Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 124: When to Add a New Service

Episode 124: When to Add a New Service

You are at practical capacity Pre-COVID was 80%, but its probably less now You can meet a different audience at a different time might be a different day You are trying to create a new worship feel/style Are you avoiding conflict or are you meeting needs? You want to create more preaching opportunities Are you equipping so many people in ministry, they need outlets to serve.   Some keys to think about Give people time to process the change Try it for a trial basis Make sure you can build the volunteer team needed Create opportunities for the church family to share common causes and experiences.

Episode 123: Guests and the Gifts We Give Them

Episode 123: Guests and the Gifts We Give Them

1. A primary gift thats has you church name/logo/mission
   • a bag of some type
   • a mug
   • a folder
2. Information about the church
   • general information
   • specific ministries, esp. kids, students, and missions
   • a set of links or QR code
3. A book
   • We Wants  You Here by Thom Rainer
   • a short book about the importance of a church
   • a book your church is studying together
4. A gospel presentation
   • tract/video link to one
5. Gift cards
   • coffee shop...
6. A notification that a gift is being made in the guest's honor to a local mission for picking up a bag.
7. Something for the kids
8. T-shirts
9. Candy

Episode122: Compassion fatigue with guest Dana Young

Episode 122: Compassion Fatigue     People who are caregivers are at risk for developing compassion fatigue because they become overwhelmed with caring for others.   What is Compassion Fatigue? "Compassion fatigue, also known as second-hand shock and secondary stress reaction, describes a type of stress that results from helping or wanting to help those who are traumatized or under significant emotional duress." https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychpedia/compassion-fatigue   Merriam Webster medical definition: the physical and mental exhaustion and emotional withdrawal experienced by those who care for sick or traumatized people over an extended period of time    "Unlike burnout, which is caused by everyday work stresses (dealing with insurance companies, making treatment choices), compassion fatigue results from taking on the emotional burden of a patient's agony."— Tim Jarvis   Examples: People stopping in at the church asking for help Covid-19 illness and death Counselors hearing traumatic stories from their clients Pastors ministering to families in crisis      How do you recognize it? Compassion fatigue can take a physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional toll on people who experience it. Common symptoms of compassion fatigue include: Chronic physical and emotional exhaustion Anxious and intrusive thoughts Cynicism Irritability Feelings of self-contempt Difficulty sleeping Numbness or feelings of having nothing left to give Headaches Poor job satisfaction   What are solutions for compassion fatigue?  Recognizing you have it is half the battle  Realize that you are not the savior of the world  Daily quiet time with God Set healthy boundaries  Make self care a top priority reduce your stress load get enough sleep  take vacations exercise eat healthy journal

Episode121: Starting Over

Episode 121: Starting Over

 

How do you?

Don't burn your bridges If you carry anger from a previous place of ministry - it will show to others and will put up barriers to new relationships   Remember what it was like the last time you had to begin   Be bold - take the first steps to reach out to new people   Learn the story of what has lead your church to its present place   Listen to people, hear their stories   Look for the big opportunity - person of peace   Establish good habits

Episode 120: Ranger Danger

Episode 120: Ranger Danger

 

Dangers of a Lone Ranger Ministry   Lack of encouragement Lack of accountability Loss of an outside perspective Limited support Likelihood of burnout   3 Be's to think about Be available Be vulnerable Be coachable

Episode 119: Transitions

Episode 119: Transitions

 

Transitions are   ...a reality ...necessary ...emotional ...stress filled ...an opportunity

Episode 118: Bite Your Tongue

Episode 118: Bite Your Tongue

(recorded in early June)

 

1 Peter 3:10   For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.   Ephesians 4:29   Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.   Recently I have been in places where I wanted to tell someone off because I was tired of their attitude etc.    6 times we need to hold our tongues Profanity and course language Speaking in anger Untimely sarcasm Insensitivity Tearing down others Gossip   When should we speak out? when we are protecting someone else   Unity is a huge valuable commodity in our churches.  So we should do all we can to protect unity.  That may mean giving up our right to blow up the church with our words.

Episode 117: From Nashville with Love

Episode 117: From Nashville With Love

 

Change is forever in front of us. Today we look at the organizational struggle of change.

 

Why we struggle: People leading change sometimes hate change. Most change happens without asking our opinion. The church is about to experience change like it’s not seen in centuries. It will take years to figure out what happened How to deal with it: Add some change and see how it grows in you. Roll with changes that involve any non-essential doctrine of faith. Pray for those who will become the key leaders of change

Episode 116: 5 Areas to Improve Communication

Episode 116: 5 Areas to Improve Communication

1. In our preaching - with our congregation
 - how is it different? 
 - Engaging more than the mind
 - Heightened emphasis on experience and application
 - video files and series
2. In our leadership - with staff/lay leaders
 - the more sensitive, the more direct
3. In our written communication i.e. emails
 - can't unsend
4. In our social media
 - stays out there
5. In our homes
 - don't give them the leftovers of your attitude
 - communicate love first before frustration or disappointment

 

Episode 115: Exegeting Your Audience

Episode 115: Exegeting Your Audience

 

Who are the people that commonly attend your services? spiritual maturity? common issues or struggles? deficiencies or weaknesses? note: don't forget your online attenders   Who are the guests that attend your church? how are they different from your regular attenders? what are the unchurched like in your community?   What is your community's culture? urban, suburban, rural? fast, slow values employers   Are you connecting with the heart and the head?