Episode 81 - TSP | Part 7 - Taking As Jesus Did This Sinful World + Song "Why Can't the World" Episode 81 - TSP | Part 7 - Taking As Jesus Did This Sinful World + Song "Why Can't the World" In Episode 81 of the Pastors in Recovery Podcast, we continue our Serenity Prayer series by reflecting on a powerful and difficult line: “Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.” Many pastors begin ministry with a vision of how the world should be. We dream of healthy churches, healed marriages, honest leadership, and people who respond quickly to truth. But over time, reality can feel very different. Brokenness shows up in places we never expected—sometimes even inside the church. In this episode, we talk honestly about the tension between our ideal expectations and the real world we serve in. Jesus understood the brokenness of the world better than anyone. Yet His life was not a series of frustrated reactions to disappointment. Instead, He entered the pain of the world with compassion. He wept over the lost, loved the hurting, and took purposeful action without trying to force people to change. Learning to accept the world as it is does not mean we stop caring. It means we stop trying to control what only God can transform. This episode invites pastors to release unrealistic expectations, trust God in the middle of brokenness, and rediscover the peace that comes from surrender. The episode closes with an original song written for this message: “Why Can’t the World Be Like I Want It to Be” A reflection on youthful idealism, the disappointments of ministry, and the grace we discover when we finally learn to see the world as it is—and trust God within it.

📣 New Podcast! "Episode 81 - TSP | Part 7 - Taking As Jesus Did This Sinful World + Song "Why Can't the World"" on @Spreaker #christianencouragement #christianliving #christianpodcast #churchleadership #faithjourney #faithovercontrol #hopeforpastors #jesuschrist #ministrylife #pastorlife

Photo of a 64-year-old woman with short, graying hair red rimmed sunglasses, blue eyes, and a cross made from a coconut shell (which you can’t see, you can only see the braided cord from which it hangs): vested for Ash Wednesday service. Wearing a purple clerical shirt, a long black jacket, and a purple stole. Lent is purple.

On a lighter note—a three-year-old (B.)and his mom watched our livestream of Ash Wednesday last evening. I was the cantor for Holden Evening Prayer. This morning B. Told his grandma that I “sing as well as Elton John.”

#pastorlife
#clergylife
#AshWednesday
#BestComplimentEver
#SirElton

#pastorlife #waffles

#pastorlife

A close up of a section of a poem printed on a bookmark. It reads: "And I think maybe no one's there to touch them, to show they care. Who loves old ladies though to touch? I do. And, they love me, too. I just love old ladies."

That moment when you read the appreciation gift bookmark from the nursing home you visit 👀
#pastorlife

Transform Your Ministry with ChurchCMS | Digital Tools for Pastors & Churches

#ChurchCMS #ChurchManagementSoftware #ChurchTech #MinistryTools #PastorLife #ChurchGrowth #DigitalMinistry #ChurchSoftware #OnlineChurch #MinistryManagement

a cartoon of a person holding a calendar that says " let me see if i can fit you in ... " ALT: a cartoon of a person holding a calendar that says " let me see if i can fit you in ... "

I love when people assume I have free time in December. #advent #pastorlife

Trying to balance ministry, life, workouts, and Advent planning… and occasionally remembering where I put my coffee.
If you’re juggling too, you’re in good company. #FaithJuggle #Balance #PastorLife

Episode 68 - STEP SEVEN | Letting God Heal the Pastor Not the Performer Episode 68 - STEP SEVEN | Letting God Heal the Pastor Not the Performer Today we talk about the crash that almost every pastor knows but rarely admits—the moment after the sermon when the anointing fades, the adrenaline stops, and the real battle begins. You’ve prayed. You’ve preached. God has moved. But when the house grows quiet… the worries return. The pain you’ve carried comes back. The temptations you thought were gone show up again. And the enemy whispers, “You’re failing.” But you’re not. You’re human. And God is inviting you into something deeper than image management—He wants to heal the pastor, not the performer. In this episode, we walk through why pastors hide, why the anointing doesn’t erase our humanity, and how God used imperfect people throughout Scripture—Elijah, Balaam, and even King Saul—while still calling them to transformation. This step is about dropping the act, letting God into the rooms we keep locked, and allowing His voice to shape us more than our platform does. Step 7: “I seek character change, not image management.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) If you’ve ever felt anointed one moment and broken the next… you’re not alone. And you’re not beyond healing.

