5 Leadership Questions Podcast on Church Leadership with Todd Adkins and Dan Iten

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper talk with Danny Franks, the connections pastor at The Summit Church in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina about the importance of amazing guest services at church and how they are part of the ministry. At many churches greeters, parkers, and ushers are just a rotating group of volunteers who are sort of an add-on ministry. Danny explains why they are essential to reaching people with the good news of the gospel.

* What exactly are “guest services”?

* Why are guest services in the church so important?

* Can anybody do guest services in the church?

* How do you take an inwardly focused church and help them be aware of guests’ needs?

* What are ways you recruit, develop, and retain good guest service volunteers?

BEST QUOTES

“Often times guest services fall under ‘other duties as assigned’ in the church.”

“Other times guest services are shock and awe.”

“The reason we honor our guests isn’t to make much of ourselves in the church but to make much of the gospel.”

“The gospel is offensive, but nothing else should be.”

“We want to clear the way for our pastor to preach and to preach unhindered.”

“The things that tend to bring us comfort in the church tend to make our guests uncomfortable.”

“If somebody is going to be made uncomfortable let that be us, not our guests.”

“Think about guests in the church the same way you think about guests in your home.”

“Guests services sets the stage and creates the environment for people walking into worship.”

“You need people who are good with people and can make others feel welcome.”

“This isn’t just about being friendly. It’s about taking intentional steps to help people move from being on the outside to on the inside.”

“We’re talking about a gift of hospitality, a servant mindset.”

“Begin with the end in mind.”

“Talk like guests are in the room as you lead.”

“This is part of our mission. Our mission is to reach people.”

“If you’re trying to birth something sometimes that means other things have to die.”

“It takes honest humility to ask what is present because we’re comfortable and what is present because it’s necessary.”

“Please don’t ever have your guests stand up in service.”

“To often we train for the “what” and don’t train for the “why”.

“To retain a volunteer they need to feel like they’re part of a grander vision.”

“The goal isn’t to progress people to the next level; it’s to land people at the right level.”

“We try to help people see the role they’re playing in someone’s eternity.”

“You never know where someone is coming from who is just two seats down from you.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Danny’s Blog

Guest Services Video Training

 

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper talk with Danny Franks, the connections pastor at The Summit Church in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina about the importance of amazing guest services at church and how they are part of the ministry. At many churches greeters, parkers, and ushers are just a rotating group of volunteers who are sort of an add-on ministry. Danny explains why they are essential to reaching people with the good news of the gospel.

* What exactly are “guest services”?

* Why are guest services in the church so important?

* Can anybody do guest services in the church?

* How do you take an inwardly focused church and help them be aware of guests’ needs?

* What are ways you recruit, develop, and retain good guest service volunteers?

BEST QUOTES

“Often times guest services fall under ‘other duties as assigned’ in the church.”

“Other times guest services are shock and awe.”

“The reason we honor our guests isn’t to make much of ourselves in the church but to make much of the gospel.”

“The gospel is offensive, but nothing else should be.”

“We want to clear the way for our pastor to preach and to preach unhindered.”

“The things that tend to bring us comfort in the church tend to make our guests uncomfortable.”

“If somebody is going to be made uncomfortable let that be us, not our guests.”

“Think about guests in the church the same way you think about guests in your home.”

“Guests services sets the stage and creates the environment for people walking into worship.”

“You need people who are good with people and can make others feel welcome.”

“This isn’t just about being friendly. It’s about taking intentional steps to help people move from being on the outside to on the inside.”

“We’re talking about a gift of hospitality, a servant mindset.”

“Begin with the end in mind.”

“Talk like guests are in the room as you lead.”

“This is part of our mission. Our mission is to reach people.”

“If you’re trying to birth something sometimes that means other things have to die.”

“It takes honest humility to ask what is present because we’re comfortable and what is present because it’s necessary.”

“Please don’t ever have your guests stand up in service.”

“To often we train for the “what” and don’t train for the “why”.

“To retain a volunteer they need to feel like they’re part of a grander vision.”

