cooking and all the gorgeous things. People 105 00:06:38,120 --> 00:06:39,020 Speaker 2: just came. 106 00:06:38,820 --> 00:06:40,000 Speaker 1: In and enjoyed. 107 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:46,840 Speaker 2: And it was one-on-one. So then in 2014, the vision expanded. Well, 108 00:06:46,880 --> 00:06:50,100 Speaker 2: what about the person who was not at a retreat? 109 00:06:50,300 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 2: And what about all the day-to-day and all the stuff 110 00:06:54,220 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: that goes on and you can't get away to go 111 00:06:56,820 --> 00:06:59,700 Speaker 2: and be refreshed or renewed? You need someone here and 112 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:03,360 Speaker 2: now that's in your life that you know you can 113 00:07:03,420 --> 00:07:06,580 Speaker 2: count on. And that's where it was birthed of the 114 00:07:06,760 --> 00:07:11,180 Speaker 2: Standing Stone Field Shepherds. And so at that point, is 115 00:07:11,300 --> 00:07:14,660 Speaker 2: when we came in. So we did learn to do, 116 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:17,940 Speaker 2: we did do retreats, and they're a blessing to those 117 00:07:18,000 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 2: who do them and those who attend. But we also 118 00:07:22,580 --> 00:07:26,260 Speaker 2: do field shepherds. And so that's what we're currently doing. 119 00:07:26,400 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 2: After 45 years of ministry, being on the other side 120 00:07:31,420 --> 00:07:37,400 Speaker 2: of things, not having that support, we are finding tremendous 121 00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:43,410 Speaker 2: joy in being available to those who need to find 122 00:07:43,590 --> 00:07:48,830 Speaker 2: a safe place and who we can advise and say, 123 00:07:48,950 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 2: don't do it how we do it or take heed 124 00:07:52,220 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 2: in this area. And it's a real joy to have 125 00:07:56,100 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 2: this ministry. 126 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:00,600 Speaker 1: So you basically shepherd the shepherds. 127 00:08:01,140 --> 00:08:01,810 Speaker 2: We do. 128 00:08:02,450 --> 00:08:04,590 Speaker 1: One of the things I love about Standing Stone, I 129 00:08:04,630 --> 00:08:07,310 Speaker 1: was first introduced to Standing Stone because I have a 130 00:08:07,360 --> 00:08:11,020 Speaker 1: college friend that was on the board. And so we 131 00:08:11,060 --> 00:08:14,860 Speaker 1: got invited to a Standing Stone fundraiser. I'd never heard 132 00:08:14,900 --> 00:08:18,980 Speaker 1: about it. But as they were explaining this ministry, it 133 00:08:19,100 --> 00:08:22,120 Speaker 1: made so much sense to me because it's like everybody 134 00:08:22,190 --> 00:08:26,110 Speaker 1: comes to their pastor with their problems, but who does 135 00:08:26,130 --> 00:08:29,090 Speaker 1: the pastor go to, right? You can't go to anybody 136 00:08:29,110 --> 00:08:32,230 Speaker 1: in your congregation. And you don't really want to go 137 00:08:32,250 --> 00:08:35,459 Speaker 1: to another pastor in your community. So it's like, who 138 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,020 Speaker 1: do you go to? And to your point, if people 139 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:43,179 Speaker 1: don't have somebody that they can go to, then oftentimes 140 00:08:43,300 --> 00:08:47,570 Speaker 1: that's where we see these moral failures or different kinds 141 00:08:47,610 --> 00:08:50,589 Speaker 1: of things that go on. And then it's not just 142 00:08:50,630 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: the pastor that's affected. It's the entire church body. So 143 00:08:57,020 --> 00:08:59,660 Speaker 1: this is why what Standing Stone does is not just 144 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 1: for people in ministry. It actually benefits everybody. Because if 145 00:09:05,780 --> 00:09:08,290 Speaker 1: your pastor is doing well, then the church is doing well. 146 00:09:08,309 --> 00:09:11,309 Speaker 1: If your pastor is imploding, your church is probably imploding. 147 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:13,650 Speaker 1: It's really like a win for everybody, right? 