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Episode #31 – REOPENING THE CHURCH POST COVID19

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Episode #31 - REOPENING THE CHURCH POST COVID19
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Josh Ellis and Keelan Cook from the Union Baptist Association stopped by The Bootcamp to visit with Bob and Jimbo about considerations in re-opening and leading the church after the Covid19 quarantine ends.

 

Pastors are all over the board in terms of their plans for resuming church gatherings.

Pastors are asking: “What steps should we take in phasing in a return to gathered worship?  “Should we go back to normal?”

Our advice: No! Don’t go back to normal. Don’t return to a pre-Covid19 state.  There have been so many good things taking place and ministry successes, so keep moving forward.

One concern is that some churches will want to knee-jerk and go back to life as it was pre-Covid19.

This moment of disruption, due to Covid19 is a real godsend to the church. Capitalize on this moment and move forward.

Ken Braddy’s list of 24 questions for Re-opening the church is a great reference point for logistics.

From a leadership standpoint focus on the needs of the people who are in our church, look at the entire system and structure of the church and ask: “Are we rushing back into live services because I want to? Because our people want to? Should we wait for the benefit of our people?”

 

Regarding lists that you see online for returning to gathered worship know this: it’s just that-a list, a point of reference. Your local context and the needs of your congregation must be considered uniquely.

We suggest getting key leaders together and processing everything logistically and programmatically. Divide them into categories: don’t do this again, start this now, wait to start this later.

 

We are not post Covid19 yet, the peak is not the goal. The goal is the decline of the infection rate. Officials are talking about opening up the economy to meet the financial needs of businesses and people. This is different from our needs as a church.

We should anticipate that people will likely want to avoid handshakes, hugs, coffee stations, doorknobs, classrooms.

We need to really evaluate what core actions; practices are required to help us fulfill our mission. Our rush to get back together in the building may cause us to overlook the gains we have made during the pause of ministry as normal.

Anticipate that upon returning to gathered worship you will have two groups: those that want to return to community as normal (hugs, handshakes etc.) and those that are afraid to come back and attend worship.  Pastor both groups.

One of the most important leadership actions Pastors can take and need to take in this time is this: multiply yourself, invest in leaders who can share the weight and responsibilities of leading in the local church.

Some encouragement for Pastors right now: let others lead, let others preach, develop them and take time to rest.

 

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Episode #30 – Leveling the Church with Micah Fries

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Episode #30 - Leveling the Church with Micah Fries
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**After this episode was recorded Chattanooga TN, along with many other cities in the southeast were impacted by severe weather and tornados. Pray for the people impacted and the Church as they seek to minister grace and practical help**

Micah is the pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church part of the .EST podcast and the co-Author of Leveling the Church.

The book grew out of my experience as a first time Pastor-the pain and the learning that came from me getting over the idea “that I could do everything better than anyone else.” 

I realized that I had failed the church because I had not equipped the members of our church for ministry as Ephesians 4 speaks about.

Q: What were some of the barriers that caused you to not equip others for ministry? 

Micah: the number one barrier was pride. I felt like everything had to be exactly the way I wanted it in order for us to succeed.

The Super Pastor is an idea we often rail against but also something that we end up doing ourselves, because we love the affirmation that comes from doing ministry well.

There is a dangerous idolatry that drives us to do ministry so that we receive the information from our efforts. That keeps us from equipping others.

Ministry is not our vocational responsibility, ministry is the collective familial responsibility of everyone in the body of Christ, the church.

Our vocational responsibility, the reason why we are paid, is to equip and develop leaders to do ministry.

The idea behind Leveling the Church is not destroying it but bringing all things to a level where everyone is doing ministry.

Think through this:

Global response: leading the entire church from the platform

Strategic Equipping: training the entire church to spread out and do ministry in the church.

When we equip the church for ministry, there is a cost to us, we get a lot less credit-which is good.

In our multi-site model we are intentional about having live preaching, local leadership, this forces us to equip people for ministry.

