Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

Episode 398: Budget Season is Upon Us   Remember, a budget is a tool, not a solution Remember, generosity breeds generosity. Remember, no one can champion the budget like the pastor. Remember,  a budget helps identify your true values. Remember, many ministries can function with little money. Remember, planning for deferred maintenance is a good use of our resources. Remember, bathe your church bu...

Episode 395: Pastor Appreciation is More than a Month

Episode394: Healthy Leader Rhythms and a little help from AI   ABIDE — Stay connected to Christ. LEARN — Continue growing as a student. PREPARE — Give thoughtful preparation. SHARE — Involve others in ministry. REST — Recognize your limits and receive God’s gift of rest. MULTIPLY — Develop others rather than doing everything yourself.    

Episode 393: Am I too Passive or Aggressive Read the Article by Seth Troutt Failure to Act or Failure of Action

Episode392: 5 Assumptions That Will Push You Out the Door   When you assume that your role entitles you to be the chief decision-maker. When you assume questions are attacks. When you assume you are fully educated. When you assume you are above certain sins. When you assume you’ve earned extra consideration.

Episode 391: Distractions in the Worship Service

Episode 390: Mismatched Hires?   Today Alan and Trent interact with  "Autopsy of a Mismatched Hire" By Andy Johnson July 14, 2026 https://baptistsearchpartners.com/2026/07/14/autopsy-of-a-mismatched-hire/  

Episode 382: Trent's Interview with Ray Carty of Hannibal-LaGrange University   Learn more about HLG

Episode 381: Change versus Stability

How much Money does a Church Need in Reserve Is it time-based 3 months, 6 months, 9 months Is it budget-based Is it staff-based Is it insurance-based Some considerations Ministry versus security Giving trends Budgetary changes staff…. utilities Insurance changes

Episode 379: When a Bias For Action is a Bad Thing   Most of us have what you’d call a bias for action. We want to make things happen. When is that a negative?   When accuracy matters more than speed When we don’t have much evidence When we are avoiding pushback When we continually shift priorities When we intentionally harm others

Episode 377: Thinking About the Church Schedule Consider : your people’s schedules time traditions needs workers space training  

Episode 376: That Crazy Little Thing Called EQ   How you respond under pressure… > How you handle conflict… > How you process emotions… > How you communicate with people…   We got this idea from leaders.church . The how you respond came from them. Everything else is Trent and II talking through them.

Episode 375 link to article  

Episode 374: All About Traditions   Trent and alan discuss the good and bad of traditions in the church.

Episode 373: 4 People You Need in Your Life

Episode 372: Do's and Don'ts of Leading a Staff   1. Do value each team member as a co-laborer in the mission; do not treat them as merely an employee. 2. Do provide intentional training and ongoing feedback; do not assume growth will occur without guidance. 3. Do affirm and support your staff publicly; do not undermine them through criticism or negative speech. 4. Do address concerns privately an...

371: How to Respond to Criticism   A special thanks to Dana Young for this note on facing criticism.   1st admit that you are not perfect. Jesus was the only perfect human to walk the earth, and you are not Him. Take ownership and admit that you always have room for improvement.   2nd assess whether the criticism is constructive or destructive. Is it intended to help you improve or to tear you dow...

Episode 370: 7 Keys for Moving People from Guests to Engaged Members   Make sure you ask for contact information, remembering that less is more. You need a name and a contact method, preferably a phone number. If they put kids in your care, you can ask for more information for safety reasons. But don't overtask. Reach out quickly; the more quickly we reach out, the more powerful the statement. A q...

Episode 369: Onboarding Onboarding  Most churches don’t put much thought into onboarding new paid staff or new volunteers  For all  1–Is there a written job description for the position? 2–What are the written expectations?  3–Are there any unwritten expectations- landmines  For volunteers  1–Is there a time limit for this volunteer position- ie. is there an out or not.  2–Can you explain briefly...

Episode 368 - 4 ways we might overestimate or underestimate our preaching 4 ways we overestimate 1. We overestimate preaching a discipleship tool. 2. We overestimate preaching as an evangelism tool. 3. We overestimate our performance. 4. We overestimate our influence. 4 ways we underestimate 1. We undervalue the importance of connection 2. We undervalue the power of the Spirit to change lives 3. W...

Episode 367: Enduring Work of Pre-marital Guidance Resources: Marriage by Paul David Tripp Symbis by Les and Leslie Parrot Love and respect by Emerson Egritch Videos by Mark Gungor   Focus on the family   Marriage mentoring - seasoned with newlyweds Having couple-friends who esteem marriage - won’t let you talk bad about your spouse Marriage retreats- check up from the neck up Weekly calendaring -...

Episode 366: 8 Ways to Use a Budget Surplus 1. Fund a deferred maintenance account 2. Increase your mission giving. 3. Subsidize mission trips among your members. 4. Support a church plant. 5. Start a new ministry. 6. Explore staff need and staff pay. 7. Consider building improvements. 8. Begin a fund for Insurance/Self-insurance.