Healthy Church Growth Show With Madge Obaseki

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT? Nik Read founder of the Big Picture talks about highlighting causes by improving church videos. Nik has over 20 years-experience and runs a non-profit serving non-profits. It is a practical episode which will provide insights of what people do wrong and how they can improve. Meanwhile, Nik will be running in the London Marathon to raise funds, so visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NikRead to support him. Show Notes Timestamp 2.00 – What does the Big Picture do for charitable/non-profit organisations? 3.30 - The importance of a professional video for charitable causes – why that will do won’t do (4.00) 8.30 Adapting film making in Covid 19 environment & social distancing. Covid update films and why communication is key in this environment. Covid got the church out of the church (9.45) 12.15 Live Streaming and its growing importance to the church & why Zoom is not always ideal. Zoom and Google Meet 14.15 15.30 What can a good video do for a church assembly? Bringing t

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT? This is just a quick update to let you know what is coming up next on the Healthy Church Growth Show Podcast. Nik Read from the Big Picture will talk about Highlighting your cause by improving your church video. Nik has over 20 years-experience and runs a non-profit serving non-profits. It is a practical episode which will provide insights of what people do wrong and how they can improve. Meanwhile, Nik will be running in the London Marathon to raise funds, so visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NikRead to support him. Dr Shana Wise will be on Episode 21 of the Healthy Church Growth Show. She is the Senior Pastor of Wise Choice Ministries in Florida. She will share he journey through opening an assembly, closing and then re-opening again. If you are experiencing challenges in your leadership listen to this very authentic account. Please consider subscribing to the Healthy Church Growth Show podcast on whatever podcast platform you listen on. If you can please leave feedback

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ABOUT? With 2020 global focus on the Covid 19 pandemic, and Governments starting to lift restrictions on public worship, how can the local church plan to return to their buildings safely? Dr David Sollis from Faith Action  Links to resources appear on this page below. EPISODE 1.50 What is FaithAction?   4.30 Dr Sollis role in for FaithActioN 7.10 Church leaders concerns during the pandemic? Including lock-down, accessing and supporting people including the vulnerable, online presence & training. The lack of normal life passage rituals i.e. weddings, funerals etc. Financial burden, shrinking donations. All festivals happening online in 2020. Mental health of clergy, church leaders, pastors. 14.45 General differences between some denomination’s liturgical practices. Case study of an American assembly & their examples of social action despite the pandemic. “Church has left the building” 20.08 The importance of local churches having clear values and mission particularly

What the episode is all about Episode 17 - Why ignoring theology gives half the picture. This conversation with Dr Carol Tomlin, will explore Theology and its importance to church leaders AND why resisting the knowledge of theology could be a disservice to our communities and congregations. Timestamp 2.30 Why most people engage with theology without knowing it 3.00 What is THEOLOGY? 6.30 Jesus is enough – is that the whole picture? The bible as a historical document. Understanding the bible in context. If its in the bible it must be right, surely? 11.30 The importance for leaders to study the bible in the systematic way 12.30 Other resources available to help the study of God’s word e.g. Craig Keener (https://craigkeener.com) 15.15 the importance of understanding theology to defend the Christian faith. 17.00 Dealing with modern day issues from a theological stand-point – a real life example 19.00 The thirst for faith and God has risen exponentially 20.00 Resistance to formal Christian Education – what the rea

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT? This is one pastor’s honest account of his assembly’s experiences during lockdown and the Covid 19 pandemic. Pastor Chase Brown of Kaleo Church, Phoenix Arizona, shares some of the strategies used, the challenges arising in their community and members and his personal struggle. He also shares how he works alongside a co-pastor with equal responsibility. A not to be missed episode! Timestamp 2.30 What does Kaleo mean for the uninitiated? 3.15 How Kaleo Church was founded 4.30 Church getting out of the habit of listening and why it is important. Why the lockdown has been so hard for some people. 7.00 How Pastor Chase is coping with lockdown. The importance of acknowledging feelings in crisis. 9.00 The Table strategy at Kaleo Church – what is it? 12.00 How meetings are taking place in lockdown. Spiritual practice guides. The reason Kaleo does not use streaming services. 14.45 Missing opportunities to reach a wider audience? Why evangelism means building friendships with community.

