Episodes

Monday Aug 22, 2022
Episode 178: Changing Course
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Monday Aug 22, 2022
Episode 178: Changing Course
Today we need to do some hard evaluation of our churches and ourselves.
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
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Monday Aug 15, 2022
Episode 177: Is your calendar killing you?
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Monday Aug 15, 2022
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
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
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Monday Aug 08, 2022
Episode 176: Generosity in Uncertain Times
Monday Aug 08, 2022
Monday Aug 08, 2022
Episode 176: Generosity in Uncertain Times
Principal #1: If you want generous givers, be a generous church.
Principal #2: Generosity must be discussed and modeled by the person in the pulpit.
Principal #3: The best way to set up your giving parameters is on a proportional basis.
Principal #4: Remember the role of planning ahead.
Principal #5: Share stories of generosity.
Principal #6: Living generously allows the freedom for God to supply our need.
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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Monday Aug 01, 2022
Episode 175: Do Mission Trips Matter?
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Episode 175: Do Mission Trips Matter?
Mission Trips Matter!
Keys to a good mission trip
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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Monday Jul 25, 2022
Episode 174: The Danger of Isolation
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Monday Jul 25, 2022
Episode 174: The Danger of Isolation
Why do we isolate ourselves?
Leads to
isolated relationships -
isolated thinking
When you act alone, you'll find yourself alone.
Train leaders in your church
Find 2 or three people you trust outside your church who understand your role.
More than accountability, they have to help you bring out the best you.
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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Monday Jul 18, 2022
Episode 173: Is Your Invitation Inviting?
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Episode 173: Is Your Invitation Inviting?
The loneliest place in the world - pastor standing in front of his congregation during invitation.
Sometimes our invitations are not inviting
What is an invitation?
Does your church do or expect an invitation?
Are your folks used to coming and praying at the altar? Is there a culture of worship at the altar?
Is it important to have an invitation during every service?
Is every invitation supposed to be the same?
Dealing with children and youth
Tips to make it more inviting
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Monday Jul 11, 2022
Episode 172: Structural Damage
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Monday Jul 11, 2022
Episode 172: Structural Damage
Churches sometimes make failure possible with these structural problems:
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Deacon's who control and don't serve
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Pastors who control everything
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Leadership teams that are too big or too small
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Useless committees and teams
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temas versus committees
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indefinite commitments
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Unreviewed documents
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constitution every 5 years
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build so you can grow 5 x times bigger
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by-laws every couple of years
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policies every year
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Monday Jul 04, 2022
Episode 171: Rachelle and Dana Join Us to talk Encouragement
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Monday Jul 04, 2022
Episode 171: Rachelle and Dana Join Us to talk Encouragement
We hope you enjoy this special edition on July 4 featuring a discussion with our wives on the subject of encouragement.

Monday Jun 27, 2022
Episode 170: All the Premarital Stuff
Monday Jun 27, 2022
Monday Jun 27, 2022
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Deal with issues now that would cause fights later
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Opportunity to make sure the couple is "evenly yoked" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
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if not share Jesus with them both
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Develop a relationship so they feel they have someone to turn to later when they are struggling.
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Very few couples have godly marriages to mentor them. Even kids who grew up in Christian homes may not have had parents who were intentional about training them how to be a godly husband/wife.
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Even if you do not want to do the counseling for the couple, you must encourage them to seek counseling from a Christian counselor or another pastor. You will still need to meet with them to plan the ceremony.
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The answer to this relates to the next question but recommend 3 months before wedding
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Pastor in Colorado who does pre-engagement counseling. If you haven't done counseling with him before you get engaged, he won't do your wedding. His reason is that once a couple is engaged, it is nearly impossible to tell them they shouldn't get married if you feel they are incompatible.
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Recommend 6 sessions if this is the first marriage for both.
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Recommend 8 sessions if this is not the first marriage for either.
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Mention Bill and Jen Rogers Stepfamily Mission Possible ministry. [Link to Episode 157] Many stepfamily couples will benefit from hearing from couples who have been through similar circumstances.
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Sessions should only last 1 hour
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30 minutes for ceremony planning - remind them that this is their ceremony - not mom's
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30 minutes for counseling ( some issues may come up during the ceremony planning that may uncover a counseling need)
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Communication
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Conflict
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Finances
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Sex
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Expectations
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In-laws
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Spirituality
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Friends
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Common interests
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Please have a rehearsal with all the folks who will be involved in the ceremony.
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If possible have the rehearsal after the rehearsal dinner.
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Rehearsal should only last 30 minutes
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introduce yourself to family and wedding party - then pray
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place everyone on the stage and get bride's approval for placement of people
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practice leaving
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practice entering and getting into place
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talk through schedule and make sure everyone knows what they are doing (rings, handing off bouquet etc)
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If you have the ceremony planned before hand with the couple - this will go smoothly - the rehearsal is not the time to make decisions.
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If one of the "moms" tries to make changes - simply respond with "I appreciate your ideas but this is how the couple would like things to happen."
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last thing is to tell everyone what time to be there for pictures and ask who will bring the marriage license
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check in with Bridal party
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check in with groom dudes
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Make sure rings and marriage license are there
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make sure you have all that you need including printed ceremony and mic if necessary
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after the ceremony, sign the marriage license and talk to the couple about their plan for filing it with the county clerk
SYMBIS Pre-marital Assessment
Our Interview with Bill and Jenn Rogers

Monday Jun 20, 2022
Episode 169: Breaking Up is Hard to Do!
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Episode 169: Breaking Up is Hard to Do!
Conflict will usually need to end in one of four ways:
If you pastor long enough, you will deal with this situation...a moment you and someone else or a group of people have to agree to disagree, but there is not enough agreement to keep the parties together.
Example: Paul and Barnabas over John Mark
Some questions to ask:
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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