Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 70: Your Calling Keeps You There

Episode 70: Your Calling Keeps You There

 

 

We had a great time discussing our stories with you. Here's some important takeaways.

 

Your calling keeps you there...

1. When things are going wrong.
2. When people are questioning your decisions.
3. Only to leave if God’s calls elsewhere - its a pull not a push.

Episode 69: Sticky Statements that Have Carried Us

Episode 69: Sticky Statements that have Carried Us

 

Inspired by some quotes listed by Dr. Chuck Lawless

 

http://chucklawless.com/2020/06/simple-leadership-statements-that-have-challenged-me-through-the-years-part-1/

 

 

From Alan:

A good sermon begins with a good text.

 

A dull pencil is better than a sharp mind.

 

The best way to pastor is by keeping the baptismal waters stirring.

 

What happens when it works?

 

You only have to please an audience of One.

 

Trent 

A lack of planning on your part does not make a crisis on my part

 

Remember your audience

 

Its all good and its getting better!

Episode 68: Personal Challenges to Enduring in Ministry

Episode 68: Personal Challenges to Enduring in Ministry

 

• Loneliness

 

• Personal sin

 

• Marital/Family problems

 

• Spiritual drift

 

• Emotional toll of ministry

 

• Dwelling on the down moments

 

• Financial mismanagement or not making enough

 

• Health issues

Episode 67: How to Spot a Contentious Church and How to Help It

Episode 67: How to Spot a Contentious Church and How to Help It

 

Most people don’t see the depth of how contentious a church can become because they themselves are not contentious.

 

Some root causes

1. Short pastor tenures with the same long term lay leadership.
2. A history of contention.

• Ask lots of questions about history before you go to that church.

A stubborn attraction to the past. Structures and attitudes that promote disharmony. An unchallenged church bully. - shadow pastor Business meetings that become a free for all.

 

What to do?

1. Don’t be surprised: the enemy loves discord.
2. If without a pastor consider an intentional interim or transitional pastor.
3. Address it directly and work with through the pain.
4. Encourage prayer for one another.
5. Pray for Godly leaders to emerge
6. Consider structures that make it harder to have contention.
7. Move challenging business meeting items to teams or boards for consideration.
8. Consider if you can survive it.

• We are called to say "yes" to God even if it means staying and fighting
• Someone needs to be "the guy" who will change things so its better for the next guy
• Have a good group of mentor pastors to be able to visit with.
• Be constantly communicating with your spouse and kids - ask them how they are feeling

I12: Interview with Chris Shilt

Episode 66: 8 Leadership Hats We Wear

Episode 66: 8 Leadership Hats We Wear

• Servant Leader - overarching approach for ministry. Make ministry about Jesus.

 

• Entrepreneurial Leader - willingness to start new initiatives.

 

• Visionary Leader - ability to see the future and move the church towards it.

 

• Intellectual Leader - communicating Biblical and Doctrinal truth. Learning and growing, knowing where to get good information.

 

• Organizational Leader - understanding principles of how organizations work best to accomplish long term goals.

 

• Community Leader - being visible in your community and having a positive reputation.

 

• Crisis Leader - able to shift into a whole new level of leadership, fluid decision making.

 

• Decisive Leader - having the strength to make a tough decision and to stand by it.

Episode 65: Multiplication Matters

Episode 65: Multiplication Matters

 

Why multiplication is important

• Explosive growth is a Biblical event - Pentecost
• Changes the dynamics of a church
• Enlarges God’s kingdom

 

Hindrances to multiplication

• Fear of failure
• Loss of relationships
• Turf-mindedness
• Not willing to invest the time
• Not thinking we know enough

 

Best places to start multiplication

• Small groups
• Worship services
• Outreach events
• Church planting
• Prayer times

 

The church will die with just addition - we just can't keep up numerically

We grow people who carry on the vision and the church will thrive with multiplication!

I11: Interview with Todd McMichen

Get to know Todd better here

Episode 64: Should You Market Your Church

Episode 64: Should You Market Your Church?

 

You're investing and equipping

 

Ephesians 4: 11So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

 

Marketing your church gives your members tools to start conversations and to let folks know what God is doing in your church

 

So ask yourself - "What is your church doing to get the word out about church and in turn Jesus?"

 

Purpose: is it for kingdom work or personal reputation?

 

Ways you already market

• Sermon art
• Church logo
• Information cards
• Gift bags
• Signage
• Apparel

 

Marketing is changing…

• Insourcing to outsourcing - What can folks in your church do - and what should you get someone outside to do?
  • Website
• Mail out to e-mail outs, texts
• Guerilla marketing to social marketing
• video is expected
• egiving - develop generosity - this can be a way to get the word out too.
• Pray for technology people to come to church - then give them permission to work.

 

Hindrances:

• Old wine in new wineskins
• New wine in old wineskins
• Cost
• Measurables

 

Book: Connect: How to Grow Your Church in 28 Days by Don Corder

I10: Interview with Kelly Pollock

Join us for our conversation with Kelly Pollock. The bi-vocational youth minister at Patterson Avenue Baptist Church.