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT? Following on from Episode 14 when the operational aspects of Volunteer Management were discussed, this episode will address strategic volunteer management for local churches. This episode is practical and you might want to take notes of the key points. EPISODE TIMESTAMP 1.20 Subjects to be covered: How volunteers contribute to achieving mission Matching suitable volunteer roles Setting out clear expectations & responsibilities Providing support and training Clear Communications Giving and receiving feedback to volunteers 2.05 About Madge Obaseki background in ministry 5.50 The importance of volunteers in the local church. The frustrations around volunteer management. 7.25 What is a volunteer? The holistic approach. 8.50 How volunteers contribute to achieving mission. What does mission mean? What is mission in the local church? The importance of making mission known to all your assembly. What is Vision? 12.10 Matching volunteers to suitable volunteer roles. The r

Episode 14 - Managing Volunteers in the Church ABOUT THIS EPISODE The Church is generally dependent on the good will of its volunteers to achieve mission through local churches. Church Leaders have often bemoaned the fact that they don’t have enough volunteers to carry out the practical aspects of running a ministry. This episode will explore the practical, operational aspects of volunteer management in the local church. In Episode 15 the strategic management of volunteers will be covered. EPISODE TIMESTAMP – TRANSCRIPT 3.30 Identifying volunteers. Pastors as Chief Servants. Church Leaders and Pastors exemplifying a servant’s heart. 5.20 Creation Fest and why volunteers are the heart of the ministry. Leading 500 volunteers. Team leader’s responsibility for volunteers. Demonstration of Chief Servant. 7.00 How to attract volunteers for ministry of church. Testimonial from previous volunteers and using social media, and networking at churches. Getting the best fit for each volunteer. Application forms and skills

ABOUT THIS EPISODE This episode is about how we can best carry out digital evangelism given the current global circumstances. We talk about what the traditional approach has been and how we as a church can capitalise on the situation. Andy Frost from Share Jesus International provides practical insights. EPISODE TIMESTAMP - TRANSCRIPT 5.00 Why the digital space is more important than ever for evangelism. Why do people fear sharing their faith? research from Church of England. The difficulties of articulating our faith. 6.00 Becoming insular with God rather than seeing the bigger picture. Looking in rather than out of our church home or assemblies and why the message is not shared as it should be. God is a God of all people not just for Christians. 7.15 What does CHURCH really mean? Our meeting places may have closed but we are still the church body. We can’t GO to church because we ARE the Church. The importance of knowing when to gather and when to scatter. It is beyond Sunday morning between 10 & 12noon

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Reverend Terrell and I talk about: Is digital church Plan B until we go back? How do church leaders engage with their congregation outside the main event? What tools are used for digital church? Is online church all about streaming, engagement or both? EPISODE TIMESTAMP - TRANSCRIPT 4.10 What is a digital pastor? 6.00 The world has shifted and the Church had to be on board with the shift. How churches have had to change and adapt to a new norm. Now is not our church, we have a world-wide stage. 8.15 The reaction of the congregation in a previously traditional church setting 10.30 Helping people and navigating the new norm – practical steps 13.00 Leaders and why they are reticent about online church & the mistake of comparison. Going where the people are. 16.00 The idea of people coming to the church building has changed radically. Opportunities for more options in the way the local church gathers. The Church and the World stage its beyond the local congregation. 18.30 The Netflix

ABOUT THIS EPISODE This is part 2 of How to fund raise for fundraising for local churches and missions. EPISODE TIMESTAMP - TRANSCRIPT 0.20 Simple practical activities the local church can carry out to maximise fundraising and improve connections & ongoing communications with their congregants 5.00 the importance of growing relationships during times of crisis 5.30 organisation social change agent and lack of systems which inhibit local churches from responding effectively & engaging expertise in the congregation 7.45 Money follows a strong vision. The pastor and their role strengths and how they might not necessarily be the strategist for fundraising. Inviting other gifts 9.15 Churches spreading their selves thin with limited capacity trying to do too much & how to understand your community needs first 11.15 using stories and testimonies of success led by a gifted communicator and the importance of transparency so congregants know how the church is using their money to change lives 12.45 The impo

