Revitalize and Replant

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some of the benefits and pitfalls of using artificial intelligence in sermon preparation. Potential Benefits: Time efficiency Access to a large amount of research and language resources Potential Pitfalls: Risk of shallow theology Pastoral integrity Laziness Resources Related to This Episode: John Piper’s AI Prayer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss different ways to effectively preach with a manuscript. Some Highlights: Two cons of manuscript preaching: Your delivery can be too wooden. You can miss what the Spirit is doing in the worship gathering A manuscript can provide clarity and coherence. Even in a manuscript, leave room for what Hallock calls “rant time.”

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how to effectively preach without notes. Some Highlights: No notes DOES NOT mean no study Some of the potential pitfalls of preaching with no notes The importance of thinking through your introduction and closing You must know how you’re going to “land the plane”

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some current trends that pastors need to be aware of for their churches and communities. Some Highlights: More social media issues Changing family dynamics Increasing cultural headwinds

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some current trends that pastors need to be aware of—both within their churches and throughout their communities. Some Highlights: Mental health issues Senior life The current political environment Changing public schools Social media issues

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some reasons why churches are moving from multiple worship services with different worship styles to a single worship style. Some Highlights: Multiple worship styles created an “us-versus-them” mentality. The church did not have the resources to do multiple styles with quality. The church moved from multiple services to one service. The millennial generation has influenced many churches. Worship wars are waning. Multiple generations are becoming more accustomed to different types of church music and worship styles. Resources Related to This Episode: “Six Reasons Some Churches are Moving Back to One Worship Style” by Kenny Lamm

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Sam Rainer on some simple and creative ways to love your local community. Some Highlights: Don’t go home. Join the fun. Live with your people. Stop complaining. Stay active. Join a civic organization. Try something new on a regular basis. Resources Related to This Episode: “Seven Ways to Love Your Community” by Sam Rainer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share more reasons why we need to learn from the Puritans, based on an article from Jeff Robinson. Some Highlights: Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God Because they were highly decorated soldiers on the spiritual battlefield Because they were skilled physicians of the souls Because they understood contentment in Christ as the key to genuine happiness Resources Related to This Episode: “Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans” by Jeff Robinson Little Pilgrim’s Progress: From John Bunyan’s Classic by Helen Taylor and Joanne Brubaker Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans by Michael Reeves and Joel Beeke The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some reasons why we need to learn from the Puritans, based on an article from Jeff Robinson. Some Highlights: Because they were mature and we are not Because they understood the deep sinfulness of the human heart Because they knew their best life was later Because they viewed the family as a little church Resources Related to This Episode: “Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans” by Jeff Robinson A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life by J.I. Packer  

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss whether counting worship attendance still makes sense, based on an article from Sam Rainer. Healthy reasons to count: Rhythms build discipleship. Presence enables connection. Trends reveal direction. Opportunities increase. Unhealthy reasons to count: Legalism creeps in. Growth becomes a game. Charisma overshadows calling. Quantity replaces quality. Resources Related to This Episode: “Does Counting Worship Attendance Still Make Sense for Churches?” by Sam Rainer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Kyle Bueermann discuss some issues surrounding worship in the local church.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, Kyle Bueermann discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on why you and your church should be practicing the spiritual disciplines: The disciplines slow us down. They put us in a position to listen to God. They emphasize relationships. They force us to see where we place our dependence. They uncover the sin that’s hindering our walk with God. They correct our sins of omission. They prepare us to teach and lead others. They produce in us godly confidence and excitement. Resources Related to This Episode: “8 Reasons Spiritual Disciplines Matter” by Chuck Lawless

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Mike Ayers that covers some tips for longevity in church ministry. Some Highlights: Be teachable Know your identity Faithfulness first Develop a hard shell; maintain a soft heart Simply don’t quit Resources Related to This Episode: “5 Ways to Last 20 Years in the Same Church” by Mike Ayers