Q: How does the pastor of a normative sized church find leaders in which to invest?

Micah: Normally we look for character (which is good) but also for people who are really good at their job.

Here’s what I would look for as the Pastor of a normative sized church:

  1. Character-do they possess godly character.
  2. Who is the best developer of others-who can equip others to do ministry best.

Focus on finding leaders who can bring others along and train them and develop them and multiply themselves.

Q: What advice would you give on building out great ministry teams? 

Micah:  I’d do the following:

  • Rethink how you spend your work hours.  I’d read the article on church size by Tim Keller and learn how to adjust my time, focus on what is required for my church at its stage and size and then order my work around that.
  • Develop relationships with others.
  • Never do ministry alone-always take someone with you.
  • Reprioritize your work-so that you can involve others in your work.
  • Proximity trumps every-time. Just having people near you is the development plan.

On doing it yourself, delegating or developing others: I’m learning that there is very little that is actually my sole responsibility. Others can do what I do, so I am responsible for developing them.

The main question is this: What are the things that only I can exclusively do?  The point is this, there is almost nothing that is solely your responsibility.

If you want to make this transition and adjust the way you lead understand this: leadership is by fractions and degrees-make small adjustments over time.

There has never been a better time to invite people into ministry than now-begin inviting them to engage and begin handing ministry to them.

Need a website?  Checkout the great resources from our great sponsor, oneeighty.church

Episode #29 – ?Matt Stephens ?Boots on the Ground Highlight

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Episode #29 - ?Matt Stephens ?Boots on the Ground Highlight
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Matt Stephens,  Pastor The Fort Church in Columbus Georgia.

Matt stopped by the bootcamp and shared his replant story with Bob and JimBo on this, another Quarantine edition of The Replant Bootcamp.

When Matt became the Pastor the church had already been involved in Replanting for some time.

When another church approached them about taking on their church and facility in another state, they prayed and followed God’s leadership and moved their entire church, from Alabama to the facility in Columbus Georgia.

Sometime later, yet another church in the north part of Columbus reached out to The Fort and asked them to take their church.

Q: What are you learning as a leader right now during this season of social distancing and separation?

Matt: As a Pastor I’m grieving and missing my people.

One of the great blessings in Replanting is that you get to see Senior Adults get to play a big part in the relaunching of a new work.

One of the most difficult but important lessons I learned in Pastoring is that I needed to learn to love the people God called me to pastor.

Right now, we are focusing in on increasing our Pastoral care of our congregation. We are going to divide up our congregation and begin calling them and checking in with them personally.

Q: What is your advice that you would share with a Replanter stepping into a situation like yours.

Matt: Love your people, slow down, communicate and care for the congregation.

Learn more about The Fort’s story.

 

Episode #28 – SPECIAL GUEST Les McKeown, Author of Predictable Success

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Episode #28 - SPECIAL GUEST Les McKeown, Author of Predictable Success
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Leader, author and business expert Les McKeown stopped by the bootcamp to share his insights regarding life cycles of organizations and churches.  The guys talked to Les about we need to know as we navigate the new realities of doing and being the church during Covid19.

 

Consult the overview and glossary of terms as you listen along: Predictable Success Overview

Biblical Background: Ephesians 4:11-16

 

The Predictable Success Model is about recognizing what happens in organizations-Les added vocabulary and codified what happens in each stage.

The stages: Early Struggle, Fun, Whitewater, Predictable Success, Treadmill, The Big Rut, Death Rattle.

For new things to grow (i.e. campuses, church plants) they must go through the stages on their own-organically.

On the Treadmill stage: this is a dangerous stage-it is the last of the seven that you can do anything about. If you can challenge, push back you can move back into predictable success.

On the Big Rut stage: all the Visionaries have typically left and the Synergists are keeping everyone happy. It is a lovely place to work-but you are in danger.

In the Church world: the Visionary may stick around until they retire-leadership gets handed off to someone else without a thought about what could happen to the vision and the church begins to struggle.

