Small Town Church Planting (with Guest Chris Driver)

Today on the HCP, Larry and Drew welcome Chris Driver (planting pastor of Oasis Church, Levelland, TX). Context is everything in church planting. We have to be sensitive to the needs and culture of the towns we plant churches in. Those different contexts can be extremely varied.  Current church planting models may not connect as well in small towns of 100 or so. In that case, how do we continue to be obedient to Jesus to make disciples where most models don’t quite work the same.  

Chris gives some great ideas and vision to how to reach people in smaller towns. These towns may not be able to support the “attractional” church with the pastor who wants a full time church position. Towns like these need to learn how to not only be disciples of Jesus, but make disciples in their context. There’s no room to only sit back and be “consumers”, but instead, be sent on mission to make Jesus known.

Chris shares his phases of ministry in this church plant:

Phase 1:  Connection

Phase 2:  Small Group(s)

Phase 3:  House Church

Phase 4:  Public Launch

Phase 5:  Multiplication 

He also talks about some refreshing core values:

At Oasis, we will strive to emphasize: 

Simple over complicated

Participating over spectating

Connecting over gathering

Sending over keeping

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Missional Small Groups

On this episode of HCP, Larry and Drew talk about mission in the context of small groups. Many times our small groups can become very exclusive and internally focused and we can forget that we’re not only called to care for one another, but to also be intentional in our sharing of the Gospel everywhere we go. In the same way that we pray for one another, want to care for each others needs and disciple one another - we ALSO have to be accountable to each other to make Jesus known. We have an amazing opportunity in our small groups to pray for each other and the movement of God’s Spirit in and through us to take the message of Jesus to those around us.

We were reminded of the story after John and Peter went to the Temple to preach the Gospel and heal the crippled man - they returned to the church of believers who wanted to hear what had happened and their time ended praying for each other to see God’s movement by His Spirit all around them and to be BOLD witnesses for Christ. The Lord affirmed their prayer and desire to make Jesus known but literally shaking the building they were in.

It’s time that the Lord shake our church buildings as well as He sends us out on mission together in boldness and unity and brings us back to authentic community and accountability for what God is doing in us as His people He’s sent out to tell His story.

For more information about HCP please find us at:

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If we can help you develop healthy, missional small groups, email us at [email protected]

HCP - 46 - “10 Signs of Being a Narcissistic Pastor”

Though it’s easy to point fingers at others, who you may think have this issue, we should probably look in the mirror first.  The original sin is PRIDE. It got Lucifer kicked out of Heaven and Adam and Eve removed from Eden. It can also ruin your life and church.  Though we all appreciate those moments as leaders in the church where someone says “we don’t know what we’d do without you”, we should be careful to start “believing our own press”. In this podcast Larry and Drew discuss their own struggles with pride and how dangerous the issue of Narcissism can be in the heart of leaders and even effect your church.

This conversation is built around the frame work of an article by Charles Stone found on CharlesStone.Com (link below). Stone gives 10 thoughtful considerations of possible signs in leaders who might be Narcissistic. 

The 10 Signs of Being a Narcissistic Pastor or Leader:

1. Rage if he experiences shame for shame exposes his true self.
2. An inordinate need for praise in order to feel important.
3. The feeling of entitlement to special treatment.
4. The immense need for continual feedback of how important she is.
5. The feeling of superiority and its reinforcement from others.
6. Strong reaction to rejection and disapproval, sometimes with intense rage.
7. The lack of the capacity to mourn, a defense against depression.
8. Calculating and conniving behavior to “maintain” supplies of continuous adulation.
9. An impaired capacity for commitment.
10. No capacity for self-focus or self-examination.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

Phil. 2:3

This article can be found at:

https://charlesstone.com/the-narcissistic-pastor-10-signs-that-you-may-be-one/

Other resources:

https://unseminary.com/5-signs-youre-following-a-narcissistic-church-leader/

https://careynieuwhof.com/episode212/

For more information about the Healthy Church Podcast, find us at:

http://www.HealthyChurchPodcast.Com

Or find us on FaceBook.

On this episode of the Healthy Church Podcast, Larry and Drew candidly talk about ministry and life experiences where they have worked through confrontation. We all face it in most of our relationships and our team or staff relationships are no different.  You’ve probably had your heart hurt by a friend or co-worker and held some of those feelings in your heart for a season and it most likely changed that relationship, often not for the better. That leaves us with the reality that we need to work through those feelings or expectations with that person in a way that honors the Lord and loves the person you’re struggling with.

Matt. 18 and Rom. 13 are great passages that deal with loving people well and yet speaking truth in love.

Today we discuss approaching these conversations with:

• Prayer
• The right environment
• Giving the person the benefit of the doubt - don’t create false narratives
• Deal with the issue, not the person
• Affirm your love and commitment to the relationship
• Working through a detailed plan of action to resolve the issue together

Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

For more information on the Healthy Church Podcast check out our website:

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On this episode of HCP Drew and Larry talk about the Post Easter realities pastors face.  After months of preparation as a staff team, working towards goals on the property, handouts, website tweaks, children’s ministry and everything in between, the big day finally comes. The following day, can be a day that pastors struggle with depression or over critique of their efforts as a team or even just beating themselves up over the message they gave.

