The Effective Church Leaders Podcast

Kerry and Becky discuss the Steve Brannan interview (episode #191).

This is a conversation with Steve Brannan, one of the shepherds of the Homewood Church of Christ in Homewood, Alabama.  Here are some of the questions Steve answers: What would you say to men who have been asked to consider accepting the role of elder?  In your opinion, what are some of the qualities that make for an effective shepherd?  What are some of the key lessons you've learned as one of Homewood's shepherds?  How do the Homewood elders make decisions?  Church members, current church leaders, and future church leaders will appreciate the wisdom Steve shares in this episode!

In this 13-minute episode, we are taking a look at Paul's description in Titus 1:10-16 of the false teachers on Crete.  We are asking how this text should inform our understanding of the identity of false teachers today.  Please consider these things with us!

According to the Apostle Paul in Titus 1:5-9, elders are not only teachers.  They are also overseers and stewards of God.  What does this mean?  How does it inform their work?  Also, what kind of men should elders be?  We'll address these questions in this 8-minute podcast. 

What is the work of elders in the church today?  Are they primarily decision-makers?  Or, should their primary work be to counsel and encourage?  It's not easy for Christians to come to agreement on the function of elders.  What did Paul see as the primary role of elders on the island of Crete, according to Titus 1:9?  That's what we want to consider in this 11 1/2 minutes long episode.

Just as God entrusted the Apostle Paul with a sacred trust, so he has done the same with the church today.  What is that sacred trust?  We're going to Titus 1:3 in this 6-minute episode.

Paul explains the purpose of his apostleship in Titus 1:1,2.  He writes that it is "in the hope of eternal life."  What is the meaning of "eternal life"?  Thanks for reflecting on this with Kerry in this 8-minute episode!

In this 6-minute episode, Kerry is thinking about Paul's self-designation in Titus 1:1 as "a servant of God."  Was this Paul's favorite way of identifying himself?  How would you like to be known and remembered?

In this episode, Kerry begins to share thoughts from his study of Paul's Letter to Titus.  Some of the questions discussed in this 8 1/2-minute episode: What are the major themes of the pastoral epistles, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy?  What do Christians need to know about the nature of New Testament letters?  

What are some of the obstacles to keeping volunteers in the church?  In this episode, the final one in their series on "Volunteerism in the Church," Kerry and Becky discuss the dangers of burnout and entitlement to volunteers and their ministry teams.  Also, they briefly discuss what church leaders can do to deal with both.

In the fifth episode in the series, "Volunteerism in the Church," our focus is on one of the obstacles that can lead to volunteers becoming discouraged, feeling a lack of motivation, and even quitting their volunteer role.  What can be done to keep other volunteers, unhealthy and difficult-to-get-along-with volunteers, from hurting the ministry team or church?  How might church leaders go about firing a volunteer?  These and other questions are discussed in this episode. 

What volunteer ministry roles does your church need to fill?  Who is in charge of recruiting and training your volunteers?  What does your church's "onboarding funnel" look like?  In this fourth episode in their series, "Volunteerism in the Church,"  Kerry, Becky, and Susanna discuss five important steps for church leaders to take as they consider a volunteer onboarding process.

Oftentimes, volunteers in the church don't fully understand what they are supposed to do. Neither do they understand the significance of their assignment. In this third episode in the series, “Volunteerism in the Church,” Kerry, Becky, and Susanna discuss how church leaders can help volunteers understand their role and its significance.

What can church leaders do to remove the fear that some potential volunteers may have when approaching a new role? How can we lower barriers to entry and set expectations from the beginning so that people feel less anxiety about volunteering? And, what is the best way to recruit new volunteers? Answers to these questions and recommendations in this second episode in the series, “Volunteerism in the Church.”

Churches depend on volunteers to fill certain roles in the church's programs. But, many church leaders are telling us that the number of volunteers in their churches has declined. So, what may done to recruit and keep volunteer servants? In this episode, we begin a series of podcasts on “Volunteerism in the Church.” Step one to encourage more volunteerism? Give people a vision for why they should volunteer. Don't just tell them they are needed. Tell them why they are needed and how their role contributes to the mission of the church.

In the past two Growing Steady Newsletters, Kerry has written articles on the topic of "Saved by Grace."  Today, we are continuing that conversation by covering:Why Kerry personally chose to talk about this topic.Why is it important for Christians to understand that they are saved by grace and not because of what they do? Why does it matter? Encouragement for those who are themselves working through this topic.Four reasons Christians need to understand the concept of salvation by grace.If you wish to read/reference the Saved by Grace articles, click here:  https://effectivechurchleaders.com/savedbygrace

Has our primary message to our communities and world become what makes our church different from the ones our religious neighbors attend? Does our emphasis need to change? Jesus, our hope and joy, should be our message. Let's first tell people the story of Jesus. Then we can talk about the church and why we believe and practice what we do.  Tune in as Kerry discusses the question: What should be our primary message to the world?