“The goal isn’t to progress people to the next level; it’s to land people at the right level.”

“We try to help people see the role they’re playing in someone’s eternity.”

“You never know where someone is coming from who is just two seats down from you.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Danny’s Blog

Guest Services Video Training

 

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Barnabas Piper talks with Larry Osborne who has spent 36 years as a pastor at Northcoast Church and has authored several books including Sticky Teams and Sticky Church. Osborne shares great wisdom about realistic expectations, the fine line between leadership development and discipleship, and much more.

BEST QUOTES

“Our real dream was to dig our roots into one community and pour our lives out there.”

“More often than not the answer to what I’m learning is ‘nothing’.”

“There are lots of people I’d learn from for a season.”

“We all have different leadership gifts – the five, the two, and the one talent. That’s God’s plan, not ours.”

“The larger the leadership gift, more often they have a multitude of leadership mentors.”

“The smaller the leadership gift the more often they have a single mentor they’re almost cloning.”

“Too often we have a one-size fits all approach to leadership.”

“We teach the body of Christ. We often don’t believe the body of Christ.”

“We need to constantly pursue our mission, not our successes.”

“Good things are happening, but are we staying healthy?”

“People are much quicker to share frustrations than failure.”

“Not everyone is a leader, but everyone is to have influence.”

“Vision always outpaces resources.”

“Calling is not potential.”

“So often we look at the recipe instead of looking at the fruit that grows on the tree.”

“What do I need to do to make sure my wife is maximized and my kids are maximized in Jesus Christ.”

“You have nothing to prove and no one to impress.”

“Do your best under the circumstances and take a nap.”

“It’s a dangerous question to ask – ‘is that the best I could do?’”

“So many of us think we’re so responsible for things we aren’t.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Sticky Teams

Sticky Church

Mission Creep

Thriving in Babylon

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Barnabas Piper talks with Larry Osborne who has spent 36 years as a pastor at Northcoast Church and has authored several books including Sticky Teams and Sticky Church. Osborne shares great wisdom about realistic expectations, the fine line between leadership development and discipleship, and much more.

BEST QUOTES

“Our real dream was to dig our roots into one community and pour our lives out there.”

“More often than not the answer to what I’m learning is ‘nothing’.”

“There are lots of people I’d learn from for a season.”

“We all have different leadership gifts – the five, the two, and the one talent. That’s God’s plan, not ours.”

“The larger the leadership gift, more often they have a multitude of leadership mentors.”

“The smaller the leadership gift the more often they have a single mentor they’re almost cloning.”

“Too often we have a one-size fits all approach to leadership.”

“We teach the body of Christ. We often don’t believe the body of Christ.”

“We need to constantly pursue our mission, not our successes.”

“Good things are happening, but are we staying healthy?”

“People are much quicker to share frustrations than failure.”

“Not everyone is a leader, but everyone is to have influence.”

“Vision always outpaces resources.”

“Calling is not potential.”

“So often we look at the recipe instead of looking at the fruit that grows on the tree.”

“What do I need to do to make sure my wife is maximized and my kids are maximized in Jesus Christ.”

“You have nothing to prove and no one to impress.”

“Do your best under the circumstances and take a nap.”

“It’s a dangerous question to ask – ‘is that the best I could do?’”

“So many of us think we’re so responsible for things we aren’t.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Sticky Teams

Sticky Church

Mission Creep

Thriving in Babylon

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Barnabas Piper talks with Larry Osborne who has spent 36 years as a pastor at Northcoast Church and has authored several books including Sticky Teams and Sticky Church. Osborne shares great wisdom about realistic expectations, the fine line between leadership development and discipleship, and much more.

BEST QUOTES

“Our real dream was to dig our roots into one community and pour our lives out there.”

“More often than not the answer to what I’m learning is ‘nothing’.”

“There are lots of people I’d learn from for a season.”

“We all have different leadership gifts – the five, the two, and the one talent. That’s God’s plan, not ours.”

“The larger the leadership gift, more often they have a multitude of leadership mentors.”

“The smaller the leadership gift the more often they have a single mentor they’re almost cloning.”

