When a ministry has experienced a long series of declines but still has a future, what realities guide its revitalization? How do you assess the ministry and make changes? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses church revitalization with Jeremy Sweatt, senior pastor of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church in West Hartford, CT, since 2015. Pastor Sweatt has been in full-time ministry since 1994, serving as an associate pastor in two ministries and also planting a church north of Atlanta. He shares this encouragement with anyone involved in a church revitalization: “If God has called you to it, He will lead you through it.”

What should your priorities be during your initial days as a senior pastor? How can you avoid early mistakes? What is a healthy perspective on leading change in the first 100 days? This is the topic Marshall Fant discusses with Andrew Snavely, who has served as senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Highland Falls, NY, for 18 months. Prior to taking the senior pastorate, Pastor Andrew served for 10 years as an assistant pastor. Here are some nuggets of his advice: “Listen first. Lead wisely.” “Relationships are everything.”  “Earn trust by small, predictable faithfulness.” You can check out the show notes for the resources he found helpful as he transitioned to his new role.

New Pastor’s Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry by Jason Helopoulos (great bullet point chapters)

Church Matters: Seasons in a Pastor’s Life produced by 9Marks (short, succinct biblical stabilities)

Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church by Thom Rainer

What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman (personal direction and productivity)

Next: Pastoral Succession That Works by William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird (more for the outgoing pastor and the church than for the incoming pastor, but still very helpful)

Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by Paul David Tripp

Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp

RE:CHURCH interviews with Caleb Phelps: Preparing to Preach in Year 1 and What Pastoral Candidates Wish Pulpit Committees Knew

The E3 Pastor Conference hosted by Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary

Conversations with senior pastors he knows well to gauge input on full-time schedule, load management, family care, etc.

How can we direct the hearts of teens toward the Lord in light of the challenges they face in an increasingly dark world? Desiring to love young people and help the church, the Wilds is partnering with Shepherd Press to publish a Lifeline Mini-book series for teens. In this episode, Marshall Fant talks with Kelly Collier and Jim Holmes about this new resource. As an ACBC certified counselor, Kelly Collier serves with her husband, Matt, at the Wilds in North Carolina. Jim Holmes has been involved in Christian publishing for over 25 years and currently serves as executive director of ministry and business development at Shepherd Press. Both Kelly and Jim are passionate about helping the next generation by publishing these unintimidating, relatable books.

Electronic distractions. Shorter attention spans. Competing sources of authority. How does a preacher grapple with these things? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Ben Smith, pastor of Vacaville Bible Church in Vacaville, CA, where he has served as senior pastor since 2015. While thinking clearly about the progression of a sermon through a text helps listeners, getting to know your congregation is essential to addressing competing voices of authority. Speaking of the overall goal, Pastor Smith says, “We want to see people grow in their love for the Word of God so that they actually become counter-cultural.”

Emotional fatigue, physical exhaustion, spiritual discouragement. Pastors face both internal and external pressures that wear them down. What are some practical and spiritual ways to address weariness? What are some warning lights that a pastor is headed towards dangerous burnout? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Jerry Jacquot, pastor of Kingsway Baptist Church in Lake Wylie, SC. While planting a church, Pastor Jacquot was a bi-vocational pastor caring for the needs of a young family. Speaking about the pressure of church growth, Pastor Jacquot says, “Remember God’s standard for us is faithfulness. We need to be faithful and then leave the results to God.”

How does a normative-sized church handle technology challenges based on limited budget, knowledge, training, and workers? What are some key considerations regarding sound, presentation video, lighting, and streaming? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Tim Owens, director of operations at SES Integration. With a degree in electronics engineering and 25 years of experience in this field, Tim Owens advises churches to apply basic principles well rather than invest in the most expensive equipment. He says, “Find a good AV partner who can help you.”

“There is a sense in which every sermon ought to be an exposition of Scripture.” That was Dr. Mark Minnick’s comment to Marshall Fant in their discussion of expository preaching for episode 117 of RE:CHURCH, “Preparing to Preach with Mark Minnick.” This 16-minute segment reviews why a pastor should prepare expository sermons using the rhetorical processes of explanation, illustration, application, argumentation, and exhortation. Pastor Minnick has served as the senior pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, since 1989 and has been in pastoral ministry for over 40 years. He is known as a pastor who diligently preaches the Word.

How can a church minister to its undershepherd when he is going through a season of loss? What are some practical ways for believers to practice the “one anothers” with their pastor and his family? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Gary Ledbetter and Chuck Herrell share with Marshall Fant their stories: a wife diagnosed with cancer, the pursuit of treatment options while managing ministry responsibilities, and her decline and homegoing. Gary Ledbetter entered the ministry in 1982 and has pastored four churches and served as an interim pastor in one. Chuck Herrell pastored 40 years in two different churches and now serves churches through GFA’s interim pastor ministry. Speaking of how God used his wife’s passing and his grief to encourage others, Pastor Ledbetter said, “We are inadequate, but He is more than enough!”

What types of conflicts surface in a church? Does the resolution require forbearance, repentance, reconciliation, or forgiveness? What role do pastors and church leaders have in resolving conflict? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant and Rick Arrowood discuss scriptural principles and share practical wisdom about resolving church conflict. Pastor Arrowood has 47 years of pastoral experience and currently serves as an interim pastor with GFA.

Resources: The Peace Maker by Ken Sande and Resolving Conflict: How to Make, Disturb, and Keep the Peace by Lou Priolo

What traditions in your community could inform your outreach? How could you use a Christmas Eve service as a first touch point with an unbeliever? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses with Matt Fagan and Andrew French how they plan a Christmas Eve service at Heritage Baptist Church in Windham, NH, to connect with people in their community. Matt Fagan moved to New Hampshire in 2001 to start Heritage Baptist Church, where he has served as pastor for 25 years. Andrew French joined the pastoral staff in 2013.