Revitalize and Replant

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst revisit a topic from a previous episode – why people aren’t singing in our churches.

1. They don’t know the songs.
2. We are singing songs not su…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some of the trends surrounding how baptism and the Lord’s Supper are observed today.

Here are some items discussed on this episode:

…

Mark welcomes Jonathan Smith, Director of Church Health and Growth for Texas Baptists.

Here are some highlights:

• Empty seats in churches are not a bad thing, that means that there’s room for new peo…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss some tips to make ministry transitions easier on your family.

1. Recall important memories.
2. Try not to compare your last church and co…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Kris Eldridge on some traits of toxic leaders.

1. They are works-filled vs. grace-filled.
2. They are all about their rep…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless about why pastors bear scars from churches they serve.

1. Few pastors fully expect the anguish that chur…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Thom Rainer about why non-denominational churches are growing.

1. Non-denominational churches tend to be more evangeli…

Mark and Dan welcome Jonathan Howe, the immediate past Interim President, and current Vice President of Communications for the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, to the podcast.

Some hi…

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on some helpful questions to ask church members when they leave your church.

1. Why did you come to our …

In this episode, Mark Clifton, Mark Hallock, and Dan Hurst discuss an article from Chuck Lawless on some helpful questions for pastor search teams.

1. “What is your church’s doctrinal statement – and h…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Thom Rainer about how pastoring has changed in the last few decades.

1. Thirty years ago, most people in the community held the pa…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock talk about the importance of reading Scripture aloud in your weekly worship gathering.

1. The public reading of Scripture demonstrates the priority and au…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Thom Rainer on why smaller churches are making a comeback.

Some statistics regarding church average attendance

• 31% – less than …

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock share some ways pastors can effectively minister in churches with primarily older members.

Helpful reminders when ministering in an older church:

1. The p…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss four realities that can help believers deal with anxiety.

1. We’re not alone.
2. We’re united to Christ.
3. We’re part of a greater redemptive story.
4. We…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some major developments for churches in the last year.

1. Local congregations will emphasize evangelism more than at any point in the past three d…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss sermon preparation.

• In 2001, Thom Rainer found that, on average, pastors spent an average of 4 hours in sermon preparation.
• Today, 75% of pasto…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss an article from Bill Eliff on how to deal with dissension in your church.

The anatomy of dissension in Acts 6:9-15:

1. The rose up an argued.
2. They…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some ways teens can help serve in your church.

1. Greet people.
2. Help young parents with their little children.
3. Participate eagerly in the main wee…

In this episode, Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock discuss some things they’ve found in church junk rooms and what that says about your church.

• Old church organs
• Old pulpits
• Puppets
• Handbells
• Old RA/GA …