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EP 240 – Falling in Love with Jesus (again) with David Jackson

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EP 240 - Falling in Love with Jesus (again) with David Jackson
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In this episode of our bootcamp series, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr. David Jackson from the replant team, who brings over 45 years of experience in ministry, spanning church planting, pastoring, church revitalization, replanting, and teaching. Dr. Jackson discusses the importance of spiritual renewal in church revitalization, emphasizing soul care for leaders and congregations, and the necessity of reclaiming a primary love for Jesus to foster thriving communities. He shares insightful personal experiences and highlights the significance of relationships with God, each other, and our communities as foundational to our identities as Christians.

Dr. Jackson also outlines common obstacles to spiritual renewal, including busyness, personal preferences, pride, and unaddressed sin, offering biblical prescriptions for churches and leaders to return to their first love by remembering, repenting, and renewing their commitment to Christ. The discussion concludes with a prayer for listeners to draw closer to the heart of God and a call for church leaders to lead by example in cultivating a passionate relationship with Christ.

00:00 Welcome to the Bootcamp: Introducing Dr. David Jackson
00:25 Dr. David Jackson’s Journey in Ministry
03:02 The Heart of Church Revitalization: Spiritual Renewal
06:48 The Importance of Renewal Starting with the Pastor
10:21 Identifying and Addressing Drift from the First Love
14:06 Practical Steps Towards Renewal and Revitalization
18:39 Challenges in the Journey of Renewal
24:28 Closing Prayer and Reflections

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EP 239 – Hitting the Healthy Church Target with Brandon Moore

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 239 - Hitting the Healthy Church Target with Brandon Moore
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In this episode of the Replant Bootcamp, we reconnect with Brandon, a former guest and a recent addition to the Replant team, who shares his journey from working with the Missouri Baptist Convention to joining the Replant team and moving towards replanting a church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Brandon discusses his experience and insights on church revitalization and replanting in Missouri, emphasizing the strategic role of associational leaders and state convention leaders in catalyzing church movement within their states.

He highlights the critical need for strong leadership and healthy church structures, focusing on the three identities of the church (worshipers of God, family in Christ, and missionaries to the world), foundational elements (Gospel, Scripture, and Prayer), and structural aspects (leadership, membership, and discipleship) essential for church health.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RENEW AND RESOUND PRAYER GUIDE

00:00 Welcome Back to the Bootcamp!
00:54 Introducing Brandon: A Journey from Missouri to Replant Team
01:11 Brandon’s Personal and Professional Shifts
02:10 The Mission in Knoxville: Replanting with a Vision
05:25 The Importance of Church Health and Identity
11:28 Defining Church Health: Identities, Foundations, and Structures
23:53 Practical Steps for Church Revitalization and Replanting
27:35 Closing Prayer for Healthy, God-Glorifying Churches

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EP 238 – Pastoral Perseverance with Brian Croft

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 238 - Pastoral Perseverance with Brian Croft
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In this episode of the bootcamp podcast, I have the pleasure of welcoming back Brian Croft, a veteran pastor and the founder of Practical Shepherding to discuss his latest book, Pastoral Perseverance.

Brian shares his journey through 25 years of pastoral ministry, including facing significant challenges in the early years at Auburndale Baptist Church which tested his perseverance. Despite hardships like threats, financial crises, and health issues stemming from stress, Brian witnessed the church flourish under his guidance. You can read more about this and the lessons that Brian learned in his book, Biblical Church Revitalization.

Brian also discusses his transition to leading Practical Shepherding full-time, a ministry dedicated to equipping pastors and church leaders with practical tools for ministry.

This episode dives into the importance of pastoral qualifications, the concept of perseverance, and the critical understanding of suffering in ministry. Additionally, Brian introduces The Shepherd’s House, a retreat initiative for pastors needing rest and rejuvenation, emphasizing the importance of self-care among ministry leaders.

00:00 Welcome to the Bootcamp: Introducing Brian Croft
00:31 Brian Croft’s Journey: From a Dying Church to Thriving Ministry
02:08 The Birth and Growth of Practical Shepherding
03:34 Understanding the Five-Year Rule in Church Revitalization
06:33 The Impact of Practical Shepherding and the Shepherd’s House
11:03 Diving into ‘Pastoral Perseverance’: A Guide for Struggling Pastors
21:59 The Importance of Self-Care and Perseverance in Ministry
23:57 Closing Thoughts and Prayer for Perseverance

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Ep 237 – Hometown Hope with Brayden Buss

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Replant Bootcamp
Ep 237 - Hometown Hope with Brayden Buss
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In this episode, we listen to the field to learn from the boots-on-the-ground story of Brayden Buss, a pastor returning to his roots at the First Baptist Church in Okmulgee, OK as he shares his journey of returning to pastor the church where he grew up, stressing the importance of understanding and respecting a church’s legacy while adapting to changing demographics and community needs.

