Trench Talk

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(00:50) Setting up the topic: Cultivating joy in church communities(02:30) Biblical texts on joy: 2 Corinthians 1, Philippians 1, First Peter(05:15) The relational and gospel roots of joy(08:30) Joy as motivation for perseverance and healthy church culture(12:10) Joy in pastors: Impact on ministry and faithfulness(19:00) Cultivating joy in leadership teams: Balancing challenges and celebrations(26:10) Cultivating congregational joy: Personal approaches and worship practices(32:10) Practical steps: Preventing burnout, purpose in service, and meaningful worship(35:00) Prayer and spiritual encouragement for

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:13) Dr. Smith’s Background: Early life, move to Cincinnati, and family influences.(05:07) Ministry Balance: Balancing family commitments and itinerant ministry; racial reconciliation as a key focus.(07:12) Pastoral Experience: Pastoring New Mission Baptist Church, the importance of pastoral care.(09:02) Teaching at Beeson: Teaching homiletics, a Christ-centered approach, and memorable student stories.(14:37) Impact on Students: Mentoring, celebrating ministry milestones, and the joy of seeing students thrive.(18:31) Advice for Young Preachers: The importance of immersing oneself in Scripture and finding your preaching voice.(24:47) Observations on Ministry: Encouragements and concerns in pastoral ministry today.(34:11) Dr. Smith’s Reassignment: Embracing a new season of ministry, faith in God's guidance.(35:04) Final word and prayer for Dr. Smith ongoing ministry.

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(06:14) Setting up the topic(10:29) Fear of hurting church members(15:52) Losing pastoral passion and affection(18:57) Preventing church division(24:04) Practical advice for managing pastoral fears

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(04:05) Setting the Context (07:28) Biblical Foundations (10:42) Internal Pressures on Pastors (13:22) Understanding Congregational Dynamics (18:36) External Pressures (21:14) Rooting Out Fear of Man (28:51) Pastoral Advice for Future Crises (33:24) Practical Approach to Addressing Sensitive Topics (35:12) Closing Prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveWrite a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(02:01) Biblical Foundation for Unity (08:39) Essential Areas of Agreement for Elders Membership and leadership selection First-tier doctrinal issues (deity of Christ, salvation) Issues affecting church unity(16:31)Handling Disagreements directly while avoiding gossip and slander(28:00) Practical Practices for Healthy Eldership (33:05) Final words and prayer

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveFind out more information about the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(00:00) Introduction and welcome (01:13) Discussion about Jim's recent theater production (05:00) Setting up the discussion: Church building programs (06:35) Biblical perspective from Luke 14 on counting the cost (09:07) Jim's church history and initial building phases (14:06) Financial considerations for building (17:56) Discussion on church growth and potential solutions (25:00) Financial wisdom in building programs (28:51) Strategies for churches with space constraints (35:00) Closing thoughts on church planting and building

(02:12) Scripture foundation and setting up the topic from Psalm 68 (07:16) Bryce's background in ministry and entrepreneurship(10:00) Discussion on foster care (12:20) Shocking statistic: 80% of foster youth age out in a difficult situation (18:01) How pastors can help and get involved with foster care (25:00) Connection between foster care and human trafficking (27:51) Introduction to Bryce's podcast "Fracture to Flourish" Key Statistics: 20,000 youth age out of foster care annually80% of those who age out are incarcerated, dead, or addicted within 3 yearsLess than 1% of aged-out foster youth go to college60-70% of trafficking victims had contact with foster care systemRecommended Resources: Podcast: "Fracture to Flourish"Organizations: Orphan Care Alliance, Foster the City, Forever HomesContact: Bryce@accessventures.org

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:17) Theological and Cultural Struggles (13:06) Costs of Theological Convictions (16:56) Planting Urban Hope Community Church (23:27) Gospel-Centered Ministry Approach (33:02) Grocery Store and Building Acquisition (41:08) Future Vision (43:04) Closing Prayer Requests

(02:29) Background on how Brian and Kyle met Pastor Alton(04:10) Pastor Alton discusses his vision for church planting (07:24) Sharing his initial prayer and vision for the church (12:43) Challenges of the first five years of ministry (16:34) Current church growth and encouragement (24:12) Leadership Initiative details (29:42) Training approach for young men in the Leadership Initiative (37:41) Detoxing from victim mentality and understanding God's sovereignty Main Topics: Visit websites: www.urbanhopecc.com www.manifoldvision.org

Contact us. We’d love to serve youGive financially to support the work of helping pastors thriveRegister for the Advancing the Church Conference. Write a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Resources(03:01) Theological Foundations of Hobbies(07:32) Jim's Acting Experience(12:42) Importance of Enjoying Hobbies(18:12) Examples of Personal Hobbies(22:50) Pastoral Challenges with Hobbies(26:11) Practical Advice for Finding Hobbies(32:18) Final word and prayer