When a church is in the “big rut” or “death rattle” you have to jump back to early struggle in order to restart.  In the for profit world-you have to “decapitate” or completely change the leadership at the top.

What are some key characteristics of the leaders who can bring life back to an organization either in the business or the church world?

  • In the for profit world that individual typically has the VO (Visionary/Operator) or VP (Visionary/Processor) style.
  • In the not for profit or church world that individual typically has the VS (Visionary/Synergist) or OS (Operator/Synergist) 

A key insight:a Synergist finds the people decisions to be very difficult. So they struggle in making the hard decisions involving people.

 

Covid19 Applications 

During a crisis or major event, the force of that event will push you down the side of the curve on which your organization finds itself. 

If you just recently started something-you may want to press pause

If you are on the decline side, the force will push you down toward the Big Rut or Death.

You have to relearn to innovate.

Statement from Les: if you are one of the older established churches that has been saying that online worship is (insert negative comment) you better rethink that very quickly.

The depth of permanent behavioral change that this crisis is creating and will create is going to fundamentally change everything about the way we do what we do. 

For instance: online communication via zoom will only accelerate and change the way we interact. This will impact the way people interact and do church. 

If your organization is struggling you need to find and let Visionaries lead and find Operators to help them implement the vision.

 

Q: What is the importance of identifying Leaders/Lay Leaders in your church or organization?

Start with the Visionary: let that person select their leadership team who are Operators. This is not a true leadership team-it is a group of enablers who can make the vision happen. 

During Whitewater: develop a true leadership team, you need people who possess strategic capabilities who can help you navigate the complexities of this stage. At this point you need Processors who can help the organization move forward. This is the stage where you begin to experience conflict on the team and this requires the team develop Synergist skills and stay committed to the Kingdom goals.

If you want to have fun, and stay at the mom and pop level you just need Visionaries and Operators (and a few mini-Processors to keep things legal)

If you want to scale and grow, you have to have Visionaries, Operators, Processors and Synergists working together.  A VOPS model.

Predictable Success by Les McKeown

Synergistquiz.com 

Episode #27 – ?Mike Rubino?Boots on the Ground Highlight ?

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Episode #27 - ?Mike Rubino?Boots on the Ground Highlight ?
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Joining the guys on the bootcamp today is Mike Rubino, Pastor at Cornerstone in Port Jefferson, New York. (On Long Island)

Mike is an accidental Replanter-he was serving at a declining church as an Associate Pastor when God called him to become a Replanter at that same church. This episode contains some pithy, tweet-able gold as Mike dropped his knowledge.  Check it out!

 

The first thing I want to say about replanting is this-if you’re not called don’t do it.

It’s important to be spirit dependent not self dependent as a Replanter.

Don’t forget the Lord of the work as you are doing the work of the Lord.

If things go well you believe your own “press”, when things go wrong you take it hard.

As a Replanter you have to talk less and listen more – don’t talk so much.

I had to learn to enter a room without bias. When you are in a leadership gathering ask a lot of questions from the people who are in the room.  Every decision we made as a team was better than any decisions I could come up with by myself.

Be careful-don’t run over people to reach people. 

Pastor-”do no harm” don’t run over people in an effort to lead change.

Replanter-it’s a marathon. You won’t have it figured out in a day.

It’s not until year three that you really understand the problems and it’s not until year five that you have the credibility and trust of the people to lead them forward.

You can teach what you know, but you can only lead where you are willing to go.

Replanter-you gotta get up and go!

 

Q: What’s the one thing you would like to say to a Replanter who is just beginning his ministry:

A: That their identity is in Christ and not their ministry.

 

Replanter-stop comparing yourself to other Pastors, be who you God has made you to be.

Our ministries are valuable and there is no loss if we are being faithful to him.

Q: How are you adjusting to the Covid19 reality?

A: It feels like ministry got faster, someone pressed fast forward x 4. This is what we’ve been preparing for-we’ve worked hard on digital online tools to bring the gospel into homes in our area. Our next hire is going to be someone who “speaks” all things digital.  Keep it simple! 

