What Happened at First

Latest Episodes:

Q+A - Episode 3 Aug 25, 2023

Show notes

Here are the questions asked in this episode:

- One reality that overwhelmed me during this episode was the amount of things that needed to change at First Baptist. You list them in the episode. Financial. Facilities. Personnel. Programming. You paint the picture that everything felt like it was on fire. How did you choose what to focus on first?

- You talk in several episodes about the difference between principles that don’t change and practicals that do. One of the painful realities of change is that there is often disagreement about what is a principle and what is a practical. How do you navigate this? Is there a gray area between principles and practicals?

- One of the changes that is very personal to me at our church is the change that was made to multi-site ministry. At one time we had four campuses, now we only have two. Even the "way" we do multi-site ministry has changed. Could you tell us the story of that change?

- As you have chronicled all the changes that happened at First Baptist – which one do you think was the most difficult for our people to absorb? Which one was most difficult for you to absorb?

- You admit at the end of the leadership podcast this week that most pastors will advise moving to make slow changes in the church's life. You say that you “jerked the wheel” Why did you jerk the wheel? And how do you decide when that is necessary for leadership? Here is the video that is referencedhttp://whathappenedatfirstbaptist.com

- How do you determine what is “ineffective ministry” in a staff member? Don’t we have biblical examples of being faithful resulting in a shrinking ministry or fewer people listening to you or being part of the ministry?

- Before we end this episode – I want to hear from you on a question that I think people will be asking as they listen to the next few episodes as you chronicle many painful details about your time at First Baptist.

Why do we have to do this? This is very hard to listen to – the drama, the difficulty, the stories of lies and pain. Why can’t we focus on the future? Why not just focus on faithful ministry in our city? Why retell all this?

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

How Should Leaders Lead Through Change? - Bonus Episode 3 Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

This episode will feature:

- Change happens. It will happen to your ministry, and it will happen to you. But how should leaders deal with change in a wise and God-honoring way?

- In the midst of transition, there is the tension of loving the people you have while at the same time having a heart for those you are trying to reach. How was this tension handled at First Baptist?

- Dr. Lambert shares eight principles for leading through change that was evident at FBC as the church altered its course in finances, facilities, programs, and personnel, all the while remaining faithful to the Great Commission.

- Link to the last Jacksonville Passion Play: http://whathappenedatfirstbaptist.com.

- Link to the Jonah Series: Asleep in the Storm Thrown Into the Sea Awake in a Fish A City Awakened Life Lessons from a Reluctant Prophet

- If you have any questions or want more information about what was discussed in this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Change - Episode 3 Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

This episode will feature:

- A failure to change course is deadly.

- You will hear of Dr. Lambert’s journey to becoming senior pastor of FBC, how he grew to love this church, and his observations in the early years of what needed to change.

- The church faced massive problems with a debt of tens of millions of dollars, oversized and failing facilities, a bloated and divided staff, and diminishing numbers of members and givers. September 8 video http://whathappenedatfirstbaptist.com.

- The church was declining, and something needed to change, which meant that tumultuous days would come.

- If you have any questions or want more information about what was discussed in this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Q+A - Episode 2 Aug 18, 2023

Show notes

Here are the questions asked in this episode:

- You talk about this photo of Criswell, Vines, and Lindsay – and how the decline had already been happening and nobody saw it. Help me here: was it even possible for them to see the decline? What were the signs back then?

- Is it wrong to have nostalgia over things in the church like pews, buildings, pulpits, and rooms? What would you say to church members who still grieve the loss of those “old things”?

- You mentioned that before Lindsay built the main auditorium there were descending voices. What were the objections? Why did they proceed?

- What motivated Dr. Lindsay to build a 10,000-seat auditorium? Of course, we can’t see motives, but I’d appreciate your perspective (this was a listener question).

- How do you stay ahead of the decline in a church?

- Jimmy Scroggins talks about staying flexible in facilities and finances. How are you doing that right now? How are things different now than they were before?

- How do you keep your ministry team unified today and from having competing visions and philosophies of ministry?

