Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 138: Setting the Tone for the Holidays

Episode 138: Setting the Tone for the Holidays

How do we set a good tone for the holidays.

Our churches need us to embody the celebratory nature of Christmas, now more than ever.

1. Practice what you preach...be thankful.
2. Have a purpose to your activities.
3. Block some time away early.
4. Include your family.
5. Think opportunities, don't berate your Christmas only  attenders.
6. Be generous.
7. Laugh a lot.
8. Take some time to look forward with Hope and joy!

Episode 137:Ministry‘s Hardest Decisions

Episode 137: Ministry's Hardest Decisions

1. Decision to allow someone to speak at your church
2. Decision to move (and when to tell your congregation)
3. Decision to remove someone from ministry
4. Decision to ask someone to leave your church
5. Decision to confront an issue or person - really spiritual warfare
6. Decision to be in ministry-it shouldn’t be something you just jump into. “If you can do anything else, then you should.” If you aren’t called to ministry, you won’t last.
7. Decision to resign
8. Decision to retire
9. 
   
   

Episode 136: Know Your Church‘s Heart

Episode 137: Know Your Church's Heart

There are some simple questions you can and should ask people in your church to understand their heart...   It would be good to ask these of your : ministry staff Deacons or elders Sunday school teachers youth or different age groups   Questions to ask Why does this church exist? What gets this church excited? What gets you excited in church? What ministry does this church do? What ministry does your age group do? Who was the last person baptized in your church? Who was the last person to join your church? What things are the sacred cow of your church - you dare not change? What're three things we should stop doing? What are three things we should keep doing?

Episode 135: Target Practice

Episode 135: Target Practice

 

1 Peter 2:9-12   9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. -- 1 Peter 2:9-10 (CSB)   Does your church have a target problems A floating target? Following fads  Constantly redefining the target   The wrong target? Shooting at a metric that Jesus didn’t Bodies, Baptisms and Budgets   No target? Not intentional If you aim at nothing - you will hit it every time   The target The church exists for one timeless purpose- to glorify God by making disciples   3  identities on the target We are worshippers. Vs 5 and 9                 We are family               Not just as individuals but collectively               “One another” is used over 70 times in scripture               We are sharing life together   We are missionaries to everyone else              Vs 11-12 Our identity fuels us   And directs us

Episode 134: Encouraging Signs In Local Churches

Episode 134: Encouraging Signs In Local Churches

 

Alan and Trent talk from their heart about observations they have made over the last months.

 

Episode 133: No Other Gods

Episode 133: No Other Gods

 

6 potential "false gods" in our ministry   Placing people above God Will cause you to live in fear Will cause you to stop speaking the truth   Placing security above God   Placing comfort above God   Placing a paycheck above God   Placing family above God   Placing preference above God   alan@enduringchurches.consulting trent@enduringchurches.consulting

Episode 132: Symptoms of A Critical Church Culture

Episode 132: Symptoms of A Critical Church Culture     Many of our churches in the United States have developed a critical culture   Criticism - a Critical Cricket                     a Fault Finder                     an Idea Incinerator                     a Results Rebel (never good enough)   A critical spirit tears down those around us and robs us of our own ability to enjoy life. When we become overly critical, we miss out on the beauty that God has placed in this world. Small blessings go unnoticed, and we stop being thankful. Overcoming a critical spirit requires gratefulness, a willingness to forgive, an accurate understanding of God’s grace (it’s free!), an intentional refocusing of our thoughts, and a commitment to share the truth in love.   Complaining - inner 2 year old wants something   what happens to a critical church   The church is made up of people.  So when people are complainers and critical - it spreads like a cancer.    It runs people off - because it makes people uncomfortable                folks don't like conflict                it runs pastors off   Some folks will join in because they like gossip - scripture calls it a tasty morsel.   A church can gain a reputation of being critical       Overcoming a critical spirit is a matter of sanctification, and we have the Holy Spirit’s help with that . submit to God, read His Word, develop a thankful heart and pray for grace, we will find that the critical spirit gives up control to the Holy Spirit of Christ. address the issue

Episode 131: Efficiency versus Effectiveness

Episode 131: Efficiency Versus Effectiveness

 

In ministry we have to remember that efficiency can sometimes kill your ministry

• We are working on God’s timeline and in his power
• We are dealing with people 
• Our people need our undivided attention
• Hearing their story will change your view of them
• Listening takes time

Are you more worried about the schedule in the bulletin or in allowing God to work and be in charge?

Episode 130:Enjoying Where You Serve

Episode 130:  

 

Satisfied?       “...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”  verse 4   For reading and meditation: Luke 4:1-4   We remember Satan is a counterfeiter.  He creates fake items to dangle in front of God’s children as substitutes for God’s real items.  Jesus is truly hungry in this passage and in need of some sustenance.  Satan offers him mere calories - sweet bread.    Jesus knows there is an item far more satisfying than bread.  Jesus knows experiencing God’s presence is really satisfying; a deep down, unbeatable satisfaction.  See Psalm 16:11.  “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”  The one Hebrew word translated fullness of joy (soba) refers to real satisfaction.  Jesus knew remaining in God’s presence was His source of real satisfaction.  He would not forfeit the beauty of real satisfaction to experience the fleeting satisfaction of eating a few sweet calories of bread.   Have you and I eaten some of Satan’s sweets when we were hungry?  How satisfying was it for you?   Those in Christ look to God to satisfy them.  It is in His power and by His strength we stand, move, and have our being.  It is our intimate walk with God that sustains.  Let’s not forfeit our walk with God for one sweet bite of a fake. Be a tourist  Be a food critic Be a tour guide  Be a chamber spokesperson

Episode 129: When It‘s Time to Restructure

Three elements to consider constitution bylaws Policies and procedures   Constitution is broad and covers governing values and principles. The overarching thought is " who we are?" Relates to a person changes on rare occasions in big moments when married, or become a parent... or experience a tragedy. for a church big moments can cause a shift and need to re-identify a church. time after a scandal years of conflict merger a season of explosive growth   Bylaws are the specific governing properties that arise from the constitution. The overarching thought is "how do we do this? " Relates to the skeletal system Should be reviewed often and amended or changed every few years. Have laws changed? Has culture shifted? - ex. fewer business meetings Has leadership changed? Is the structure effective? Was something not addressed that should be addressed? Are you following them, which is technically a legal requirement.   Policies and procedures The over-arching thought is "what is important to us?" Cover the ever-changing details of church operations Relates to the skin and organs should be examined yearly for effectiveness should be maintained by church leadership should be available and affirmed by leadership protect people within the church and the church itself define roles and responsibilities within the church   Remember: Organizational structures are not forever - one reason the Bible doesn't give us an exact structure. Don't over complicate our documents: Constitution is like a page or two, bylaws a few pages; policies and procedures are much more comprehensive, but also most easily changed. Use a team to evaluate, don't just trust yourself Remember you are legally responsible to follow your constitution and bylaws.