Jeff had a conversation with the Founders of Small Town Summits. Stephen Witmer and David Pinckney are pastors who collaborate with the Gospel Coalition New England, working to encourage and support small churches throughout the New England region of America's Northeast.

The Summits are upcoming and are promoted HERE. If you are in Vermont or Maine, this would be for YOU!

Check out Small Town Summits HERE!
Check out Stephen Witmer HERE!
Check out David Pinckney HERE!

Here are some of the small-town articles Stephen Witmer has written:
 
• To Faithful Pastors in Forgotten Places – August 27, 2017 (Desiring God)
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/to-faithful-pastors-in-forgotten-places
 
• Going Small with a Big Gospel in New England – November 16, 2017 (The Gospel Coalition)
 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/going-small-big-gospel-new-england/
 
• The Secret Small Churches Know Best – January 21, 2018 (Desiring God)
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-secret-small-churches-know-best
 
• Ministry in Small Towns: Worth a Lifetime Investment – February 6, 2018 (The Gospel Coalition)
 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ministry-in-small-towns-worth-a-lifetime-investment/
 
• To the Next Generation of Church leaders: Three Reasons to Think Bigger than Big – March 3, 2018 (Desiring God)
 
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/to-the-next-generation-of-church-leaders
 
• Review of Love Big, Be Well – March 7, 2018 (The Gospel Coalition)
 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/love-big-well/

Today's EPISODE 269 is an important one, as it deals with safety and security in our local churches. It is a serious one, on THE topic that we all need to think about.

When the tragic Texas church shooting occurred, I (Jeff) said to my wife, "Every single pastor in America, no matter the size, needs to have an answer when one of their people asks them, Pastor, do we have a security plan in our church?"

Bob Johnson on today's episode gives you some great information and direction so that you and your leadership can be effective in your approach to this serious concern in your church.

Our sponsor, www.trainedup.church, has some great video courses on church safety and security! If you sign up with them, and use "200CHURCHES" as your promo code, they will give you 10% off their monthly fee, for life!

Jonny and I, as well as Bob Johnson, really hope that this episode starts many of you on the journey to having a plan, which is all you need, you just need to be able to tell your people, "yes, our church has a serious security plan!" They won't even want to necessarily know what it is, they'll just be happy to know you have a plan.

Bob Johnson would love to help you in your pursuit of a strong security ministry in your church. You can email him personally at rjohnson@sunstarsecure.com. He gives his email out right in the episode, so feel free to contact him.

Opportunities in IOWA to experience Bob Johnson's Church Security Training:
Click on the links below to register or call!

• Monday, April 23 at Zion Lutheran Church in Manning IA
• Tuesday, April 24 at New Covenant Bible Church in Cedar Rapids IA
• Contact Amy at 515-314-5567 to get registered!

ALERT ALERT ALERT: Due to tech problems, Reggie's entire conversation was not able to be shared. Take this episode as an intro to our conversation with Reggie, and we will reconnect in the coming days with him to share a longer episode with you.

Jeff and Jonny talk about Kingdom Ministry, and Reggie's newest book, released just this week!

Reggie McNeal joins the guys on the podcast to talk about his new book: Kingdom Collaborators. Reggie is an author and leader who has worked as a pastor, professor, adviser, and consultant at myriad seminaries, churches, and organizations. We were honored to have Reggie as a guest on our podcast and we know you'll be challenged by what he shared!