In this episode of Purpose Talk, John Stanko sits down with longtime friend and collaborator Father Michael Pacella to discuss his journey from military service to chaplaincy and authorship. They explore the heart behind Pacella’s books 'From Valor to Virtue' and 'Bullet Proof Heart,' focusing on the moral, emotional, and spiritual challenges faced by people in uniform. Drawing from decades of military, academic, and pastoral experience, Father Michael shares why integrity, integration, and hope are essential for long-term resilience and life beyond service. Together, they reflect on the need for preventative moral and emotional care so service professionals can remain whole, grounded, and hopeful long after their careers end.
In this episode of Purpose Talk, John Stanko sits down with longtime friend Father Michael Pacella to explore a remarkable journey of faith, calling, and intellectual honesty. Father Pacella shares how his path moved from evangelical and charismatic ministry through rigorous academic study at Yale, Harvard, and Oxford, ultimately leading him into the Charismatic Episcopal Church. The conversation highlights the cost and courage of following truth wherever it leads, the integration of mind and faith, and the value of ancient Christian roots animated by the present work of the Holy Spirit.
Using passages from Revelation, John shows that when Jesus wanted to be literal in His message, he was quite clear on what the symbols meant. If He was not specific, then we should be careful when we try to force meaning into something that wasn't intended to be specific.
In "light" of the recent solar eclipse interest, John takes time to discuss some of the rules to appropriately and accurately understand and apply the apocalyptic language and images found in the book of Revelation.
In this session, Gregg and John examine Mary's role in the Christmas story and look at several key faith principles to help you and yours have a "Mary" Christmas.
In this session, John discusses the need for our churches to be much more proactive as training centers and much more creative in the kinds of ministry they deliver and the methods by which they are made available.
The church needs to change and it can't just be the leadership involved in the transition. It has to involve all the members finding and fulfilling their purpose with the help of a purpose pastor - the first strategy in John's mind that will lead to purposeful church change.
John and Gregg begin an indepth discussion in this first session on the state of the church during which John begins to make his case that there needs to be much more to "church" than a public service. Church needs to begin to think 24/7, which means meeting needs not according to the church's schedule but according to the one of the people in need.
Dr. Stanko reiterates his sense that technology and social media are God's gift to the church, but it largely remains "unopened" and underappreciated.
Listen in as Dr. Stanko discusses his most recent trip to Africa and hear what it was like, what he learned, and what He believes God wants him to do as a result of his visit.
Listen to John's latest initiative to raise much-needed money for several nations and many projects on the continent of Africa.
John discusses his gift of humor, but then makes a distinction between being funny and having the joy of the Lord. Joy is the fuel that empowers you to fulfill your purpose.
What do you do when people around you are threatened by your gift, your growth, your success? David served Saul as long as he could, even though he endured abuse, but eventually, he had to move on. The same may hold true for you.
Worry takes a toll on your physical and mental health, so you must pay attention to your thinking so that you keep your mind focused on things that will energize and not debilitate you. The best focus for your mind is the joy of the Lord because it is your strength.
Worry isn't just a bad habit, it's sinful habit and is rooted in fear that your future will not unfold according to your best interests. Since we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, you must learn to confront and replace worry thoughts with one's that express your confidence in the God of your future.
John talks about his purpose to create order out of chaos and how it has played out in his life. He and Gregg also talk about the impact of your personality on purpose and the fact that God wants you to know what He created you to do.