One way to build ministry resilience

About this episode

In this episode, Jonny Reid and Andrew Nicholls discuss the challenges and resilience needed in pastoral ministry, sharing insights from Andrew's journey and experiences.

Pastoral ministry is deeply rewarding — but it can also be deeply lonely. In this episode of Deep Roots, Jonny Reid sits down with Andrew Nicholls, Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College, to explore what it really takes to sustain ministry over the long haul. Andrew shares his journey from medicine to pastoral ministry, the lessons he learned about truly knowing people (not just preaching to them), and insights from a five-month study leave in South Africa, Kenya, the United States, and Australia. They discuss: Why pastors must understand people — not just theology The difference between warning the idle, encouraging the disheartened, and helping the weak The loneliness many ministers experience The growing model of pastoral supervision in Sydney How churches might better sustain their leaders A new small group resource designed to deepen Christian conversations If you’re in ministry — or care about those who are — this episode offers wisdom, honesty, and hope. 👤 ABOUT ANDREW NICHOLLS Andrew Nicholls serves as Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College. Before theological training, Andrew worked as a doctor for ten years before moving into pastoral ministry in South…

People in this episode

Host: Jonny Reid

Guest: Andrew Nicholls

Topics covered

• pastoral ministry
• ministry resilience
• pastoral care
• loneliness in ministry
• theological understanding
• pastoral supervision
• Christian conversations

Keywords

• pastoral ministry
• resilience
• loneliness
• theology
• pastoral care
• supervision
• Christian growth

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Oak Hill College, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation

Books & works: Real Change

Places: South Africa, Kenya, United States, Australia