Archives: Episode

Episode #12 – Redeeming a Church’s Bad Reputation with BOOTS ON THE GROUND GUEST Carey Long

Written on December 4, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #12 - Redeeming a Church's Bad Reputation with BOOTS ON THE GROUND GUEST Carey Long

00:00 / 23:30

Carey Long, Pastor, Northside Baptist Church, Slidell LA

Q: What are some practical ways we can help change our church’s reputation/image in the community?

This is a complicated and layered question.

A bad reputation is not built, nor is it fixed overnight.

Discover/Ask: what has our church done that has created a bad reputation in the community?

A way to learn what the community thinks of your church: FourFold Panoramic Assessment by Keelan Cook

Ask the community: “If our church was to be an asset to this community what could we do?”

Consider your church’s history: repent and make reconciliation where possible.

Own and repent of past sins.

Process with your people the findings of your community assessments about your church’s reputation.

A name change is not a strategy to jettison your church’s bad reputation.

Keeping the name is at times, a more powerful picture of the Gospel and the power of forgiveness and redemption Jesus brings to us and the church.

Salvation doesn’t erase our past, it changes it.

Changing a church’s reputation involves changing the church’s culture.

The Pastor’s leadership is key in helping to change the church’s reputation.

Pastoral involvement in the community along with some church members is key. As your people engage in the community people get a new image and experience with your church.

Utilize your church’s facilities to bless the community.

Changing the image or reputation of your church takes a long time.

At times, you may need to help correct mis-information about your church in the community proactively.

Let God be your defender, it’s His church.

You will rarely win over the critics who will not engage with you. You can win over the folks who will interact with you as you patiently help them see what God is doing in your church.

Seek the welfare of the community: Jeremiah 29:7

Engage your community with no-strings attached.

Episode #11 – Thankfulness and Encouragement with Mark Hallock

Written on November 27, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #11 - Thankfulness and Encouragement with Mark Hallock

00:00 / 21:45

Mark Hallock Lead Pastor, The Calvary Family of Churches, Englewood Baptist Church

In Replanting you can be thankful that

God has called you to the mission of seeing churches raised from the dead
You have been called to preach the word
You have been placed in a particular community that needs to hear the gospel

The last thing a church needs is a thankless pastor!

How to cultivate thankfulness

Your personal devotion life is key-being in the word everyday.
Remember and be amazed at how you have been saved by Jesus!

The Relentless Encourager by Mark Hallock and Scott Iken

Encouragement is a differentiator that makes you want to follow a leader!
The warmth and love that is experienced through encouragement creates a response to the one who exhibits it from an authentic life.

Best Hallock Quote of the Show:

“Many of us have encouraging thoughts, but we don’t let those translate into encouraging words. Until encouragement flows from my tongue to your ear it’s not encouragement. It’s just a nice thought that you had that no one is blessed by.” -Mark Hallock

What keeps us from encouraging others?

Lack of intentionality
Laziness
Pride (especially in leaders)
Insecurity

Being an effective leader in a small dying church is different than serving in a large church, this is why warmth, hugs, encouragement and healthy touch are important to bring about a new culture.

In the early days of a Replant-just about everyone is discouraged! It so important to be an encourager!

Notable Quotes from Mark:

“What you bleed as a leader, is what your people will bleed in time.”

“The culture of a dying church is changed by the encouragement and love of the leader.”

“You can’t fake being a loving encouraging person for long! You need to beg God to make you an encouraging person.”

“The lack of encouragement is robbing you and others of joy!”

“Being an encourager is like Christmas everyday!”

Mark’s Children’s book: Our Great God!

Other books by Mark Hallock

Episode # 10 – Luter Replant Legacy Part Two with Chip Luter (Boots on the Ground Highlight)

Written on November 20, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode # 10 - Luter Replant Legacy Part Two with Chip Luter (Boots on the Ground Highlight)

00:00 / 28:00

Chip Luter Pastor, Idlewild @ The Springs

Lessons Learned from my Father, Dr. Fred Luter

As a Pastors’ kid, I was able to watch a pastor who was a great shepherd.

When you meet a pastor whose staff knows more about the church than he does he is not a Pastor Shepherd.

My father was a great example of a Pastor/Shepherd.

