Rescuing Churches with Stan Givens

This week on the show, Josh discusses seven ways to know whether or not your church website is just plain awful. And let's be honest: There are a lot of awful church websites out there these days. Here's his list of the seven basic criterion of an awful church website:  It's unfriendly. It's confusing.  It doesn't have a Google Maps plug-in.  It has obsolete and/or useless...

In a follow-up to last year's episode on pastoral pet peeves, Stan & Josh discuss five additional things that flat out annoy Stan as an older, aging pastor.  Links mentioned in this episode:  Five Pastoral Pet Peeves Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

This week on the show, Stan & Josh discuss eight practical ways that churches can engage with their local communities and surrounding neighborhoods as they strive to build relations and share the Gospel.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

This week on the show, Stan & Josh discuss five things that Stan has learned about small church life in his 20-plus years as the lead pastor of a small church.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

In this episode, Stan & Josh discuss one of Josh's recent Church Comms blog posts outlining ten different ways that church digital media operators can avoid stress and frustration during live worship events and services. Links mentioned in this episode: 10 Simple Ways To Avoid Frustrations As A Digital Media Operator During The Service   Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries:...

Stan & Josh sit down with several guests from mixed backgrounds for a conversation on what people look for in a local church.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

This week on the show Stan & Josh discuss four different types of churches and comparatively contrast them against one another: Mausoleum Churches, Museum Churches, Mindless Churches, and Ministering Churches.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

Stan & Josh chat with a few pastors and ministry leaders who attended our Shepherd's Summit back in July to see what they learned, how their perspectives have changed, what they took back to their congregations, and how they might advise other small church pastors.  Links mentioned in this episode:  karlvaters.com reachmycity.com   Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: faceb...

Stan & Josh welcome University of West Alabama licensed professional counselor Dr. Brad Willis to the show to discuss several issues ranging from anxiety and trauma in our current culture to pastors who are in need of counseling and how they can find local mental health professionals in their area. We'll also touch on burnout, depression, discouragement, and much more.  Resources Mentione...

Stan & Josh discuss new information out from Lifeway Research which finds that the majority of Americans wants to avoid fear and anxiety, while gaining freedom and safety. Articles mentioned in this episode: Americans Most Want To Avoid Fear And Anxiety, Gain Freedom And Safety Resources mentioned in this episode: " Anxious For Nothing" by Max Lucado   Support the show Be sure to fol...

This week on the show Stan & Josh discuss three of the most common ways that the senior saints of a church can kill the mission of the church — oftentimes without even realizing it.  They stay focused on the past.  They see church as a Sunday meeting only.  They stand in the way of changes that help younger families to like your church.  This episode will also include tips and recommendations...

In this episode, Stan reflects on three things that he would have done differently in his early pastoral years if he could wind the tape back 10-15 years:  Invest a lot more time in the men of the church. Have more people share their testimonies regularly in the service. Develop the elders' passion for the Gospel and discipleship more. Links mentioned in this episode: On The Power of Testimon...

In this episode, Josh discusses the topic that he spoke on at our recent Shepherd's Summit pastoral conference. Subjects covered: What is digital ministry? Is there such a thing? Digital ministry definition: When the Local Church takes advantage of technology and leverages in order to spread the Gospel, thereby helping people grow in their faith, knowledge of the Word, get involved in church,...

Stan and Josh discuss the importance of pastors taking the time to refresh their souls and how that differs from refreshing your spirit, mind, and body.  Resources Mentioned In This Episode "Deacons" by 9 Marks "Deacons" by 9Marks — available on Amazon here karlvaters.com Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter:...

In anticipation of our upcoming Shepherd's Summit pastoral conference, we wanted to take this week to replay one of our previous interviews with Karl Vaters who will be the featured keynote speaker at the event. This episode tackles everything from COVID's impact on the Local Church At Large to essentials for church health, leadership, and much more. Access Karl and his ministry and reso...

In this episode, Josh takes listeners inside the best pro tips for managing and enhancing your Sunday morning livestream, as well as your overall online engagement.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

In this week's episode, Stan and Josh tackle the difficult issue of allowing God & the Holy Spirit to lead our worship services and sermons rather than ourselves.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

Stan & Josh discuss the importance of the church talking about God outside the walls of the building. Resources mentioned in this episode: Jonny Gaston and Reach My City Life On Mission The Shepherd's Summit 2021 with Karl Vaters Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

Stan and Josh discuss Josh's latest blog post dealing with how healthy churches can and should focus on streamlining their communication procedures in ways that keep everything smooth, uncomplicated, simple, and as peaceful and stressless as possible. Links mentioned in this episode: The Best Communication Techniques For Healthy Churches To Use In 2021 Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14...

This week on the show Stan & Josh conclude their three-part discussion on imagery used in the Bible to represent and describe the Local Church. In this episode, they cover 5) The Priesthood of Believers and 6) The Family of God.  Links mentioned in this episode:  Images of the Church: Part 1 Images of the Church: Part 2 Learn more about the Shepherd's Summit Support the show Be sure to fo...

Stan & Josh continue their three-part discussion on imagery used in the Bible to represent and describe the Local Church. In this episode, they cover 3) The Body of Christ and 4) The Bride of Christ. Links mentioned in this episode:  Register for the Shepherd's Summit karlvaters.com   Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitte...

Stan & Josh kick off the start of a three-part discussion on imagery used in the Bible to represent and describe the Local Church. In this episode, they'll cover 1) the imagery of the flock and 2) the imagery of the building.  Resources mentioned in this episode: "They Smell Like Sheep" by Dr. Lynn Anderson "They Smell Like Sheep: Volume 2" by Dr. Lynn Anderson   Links...

Stan & Josh discuss some recent Barna Group research and statistics on young family church attendance and how pastors can reach and relate to the young family demographic.  Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

Stan & Josh discuss the concept of every local church having a footprint in its surrounding and immediate community. Links mentioned in this episode: On Evangelizing In A Divisive Culture (with Jonny Gaston) Support the show Be sure to follow 6:14 Ministries: facebook.com/614rebuild Instagram: @614rebuild Twitter: @614rebuild Learn more at 614ministries.org

Stan and Josh sit down with local evangelist and minister Jonny Gaston of Reach My City to discuss his personal testimony and the importance of evangelism in today's culture. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: The Bible Study Podcast with Jonny Gaston "Seven Steps To Freedom" — Neil Anderson Reach My City livingwaters.com Contemplating suicide? Call the National Suicide...