On this episode, Drew discusses some of struggles He’s faced after Easter. “Instead of being grateful for all God had done on Easter, I was wishing we had more people, more salvations, better performances, etc… God convicted me and helped me get my heart in the right place, considering the right things.”

Easter is the BIG SUNDAY of the year: (the “Super Bowl of Sundays)

• •We dream of coming across to visitors as the church we want to be
• •We have a list of to-dos to accomplish
• •We want our worship/preaching to be the best of the year
• •We want to greet people joyfully with volunteers and donuts
• •We want our children’s ministry to be the best it can be
• •We want our property to looks its best
• •We want our hand-outs to be top notch
• •We advertise with mailers and FB
• •We want our small groups or community ministry to be offered in the best “light”
• •We want to look our best, want our kids to look their best
• •We have all kinds of dreams and expectations of how we can present our church experience to visitors.
• •We know this may be our only opportunity to connect to the most new people possible – at Easter.

Disappointments can look like:

• •Wish we had more people
• •Wish we had more salvations
• •Wish we had a better offering
• •Wish we had as many people as some other church
• •Wish we had better technical abilities or team for  better streaming broadcast
• •Wish we had better worship or leaders or team.
• •Wish I was a better communicator

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.  Col. 3:12

For more information about the Healthy Church Podcast go to:

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On today’s Podcast Larry and Drew welcome Missionary and Pastor Charles Costa to the podcast. Charles serves with his family in Beirut, Lebanon. The discussion starts off with Costa talking about not fearing death in the middle East. He said “God has appointed for a man to die once, I’m going to die anyway,  I might as well make it count - I want to say to the Lord, I gave my everything for you including my life.”

They discuss the Aug. 4th bombing of the port of Beirut, how the currency has fallen 90% and the impact on the ministry of pastors and the church.

Costa explained, “We see adverse situations as opportunity to show the love of Christ. The bombing in the port of Beirut is the 3rd largest and most destructive non-nuclear bombing in history. But, it has been an opportunity to serve people and make Christ known.”

One final question asked to Costa was “What would say is the most important thing the American church needs to change in order to be a healthy church?” (Answer in the podcast)

For more information about the Healthy Church Podcast, check out.

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On this episode Larry and Drew discuss the forth part of the Foundations series - STRATEGY.  

Developing Strategy for your church:

·     What passions do you as a church have?  

·     What unique gifts and abilities do your people possess?  

·     Where and how can you match those passions, gifts, and abilities with the needs of your community?  

·     Ask leaders in key positions what your church can do to help them the most!

Systems are reproducible and interconnected processes by which the organization actualizes its values and achieves its mission.

For more information about the Healthy Church Podcast, go to our website
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On today’s Healthy Church Podcast, Larry and Drew welcome Darrell Adcock (Executive Pastor and Worship Director at South City Church in Little Rock). Darrell helps us to know about some of his favorite apps and programs that help assist in the work of ministry for the church.

Top 5 Tools to Move your Ministry Forward in 2021

From Bill Parkinson:  Dr Howard Hendrix “ You can only minister to what you can administrate”.

• Planning Center Online https://www.planningcenter.com/

• Expensify.com: automates our purchases, expenses, and accounting (through Quickbooks Online)

• Asana: a task and project platform people will actually use  asana.com

• Sheila Schroyer CPA:  (940) 312-3304  sheilacpa.com

• Unsplash.com   FREE, Royalty-free images.  

*Bonus:  Grammarly - get a premium business account; free to nonprofits  https://www.grammarly.com/nonprofits-ngos

**Bonus:  Canva.com - online graphic design

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We’ve been doing the Healthy Church Podcast for over a year! Today we celebrate that God has blessed us in our first year of the podcast and we’re thankful for the several thousand of you who have listened! Thank you!

On this episode of the Healthy Church Podcast, Larry and Drew continue their conversation about VISION. This podcast gets very specific about 7 Steps Toward Your Vision.

1. 1.A season of personal prayer!
2. 2.A call to group prayer!
3. 3.Brainstorm individually!
4. 4.Whiteboard as a team!
5. 5.Make sure it is a S.M.A.R.T. vision! (Listen for Acronym)
6. 6.Does your vision statement include the following elements (Listen for elements)
7. 7.Determine how you want your people to connect with the vision!

For more information about HCP, please check out our website at

www.HealthyChurchPodcast.Com or find us at FaceBook.

On this episode of the Healthy Church Podcast, Larry and Drew continue in their series called Foundations of a Health Church. Today they discuss the 3rd element - Vision.

Do you know the vision of your church? What is it that your church family is working towards? Believing for? Feeling led to pursue in your community? Vision is more than wanting cool lighting and a great worship team. Vision for the church should seek to be obedient to God and His Word for what the church should be about, but should also be seeking to “exegete” the community. Seek to find what needs are not being met and work to be the solution in the name of Jesus. Every church is planted exactly where God wants them to be (Acts 17) for “such a time as this”,  so are we making a difference in our community?

We talk about context, dreaming, praying, re-evaluating and reverse engineering what God has laid on your heart for your church.  Every church new or old needs a good understanding and stated VISION for who God wants them to become. Biblical and rooted in His Word for expectations of every church, yet contextual and timely for the place where God has planted them.

For more information about the Healthy Church Podcast find us at the HealthyChurchPodcast.Com or 

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