Since we have been looking for a new church home, we have wondered: Will our future church accept us? After all, we may not be like them. We may be different in several ways. That got us to thinking: So, what are the differences we should accept in each other in the Body of Christ? What dissimilarities should we overlook in those who make up our church family? For, in spite of our differences, the scriptures urge us to “accept one another” (Rom. 14:1-6; 15:7).

As many of you know, we've been looking for a church home since moving to a different state. We have visited several churches, and in this podcast, we share some of our impressions after visiting a small, rural church and a large urban church.

After developing a relationship with someone who needs the Lord, it's time to share our experience!  Can you share your story when called upon?  What was your life like before you came to know the Lord?  How did you meet him?  What is your life like since he became your friend.  "Share Your Story" is the sixth and last episode in the series on "individual Outreach."

In episode number 5 in the series, "Individual Outreach," Kerry and Becky talk about the next step in building a friendship with those who may not yet know the Lord, serving them.  Listen in for a discussion of the biblical warrant for serving others and practical suggestions for doing so.

This episode is a discussion of step three in a proposed process of what individual followers of Jesus can do to reach out to their unbelieving friends.  Tune in for some very practical action steps!

This is the third episode in the series, "Individual Outreach."  In this episode Kerry and Becky discuss the need for us to first listen to those whom we are trying to reach for the Lord before we speak.  Listening comes before speaking!

In the second episode of their series, "Individual Outreach," the Holtons discuss step one in the Ferguson brothers' book: Five Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World.  This episode is all about beginning with prayer.  The encouragement in this podcast is to choose just one person who needs the Lord, and begin praying for that one.

One of the reasons followers of Jesus may not be reaching the lost could be that they don't really know any.  That is, they may not have any non-Christian friends.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky begin a new series on "Individual Outreach."  Episode one in the series is on the need to build relationships with people who don't yet know the Lord.

In this final episode in their series, "Community Outreach," Becky and Kerry discuss first, the legitimacy of churches addressing the felt needs of those in their communities.  Then, they discuss several practical suggestions for how churches can serve people with the love of God.  "Presence before preaching" is a concept church leaders should consider!

Does your church have a step-by-step plan for following up with guests to your Sunday morning assemblies?  In this episode in the series, "Community Outreach," Kerry and Becky offer several tips for how churches may follow up with those who come to the assembly.

If you want your church to reach outsiders, you'll want to go all out for the children.  In this episode, Becky and Kerry discuss five recommendations for doing just that.  This episode is number four in their series on "Community Outreach." 

Is it legitimate and biblical for church leaders to design their Sunday worship assembly with outsiders in mind?  Is there a connection between the Sunday assembly and community outreach?  Becky and Kerry discuss these questions and nine suggestions for improving the weekend services for the sake of outsiders in this episode, number 3 in their series on "Community Outreach."

In this week's episode, Kerry and Becky offer a few tips and suggestions for churches who wish to use their online and digital presence to reach outsiders.

Perhaps the very first step for churches to take to increase their community outreach is for their church to develop an outward focus.  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the need for an outward focus--so many churches seem to have turned inward--and they offer five suggestions for doing so.  This is episode #2 in the series, "Community Outreach."

In this first podcast episode of the new year, Kerry and Becky preview the topics they plan to discuss and produce in The Effective Church Leaders Podcast  in 2024.  Also, they announce the subject matter for first free webinar of the year, scheduled for February 13.

In this final episode in their series, "Vision Casting for Your Church," Kerry and Becky discuss tips for introducing the vision to the church and recommended next steps to take once the vision has been approved.

Once your church's Vision Casting Team has brainstormed ideas regarding what they believe God wants your church to be or do in the next several years, it's time to craft specific, challenging, and measurable vision statements.  These vision statements or goals will "flesh out" the church's intermediate-range vision.  How to craft those vision statements is the subject of this episode, number six in the series, "Vision Casting for Your Church."

So, your church has selected a Vision Casting Team to craft a 3-5 year vision for your church.  What's next?  What does that team need to know before they begin the brainstorming process?  And, what should the VC Team leader encourage the team to do as they brainstorm ideas to accomplish the church's mission?  Join Kerry and Becky in this next episode in the series, "Vision Casting for Your Church."

