Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 312: Why its Important for Church Leaders to have a Godly Handle on their Money

Episode 312: Why its Important for Church Leaders to have a Godly Handle on their Money

 

Ecclesiastes 5:10 Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless. So we need to ask what is it that you really love?   What gives you a sense of fulfillment? Of course we would say God - but remember in Revelation 2 Jesus commends the church at Ephesus for many things but ends saying they have left their first love.   So why is this so important to work on. We are an example to our church in all parts of our lives. Any questions about handling money ethically can stop giving and crush a ministry. We can't trust both God and money - every day its a choice Money is a high anxiety topic We feel inadequate because we weren’t trained to deal with it. People’s giving pays our salary, so we feel defensive. Other people think they know more than we do (and sometimes they do).   Tips to keep away from financial temptations Pastor or wife should not be the ones who count and deposit money given Ministry leaders and their spouses should be in constant communication about their finances - no hiding - transparency Do your best to be debt free - this will help you keep the temptation to get more in control.  When you have less pressure to pay bills, you have less temptation to get money. Do your best to NOT know who gives what Don't have people hand you money - if they try to- refer them to someone else. Get an accountant who knows ministry taxes Always check and double check on investment counselors

Episode 311: Where are the Kids?

Episode 311: Where are the Kids?

1. Are you prepared for kids
   1. pray for families
   2. a compelling place for kids
   3. safe and clean
      1. background checks, policies and procedures
   4. technology
2. Is your service family friendly
   1. "We want kids, but we don't want to adapt our service."
   2. make them feel wanted
   3. allow more kids into your service
   4. let kids participate
3. Embrace families when they visit and get to know their friends
   1. adopt families who visit
   2. go to their school and sporting events
   3. relationships matter
4. Create partnership opportunities with like-minded churches with more resources.
   1. not a competition
   2. many larger churches would like to help smaller churches, but don't know how.
5. Don't take it personally when families don't stick.
   1. family dynamics can leave us feeling discouraged.
   2. or grandparents - now they follow their grandkids

 

Episode 310: Routine or Rigidity

Episode 310: Routine or Rigidity

Routines are important
1. Build strong habits
2. Help us work efficiently
3. Fits in with our personalities
4. Gives us a sense of control

Rigidity means we cannot flex our routine
1. When we can't meet needs of our church, because of our insistence on our schedule
2. When an change in our routine ruins our day.
3. Can lead to behavioral issues such as depression, obsessive compulsion, anxiety...

Some suggestions:
- Think of your schedule in blocks or sections that have built in flexibility
- Be prepared for interruptions
- Trust God with your schedule
- Get input from people close to you

Episode309: 4 Skills I Wish I Worked On Sooner

Episode309: 4 Skills I Wish I Worked On Sooner

Coaching How to walk with people How to encourage growth in people   Conflict Mediation How to view conflict positively How to engage properly When to get outside help   Consultation How to see things with fresh eyes How to evaluate objectively   Counseling How to listen How to help others find solutions

Episode 307: All Hat - No Cows...and Can I Retire Yet?

Episode 307: All Hat - No Cows...and Can I Retire Yet?

 

Thank you for helping us get to 10,000 downloads!

Catch the article from Mark Dance we interacted with today1

 

Episode 306: Our Interview With Keeney Dickenson on Prayer

Episode 306: Our Interview With Keeney Dickenson on Prayer

 

Keeney is the pastor of FBC Crockett, TX and consultant on prayer with the Southern Baptists of Texas.

You can learn more and order his new book Prayer Powered Pulpit here

Episode 305: Habits to Start in 2025

Episode 305: Habits to Start in 2025

 

Build your own spiritual life

how can you grow intentionally in 2025

 

Pray over the seats in the church auditorium

 

 

Make time to pray with other pastors

 

Build good communication pattens in the church

consistent

concise

caring

 

Set aside time each week to be creative - we are created in the image of a creative God

 

Prioritize your marriage and family

date your wife

listen to your wife

 

Working on a particular area of ministry

Develop Focus   From James Clear  "To learn, wander. To achieve, focus."

Episode 304: Making Your Own Traditions

Episode 304: Making Your Own traditions

Christmas is a time of family traditions

But sometimes you can't be with family

1. Live too far away
2. Grown kids have other family

It's a struggle for most pastor families to put their family before the church

Set date boundaries early

For newly married pastors- talk through traditions you had as kids. Pick the ones you want to continue

So make sure to start or protect family traditions

Your young kids need those traditions and memories

1. Read the Christmas story
2. Celebrating advent
3. Adopting a family in need
4. Occ shoeboxes
5. Serve at a community Christmas dinner
6. Missions offering
7. Our tradition of opening presents early because we would be traveling

 

Does your church do a Christmas Eve service?  Should you?

Episode 303: How do we engage the next generation?

Episode 303: How do we engage the next generation?

1. Reaching kids and reaching students are different
   1. Gen Z & alphas
2. Activity-based ministry is out
3. Meaningfulness and sincerity
   1. why they matter
   2. why their spiritual lives matter
4. Relationships still matter
   1. especially unpaid people
   2. they want to partner with you

 

 

Episode302: Why How We Grow Matters

Episode302: Why How We Grow Matters

 

Areas we should see consistent growth Our ability to empathize Our willingness to accept criticism Our desire to train new leaders Our capacity to live at a ministry pace Our knowledge of our own strengths and weaknesses   Why is this important because ministry is hard, and most people don't understand it. because life is challenging and filled with conflict and trouble. because people fail to reach their potential because we cannot be everything for everyone because we struggle spiritually