Revitalize and Replant

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss how pastoring has changed in 30 years. Leadership and interpersonal skills are now crucial. Outreach methods have shifted from getting people to come to church services. The Internet and social media present new challenges. Society's view of pastors and religious affiliation has evolved, with a rise in 'nones.'

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss the importance of public Scripture reading in church services. They emphasize its authority, protection against heresy, and blessing to those with limited access to God's word.

Mark Clifton discusses the resurgence of smaller churches, the shift towards bi-vocational staff, equipping church members for ministry, new pastor expectations, smaller church budgets, and the need for denominations to adapt. The podcast explores the significance of church size, staffing trends, empowering church members for leadership, search committee preferences, financial challenges, and pastoral calling in smaller churches.

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss effective ministering in older churches, emphasizing drawing future strategies from current members, fostering fellowship, and meeting the needs of the congregation.

Mark Clifton, a Christian counselor, and Mark Hallock, a pastor, discuss comforting truths for anxious Christians. They cover topics such as unity in Christ, being part of a redemptive story, and the hope of eternity.

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss the top developments for churches in 2023-2024, including emphasis on evangelism, increasing diversity, church adoptions, global partnerships, longer pastor transitions, rise of interim pastors, church consultations, autopsies, bi-vocational pastors, and church-based training for pastors and staff.

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss sermon preparation. In 2001, Thom Rainer found that, on average, pastors spent an average of 4 hours in sermon preparation. Today, 75% of pastors spend between 8-15 hours in sermon preparation. Expositional preaching can require more in-depth study. If you aren’t spending adequate time in sermon preparation, your people will know it. If you are spending too much time in your office and away from your people, that’s a problem also. The hardest part of preaching is knowing what to leave out. Resources related to this podcast: “How Much Time do Pastors Spend Preparing a Sermon?” “Pastors and Time in Sermon Preparation: Some Good News”

Experts Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock delve into dealing with dissension in church, inspired by Bill Eliff's article. They dissect behaviors of dissenters like secrecy, stirring up drama, and using deception. The discussion emphasizes the challenges pastors face in managing discord within congregations while highlighting the importance of integrity and discernment.

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some ways teens can help serve in your church. Greet people. Help young parents with their little children. Participate eagerly in the main weekly meeting. Speak up in Bible studies and prayer meetings. Give financially. Serve in less glamorous ways. Reach out to the younger children. Resources related to this podcast: 7 Ways Teens Can Contribute When the Church Meets

Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss church junk room treasures like old organs, pulpits, and handbells. They explore preserving tradition in church revitalization and the theological stories behind church spaces and hymnals.