148 00:09:14,250 --> 00:09:18,410 Speaker 2: It's really kingdom work because if the church is not flourishing, 149 00:09:18,890 --> 00:09:21,839 Speaker 2: how are they going to reach out? So it's really 150 00:09:21,890 --> 00:09:25,720 Speaker 2: great commission stuff. And so it's a joy to be 151 00:09:25,740 --> 00:09:29,120 Speaker 2: a part of the big picture of God's plan for 152 00:09:29,160 --> 00:09:29,680 Speaker 2: the church. 153 00:09:30,600 --> 00:09:32,320 Speaker 1: I love that. I love that. Okay, so we're going 154 00:09:32,340 --> 00:09:34,460 Speaker 1: to dive in a little bit more. Even as people 155 00:09:34,500 --> 00:09:37,140 Speaker 1: are listening, they might go, I don't really, I'm not 156 00:09:37,179 --> 00:09:40,660 Speaker 1: in ministry. This isn't for me. But if you go 157 00:09:40,679 --> 00:09:43,679 Speaker 1: to church somewhere, our conversation is going to be for you. 158 00:09:43,880 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 1: It's going to give you some light bulb moments and 159 00:09:46,450 --> 00:09:48,609 Speaker 1: you're going to be like, oh, I did not know that. 160 00:09:48,890 --> 00:09:51,309 Speaker 1: So we're going to take a quick break. And when 161 00:09:51,350 --> 00:09:54,170 Speaker 1: we come back, Joanne is going to share some of 162 00:09:54,250 --> 00:09:59,490 Speaker 1: her hard fought wisdom with us. Okay, Joanne, so you 163 00:09:59,510 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 1: were telling us a little bit about Standing Stone and 164 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:05,319 Speaker 1: its history and purpose and how you and your husband 165 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:10,260 Speaker 1: got involved. So as you have been part of this ministry, 166 00:10:10,480 --> 00:10:13,490 Speaker 1: just give us a highlight. Like what's something that you 167 00:10:13,570 --> 00:10:17,030 Speaker 1: maybe helped someone and it was like, oh goodness, they 168 00:10:17,070 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 1: came to you with all kinds of struggles or questions 169 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:25,059 Speaker 1: or crisis, and then you've seen as a result some 170 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 1: really positive resolution? 171 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,870 Speaker 2: Well, let me just tell you someone I talked to 172 00:10:29,900 --> 00:10:34,429 Speaker 2: today in South Africa, and she has a children's ministry, 173 00:10:34,950 --> 00:10:38,350 Speaker 2: and she is trying to get the churches to care 174 00:10:38,429 --> 00:10:43,780 Speaker 2: about children. And it is phenomenal the training that she 175 00:10:43,860 --> 00:10:48,160 Speaker 2: has to offer, and now she's working with trauma-based kids. 176 00:10:48,480 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 2: But you know what? She has gone through the death 177 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:56,740 Speaker 2: of her brother just recently, her mother and another brother 178 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:01,200 Speaker 2: this year. And she has gone through medical issues and 179 00:11:01,260 --> 00:11:06,260 Speaker 2: through a lot of stress and financial. So when we talk, 180 00:11:06,740 --> 00:11:09,760 Speaker 2: it's like, where are you at today? And so we 181 00:11:09,820 --> 00:11:13,940 Speaker 2: kind of hone in on what is the hardest thing 182 00:11:14,000 --> 00:11:18,120 Speaker 2: right now. And I hear over and over and over again, 183 00:11:18,400 --> 00:11:23,010 Speaker 2: I haven't told anyone this. And there needs to be 184 00:11:23,150 --> 00:11:27,330 Speaker 2: that safe place. One of the gals that I shared with, 185 00:11:27,450 --> 00:11:31,410 Speaker 2: her husband had a failure in a church and was disciplined. 186 00:11:31,950 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 2: And he was getting help, but she needed help. So 187 00:11:35,880 --> 00:11:38,920 Speaker 2: I was asked to come alongside of her. We had 188 00:11:39,100 --> 00:11:44,300 Speaker 2: sweet time even, and She also had another shepherd who 189 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,980 Speaker 2: did marriage counseling with them. So she was getting as 190 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,990 Speaker 2: much as she could take. But there were things she's 191 00:11:52,040 --> 00:11:55,770 Speaker 2: not going to bring up there. And there were questions 192 00:11:55,890 --> 00:12:00,350 Speaker 2: and doubts. And do I leave my husband? And I mean, 193 00:12:00,370 --> 00:12:03,959 Speaker 2: I hear things I don't believe. So then I ask 194 00:12:04,020 --> 00:12:07,260 Speaker 2: questions and I find out where her heart is and 195 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,800 Speaker 2: what would God want for you. And so mostly I 196 00:12:10,920 --> 00:12:16,079 Speaker 2: listen and ask questions. And today she is thriving. They're 197 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:20,550 Speaker 2: restored to ministry. And that's a real joy. And they 198 00:12:20,590 --> 00:12:25,270 Speaker 2: have actually shared their story with other Standing Stone shepherds. 