Episodes

Monday Jan 09, 2023
Episode 198: Preparing for a Storm
Monday Jan 09, 2023
Monday Jan 09, 2023
-
who does this?
-
how long before the service?
-
Leadership who decides if service is cancelled?
-
-
Social media/texting
-
Local TV
-
Local Radio
-
Send out robo call
- Website
-
-
designate one person to do communication
-
clearing sidewalks
-
greeters and helpers
-
mop to dry up water on the floor
-
have umbrellas handy for greeters to help people from cars
-
mop to dry up water on the floor
-
does the church have a designated shelter?
-
do teachers and leaders know where?
-
Communicate to families that everyone is ok

Monday Jan 02, 2023
Episode 197: Preparing for a New Year
Monday Jan 02, 2023
Monday Jan 02, 2023
|
We all work differently, but some of the things I have done:
1. A Word for the year
In October, I begin praying God would give me a "word" for the coming year. For instance this year was "design." I knew God was leading our association in a new direction. Just as God designed the world with intentional purpose, we need to set up our association with a deliberate design. In the past, the word has been "discipleship" or "trust." The word sets the tone for the year. For me this year is "construct." We are in the process of building a new associational model based on our new design.
2. A vision series
As a senior pastor January was a month where I would always take a Sunday to lay out a visionary message for the church. From the time I sensed I had my "word" from God, I had opportunity to examine the Scripture more closely. Since the word usually arose from my own study, that process was typically natural, but sometimes the word would lead me down a pathway of study that challenged me and surprised me. The most important part in preaching a vision series is that you can share what the church should look like at the end of the year. A vision sermon might be one week, but most of mine ended up being two to four weeks.
3. Personal Development
What are you going to do to grow yourself over the next year? Many pastors don't have an intentional plan of growth. One example I can remember is a sense where I needed to grow a bigger desire for international missions. I registered for a February conference across the country held by a church passionate about missions. By Easter, I had taken a trip to Lebanon, and my church was joining me in developing a greater passion for missions. Books, Conferences, accountability groups or cohorts, seminary or certifications...what are you going to do to develop your skills? (As the churches of DTBA, we are here to help you in this.)
4. A Challenge to be addressed
In ministry, we all grow frustrated with the infrequent attendance issues of our congregation. One year, I challenged our church to address this issue. I asked them to consider their attendance patterns and challenged them to see if greater faithfulness made a difference in their lives. For many it did. We reaped the benefits, we also felt the challenge as it was a year the enemy really attacked our church. That year I saw the benefit of addressing challenges directly. Because we were learning to face obstacles, we were able to overcome them more easily.
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
|

Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Episode196: How Things Will Be Different in 2023
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
Tuesday Dec 27, 2022
|
Episode196: How Things Will Be Different in 2023
Outside forces
Trent's Plan
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
|

Monday Dec 19, 2022
Episode 195: Momentum Makers
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Episode 195: 8 Momentum Makers
Want to build momentum?
-
Baptisms
-
Community Engagement
-
A guest speaker
-
Host a conference
-
A special emphasis
-
Mission trips
-
Paying off a debt/ sometimes building a facility
-
People Called to ministry

Monday Dec 12, 2022
Episode 194: Guard the Trust
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Monday Dec 12, 2022
Episode 194: Guard the Trust
Some Things A Pastor Must Protect
-
What is taught in the church
-
Guest speaker
-
Sunday school classes or small groups
-
shadow pastor
-
doctrinal alignment...our own theology
-
-
How your people are treated and treat one another
-
Vision
-
Momentum
-
Thermostat - maybe the one on the wall, but you create an atmosphere

Monday Dec 05, 2022
Episode193: Planning Your Sermon Retreat
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Episode 193: Planning Your Sermon Retreat
|
Beforehand:
Supplies:
The retreat:
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
|

Monday Nov 28, 2022
Episode 192: Paint By Number: The Metrics that Matter
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Monday Nov 28, 2022
Episode 192: Paint By Number: The Metrics that Matter
Pastors get together from time to time - and we would encourage you to do that. But when church people get together - they start comparing.
This is not healthy. We get hung up on the numbers
Context determines what your metrics need to be
We compare
attendance #
Pastors
Music program
Youth and children program
So lets change the numbers. Here are some numbers you should start comparing.
Paint these numbers
- People called out to ministry
- new volunteers
- new teachers
- hours spent serving the community

Monday Nov 21, 2022
Episode 191: Membership Matters
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Episode 191: Membership Matters

Monday Nov 14, 2022
Episode 190: Communicating Well
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
|
Episode 190: Communicating Well
Pastors and leaders in local churches are now in a time where they are forced to use multiple lines of communication
What is the goal of your communication? The goal will sometimes determine the channel.
What is the speed of communication needed?
Suggestions for communication
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
|

Monday Nov 07, 2022
Episode 189: Finding Your Voice
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Episode 189: Finding Your Voice
How does a person discover their own voice?
1. Listen to many voices
2. Use your voice often
3. Develop a feedback loop
4. Ask yourself how you are different when you preach or speak
5. Know it takes time

