Episode 126 - Listener Q&A With Dan Reiland!

Here are the questions we answer on this episode of the 200churches Podcast. Thanks everyone for contributing great content!


From Scott Dalen, Underwood Lutheran Church, Underwood IA:
Question: In past episodes, you've talked about identifying, training, and mentoring leaders within the congregation. I'm excited by this idea and want to implement it within my congregation, but I run into the odd situation of being substantially younger than many of the people that I hope the mentor/coach. Any advice on how to navigate this situation?

From Zac Harrel:
I would like to hear him speak on how a young pastor can speak into the life if members who are older. What does discipleship look like in this context? It is hard because you know they have much more life experience and you know your calling to lead. What advice would he have?

From Scott Tuttle, Wellspring Church, Granada Hills CA:
Here's my question: How would Dan work with a "staff" that is completely volunteer (key leadership roles all being volunteer)? What would a schedule look like if he had very limited time with them because they work full time in the secular world as well as leading in key places in the church? Holding them accountable, inspiring them, releasing them, etc.? What would he do with the limited time he has with them to help serve them so they might best serve their calling in the church? What's most important in his opinion?

From Rob Tarnoviski, Bethel Philadelphia Mills, PA:
Dan, you are a man of great intelligence & spirituality. How on earth do you put up with Jeff & Jonny? (Due to the hateful nature of this question, we did not share it with Dan, but share it here to humiliate Jeff's friend from Philly...)

From Patrick Norris, Bridges Church, Winston Salem NC
1. How do you get "unstuck" as a church? 

2. What are some key ideas for "closing the back door?" 

3. How do you know if a "closed door" is closed for good or just needs more time?

From Roger Funk, Synergy Fellowship, Arvada CO
How do gifting and capacity go toward determining size of ministry?
I have a friend who is a part of a large mega church.  When I go to visit
him, I can barely keep up with him for a few days.  I come home blessed and
exhausted.  It just seems like he has an energy level and capacity for
leadership that I just do not have.  I am trying to learn to be content with
the gifting and capacity that God has given me.  But I would love to hear a
discussion on gifting and capacity.

From Virgil Vice:
My question to him is, how do you identify, recruit and train leaders in a small and rural church environment? How do you develop discipleship in a small church that has never had any?

From Gary Floyd:
I think a lot of small church pastors feel inferior to pastors of larger churches. Dan has always served as an associate/executive pastor, never as the lead pastor. Therefor, my question for Dan would be: How has he found fulfillment and contentment in that role?

From John Finkelde:
What's been his biggest mistake in ministry? What would he do differently in raising his family?