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Episodes
Alan and Trent are pastors helping churches and leaders make a difference and last.
Episodes
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Monday Dec 23, 2019
Episode 40: Proof Trent Has a Heart
Lessons I learned in the last 2 weeks
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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.
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God is good no matter what
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God is big enough to handle your questions
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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
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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!
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God doesn't waste anything
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Reconnecting
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Reading
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Re-evalation
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Monday Dec 16, 2019
Monday Dec 16, 2019
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
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Uncertainty follows them around
GOY - Growing older younger
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unprotective parents
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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.
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My experience with the Enneagram
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So independent they are lost in themselves
They are looking for
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Encouraging relationships - how to reach them
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Illustration: Kids were inviting more friends to our “fellowship” events than to our “outreach” event.
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Don’t try to get them with a big flashy event; invite them into fellowship and fun.
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- Truth that is loving - how to keep them
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In other words, looking for the character of Christ
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Mature spiritual adult leaders are hugely important
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Leverage small groups of students with strong adult encouragement.
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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)
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86% “At church I get wisdom for how the Bible applies to my life.”
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70% “In my church, I regularly receive wisdom fro how the Bible applies to my life.”
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Focus on not just informing, but equipping.
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Monday Dec 09, 2019
Monday Dec 09, 2019
Episode 38: How to Have a Critical Conversation
with special guest Luke Heirendt
Why have these kinds of conversations?
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Help the person get better
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Help the Church bet better
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illustration: Seahawks have “Tell the Truth Mondays”
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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
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Build trust with your team.
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Lay groundwork for hones feedback.
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Let a person know you are going to have a tough conversation with them.
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Be loving and not harsh.
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Connect the complaint to the cause
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Connect your solution to their identity
Final thought: Don’t stay quiet.
Monday Dec 02, 2019
Monday Dec 02, 2019
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
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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.
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Don’t overcommit to external celebrations; it's ok to say no.
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Keep close to your family.
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If traveling, remember visiting family is tiring; give your self a day on the return to relax.
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Remember Christmas is all about God’s intervention in our lives; allow Him time to intervene in yours.
Monday Nov 25, 2019
Monday Nov 25, 2019
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.
Monday Nov 18, 2019
Monday Nov 18, 2019
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
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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
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Peace doesn’t mean that you will not have problems. Peace means that your problems will not have you.
Issue: Lack of Rest
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We can't serve tired
Practical suggestions:
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Remember the Sabbath - Jesus said the sabbath was for people not people for the sabbath
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Sabbath doesn't always mean a nap or worship service
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Do something different - people who do mostly cerebral (mind)work - do physical activity or the opposite.
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Be still and know that I am God - and you're not
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Travel and learn and be thankful.
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Learn to focus on the what you can control
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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.
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Be all in while you are at home
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Disconnect as much as possible.
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Leave your cell phone; put down the computer.
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give your family your best
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Equip others to help you
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there are people who can help been call
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church can get a cell phone account for emergencies; share that phone.
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Recognize some calls can wait
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is it a real emergency
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Voicemail is a good thing - let some calls go to voicemail
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Wednesday Nov 13, 2019
Monday Nov 11, 2019
Monday Nov 04, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Monday Oct 28, 2019
Episode 32: Cyber Church
Question: How involved should your church be in technology and social media?
How much does your church use social media now?
Need to have someone in charge of this who will keep it updated
“We’re a friendly church.” You may Be friendly to each other but are you friendly to people outside your church?
Website:
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Service Times.
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What to expect page.
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Map
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Staff.
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Is it way out of date
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Google maps
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Yelp reviews
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The Big 4 other platforms
Facebook (30’s and up)
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Link to website
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Regular activity
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Groups
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Ads
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Facebook live
Twitter (varies as to who is on there)
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Short quips; if you have one; post regularly or leave it alone
Instagram (30’s and under)
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Current events and website link
Snap Chat (teens and 20’s)
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Monitor and set guidelines
Tools you may or may not know
Group me
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Use it as a tool to communicate with small groups; board members...
Slack
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Similar but you can share files and more information; not always free
Tic tok - short video clips focused on youth? (Do we need to cover this?) segment this morning on Good morning America about this platform and how to reach teen agers
balancing on a fine line - recent videos "Screen Agers" and "Screen Agers follow up" show that social media helps connect but it can also create anxiety.
Also remember that social media is not really social and is never supposed to take the place of real personal interaction. A personal invitation is still more effective than a facebook post.