RE: CHURCH

Are your deacons active in all the services of the church, especially on Sunday evenings and prayer meetings? If not, how can you encourage them to faithfully participate in all of the services? How can you build unity and work as a team with the leadership of your church? In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses this listener's question with Dale Cunningham, pastor of Boones Creek Bible Church in Johnson, TN. Dale Cunningham has pastored for 37 years and shows a shepherd's heart in how he addresses this question. A helpful resource he recommends is Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church. 

You can contact Pastor Cunningham at [email protected] with any additional questions about this topic.

Is your church preparing to call a pastor? What practical things can you do to lessen the burden on the incoming man? Churches without pastors are vulnerable and need to prepare themselves for their next pastor. In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses with two GFA interim pastors, David Shoaf and Paul Stevenson, practical things such as membership records, leadership transparency, and internet service. Pastor Shoaf has over 45 years of experience pastoring full-time, while Pastor Stevenson has over 40 years of ministry experience.

Is your church without a pastor? How can you prepare to call the next man? Churches often react to the shortcomings of their previous pastor by swinging the pendulum in the opposite direction. In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses with two GFA interim pastors, David Shoaf and Paul Stevenson, some practical ways a church can prepare for a new pastor. Pastor Shoaf has over 45 years of experience pastoring full-time, while Pastor Stevenson has over 40 years of ministry experience.

How do planning and prayer fit together in ministry? How do you lead your church in keeping prayer as a priority in ministry? In this podcast, Marshall Fant III discusses with his son, Marshall Fant IV, how to create a culture of prayer in a church. They talk about month-long seasons of prayer, connect cards, church staff prayer meetings, the midweek prayer service, pastoral prayers, men's Friday morning prayer time, small group prayer, and more. Marshall Fant IV has served as senior pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC, since 2017.

What does it mean to adopt, merge, or foster a church? These are all terms for coming alongside a struggling church and nurturing and resourcing it back to health. In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses with Bill Park how a healthy, disciple-making church goes through the process of adopting a struggling church. For over 40 years, Bill Park pastored High Point Baptist Chapel, a church that "planted" in one way or another 16 to 18 churches. This ministry has been promoted by Christ's promise that "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Why adopt a church? What is church adoption anyway? In this podcast, Marshall Fant discusses with Pastor Bill Park the foundational principles and different models for multiplying churches. For over 40 years, Bill Park pastored High Point Baptist Chapel, a church that "planted" in one way or another 16 to 18 churches. This ministry has been promoted by Christ's promise that "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Are you transitioning roles from associate pastor to the senior pastor? Did the pastor handing off the baton take specific actions to prepare for you to come? Was there a time when you both were at the church? Listen as Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Treg Spicer, co-host of the podcast, Art of the Assistant and senior pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV. Treg Spicer followed a man who was the undershepherd of Faith Baptist Church for 49 years.

Are you a second man? If so, how can you enhance the ministry and the pastor the Lord has put you under? What if you are the senior pastor with an assistant pastor serving under you? How can you develop him? Listen as Marshall Fant discusses this topic with Treg Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV, and co-host of the podcast, Art of the Assistant. Before becoming senior pastor, Treg Spicer served in both assistant and associate pastor roles for 16 years. He is passionate about equipping others in those positions so that they can carry out the roles God has called them to in a way that is pleasing to Christ.

How do you treat musicians in your church? Is there a right time to pay them for ministry? How do you handle funerals, weddings, and private lessons that benefit budding musicians in the church? How can you show you value an accompanist's time? Listen as Marshall Fant interviews two musicians, Eirik and Brigette Shevy, about this topic in Episode 62 of RE:CHURCH. Eirik Shevy serves as music pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC. Brigette, his wife, also plays a key role with her expertise as a pianist, composer, and harpist.

How important is music to your worship? Are you wanting to quickly get to the main attraction—the message? A pastor's attitude toward service music makes a big difference in the quality of music a church gets. Listen as Marshall Fant interviews two musicians, Eirik and Brigette Shevy, about this topic in Episode 61 of RE:CHURCH. Eirik Shevy serves as music pastor of Harvest Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC. Brigette, his wife, also plays a key role with her expertise as a pianist, composer, and harpist.