199 00:12:25,690 --> 00:12:28,730 Speaker 2: And so it's a joy. But every story is different. 200 00:12:29,290 --> 00:12:32,069 Speaker 2: just like your friends are all different in the things 201 00:12:32,150 --> 00:12:35,739 Speaker 2: that they're going through. But it makes it, I don't know, 202 00:12:35,820 --> 00:12:40,300 Speaker 2: there's this element that is, you can't talk about stuff 203 00:12:40,559 --> 00:12:44,900 Speaker 2: that you feel, if it were repeated, what would this do? 204 00:12:45,300 --> 00:12:50,330 Speaker 2: And there's a real problem in the Christian community with 205 00:12:50,470 --> 00:12:54,329 Speaker 2: passing things along for prayer. So they have to have 206 00:12:54,390 --> 00:12:58,850 Speaker 2: a real trust that it's confidential when I speak with them. 207 00:12:59,270 --> 00:13:02,950 Speaker 2: And the freedom that they have to say something they've 208 00:13:03,130 --> 00:13:06,469 Speaker 2: never said before, it gives them such a release and 209 00:13:06,650 --> 00:13:09,500 Speaker 2: just uplifted by the end of the conversation. And we 210 00:13:09,550 --> 00:13:13,219 Speaker 2: pray together. It's their scripture that they need. It's a 211 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:17,320 Speaker 2: very grace-giving ministry, very much so. 212 00:13:18,020 --> 00:13:21,679 Speaker 1: It's such an important ministry. I heard a statistic, gosh, 213 00:13:21,700 --> 00:13:26,910 Speaker 1: maybe about a month ago, that there are more people 214 00:13:27,090 --> 00:13:31,510 Speaker 1: leaving the ministry currently than there are people going into 215 00:13:31,550 --> 00:13:35,750 Speaker 1: the ministry. So in other words, people are leaving the 216 00:13:35,790 --> 00:13:41,010 Speaker 1: ministry in droves. They're getting burned out. They're feeling defeated. 217 00:13:41,030 --> 00:13:45,250 Speaker 1: It's tough in this world, right? Just this world's a 218 00:13:45,370 --> 00:13:49,109 Speaker 1: tough place. And they have compassion fatigue. A lot of 219 00:13:49,170 --> 00:13:52,600 Speaker 1: them have financial struggles. For many of us, you know, 220 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:55,939 Speaker 1: we see these pastors on social media and we assume 221 00:13:56,360 --> 00:14:00,670 Speaker 1: that all pastors have like this mega church. They're all 222 00:14:00,710 --> 00:14:03,210 Speaker 1: the Joel Osteens, they're rolling in the dough and, you know, 223 00:14:03,270 --> 00:14:06,650 Speaker 1: all that kind of stuff. But the reality is that 224 00:14:07,050 --> 00:14:13,110 Speaker 1: most churches in America are 150 people or less. You know, 225 00:14:13,150 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: you think about a staff member, You say you're the 226 00:14:16,179 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 1: youth pastor at a church that's got 150 people total, right? 227 00:14:20,720 --> 00:14:22,810 Speaker 1: You're not going to be making that much money. So 228 00:14:22,830 --> 00:14:25,670 Speaker 1: there's some like unique things that I think a lot 229 00:14:25,710 --> 00:14:28,850 Speaker 1: of people... when they think about people in ministry, may 230 00:14:28,890 --> 00:14:31,510 Speaker 1: not be aware of. But that's not to say like 231 00:14:31,650 --> 00:14:35,290 Speaker 1: poor pitiful people in ministry, because it's a blessing for sure. 232 00:14:35,690 --> 00:14:38,630 Speaker 1: It's just that when we know those things, then we 233 00:14:38,690 --> 00:14:42,480 Speaker 1: can uniquely be encouraging maybe to the pastors or the 234 00:14:42,510 --> 00:14:44,920 Speaker 1: pastoral staff in our life in a way that we 235 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:47,280 Speaker 1: wouldn't even normally think of being encouraging to. 236 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:54,390 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Absolutely. We have Mostly Dave, but I have helped 237 00:14:54,530 --> 00:14:59,740 Speaker 2: write three books that pertain to help people. And the 238 00:14:59,800 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 2: first one dealt with some expectations that are there. And 239 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 2: when you think of it, in our churches, we have 240 00:15:08,840 --> 00:15:12,890 Speaker 2: this compilation of people that had all these backgrounds. And 241 00:15:12,950 --> 00:15:16,150 Speaker 2: so they're bringing their picture of what a pastor should 242 00:15:16,210 --> 00:15:22,730 Speaker 2: be all together into this superpower person. And that's not 243 00:15:22,890 --> 00:15:26,830 Speaker 2: who God called us to have for a pastor. It's 244 00:15:26,910 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 2: a shepherd who follows his way, but the expectations of 245 00:15:31,820 --> 00:15:35,500 Speaker 2: people get in the way. And so trusting the Holy 246 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:40,480 Speaker 2: Spirit to speak with him and praying for him and 247 00:15:40,620 --> 00:15:47,580 Speaker 2: affirming him goes so far in freeing him to minister 248 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:51,860 Speaker 2: as he is called. not as you think he should be. 249 00:15:52,420 --> 00:15:58,580 Speaker 2: And anytime a pastor gets affirmation, not because you're trying 250 00:15:58,620 --> 00:16:03,360 Speaker 2: to puff up his ego, but because you're thankful that 251 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 2: he is God's servant and you can listen to what 252 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:12,250 Speaker 2: God has for you that day. It's affirming, and they 253 00:16:12,330 --> 00:16:17,190 Speaker 2: really need it because many times Monday morning is deep depression. 254 00:16:17,550 --> 00:16:21,730 Speaker 2: And we have several notable pastors who face that every 255 00:16:21,850 --> 00:16:28,060 Speaker 2: Monday was a terrible day because Satan would come and say, yes, but, 256 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:31,380 Speaker 2: and you did this and you did that. You don't 257 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:36,090 Speaker 2: qualify for ministry. And it's a very hard thing to 258 00:16:36,150 --> 00:16:39,370 Speaker 2: deal with when God has called you. So the same 259 00:16:39,430 --> 00:16:43,970 Speaker 2: for pastor's wives. I think the expectations that we can 260 00:16:44,050 --> 00:16:47,510 Speaker 2: build in our own minds is a great pressure in 261 00:16:47,550 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 2: their kids, in the glass house, some of the things 262 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:56,120 Speaker 2: we hear about, that where everything is public and it's 263 00:16:56,220 --> 00:16:59,700 Speaker 2: observed and it's a rough one. And the big thing 264 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:03,910 Speaker 2: now is what's happening to pastor's kids. There are some 265 00:17:04,030 --> 00:17:09,629 Speaker 2: hard things going on with adult children. with teen children, 266 00:17:10,470 --> 00:17:15,570 Speaker 2: with pastor's families. In our society, they're buying into what's 267 00:17:15,670 --> 00:17:20,940 Speaker 2: out there. So they're feeling very much inadequate as parents 268 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:25,680 Speaker 2: in ministry to have this go on. So that's another 269 00:17:25,820 --> 00:17:29,590 Speaker 2: area I've had great need to come alongside and support. 270 00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:33,649 Speaker 2: So as we take them off of the pedestal and 271 00:17:33,730 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 2: realize they're like us, They're traveling together with their kids 272 00:17:39,220 --> 00:17:44,350 Speaker 2: in the same environments, the same struggles, and to not judge, 273 00:17:45,030 --> 00:17:49,250 Speaker 2: to give grace, and to pray, to pray for those kids, 274 00:17:49,330 --> 00:17:54,859 Speaker 2: to pray for that wife and mom. Very, very meaningful gift. 275 00:17:55,890 --> 00:17:58,380 Speaker 1: I want to piggyback on that couple things that you said, 276 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:02,800 Speaker 1: because you're so wise. After 45 years of you, you 277 00:18:02,840 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 1: were a pastor's wife for 45 years. So Joanne, you 278 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:08,480 Speaker 1: have a lot of wisdom. But one of the things 279 00:18:08,980 --> 00:18:12,250 Speaker 1: that I think is so interesting is it's a unique 280 00:18:12,530 --> 00:18:16,370 Speaker 1: job in the sense that you're the tip of the sphere. 