Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent EnduringChurches
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- Religione e spiritualità
Join Alan and Trent as they discuss issues in pastoring and in church leadership. The Enduring Churches podcast is building churches and leaders that last. Reach out to them: alan@enduirngchurches.consulting or trent@enduringchurches.consulting.
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Episode272: Working Outside Your Sweet Spot
Episode272: Working Outside Your Sweet Spot
When we have to do things we don't enjoy and don't do well...
Self-aware - you have to know
your personality
social vs not social...
your giftedness and skills
administrative leader - management
visionary leader
not a strong leader...
interests
attending certain events...
Necessity
does it have to be me?
does someone have the skill set?
can someone else learn the skills?
You can only survive this way for a time.
spend a majority of your time in your areas of strength -
Episode 271: Should I Go Back to School
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!
Episode270: Help! I'm in a Preaching Slump!
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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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
Episode 269: How To Receive A Mission Team
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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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
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
Episode 267: Planning an Excellent Mission Trip
Contact Alan: alan@dtbatogether.com
Contact Trent: gasconadevalleybaptist@gmail.com
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.