- You talk about not playing the blame game in the leadership podcast this week, we often think about leaders not blaming predecessors of the congregation. That’s so important. But what about when congregations do it? They might blame leaders or pastors for every bad thing they see in the church. How should members navigate this? Have you seen this happen?

- You end the leadership podcast by saying that leaders much keep their successors in mind. Imagine that you had the opportunity to know who that 7th-grade kid is. What would you tell him that he needs to know about this precious church called First Baptist? What does he need to know about what you’ve done? What do you think he’ll need to adjust?

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Why Do Churches Decline? - Bonus Episode 2 Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

This episode will feature:

- Eight reasons churches decline and why this should be an encouragement and motive for change rather than being reasons to lament and complain.

- Three lessons to learn about ministry decline and how leaders can expect and plan for it rather than be overwhelmed when it happens.

- Change is inevitable and hard, but the main task of a leader is to be faithful to his calling and trust the Lord with the results, for he is always at work for his glory and for the good of his church.

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Ruin - Episode 2 Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

This episode will feature:

• How one photo represents both a shift in the SBC and the end of a golden age in the life of First Baptist. WA Criswell, The Old Time Religion

- How the pinnacle of growth under the Lindsay years was marked by constructing its 10,000-seat Main Auditorium.

- The succession of pastors and the two decades of painful decline following Homer Lindsay Jr's death.

- Conversations with church members, including one from Lindsay’s own family, who explain their heartbreaking experience as they witnessed the church’s troublesome descent.

- If you have any questions or want more information about what was discussed in this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com We would love to hear from you!

Q+A - Episode 1 Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

Here are the questions asked in this episode:

- What is the most important lesson you learned from the ministry of Homer Lindsay Jr.?

- What is the most surprising strength of historic First Baptist from the past that has continued to bless our church over the decades?

- Many of the big mega churches of the past have a history of “easy-believism” - these were unhelpful evangelism methods that emphasized making “decisions” over discipleship and church membership. Is that part of the First Baptists' story? If so, what are the consequences of that in First Baptists culture?

- How do you identify what kind of leader you are? How do you identify what kind of leader your church has?

- I’m a “Maintainer” but want to become a “Builder.” What steps can I take to make that leadership switch?

- I am a pastor of a church in decline. Should I get out of the way and bring in a “Builder” who can turn this around?

- What are you asking God to do through this podcast?

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

What Kind of Leader Are You? - Bonus Episode 1 Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

This Episode will feature:

- An introduction to doing ministry in a changing world in churches inherited from previous generations.

- A discussion on six different kinds of leaders found in the Bible and how former pastors of First Baptist emulated those leaders.

- Lessons on leadership that call for those in pastoral ministry to answer some significant questions about themselves and the ministries into which God has placed them.

- Interviews from past and current staff members about the legacy of Homer Lindsay Jr. and the reputation of First Baptist during the days of “The Miracle of Downtown Jacksonville.”

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Rise - Episode 1 Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

This episode will feature:

- An overview of the significant leadership role First Baptist Jacksonville had within the SBC, its influence on ministries throughout America via its pastor’s conferences, as well as the imprint the church made upon the city of Jacksonville.

- Even though the church enjoyed great prestige, in more recent years, it has experienced a dramatic decline as mounting problems necessitated massive changes.

- These changes were met with brutally sinful responses, and many in the church had to endure a season of difficulty never experienced before.

- Yet, through it all, God was faithful and has blessed First Baptist Jacksonville, making it a more vibrant and faithful church where God is glorified and the people are blessed.

- If you have any questions or would like more information about what was discussed on this episode, please submit your questions to WhatHappened@fbcjax.com. We would love to hear from you!

Trailer 2 Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

How did a single congregation grow to become one of the largest and most influential churches in America only to experience a cataclysmic decline that placed its very existence in doubt? How did that same church endure a brutal and painful season of change to emerge from the transition stronger, more united, and more committed than ever to Jesus’ Great Commission? Podcast releases on August 7th, 2023. Subscribe for main episodes and bonus content.

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