📣 New Podcast! "Episode 68 - STEP SEVEN | Letting God Heal the Pastor Not the Performer" on @Spreaker #christianrecovery #churchleadership #clergycare #emotionalhealth #faithandhealing #ministryburnout #ministrystruggles #pastoralcare #pastorhealing #pastorlife #pastorsinrecovery #stepseven

BONUS - Tripping Over Myself + Original Song "Tripping Over Myself" BONUS EPISODE — “Tripping Over Myself” In this bonus episode, Jon looks at the blind spots we all have — the places where we keep tripping over our own attitudes, reactions, and old patterns. Sometimes the biggest obstacle in the hallway isn’t the enemy… it’s us. This episode features Jon’s new original song, “Tripping Over Myself” — a throughtful track about stumbling over our own blind spots and learning to let God show us what we’ve been defending. If you’ve ever reacted too quickly, defended something that didn’t matter, or discovered your biggest struggle was actually your own stubbornness… this bonus episode will make you smile and encourage your heart. Sit back, enjoy and let God speak gently to the places you’ve been protecting.

📣 New Podcast! "BONUS - Tripping Over Myself + Original Song "Tripping Over Myself"" on @Spreaker #blindspots #bonusepisode #celebraterecovery #christianpodcast #christianrecovery #faithandhealing #graceandtruth #letgodlead #mensrecovery #pastorlife #pastorsinrecovery #recoveryjourney

It's a good day when you catch that your lector will have to pray for the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, so you send her a YouTube video in advance to practice pronouncing it. #pastorlife ⚓

Spending the day at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at a workshop for ELCA rostered ministers on gender justice with colleagues from the Greater Milwaukee Synod. #pastorlife

Pastor Miguel Lebron, wearing a gray polo shirt with a sailboat pattern and glasses, sits at a Five Guys restaurant. He is drinking from a large white "FIVE GUYS" cup with a red straw. In front of him on the table is a double cheeseburger on foil and a large pile of french fries.

A quick break from the ministry grind.

Sometimes you just need a good burger, fries, and a shake to recharge.

Grateful for these simple moments (and for Five Guys).

#LunchBreak #PastorLife #Burger #FiveGuys #Recharge #Food

Pastor Miguel Lebron, wearing a gray sweater and glasses, looks down with a focused expression as he plays an electronic drum kit. He is holding drumsticks and is seated at the kit in a room with gray walls.

I'm not a pro, but I'll always serve where there's a need.

I first started playing drums years ago when I was an associate pastor. The church had a need, so I said "yes" and started learning. Ministry is about stepping up.

#Worship #Drums #PastorLife #Serve #Ministry #TBT

Pastor Miguel Lebron is shown from the side, kneeling and bowed forward, resting his forehead and clasped hands against the back of a pew or chair. He is wearing a light blue patterned dress shirt and glasses. The image captures a moment of deep prayer, exhaustion, or reflection after preaching.

This photo was taken after I preached—a moment of prayer and exhaustion.

​It’s a humbling reminder that ministry is always followed by dependence.

After we give our all, we must lean completely on God's strength and grace.

#Prayer #Dependence #PastorLife #Ministry #Humility #Grace

A close-up, eye-level photo of Pastor Miguel Lebron smiling warmly at the camera. He has a beard, glasses, and is wearing a red t-shirt. He is sitting in a restaurant booth, lifting a small white espresso cup to his mouth. On the dark, reflective table in front of him is a white saucer with a small piece of biscotti.

Ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.

It's so important to pause, reflect, and be grateful for the little things. Enjoying a quiet moment with a good espresso and biscotti.