Episode 11 (part 1) How to fund raise for local churches & mission ABOUT THIS EPISODE This is part one of 2 episodes addressing fundraising for local churches and missions. EPISODE TIMESTAMP - TRANSCRIPT 11.30 Redina’s fundraising research 12.00 The imbalance of Christian education as far as fundraising is concerned (to 13.30) 13.30 preaching and teaching stewardship 14.30 Some Christian Ministries operate around the paradigm of sacred & secular divide hence a reluctance to fundraise. Poverty Theology, Prosperity Theology, Suburban Theology 15.00 – 15.45 WHAT DOES SACRED & SECULAR DIVIDE ACTUALLY MEAN? 20.00 Lack of understanding about fundraising 20.30 What is the Steward’s identity? 21.30 what the bible says about Steward’s identity 26.15 what mistakes have local churches made in lock-down? ABOUT REDINA KOLANECI Redina is the Senior Fundraising and Stewardship Consultant for McConkey • Johnston international based in Colchester, UK. Since 1998 Redina has undertaken various research and consultin

ABOUT THIS EPISODE This is the 1st of 3 episodes on finance. Next week I’ll be talking to Redina Kolaneci is a fundraising expert. She will share how churches can raise funds for mission. But in this episode, I talk to Chris Cupples from Christians Against Poverty & the work they do around debt management through local churches in UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand & Canada. This episode was recorded in the middle of May 2020 while we were still in lock-down. Economies across the world have been impacted by the pandemic in turn has impacted your communities in terms of redundancies, loss of income & business closure. Debt was an issue before the pandemic, BUT what will the impact be as lock down eases? Chris and I will discuss those issues and and how local churches can engage and partner with CAP to achieve mission. EPISODE TIMESTAMP - TRANSCRIPT 5.00 How CAP Started with John…….. the CEO who found himself in debt 6.30 CAP’s Celebrity Advocate – Martin Lewis 7.00 Christians and Non-Christians can ac

ABOUT THIS EPISODE Erin talks about the struggles the millennial generation are facing. Why people are questioning their commitment to church at this present moment. We also discuss what we feel discipleship should really look like. EPISODE TIMESTAMP TRANSCRIPT 3.24 Starting a Tax Preparation business AND working FULL-TIME and running a podcast in a pandemic! 5.40 Efficiency and Time Management for Leaders & Team Work 7.20 Retention in the Church & Delegation 9.40 What are Millennials and Gen Z generations? 12.40 IS CHURCH NECESSARY? 14.27 – Millennials and their growth through church 17.43 – The link between discipling and success with millennials 21.30 - Why the church has a responsibility 24.49 How can the church practically help build young adults and millennials – it’s about balance & trust 27.48 Who is responsible for discipleship? 30.00 The problem with discipleship programmes 32.30 Being Judgemental 39.09 Millennials in Ministry & Pay it Forward Taxes 41.15 A message for church leaders

ABOUT THIS EPISODE How do we reach young adults effectively and why is it so important? What does it really mean to be unequally yoked….. what did Jesus say and do? Who is really doing the evangelising? Is it the Church Evangelist or the ordinary people in our congregations? I spoke to Phil Knox Head of mission to young adults at the Evangelical Alliance https://www.eauk.org. Phil is a trained lawyer. He is also a performance poet (The Comeback), as well as a passionate evangelist! It was a stimulating and exciting conversation, he exudes joy! He answered the above questions with grace and clarity and I think you are going to absolutely LOVE this episode! EPISODE TIMESTAMP TRANSCRIPT 1.00 Phil’s multiple gifts & journey 3.00 - Viral Video featuring Phil – 6.00 Story Bearer – the roots of evangelism and why people are uncomfortable sharing their faith 9.15 Phil’s confession about fear 10.10 Friendship Evangelism – what does it mean? 13.45 What is the Evangelical Alliance? 16.10 Phil’s work as Head of Missi

WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ALL ABOUT When this episode was recorded we were marking Mental Health Awareness month and mental health week. As this episode goes out, we are still in the midst of a pandemic too. So it seems apt to release this episode at a time of heightened loss and anxiety for many. As a Church Leader you will learn how you can obtain support to help your congregation. Loss is not just bereavement. Loss and a sense of grieving can manifest through redundancy, business demise, divorce, losing a home etc. Most recently people's liberty with the lock-down could represent serious challenges to their mental health and again a feeling of loss of contact with their loved ones. The good news is you don’t have to do it all yourself. My guests Reverend Sharon Townsend and Dorothy Dwyer from Living-Loss.org will share their extensive experience on helping people deal with loss and how they can help your local church or organisation. EPISODE TIME STAMPS 3.00 - What does living & loss mean in context to the

