Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some current trends that pastors need to be aware of for their churches and communities.

Some Highlights:

• More social media issues
• Changing family dynamics
• Increasing cultural headwinds

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some current trends that pastors need to be aware of—both within their churches and throughout their communities.

Some Highlights:

• Mental health issues
• Senior life
• The current political environment
• Changing public schools
• Social media issues

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some reasons why churches are moving from multiple worship services with different worship styles to a single worship style.

Some Highlights:

1. Multiple worship styles created an “us-versus-them” mentality.
2. The church did not have the resources to do multiple styles with quality.
3. The church moved from multiple services to one service.
4. The millennial generation has influenced many churches.
5. Worship wars are waning.
6. Multiple generations are becoming more accustomed to different types of church music and worship styles.

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “Six Reasons Some Churches are Moving Back to One Worship Style” by Kenny Lamm

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Sam Rainer on some simple and creative ways to love your local community.

Some Highlights:

1. Don’t go home.
2. Join the fun.
3. Live with your people.
4. Stop complaining.
5. Stay active.
6. Join a civic organization.
7. Try something new on a regular basis.

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “Seven Ways to Love Your Community” by Sam Rainer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share more reasons why we need to learn from the Puritans, based on an article from Jeff Robinson.

Some Highlights:

• Because they saw all of life as being lived coram deo—before the face of God
• Because they were highly decorated soldiers on the spiritual battlefield
• Because they were skilled physicians of the souls
• Because they understood contentment in Christ as the key to genuine happiness

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans” by Jeff Robinson
• Little Pilgrim’s Progress: From John Bunyan’s Classic by Helen Taylor and Joanne Brubaker
• Following God Fully: An Introduction to the Puritans by Michael Reeves and Joel Beeke
• The Godly Man’s Picture by Thomas Watson

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst share some reasons why we need to learn from the Puritans, based on an article from Jeff Robinson.

Some Highlights:

• Because they were mature and we are not
• Because they understood the deep sinfulness of the human heart
• Because they knew their best life was later
• Because they viewed the family as a little church

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “Eight Reasons Why We Need the Puritans” by Jeff Robinson
• A Quest for Godliness: The Puritan Vision of the Christian Life by J.I. Packer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss whether counting worship attendance still makes sense, based on an article from Sam Rainer.

Healthy reasons to count:

• Rhythms build discipleship.
• Presence enables connection.
• Trends reveal direction.
• Opportunities increase.

Unhealthy reasons to count:

• Legalism creeps in.
• Growth becomes a game.
• Charisma overshadows calling.
• Quantity replaces quality.

Resources Related to This Episode:

“Does Counting Worship Attendance Still Make Sense for Churches?” by Sam Rainer

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Kyle Bueermann discuss some issues surrounding worship in the local church.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, Kyle Bueermann discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on why you and your church should be practicing the spiritual disciplines.

1. The disciplines slow us down.
2. They put us in a position to listen to God.
3. They emphasize relationships.
4. They force us to see where we place our dependence.
5. They uncover the sin that's hindering our walk with God.
6. They correct our sins of omission.
7. They prepare us to teach and lead others.
8. They produce in us godly confidence and excitement.

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “8 Reasons Spiritual Disciplines Matter” by Chuck Lawless

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Mike Ayers that covers some tips for longevity in church ministry.

Some Highlights:

1. Be teachable
2. Know your identity
3. Faithfulness first
4. Develop a hard shell; maintain a soft heart
5. Simply don’t quit

Resources Related to This Episode:

• “5 Ways to Last 20 Years in the Same Church” by Mike Ayers