Revitalize and Replant

Music experts Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss why people don't sing in churches, covering topics like unfamiliar songs, unsuitable keys, lack of connection with the congregation, and the shift towards spectator events in worship services.

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some of the trends surrounding how baptism and the Lord’s Supper are observed today. Here are some items discussed on this episode: How communion practices have changed over the years. The importance of “fencing the table” for communion. Some thoughts on spontaneous baptisms. Can you baptize someone without them becoming a member of your church?

Mark welcomes Jonathan Smith, Director of Church Health and Growth for Texas Baptists. Here are some highlights: Empty seats in churches are not a bad thing, that means that there’s room for new people! With the resurrected Christ, there is always hope for every church! Put on display the church that you want to become. Some principles for increasing baptisms in your church: Preach on baptism twice a year. Only baptize one person per week, unless they are family members. Don’t baptize at the very beginning of the worship service. A significant portion of your congregation will miss the baptism if it’s at the very beginning of the service. A 3-week baptism plan: Week 1 – Announce that there will be a baptism next week and provide invitations for the baptism candidate to invite friends and families. Week 2 – Shoot a video of the baptism candidate answering two questions: 1) How did you come to faith in Christ? 2) How did this church help you come to faith in Christ? Show this video before the baptism. Week 3 – Show a video of the testimony and the baptism. Resources mentioned on this podcast: Texas Baptists PAVE process: txb.org/pave

Experienced pastor Mark Clifton, ministry transition expert Mark Hallock, and family ministry specialist Dan Hurst share tips for smoother ministry transitions. They discuss recalling memories, managing grief, settling into a new place, prioritizing family time, exploring the community, and maintaining family worship during the transition period.

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Kris Eldridge on some traits of toxic leaders. They are works-filled vs. grace-filled. They are all about their reputation They use people. They surround themselves with “yes” people. Pushback or disagreement are highly frowned upon. They are full of pride. They don’t lead well through change. Their leadership style is autocratic. They are self-absorbed. The fruit of the Spirit seems to be absent in their life. Resources related to this podcast: “10 Traits of Toxic Church Leadership” by Kris Elridge

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless about why pastors bear scars from churches they serve. Few pastors fully expect the anguish that church members can sometimes cause. The arrows often come from formerly close friends. Wounds affect not only the pastor, but also his family. Many pastors hurt alone. Some pastors view conflict as ministry failure. Pastoral grief at times stretches a pastor’s theology uncomfortably. Some pastors experience pain in more than one church. Too many pastors are blinded to their own role in the conflict. Some criticism of pastors is simply unfounded. Pastors sometimes refuse to admit they have scars. Resources related to this podcast: “10 REASONS PASTORS SOMETIMES BEAR SCARS OF CHURCH WOUNDS–AND A CHALLENGE TO ADDRESS THEM” by Chuck Lawless

Guests Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst explore growth in non-denominational churches. They discuss evangelism, financial investment, conflict avoidance, and lack of 'name' baggage. Non-denominational churches outpace older denominations, offering a fresh perspective on church growth.

Jonathan Howe, VP of Communications for SBC EC, discusses SBC Annual Meeting logistics, future leadership, Baptist Press impact, and rotating conventions. Insights into managing volunteers, media evolution, and personal anecdotes. Light-hearted discussion on music preferences and funny gift exchanges.

Join Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst as they delve into the crucial topic of conducting exit interviews with church members. They discuss insightful questions to ask departing members, reasons for leaving, maintaining engagement, and fostering a caring community within the church. Learn how pastors can play a vital role in understanding member departures and building relationships to potentially retain them.

Experienced pastors Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss key questions for pastor search teams, including doctrinal alignment, power dynamics, church discipline, staff management, financial transparency, and honest communication. They explore the complexities of church committees, the challenges new pastors face, and the importance of understanding the church's culture and needs.