Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 101: Close the Gap

 

What would cause a gap?

 

Question: what is spiritual growth?

• simply put...it's obeying Christ (Luke 6:46...Why do you call me Lord and do not do what I say?)

 

Can my obedience to Christ create a gap between me and my church?

• Ideally we want to say no, because obviously if I am more like Christ, then other followers would be excited and following along too.
• Yes, Pharisees, Sadducees, even the apostles argued
• Yes, not everyone is at the same place in their spiritual journey
• The problem isn't our growth, it's that we don't take others with us

 

5 evidences we might be creating a gap....

• We talk more about sins than sin.
• We use ourselves as a positive illustration more than a negative illustration.
• We complain about the spiritual immaturity of our people.
• We forgot what our lives were like without Christ.
• We make the simple elements of faith complicated.

4 helps

• practice empathy
• maintain a humble spirit
• work at lifting your people not pushing down on your people
• remember there's people in your church far more spiritually mature than you

Learn more about the Evangelical Presbyterian Church here

Contact Brian at brian.smith@epc.org

Enjoy our conversation as we talk through our 1st 100 episodes; We can't wait to get started on the next 100.

Episode 99: Own It!

Episode 98: Relevance? Divine or Different

 

Should we strive for cultural relevance or cultural difference?   On the one hand Jesus was the picture of relevance God became flesh He experienced life as we do...he was relatable to a 1st century Jew On the other hand Jesus never sinned told his followers to be separate from the world   How do we reconcile... Be divinely relevant and culturally different. there is a purpose to our relevance...to communicate God and his truth culturally different...our lives should set us apart pointing people to Christ   Do we spend more time picking out our clothes than we spend in prayer? Are we more worried about how the message comes across or if the message is clear. Are we letting politics and Nationalism take away the power of the message of the gospel? Are we ignoring current concerns? Are people only hearing what we are against and not what we are for?

Episode 97: Unity - Why it's important and how it looks on Sunday mornings

 

We love to talk about and preach about unity.

 

1. Why is it important?   One flesh = one mind = single minded = focused
2. Any time there is a gap in communication - it will always be filled with negativity.
3. Are you working on your relationship with staff and leaders at times other than Sunday mornings?

 

What does Unity look like on Sundays for your church

1. 1. Are you and your worship team on the same page?
      • Are you communicating your sermon title and expectations?
      • Are you giving them enough time to work with you?
   2. Are you and your technology volunteers on the same page?
      • Are you communicating your sermon title and expectations?
      • Are you giving them your scripture and main points?
      • Are you giving them enough time to work with you?
   3. Are you and your Small Group / Sunday school leaders on the same page
      • Are you communicating sermon titles or series to these leaders?
      • Are you giving them the opportunity to reinforce your teaching?

Are we as pastors keeping our church from functioning as a team?

Are we setting out a clear message and letting others teach that message too?

Episode 96: 5 Terms thatAre Becoming More Common

1. Church adoption and revitalization
2. Digital Discipleship
3. Micro Church
4. Family Ministry
5. Co-vocational or multi-vocational

Episode 95: 5 Ways to Better Relationships

1. Develop better listening skills.
2. Practice audience appropriate vulnerability.
3. Let sincerity rule your day.
4. Share the spotlight.
5. Ask to pray with people.

Episode 94: 5 Ways to Crush Your Ministry Staff

 

1. Withhold direction
2. Withhold the story
3. Withhold appreciation
4. Make them choose between work and family
5. Talk about them instead of talking to them

Interview #14: Our Interview With Mike Conn

We know you want to get to know Mike better!

Sign up for Mike's newsletter

 

Mike's Facebook page