#Rest #Coffee #Espresso #PastorLife #Recharge #SelfCare

40-40
Packers/Cowboys #scorigami
Also today’s exact attendance at the two congregations I serve!
#pastorlife #gopackgo

Found a great place in Fairfield Bay to do some reading! Also got to say hi to some people and their dogs! #pastorlife #readingandreasearch #processtheology

Episode 56 – Shame - The Weight We Shouldn’t Carry Episode 56 – Shame - The Weight We Shouldn’t Carry Shame is one of the heaviest burdens pastors and people in recovery carry. It whispers lies that we are our weakness, our mistakes, or our past. In this episode, Jon shares a very personal story about feeling shame while taking his medication — and how those feelings connect back to childhood wounds and moments of being belittled. Through Scripture, reflection, and honest testimony, this episode reminds us that shame is not from God. Jesus not only carried our sin to the cross, but also our shame. You are not your weakness, you are not your burnout, and you are not your relapse. You are loved, forgiven, and free in Christ. 👉 Connect with Pastors in Recovery: - 📧 Email: - 🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pastorsinrecovery?utm_source=chatgpt.com - 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorsinrecovery?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📣 New Podcast! "Episode 56 – Shame - The Weight We Shouldn’t Carry" on @Spreaker #christianrecovery #faithandhealing #graceovershame #jesussetsfree #pastorlife #pastorsinrecovery #recoveryjourney #recoverypodcast #safeplace #shame

From tomorrow's #sermon:
"Jesus calls us to true #humility, not to a #humblebrag"

Wish me luck as I explain humblebrag to a senior living community! #pastorlife

Hey church folks that livestream,

What are you using for equipment?
What do you love?
What do you wish you were using?

Thanks,
A pastor struggling with unreliable equipment.

#ministryquestion
#pastorlife
#digitalministry
#livestreamworship

FACT: Kids are more likely to be abused and taken advantage of at #Evangelical churches and by conservative “Christians” than at drag shows or by #LGBTQ people. Here’s yet another example — one of about 573957275452 in 2025 alone (nah, but it’s really A LOT).

#Christian #Jesus #church #pastorlife

Sunday keeps coming every week. And I keep needing to have something to say.
#PastorLife #AllOutOfWords

My concession to Star Wars Day in worship this morning. #MayThe4thBeWithYou #pastorlife

A bunch of bandanas of various designs, including sunflowers, stained glass, tie dye, and rainbows with unicorns!

We didn't have #palms in #worship today. Instead, I brought an assortment of #bandanas to wave as we celebrated Jesus' #triumphalentry into Jerusalem, then I preached on the power dynamics of #clothing. #resist #pastorlife #todaysoffice

A knitted chicken in bright colors: red, burnt orange, yellow, sage green, aqua, deep blue, and purple, with red comb and wattle and yellow beak. She is sitting in an Easter basket with green shredded paper to make it comfy for her. She is on a wooden table, in front of a vase of prose colored tulips with orange at the base of their petals.

Meet Uma! My eighth #EmotionalSupportChicken, she was created for a silent auction at our church for our One Great Hour of Sharing fundraiser. Tonight she went home with a wonderful woman who was instrumental in our starting up a food pantry 6 years ago.
#pastorlife #OGHS #upcendicott

Pastor in clergy collar with a crowd of protesters outside the Wisconsin state capitol.

Showing up for #democracy! #handsoff #justice #faithinaction #pastorlife #todaysoffice

When you wake up at two AM in a panic “it’s Sunday morning and I haven’t written my sermon!” Only to realize it’s only the wee hours of Tuesday. 😭😅🤪 #pastorlife

One Great Hour of Sharing fish bank: cardboard foldable bank, a fish in rainbow colors.

Ok I can’t hold it in any longer: the One Gre@t H0ur of $haring offering is coming up, and as always, we have the wonderful fish banks. Our media team announced to me that they’re using theirs as a swear jar. I fully expect it to be the largest single donation of 2025.
#pastorlife
#OGHS
#fishbank

Lent Evening Prayer, with meditation and (sung) Holden Evening Prayer! Just a little thing we do at church.
#Lent #PastorLife #2Corinthians #Wisdom

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oFv...