Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 271: Should I Go Back to School Should I go back to School? What is your ministry and personal purpose? are you lacking something? are you looking to something? What is the support level of your family and church? What will the impact be on your family and church? How will you account for the financial impact? Where will you choose? theological alignment versus diversity location program - I called and asked questions Bachelor's Master's level - basic skills in church and ministry or ThM - more academic degree, less on practical skills DMin - practical advanced degree to hone specific ministry skills project in ministry PhD - a research based degree Dissertation other options conferences internships mentorships certifications Pray aout the decision and seek advice from others

Episode270: Help! I'm in a Preaching Slump! Contact Alan: [email protected] Contact Trent: [email protected] Facebook Website Why do we get into a slump? You have been in a season of extreme busyness You've been dealing with conflict in church or at home Your spiritual life isn't as vibrant You have or haven't been away from the pulpit for a while You are neglecting good sermon preparation habits You are not thinking enough of the congregation (preaching at them) How do we get out? Still yourself Fall in love with the Word of God PRAY Take a couple of weeks as a break Develop your own sermon skills...examine another preacher's methods, read books... Get input from your congregation Remember you are the vessel, God is the One at work.

Episode 269: How To Receive A Mission Team Contact Alan: [email protected] Contact Trent: [email protected] Facebook Website Plan your projects well in advance Have a well thought out list of things to do Have contacts ready Have supplies ready Make sure you know about the team coming Know their leader and know that you can trust them Know their capabilities (Construction, evangelism, children etc.) Communication is key Communicate about expectations for the church and for the mission team Communicate expectations Communicate about sleeping arrangements and meals Communicate about materials the mission team is expected to bring with them. Communicate with your church about the team coming and expect them to be involved. Plan your calendar well 6 months out - make sure you have all your projects planned make sure you have approval from your church of costs and plans 3 months out - check with team and make sure their questions are answered. 1 month out - check with all local leaders to make sure things are in place. week of - Pep rally for your church to get them excited and remind them of the expectations afterwards - evaluate

Epsiode 268: How to Call a Pastor 2024 Pastors, If you retire or leave a church in a healthy manner, you have an obligation to set up your church for success. Are the bylaws up to date, clear, and workable you must follow your bylaws Do you have an external contact for your search team. Every search team needs training Move past the human nature side of things... Know that without guidance the tendency is to swing from extreme to extreme pastors in the past good pastors - what did they do not good pastors - what did they do Make preaching the last element you discover about the candidate The right person is more important than the right preacher character leadership theology family emotional intelligence Use a well-stablished process, hopefully you've gotten training a clear job description a clear budget a clear list of qualities what are the non-negotiables know where to put out requests for resumes respond to everyone who sends you a direct resume Try to avoid going through resumes one at a time; set a date to go through them together Communicate communicate with your church often have your church pray for you communicate with candidates as needed communicate written and unwritten expectations avoid bringing in multiple candidates to see "who you like best" find your one candidate and interview them Bring them in at the appropriate time Keep your search committee together for a year to serve as the mediator with your new pastor meet once a month and talk about how things are going be the first line of defense for your pastor family Remember you are inviting a leader to fulfill the church’s vision, not your own.

Episode 267: Planning an Excellent Mission Trip Contact Alan: [email protected] Contact Trent: [email protected] Facebook Website Principle to keep in mind: God calls every believe to be on mission! We can participate by Praying, Giving and Going Jesus himself gave us the model in Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We need to be Holy Spirit powered and guided So prayer is critical to be in tune with God through His Holy Spirit On mission we are to witness of Jesus. Missions can look like many things and have lots of different activities, but if there is no witnessing about Jesus - then it is not a God-honoring mission trip We start local (Jerusalem) - if you won't witness locally, then you won't on the other side of the world. So your trip is just a vacation Judea - look for opportunities in your state and region Samaria - in our nation and to people that you might not ever feel comfortable around. Everyone on earth is the subject of God's love! Uttermost parts of the earth - Planning: Connect with a good mission agency Have a local contact person to work with Make a trip there prior to taking a group - so you know what to expect and are able to prepare your group. Be flexible Know your purpose...work, evangelism, support... Don't go with an agenda etched in stone - ask what the people there need.