The Church Things Podcast

How should elders organize themselves to do the work of the Lord in a local church?  There is no direct reference in the Bible to how they should be organized.  In this episode of the podcast, John Royse, one of the shepherds of The Hills Church in North Richland Hills, Texas, describes the unique model their elders use to organize themselves and some of the benefits of this model.

What is the first step church and ministry leaders should take for the health of their church or ministry?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the all-important step of conducting a reality check.  Then, they identify three steps church leaders may take to conduct that self-assessment.

Are you worried your people won't come back to church once the doors reopen?  Are you wondering if your church should continue streaming your worship service when you return to in-person worship?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky continue their conversation regarding what church leaders can do if people don't "come back to church."  Then, they address the question: Should churc...

Some studies indicate that as many as 20-30% of a church's members will not return to in-person worship services once the pandemic has run its course.  What should church leaders do if church members don't come back?  How should they respond?  Kerry and Becky discuss a few suggestions in this episode.

What can be done when a church is stuck, and changes need to be made?  How may church leaders begin--where do they start--to make the necessary changes that will help them make forward progress?  The first step is to create urgency for change.  But how is that done?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss two ways to pave the way for change: by communicating a positive vision of the opportunitie...

Since it is true that our resources, time, and energies are limited, we should admit the reality that there are only so many things we can do well.  How does this apply to your church?  Are there ministries, programs, and activities in your church that need to be pruned?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the first step in the pruning process: staying in touch with reality!  It is acknowled...

Do any of the ministries or programs in your church need to be pruned?  Why prune ministries at all?  What is the value in pruning programs and ministries?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky apply the gardening principle of pruning to the ministries and programs of a  church.  They discuss the distinction between "hurt" and "harm," doing something that may only hurt temporarily ...

Whether during a pandemic or otherwise, conscientious church leaders understand their responsibility to keep watch over the souls in their charge (Hebrews 13:17).  But how is that staggering responsibility accomplished?  What can church leaders do to stay connected with the members of their church and keep them from "falling through the cracks"?  Several church leaders were  surveyed and...

When should a minister consider a move?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss scenarios in which it might be advisable, even necessary, for a minister to relocate.  When might it be best for the minister and his or her family to consider a move?  When might it be best for the church and the kingdom of God for the minister to move?  Join us for this discussion!

There are times when ministers and their families consider moving from one church to another.  Sometimes, a move may be recommended.  But, when might it not   be a good time to move?  In this episode Kerry and Becky discuss four scenarios in which it may not be a good time to leave a particular ministry for another.  Feel free to join the discussion!

In this episode, Kerry and Becky answer a couple of questions they received in response to recent podcasts, questions related to the independence of church leaders: What does it mean that ministers need some degree of independence from their elders or other church leaders?  Should the fear of backlash from the church affect the decisions church leaders make?  Interesting and relevant questions!  J...

Is longevity in ministry always a good thing for the church?  What do you do if a minister who is hurting a church won't leave?  What do you do if the leaders of the church won't deal with a a minister who, by most accounts, should leave?  Who should hold ministers accountable, why  church leaders should hold them accountable, and how ministers should be held accountable are some of the...

Why should minsters plan to stay where they have been called to serve?  Why should they not look to move from a certain field of service too quickly?  And why should church leaders plan to keep ministers in their churches for the long haul?  Join Kerry and Becky as they discuss some of the advantages of longevity in ministry.

What is one of the primary works of ministry?  How important is diligent Bible study for ministers?  Who must lead the church (besides Jesus)?  Can ministers be too bonded to the elders of their congregation?  Join Kerry and Becky as they discuss four more foundational principles of effective ministry.  

What is your motivation for ministry?  Are you a hard worker?  Do you see yourself as a servant?  Do you love people?  These are some of the questions Kerry and Becky urge church leaders and every follower of Christ to ask in this episode as they discuss some of the key, foundational principles of effective ministry.

Do you feel a sense of calling from God on your life?  Like the Apostle Paul and so many of the prophets of the Old Testament, do you feel God has tapped you on the shoulder and given you a job to do?  Church leaders need to feel a sense of calling, at the very least, in order to endure suffering, hardship, and persecution.  But, how might one confirm a calling?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky i...

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a difficult and challenging year for God's people.  But, with a new year before us, there are reasons for hope.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss five reasons church leaders can be hopeful in 2021.

Why keep a daily appointment with God?  What are the basic components of a daily quiet time with him?  How can a person start such a practice?  These and other questions regarding a daily meetup with God are discussed in this episode.

How does one cope with suicide loss?  What may church leaders do or say to help those who are suffering from suicide loss?  What may be said or done that does not help?  Toni Webb, who lost her son to suicide, shares her experiences, advice, and suggestions for those who have suffered suicide loss and for church leaders who aim to help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide.  

What is "moving the needle" and what is not "moving the needle" in our church family?  What are we doing that is moving us in the direction we desire to go?  What programs or events need to be modified or discontinued because they are not "moving the needle"?  These are some of the questions church leaders ask who feel they are accountable to their church's goals...

What is the difference between a church's mission and vision?  What are the church programs that might be called her "core growth engines"?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky answer questions that often surface in their Effective Church Leaders Workshops.

In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the need for church leaders to engage two groups of people.  They discuss two types of engagement strategies: strategies that engage insiders to grow in Christ and strategies that engage outsiders to encourage them to become followers of Jesus.     

Sociologists and therapists speak of "closed family systems," and unfortunately a church can become a "closed system."  What are some of the characteristics of closed systems and how may those characteristics show up in a church?  The sad fact is that church leaders may unknowingly be promoting attitudes that keep their church closed to outsiders and that keep those inside the...

Kerry and Becky get down to the nitty-gritty in this episode as they offer recommendations for what should compose a church's online, digital strategy.  After researching several church websites, they identified several best practices of churches that are trying to reach out to their communities and reach people where they are--online!  If you are interested in trying to reach those who may a...

Churches that want to reach new people for Jesus need to meet those people where they are.  And where are they?  Online!  So what steps can churches take to build a digital strategy for reaching those who are outside the faith and outside the church.  Kerry and Becky discuss five steps--from clarifying engagement goals with those who may be disinterested to creating a dashboard to measure the prog...