WHAT IS THIS EPISODE ALL ABOUT? Patrick Regan OBE is CEO of kintsugihope.com, a non-profit which provides support for organisations who want to address mental health issues in their communities. In this episode Patrick will share his own experience of mental health challenges, and what local churches can do to be better equipped to deal with issues.  EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 2.00 What Kintsugi means 3.50 – how Kintsugi Hope Helps Churches 5.10 – where Kintsugi Hope operates 6.00 – Reason Kintsugi was started, stemmed from personal angst and pain 7.15 Why people said they’d never read a book from a Christian that is honest 8.15 Establishing XLP, a non-profit organisation serving urban communities impacted by crime. The impact of poor mental health on the young. Why he passed on the organisation 9.30 Patrick Defining his own anxiety and how it can manifest differently for people & how people with anxiety are not necessarily weak people & his claim that we all need some anxiety 11.45 – Churches and the th

How church leaders can lead in a crisis Luke 14: 28 encourages us to plan and prepare.  This episode is key at a time when the world is experiencing the worst challenge in living history. This young pastor will outline how contingencies and structure have allowed him to lead through crisis. EPISODE NOTES TIME STAMPS 7.00 Forward planning and how it prepared the assembly 7.30 Be the church NOT god to church focus on making disciples even though not in the same location 11.15 About Pastor Paul and his background including being a Pastor’s son, being a “seed”, his career, 14.00  On writing several books including  The Waiting Room’  with wife Debi after experiencing infertility and how they overcame it. 16.26 His leadership journey and what he has learnt 17.40 The realisation that as a leader he cannot change people. 1st Corn 3: 6 - I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 19.15 – Change and management in crisis – inspired by Jesus leadership & how engagement is the new

This episode is little like the medicine you really don't want to take, but you need to make you better. Bishop is candid in his assessment of where some church leaders are and what he feels they ought to be doing. It is an episode with so much gold and practical advice! More about Bishop Ceirion Dewar Bishop Ceirion Dewar is the founder of CDTV, author, activist, media consultant, political strategist and adviser, news correspondent and business mentor/life coach. He is also a volunteer for the N.H.S in the UK and a Chaplain. As well as being a member of clergy, he is able to navigate the business world in various projects. For example, he has 25 years-experience, and a track record for proven success and engagement including government, corporations and SME's On a personal level, Bishop lost 75 lb in weight within 5 months after a heart attack. Started riding 120kms a week, 3 days after being discharged from the hospital. CONTACT HIM THROUGH www.facebook.com/bishopdewar www.instagram.com/bishopdewar www.twi

In this bonus episode, I was invited to talk about my academic research and work with churches around retention challenges. I am grateful to Esther Littlefield and Holly Cyr Cain from the Purposeful Leadership: Christian Woman leadership podcast (link below). I talk about why people could be leaving the global church, the importance of Small Groups, styles of leadership which might lead to retention problems. We also discussed whether people should be serving as soon as they commit to a home church before discipleship and indeed what discipleship actually is? Seems some think it is a course, rather than a life-long learning. I believe Jesus set the example we should all be duplicating. Enjoy this episode & please support Esther and Holly in their work. The links are below. It’s all about the Kingdom! https://estherlittlefield.com/support https://estherlittlefield.com/the-christian-woman-leadership-podcast/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/healthy-church-growth-sho/message

I was born at the end of the 1950s and I have 9 other siblings.  My parents were incredibly strict even by standards at the time let alone now! Like other kids I had chores to do and went to school, however, outside that I don't really remember having a lot of fun as a child or establishing a relationship with my mother (God rest her soul). As a result of not really having a traditional childhood, I believe I went off the rails to try and catch up on what I lost....I was closer to my father who has also passed on. We shared a love of music, being creative and gardening.  Informed by my parents own early experiences we were treated to the Victorian idea of parenting i.e. speak when you are spoken to, do as you are told and don't expect explanations! Unfortunately for me, I was not down with the plan and questioned everything, which got me into trouble. I got familiar with the end of a leather belt. I think some might call that child abuse, but at the time for me that was the norm! I see now that my f