Episode 028 – Staying Rooted in Ministry with Mike Patin

In this engaging and heartfelt episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with longtime Catholic speaker and ministry leader Mike Patin for a conversation that blends wisdom, humor, and real talk about what it means to endure in ministry. From crawfish boils in Louisiana to car rides that double as prayer time, Mike shares how decades in the Church have shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and spiritual health.

The two explore how to stay grounded in the long haul of ministry, what authentic accountability looks like, and how the shift from "being engaging" to "engaging others" has transformed Mike’s work. Whether you're a new youth minister or a seasoned pastoral leader, this conversation offers a roadmap for spiritual sustainability and community-rooted leadership.

TAKEAWAYS

• Ministry is not your own: Mike reframes ministry as something entrusted to us by God—something we steward, not own.
  
  
• Weekly peer check-ins can be a lifeline: Mike has met with the same friend for over 20 years to review life, share struggles, and grow spiritually.
  
  
• The power of ‘hold and unfold’: Healthy ministry sometimes means sitting with discomfort and letting God reveal clarity over time.
  
  
• Move from performing to connecting: Early in his speaking career, Mike tried to entertain. Now, he creates space for people to engage one another.
  
  
• Accountability requires permission: Real feedback happens when there’s mutual trust and freedom to speak the truth in love.
  
  
• Parishes need to rethink how they engage speakers: Don’t just chase big names—discern your needs and look for voices that engage your people in meaningful ways.
  
  
• PRAY for sustainability: Mike’s acronym for spiritual health—Permission, Reflection, Accountability, and Yielding—offers practical rhythm to avoid burnout.

CONNECT WITH MIKE PATIN

Website: www.mikepatin.com
Email: mikepatin@yahoo.com
Facebook: Mike Patin - Catholic Speaker
LinkedIn: Mike Patin

RESOURCES RECOMMENDED BY MIKE

Book: Availability: The Challenge and the Gift of Being Present by Robert J. Wicks

Tool: Text replacement feature on iPhone (his “P-F-Y” shortcut: “Know that I’m thinking of you, you matter to me, and I’m bringing you to prayer.”)

App: Birthday Reminder app (or similar tool for staying connected)

Reflection Practice: 45 minutes weekly on the porch with a beverage of choice—no phone, just thinking and praying.

Four Values For Modern Day Ministers and Disciples: Download Here

Acronym: PRAY — Permission, Reflection, Accountability, Yielding

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Recorded on Riverside - HERE

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