The PursueGOD Training Podcast PursueGOD

Excerpt
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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
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In this episode, Bryan and Ross discuss the practices of a great board member. They emphasize the importance of being prepared for board meetings and understanding the purpose of the meetings. They also talk about the spiritual side of board membership and the need to hear the Spirit in decision-making. They discuss the process of voting and seeking consensus, as well as the responsibility of breaking the ice when there is a holdout on the board. They also highlight the importance of participating constructively and cultivating emotional maturity as a board member. Finally, they discuss the importance of teamwork and defining success in team terms.
Takeaways
Being prepared for board meetings is crucial and shows that you take your role as a board member seriously.Board meetings have a spiritual side and it is important to hear the Spirit and seek God's leading in decision-making.Participating constructively in board meetings involves speaking respectfully, listening patiently, and asking tough questions without being demeaning or aggressive.Board members should continue to grow in their skills and wisdom as board members, as well as in their relationship with Jesus.

This is a general series that many churches will find helpful. It should be a great conversation starter for established boards, and it might even help your church rethink your leadership structure.
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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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In this episode, Bryan and Ross discuss the traits of a great board and common pitfalls to avoid. They emphasize the importance of board members being spiritually attuned, relationally healthy, fully invested in the mission, focused on strategy rather than operations, and self-policing. They also highlight the need for good record-keeping, attention to finances, and avoiding relationship dysfunction and personal preferences over the mission. To do this, the pastors introduce three practical tools: a board member covenant, an annual board calendar, and a prime responsibility chart.
Takeaways
Board members should be spiritually attuned, relationally healthy, fully invested in the mission, focused on strategy, and self-policing.Good record-keeping is essential for legal requirements, credibility, and resolving disputes.Board members should pay attention to finances, have checks and balances, and build financial reserves.Relationship dysfunction and personal preferences can hinder the effectiveness of a board.Practical tools like a board member covenant, annual board calendar, and prime responsibility chart can help improve board functioning.

This is a general series that many churches will find helpful. It should be a great conversation starter for established boards, and it might even help your church rethink your leadership structure.
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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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In this episode, Bryan and Ross discuss the relationship between the governing board and the senior pastor. This conversation explores the role of a governing board in a church and the importance of supportive yet accountable board members. It discusses the nature of board approval, decision-making, budget approval, performance evaluation, and the removal of the senior pastor. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear processes and guidelines to ensure effective governance and accountability within the church.
Takeaways
Avoid an adversarial or submissive attitude towards the senior pastor.Support the senior pastor by providing encouragement, resources, and wise counsel.Hold the senior pastor accountable and ask tough questions to improve decision-making.Buy into the church's mission and be supportive of the pastor's vision, but avoid becoming yes-men. Board members should provide support and accountability to the senior pastor, ensuring that decisions align with the church's vision and goals.The relationship between the board and the senior pastor should be both supportive and accountable, with a balance between working for and working with the board.

This is a general series that many churches will find helpful. It should be a great conversation starter for established boards, and it might even help your church rethink your leadership structure.
--
The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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In this episode, Bryan and Ross discuss the key responsibilities of a board member in a church. They cover three different hats that board members wear: the governance hat, the volunteer hat, and the participant hat. They emphasize the importance of understanding foundational principles, engaging in strategy rather than operations, and being a positive force in the church. They also discuss the boundaries of a board member, including no individual authority, no personal agendas, confidentiality, and avoiding conflicts of interest.
Takeaways
Board members play different roles and wear different hats, including the governance hat, the volunteer hat, and the participant hat.Understanding foundational principles and documents is crucial for board members to fulfill their responsibilities.Board members should focus on strategy and the big picture, rather than getting involved in operational details.Board members should be a positive force in the church, nurturing relationships, growing in faith, and praying for the church and its leaders.

This is a general series that many churches will find helpful. It should be a great conversation starter for established boards, and it might even help your church rethink your leadership structure.
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The PursueGOD Training podcast helps pastors, small group leaders, and everyday Christians to make disciples through healthy biblical churches.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org/training.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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This episode is the introduction to a five-week series on church board training. The series aims to help churches think through their governing structure and prepare new board members. The topics covered include key responsibilities of a church board, legal responsibilities, financial responsibilities, missional responsibilities, responsibilities with the senior pastor, and the overall well-being of the church. The series emphasizes the importance of prayer, biblical principles, and collaboration in board governance.
Takeaways
Churches need to have a governing structure to make important decisions and ensure legal compliance.The board has key responsibilities in areas such as legal, financial, missional, senior pastor support, and overall church well-being.Board members should be committed to prayer, promoting the church's mission and values, and assessing and improving the board's performance.The biblical basis for board governance is found in the roles of elders and deacons, although the specific structure may vary among churches.The PursueGod resources can be used to facilitate discussions and training for church boards.

Today we look at the story of Peter’s betrayal of Jesus, a classic example of “mission drift” in the Bible. Jesus had called Peter to make disciples, but now his commitment was in question. Peter, as with the other disciples, is brimming with confidence that his faith will not fail. But then it does, in shocking fashion. So that’s the famous story, but today we’re putting the story in the context of a broader question:  Have you ever experienced mission drift?
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The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.
Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.
Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.
Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.
Donate Now
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Q. Have you ever experienced mission drift?
Examples in marriage, in the workforceMarriage vows: Chris, do you take Brandi to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her and keep her, and forsaking all others remain loyal to her as long as you both shall live? If so, say “I do”.Kodak: Founded in the late 19th century, Kodak was a pioneer in the photography industry with the mission of making photography accessible to the masses ("You press the button, we do the rest.") However, as digital photography began to emerge in the late 20th century, Kodak struggled to adapt and continued to prioritize its traditional film business. In 2012, Kodak filed for bankruptcy, a stark reminder of the consequences of mission drift and the failure to adapt to changing market dynamics.What it looks like in Christianity: (Go make disciples…)Matthew 28:19 (NLT) Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.So many churches just miss this. So many Christians never get it.
Before we get to our text today in ch 14, we need to set the stage by going all the way back to chapter 1, when Jesus first called his disciples. Pay attention to where this all happens, because it’s going to come up again in ch 14:
Mark 1:16-18 (NLT) One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him.
Talk about mission of Jesus, they left their nets, spent 3 years with Jesus
Amazing faith! What sacrifice!Their expectation - this is going to be good. We’ll be famous! Rich!?
Now let’s get to our text today from Mark 14. 
Last week we covered the Last Supper, and Jesus’ identification of the one who would betray him. Luke adds context in his account: Luke 22:24 (NLT) Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them.
Can you imagine? Hilarious! In the Luke account Jesus goes on to define greatness: (NLT) Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
So let’s...