The Church Things Podcast

In Part 2 in their series, How to Welcome Guests to the Sunday Assembly, Becky and Kerry discuss the practice of asking guests to complete a visitor's card and asking them to stand or be recognized in some way.  Also, they talk about the value of guests texting their presence in the assembly and ways in which churches can show appreciation for their visit.

How should churches welcome first-time guests to their weekend assemblies?  What qualities do church leaders need to look for in those who serve as greeters?  How important is it for church leaders to create a compelling and remarkable assembly?  Becky and Kerry discuss these and other questions in Part 1 of their series: "How to Welcome Guests to the Sunday Assembly."  

What content should and should not be included on a church's website?  Bryce and Susanna Kidwell discuss this question and give recommendations for how to get started on building an effective website in Part 2 in their series, "Do's and Don'ts for Church Websites."  

Why is a church's website so important?  What content should and should not be included on that website?  In this episode, Kerry discusses these questions and others with Bryce and Susanna Kidwell, who have done much research on the subject.  Consider their suggestions and recommendations in Part 1 of the series, "Do's and Don'ts for Church Websites."  

In this episode, Kerry and Becky answer questions that were submitted by listeners regarding their series, How to Attract More Guests to Your Sunday Morning Assembly.

Do you know whom you are trying to reach?  Do you have an intentional strategy to engage guests before they ever visit your church?  In Episode #5 in their series, How to Attract More Guests to Your Sunday Morning Assembly, Kerry and Becky discuss the need to develop a pre-guest, marketing strategy for your church and offer a few suggestions on how to get started.

According to Scripture, Jesus "went about doing good" (Acts 10:36-38).  Shouldn't his church be doing the same?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss ways in which local churches can serve their communities.  Who can doubt that a church that is known for being for their community might bring more people to their doors, people who are searching for more in their lives which they...

In the third episode in their series, How to Attract More Guests to Your Sunday Morning Assembly, Kerry and Becky discuss a simple method to grow the Sunday Morning assembly: invite your unchurched friends to church.  But, how many of us have unchurched friends?  And how can we develop relationships with the unchurched?

In this episode in their series, How to Attract More Guests to Your Sunday Morning Assembly, Kerry and Becky discuss the need to create a compelling Sunday morning service.  Why should church leaders consider how to make the Sunday morning time together as good as it can be?  And what does a compelling service look like in practical terms?  Join us for some practical suggestions on what we can do...

One of the questions that church leaders ask is: What can we do to attract more guests to our Sunday morning assembly?  That's an important question for churches who want to arrest their decline and accomplish their mission!  In this episode, the first in a series on Attracting Guests, Kerry and Becky discuss two, fundamental questions: Why should churches care about attracting more guests to...

Mid-December to mid-January can be one of the most important times on the church calendar.  It's a time for the church to look back on how God has blessed them in the last twelve months and to look ahead to a new year.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky offer suggestions on what church leaders can do to inspire their church during this time and to make the most of this once-a-year opportunity.

How should church leaders respond to moral failure?  In the fourth and final episode in their podcast series on Moral Failure in Church Leaders, Becky and Kerry discuss how church leaders should respond when allegations of moral failure are found to be true.

What should church leaders do if allegations are made against a ministry staff member?  How should they respond?  In Part Three of their series on Moral Failure in Church Leaders, Becky and Kerry offer suggestions on developing a response protocol when sexual allegations are raised.

In Part Two of their series on Moral Failure in Church Leaders, Becky and Kerry offer suggestions on what church leaders may do to prevent this kind of failure from occurring.  They discuss potential warning signs of moral failure, reasons even long-term ministers may fall, and questions that church leaders may ask themselves to see if they are in danger of falling.

Undoubtedly, moral failure is a real and prevalent problem among church leaders today.  What is moral failure?  What is the scope of the problem?  What are some common characteristics shared by those who, tragically, experience it?  This is Part One in a four-part series dealing with moral failure in the church.

Should preachers and ministers participate in a counseling ministry?  According to a 2018 Thom Rainer poll, many say, "No."  A majority of ministers polled listed counseling as their least favorite activity of ministry.  Why?  In this episode, Becky and Kerry discuss the potential downside of a minister's involvement in the counseling of church members.

Many in our churches face specific, and sometimes complex problems.  How may church leaders assist these people with the special care they need?  In this episode, Becky and Kerry discuss the differences and similarities between pastoral counseling and professional counseling and the value of professional therapy in the church's toolbox. 

Do you find yourself spending the bulk of your time on the urgent, but having no time for the important?  Here are a few tips for church leaders who struggle to allocate time for their most important tasks, the tasks for which only they are responsible.

How may church leaders and leadership teams reach decisions?  Often, they look for consensus, but there are other ways.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss seven ways to make a decision and the disadvantages and advantages of each.

Once church leaders have identified why they exist and where they are going, the next crucial question is: How will we get there?  This episode is all about how to construct a plan, or long-term strategy for accomplishing the vision.

Should church leaders give attention to planning for the future?  Is it legitimate for those who believe they are God-directed to think about what they intend to do in the years to come?  If there is value in setting goals and painting a picture of a desired future, isn't planning essential?  Join us for a discussion of the legitimacy of planning for the future. 

Welcome to The Effective Church Leaders Podcast where we offer practical advice and insights to help you get better equipped, lead more effectively, and help your church thrive!  In this introductory podcast Kerry and Becky explain why they are beginning this podcast, what they have to offer, and who will benefit from listening.

Why do we exist?  It's a critical question, not only for individuals, but for churches and church leadership teams, as well!  In this episode we discuss tips to help church leaders identify the core purpose of their church and of their leadership teams.  What is your reason for being?  This is square one for helping your church thrive.  Don't miss it!

Once church leaders determine why they and the church exists, the next question to address is, "Where are we going?"  We all need a picture of what God wants us to do or be in the years to come.  But, what are the steps church leaders need to take to identify a three- or five-year vision?  Join us for this episode as we discuss the "why" and the "how" of vision-castin...