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

Episode 357: How to End and Begin a New Year! Evaluation - By this time, the Christmas programs are usually over, and parties are wrapping up. So take a lunch with your staff or leadership and do some evaluation. First of all, pay for their lunch - its a good investment. Second, ask them to evaluate a few things. How do you feel that your area of ministry is handling life? How would you rate our church's health from 1 to 10? How do others you know rate our church's health? Do you feel like you matter in our ministry? How do you feel about your relationship with me, your lead pastor?

Episode 356: 10 Days of Christmas A laid-back, fun episode 10 more volunteers - or 10 more discipled followers of Jesus 9 more ideas of how to share the Christmas story 8 less commercials each time I want to watch a ball game 7 more Christmas gift ideas for my family and staff 6 hostess Christmas tree cakes 5 Golden givers 4 deacons serving 3 more hours with my kids 2 more White Elephant parties - NOT 1 more person brought to Jesus

Episode 355: Mistakes that Still Make Stop and Think Making changes without the best information Not setting clear expectations for leadership Adding members too easily Not letting people go graciously Not sharing my leadership sooner. Not joining a community of pastors sooner Not taking all my vacation time each year Preaching too much - not taking sabbath

Episode 354: 5 Communication Skills I Want to Develop I want to develop better skills in... Asking more impactful Questions Listening to others more clearly Telling stories more compellingly Employing empathy sincerely Preaching with connectivity

Episode 353: Interview With Dr. Matthew Tanne Get The Wounded Pastor book Website

Episode 352: Look under the hood For knowledge, we need to know where things are... for example, my car battery is under my passenger seat... For maintenance and prevention, we need to stop and take time to gain perspective .For repairs - what is broken or not working right For a rebuild - sometimes we recognize we have to start over.

Episode 351: The Church Being the Church How can we care for people? Value all people highly. Jesus does. Open a/partner with local food pantries to help provide basic needs. Be uncompromising in our gospel witness. Consider teaching essential work skills and offering counseling services to individuals. Establish clear guidelines to determine how your church can effectively meet the needs of its members. Partner with other churches in meeting needs. Acknowledge that we may be taken advantage of by some people, but our obedience is not bound by another’s response. Don’t grow weary in doing good.

Episode 350: How to Lead Change In our words: I see something that needs to change I know where we need to change I think about the timing of the change I recognize why this change will be hard I enlist people who share my heart I address the "elephants in the room" lovingly but firmly I acknowledge failure is an option, but so is success. I stay the course long enough to gain a clear picture of the results See John Kotter - 8 step E-book See the writing of Tod Bolsinger See Dan Heath

Episode 349: How to Talk About Church Finances Have an open and transparent perspective on church finances Avoid apologizing for talking about the subject Preach and teach on the subject naturally When it's in the text When it's a good illustration When there's a specific need Accept responsibility for being the primary spokesman for your church's finances. Share stories of God's faithfulness Keep numbers in front of people Talk about estate planning Be faithful in your own stewardship

Episode 348: How To Plan For Revival What is revival Malcolm McDow and Alvin Reid "revival is God's invasion into the lives of one or more off His people in order to awaken them spiritually for Kingdom ministry." personal Institutional Regional specialized - like youth ie Jesus Movement national global Jonathon Edward's 5 signs of revival Increased esteem for the true Jesus: People have a greater love and high regard for Jesus Christ, recognizing him as the Son of God and the savior of sinners. Opposition to Satan's kingdom: The Holy Spirit works against the interests of Satan's kingdom, causing people to turn away from sin. A greater love for the Scriptures: People develop a deeper love and trust in the Bible as the inspired and truthful Word of God. Movement from error to truth: People are led from falsehood into truth and gain the ability to discern between spiritual light and darkness. An increase in love for God and man: There is a genuine increase in love for God and for fellow human beings, particularly demonstrated through humility. Praying John Hyde 5 Questions Are you praying for quickening in your own life...your fellow workers, and in the church? Are you longing for greater power of the Holy Spirit...are you convicted that you cannot go on without this power? Will you pray that you will not be ashamed of Jesus? Do you believe that prayer is the great means for securing this spiritual awakening? Will you set apart one–half hour each day to pray for awakening? McDow and Reid Steps to Revival Recognize the need Repent of sin Obedience to God Exercise of Faith Revival does not occur where Biblical authority is minimized Prayer is neglected Obedience is optional

