Enduring Churches Podcast with Alan and Trent

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.

Episode 365: 7 Ways to Make Your Church Ready for Easter Attractional versus Attractive Make sure your property is clean and prepared. You get one opportunity to make a first impression.   Build a sense of expectancy. Talk about how significant the day is. We are celebrating a risen Savior! We should expect the power of the resurrection to overwhelm.   Train your church to greet guests, especially...

What Makes Pastoral Ministry a Question Mark after Year 10? 1. Ministry has become our occupation not our calling. 2. Our leadership and methods sometimes grow stagnant. 3. We focus too much of on energy on internal church matters. 4. We believe we have earned the right to make most of the decisions. 5. We fail to be honest about the present condition of the church. 6. We only focus on problem peo...

Episode363: Where Do You Find Pastors and Staff   Trent and Alan discuss finding candidates for pastoral ministry and church staff. 

Episode 362: Spaced Out   1. Assess your space constantly. 2. Look for where you are not maximizing your space. 3. Chairs over pews... 4. Creative possibilities for extra space....  - in the 70's churches had classes meeting in old buses outside the building 5. Plan Multiple services/ classes  -change everyone's schedule Communication 1. Communicate a "no ownership of spaces" mindset 2. Communicat...

Episode 360: Doomed to Repeat It!!   Here are some questions for you to consider ( some questions adapted from Henry Blackaby's book Flickering Lamps)   1. How was your church started - was it started from a split from another church? Or was it an intentional plant from another church?   2. What did the founders intend when they started your church? Was there a specific group they were trying to r...

Episode 359: The Trust Axis of Leadership   The diagram is for personal use; any professional or publication use requires proper attribution. Trust Axis Diagram

358: Need a Team of Volunteers? From Gary McIntosh in *The 10 Key Roles of a Pastor* 1. Look at every person as a potential team member 2. Encourage people to serve the Lord on the basis of their love for Him. 3. Don't downplay the role; magnify it. 4. Don't recruit in the hallway. (Make an appointment) 5. Introduce potential recruits to those already in the same ministry.     - in a small church,...

Episode 357: How to End and Begin a New Year!   Evaluation - By this time, the Christmas programs are usually over, and parties are wrapping up.   So take a lunch with your staff or leadership and do some evaluation.  First of all, pay for their lunch - its a good investment. Second, ask them to evaluate a few things. How do you feel that your area of ministry is handling life? How would you rate...

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 3 more hours with my kids 2 more White Elephant parties...

Episode 355: Mistakes that Still Make Stop and Think Making changes without the best information Not setting clear expectations for leadership Adding members too easily Not letting people go graciously Not sharing my leadership sooner. Not joining a community of pastors sooner Not taking all my vacation time each year Preaching too much -  not taking sabbath

Episode 354: 5 Communication Skills I Want to Develop   I want to develop better skills in...   Asking more impactful Questions Listening to others more clearly Telling stories more compellingly Employing empathy sincerely Preaching with connectivity