“Too often we have a one-size fits all approach to leadership.”

“We teach the body of Christ. We often don’t believe the body of Christ.”

“We need to constantly pursue our mission, not our successes.”

“Good things are happening, but are we staying healthy?”

“People are much quicker to share frustrations than failure.”

“Not everyone is a leader, but everyone is to have influence.”

“Vision always outpaces resources.”

“Calling is not potential.”

“So often we look at the recipe instead of looking at the fruit that grows on the tree.”

“What do I need to do to make sure my wife is maximized and my kids are maximized in Jesus Christ.”

“You have nothing to prove and no one to impress.”

“Do your best under the circumstances and take a nap.”

“It’s a dangerous question to ask – ‘is that the best I could do?’”

“So many of us think we’re so responsible for things we aren’t.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Sticky Teams

Sticky Church

Mission Creep

Thriving in Babylon

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper are joined by Daniel Im to discuss the benefits and practices of internships, both for the intern and the organization. They ask the following questions.

* What is the value of an internship program for an organization?

* What are types and models of internship programs?

* What do you look for when selecting interns?

* What is the benefit for the person interning?

* What does the day-to-day of running an internship look like?

BEST QUOTES

“Internships should not be cheap or free labor.”

“Internships provide a way to do projects you couldn’t otherwise do.”

“If all you see an internship as is cheap labor you won’t get the full benefit and neither will the intern.”

“If an intern is a learner and moldable you’re able to shape them into the culture of your organization.”

“Recent seminary grads make the worst interns.”

“Mid-career guys make the best interns.”

“A typical internship program has measurable learning objectives.”

“Throwing interns in over their head is something not enough organizations do.”

“ Stretching someone is different than throwing them in and seeing if they swim or drown.”

“Too many internships are too defined and you don’t see the capacity of the person.”

“Fifteen to Twenty percent of their time should be focused on learning and development.”

“We want to make sure interns are better prepared for their future as they leave.”

“Anyone who has worked at Chick-fil-a can come intern with us.”

“Ask them what the top 5 things they are looking to get out of the internship.”

“I look for learners.”

“Students can bring a new perspective and new life.”

“The biggest benefit of interning is relationships and networking.”

“You can do super well in school, but if you don’t have networks and relationships it’s going to be so hard to get that first job.”

“Employers look at internships and see someone who invested in gaining experience.”

“Being in that professional context and learning those habits and rhythms is incredibly valuable.”

“70% of our development is on the job learning.”

“Include interns in your team interactions, meetings or social.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper are joined by Daniel Im to discuss the benefits and practices of internships, both for the intern and the organization. They ask the following questions.

* What is the value of an internship program for an organization?

* What are types and models of internship programs?

* What do you look for when selecting interns?

* What is the benefit for the person interning?

* What does the day-to-day of running an internship look like?

BEST QUOTES

“Internships should not be cheap or free labor.”

“Internships provide a way to do projects you couldn’t otherwise do.”

“If all you see an internship as is cheap labor you won’t get the full benefit and neither will the intern.”

“If an intern is a learner and moldable you’re able to shape them into the culture of your organization.”

“Recent seminary grads make the worst interns.”

“Mid-career guys make the best interns.”

“A typical internship program has measurable learning objectives.”

“Throwing interns in over their head is something not enough organizations do.”

“ Stretching someone is different than throwing them in and seeing if they swim or drown.”

“Too many internships are too defined and you don’t see the capacity of the person.”

“Fifteen to Twenty percent of their time should be focused on learning and development.”

“We want to make sure interns are better prepared for their future as they leave.”

“Anyone who has worked at Chick-fil-a can come intern with us.”

“Ask them what the top 5 things they are looking to get out of the internship.”

“I look for learners.”

“Students can bring a new perspective and new life.”

“The biggest benefit of interning is relationships and networking.”

“You can do super well in school, but if you don’t have networks and relationships it’s going to be so hard to get that first job.”

“Employers look at internships and see someone who invested in gaining experience.”