281 00:18:16,810 --> 00:18:20,690 Speaker 1: And so because you're the tip of the sphere, there 282 00:18:20,990 --> 00:18:24,570 Speaker 1: is a lot of spiritual battle surrounding it. And not 283 00:18:24,609 --> 00:18:26,830 Speaker 1: that there's not to say there's not spiritual battle for 284 00:18:26,850 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 1: somebody who's a realtor or somebody who's a teacher. I mean, 285 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:33,160 Speaker 1: there are. But we just have to be honest. There 286 00:18:33,420 --> 00:18:37,800 Speaker 1: is an intense spiritual warfare surrounding people who are in ministry. 287 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:41,310 Speaker 1: Because if the devil can take somebody out that's in ministry, 288 00:18:41,690 --> 00:18:44,730 Speaker 1: it's not just that one person. It's a lot of 289 00:18:44,770 --> 00:18:48,600 Speaker 1: other people. So that one domino... has a big effect. 290 00:18:49,060 --> 00:18:51,459 Speaker 1: So we have to be aware of that. This person 291 00:18:51,520 --> 00:18:54,030 Speaker 1: is the tip of the spear. They've got an arrow 292 00:18:54,410 --> 00:18:57,030 Speaker 1: or a bullseye, I should say, on their back from 293 00:18:57,090 --> 00:18:59,649 Speaker 1: the enemy. What you just said, instead of judging them, 294 00:18:59,690 --> 00:19:02,950 Speaker 1: like pray, like seriously pray for them or instead of 295 00:19:03,020 --> 00:19:07,240 Speaker 1: gossiping about them. Or as you just were talking about prayer, 296 00:19:07,540 --> 00:19:10,720 Speaker 1: I thought about when I was a young pastor's wife, 297 00:19:11,040 --> 00:19:14,060 Speaker 1: our first church, And I was like in my 20s, 298 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 1: just having my babies. And there was an older woman 299 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 1: in our church named Zelma Zippo. And Zelma, I did 300 00:19:22,900 --> 00:19:25,800 Speaker 1: not know she did this until maybe, we'd probably been 301 00:19:25,820 --> 00:19:28,540 Speaker 1: at that church for maybe three years. And she told 302 00:19:28,580 --> 00:19:32,540 Speaker 1: me one day, I pray for your children every single day. 303 00:19:32,960 --> 00:19:36,890 Speaker 1: And Joanne, I, look, all these years later, I still 304 00:19:36,930 --> 00:19:39,910 Speaker 1: remember Zelma Zippo. And I'm like so grateful to her 305 00:19:40,640 --> 00:19:44,850 Speaker 1: that that was her ministry. She just prayed for our children. 306 00:19:45,590 --> 00:19:49,190 Speaker 1: And I think what a holy, holy calling that all 307 00:19:49,230 --> 00:19:50,990 Speaker 1: of us can do. We all want to pray for 308 00:19:51,109 --> 00:19:51,889 Speaker 1: our own kids. 309 00:19:52,170 --> 00:19:54,530 Speaker 2: But then pray for the pastor's. 310 00:19:54,150 --> 00:19:56,470 Speaker 1: Kids that are in your life because they've got a 311 00:19:56,520 --> 00:19:58,680 Speaker 1: target on their back too. You know, this world's hard. 312 00:19:59,240 --> 00:20:03,720 Speaker 2: They absolutely do. One of the things that was decided 313 00:20:03,760 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 2: in this ministry is that we didn't want to charge 314 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:11,850 Speaker 2: pastors for our services. And so Everybody that's a shepherd 315 00:20:12,090 --> 00:20:17,350 Speaker 2: is under funding by people who believe that this is 316 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:21,760 Speaker 2: a vital ministry. So it's very affirming. These are our 317 00:20:21,890 --> 00:20:26,859 Speaker 2: prayer supporters, the ones who support our ministry. And they 318 00:20:27,280 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 2: get updates and hear what's going on. So that is 319 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:35,330 Speaker 2: a crucial part of this, is there's no fee. And 320 00:20:35,510 --> 00:20:38,810 Speaker 2: one of the things when you're a newbie in ministry 321 00:20:38,869 --> 00:20:41,550 Speaker 2: and you really need the help, you can't afford to 322 00:20:41,590 --> 00:20:45,820 Speaker 2: go to therapy. You really need to have something that 323 00:20:45,920 --> 00:20:49,860 Speaker 2: is a gift to you that you can bear your 324 00:20:49,900 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 2: soul and really get the support and the prayer that 325 00:20:55,060 --> 00:20:55,619 Speaker 2: you need. 326 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:57,220 Speaker 1: And that's our desire. 