Grouper: Podcast for Church Leaders

Don Corder is a strategic thought-leader, author, speaker, and seasoned leader with more than 30 years of experience in the area of church growth and development. He has served in executive leadership for both non-profit ministries and local churches. Don currently serves as president of The Provisum Group, (PRO-VEEZ-UM) which provides accounting, finance, communications, information systems, and marketing services to churches and faith-based non-profits across the United States. Don’s passion is to help ministry leaders implement their vision and impact their communities. Don also runs Church Growth Magazine with over 150,000 subscribers. Questions Don answers in this episode: 1. What is one of the most common mistakes you see churches make? 2. What is your greatest concern for the church? 3. You recently released a book titled “Connect”. It was an Amazon Best Seller wasn’t it? Why did you write it? 4. What do you see as the greatest opportunity for the church? 5. What is the best advice you can give a pastor for right now?

Russ is a native New Englander who has served as a pastor in Maryland and Vermont. His background includes senior enlisted leadership roles during his 20-year career in the Navy, an experience that gave him a knowledge of team-building strategy and a passion for bringing people together. 1. Life in Vermont – what makes Vermont – Vermont Lifestyle, Relationships, Community, ……. 2. Focus on Communities and neighborhoods – lots of sharing life. 3. What about Faith in Vermont? What do people believe? 4. Vermont is definitely a Mission Field to an unreached people group. How does that play out in the local church? 5. Where do you see the Church in Vermont today in relations to the History of Vermont? 6. How are Christ Followers being multiplied? Statements from the Podcast: People in Vermont are about community Vermont is a weaving together of life Vermont is very connected with one another Get involved as an official in town. Vermont is a humanistic culture The only way to God is through Jesus In Vermont, there is a hunger for spiritual awareness People are lost and people need Jesus In Vermont, prayer is paramount 3 Circles Evangelism tool https://www.namb.net/evangelism/life-on-mission-app/ Meet the people, where the needs are In Vermont, the average size town church ranges from 20-30 people Jesus came on a rescue mission for the lost. Remember, the internet is sporadic in Vermont, so connect with Russ in this way. Connect with Russ through email at rrathier@bcne.net Visit: www.BCNE.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012866588490

On today’s Grouper Church Leadership Podcast, Gary and Jana Moritz finish their story of the call to New England that began in 2012. You don’t want to miss this incredible story and chain of the events that led them to pack up and move from the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area to Lunenburg, Massachusetts to take over a church in bankruptcy. This succession and revitalization story reflects a supernatural call to ministry.

On today’s Grouper Church Leadership Podcast, Gary and Jana Moritz begin their story of the call to New England that began in 2012. You don’t want to miss this incredible story and chain of the events that led them to pack up and move from the Northern Virginia/DC Metro area to Lunenburg, Massachusetts to take over a church in bankruptcy. This succession and revitalization story reflects a supernatural call to ministry.

With Churches in America struggling to stay open, it will take leaders to step out on faith and change the projections. It will take leaders who will be willing to adopt and foster churches. Listen to this interview with Mike and Beka Bailey as they get ready for a new journey of faith into adopting, fostering, revitalization, and or replanting. If there is a church who may want to have two great leaders lead their church, these are two shepherding people who can do it. They are praying about helping a church in the northeast who desires to keep the glory of God in their community. They can be contacted at gmikebailey@gmail.com

Matt's worship culture blog: www.worshipculture.network Setting your church's worship services up for maximum engagement across multiple generations is not easy, but there are 3 steps you can take to accomplish it week after week. Gary Moritz is joined by Matt Eaton, worship leader at City United Church to talk about this. Pastors, you may want to listen to this episode with your worship leaders. 1. Conviction - Without this, the rest happens haphazardly and with no control. - Revisit often, rarely edit. A. Starts with you - Write out your vision, mission, what you will value B. Discuss with your pastor -This is not a one-time meeting. It is ongoing. C. Share with your teams -Unite everyone under one purpose, and see how the ministry rockets forward. 2. Constructs -Let the mission, vision, and core values set certain defined and measurable aspects of the worship/tech Ministries A. The "How" of each team. -What gear/tech will you use? -What style of music? B. Job descriptions -Written out -Similar for everyone across the board C. Procedures -Guidelines for musicians both on and off stage -Checklists for tech positions -The more specific, the better -Set your teams up for success, and give them every opportunity to be excellent (doing the best you can with what you have) 3. Culture -This is the result, regardless of how well you have done all the above. -You will be setting a culture no matter what you do, so be intentional. -All the above things should lead to a culture that not only takes your church to the next level but also honors the people currently in it and what they have seen (including older generations). -Regardless of your church’s background and beliefs, the culture should be one of teaching, worshiping, learning, and community.

The Rhythm of Leadership Each leader goes through decades of destiny in their leadership. Gary Moritz hits on what those areas look like and what you should be focusing on as your journey through them. 1. 20’s: This is about alignment. You are building a foundation for the future. 2. 30’s This is about adjustment. You are bringing great tweaks for better peaks. 3. 40’s This is about advancement. You are focused on your strengths and driving in your lane. 4. 50’s This is about assessment. You are thinking about significance over success. 5. 60’s This is about ascendance. You are thinking about influencing many people. 6. 70’s This is about legacy. You are thinking about leaving your mark.

The apprenticeship model at City United Church strives to empower everyone with the chance to serve with confidence and ability. To help our team members build their skills in any area, our apprenticeship model has four stages. (1) I Do – You Watch - At this level the apprentice will watch the trainer and observe what they do to perform in their area of ministry. The trainer will explain each process as they proceed. (2) I Do – You Help - At this level the apprentice will be given more responsibility. The trainer is still taking the lead, but the apprentice will be given the opportunity to be more hands on. (3) You Do – I Help - The apprentice will now take the lead with the trainer acting as back-up helping the apprentice. (4) You Do – I watch - Apprentice has full responsibility of the ministry and the trainer is watching and observing the apprentice as they perform in their area of ministry. When this model is followed, the apprentice can be deployed for service with the confidence and ability they need to succeed. People on our teams do not need to be 100% proficient in the area they are working in to be given the opportunity to serve. When they are at 70% capacity, let them go.

Principle #1: Leadership is influence, not intimidation. Everyone always looks to someone in charge. Principle #2: Leadership determines outcome. Something happens because someone acted. Principle #3: Leadership requires followers. If no one is following you, you aren’t really leading.