“Being in that professional context and learning those habits and rhythms is incredibly valuable.”

“70% of our development is on the job learning.”

“Include interns in your team interactions, meetings or social.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper are joined by Daniel Im to discuss the benefits and practices of internships, both for the intern and the organization. They ask the following questions.

* What is the value of an internship program for an organization?

* What are types and models of internship programs?

* What do you look for when selecting interns?

* What is the benefit for the person interning?

* What does the day-to-day of running an internship look like?

BEST QUOTES

“Internships should not be cheap or free labor.”

“Internships provide a way to do projects you couldn’t otherwise do.”

“If all you see an internship as is cheap labor you won’t get the full benefit and neither will the intern.”

“If an intern is a learner and moldable you’re able to shape them into the culture of your organization.”

“Recent seminary grads make the worst interns.”

“Mid-career guys make the best interns.”

“A typical internship program has measurable learning objectives.”

“Throwing interns in over their head is something not enough organizations do.”

“ Stretching someone is different than throwing them in and seeing if they swim or drown.”

“Too many internships are too defined and you don’t see the capacity of the person.”

“Fifteen to Twenty percent of their time should be focused on learning and development.”

“We want to make sure interns are better prepared for their future as they leave.”

“Anyone who has worked at Chick-fil-a can come intern with us.”

“Ask them what the top 5 things they are looking to get out of the internship.”

“I look for learners.”

“Students can bring a new perspective and new life.”

“The biggest benefit of interning is relationships and networking.”

“You can do super well in school, but if you don’t have networks and relationships it’s going to be so hard to get that first job.”

“Employers look at internships and see someone who invested in gaining experience.”

“Being in that professional context and learning those habits and rhythms is incredibly valuable.”

“70% of our development is on the job learning.”

“Include interns in your team interactions, meetings or social.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders

H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick

In this episode of the 5 Leadership Questions podcast Todd Adkins and Barnabas Piper speak with Eric Mason, pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, author of several books, and founder of Thriving. Their conversation covers the usual five questions but ranges from urban missiology, urban ministry, leadership development in the church, volunteer training, and is generally a masters class in development structure for churches. Mason is both a scholar and a practitioner, a deep thinker and an implementer. You will enjoy this wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation.

BEST QUOTES

“Planting a church out of your church is more like having a baby than being a god parent.”

“In an urban context there is a different evangelism narrative that needs to be engaged.”

“Cities are living systems already and third places are in abundance.”

“I’ve always seen friendship evangelism on the neighborhood. I’ve always seen proclamational evangelism in the neighborhood.”

“System thinking is a way in which a person begins to view and exegete their city by knowing the visible and invisible systems of their city in order that they may engage it with the gospel.”

“If you’ve grown up in a system there’s a natural common ground that you don’t have to bridge since you already have relationships.”

“We need to see how things work here before we begin doing work.”

“If momma (the church) isn’t healthy other things won’t be healthy.”

“We want to have an infrastructure in place administratively to help make sure that the focus of gospel ministry and discipleship happens.”

“We want to help young men in our neighborhood aspire to be more than ball players and rappers.”

“We want to show that the gospel has comprehensive affect on our life in every single area.”

“People talk about a carbon footprint – we want to have a gospel footprint on our neighborhood.”

“We want you to be fruitful as a single, but we want you to be living – we don’t want the entirety of your life to be built around ministry.”

“All of our leaders have to have apprentices.”

“Smart goals are specific, measurable, relevant, achievable, and time-bound.”

“Every January we set a family vision.”

“As a pastor it’s easier to have a better vision and leadership in the church than in your home.”

“The Christian life and leadership is a marathon, not a sprint.”

“Being patient with people is one of the best lessons to learn in leadership.”

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Manhood Restored

Urban Apologetics by Christopher Brooks

Doctrine that Dances by Robert Smith Jr.

The Present Future by Reggie McNeal

The Shaping of Things to Come by Alan Hirsch & Michael Frost

Transforming Mission by David Bosch

Urban Ministry by Manual Ortiz & Harvie Conn

Thriving

Pipeline Conference