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10 Things I've Learned in 4 Years of Pastoring (Part 1)

Prayer, Scripture & Spiritual Growth

June 23, 2026•31:20
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About this episode

In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, Dillon McCurdy and Pastor Drew Rogers explore five important lessons learned during Pastor Drew's first four years of pastoral ministry. The conversation covers prayer, understanding the purpose of Scripture, the importance of the local church, helping people through spiritual struggles, and discovering that life's highest calling is to love God and be loved by Him.

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Key takeaways
  • Drew Rogers marks four years pastoring Rogers City Baptist Church by walking through a list he first posted on Facebook, framed around the idea that pastors are not a separate spiritual category — "the best of men are men at best."
  • "I didn't know how to pray": prayer used to mean only asking for things, and it has grown into adoration, coming into God's presence, intercession, and thanksgiving — prayer understood as God laying his agenda on his heart rather than getting God to bless his own.
  • "I didn't know why I read the Bible": the written word reveals the living word, so the point of Scripture is being guided into relationship with Jesus rather than keeping a minute set of rules or arguing over versions.
  • "I didn't know how much I needed the church": he came in thinking the church needed him and found the opposite, helped by pastoring the church he grew up in, where no one could put him on a pedestal.
  • "I didn't know how to help people": every battle is a spiritual battle, and ministry that addresses the manifestation instead of the root is mowing weeds rather than digging out the root.
  • "I didn't know my highest calling": to be loved by God and to love him back, and to extend that love to neighbors and enemies — with the caution that Christians who reject works salvation often still believe in works blessings.
  • This is Part 1, covering the first five items; the remaining five come in the next episode.
From the conversation
"All I did when I prayed was ask for things. If I didn't need anything, then I didn't pray."Pastor Drew Rogers
"I thought the church needed me when I got hired in. I quickly found out that I needed the church more than the church needed me."Pastor Drew Rogers
"He's still a work in progress just as much as you and I are, and although he's in a position of leadership, he's still a growing child of God who is on a sanctification journey."Dillon McCurdy
Scripture referenced
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (paraphrased)
  • Matthew 6:10 (paraphrased)
  • John 1:14 (paraphrased)
  • Ephesians 6:12 (paraphrased)
  • Matthew 12:43-45 (paraphrased)
  • Matthew 22:37-39 (paraphrased)
  • Romans 7:18 (paraphrased)
  • 1 John 1:9 (paraphrased)
  • Romans 8
  • Romans 5
  • Ephesians 1
Mentioned in this episode
  • Rogers City Baptist Church — where Drew Rogers has pastored for four years
  • Paul David Tripp, Dangerous Calling — on pastors placing themselves in a separate category
  • Henry and Marilynn Blackaby, Experiencing Prayer with Jesus — prayer as God laying his agenda on our hearts
  • Experiencing God workbook — Dillon is currently going through it with a friend
  • The God Who Hears — the hosts' book on prayer
  • E.M. Bounds, Andrew Murray, George Muller biographies — works on prayer
  • Leonard Ravenhill, Why Revival Tarries
  • Adrian Rogers, The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority — on spiritual warfare
  • Neil T. Anderson, The Bondage Breaker — on spiritual warfare
  • Ken Schaap, Spirit Forward — earlier podcast guest; practical daily spiritual warfare
Discussion questions

Take it further

  1. Drew says that before, if he didn't need anything, he didn't pray. If you listed everything you prayed this past week, how much was asking, and how much was adoration, thanksgiving, or intercession?
  2. What would change in your prayer list if you prayed "thy kingdom come, thy will be done" over each request instead of naming the outcome you think is best?
  3. The hosts say the purpose of Scripture is to guide us into relationship with the living Word. Where have you seen Bible reading turn into rule-keeping or measuring others instead?
  4. Dillon talks about asking categorically wrong questions that lead to wrong answers. What questions are you asking about your own situation that may be the wrong questions?
  5. Drew thought the church needed him and learned he needed the church more. Who in your church has put an arm around you and told you to consider something, and how did you receive it?
  6. The episode distinguishes root issues from the fruit they produce. What root has been showing up in different forms in your life?
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