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss a few lessons they’ve learned from Christian Communicators Worldwide on the problem of complaining—and how Scripture offers us its cure. Some Highlights: God commands me never to complain. God commands me to give thanks in every circumstance. God commands me to rejoice always, especially in times of trial. I always deserve much worse than what I am suffering now; in fact, I deserve hell. In light of the eternal happiness and glory I’ll experience in heaven, this present trial is brief and insignificant, even if it were to last a lifetime. My suffering is far less than that which Christ suffered, yet He did not complain. To complain is to say God is not just. Faith and prayer exclude complaining. This difficulty is being used by God for my good, and it is foolish for me to complain against it. Those more faithful than I have suffered far worse than I and have done so without complaint. Complaining denies that God’s grace is entirely sufficient for me. The greatest suffering—the worst trial or difficulty—can never rob me of that which is of greatest value to me and my great joy: namely, the love of Christ. Resources Related to This Episode: “A 12-Point Cure for Complaining” by Bill Izard

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some lessons from Puritan pastor Thomas Watson on personal holiness. Some Highlights: Holiness produces joy. Holiness takes intentionality. Holiness will never be reached. Holiness comes from God working through His Word. Holiness requires us to think rightly about sin. Holiness does not save us; only Christ does. Resources Related to This Episode: “Six Lessons on Holiness from Thomas Watson” by Cassie Watson The Godly Man’s Picture: Drawn with a Scripture Pencil by Thomas Watson

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Steve Burchett on how to lead more effective prayer meetings. Some Highlights: Spend most of the time in your prayer meeting praying Avoid having people sit in rows Teach something from Scripture that might encourage prayer Be clear about how you will pray during that meeting Share current answers to prayer and thank God How to handle prayer requests effectively Prepare people beforehand to “jump right in and pray” Resources Related to This Episode: “11 Ways to Enliven Prayer Meetings” by Steve Burchett Praying the Bible by Donald S. Whitney

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Vanderbloemen on how to handle underperforming church staff members: Why firing staff members may prove more difficult in a smaller church What you must consider about the long-term health of both the church and the staff member What happens when you fail to address an ineffective team member What church leaders should do in these sticky situations! Resources Related to this Episode: How to Handle an Ineffective Church Staff Member

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways to diagnose whether your church is ready to enter into a season of revitalization and renewal: Hearts that are humble – “This is the Lord’s church, not ours.” Desire to reach the community with the gospel – “This is our mission and mission field.” Commitment to submit to the Bible – “The Word of God is our authority.” Willingness to take risks and do whatever it takes – “We are desperate to see God move here.” Belief that God can actually revitalize dying churches – “God isn’t done with us.” Resources Related to This Episode: Falling in Love with Jesus (Again) by David Jackson Flickering Lamps: Christ and His Church by Henry and Richard Blackaby God’s Not Done with Your Church by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some ways to build trust in your local church: Be you. Listen actively. Show consistency. Pursue, but know when to give space. Follow through on commitments. Lean into the awkward. Don’t be easily offended.  

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some thoughts on the recent SBC Annual Meeting: Love the brothers A wonderful Small Church Pastor’s Lunch The SBC Pastor’s Conference Our heart for missions The miracle that is the SBC Resources Related to This Episode: 2025 Replant Summit

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on the importance of patience in ministry. Jesus, our role model, was patient with His disciples. Patience is a witness of the Spirit in our lives. In many cases, somebody has also been patient with us. Many church members are themselves undisciplined. They are often under stress unbeknownst to us. Sometimes, they’re not truly believers. We occasionally expect church members to quickly buy into something we’ve been considering for months. Resources Related to This Episode: “7 Reasons We Must Be Patient with Church Members” by Chuck Lawless

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Jim Farrer at Biblical Leadership about why some situations are more difficult for churches today. Churches are filled with “ignostics” – they are ignorant of biblical truth. Many people are dealing with problems that our churches have not been equipped to handle. Resources Related to this Episode: “10 Reasons Why It’s Harder for the Church Today” by Jim Farrer

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Jim Farrer at Biblical Leadership about why some situations are more difficult for churches today. So much time and energy is spent on maintaining current strategies The reality of transfer growth The vast majority of growth is coming from churches planted in the last couple of decades The world around us has changed Resources Related to this Episode: “10 Reasons Why It’s Harder for the Church Today” by Jim Farrer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chris Crain, Executive Director of the Birmingham Metro Baptist Association. Here are some causes for conflict in churches. Pride Spiritual and Emotional Immaturity Change and Inflexibility Abuses of Power Church Politics Unclear Authority Personality Differences

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some different styles of church leadership. The authoritarian leader creates a culture of fear. The disengaged leader creates a culture of floundering. The directive leader creates a culture of flourishing.