Episode 347: How to Lead An Invitation Before you ever preach: Spend significant time praying and asking what God wants his people to do. The Response begins before the invitation time. Ask people to start responding long before you actually give the invitation. Don't be too quick - you can take your time Many pastors through in a phrase or 2. Some end by saying that's all I have Let the scripture and the lesson lead to the invitation a review or summary from the text Lead in naturally - don't stop and start Make it personal Be Clear: Give exact steps - tell your church how they should respond. Be Direct - ask them to take a specific action Invite them to the community Give everyone some way to respond - not just a first-time decision to follow Jesus. Take away their fears or concerns. No one here is judging you - Satan wants people to believe that everyone is judging them - this is a lie. So remind folks that everyone else is cheering them on. Keep the invitation open after the service Encourage prayerfulness in the church An Example (Michael Gabbert)

Episode 346: How to Keep Volunteers Engaged.... How can we say thanks - Children's minister example 1. Words of thanks 2. Meaningful personalized gifts 3. Experiences with you Take them to a conference A concert A nice dinner 4. Ask them what they need to be great - Equipping volunteers shows that you care and want the best for them. It also shows that you believe they are valuable to the ministry resources training events 5. Take time to get to know them and what energizes them spiritual gifts inventory personality inventories 6. Make a big deal about them in front of the church shows the church that the ministry they are doing is important encourages the volunteer encourages others to volunteer When recruiting volunteers, never say Don't say "This is easy." It won't take much time You won't have to do much

Episode 345: How To Train Sunday School Teachers Five steps for Sunday School Growth (Arthur Flake) 1. Know the possibilities Church leaders need to put together their expectations What is Sunday School/small groups supposed to accomplish Evangelism Discipleship Support 2. Enlarge the organization multiplying classes Church leaders need to consistently share about the importance of Sunday School/small groups 3. Provide space and equipment What you will teach Room sizes and capacities 4. Enlist the leaders 5. Go after the people Vetting process -spiritually mature -calling -teachable, coachable -dedicated -likable Initial training Technical -how to move beyond reading a lesson People skills - probably more important than teaching skills how to cultivate interaction how to handle difficult people or situations Class structure teacher community hospitality Ongoing Training Must be a priority Must be budgeted Must be scheduled Based on what skills teachers are supposed to be learning and what Sunday School is to accomplish Provide ongoing support Talk with them Have teachers meet together to brainstorm and encourage Resource Them Tools Bring in denominational support staff to teach teachers

Episode 344: How to Care For Orphans and Widows Recognize that you have widows and /or orphans in your church and community. Single Moms (and single dads) Caring For Widows Be intentional. Assign specific people to serve specific widows. Call them. Send cards. Help them with home and auto repairs. Visit and take meals. Give them a hug. Hold their hand. Widow and widower banquets Caring for Orphans Encourage church members to become foster parents. (Example: Amy in Yuma asked God for a sign) Support foster families How many children in America need foster homes? Support Christian children's homes. Don't just assume that the government is going to take care of orphans. Volunteer. Raise funds. Consider mentoring programs Example: The Buzzards (little brothers). Pair up a man with an orphan boy to teach them what a dad would teach. Encourage mentoring Programs - Fathers in the Field after-school tutoring projects Single moms are another area of need physical, emotional, and financial burden car repairs school supplies care groups -

Episode 343: How to Disciple Ingredients of Discipleship • Build a relationship. Discipleship always happens in a relationship. ◦ First pray and ask God to show you someone who needs to be discipled. • Read the Bible together ◦ Simply ask them, “Will you read the Bible with me?” • Do Ministry together ◦ Train up the person who will replace you Discipleship always happens in relationships. Who has God placed in your life? What is their learning style? Visual Auditory Kenesthetic 4 Discipleship Questions (ask these each time you meet for discipleship) Where have you seen God working recently? What have you been learning from your own Bible reading lately? Who have you been praying for to share Jesus with? Are you too busy to be discipled? 3 Discipleship stances Discipleship needs a consistent process. What is your plan? 90 percent of pastors said they had no plan for discipleship Survival kit New city catechism Disciplemakingstages.com The Lost Art of Disciplemaking by Leroy Elms Discipleship needs evaluation We have to have a way of measuring progress. Discipleship needs to be reproductive Can we move more and more people into it?

Episode 342: The Rise of the Generations https://www.barna.com/research/young-adults-lead-resurgence-in-church-attendance/ Millennials and Gen Z lead the way in church attendance? Good news for our future, why? The world's systems don't work Softening of the heart Changing the landscape of the church An opportunity How we interact... Sincerity - our actions should represent Simplicity - our operations and systems Significant - our purpose Small - intimacy matters

Episode341: Our Interaction on 13 Things You Should Never Say from the Pulpit Link to Joe McKeever's 2015 Article

Episode 340: More on Technology: 5 Questions to Consider Websites versus social media? To app or not to app? To go sermon snippets or full length? To AI or not to AI? Hard lines or Cell phones? 911 service requires a hard line for accurate location services

Episode 339: Multi-tasking in Ministry Take your family with you to a meeting or hospital visit but include a dinner or ice cream date after. Discipleship on the road. Take a person you are discipling on the road with you. In the car = captive audience and allows for some great conversations. Use Evernote or another software to work on sermons or plans while waiting somewhere or use notes on your iphone Read on the go. Audible is a great tool for allowing you to "read" a book by listening as you drive Use library apps to read books or listen to books Strategic working lunches. 2 Reminders Make room for divine interruptions There are times when multi-tasking is not appropriate!!!!