327 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,419 Speaker 2: I love that. I love that. 328 00:20:59,510 --> 00:21:02,390 Speaker 1: And then by doing that, you're keeping people who have 329 00:21:02,470 --> 00:21:05,250 Speaker 1: made this commitment alive. to be in ministry, you're keeping 330 00:21:05,270 --> 00:21:08,210 Speaker 1: them in the game. We need more people to serve 331 00:21:08,230 --> 00:21:11,350 Speaker 1: the Lord, not less. And as this culture goes more 332 00:21:11,390 --> 00:21:14,690 Speaker 1: and more nuts, we need more churches. We need more people. 333 00:21:14,730 --> 00:21:19,149 Speaker 1: I mean, obviously we need everybody, everybody that's a believer. 334 00:21:19,170 --> 00:21:23,390 Speaker 1: This is not a hierarchy at all. Everybody's important. Everybody's 335 00:21:23,410 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: in the game. 336 00:21:24,540 --> 00:21:28,340 Speaker 2: We just had a conference and we know from these 337 00:21:28,520 --> 00:21:34,600 Speaker 2: short years, there are 324 trained shepherds. and ministering to 338 00:21:34,600 --> 00:21:41,100 Speaker 2: 4,700 ministry leaders in 39 states and some overseas. So 339 00:21:41,500 --> 00:21:48,730 Speaker 2: it's multiplying. Everybody in our ministry qualifies through some kind 340 00:21:49,109 --> 00:21:51,869 Speaker 2: of experience to. 341 00:21:51,869 --> 00:21:55,030 Speaker 1: Understand pain in ministry. 342 00:21:55,550 --> 00:21:59,910 Speaker 2: And we had the joy of training other shepherds and 343 00:22:00,090 --> 00:22:05,260 Speaker 2: the stories that they told exemplified the stories that they 344 00:22:05,300 --> 00:22:11,530 Speaker 2: will be listening to because they felt pain in one 345 00:22:11,590 --> 00:22:17,350 Speaker 2: way or another. And so their qualifications are they're grace-giving, 346 00:22:17,369 --> 00:22:23,679 Speaker 2: they have empathy and a heart to love and to 347 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:26,950 Speaker 2: support and pray. When the three or four people call 348 00:22:27,030 --> 00:22:31,020 Speaker 2: in every day, they'll be connected with someone, maybe a 349 00:22:31,480 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 2: music leader, a worship leader that is in a ministry 350 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:42,350 Speaker 2: like what they're in. And so they understand Christian ministry. 351 00:22:43,230 --> 00:22:47,070 Speaker 2: And so it's a wonderful thing to have available. 352 00:22:47,890 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: On a personal note, we have some friends that are 353 00:22:50,900 --> 00:22:53,900 Speaker 1: in ministry. And I mentioned that I first heard about 354 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:56,119 Speaker 1: Standing Stone with a college friend that was on the board. 355 00:22:56,619 --> 00:22:58,620 Speaker 1: But then you know how that is. You hear about 356 00:22:58,720 --> 00:23:00,700 Speaker 1: something you've never heard about before, and then all of 357 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,050 Speaker 1: a sudden you start hearing about it. It's like you 358 00:23:03,090 --> 00:23:05,990 Speaker 1: hear about a Toyota car, and then all of a 359 00:23:06,010 --> 00:23:09,030 Speaker 1: sudden there's Toyotas everywhere, right? It's that kind of a thing. So, 360 00:23:09,230 --> 00:23:11,840 Speaker 1: you know, we heard about Standing Stone. And then A 361 00:23:11,840 --> 00:23:14,399 Speaker 1: few months later, we ran into a couple that we 362 00:23:14,440 --> 00:23:18,699 Speaker 1: know that are in ministry, and they told us that 363 00:23:18,740 --> 00:23:23,090 Speaker 1: they had taken advantage of this week-long marriage retreat. And 364 00:23:23,180 --> 00:23:25,470 Speaker 1: it was, Joanne, it was for them. They were like, 365 00:23:25,510 --> 00:23:29,410 Speaker 1: it was life-changing because they had a child that was 366 00:23:29,470 --> 00:23:34,790 Speaker 1: going through some really severe medical issues. It was, the 367 00:23:34,830 --> 00:23:39,400 Speaker 1: diagnosis was really dire. So they had that stressor. Anything 368 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:42,659 Speaker 1: with your kids. is heart-wrenching. But then you have a 369 00:23:42,730 --> 00:23:46,460 Speaker 1: medical diagnosis, then you have the finances, struggles on top 370 00:23:46,500 --> 00:23:49,020 Speaker 1: of that, and then so it was really affecting their marriage. 