Revitalize and Replant

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Lifeway about some difficult people you will encounter in church and ministry life.The DominatorThe DodgerThe DebaterThe DrainerResources Related to this Episode:4 Difficult People You’ll Encounter in Ministry – and How to Handle Them by Christ Surratt

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors should prepare and preach the invitation.Every sermon needs to lead to an intentional ask, call, or response.Never assume the hearer knows what to do. In fact, assume their next move needs to be directed by clearly articulated direction.Spend time in your preparation:Identifying what response should be made after the message.Craft thoughtful expressions of calling for salvation, service, or obedience.Decide whether there should be application following each point, or one invitational call at the end of the meeting.Make sure you plan to leave significant time and energy for your invitation and never let it be an afterthought.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how the word “revitalization” can sometimes be uncomfortable, and why the word “renew” may better communicate what we mean.Become a praying church.Understand the church’s mission.Focus on what God can do.The Word is the Word to follow.Serve God with glory.Resources Related to this Episode:5 Steps to Local Church Renewal by Desmond Barrett

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how some things for pastors to think through when it comes to their attire on Sunday mornings.Ask the question, “What does what I’m wearing communicate?”You don’t want your clothes to distract.Wear clothes that are culturally appropriate, but plain.“Be prayerful and honest with yourself about this. Sure, not everyone will agree with where you fall on this issue, but I would encourage two things: 1) make sure your conscience is clear before the Lord in this and 2) always err on the side of plain and unimpressive.” – Mark HallockResources Related to this Episode:What Should a Pastor Wear by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about some ways to pray for children who have strayed from the faith.Pray for a heart of brokenness, no matter the earthly cost.Pray against the enemy’s desire to have them.Pray specific Scripture over their life.Resources Related to this Episode:Pray Them Home by Sarah Walton

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some types of sermons that just don’t hit the mark.The “I want to show you how creative and clever I am” sermon.The “I want to be real and authentic and vulnerable at all costs” sermon.The “I am passionate about biblical and systematic theology, and you should be too” sermon.The “I love to make the Bible practical for all people without explaining to them what it means” sermon.The “I want you to live the purposeful, prosperous, victorious life you deserve” sermon.Resources Related to this Episode:5 Types of Sermons That Fall Short by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about the danger of gossip and slander in the life of a church.Here are good questions to evaluate whether the things you are hearing are information you need to know as a pastor or if it’s entering into the realm of gossip:Does this information involve me or affect me directly?What is the motive of the person who passed this information on to me?What is going on in my heart? Resources Related to this Episode:Fighting the “Respectable” Sins of Gossip and Slander by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about some things pastors should know about the kids in their church.Know their names and basic info.Know what they enjoy. Know where they are spiritually.Resources Related to this Episode:3 Things Pastors Should Know About Every Kid in Your Church by Mark HallockShepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted TrippHow does a Pastor Respond to: “When Is My Child Ready for Baptism?” by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst discuss what to do when you have a church of primarily older adults.Don’t use a cheesy name for senior adult ministries.Don’t underestimate the value of senior adults. Find ways to connect your older adults with younger folks in the church.Find some way for an older church to be involved in children’s ministry.Use people to read Scripture publicly in your worship service.Use prayer warriors to lead your people to pray.

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst discuss some reasons pastors get depressed and why they often don’t talk about it.Spiritual warfareThe surprising reality of pastoral leadershipSense of inadequacyCritics and bulliesLonelinessResources Related to this Episode:5 Reasons Pastors Get Depressed (And Why They Don’t Talk About It) by Thom Rainer