Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 310: Routine or Rigidity

Routines are important
1. Build strong habits
2. Help us work efficiently
3. Fits in with our personalities
4. Gives us a sense of control

Rigidity means we cannot flex our routine
1. When we can't meet needs of our church, because of our insistence on our schedule
2. When an change in our routine ruins our day.
3. Can lead to behavioral issues such as depression, obsessive compulsion, anxiety...

Some suggestions:
- Think of your schedule in blocks or sections that have built in flexibility
- Be prepared for interruptions
- Trust God with your schedule
- Get input from people close to you

Episode309: 4 Skills I Wish I Worked On Sooner

Coaching How to walk with people How to encourage growth in people   Conflict Mediation How to view conflict positively How to engage properly When to get outside help   Consultation How to see things with fresh eyes How to evaluate objectively   Counseling How to listen How to help others find solutions

Episode 307: All Hat - No Cows...and Can I Retire Yet?

 

Thank you for helping us get to 10,000 downloads!

Catch the article from Mark Dance we interacted with today1

 

Episode 306: Our Interview With Keeney Dickenson on Prayer

 

Keeney is the pastor of FBC Crockett, TX and consultant on prayer with the Southern Baptists of Texas.

You can learn more and order his new book Prayer Powered Pulpit here

Episode 305: Habits to Start in 2025

 

Build your own spiritual life

how can you grow intentionally in 2025

 

Pray over the seats in the church auditorium

 

 

Make time to pray with other pastors

 

Build good communication pattens in the church

consistent

concise

caring

 

Set aside time each week to be creative - we are created in the image of a creative God

 

Prioritize your marriage and family

date your wife

listen to your wife

 

Working on a particular area of ministry

Develop Focus   From James Clear  "To learn, wander. To achieve, focus."

Episode 304: Making Your Own traditions

Christmas is a time of family traditions

But sometimes you can't be with family

1. Live too far away
2. Grown kids have other family

It's a struggle for most pastor families to put their family before the church

Set date boundaries early

For newly married pastors- talk through traditions you had as kids. Pick the ones you want to continue

So make sure to start or protect family traditions

Your young kids need those traditions and memories

1. Read the Christmas story
2. Celebrating advent
3. Adopting a family in need
4. Occ shoeboxes
5. Serve at a community Christmas dinner
6. Missions offering
7. Our tradition of opening presents early because we would be traveling

 

Does your church do a Christmas Eve service?  Should you?

Episode 303: How do we engage the next generation?

1. Reaching kids and reaching students are different
   1. Gen Z & alphas
2. Activity-based ministry is out
3. Meaningfulness and sincerity
   1. why they matter
   2. why their spiritual lives matter
4. Relationships still matter
   1. especially unpaid people
   2. they want to partner with you

 

 

Episode302: Why How We Grow Matters

 

Areas we should see consistent growth Our ability to empathize Our willingness to accept criticism Our desire to train new leaders Our capacity to live at a ministry pace Our knowledge of our own strengths and weaknesses   Why is this important because ministry is hard, and most people don't understand it. because life is challenging and filled with conflict and trouble. because people fail to reach their potential because we cannot be everything for everyone because we struggle spiritually

Episode302: Our Interview with Dave Hastings of Standing Stone Ministries

Want to know more?

Standing Stone Ministry

 

Episode 301: The Ever-Changing Church Landscape   The influence Non-Denominationalism (the only form of church that is really adding)   Speaks  to the issue of organizational distrust Speaks to the issue of church "free agency" Reflects  a rejection traditional models of church Demonstrate a disdain for labels...for example "I attend a Baptist church but I'm not Baptist." Shows people want to own their faith and have concern about someone dictating faith to them. Draws people with smaller bureaucracy.   If you are a denominational church what can you do. Recognize your people are largely more indifferent towards your denomination than you are. Make sure your local identity is clear. Inform but don't over-inform people about your denomination   If you are non-denominational Make sure your theology is clear Look for ways to collaborate with like-minded churches Consider future leadership needs