One of the best lessons I learned is that I was never an interruption to my dad, even when he was busy. He loved me and modeled for me what it was like to be a great pastor and a great father.

As a kid I never felt like I was in competition with the church. There was never a time where I didn’t like the church.

My dad showed me how to not live in isolation as a pastor-he demonstrated the value of connecting with other Pastors who are ministering in my area.

New Orleans Dictionary Gris-gris: voodoo, a powerful spell put on something/someone.

The Idlewild Story

Trinity Baptist Church was dying and located in a changing/transitioning area, the youngest was 60 and they were down to eight people.

The Neighborhood was 60% African American, 30% White, 18% Hispanic.
50% of the neighborhood was aged 18 and younger.

I was not looking to Replant, I was happy serving where I was.

Idlewild was intentional about hiring a person of color.

The congregation had determined to give the building to Idlewild for ministry.

In January 2014 Idlewild began a ministry called “Adopt a Block” where they regularly entered the neighborhood to meet and pray for the people. They provided connection events and opportunities to reach the community.

Pastor Ken Whitten shaped the approach with this philosophy; “We didn’t just want to go to them, we want to grow among them.”

Advice for Replanting in a multi-cultural context

Be intentional from the very beginning

It’s best if the Replanter is already engaged and active in multicultural relationships.

The people drawn to our church were not drawn because we have multicultural worship, they were drawn to our church because the church was intentional in the approach to reach the community-both white people and people of color were actively involved meeting people in the community.

People bought in even before they came to attend a worship service.

We gave opportunity and value to a variety of styles in worship as a natural expression of who we are.

Check out the church program mentioned here

Church Program

Episode #9 – The Luter Replant Legacy Part 1 with Dr. Fred Luter (Boots on the Ground Highlight)

Written on November 13, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #9 - The Luter Replant Legacy Part 1 with Dr. Fred Luter (Boots on the Ground Highlight)

00:00 / 28:42

This is the first episode of a 2-part ? BOOTS ON THE GROUND HIGHLIGHT ?about Dr. Fred Luter Jr. and his son Fred “Chip” Luter III. In part 1 we will hear from Dr. Fred about his replanting journey at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans and in part 2 we will hear from Chip and his journey to replanting with Idlewild in Tampa.

Dr. Fred Luter starting pastoring Franklin Avenue Baptist church 33 years ago when most people suspected the church was about to die. Local ministry leaders even told Pastor Fred that he was the wrong choice and he just needed to bury the church. Years later Franklin Avenue is a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness through Dr. Fred who eventually became the first African-American President of the Southern Baptist Convention.

33 years of pastoral ministry has given Pastor Fred some great wisdom and we are excited to share it with you. Here are a few highlights:

The key to pastoral ministry is faithfulness to who God has called you to be and where he has called you to serve.
One of the greatest challenges in many dying churches is to remind them that the WORD of GOD works. Pastors must be faithful to the Word.
Replanters must be VISIONARY SHEPHERDS that have TACTICAL PATIENCE: Pastor Fred shares about taking 2-3 years to move Franklin Avenue from funding their church through selling chicken suppers to faithful and biblical giving.
Replanters must have a MISSIONAL FOCUS and GOSPEL ORIENTATION: Fred shares how he had a creative and missional strategy to engage the men in his community that were not coming to church through watching a pay-per-view boxing match. He then followed this up with personal evangelism and discipleship.
Replanters must make their families a priority. Pastor Fred has held hard to regular time off on a weekly basis to invest in his marriage and his kids.

Vocabulary word of the day – Lagniappe

If you enjoyed this episode please share it with your friends, subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a rating.

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Episode #8 – How to Handle Bad Business Meetings with Boots on the Ground Guest Evan Skelton

Written on November 6, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #8 - How to Handle Bad Business Meetings with Boots on the Ground Guest Evan Skelton

00:00 / 26:54

Bob, JimBo and special guest Evan Skelton, discuss how to handle business meetings that go bad.

“What do you do or how do you handle it when something blows up in a Family “business” meeting at church?

