Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode140:Don't Judge Me

 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ https://2corinthians.bible/2-corinthians-13-5   Should we “judge” others Judgement returns as you give We make judgements, but we are not the final judge   Judgements we must make Inspecting the fruitfulness of the church Recognizing the spiritual condition of the church Protecting the church from divisive or sinful behaviors Determining the direction of the church   No outside of church The lost already stand condemned We hurt evangelism when we judge the lost for acting lost We hurt God's heart when we judge who is receptive and who is not   Speak the truth in love  Eph 4:15   Don't only preach what's wrong, demonstrate what's right

Episode 139: Unforgiveness - the Poison Pill for Your Ministry   We as ministers preach about God's great forgiveness and even about how we are to forgive others.  But sometimes we struggle with forgiving those who have wronged us.   "I can forgive, but I cannot forget, is only another way of saying, I will not forgive. Forgiveness ought to be like a cancelled note - torn in two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one." - Henry Ward Beecher         How unforgiveness affects our ministry Poisons our hearts toward showing grace Poisons our tongues Poisons what we show our church   Steps to forgiving Recognize that you're showing a double standard. Recognize that your  showing forgiveness doesn't lessen how they hurt you. Recognize that your forgiveness isn't dependent on their attitude. Don't bring up your past hurts any more to yourself, your family, and your church.   Don't be held captive by past hurts - release yourself to show a new picture to your church.

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

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 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

 

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

 

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

 

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     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

 

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?