the STOKE IT UP podcast

Summary

In this episode of the Stoked Up podcast, host Alan Stoddard interviews Joshua Gilmore, a campus pastor at North Greenville University and the revitalization pastor at Tigerville Baptist Church. Joshua shares his journey of faith, his role in connecting students with local churches, and the challenges and successes he has faced in revitalizing Tigerville Baptist Church. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, building relationships, and the power of prayer in church growth and revitalization efforts.

Takeaways

Joshua grew up in a Christian home and was called to ministry in high school.

He serves as the senior director of Church and Community Relations at North Greenville University.

Tigerville Baptist Church was struggling with attendance and needed revitalization.

Joshua initiated prayer walks around Tigerville Baptist Church before taking on the role.

The church has seen growth from 25 to 52 attendees since Joshua's involvement.

Community engagement is crucial for church revitalization efforts.

Joshua emphasizes the importance of relationships in attracting new members.

He aims to baptize more individuals from the local community.

Joshua's wife and university president supported his decision to help the church.

He has specific prayer requests for church growth and staffing needs.

SummaryIn this episode of the Stoked Up Podcast, Chris Kitts, pastor of Rivers Church in Glen Rose, Texas, shares his personal journey to faith and ministry. He discusses the importance of building relationships within the church community, the growth and challenges faced by Rivers Church, and the need to adapt to changing cultural dynamics. Chris emphasizes the role of technology and social media in reaching people, the significance of small groups, and the church's future aspirations to remain relevant and impactful in the community.TakeawaysChris Kitts shares his journey from being a new kid in Texas to becoming a pastor.The importance of relationships in ministry is emphasized throughout Chris's story.Rivers Church started with a small group and has grown over the years despite challenges.Chris highlights the need for churches to adapt to cultural changes and not rely solely on traditional Sunday services.Technology and social media play a crucial role in reaching new visitors and engaging the community.Small groups are essential for building community and fostering deeper connections among church members.Chris's approach to ministry is centered around relational evangelism rather than legalistic practices.The church has faced ups and downs, including a significant drop in attendance during the pandemic, but has rebounded.Chris encourages other small churches to leverage technology to expand their reach and impact.The future of Rivers Church involves continuing to adapt and find new ways to connect with the community.

See Rivers website here.

https://www.myriverschurch.com/

Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest delve into the topic of church revitalization. They discuss the importance of small churches in making a significant impact, the true meaning of revitalization beyond just drawing crowds, and the current state of revitalization efforts in churches today. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by churches in revitalizing their communities, the crucial role of worship services, and the importance of small groups in fostering community and engagement. They also touch on the need for churches to actively engage with their communities and the significance of leadership in driving revitalization efforts.

Takeaways

Small churches can have a significant impact on the Great Commission.

Revitalization is about spiritual growth, not just crowd size.

Creating a culture for growth is essential for church health.

The majority of churches are still in decline despite revitalization efforts.

Worship services play a crucial role in revitalization.

Good music and preaching are vital for a positive worship experience.

Small groups foster community and engagement within the church.

Church revitalization requires active community engagement.

Pastors must be willing to lead revitalization efforts, even at personal risk.

Revitalization is ultimately about reaching the lost and growing the church.

Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the concept of minimal leadership within the church context. They explore the importance of defining leadership, the need for reproducible leaders, and the role of humility in leadership selection. The conversation emphasizes the uniqueness of each church and the necessity of effective communication and training to foster a culture of leadership. They also share personal experiences and resources for developing leadership within the church.

Takeaways

Leadership is a process of influencing people.

Every church has unique needs for leadership.

Reproducible leadership is essential for growth.

Humility is a key trait for leaders.

Effective communication requires presence and time.

Training the trainer is crucial for leadership development.

Mistakes in leadership selection can have lasting impacts.

Creating a culture of leadership is vital for church health.

Monthly meetings with leaders are necessary for accountability.

Resources are available for ongoing leadership development.

Sound Bites

"Training the trainer is essential."

"You have to be able to reproduce."

"Communication requires presence."

Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest delve into the intricacies of small group leadership within the church. They discuss the importance of effective communication, the necessity of training small group leaders, and the challenges posed by doctrinal differences. The conversation emphasizes the balance between personal spiritual growth and leadership responsibilities, highlighting the pastor's role in discipling leaders to ensure a cohesive church community.

Takeaways

- Effective communication is crucial for small group leaders.

- Monthly meetings are essential for keeping leaders informed.

- Training should coincide with new sermon series.

- Pastors must address doctrinal differences proactively.