371 00:23:49,900 --> 00:23:53,760 Speaker 1: So they went to the Standing Stone week, and it 372 00:23:53,820 --> 00:23:57,470 Speaker 1: was like a breath of fresh air for them. And 373 00:23:57,470 --> 00:24:02,750 Speaker 1: 25 years later, they are still in ministry and they 374 00:24:02,930 --> 00:24:05,800 Speaker 1: are just doing amazing. But I just think of like, 375 00:24:05,940 --> 00:24:10,140 Speaker 1: if they hadn't had something in that really stressful time 376 00:24:10,180 --> 00:24:12,659 Speaker 1: of their life, would they still be married? Would they 377 00:24:12,700 --> 00:24:15,580 Speaker 1: still be in ministry? Would they still be impacting people? 378 00:24:15,859 --> 00:24:20,250 Speaker 1: Would she still be leading people to Christ all the time? 379 00:24:20,270 --> 00:24:23,970 Speaker 1: I mean, you think about what that impact is. It 380 00:24:24,130 --> 00:24:28,129 Speaker 1: wasn't just for them. It had a ripple effect upon 381 00:24:28,750 --> 00:24:32,409 Speaker 1: every single person that they touched afterwards. So that's the 382 00:24:32,450 --> 00:24:35,149 Speaker 1: beauty of your ministry. And that's why I love what 383 00:24:35,190 --> 00:24:38,859 Speaker 1: you all do. As we're closing out here, Joanne, I 384 00:24:38,880 --> 00:24:41,480 Speaker 1: want to ask you three things. Number one, if somebody's 385 00:24:41,540 --> 00:24:44,379 Speaker 1: listening and they think, okay, what can I do besides praying? 386 00:24:44,780 --> 00:24:47,220 Speaker 1: Is there anything practical I could do just as a 387 00:24:47,260 --> 00:24:51,960 Speaker 1: source of encouragement for somebody that's in ministry? Number two, 388 00:24:52,880 --> 00:24:57,350 Speaker 1: How would people find out about Standing Stone Ministry? And 389 00:24:57,550 --> 00:25:01,250 Speaker 1: how would they maybe get this information to their pastor 390 00:25:01,570 --> 00:25:04,690 Speaker 1: or one of their pastoral staff that they think might 391 00:25:04,710 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: help them? 392 00:25:05,780 --> 00:25:09,000 Speaker 2: Well, first of all, it's going to be past... Well, 393 00:25:09,100 --> 00:25:12,780 Speaker 2: it is October, so Pastor Appreciation Month is always a 394 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:16,640 Speaker 2: good trigger to say, I'm not doing enough of this. 395 00:25:16,810 --> 00:25:22,100 Speaker 2: So a no is wonderful for anyone. I mean, you've 396 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:26,220 Speaker 2: received a note and gotten blessed by it. Bless someone. 397 00:25:26,500 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 2: Enlist the things. Ask God to give you specific things 398 00:25:30,340 --> 00:25:34,820 Speaker 2: that would be meaningful. And bless them with something. I mean, 399 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:37,960 Speaker 2: a day at the park. Just some blessings. 400 00:25:38,080 --> 00:25:38,830 Speaker 1: Flowers. 401 00:25:39,180 --> 00:25:44,500 Speaker 2: Things that you appreciate. And then... A way to give, 402 00:25:44,820 --> 00:25:51,200 Speaker 2: standingstoneministry.org is our address. And on there is an opportunity 403 00:25:51,220 --> 00:25:54,450 Speaker 2: to just ask for someone to contact you. And they'll 404 00:25:54,530 --> 00:25:58,290 Speaker 2: ask kind of what's the situation, and you just indicate that. 405 00:25:58,590 --> 00:26:02,590 Speaker 2: And they will, with much prayer, connect you with someone 406 00:26:02,770 --> 00:26:06,490 Speaker 2: that the Holy Spirit leads them to minister with you. 407 00:26:07,210 --> 00:26:12,050 Speaker 2: And then your pastor, I see. You might just give 408 00:26:12,070 --> 00:26:14,609 Speaker 2: them a card and how much you appreciate him and 409 00:26:14,650 --> 00:26:17,070 Speaker 2: then just say, you know, don't know if you're aware 410 00:26:17,090 --> 00:26:20,410 Speaker 2: of this, but just heard about this ministry. I would 411 00:26:20,530 --> 00:26:24,189 Speaker 2: love it to be a blessing for you. Check it out. 412 00:26:24,710 --> 00:26:27,409 Speaker 2: I don't think he's going to be offended. I think 413 00:26:27,510 --> 00:26:31,189 Speaker 2: for you to say this is designed for people in 414 00:26:31,270 --> 00:26:34,460 Speaker 2: ministry and I just thought you'd be blessed by it. 415 00:26:34,770 --> 