Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors can feed the people in your church.

Resources Related to this Episode:

Leading Church Revitalization by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors can feed the people in your church.

1. The role of preaching in shepherding the church.
2.  What is your strategy for raising up pastors and deacons in the life of your church?

Resources Related to this Episode:

Leading Church Revitalization by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors can feed the people in your church.

Resources Related to this Episode:

Leading Church Revitalization by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors can shepherd well in their churches.

1. How can a pastor know his flock?
2. Feeding, leading, and protecting require knowing the flock

Resources Related to this Episode:

Leading Church Revitalization by Mark Hallock

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss how pastors can navigate leading through changes early in their ministry at a church.

1. Why “Don’t change anything in the first year” is a bit too simplistic.
2. Help your folks understand the “why” behind changes.
3. Am I the right person to lead this change, and if not, am I better suited for a second-chair ministry?

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some difficult situations that pastors may need to shepherd through in their churches.

1. How do you shepherd an unmarried couple who have been attending your church, but have been dishonest about their living situation?
2. A couple asks you to perform their marriage ceremony. They claim to be believers but are not actively involved in any church.
3. How do you shepherd church members who are unwise in their social media usage?
4. How do you shepherd a leader whose marriage is clearly not in a good spot, but they are unwilling to talk about it?
5. Issues surrounding alcohol usage.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst talk about some ways to effectively connect with first-time visitors.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Sam Rainer on some simple metrics to determine if your church is truly revitalized.

1. Children and students comprise 25% or more of average worship attendance.
2. Conversion ratio reaches 20:1 or better.
3. Giving consistently exceeds expenses.
4. Deferred maintenance is minimized.
5. The number of people in groups is 80% or more of average worship attendance.

Resources Related to this Episode:

“How to Know Your Church is Revitalized (5 Key Indicators)” by Sam Rainer

Mark Clifton and Dan Hurst welcome D.J. Horton, President of the 2025 SBC Pastor’s Conference, to the show! D.J. talks about his heart for bivocational pastors, church revitalization, and some things surrounding the 2025 SBC Pastor’s Conference in Dallas this June.

• D.J.’s journey in ministry to this point, including his 20+ years at Church at the Mill.
• D.J.’s life as the son of a bivocational pastor and his experience in smaller membership churches.
• The heart behind the 2025 SBC Pastor’s Conference
• Why pastors of smaller churches should make it to the Pastor’s Conference and SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas in June.

Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Barnabas Piper about what to do when your children resist and even resent your ministry in the church.

1. Remember your family is your primary ministry.
2. Remember you are called to lead your family.
3. Acknowledge that ministry is hard on kids and costly to families.
4. Consider the stage your kids are in and the cost of ministry for them.
5. Take your kids’ challenges to your fellow leaders for prayer and care
6. Consider your home and family dynamics
7. Consider your church’s relational and cultural dynamics
8. Find outlets for relief
9. Consider stepping away from ministry.

Resources Related to this Episode:

“Help! My Kids Aren’t on Board with Ministry” by Barnabas Piper