EST. - For the Established Church with Sam Rainer and Josh King

Latest Episodes:

Now Is The Time To Rethink Your Mission Trip Strategy (Ep. 233) May 14, 2021

Show notes

Over the next several months, there will be more opportunities to go on a mission trip as countries open up. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss some tips for creating a revised mission strategy for your church. We talk about getting boots on the ground, formatting partnerships, and ideas for trips. You can inspire your church to go! Now is a good time to start.
Episode Sponsors:
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.
Cornerstone Research provides a free, 30-minute consultation to learn about your dissertation or DMin project, or other editing needs, and to help you determine if their services are a fit for you. To learn more, or to schedule your free consultation, visit cornerstoneresearch.org.

Ghostwriting & Preaching Your Own Words (Ep. 232) May 07, 2021

Show notes

What is ghostwriting? Do some pastors actually use ghostwriters? In this episode, Josh and Sam discuss the ethics of using other people to help write books and sermons. They also discuss the validity of aspiring to broaden your audience beyond your church. Additionally, this episode covers services that help with sermon outlines and illustrations. Should you use sermon outlines from another source?
Episode Sponsors:
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.
Cornerstone Research provides a free, 30-minute consultation to learn about your dissertation or DMin project, or other editing needs, and to help you determine if their services are a fit for you. To learn more, or to schedule your free consultation, visit cornerstoneresearch.org.

Who Owns Your Sermons & Other Questions About Intellectual Property (Ep. 231) Apr 30, 2021

Show notes

There is no clock with creativity. Writers, musicians, and other artists are often inspired in the moment. Who owns the intellectual property created by a staff person while on church time? Should pastors and other staff use church equipment for their creative endeavors? In this episode, Josh and Sam interview Dee Black and talk through these issues. Check out Dee Black's new album, The Blood, Vol. 1, and other great merchandise items at DeeBlack.com.
Episode Sponsors:
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.
Cornerstone Research provides a free, 30-minute consultation to learn about your dissertation or DMin project, or other editing needs, and to help you determine if their services are a fit for you. To learn more, or to schedule your free consultation, visit cornerstoneresearch.org.

Old-School Church Reunions, Homecomings & Milestone Celebrations (Ep. 230) Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

On this episode, Josh and Sam answer a listener question about inviting people back to the church for a milestone celebration. We cover some ideas for these kinds of events and how to have fun without spending a lot. Remember, you become what you celebrate. Church reunions and homecomings can be fun! Build milestone celebrations around your values and they are more likely to become part of your church culture.
Episode Sponsors:
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Why Pastors Struggle with Friendship & How to Fix It (Ep. 229) Apr 16, 2021

Show notes

Many pastors talk about friendship and the importance of community, but not enough live it. A lot of pastors are lonely and need friends just like anyone else. Josh Teis joins the show and discusses how pastors can be more intentional about making friends. Listen to the episode and check out his new book, A Quest for Friendship.
Get the book here: https://bit.ly/3dzKWVN
Episode Sponsors:
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Making the Most of Low Attendance Sundays (Ep. 228) Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Every church inevitably has Sundays with fewer people attending. Some Sundays stand out as the lowest. On this episode, Josh and Sam identify these Sundays and explain how you can make the most of them. The temptation is to do little with them. Some churches even cancel certain Sundays in the year. Don't cancel them! Low attendance Sundays are more of an opportunity than you might realize.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Keeping Your Devotional Going Through the Frustrations of Leading a Church (Ep. 227) Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

Leading a church is more than vision, strategy, and tactics. Pastors must lead churches devotionally. The problem is our own frustrations can get in the way of devotional leadership. On this episode, Josh and Sam discuss how pastors lead devotionals within the church and lead themselves with a personal devotional time.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

A Basket of Ideas for Easter 2021 (Ep. 226) Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Many people are targeting Easter for their comeback to church. For a portion of your congregation, it will be their first Sunday back since the beginning of the pandemic. In this episode, Sam and Josh discuss what you can do to prepare for Easter services. We also give you a way to estimate how many are likely to attend this Easter.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Developing A Feedback Culture (Ep. 225) Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

This episode of EST features Michael Wood from First Baptist West Monroe LA. Josh and Michael talk through strategies for developing a culture wherein those being led not only have the opportunity to give constructive feedback but are actually empowered to do so. They will share some of the reason this culture is hard to build and why some church leaders will resist the concept in the first place.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Don't Be Lazy (Ep. 224) Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Clint Pressley, Lead Pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte NC, joins EST in this episode to discuss how to develop an appropriate work ethic as a pastor and minister. We talk about the dangers of not working hard and why so many people in ministry seem to develop a lazy approach to their labor. We also share ways you can develop a tenacity in the field that will lead to church support and respect among community leaders. There are even some pointers about how to keep yourself from worshiping your work product and resting in the reality that ministry never stops.
Located in Fort Worth, Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is committed to providing theological education for individuals engaging in Christian ministry. Southwestern Seminary offers a variety of degree programs at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels. Just this year, our friends at Southwestern launched new 8-week online classes, which means you don’t have to wait until the next full semester to begin. If you are interested in taking the next step in ministry, visit SWBTS.edu to learn more about how you can get started.
You need to learn more about two great resources from Church Initiative. The makers of GriefShare and DivorceCare offer a team of experienced coaches. They equip your church members to get the program started—so it’s not on your plate.
Pastors are saying these are among the easiest, most effective ministries they’ve ever offered. Check out GriefShare and DivorceCare.

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