In this episode, Becky and Kerry discuss the three essential characteristics of effective vision statements/goals for your church.

Once the vision casting team has been selected they need to be clear on the difference between the church's mission and her vision.  This is one of the themes in episode #3 in the series, "Vision Casting for Your Church."  In addition, Becky and Kerry discuss the importance of the vision casting team seeking God's vision for their church, rather than their own.  Spending time in prayer is key to identifying that!  

Who should be given the task of discerning a church's vision?  How many people should be on a vision casting team?  What are some of the characteristics you are looking for in those who will work together on this team?  These are some of the questions that are discussed in this second episode  in the series, "Vision Casting for Your Church."

In this first episode in their series, "Vision Casting for Your Church," Becky and Kerry discuss the rationale behind vision casting.  They define what a vision is, then they provide half a dozen reasons why every church needs to have a clear and compelling set of goals for the future. 

In this final episode in their series on how church leaders can help members of their local churches identify and use their God-given gifts, Becky and Kerry discuss several gifts' assessments.  They discuss free, online assessments for individuals.  They also talk about three assessments for helping ministry teams identify their gifts and how these teams can become healthier and more effective by understanding better each other's gifts.

In this episode in the series, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of Christ," Becky and Kerry introduce the need for a certain ministry team in every local church.  What is that ministry team?  For lack of a better term, it's an "HR Department."  This ministry team would recruit volunteers, list job openings in the church, publish job descriptions, assess volunteer giftedness, and onboard volunteers to the roles in which God has gifted them to serve.  

What can church leaders do to encourage more volunteer engagement in their church?  In this sixth episode of the series, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of Christ," Kerry and Becky discuss five tips for encouraging people to serve and use their God-given gifts.

More churches are reporting that they are finding it difficult to attract and keep volunteers.  Volunteerism is on the decline.  What can be done to alleviate this problem?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss  some of the common barriers that prevent followers of Jesus from using their gifts.  It's episode number five in their series to help Christians find their place of service in the church.  

Every follower of Jesus and every church leader has a calling in the church and should feel a sense of calling!  In this podcast, Kerry and Becky discuss some of the New Testament passages on the subject of a calling and raise six questions to help Christians identify their calling.  This is episode #4 in the series, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of Christ."

In this podcast, Kerry and Becky discuss four big ideas about gifts from Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.  What are the gifts in Ephesians 4?  What is their purpose?  What does it mean that we are "stewards" of "our" gifts?  These are just a few of the questions discussed in episode 3 in the series, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of Christ."

Last week the Holtons examined what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12 about giftedness; this week, Kerry and Becky are reviewing Romans 12:3-8.  Besides a brief discussion of the seven gifts mentioned in Romans 12, they also talk about the need to know ourselves and our gifts, to accept how God has gifted us, and to use what the Spirit of God has been so generous to give.   This is episode #2 in the series, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of  Christ."A brand, new Circle Group Podcast will be published next week.  If you would like to sign up to receive the monthly ECL Circle Group Podcast, go here.

In this episode, Kerry and Becky are beginning a new series entitled, "Finding Your Purpose in the Body of Christ."  This week they take a look at 1 Corinthians 12 to find principles that are as relevant today, as they were when Paul first penned them.  Some of these principles include these notions: There are varieties of gifts, and each gift is necessary in a healthy church; God distributes the gifts as he wills; and gifts are given and should be used for the common good--for the health and growth of the church.

Church leaders, how much attention are you giving to what happens in your church on Sunday morning?  To the worship service?  To the children's Bible classes or the children's Bible hour?  To guest services?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky discuss the importance of the weekend services.  They talk about the need to give primary attention to what goes on during the Sunday morning hour, both for the sake of discipleship and outreach.  This is episode #4, and the last one, in their series on Church Health.

In this episode, #3 in their series on Church Health, Kerry and Becky discuss a third characteristic of healthy and growing churches: change is expected and is a part of their church's culture.  They give a few examples of the kind of change that churches should consider in order to accomplish their mission.  Also, they discuss why so many churches and church leaders are resistant to change.

How healthy is your church?  In this episode, Kerry and Becky talk about a second characteristic of healthy and growing churches: they prioritize reaching new people.  They have an "outsider focus."   Many churches seem to be "insider focused," which may partially explain why they are not growing.  Tune in to this discussion of some of the statements regarding outreach in the ECL Church Health Assessment Tool.  

How healthy is your church?  Using their Church Health Assessment as a discussion starter, Kerry and Becky talk about what they see as some of the characteristics of healthy and growing churches.  In today's episode, the first in this series, they discuss the importance of mission and vision to church health.