EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King

The work-from-home movement went into full swing during the pandemic. Many pastors and church staff changed the way they worked. But what is best? How should you manage others? Josh and Sam talk about the pros and cons of working in different settings. Consistency and accountability are key to productivity. Episode Sponsor: This summer, Southwestern Seminary announced a new name and vision for the...

You can learn from well-known influencers without trying to become just like the person influencing you. What is a healthy approach to learning from nationally-known church leaders? Josh and Sam make comments on their biggest influences and how they have been shaped. They also discuss the podcast phenomenon, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. Episode Sponsor: This summer, Southwestern Seminary announ...

At some point, every church will encounter a dangerous individual. What is the proper response? How elevated should you get? What is your role? Josh and Sam discuss their experience in dealing with protestors, potential acts of violence, and protecting children. Crazy and dangerous people may come to your church. You need to be ready. Episode Sponsor: This summer, Southwestern Seminary announced a...

Many churches have women who serve on staff. A number of them have children. Beth Howe joins the show to discuss what "balance" really looks like and how churches can be sensitive to working moms. She gives some creative and practical solutions for pastors and churches. Episode Sponsor: This summer, Southwestern Seminary announced a new name and vision for their undergraduate college. Scarborough...

Josh's Administrative Assistant joins the show to discuss what it looks like to be a Pastoral Assistant in 2021. We give helpful discussion points in defining the relationship as well as setting expectations and working well together. From calendaring and correspondence to providing helpful and timely information during a discussion and assistant can be incredibly helpful. This show will help you...

What are some best practices for leading premarital counseling sessions? On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss their approaches. What are some good questions to ask couples? How can you not make this counseling a waste of everyone's time? Two books to consider as resources are Right from the Start and The Meaning of Marriage. Episode Sponsors: Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist The...

Most pastors love their churches and sacrifice much to serve the people they lead. Unfortunately, there are a few rotten examples out there. Why do some churchgoers stay with them? On this episode, Josh and Sam talk about the reasons why people tolerate and stick with bad pastors. This episode is a follow-up conversation to a recent article at Church Answers here: https://churchanswers.com/blog/wh...

Almost every pastor will make a transition to another church at some point. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss how you can leave without making a mess on your way out. There are some simple but edifying ways to shepherd your church as you transition. Burning bridges will inevitably haunt you, sometimes even years later. Learn how you can avoid the trouble of leaving poorly. Episode Sponsors: Lo...

People make transitions, and sometimes you must help a person move from his or her current ministry position to a new one. There are good ways to transition church staff without firing them. On this episode, Josh and Sam talk about best practices and tips for showing grace when someone's time as a staff person closes. Episode Sponsors: Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological...

When a lead pastor transitions to another church, there is a void. If you are on staff or in a position of leadership, the interim period can be a difficult one to navigate. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss what you should do and what you shouldn't do during the interim. You can manage the interim by building excitement while at the same time not building your own kingdom. Episode Sponsors: L...

The hiring process at churches can be frustrating. What level of the pastor's involvement is appropriate? Some churches have an elder board. Others have a personnel committee. In some cases, the lead pastor calls all the shots. Josh and Sam discuss best practices with the hiring process. Episode Sponsors: Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to provi...

For a little fun, Josh and Sam make uninformed comments on hot button issues. Perhaps you've had questions from church members about cryptocurrency or aliens. Maybe a family has asked you if their dog is in heaven. We share our opinions. Don't listen to this episode if you don't have a sense of humor. Episode Sponsors: Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is comm...

On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss how outside toxicity can affect the church internally. Negativity can come from your tribe--denominations, associations, and networks. Should you ignore or engage these issues? We talk about how you can stay in tune with what’s going on without losing your mind. Sometimes your church has no clue about outside toxicity. Other times it can be a major problem. Th...

Building momentum can be a slow process. Jonathan Smith from Texas Baptists joins the show to explain how churches can pick up the pace. Even if you feel like the going is slow, anytime someone joins your church God is up to something. There is likely more happening than you realize. Jonathan discusses how celebration, assimilation, and mission are the keys to gaining momentum. Episode Sponsors: L...

Most pastors go through several stages of ministry with their churches. -Year 1: Honeymoon -Years 2 & 3: Conflict and Challenge -Years 4 & 5: Crossroads (Part 1) -Years 6-10: Harvest -Years 11 and Forward: Crossroads (Part 2) Josh and Sam discuss how COVID has impacted these stages and what to expect as the pandemic wanes. You may experience a pause effect, an exacerbation effect, or a reset effec...

Over the next several months, there will be more opportunities to go on a mission trip as countries open up. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss some tips for creating a revised mission strategy for your church. We talk about getting boots on the ground, formatting partnerships, and ideas for trips. You can inspire your church to go! Now is a good time to start. Episode Sponsors: Located in Fort...

What is ghostwriting? Do some pastors actually use ghostwriters? In this episode, Josh and Sam discuss the ethics of using other people to help write books and sermons. They also discuss the validity of aspiring to broaden your audience beyond your church. Additionally, this episode covers services that help with sermon outlines and illustrations. Should you use sermon outlines from another source...

There is no clock with creativity. Writers, musicians, and other artists are often inspired in the moment. Who owns the intellectual property created by a staff person while on church time? Should pastors and other staff use church equipment for their creative endeavors? In this episode, Josh and Sam interview Dee Black and talk through these issues. Check out Dee Black's new album, The Blood, Vol...

On this episode, Josh and Sam answer a listener question about inviting people back to the church for a milestone celebration. We cover some ideas for these kinds of events and how to have fun without spending a lot. Remember, you become what you celebrate. Church reunions and homecomings can be fun! Build milestone celebrations around your values and they are more likely to become part of your ch...

Many pastors talk about friendship and the importance of community, but not enough live it. A lot of pastors are lonely and need friends just like anyone else. Josh Teis joins the show and discusses how pastors can be more intentional about making friends. Listen to the episode and check out his new book, A Quest for Friendship. Get the book here: https://bit.ly/3dzKWVN Episode Sponsors: Located i...

Every church inevitably has Sundays with fewer people attending. Some Sundays stand out as the lowest. On this episode, Josh and Sam identify these Sundays and explain how you can make the most of them. The temptation is to do little with them. Some churches even cancel certain Sundays in the year. Don't cancel them! Low attendance Sundays are more of an opportunity than you might realize. Located...

Leading a church is more than vision, strategy, and tactics. Pastors must lead churches devotionally. The problem is our own frustrations can get in the way of devotional leadership. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss how pastors lead devotionals within the church and lead themselves with a personal devotional time. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is comm...

Many people are targeting Easter for their comeback to church. For a portion of your congregation, it will be their first Sunday back since the beginning of the pandemic. In this episode, Sam and Josh discuss what you can do to prepare for Easter services. We also give you a way to estimate how many are likely to attend this Easter. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Se...

This episode of EST features Michael Wood from First Baptist West Monroe LA. Josh and Michael talk through strategies for developing a culture wherein those being led not only have the opportunity to give constructive feedback but are actually empowered to do so. They will share some of the reason this culture is hard to build and why some church leaders will resist the concept in the first place....

Clint Pressley, Lead Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte NC, joins EST in this episode to discuss how to develop an appropriate work ethic as a pastor and minister. We talk about the dangers of not working hard and why so many people in ministry seem to develop a lazy approach to their labor. We also share ways you can develop a tenacity in the field that will lead to church suppor...