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Summary:

In this conversation, Michael Easley, Mike Glenn, and Tim Harlow wrestle with decades of ministry experience and what they might do differently. With decades spent in the pulpit, they confront the foundational truths that were hardest to instill in their congregations: the mandate to make disciples, the assurance of God’s love, and the freeing power of grace.

They share hard-won insights on how ministry often drifted toward programs, metrics, and church growth models—missing the deeper call of Jesus to invest in a few and send them out. There’s sober confession about wasted time, misaligned priorities, and the pressure to build visible “success” instead of invisible transformation. They offer practical wisdom from years of mentoring, leading small groups, and trying—sometimes unsuccessfully—to shift the culture of the church back to discipleship and spiritual formation.

This episode is a reminder that ministry is not about building an empire but shepherding souls—and that the fruit of faithfulness is often seen in quiet places and over time.

Takeaways:

• Ministry regrets remind us that God can use our failures to shape others and sanctify us.
• Discipleship isn’t about perfection—it’s about walking faithfully with others toward Christ.
• Pastors carry scars not just from battles lost, but from lessons learned under God’s mercy.
• God’s grace often meets us most powerfully in the places we wish we could redo.
• Longevity in ministry reveals this simple truth: obedience matters more than outcomes.
• What we once called failure, God often redefines as formation.

ABOUT MIKE GLENN

Mike Glenn is a husband, father, and grandfather as well as an author and speaker. He loves working with people to help them understand what the gospel means for them in their everyday lives and equipping them with the tools to reach their lost neighbors and friends.

ABOUT TIM HARLOW

Tim Harlow was the senior pastor of Parkview Christian Church, a multi-site church of nearly 10,000 in the south suburbs of Chicago. Tim and his family moved to Chicago in 1990, when it was a church of 150 people in a heavily unchurched area. Now the church is an indispensable part of the community. It is made up of former gang leaders and business owners, ex-strippers and soccer moms alike, all who are excited about Jesus and involved in doing ministry in the greater Chicago area and around the world.

Tim graduated in 1983 with a B.B.L. from Ozark Christian College. He received a Master’s in Religion from Wayland Baptist University in Texas. Tim also received a Doctorate in Ministry from Northwest Graduate School in Seattle.

In 1984, Tim married Denise and they have been partners in life and ministry ever since. They have three daughters and three sons-in-law: Rachel (Ash), Lauren (Tommy), and Becca (Andy). They also have have five beautiful grandchildren: Charlie, Olivia, George, Caleb, and Margaret!

Tim is the author of two books, Life on Mission: God’s People Finding God’s Heart for the World and What Made Jesus Mad? Rediscover the Blunt, Sarcastic, Passionate Savior of the Bible.

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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