Revitalize and Replant

Mark and Dan welcome Ryan Durham, the 2023 Billy Heriford Replanter of the Year. Listen is as Ryan discusses ministry in Loup City, NE. Check out more of Ryan’s story at the video linked below. Resources mentioned in this episode: Replanter of the Year Video

This is a question we hear often. Which form of church governance is better? Mark, Mark, and Dan break down the issues surrounding this important question. Both are used with great impact and both have been used to great distraction. Why Southern Baptist haven’t historically appointed elders. The historic role of deacons in Southern Baptist life. Why the recent increase in elders among Southern Baptists? Questions to ask when considering elders – Is what we are doing now working? Why do we need to change? How broad is the consensus of the leadership and membership to make the change? What happens if we don’t make the change at this time? Can we adjust our current model to adequately address the need?

Leading a church through a replant or revitalization process is very difficult. You don’t get to pick the folks who will be a part of your church. But that doesn’t mean you should love your preferred church more than the church you serve. In this episode, Mark, Mark, and Dan discuss the importance of loving the church you have. Your current members are not a hinderance to your ministry – they are your ministry. Your current church can be used by God to edify you. Loving another church, even an imaginary one more than the one you serve is adulterous. The key to loving your church more is to love the Savior more. If you can’t truly love them, then leave them.

Mark and Dan discuss addressing ongoing issues in the Southern Baptist Convention. Tips include not unpacking it to the entire church, communicating concerns with trusted leadership, and recognizing the positive contributions of the denomination. They emphasize the importance of guarding against a critical spirit and assuming the best in fellow believers, while keeping disagreements off of social media.

Mark Clifton is joined by Dan Hurst and Mark Hallock to discuss 7 issues surrounding “The Billy Graham Rule.” Is it misogynist? Overkill or absolutely necessary? Functionally how can you make it work in the real world of ministry? How does this work in a church with one pastor and a secretary? What about email/texting/social medai Your spouse and your passwords When in doubt, leave it out

On this very special episode, Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst are joined by Dr. Geoff Chang, Assistant Professor of Church History and Historical Theology and the Curator of the Spurgeon Library. In a previous episode, Dr. Chang discussed Spurgeon’s upbringing and background. In this episode, he discusses what pastors in the 21st Century can learn from the ministry of Charles Spurgeon. Resources mentioned: Spurgeon.org

Mark Clifton is joined by Dan Hurst and Mark Hallock to discuss 5 ways to deal with the pain of a dying church. Get them to turn that pain into a greater passion for prayer. Find the intersection of members’ passions, members’ gifts, and community needs. Celebrate more often. Help to remember the past to propel them to the future. Lead them to consider a replant.

Mark Clifton, Dan Hurst, and Mark Hallock discuss 4 ways to lead the Builders (those born before 1946) in church revitalization. This generation is institutionally loyal. They love to tell stories. They are often fearful of the change taking place. The can confuse methods with doctrine.

In the third and final part of a 3-part series, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss 4 ways to improve your preaching. Simplify and clearly answer the “what,” “so what,” and “now what” questions. Practice. Do immediate reflection. Listen to and watch your own sermons or lessons. Resources mentioned: 15 Ways to Improve Your Preaching or Teaching by Chuck Lawless

The podcast discusses 4 ways to improve preaching: enlisting a prayer team, studying preaching, listening to other preachers, and inviting others to help with preparation. They highlight the importance of prayer in preaching, the value of lifelong learning, and the significance of collaboration and feedback in sermon preparation.