Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 368 - 4 ways we might overestimate or underestimate our preaching 4 ways we overestimate 1. We overestimate preaching a discipleship tool. 2. We overestimate preaching as an evangelism tool. 3. We overestimate our performance. 4. We overestimate our influence. 4 ways we underestimate 1. We undervalue the importance of connection 2. We undervalue the power of the Spirit to change lives 3. We undervalue the importance of our preparation 4. We undervalue our influence...

Episode 367: Enduring Work of Pre-marital Guidance Resources: Marriage by Paul David Tripp Symbis by Les and Leslie Parrot Love and respect by Emerson Egritch Videos by Mark Gungor Focus on the family Marriage mentoring - seasoned with newlyweds Having couple-friends who esteem marriage - won’t let you talk bad about your spouse Marriage retreats- check up from the neck up Weekly calendaring - creating connection, date-time, and sabbath time

Episode 366: 8 Ways to Use a Budget Surplus 1. Fund a deferred maintenance account 2. Increase your mission giving. 3. Subsidize mission trips among your members. 4. Support a church plant. 5. Start a new ministry. 6. Explore staff need and staff pay. 7. Consider building improvements. 8. Begin a fund for Insurance/Self-insurance.

Episode 365: 7 Ways to Make Your Church Ready for Easter Attractional versus Attractive Make sure your property is clean and prepared. You get one opportunity to make a first impression. Build a sense of expectancy. Talk about how significant the day is. We are celebrating a risen Savior! We should expect the power of the resurrection to overwhelm. Train your church to greet guests, especially by inviting them to sit with them. Greet people in the parking lot, you'll be amazed at the positive effect this can have. Determine how you will plan to get together guest cards that day. This is a day I would encourage everyone to get a registration card and consider offering a donation as an incentive to fill it out. For instance, for each new guest who fills out the registration card, the church will give $10 to our "local mission" or Annie Armstrong…. People are glad to know they are helping a cause. Plan your gospel presentation…as pastors, we sometimes become sloppy, but think about who your guests might be, make sure you free yourself from too much "religious speak." Involve kids. I always loved having children in the service, and I often did a children's message or had one of our children's workers do an object lesson.

What Makes Pastoral Ministry a Question Mark after Year 10? 1. Ministry has become our occupation not our calling. 2. Our leadership and methods sometimes grow stagnant. 3. We focus too much of on energy on internal church matters. 4. We believe we have earned the right to make most of the decisions. 5. We fail to be honest about the present condition of the church. 6. We only focus on problem people - not those who want to grow Ask some hard questions: 1. Am I still growing as a Christian leader? 2. Do I have a dream/vision I can share? 3. Am I developing others? 4. Do others have a voice?

Episode363: Where Do You Find Pastors and Staff Trent and Alan discuss finding candidates for pastoral ministry and church staff.

Episode 362: Spaced Out 1. Assess your space constantly. 2. Look for where you are not maximizing your space. 3. Chairs over pews... 4. Creative possibilities for extra space.... - in the 70's churches had classes meeting in old buses outside the building 5. Plan Multiple services/ classes -change everyone's schedule Communication 1. Communicate a "no ownership of spaces" mindset 2. Communicate the benefits of growth. 3. Honor the sacrifices of people and empathize with their pain.

Episode 360: Doomed to Repeat It!! Here are some questions for you to consider ( some questions adapted from Henry Blackaby's book Flickering Lamps) 1. How was your church started - was it started from a split from another church? Or was it an intentional plant from another church? 2. What did the founders intend when they started your church? Was there a specific group they were trying to reach? Was the church to have a unique focus? 3. How is the church different from when it was established? Is that good? 4. How does your church glorify God? What are some aspects in which it does not glorify God as it should? 5. In what ways is your church making disciples? In what ways is it failing to make disciples? Is your congregation focused at all on making disciples "of all nations"? 6. What are you doing currently to impact the nations for Christ? What has your church done in the past? How long ago was that? 7. How is your church's presence currently making a positive impact on your community? When it began, was it seen as a positive force? Would people miss your church if it were gone? 8. What are some sins for which your church needs to repent? What is your plan for getting your church to do so? When and how?

Episode 359: The Trust Axis of Leadership The diagram is for personal use; any professional or publication use requires proper attribution. Trust Axis Diagram

358: Need a Team of Volunteers? From Gary McIntosh in *The 10 Key Roles of a Pastor* 1. Look at every person as a potential team member 2. Encourage people to serve the Lord on the basis of their love for Him. 3. Don't downplay the role; magnify it. 4. Don't recruit in the hallway. (Make an appointment) 5. Introduce potential recruits to those already in the same ministry. - in a small church, you might have to go outside your church 6. Never expect an immediate answer 7. Follow Up 8. Train Them