He discusses the challenges and strategies associated with revitalizing a church, including leadership development, member mobilization, and the personal aspect of being a pastor in a familiar community. Brayden also touches on the significance of loving and caring for the church to foster revitalization effectively.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Arrival
00:52 Guest Background and Personal Journey
02:26 Challenges of Pastoring in Hometown
03:44 Legacy of Family in Ministry
05:46 Understanding and Adapting to Community Changes
08:39 Revitalizing the Church: Strategies and Challenges
16:57 Member Mobilization and Leadership Development
24:08 Final Thoughts and Prayer

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Show transcripts are an approximation of the podcast, audio should be consulted for exact detail

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EP 236 – Resources for Replant Wives

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EP 236 - Resources for Replant Wives
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In this episode, we welcome three special guests to discuss the unique challenges and joys of being a pastor’s wife involved in church replanting and revitalization. Dr. Darlene, Audrea, and Barb share their personal experiences and resources they have developed to support pastor’s wives through this journey. They hope to offer hope, friendship, and encouragement, underscoring that pastor’s wives are not alone in their challenges through the following resources:

00:00 Welcome to the Boot Camp: Introducing Our Special Guests
00:11 The Mission: Supporting Pastor Wives on Their Replant Journey
01:00 Meet the Guests: Stories of Struggle and Support
05:21 Creating a Community: The Birth of Replant Wife Resources
07:11 Expanding the Support Network: From Facebook Group to Podcasts and Beyond
19:52 A Gift of Prayer: The Replant Wife Book
25:48 Closing Prayer and Reflections

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EP 235 – Facing Crises and Embracing Change in Church Leadership with Will Cofield

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 235 - Facing Crises and Embracing Change in Church Leadership with Will Cofield
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On this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Will Cofield, who, besides being known as ‘Mr. Erin Cofield‘ (the trophy husband of one of the Bootcamp blog writers), shared insights from his remarkable and tumultuous journey in church leadership as he led a church to replant from within.

From beginning his ministry as a youth pastor and then moving into the lead pastor role in a struggling church with a history of division and turnover to facing severe challenges, including a church split over bluegrass, resistance to change, leadership disputes, almost getting into a fistfight with a deacon in his 80s who is on dialysis and a harrowing incident of abuse. Despite these trials, Will recounted how these crises eventually led to a profound transformation within the church. The congregation underwent a process of repentance, recommitted to its mission, and adopted a fresh approach to ministry that prioritizes Christ-centered worship and community outreach. Will emphasized the invaluable lessons learned through suffering, the importance of pastoral friendship, and the necessity of dependence on God above all.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
01:39 Guest’s Journey to Ministry
02:03 Challenges in the Church
05:28 Conflict and Confrontation
08:30 Facing the Dark Valley
12:57 The Path to Revitalization
19:25 Lessons from the Dark Valley
19:30 The Power of Community and Support
25:06 Closing Thoughts and Prayers

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EP 234 – Remembering Henry Blackaby with Special Guest Richard Blackaby

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 234 - Remembering Henry Blackaby with Special Guest Richard Blackaby
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Henry Blackaby was a servant of God. Henry Blackaby was an ordinary man whom God used in extraordinary ways. Henry recently passed away from this earth and is now basking in the glory of God and walking with Jesus.

In this episode, we’re back at the Replant Bootcamp Podcast with a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Richard Blackaby, a dear friend and an incredible leader in his own right and Henry Blackaby’s oldest son. Richard continues his dad’s legacy as president of Blackaby Ministries.
Richard shares his personal journey, growing from the influence of his father, the late Henry Blackaby, into a global leadership mentor. The passing of Henry Blackaby has reminded many of us of his deep impact on church revitalization and the way he modeled a God-centric life of service beyond the confines of church size. We dive into how Henry’s legacy has shaped Richard’s approach to ministry, emphasizing the importance of seeing God’s hand in every situation, no matter the challenges. Additionally, we discussed our shared passion for reading and how it fuels our growth, Richard’s upcoming back surgery, and a heartfelt prayer for our listeners. This episode reiterates the power of legacy, faith, and leadership through the lens of the Blackaby family’s journey.
Join JimBo, Richard, and many others at the upcoming Revive Summit in Pickerington, Ohio on May 21-22 – CLICK HERE for more information.
00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest
00:44 Guest’s Background and Ministry Journey
01:57 Remembering Henry Blackaby: A Legacy of Church Revitalization
03:43 The Impact of Henry Blackaby’s Ministry
04:57 Growing Up with Henry Blackaby: Personal Reflections
08:34 The Challenges and Joys of Ministry
20:01 The Importance of Reading and Learning in Ministry
27:30 Facing Health Challenges and Trusting God
30:21 Closing Prayer and Encouragement

