The Starting Well Podcast

On this season finale of the podcast, we review why starting well is so important, along with the five priorities to do so. As mentioned in the episode, here are the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Regional Consultants who stand ready to assist you in your ministry: Central Region: Barry Jeffries East Region: Dr. Jason Lowe North Central Region: Dr. Andy McDonald South Region: Dr. Andrew Dyer S...

Starting Well focuses on helping pastors get off to a good start during the early season of your ministry. However, there are other seasons as well. On this episode, we cover the five general seasons that every pastor experiences during his ministry, and why starting well is critical to finishing well.  ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License...

As you seek to implement change in your church, you and your congregation will likely go through a predictable set of emotions. In this episode, we discuss the five stages of this "emotional cycle of change," along with three real-life ministry examples that illustrate it. Special thanks to the Replant Bootcamp podcast for inspiring this episode. You can check out the original discussion...

How much change can your church handle at any given time? The answer is probably, "It depends." On this episode, we discuss how to determine your church's "change tolerance" by identifying the degree and pace of changes you plan to make. ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: ARFPJQDQLF0BSBR8

Even if the change you are considering is necessary, it doesn't mean your church members will immediately embrace it. That's why it's important to determine your church's readiness or openness to change. On this episode, we discuss ten questions that will help you do so. ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: ARFPJQD...

As your church's new pastor, you will implement changes from time to time. However, if you want to lead well through those changes, you'll want to determine if the change is absolutely necessary right now. On this episode, we discuss 6 questions to help you identify the necessity of the change you wish to make. ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july...

As your church's new pastor, you will implement changes from time to time. However, if you want to lead well through those changes, you need to begin by understanding the nature of any change you want to make. On this episode, we discuss 10 general categories of changes you may attempt to implement in your new church. This is episode is based on the article, " 10 Categories of Changes Yo...

Every church has a vocal minority who will often voice their disapproval of a pastor's leadership. However, every church also has a silent majority who will not express either approval or disapproval. If you want to start well, you'll want to listen to this silent majority to see how the people feel about the church's direction. This episode discusses four ways you can listen well w...

Discerning God's vision for your new church is only half the battle. After discerning that vision, you must communicate and implement it effectively. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Alan Witham to discuss tips on how to communicate and implement God's vision for your church.  This episode is based on the article, " Communicating and Implementing God's Vision for Your N...

Pastors are often tempted to begin their ministry at their new church by implementing a predetermined vision that has worked for them in a previous ministry or one they have observed in another church. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Alan Witham to discuss why a key to starting well is to listen well to discern God's vision for your new church.  This episode is based on the article,...

Pastors are never meant to serve in isolation, even if you are the only pastor in your church. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Andy McDonald to discuss why inviting others to speak into your life and ministry, and listening well to what they have to say, are critical to your success in ministry. This episode is based on the article, " Inviting Others to Speak Into Your Life and Minis...

Church constitutions, policies, and procedures are not the most glamorous part of pastoral ministry, but they are necessary. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Ian Carrico to discuss an adaptable framework to assist you as you review and potentially revise your church's governing documents. This episode is based on the article, " Strategies for Reviewing and Revising Your Church&ap...

The health of your pastoral ministry is deeply tied to the health of your family life. That's why it's critical to serve your new church well without neglecting your family. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Harold Best, who provides 10 practical suggestions to help you maintain a healthy balance between ministry and family during the early days of your pastoral journey. This epis...

On this Thanksgiving episode, Jason Lowe shares 10 reasons you, as a new pastor, can be thankful for your new church. Take a listen, and have a Happy Thanksgiving! ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mark-july/your-way License code: ARFPJQDQLF0BSBR8

As the holidays approach, every new pastor will encounter holiday traditions that are unique to his new church. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Josh Schmidt, pastor of Burlington Baptist Church in northern Kentucky, to discuss strategies for navigating those traditions with wisdom and grace at Christmas and during other holidays throughout the year. ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Crea...

As you get settled into your ministry at your new church, you will quickly discover its current reality. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Alan Witham to discuss several practical tools that can help you learn that reality. We also discuss what to do if the current reality you find doesn't match the reality that was described to you by the Pastor Search Committee. This episode is based...

As you begin serving in your new church, it is essential to recognize that the church's history is deeply tied to its community. Therefore, if you want to start well, you'll need to learn about the church's community. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Eric Allen, who provides several practical and strategic suggestions for doing so. This episode is based on the article, &quot...

As you begin serving in your new church, you'll likely know less than anyone else about the church. That's why it's so important to learn well about your new church in the early days of your ministry. In this episode, Steve Rice and Jason Lowe continue last week's conversation and discuss five more practical tips you can learn about your new church's history and culture. T...

As you begin serving in your new church, you'll likely know less than anyone else about the church. That's why it's so important to learn well about your new church in the early days of your ministry. In this episode, Steve Rice joins Jason Lowe to discuss five practical ways you can learn about your new church's history and culture. This episode is based on the article, "...

Every pastor makes mistakes. The question is, how do you respond whenever you do so? On this episode, we cover why owning up to your mistakes is a great way to love your church well, along with practical tips for how you can do so.  Resources mentioned on this episode include: Resolving Everyday Conflict by Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson The Peacemaker by Ken Sande ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for...

One of the best ways for new pastors to love their church well is through intentional prayer and meaningful follow-up. On this episode, Jason Lowe and Alan Witham continue their conversation with five more practical ways for a new pastor to pray for their flock. This episode is based on the article, " Praying for Your Flock ," written by Alan Witham. Other resources mentioned in this epi...

One of the best ways for new pastors to love their church well is through intentional prayer and meaningful follow-up. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined again by Alan Witham, who shares ten practical ways for a new pastor to pray for their flock. This episode is based on the article, " Praying for Your Flock ," written by Alan Witham. Other resources mentioned in this episode include...

A common nightmare among pastors is to forget an important event in the life of a church member. That's why it's essential to take and maintain good notes of your pastoral care. On this episode, Jason Lowe and Jeff Crabtree discuss why taking good notes is important, what types of notes to take, and practical tips for how to record those notes.  This episode is based on the article, &quo...

A new pastor's preaching ministry will be one of his first connections with his new church family. In this episode, Ian Carrico and Jason Lowe discuss how to love your church well through the illustrations and applications you use in your sermons, as well as some ways you might fail to love as well as you could through your preaching ministry. The digital copy of the resource mentioned in thi...

A new pastor's preaching ministry will be one of his first connections with his new church family. In this episode, Ian Carrico and Jason Lowe discuss five ways to love your church well through your preaching ministry. This episode is based on the article, " Love Well Through Your Preaching ," written by Ian Carrico.  ____ Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io...