- Small group leaders should be held accountable for their attendance.

- Personal spiritual growth is vital for effective leadership.

- Pastors are responsible for discipling their leaders.

- Creating community among leaders fosters a healthy environment.

- Understanding church doctrine is essential for small group leaders.

- Leaders should provide feedback to pastors about their groups.

Sound Bites

"Every time you start a new sermon series."

"You cannot leave this topic undone."

"You have to create a leadership structure."

"You should help your pastor with this."

"You have to disciple those small group leaders."

Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the essential qualities and minimal leadership required for effective small group ministry in churches. They emphasize the importance of trust, accountability, and the ability to reproduce leaders within small groups. The conversation also covers the necessity of training leaders in doctrine and effective teaching methods, as well as the cultural shifts needed to prioritize leadership development in church settings. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in small group leadership and discipleship.

Sound Bites

"I must trust you."

"You need to change the culture."

"You gotta trust their theology."

Takeaways

Minimal leadership is essential for vibrant small group ministry.

Leaders should possess the ability to reproduce themselves.

Trust is a foundational quality in leadership.

Accountability is crucial in leadership roles.

Training in doctrine and effective teaching is necessary.

Covenants can help establish trust and accountability.

Cultural change is needed to prioritize leadership training.

Effective teaching can happen in informal settings.

Time management is key to leadership development.

Every church member has a role in discipleship.

Podcast Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the challenges and opportunities that come with the new year, particularly focusing on themes of grief, ministry transitions, and the importance of preparation. They reflect on personal experiences of loss and the in-between seasons of life and ministry, emphasizing the need for spiritual readiness and the dangers of becoming too attached to ministry roles. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace the in-between moments, seek God's guidance, and prepare for what lies ahead in 2025.

Takeaways

Grief is a natural part of life that we must face.

In-between seasons can be challenging but also transformative.

Preparation is key during times of waiting.

Expecting God to act is crucial in our spiritual journey.

Addiction to ministry can hinder our relationship with God.

Letting go of what we think we need can lead to growth.

Our identity should not be tied solely to our ministry roles.

It's important to find purpose even in the in-between.

We should be open to God's timing and direction.

Engaging in smaller, seemingly insignificant tasks can be fulfilling.

Summary

In this episode of the Stoke It Up podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the essential components of new believer discipleship within the church.

They explore the current shortfalls in ministry, particularly in new believer follow-up, and emphasize the importance of relationships in ensuring that new believers are effectively integrated into the church community. The conversation delves into various models of discipleship, the need for adaptability to church culture, and the significance of creating effective discipleship strategies that meet the bare minimum requirements for nurturing new believers podcast, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the essential components of new believer discipleship within the church.

They explore the current shortfalls in ministry, particularly in new believer follow-up, and emphasize the importance of relationships in ensuring that new believers are effectively integrated into the church community. The conversation delves into various models of discipleship, the need for adaptability to church culture, and the significance of creating effective discipleship strategies that meet the bare minimum requirements for nurturing new believers.

NEW BELIEVER BOOK.

Summary

In this episode of the Stoked Up Podcast, hosts Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest engage with Karl Vaters, a seasoned pastor and advocate for small churches.

The conversation explores the unique challenges and opportunities faced by small church pastors, including misconceptions about growth, the importance of discipleship, and the need for cultural understanding within congregations. Vaters emphasizes that small churches can have a significant impact despite their size and encourages pastors to focus on relationships and community engagement. He also discusses the importance of redefining success in ministry and the value of connecting with other pastors for support and encouragement.

Find Karl online at www.karlvaters.com

Summary

In this episode, Alan Stoddard and Kenneth Priest discuss the importance of discovering, developing, and deploying spiritual gifts in the church. They highlight the key points made by Ken Hemphill in his book 'You Are Gifted' and emphasize the need for a comprehensive church-wide strategy to help individuals identify and utilize their spiritual gifts. They suggest implementing a teaching series, utilizing sermon-based small groups, and providing mentorship and training opportunities. The goal is to create a culture shift within the church that focuses on serving the Kingdom of God and edifying the church.

Ken Hemphill's You Are Gifted

Preaching Outline Mentioned in Podcast

(Make it your own; give credit; don't plagiarize)

Spiritual Gifts ...

1. are GIVEN by GOD - 1 Cor. 12:7

2. are DISCOVERED by SURRENDER - Romans 12:1-7

3. EDIFY the CHURCH - Eph. 4:11-12

Stages of mobilization

(the 3 points above are used to question and guide the stages of mobilization)

Takeaways