RE: CHURCH

Churches without pastors are vulnerable. And because a search for a new pastor is not a process churches go through frequently, pulpit committees tend to make some common mistakes. Listen to Marshall Fant interview David Shoaf about this topic in Episode 90 of RE: CHURCH. David Shoaf pastored Independent Baptist Church of Bolingbrook, Illinois, for 44 years before joining GFA's interim pastor program. He is currently assisting his third church in its search for a new pastor. You can contact David Shoaf here with any questions. 

Pastoral Candidate Questions

What are some of the common problems pastors and churches are facing in today's culture? What are some of the biblical solutions to these struggles? In this RE: CHURCH episode, Marshall Fant discusses both the struggles and their solutions with Dave and Claudia Barba of Press On! Ministries, a ministry assisting churches at all stages of growth. Before starting Press On! Ministries, the Barbas planted two churches and traveled in evangelism. They speak from nearly 40 years of ministry experience and have a desire to help other pastors and their wives.

Will your church support many missionaries for a small dollar amount or fewer missionaries for a larger dollar amount? Are you focused on any particular geographic regions? Why use a missionary questionnaire? These are practical questions that a church's missions policy helps answer. In this episode, Marshall Fant discusses with Dave Smith how to craft a church missions policy. As an MK who grew up in Papua New Guinea and then ministered there as a missionary for 10 years, Dave Smith currently serves as the missions pastor at Morningside Baptist Church and director of Open Door Baptist Missions, a ministry of this church in Greenville, SC.

Why should a church consider using an evangelist? What questions should a pastor ask before committing for an evangelist to come? Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Ben Farrell, current senior pastor of Reedy Creek Baptist Church in Lexington, NC. Because Ben Farrell grew up in the home of an evangelist and traveled with his dad in evangelism before transitioning to the pastorate, he is able to speak from the perspective of both the pastor and evangelist. He continues to travel some holding special services, preaching at camps, and ministering with Majesty Music.

Are you looking for effective ways to minister to teens? On this podcast, Marshall Fant interviews Rand Hummel about his "Daily Meditations with Rand Hummel," a podcast and devotional he has created for teens out of a burden for them to consistently be in the Word. Rand Hummel serves as the camp director of The Wilds of New England and is known as a friend of teens. You can subscribe to his podcast or devotional at RandHummel.com.

Imagine a person visiting your church for the first time. How can you as a pastor determine the person's spiritual need? What is a good way for the person to get connected and learn your church culture? On this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses with Matt Fagan how he uses a welcome class to assimilate visitors into the church. Twenty years ago Matt Fagan planted Heritage Baptist Church in Windham, NH, and he continues to pastor this assembly today.

Thinking of starting a retreat with your deacons? What is some advice for getting started? How should you plan your agenda and set goals? In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Will Senn, pastor of Tri-City Baptist Church in Westminster, CO. Pastor Senn has pastored for 38 years and believes that relationships are everything in ministry.

Have you ever brought an unsaved visitor to the morning worship service and been disappointed that the Gospel was not clearly presented? While the primary purpose for gathering Sunday morning is to feed the flock, are you prepared as a pastor to meet the spiritual needs of unsaved visitors? Do you pray for the guests who come? Do you have an intentional assimilation process? In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Chuck Phelps, pastor of Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Pastor Phelps has ministered at Colonial Hills for 12 years and has been in pastoral ministry for 40 years. He brings a wealth of experience to this topic.

Do you regularly pray for guests to come to your church? Is your church welcoming to them? Do you have a way to assimilate visitors into your church? In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Tim Richmond and Andrew Snavely. Over a decade ago Pastor Tim Richmond planted Grace Baptist Church in Queens, NY, and Andrew Snavely now serves alongside him as an assistant pastor. As a starting point to seeing guests come to their church, they regularly pray this three-pronged request: 1) for people in churches that no longer proclaim the Gospel to come, 2) for people whom God is convicting and drawing to come, and 3) for people who are looking for a Bible-driven church to come. Then as they see God answer prayer, they try to look at their church service through the eyes of a visitor, develop a conversation, enlist the church people, and follow up. Listen to this podcast for some practical ideas about how you can engage believers and unbelievers who visit your church.

What is the difference between mass evangelism and relationship evangelism? What is the starting point for engaging your community? How can you connect with your audience? In what ways are they grappling with life in this sin-cursed world? In this episode of RE: CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses 21st-century evangelism with Tim Richmond and Andrew Snavely. Over a decade ago Pastor Tim Richmond planted Grace Baptist Church in Queens, NY, and Andrew Snavely now serves alongside him as an assistant pastor. Both men have kept prayer as the number one priority as they have sowed the seed widely, sought to know their community and communicate the Gospel message to them, and developed a culture in the church where outreach is normal.