Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode153:The Tensions of Discipleship

Episode153: The Tensions of Discipleship

 

The tensions of discipleship
people versus process
- if its all process people lose interest
- if its all people the process can be shortchanged

macro versus micro
- the large gathering cannot replace the small gathering for effectiveness in making strong disciples
- the micro is enhanced by the vision and support of the large gathering

hard accountability versus soft accountability
- clear expectations generate better results
- rigidity can frustrate growth
- Level of organization 

leadership development versus spiritual growth
- disciples creates leaders
- good leaders may or may not create good disciples

Discipleship measurements
- % of people serving in the church
- % of people involved in outreach, evangelism, and missions
- time spent in prayer and the Bible
- commitment to a small group or mentoring relationship

Canoeing the Mountains

Here are the books and resources compiled on the topic of discipleship.

Behold Your God by John Snyder
Celebration of Discipline by Foster
Conversion and Discipleship by Hull
Desiring God by John Piper
Disciplemaking by Billie Hanks
Discipleship Essesntials by Ogden
Exerpiencing God by Henry Blackaby
Into the Depths of God by Miller
Knowing God by JI Packer
MasterLife by Avery Willis
Real Life Discipleship Training Manual 
Saturate by Vanderstelt
Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life by Don Whitney
The Pursuit of God by Tozer

 

 

Enduring Churches

Alan@enduringchurches.consulting

trent@enduringchurches.consulting

 

Episode 152: Why Do Churches Keep Bad Pastors

Episode 152: Why Do Churches Keep Bad Pastors   What is a bad pastor? One who does not fulfill his calling to pastor. Bad speaker Bad leader Immoral Doesn’t care for the flock Mercy hire - just coasting   Why does a church allow them to stay?   They don’t realize how bad they are Haven’t experienced a good pastor They don't know what to do They don’t want to rock the boat because some folks love him   They think he is the best they can get - has a pulse Location Salary Dying church Don’t like conflict   epnduringchurches.com alan@enduringchurches.consulting trent@enduringchurches.consulting

Episode 151: The Insulated Pastor

Episode 151: The Insulated Pastor

 

Insulated = protected 
Insulated = not feeling and not caring

Insulated pastors
- enter ministry with eyes closed to the world around them
- have a false set of expectations
- have a hard time relating to church members
- Have no experience working in the secular world
- Don’t visit people in their work settings 
Mark Hutt. “ I never knew a pastor who could actually do something “

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Episode 150: The Embattled Pastor

Episode 150: The Embattled Pastor   The great resignation is effecting everyone - including churches.  Pastors are resigning from churches.  Why?  Isn't ministry the best job in the world? Yes and no I was told "if you can do anything else - do it"   Ministry is seeing the greatness and glory of God impacting people but the old joke among pastors is that ministry would be lots of fun if it wasn't for the people.    People are all sinful.  The basis of sin is self or selfishness.  so our selfishness runs amok and makes for a war between people. Because we all want what we want and don't really care about what other people need.   That even happens in church.    There is usually a power struggle happening in churches.   Lots of time that is a struggle between Pastors and Shadow Pastors (those who are trying to take control in the shadows.)   This constant struggle or war or battle - takes a toll on Pastors   Embattled pastors are in constant fights with members, often over trivial matters.   How does the battle affect pastors? Fear Anger Giving in Cynicism Developing a fight first mentality But our battle is not against flesh and blood  - those folks in your pews are not your enemy!   Overcoming these only happens with Trust in God Love and empathy for People addressing issues You have to be a person of prayer You have to have group of folks praying for you Sometimes you have to walk away from the church.   Contact us at enduringchurches.com email us alan@enduringchurches.consulting trent@encuringchurches.consulting

Episode 149: The Plateaued Pastor

Episode 149: The Plateaued Pastor

 

The agenda driven pastor goes in with an agenda, but hardly anyone goes into a pastorate planning to plateau. unclear vision feel they have done all they can do there (buildings, Programs lazy habits not reading not going to conferences not meeting with a mentor tiredness not taking vacations or a sabbatical avoiding challenges close to retirement - someone else will do it

Episode 148: The Agenda Driven Pastor

Episode 148: The Agenda Driven Pastor

 

Agenda driven pastors... tend have a plan before they ever go somewhere place relationships in a secondary position to projects move from project to project, place to place...ie climbing the ladder can make themselves obsolete.   Are your accomplishments people-based or project-based?   While churches needs to complete projects, our role is to invest in and equip disciples.   Seek forgiveness - Ex Jacob seeking forgiveness from Esau Prioritize people Value the moment Learn something new