We have been given a great opportunity to be creative and reach people who are looking for hope.

Florida Man steals hand-sanitizer from Jacksonville FL (check out the video on the Replant Bootcamp Facebook Page)

 

 

 

Episode #26 – ?BOOTS ON THE GROUND HIGHLIGHT ? with Min Lee

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Episode #26 - ?BOOTS ON THE GROUND HIGHLIGHT ? with Min Lee
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Joining the guys on the bootcamp is Min Lee, Replant Pastor of LA City Baptist Church

Min is a Korean-American Pastor, replanting a predominately Hispanic Church in Boyle Heights. He learned about the church from his Director of Missions // Associational Missional Strategist who asked him to join him in visiting the church.

On his very first visit to the church he was asked to lead a song in Spanish, he also prayed in Spanish and taught them a Bible study in English. They kept inviting him back and eventually called Min to be their Pastor.

What did you do first?

  • I asked for help from other churches and pastors in the area.
  • I prayed, we prayed for God to work.
  • I got out and began to meet people in the neighborhood, introducing myself and the church.

What are some of the challenges you faced?

  • Everything is so new!  There is a big learning curve.
  • There is a cross cultural challenge-there are not many instances of a Korean Pastor leading a Hispanic church.

What have been some of the most helpful things for you?

  • I’ve learned to ask for help-and God has provided!
  • Churches have partnered with us to do events like VBS.
  • We’ve had help remodeling our facilities.

What resources have been helpful to you?

  • The Replanter Assessment provided by NAMB and the Replant Team.
  • The training materials and coaching that are available for me as a Replanter.

What advice would you offer Replanters?

  • Go slower and go with God-bring the congregation along with you. Get counsel as you lead the body toward the vision of a renewed and Replanted Church.  
  • We can look back into Christian history and see God using people cross culturally to present the Gospel-so be bold and be courageous, see each person and people group through the eyes of Christ.

Need a website?  Checkout the great resources from our great sponsor, oneeighty.church

?BONUS EPISODE ? COVID-19 ? Pastoring a Replant in a Pandemic

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?BONUS EPISODE ? COVID-19 ? Pastoring a Replant in a Pandemic
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Joining us today on the Bootcamp are some boots on the ground Replanters who share with us how they are thinking and making decisions in the time of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Chris Snider – Catonsville Baptist, Catonsville MD

Evan Skelton – Bayless Baptist Church, St. Louis MO

Stuart Dace – Exchange Church, Arnold MO

Bob Bickford – The Groves Church, Webster Groves MO 

Jimbo Stewart – Redemption Church, Jacksonville FL

 

CDC Guidelines regarding meeting (as of 3.15.20)

How DC Churches Responded to the public ban on gatherings in 1918

 

Concerns stated by these boots on the ground Replanters

  • Loss of Momentum in a key time of the year
  • Finances
  • The risk factors associated with having members who are at great risk
  • Losing connection with church members and attenders

 

How are thinking through staying connected to your congregation in light of a possible eight week pause?

  • This is the time for the local pastor to shine
  • Develop call lists, divide them among leaders, check-in with them and encourage them in practical ways.
  • Text messaging and phone messaging services
  • Writing notes to your congregation and sending via mail
  • Being intentional with your communication-pointing them to scripture
  • Be pastoral in your communication-take into account where your people are, what questions they are asking and lead them to the truth of God’s word.
  • Encourage small groups (eight or less) to meet and care for one another.

 

How South Korean church gatherings may have spread the Coronavirus

Physicians explain how Coronavirus spreads

 

What concerns do you have about your long term viability as a Church?

  • Momentum-but we have an opportunity to speak the gospel into a crisis situation right now.
  • Finances: loss in giving and actual expenses, also needs of members whose personal income diminishes during this time.
  • Some replants will have to think through how they might deal with the loss of income from rental fees from groups who use their church facilities.
  • Personally a Replanter should think about ways to be financially nimble-develop a side hustle from which a personal income stream can be developed.

