Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 42: Need a Map

Episode 42: Need a Map

 

Is visioning natural or unnatural to you?

• More about destination or how to get there?
• Do you see things others cannot see as of yet?
• Do you tend to run ahead of everyone else?

 

If you are not strong, you have to get help to flush it out a vision.

• Look for a visioning person…entrepreneur, business leader…
• Craft something you can believe in.

 

For visioning to be successful

• Keep your final destination in view.
• Communicate your vision constantly.
• Evaluate your vision regularly.
• Remember visioning has a shorter shelf life than it used to have.
• Let others help in the details of getting you where you want to go.

Episode 41: 20/20 Vision

Episode 41: 20/20 Vision

Alan shares some insights on planning for 2020

Evaluation 

• most churches are not good at evaluating their efforts, events and programs
• evaluation is essential for visioning and goal setting

 

Church visioning

 

• I usually have a word or phrase to guide my thinking.
• This year; the word is disciple.
• Developing processes for the church to get more repeatable outcomes.

 

Development:

 

Professional:

 

What areas of ministry do I need to develop or improve?

• Committed to at least one book on preaching.
• Connecting with the unchurched is a big new challenge.

Personal: 

• The Enneagram was a game changing personality experience after I read Ian Morgan Caron’s the Road Back to You.
• I plan to learn more and hope we have podcast set up to discuss it more.
• Work our podcast and help leaders endure. At least 64 podcasts 52 weeks and 12 interviews. 

Episode 40: Proof Trent has a Heart

Episode 40: Proof Trent Has a Heart

 

Lessons I learned in the last 2 weeks

 

• God is still in control

 

Alan, Trent I think in essence that is the Christmas story. I was preaching about how easy it is to get frustrated when we serve God and things happen that push us to our limits. I think of Mary and Jospeh being forced to have their baby in a stable. And we see God provide and move in them.

 

• God is good no matter what
  • God is big enough to handle your questions
    • I questioned why God saved me - I would have been perfectly fine being in heaven. Then I questioned how He saved me - I was not prepared for the pain and recovery. But God doesn't waste anything. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭

 

• • • I told my family several times "no matter what - God is good". Easy to say. Harder to actually believe. But slowly(because I'm a slow learner) I am trusting more and seeing God's good hand in my circumstances. I'm not sure why He still has me here but I want to use it for His glory. I'm not sure why He chose this method but I am looking for opportunities to talk about Him. Trust in the Lord - trust in His timing - trust in His methods - because He is good!
• God doesn't waste anything
  • Reconnecting
  • Reading
  • Re-evalation

Episode 39: Experiencing Generation Z

Episode 39: Experiencing Generation Z

 

James Emery White - Meet Generation Z 

- from 1995-2000 depending on who you ask

- by 2020 will account for 40% or so of American consumers….they will be getting a lot of attention…we will soon be giving way to yet another generation, but for now; these are children and students. 

 

The anxious generation

• Uncertainty follows them around

 

GOY - Growing older younger

• unprotective parents
• The whole world in the palm of their hand with all its good and bad elements esp pornography

 

They want to understand their value; because they aren’t sure they have any.

• My experience with the Enneagram
• So independent they are lost in themselves

 

They are looking for 

• Encouraging relationships - how to reach them
  • Illustration: Kids were inviting more friends to our “fellowship” events than to our “outreach” event.
  • Don’t try to get them with a big flashy event; invite them into fellowship and fun.
• Truth that is loving - how to keep them
  • In other words, looking for the character of Christ
  • Mature spiritual adult leaders are hugely important
  • Leverage small groups of students with strong adult encouragement.
  • Allow the Bible to become a tool not a resource (If they don’t leave with a tool, they know how to use, then you haven’t)
    • 86% “At church I get wisdom for how the Bible applies to my life.”
    • 70% “In my church, I regularly receive wisdom fro how the Bible applies to my life.”
    • Focus on not just informing, but equipping.

Episode 38: How to Have a Critical Conversation

Episode 38: How to Have a Critical Conversation

with special guest Luke Heirendt

 

Why have these kinds of conversations?

• Help the person get better
• Help the Church bet better
  • illustration: Seahawks have “Tell the Truth Mondays”
• Truth: It’s hard to see what we need to change in the mirror…if we could see it, we would have already changed it!

 

7 Keys in Critical conversations

1. Build trust with your team.
2. Lay groundwork for hones feedback.
3. Let a person know you are going to have a tough conversation with them.
4. Be loving and not harsh.

• Connect the complaint to the cause
• Connect your solution to their identity

Offer support. If you are going to give it, be willing to receive it. Remove your own defenses.

 

Final thought: Don’t stay quiet.

Episode 37: Hope for the Holidays

Episode 37: Hope for the Holidays

 

How does your family celebrate thanksgiving and Christmas?

 

How does your church handle the holidays?

 

Things you can do to build your hope for the holidays

1. Don’t overthink your preaching. Guests need and want a direct message; we don’t have to say something that is new. We all struggle to keep things fresh.
2. Don’t overcommit to external celebrations; it's ok to say no.
3. Keep close to your family.
4. If traveling, remember visiting family is tiring; give your self a day on the return to relax.
5. Remember Christmas is all about God’s intervention in our lives; allow Him time to intervene in yours.

Episode 36: Happy Thanksgiving, Don't be a Turkey

Episode 36: Happy Thanksgiving/Don't Be a Turkey

 

Amy Morin's article in Forbes

 

7 scientically proven benefits of gratitude

 

1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships. 

 

2. Gratitude improves physical health. 

 

3. Gratitude improves psychological health. 

 

4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression. 

 

5. Grateful people sleep better. 

 

6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.

 

7. Gratitude increases mental strength. 

Episode 35: Pastoral Rest

Episode 35: Pastoral Rest

 

SEEKING ADVICE - I'm one month shy of 18 years in pastoral ministry and I still haven't figured out how to adequately balance accessibility and availability. In other words, how do I remain being accessible (especially in the digital age) and respond to all of the messages and comments of my flock and yet also protect my time and my family's time?

 

Issue: We are more available than ever

• Most anyone can send me a message through any number of platforms and expect a response immediately and I feel the pressure to do so.

Issue: Lack of Peace

• Peace doesn’t mean that you will not have problems. Peace means that your problems will not have you.

Issue: Lack of Rest

• We can't serve tired

Practical suggestions:

• Remember the Sabbath - Jesus said the sabbath was for people not people for the sabbath  
  • Sabbath doesn't always mean a nap or worship service
  • Do something different - people who do mostly cerebral (mind)work - do physical activity or the opposite.  
  • Be still and know that I am God - and you're not
  • Travel and learn and be thankful.

• Learn to focus on the what you can control
  • My runner who was really frustrated by not being able to finish...talked about the science of what was going on; just had to control one thing.
  • Be all in while you are at home

• Disconnect as much as possible.  
  • Leave your cell phone; put down the computer.
  • give your family your best

• Equip others to help you
  • there are people who can help been call
  • church can get a cell phone account for emergencies; share that phone.

• Recognize some calls can wait
  • is it a real emergency
  • Voicemail is a good thing - let some calls go to voicemail

I5: Our Interview with Wes Faulk about My Big Fake Smile

Wes Faulk's Blog

Episode 34: Our Best Days in Ministry