Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

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...

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 ...

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 cl...

Episode 349: How to Talk About Church Finances

 

1. Have an open and transparent perspective on church finances
2. Avoid apologizing for talking about the subject
3. Preach and teach on the subject naturally
   1. When it's in the text
   2. When it's a good illustration
   3. When there's a specific need
4. Accept responsibility for being the primary spokesman for your chu...

Episode 348: How To Plan For Revival   What is revival

1. 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."
   1. personal
   2. Institutional
   3. Regional
   4. specialized - like youth ie Jesus Movement
   5. national
   6. global
2. Jonathon Edward's 5 signs of revival
   1. Increased esteem for the true Jesus: People have a grea...

Episode 347: How to Lead An Invitation

1. Before you ever preach: Spend significant time praying and asking what God wants his people to do.

 

2. The Response begins before the invitation time.

• Ask people to start responding long before you actually give the invitation.

 

3. Don't be too quick - you can take your time  

• Many pastors ...

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 sh...

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 organizatio...

Episode 344: How to Care For Orphans and Widows

 

1. Recognize that you have widows and /or orphans in your church and community. Single Moms (and single dads)
2. Caring For Widows
   1. 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.
   2. Widow and widower banquets

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?   W...

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...

1. Sincerity - our actions should represen...

Episode 339: Multi-tasking in Ministry

1. Take your family with you to a meeting or hospital visit but include a dinner or ice cream date after.
2. 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.
3. Use Evernote or another software to work on sermons or plans while waiting somewhere  or use notes on your iphone
4. Read on the g...

5 Areas in Need of Critical Training

 

1. Deacons
   1. more than an oversight board
2. Sunday School Teachers
   1. lack of care
   2. lack of interaction
   3. lack of outreach
3. Children's and Student Ministry leaders
   1. generational changes
   2. new challenges
4. Safety teams
   1. not just about getting to "carry" at church
5. Finance committees
   1. could pick several specif...