00:26:36,429 Speaker 2: So not you could use it. 416 00:26:36,710 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 1: And even I'm just thinking now, Joanne, Sometimes you hear 417 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:42,440 Speaker 1: about something and you don't need it right in the moment, 418 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:44,940 Speaker 1: but it puts that seed in the back of your 419 00:26:45,010 --> 00:26:49,050 Speaker 1: mind so that three years from when you hear about something, 420 00:26:49,310 --> 00:26:52,570 Speaker 1: all of the sudden, you're like, wow, I could really 421 00:26:52,690 --> 00:26:55,290 Speaker 1: use somebody to be a sounding board right now. You know, 422 00:26:55,330 --> 00:26:57,190 Speaker 1: and then you'll have it in the back of your mind. 423 00:26:57,210 --> 00:26:58,570 Speaker 2: Oh, yeah. 424 00:26:59,109 --> 00:27:01,470 Speaker 1: You know, that one person in my congregation told me 425 00:27:01,510 --> 00:27:04,870 Speaker 1: about Standing Stone Ministry. You never know how this could 426 00:27:04,890 --> 00:27:08,950 Speaker 1: end up blessing many, many, many people. Absolutely. 427 00:27:09,330 --> 00:27:12,790 Speaker 2: So I hope that you can pass that on. And 428 00:27:12,869 --> 00:27:16,570 Speaker 2: if this is a passion of yours, we are always 429 00:27:16,750 --> 00:27:21,750 Speaker 2: needing more provision. This organization is really trying to keep 430 00:27:21,869 --> 00:27:26,590 Speaker 2: the cost down for administration. And so they, as well 431 00:27:26,650 --> 00:27:30,379 Speaker 2: as all the shepherds, are based on support. And so 432 00:27:30,840 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 2: if it's in your heart passion, there's a way to 433 00:27:34,260 --> 00:27:36,640 Speaker 2: be a part of this ministry as well. 434 00:27:37,340 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 1: And donate. 435 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:39,460 Speaker 2: That's great. That's great. 436 00:27:39,520 --> 00:27:43,840 Speaker 1: So I love Standing Stone because you are keeping people 437 00:27:43,900 --> 00:27:47,580 Speaker 1: in ministry healthy so that churches can stay healthy, so 438 00:27:47,619 --> 00:27:51,780 Speaker 1: the whole body of Christ can stay healthy, so that 439 00:27:52,240 --> 00:27:56,540 Speaker 1: we can be outward focused and bless the world for Jesus' 440 00:27:56,580 --> 00:27:59,869 Speaker 1: sake and be about leading people to Christ and making disciples. 441 00:28:00,350 --> 00:28:02,010 Speaker 2: Absolutely. Yeah. 442 00:28:02,130 --> 00:28:05,730 Speaker 1: So thank you so much for being on the podcast, Joanne. 443 00:28:06,210 --> 00:28:07,649 Speaker 1: Love this opportunity. 444 00:28:07,790 --> 00:28:11,080 Speaker 2: And I hope that you will tell your pastor because 445 00:28:11,340 --> 00:28:15,340 Speaker 2: he needs to have the person alongside of him. So 446 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:18,100 Speaker 2: from that perspective, he needs it. Love it. 447 00:28:18,260 --> 00:28:20,919 Speaker 1: Love it. We'll put all this information in the show notes. 448 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:24,100 Speaker 1: And again, Joanne, thank you and may God bless you. 449 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:26,959 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. God bless you. 450 00:28:28,350 --> 00:28:32,040 Speaker 1: Well, I hope you enjoyed today's conversation. I hope it 451 00:28:32,119 --> 00:28:34,879 Speaker 1: was encouraging for you and insightful for you. And I 452 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:38,100 Speaker 1: would love for you to share Standing Stone with the 453 00:28:38,160 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 1: people that are in ministry in your lives because they 454 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:44,240 Speaker 1: may not need it now, but maybe in a few years, 455 00:28:44,480 --> 00:28:46,980 Speaker 1: they might really need a resource and you might've just 456 00:28:47,000 --> 00:28:51,310 Speaker 1: been the person that gave them the resource that was 457 00:28:51,330 --> 00:28:55,310 Speaker 1: a lifeline to them in a time of crisis. So 458 00:28:55,750 --> 00:29:00,020 Speaker 1: share this podcast. Share the information with someone that you 459 00:29:00,060 --> 00:29:03,850 Speaker 1: love today. And as always, my friend, I can't wait 460 00:29:03,890 --> 00:29:07,300 Speaker 1: to see you next time for That's Just What I Needed.