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EP 233 – Effective Interim Pastors: Fearing God more than Man with Scott Catoe

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 233 - Effective Interim Pastors: Fearing God more than Man with Scott Catoe
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In this episode, we welcome Scott Catoe, a first-time guest but longtime friend of the podcast, who shares his experiences and insights from serving as the lead pastor at Slater Baptist Church for 10 years and his current role as the Associate Mission Strategist for the Three Rivers Baptist Association. Dr. Catoe discusses his book, ‘Effective Interim Pastors,’ which emerged from his doctoral research on interim pastors.

He highlights the importance of addressing sin, and conflicts, and shaping a healthy church culture through the period of interim ministry rather than avoiding disruption. The conversation emphasizes the tendency of interim pastors and long-term pastors alike to either fear man more than God or seek personal glorification in ministry, contrasting these with the gospel-centered approach required for impactful leadership.

The book outlines eight principles for effective interim pastors, urging a focus on biblical faithfulness, prayer, confronting sin, and equipping the congregation for future growth, all rooted in a deep reverence for God over the fear of man.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:17 Guest’s Background and Current Role
01:07 Discussion on Normative Size Churches
01:45 Revitalization and Replanting Churches
02:08 Introduction to the Book ‘Effective Interim Pastors’
02:41 The Need for Transitional Pastors
03:51 The Role of an Interim Pastor
05:45 The Importance of Addressing Sin in Churches
11:07 The Fear of Man and Hero Syndrome in Ministry
17:16 The Role of Decision-Making in Churches
25:22 Conclusion and Book Recommendation

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EP 232 – The Power of Partnership

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Replant Bootcamp
EP 232 - The Power of Partnership
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Special Guests: Mark Hallock and Brandon Moore

Fresh off the AMS Replant Lab JimBo discusses the power of partnership. The guys dive into the biblical foundation of partnership, encouraging pastors to work together for the greater mission. Mark and Brandon discuss the benefits of collaboration, including trust-building, credibility, and the potential for a movement in church replanting.

Local associations are the best-placed organization in Southern Baptist life to help pastors care for each other, collaborate, and celebrate together.

This is a great event for anyone (and their spouse) who is new to or considering any form of church renewal – not just replanting.

Is your website weighing you down? Get some help by connecting with our great sponsor: oneeighty digital

Check out the show notes below for more details. Show transcripts are an approximation of the podcast, audio should be consulted for exact detail

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EP 231 – Listening to the Field will Lead you to the Future

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EP 231 - Listening to the Field will Lead you to the Future
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In the latest episode of Replant Bootcamp, we will address a significant change – the departure of co-host Bob Bickford. Bob is doing great work with Three One Three but will no longer be the official co-host of the Bootcamp. Learn more about what Bob Bickford is up to at Three One Three by clicking here.

We do hope to talk Bob Bickford into coming back on periodically as a guest host.

We are joined in this episode by another Bob, Bob Bumgarner, a good friend and mentor, to share insights on shaping the replant bootcamp moving forward.

Listening to the Field Will Lead You to the Future – Bob Bumgarner introduces a valuable principle: “If you listen to the field, it will lead you to the future.” This concept originated in his experiences consulting and coaching churches, realizing that coaching, rather than consulting, proved more effective. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the field’s needs and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide the process.

Cultural Exegesis and Community Engagement – Bob Bumgarner delves into the significance of cultural exegesis, drawing parallels between understanding a community and the principles of foreign mission trips. He discusses the relevance of studying a community’s values, fears, and needs, emphasizing the role of pastors as cultural exegetes. The conversation highlights Acts 6, 17 and other biblical examples as models for engaging with culture.

  • Bob Bumgarner offers practical steps for exegeting your community
    • pray with humility
    • observe without judgment
    • ask questions,
    • join God in what He is already doing in the community

“You can’t exegete your community from your desk”

SUGGEST A GUEST – We would love to encourage you to participate in shaping the podcast’s future.  Visit the Replant Bootcamp website and suggest guests or topics. Whether sharing personal experiences or recommending someone with valuable insights, the goal is to foster a community of learners.

Bob Bumgarner offers practical steps – pray with humility, observe without judgment, ask questions, and join God in what He is already doing in the community.

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