Recently, in the last few months, we have listened to our podcast and felt like it would be easy for a large church pastor to be somewhat stung by some of the things we have said on the podcast. We don’t like that! WE ARE SORRY
That is not a trick paragraph. We really do not like that. So, we just want to say that sometimes, when we are attempting to encourage and affirm small churches and their pastors, we may inadvertently say things that sound critical of larger churches – and we are sorry! We love all churches. We respect all pastors, of any size church! Jeff has been on staff in churches from thirty to seven hundred. Jonny has served in large and small churches. We love the church. We never want to be critical of large churches, their motives, or their methods; just as we would not want to be critical of small churches and their motives or methods. Being critical is like picking all the low hanging fruit – it’s so easy! Of course there are a lot of things to criticize – that’s life, right? So being critical is not our purpose, and not our focus. Our focus is encouragement. Our intention is that you will never hear us being critical of others – except each other, in jest! Communication is a challenge, and we’ve communicated a lot! So we are going to be extra diligent to screen our language so that we are affirming small church pastors, without sounding down on large churches. The end. HAVING SAID THAT... WE MAKE NO APOLOGY for being focused on PASTORS OF SMALL CHURCHES! We will always believe that small church pastors are on the front lines, battling not against flesh and blood, but against the forces of spiritual darkness, and against wickedness in high places (yes, just like large church pastors!). But, small church pastors often battle on these front lines with little support, few comrades, and great exhaustion. These men and women need encouragement and affirmation, and we love giving it to them, and finding great guests to help us along the way! Check out a previous post/episode where we say we LOVE large churches - with Karl Vaters! This week on episode 84, we share from our hearts about some thoughts and dreams we have as we look ahead for 200churches. As we write this, Jeff has just finished his final assignment, less than 48 hours ago, for his Master’s degree. He will have some more time to dream and invest in 200churches. We look forward to 200churches.com and the 200churches Podcast reaching more and more pastors with encouragement, training, support, of course humor, and tons of affirmation! Happy Monday! Are you completely exhausted as a small church pastor? Are you doing it all? Are you running on empty? Do you just need a month off from preparing weekly sermons so that you can get 1) caught up, and 2) ahead on your ministry prep? Well, there is a way that you can do it, without paying one penny for a special speaker to come in and cover for you. Jonny mentioned it in this week's podcast. It's called www.lifechurch.tv. Being Rich, a five week series by Craig Groechel, would be a great set of messages to share with your church family! You can find this series at www.lifechurch.tv, in the resources area. This series comes complete with Talk-It-Over notes, and companion videos available online and on YouTube to show to your small groups. These printable Talk-It-Over pdf's and videos will guide your Sunday School classes or small groups through the five week series. Of course, Being Rich is not the only series to select, there are many. You'll need to create a free account, and then you'll sign in and have access to tons of free content. There are too many mega-church sites to mention, but a few would be:
Saddleback Church Northpoint Church Willow Creek Community Church Woodland Hills Church Experience Life Now Northridge Church These sites, along with LifeChurch.Tv have full length video message series available to view online. Maybe you'd feel better emailing or calling the church and asking permission to show these to your church family. If you would, I know that these churches want their messages to be seen and that they would gladly allow you to use them. I do not guarantee or approve of every message or series you might find, but hey, you're smart, right?! You don't need me to clear stuff for you. Would it not be so cool to kind of have a month long sabbatical from preparing weekly messages? And, would it not be equally cool for you to sit with your church family and guide them through these messages from other great pastors? Most of these sites also have online message notes or small group material to use as companion material to the messages. Speaking of mega-churches, here is how you could partner with some of them to accomplish wonderful ministry in your church, and give yourself time to refresh and get ahead before the busy fall season comes. You could show a message series sometime in the summer and get a much needed break. Again, you would incur ZERO cost while you took this break! Next week we are going to be talking about the issue of burnout in ministry. We'll be talking to a 200church pastor from Lincoln, Nebraska about how he managed to survive burnout, only to now thrive in his urban ministry, while equipping his church family to lead and serve. We also talk to him about the issue of race, and multiethnic churches. Next week, on episode 66! |
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