Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode183: How to Make a Hospital Visit

Episode183: How to Make a Hospital Visit

1. Make sure the person wants a visit
2. Check with the hospital about visit protocols - gown up and follow if requested
3. Introduce yourself to other family members
4. Don’t stay too long. 10 minutes is plenty unless you are waiting with the family during a surgery
5. Never sit on the bed
6. Pray with the person and family before you leave
7. leave a note if they are sleeping - don't wake them up
8. Leave when the doctor comes in

Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com

Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com

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Episode182: Is Your Church Really a Friendly Church?

Episode182: Is Your Church Really a Friendly Church?

 

Most churches think they are friendly and welcoming but are they really?  Every church thinks its friendly.

 

The People -

1. They love the people they know -they think they are friendly because they get excited about visiting with folks they know.
2. They have a welcoming time - is that really good
3. What used to happen - stand up, welcome badges
4. We have a welcome team - greeters - are they doing their job
5. Is the pastor accessible? - is he setting the tone  - is he real
6. Is there anyone who would invite a guest to sit with them

 

 

The place

1. The foyer - vestibule with no windows straight into the sanctuary where they are having sunday school
2. Greeting area needs to be about as big as sanctuary - the place where you do life needs to be as big as where you talk about life
3. Does the drive way seem welcoming?  Is it inviting and clean?  Is it easy to see where to go
4. Welcome station and parking lot greeters are great.
5. Is your foyer junked up ?

 

Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com

Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com

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Episode181: Big Picture Thinking

Episode181: Big Picture Thinking

 

Thinking for a Change -  John Maxwell

 

"Big picture thinkers are Hope dealers." -  Lance Lang  of Hope is Alive Ministries

 

 

Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com

Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com

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Episode180: How to Be a Smarter Ministry Leader

Episode 179: What We Teach Outside the Gathering

Episode 179: What We Teach Outside the Gathering

 

We don’t realize that we are teaching outside of worship.  We put lots of study and effort into our sermons but people learn and remember much more of what they learn from us outside of the pulpit. 

 

• They learn from watching us navigate life
• They learn from watching our marriage and how we treat our spouse
• They learn grace from watching us deal with our kids

 

Timothy Set an example

Make it your ambition to live a quiet life

 

• What are you teaching about family?

 

• What are you teaching about sabbath? And vacation?  I taught my folks wrong lessons for so many years because I never used all my vacation and never really rested in God on a sabbath.
• What are you teaching about emotional health?
• What are you teaching your folks about peace?

Episode 178: Changing Course

Episode 178: Changing Course   Today we need to do some hard evaluation of our churches and ourselves.   How has my church changed in the past 3 years? How have I changed in the past 3 years? Has my church changed for the better? Have I changed for the better? Am I capable of leading my church into the next 3-5 years?   We've learned that change is inevitable and inescapable.  We have also learned that changing gracefully takes skill.  But change seems to be speeding up - even in our more rural areas.   How do I keep myself up with changes and prepare myself to lead my church?   How do I prepare my church for even more change?     Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com Facebook Website

Episode 177: Is your calendar killing you?

Episode 177: Is your calendar killing you?

 

For more about self care, check out https://standingstoneministry.org   Is it possible to take control back and make your calendar a tool that actually works for you instead of against you?   Principles to calendar by divide your day into 3 sections and only allow yourself to schedule 2 morning afternoon evening set office hours and stick to them as much as possible Publicize your office hours and days set time to study and prepare calendar your time off and vacation time in advance as much as possible and protect it take a weekend away every month or at least every quarter - literally out of town Coordinate calendar with your spouse Start your Monday with a meeting to schedule important tasks take every possible vacation day and day off with your family Find fun - not phone

Episode 176: Generosity in Uncertain Times

Episode 176: Generosity in Uncertain Times   Principal #1: If you want generous givers, be a generous church. give to missions invest in your people Principal #2: Generosity must be discussed and modeled by the person in the pulpit. can't ignore the importance of generosity, even if its uncomfortable people pay attention, if you are not generous with your time  and resources, neither will they. Principal #3: The best way to set up your giving parameters is on a proportional basis. setting generosity giving on a percentage basis covers you in times of abundance as well as in times of scarcity Principal #4: Remember the role of planning ahead. The Joseph plan....put some aside in the better times for the trying times. Principal #5: Share stories of generosity. Principal #6: Living generously allows the freedom for God to supply our need. A closed fist cannot receive. Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com Facebook Website

Episode 175: Do Mission Trips Matter?

Episode 175: Do Mission Trips Matter?

 

Mission Trips Matter! They are essential for for church health They expand our church's missional footprint They enlarge your church's vision They change your personal perspective     Keys to a good mission trip find a person of peace Take off your watch Don't be a person of fear work local but also Look beyond your local area talk about it - tell the story - not statistics Be flexible with all things Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com Facebook Website

Episode 174: The Danger of Isolation

Episode 174: The Danger of Isolation

 

Why do we isolate ourselves?   hurt pride bad theology fear of being wrong or looking bad   Leads to isolated relationships -   physical and emotional distance diminishing trust a lack of discipleship     isolated thinking   confirmation bias unimproved ideas low buy in ever changing ideas   When you act alone, you'll find yourself alone.   Train leaders in your church allow them to give honest feedback be big enough to accept it   Find 2 or three people you trust outside your church who understand your role. other church leader organizational leader trusted friend   More than accountability, they have to help you bring out the best you.     Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com Facebook Website