When Conflict Breaks Out

Realize it’s not the end of the world. Every relationship experiences conflict. Conflict is a sign that the church family feels like they can be honest.
Seek to maintain your composure-don’t get “hooked” by strong emotions and statements or retreat in fear.
Have a “co-moderator” who can help if you lose composure, be ready to turn over to someone who can handle the meeting during tense times.
Move in a pastoral way towards people, slowly and deliberately.
Confront public misbehavior publically and model appropriate biblical behavior during times of conflict.
Pay attention to your responses: tone, posture, facial expressions and how you are coming across.
Look for teaching opportunities that are inherent within conflict-call it out
Acknowledge the difficulty of the moment, the feel of the room, when conflict breaks out.
Resist the urge to never allow questions or comments during the meetings-redeem it and model for people who to ask questions.
Center on the gospel, show people how to communicate with gospel grace.
Allow members multiple ways to ask questions during the business or family meetings. (cards, email, text)
Instruct members gently about how to handle conflict in public.
Be willing to go to member’s homes to work out conflict if needed and necessary.

Proactive Responses

Celebrate victories, show pictures and show how God is moving in the church?
Let others share positive stories and testimonies about what God is doing and what is happening.
Do business after celebration and testimonies.
Slow walk-test out ideas with influencers and thought leaders in the congregation, get their feedback before bringing a potentially difficult agenda item.
Invite critics to become an advocate.
Eat dinner together before business meetings.
Consider changing the name of your business meetings-to family meetings.
Teach your people to operate in the fruit of the spirit rather than walking in the flesh. Let them know that if that is not possible and if things get contentious the meeting will end.

Evan Skelton Pastor, Bayless Baptist Church

Resources:

The Peacemaking Pastor by Alfred Poirier

When Church Conflict Happens by Michael Hare

If you Bite and Devour One Another by Alexander Strauch

Facing Snarls and Scows by Brian Croft and James Carroll

Episode #7 – How NOT to Build a Lasting Elder Team

Written on October 30, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #7 - How NOT to Build a Lasting Elder Team

00:00 / 26:00

In a Replant high capacity and qualified leaders are likely to be in short supply.

Don’t let the urgent need for leaders be a primary driving process for your seeking to install Elders.

Do not confuse excitement and enthusiasm as good indicators that you may have found the right person to engage as a leader.

The past church experiences of the leaders you are considering installing as leaders matters, do not ignore conflict that occured in previous churches. Discern the circumstances, issues and let that inform your decision regarding their leadership.

An Elder process is important-develop one and stick to it.

Elders share the load and burden of ministry. It is important to develop leaders/elders who work together, especially when you as a Replanter are needing help or hurting.

Episode #6 – Preparing for The Call to Replant – Boots on The Ground Highlight w/ Evan Skelton

Written on October 23, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #6 - Preparing for The Call to Replant - Boots on The Ground Highlight w/ Evan Skelton

00:00 / 30:13

The guys welcomed Replant Pastor Evan Skelton to the Bootcamp to talk about preparing for the call to Replant a local church, Replant Residencies and failed Youth Internships. Buckle up, grab a snack and settle in for this slightly longer (than usual) but super important episode.

Episode #5 – How Can Lay People Serve & Encourage Replanters

Written on October 16, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #5 - How Can Lay People Serve & Encourage Replanters

00:00 / 26:16

It’s Pastor Appreciation month. In this episode Bob and JimBo breakdown what they, as Pastors, view as helpful and not helpful in making them feel appreciated.

Q: How can lay persons in a Replant be an encouragement to a Pastor and his family?

Episode #4 – When and How to Change Bylaws and Other Documents (Boots on the Ground Question from Wesley Lassiter)

Written on October 9, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #4 - When and How to Change Bylaws and Other Documents (Boots on the Ground Question from Wesley Lassiter)

00:00 / 25:14

In this episode, Bob and JimBo discuss a boots-on-the-ground question sent in by Wesley Lassiter.

When is too soon to change the bylaws and other docs in a replant?

A lot of the answer will depend on the nature of a replant. Often in a replant as a campus or merger the legal documents will change very early in the process. This still needs to be walked with wisdom though.

Episode #3 – How NOT to Lead Facility Changes

Written on October 2, 2019.

Replant Bootcamp

Episode #3 - How NOT to Lead Facility Changes

00:00 / 25:40

In this episode, Bob and JimBo start a new segment called, ‘Stupid Stuff We Did and Survived’. JimBo will share a few stories of how he unwisely led facility changes. We invite you to laugh at us and with us during this episode. Hopefully, you will be encouraged and challenged as well.

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