Episode147: The Over-Confident/Ego-Driven Pastor

Episode147: The Over-Confident/Ego-Driven Pastor

 

Luke 14:8. Don’t take the seat of honor or you will be humiliated Matthew 6:5 don’t be like the Pharisees who like to be seen by men   So there is a balance here that we have to strike Security vs insecurity Proud vs humble Ability vs inability   Matt Monge - Ego Driven Leaders Kill Churches     If you sense your ego might be inflated? Humble yourself before the Lord Humble yourself before your people Prepare for your crash, because an unchecked ego always crashes   Ask yourself "who am I trying to make famous?" Isaiah 26:8  Who has the right to speak into my life?     When I only get people to follow me as a pastor - what happens to the church when I leave?   see also  Episode 29 - Invisible Leadership Episode 62 - Is My Need to Be Right Killing the Church

Episode 146: The Insecure Pastor

Insecurity shows up in several ways   lack of confidence that prevents a leader from trying new things   a critical spirit or cynical or stressed out or unteachable   giving up easily when encountering obstacles or when trying to please people   Insecure is not always shy or self-deprecating. Sometimes it comes across as bluster that is trying to overcompensate for insecurity.   How do you overcome insecurity? If it’s in your job - how does that affect your thoughts and actions? If it’s in your ability to speak well? If it’s in your ability to grow your church?   What should your security be based on? If your sense of worth and sense of security comes from anything other than Jesus - you will struggle   From Zach Young:     It’s foundational. If you don’t start with identity then you’ve missed it, and you’ll end up spending the rest of your life “searching for yourself.”   We have to understand who God is and what He created us for. If we don’t operate out of that identity, then we start working out of our own thoughts, abilities, and so on. And that’s how we become anxious, depressed, burnt out, and insecure. Because we are working towards an identity instead of from it. So for me, God had to get me to stop and reevaluate. I had to ask am I in this thing based on what I think or feel, or am I in this because I understand how loved I am. God had to teach me what I am really created for and what my purpose is… which is simply relationship. That’s what the entire Bible is all about. Just knowing God and being known by him. And when we understand that, then all of a sudden, that’s my only concern. And now I don’t have all of this pressure to perform, or create an identity, or any of the other absurd things we put ourselves through. Now all of a sudden, my only job is to enjoy God and tell others that I am enjoying God.   So to encourage another follower of Jesus, I would say slow down. Ask the dumb questions. And most importantly ask God to show you who you are.   And a true test to see if you really believe that you are who God says you are… go look yourself in the mirror for 5 minutes straight and speak nothing but identity. I guarantee God will begin to show you where your heart really is.   I’ll put it this way. I’ve been a young adult pastor for a year now, and literally for the entire year I’ve only taught on one thing… identity in Christ.

Episode 145: Let’s Change the Scorecard

Episode 145: Let's Change the Scorecard

 

Old scoreboard Nickels- giving Noses - attendance to worship or events   Jonathan Edwards - Distinguishing Marks A steady accumulation of decisions - might be - but not if no discipleship follows. Large attendance - maybe. . . emotional experience - maybe. . .   Growing esteem of Jesus Christ A discernable sense of repentance A dogged devotion to the word of God An interest in Theology and doctrine An evident love for God and neighbor   A Fruitful church is empowered by the Holy Spirit and have a heart for those outside the church       New expanded scoreboard Add these Sent out Engaging conversations Impact opportunities in the community Mission opportunities given to new people relationships restored   A church can be fruitful and not huge   Are those being baptized continuing to walk in the faith a year or 2 or 5 later? How many of our people are being trained to disciple others? What percentage of the church are involved in small group? How many of our people can articulate the gospel clearly what percentage of our folks are serving in the community. What is the reputation of the church in the community?   Missional Renaissance by Reggie McNeal

Episode 144: How to be a Better Leader in 2022

Episode 144: How to be  a Better Leader in 2022

1. What is our measurement of Leadership?
   • is it # of followers or something more
     • character of Christ taking root
     • you can identify others you helping grow
2. What are we doing to study leadership?
   • mentors
   • reading and listening
   • placing yourself in circumstances
3. Identify your blind spots.
   • ask others to help you see what you don't see
   • increase your self-awareness
4. Improve your skills in difficult conversations.
   • can't avoid them
   • Crucial Conversations
5. Share more leadership so you have room to grow
   • Jethro and Disciples
   • you can't share it if you're teaching and modeling it
6. Identify areas likely to de-rail your leadership