Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 13: Placed and Called

Episode 13: Placed and Called

 

Some thoughts about our calling:

1. General versus specific: called generally first
2. Short-term versus long-term:
3. The constancy of a call in our lives.
4. The freshness of God’s call

 

Issues we face constantly regarding our calling and the calling of others in our churches.

 

 

Organism Issue -The church as a body, family

Organization Issue - How God places us.

 

God places a church to accomplish His purposes.

He placed your church on purpose for a purpose.

Every part of the family is essential to accomplishing God's purpose.

 

Communicate to your body that every part is essential

Every person is called…including you.

 

Recognizing that you are called does these things

1. helps you rely on God
2. keeps you there when things are tough
3. encourages commitment to the family

Episode 12: Dying For a Change

Episode 12: Dying for a Change

 

For most people changes must be mourned like a death.

 

The Classic responses of people toward change

• Innovators
• Early adopters
• Early Majority
• Late Majority
• Laggards (which includes some never)

 

May be different for different people in different areas of life

 

1. Have an honest expectation about change…some people will struggle

• Worship wars are a great example. You change the style of worship, that is a huge change. People enjoy what they enjoy

Have your rationale clear as to why you are making a change.

• If you can’t explain it clearly, don’t expect people to adjust.

Allow people to share their feelings without casting judgment.

• People are not unspiritual if they struggle with change.

Remember grief is a process, and people need time to adjust to a new reality. Handle change personally the way you expect others to deal with change. Don’t let the fear of death keep you from changing.

Episode 11: Pastoring Your Community

Episode 11: Pastoring Your Community

Show Notes

 

#1: Your role is bigger than your church.

 

#2: You have to be visible in your community.

 

#3: You have to be available at community events/activities.

 

#4: Doing funerals well gives you a great opportunity to serve your community.

 

#5: Stay close to your schools and school leaders.

 

#6: Find something in your community to do do that helps you build relationships outside the church.

 

#7: Avoid being shocked when asked odd requests.

 

• Phone call to pray for a sick pet

 

#8: Speak well of your community.

 

#9: Get your church out into your community.

 

#10: Avoid acting entitled.

 

Remember: All of this takes TIME

Episode 10: The Coyote Principle

Episode10 Notes: The Coyote Principle

 

What does the coyote principle mean?

 

Coyotes howling and yipping at night sounds like there has to be a whole bunch of them but people who study coyotes have found that there are rarely more than 2 or 3 together.   I remember having nightmares of huge packs of coyotes.   

 

So what does that mean for leadership?

1. Just because someone tells you that a whole lot of people are wanting something doesn't make it true.
2. Usually its just 2 maybe 3 - so ask them for names.  Usually they won't give you names because they can't.
3. The Ambush - If they come to you right before preaching or a big meeting - ask them to wait so that you can give them your attention afterward.  

 

So how should you respond?

1. Repeat back what you heard and ask "is this what you meant to say?"
2. "I hear what you are saying and I will consider it"
3. "Will you pray with me now about this?" - if they genuinely care about you and the church they will.  If not they are showing that they are trying to manipulate you. Don't have to respond with defensive excuses.  just listen or not

 

Dealing with the criticism

1. You don't always have to respond 
2. Evaluate and see if the concerns reveal some things that you really need to consider and change.
3. Make it easy for them to leave
4. Get help and support from your lay leaders
5. Guard your conversations about them: less is more
6. Watch out for bitterness

Episode 9: Scheduling the Daily Grind

For most of us - every day is different so having a set schedule every day doesn't work unless you're a multiple full time staff church.

 

Scheduling Your Days

• Divide your day into 3 sections: morning; afternoon; evening
  • only work 2 of those sections 
  • so if you have an evening meeting - take off morning or afternoon
  • Schedule tasks during best time of day for you to do that…ie study, emails, appointments, meetings...
• Schedule your sermon prep/ get away from office?
• Schedule a day off
• Don’t use flexibility to short change your church

 

Scheduling times of the year

• There are times that are busier.  If I have camp - then I will take off a few days before and after

 

• Share your leadership…someone said my best 42 were much better than my mediocre 50. Invest and leadership your church to invest in leaders.

 

Family Time

Protect your family time - 

    Schedule it

    Leave town

    Have deacons or someone that will cover for emergencies

 

Episode 8: Pastoring in a Small Church

Episode 8: Pastoring a Small Church

 

New pastor at a small church - how not to blow things up

 

1. Remember the folks in that church have been there a lot longer than you.
2. Make only small changes for the first year.  Pastor Poker (Episode #2)
3. Become an amazing listener.
4. most conflict goes away when people feel they have been heard
5. Most people won't accept you as their pastor for at least 3 years  so get settled.  Jeremiah 29:5-7
6. Have an older deacon take you around the area and show you where folks live.
7. In a small town - you have to be involved in your community.
   1. help at school
   2. volunteer fire department
   3. local chamber
   4. work to become the pastor for the community - that is a win for your church.

Episode 7: The Church Is Killing My Family

Episode 6: Saturday Night Special

Episode 5: How to Endure a Season of Success

Trent: Why do we have to endure success? 

1. Ego problem...Danger of taking more credit than you should
2. Comfort problem...easy to get comfortable and stop improving
3. Make-up problem...easy to overlook our weaknesses which are hidden

What do we need to do to endure success

1. Be humble by giving credit away...first to God, second to others
2. Remember gravity...if it goes up, its coming back down
3. Ask what problems could success create...schedules?, space?, leadership voids. success brings change - sometimes folks are resistant to change.     

It's a great opportunity to leverage your time.

Episode 4: Enduring a Rough Season