Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 114: Enjoy Your Ministry

 

Episode 114: Enjoy Your Ministry   Focusing on the hard parts and the parts of ministry that suck the life out of you will turn you negative about all of ministry.  But there is so much good   Jeremiah 29:11  11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Your call to ministry was given by God in order to bless you.  He wants you to be blessed and have joy.   God didn't call you to ministry in order to punish you.  God gave you your ministry as a gift to bless you.   We get used to talking negatively about ministry.  We talk about the hard things and the parts we don't enjoy - but maybe its time to focus on the parts we do enjoy.   Enjoy the parts that energize you What do you do on a weekly basis that gets you excited? What things do you get to do that cause you to really smile?   Enjoy the right now Sometimes we get so caught up looking to the future - that we forget to enjoy what is happening today.   Enjoy the people The people are the blessing - There are some that cause us trouble - but there are so many more who are an absolute blessing.  Focus on those.   Enjoy the place They say the grass is always greener somewhere else The reality is the grass is always greener over the septic tank every place has its problems.  look around and count the blessings of where you are now.   God has placed you where you are today in order to gift you and grow you!   Every place of ministry can be better.  Let us come and help you see the blessings and the potential.

Episode 113: You Don't Know Until You Know

Our Interview With Joel Dison on Bi-vocational Ministry

Episode 112: Jealous Much?

Episode 112: Jealous Much

 

As ministers you would think that we are a very confident lot - we sure have a lot of bluster that looks confident. Unfortunately - our bluster covers up a boatload of inadequate feelings.  We compare ourselves to others all the time and we struggle with feelings of Jealousy when we look at other ministers.   The joke is that when asked about church attendance - we speak ministerially which means we inflate our numbers to inflate our ego.     What happens when we compare? when we compare ourselves to others - we lessen our calling by God. when we compare ourselves to others - we turn a shared effort into a competition. when we compare ourselves to others - we tend to focus on non-essentials. What does Jealousy do to us? creates unwarranted stress. destroys healthy relationships implodes your image   Book - When People are Big and God is Small

Episode 111: Thinking Outside In

Episode 111: Thinking Outside In

 

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.   Reminder: Your building is not likely your first impression; that's your website.   Your building and property do matter....What do people see?   1. Does it fit your context?   2. Is it clearly marked and visible? signage lighting 3. Is it clean and cared for?   4. Parking issues? get rid of the Pastor's privileged parking spot parking lot? 5. Have you driven in as a first time person? example of our bridge crossing 6. Do people know where to go? Signs Greeters 7. Is your property "open" or "closed" park? other?

Episode 110: An Empty Tank

Episode 110: An Empty Tank

Have you ever felt like you had nothing to give to your church, your family - anyone?  Are you feeling overwhelmed by the demands of ministry.  An empty bucket can't feed anyone.  Sometimes we give and give and give. But we never take time to be filled and fed ourselves. Our ministry won't go far on an empty tank.  In fact you may consider getting of the road of ministry all together.   So what causes an empty tank? Some major causes:   Compassion fatigue   Decision fatigue   Success fatigue   Personal fatigue   Physical fatigue   Signs:   How can we turn things around - You should listen to our podcast that came out last week called - wanna get away!   How is your worship time?   Jesus said the number one thing we need to focus on is loving God.   You have to get to a place where you can take time for yourself and God   You can't give what you don't have.   Read - Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro Didn't See It Coming - Carey Nieuwhof   From Tim Stevens 1. Get some far-away friends. perspective 2. Amp up your learning. 3. Take a sabbatical. 4. Find a hobby. 5. Build a team 6. Get counseling 7. Do something else 8. Go somewhere else    https://www.vanderbloemen.com/blog/8-tips-for-pastors-struggling-with-burnout

Episode 109: Wanna Get Away

Episode 109: Wanna Get Away

We all wanna get away, but why do we Need a get away? Our mental state needs refreshed - restarting your computer Our perspective needs widened - no signal here - gotta move Our skills need sharpened - reloading software & adding new Our relationships need renewed - Reconnecting to the network   which one do you need?   A Mental health getaway   Marriage/Family Getaway   Spiritual Growth Getaway   Professional Getaway   Planning Getaway   -----   Staff/ volunteer getaway

Episode 108: 7 Lessons Learned Preaching a Doctrinal Sermon Series

7 Lessons Learned While Preaching a Doctrinal Sermon Series

 

1. We need to stretch my study muscles more often.
2. We have a need to be continual learners.
3. Doctrines include a lot of repetition and common foundations.
4. Application and illustrations are hard for doctrinal sermons.
5. People know less than one would think about doctrine.
6. It's okay to not answer every question. Creating curiosity is important.
7. Run your preaching plan by trusted sources.

Episode 107: A Missions Mindset Makes a Difference

A Missions Mindset Makes a Difference

 

Missions are not an excuse to not be on mission. Missions do not negate our own community's needs. Missions can build a stronger sense of missional activity in the lives of church members.   Cultivating the Missions Mindset   1. Develop an Acts 1:8 culture and mindset (Jerusalem, Judea, uttermost parts all at the same time) and an "as you go" evangelism strategy (Matthew 10:7-14, 28:18-20)   2. Present mission opportunities every month.   3. Find ways to minister in your own community.   4. Take your church on family mission trips.   5. Pray regularly that God will call missionaries from your church.   6. Encourage people to live in the same way the act while doing missions.

Episode106: Curious Statements that Make More Sense

Episode106: Curious Statements that Make More Sense

 

"A dull pencil is better than a sharp mind." - Keith Wiginton point, don't trust your memory   "Teamwork makes the dream work." - John Maxwell you can't do it all   "Nothing good comes from tarnishing a hero." -Higgins in Magnum PI be careful when you want to talk badly about someone. not always true, but good practical sense   “The purpose of prayer is emphatically not to bend God's will to ours, but rather to align our will to his.” -- John Stott prayer and trust   "A dog can whoop a skunk but its not worth the fight." - Trent's conference pick your battles wisely - you may be right but it may not be worth the stink   "If everything is important, then nothing is important." - Patrick Lencioni simplicity