 

How are you serving or engaging your community during this season?

  • Through a pre-existing relationship Jimbo was invited to do a bible study video for school faculty.
  • Mercy Ministries-by providing meals for kids in need.
  • Offering your building and it’s free wi-fi for those who may need it for online school learning.

 

How are you leading your family?

  • Praying for and with your family on a regular basis
  • Leading them not to fear and trust in God
  • Explain the dynamics of the situation but also the certainty we have in faith in God.

 

In Summary

  • Church is more than Sunday worship
  • Shepherd your people well in various ways
  • Pray and think through how you can serve your community
  • Love and lead your family

 

Tithe.ly is service that allows a church to set up Text-to-Pay and offers a 30 day free trial. (this is for your reference and not an endorsement)

Episode #25 – ?Boots on the Ground Highlight?with Walker Armstrong

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Episode #25 - ?Boots on the Ground Highlight?with Walker Armstrong
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Pilot Mountain Associational  Missional Strategist Walker Armstrong stopped by the bootcamp when we were in ATL for the Replant Practitioner Lab.  Here are some of the highlights.

 

There are a lot of characters in dying churches. 

Humor is a great way to not make a big deal about something — but also to address difficulty. 

Humor, well used can bring back hope.

If you’re going to see a movement in Replanting — you got to have an Assessment process.

Things to note when working with a congregation that needs to be Replanted

-Don’t be in a hurry

-Compromise where you can

-Serve the congregation and invest in them

-There is value of having an outside voice, someone who cares and can help them see the truth.

 

The Value of Associations for struggling churches and Replanters

-Partnership with NAMB and the training for Associational leaders

-Networking among churches and pastors

 

What are the inherent challenges as an Associational Leader in working with struggling churches?

-They have money in the bank and can meet together indefinitely while living off of those resources

-They are not living on mission or impacting the community

-Denial

 

Q:What one piece of advice would you share with a Replanter/Pastor?

A: How is your soul?  We minister out of our relationship with the Lord-we can have a lot of talent but if we are not spiritually connected to Jesus then we will crash.

 

Psalm 127:7 “He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.”

 

Check out this great Replant Story from Revo Church of the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association

The Knights of Ni: Tis but a scratch!

Episode #24 – ?Jason Rumbough Boots on the Ground Highlight?

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Episode #24 - ?Jason Rumbough Boots on the Ground Highlight?
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**Show Note** Early Wednesday morning East Nashville TN was it with a severe tornado. Many business and homes in the area were impacted, 24 lives were lost and the community is in great need. Jason’s church, Hope Church was undamaged yet just blocks from the church the damage was severe.  Pray for Jason and his church as they provide much needed support, care and the hope of the Gospel to those impacted by this storm.

Here are some of the show highlights

Jason Rumbough is the Replant Pastor of Hope Church Nashville, a Replant from Eastland Baptist Church

Eastland Baptist Church was 106 years old, down to 40 people, average age of the congregation was 72 years.

As a Replant from within, this is the most difficult type of Replant.

One Sunday, the attendance was 13, six of which were Jason’s family. This was a low point and also a turning point.

Things began to turn around-God began brining people to the church, assembling a team of unlikely people who formed the Replanting core group.

Jason began doing the work of an Evangelist, people came to faith and the Church has grown.

In a Replant people may not know exactly what the Gospel means, how it informs us and how it leads us on mission. It’s important define the Gospel.

When you preach the Gospel, people may leave.

Replanting from within is difficult, it’s hard. One of the things that helps, is being honest about where you are with yourself and the church.

One of the long time members at Eastland said: “I knew we needed to change, I just didn’t know it would be this hard.”

Advice to Replanters: Love your people, preach the gospel, take care of your family.

The Soda Parlor

Burger Up

Need a website?  Checkout the great resources from our great sponsor, oneeighty.church