RE: CHURCH

Expectations are high; time is short; criticism is real. How do you prevent these pressures of ministry from straining your marriage? Marshall Fant discusses this topic with his wife, Gretchen, in this episode of RE:CHURCH. Their conclusion? Humble communication is the key. The Fants have been married since 1981 and currently serve in their local church and at GFA.

“I thought my job was to keep all the women happy.” That was Gretchen Fant’s view for about three weeks after her husband became a pastor. People’s expectations for a pastor’s wife vary, but what Scripture passages outline God’s expectations? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses this topic with his wife, Gretchen, who served as a pastor’s wife for 21 years. The Fants have been married since 1981 and currently serve in their local church and at GFA.

Criticism is a normal part of shepherding, not an indication of failure. But why does it hurt so deeply? How can a pastor avoid becoming defensive, discouraged, or bitter? How can criticism actually deepen a pastor’s humility, grow his dependence on Christ, and make him more effective as an undershepherd? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses handling criticism with Dale Cunningham, a senior pastor for 40 years. He and his wife, Denise, now serve ministry couples through D&D Ministries.

When a ministry has experienced a long series of declines but still has a future, what realities guide its revitalization? How do you assess the ministry and make changes? In this episode of RE:CHURCH, Marshall Fant discusses church revitalization with Jeremy Sweatt, senior pastor of Farmington Avenue Baptist Church in West Hartford, CT, since 2015. Pastor Sweatt has been in full-time ministry since 1994, serving as an associate pastor in two ministries and also planting a church north of Atlanta. He shares this encouragement with anyone involved in a church revitalization: “If God has called you to it, He will lead you through it.”

What should your priorities be during your initial days as a senior pastor? How can you avoid early mistakes? What is a healthy perspective on leading change in the first 100 days? This is the topic Marshall Fant discusses with Andrew Snavely, who has served as senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Highland Falls, NY, for 18 months. Prior to taking the senior pastorate, Pastor Andrew served for 10 years as an assistant pastor. Here are some nuggets of his advice: “Listen first. Lead wisely.” “Relationships are everything.”  “Earn trust by small, predictable faithfulness.” You can check out the show notes for the resources he found helpful as he transitioned to his new role. New Pastor’s Handbook: Help and Encouragement for the First Years of Ministry by Jason Helopoulos (great bullet point chapters) Church Matters: Seasons in a Pastor’s Life produced by 9Marks (short, succinct biblical stabilities) Who Moved My Pulpit?: Leading Change in the Church by Thom Rainer What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done by Matt Perman (personal direction and productivity) Next: Pastoral Succession That Works by William Vanderbloemen and Warren Bird (more for the outgoing pastor and the church than for the incoming pastor, but still very helpful) Dangerous Calling: Confronting the Unique Challenges of Pastoral Ministry by Paul David Tripp Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp RE:CHURCH interviews with Caleb Phelps: Preparing to Preach in Year 1 and What Pastoral Candidates Wish Pulpit Committees Knew The E3 Pastor Conference hosted by Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary Conversations with senior pastors he knows well to gauge input on full-time schedule, load management, family care, etc.