5 Areas in Need of Critical Training Deacons more than an oversight board Sunday School Teachers lack of care lack of interaction lack of outreach Children's and Student Ministry leaders generational changes new challenges Safety teams not just about getting to "carry" at church Finance committees could pick several specific committees, but this one is greatly needed

Episode 336: Evangelism: Old School Advice for a Modern World George Hunter's "Grand Strategy" (1979) suggests: 1. Those who visit your church 2. Those who desire membership in your church 3. Those who have recently lost faith 4. Those among whom churches or religious movements are growing 5. Those of the same homogeneous unit as your membership 6. Those with conscious needs your ministry can address 7. Those who are in transition

Episode 335: Our Interview with Alex: A Ukranian Ministerial Student

Episode 334: Our Interview With the Succession Sherpa, Will Heath Please check out the Succesion Sherpa here Get Will's book Embracing Succession here

Episode 333: 3 UP and 3 Down…Alan and Trent each answer 3 Questions on the Air

Four things we overvalue and undervalue in our churches: Overvalue the pulpit and undervalue the classroom Overvalue our position our undervalue our (influence) responsibility Overvalue tradition and undervalue history Overvalue programs and undervalue process

Episode 331: What is the Speed Limit of Your Church Parking lot School zone Residential Main Road Highway Autobahn

Episode 330: An Especially Needed Ministry (from Episode 15) Here is the major question you have to wrestle with - will our church do "Ministry to" or "Ministry team" Where to start Start with a conversation - Make sure to have a line of communication with family members Have those with limitations - take you on a tour of your church Work on access - make your buildings accessible all on one level Ramps and elevators - legal issues in new buildings playgrounds bathrooms wide doors Certain paint colors and media issues Invite those folks to participate and make it possible We have started with children - making it easy for them to participate in musicals Camp - whole nutha animal - Falls creek Adults - its harder to get them involved - but ask and don't give up. Our goal is to create as many pathways for service as possible Love 1 God, Love All People - who in your church is underserved?

Episode329: 5 Ways to Take Advantage of Summer in Your Church Relationship strengthening Leveraging opportunities Hard and soft resets Personal pauses and planning Short-term projects

Episode 328: 7 Voices We Need to Hear Voice of the Lord Voice of Wise Counsel Voice of our Spouse Voice Inside Voice of the Community Voice of Warning Voice of the World

Episode 327: A Word for Leaders Straight from God's Word 1 Peter 5:1-11 1. Focus on the flock God has given you. Be loyal 2. Be glad and speak well of your calling and your church. 3. Serve with your people 4. Be humble before your church. Vs 5-6 5. Don't worry vs 7 6. Vs 8 work to protect your mind and your character 7. You're not alone in your struggle 8. God's got this

Episode 326: How Can We Call Out the Called? Preach and teach on calling Give opportunities to allow people to respond to a call Speak well of your calling Listen and Observe and Ask Look for those who are leading and others are listening to Listen to those who are wanting to volunteer for ministry Offer opportunities for exploration Have a process for training Take them with you on ministry visits Keep communication lines open

Episode #:325 Six Money Wasters Hiring the wrong person Cutting back on missions giving Not looking for ways to use your facilities Maintaining vehicles you never use Spending money on inwardly focused ministry and not outreach Delaying maintenance

Episode 324: Avoiding Structural Damage Questions to ask about your structure Does it work? Is it too centralized in one place? a person/pastor a deacon team or board Does it represent multiple segments of your church community? Can it accommodate growth? Some other things to consider Get examples from effective churches Train up and empower others Allow for as many decisions to be made at the lowest level possible Evaluate your structure often Continually look for new leaders Get outside help.

Episode 323: Eight Thoughts on Your Church and Prayer You can't give away what you don't own. As a leader/pastor you must be a person of prayer! Teach and preach on prayer often Offer a guided prayer time each week Offer a church-wide 40 day prayer/fasting event event Offer a single, dedicated prayer service Add a prayer wall Use a tool to encourage prayer a church had ladies make quits and people tied strings on the quilt when they payed for the person. Give men especially a reason to pray for their kids/wife - give them a card to stick on their car mirror or send a text to encourage them to pray now. Set a specific time to pray each day - based on a scripture Make prayer central in the worship service.