Pastors are often tempted to begin their ministry at their new church by implementing a predetermined vision that has worked for them in a previous ministry or one they have observed in another church. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Alan Witham to discuss why a key to starting well is to listen well to discern God's vision for your new church.

This episode is based on the article, "Discerning God's Vision for Your New Church," written by Alan Witham. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Breakout Churches by Thom Rainer
• The Power of Vision by George Barna
• Developing a Vision for Ministry by Aubrey Malphurs

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Pastors are never meant to serve in isolation, even if you are the only pastor in your church. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Andy McDonald to discuss why inviting others to speak into your life and ministry, and listening well to what they have to say, are critical to your success in ministry.

This episode is based on the article, "Inviting Others to Speak Into Your Life and Ministry," written by Andy McDonald. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• The Solo Pastor by Gary McIntosh
• Faithful Leaders and the Things That Matter Most by Rico Tice

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Church constitutions, policies, and procedures are not the most glamorous part of pastoral ministry, but they are necessary. In this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Ian Carrico to discuss an adaptable framework to assist you as you review and potentially revise your church's governing documents.

This episode is based on the article, "Strategies for Reviewing and Revising Your Church's Governing Documents," by Ian Carrico. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• KBC's Guide to Rewrite a Constitution & Bylaws
• Church Administration by Robert Welch
• Advanced Strategic Planning by Aubrey Malphurs

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The health of your pastoral ministry is deeply tied to the health of your family life. That's why it's critical to serve your new church well without neglecting your family. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Harold Best, who provides 10 practical suggestions to help you maintain a healthy balance between ministry and family during the early days of your pastoral journey.

This episode is based on the article, "Balancing Ministry & Family in Your New Church," by Harold Best. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• KBC Pastoral Wellness Resources

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On this Thanksgiving episode, Jason Lowe shares 10 reasons you, as a new pastor, can be thankful for your new church. Take a listen, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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As the holidays approach, every new pastor will encounter holiday traditions that are unique to his new church. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Josh Schmidt, pastor of Burlington Baptist Church in northern Kentucky, to discuss strategies for navigating those traditions with wisdom and grace at Christmas and during other holidays throughout the year.

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As you get settled into your ministry at your new church, you will quickly discover its current reality. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Alan Witham to discuss several practical tools that can help you learn that reality. We also discuss what to do if the current reality you find doesn't match the reality that was described to you by the Pastor Search Committee.

This episode is based on the article, "Learning Your New Church's Current Reality," written by Alan Witham. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• NAMB's Community Demographics Report
• Kentucky's 2020 Lostness Report
• Annual Church Profile
• Re-MAP Resource (by KBC Staff)
• Breaking Barriers in Smaller Church (by KBC Staff)

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As you begin serving in your new church, it is essential to recognize that the church's history is deeply tied to its community. Therefore, if you want to start well, you'll need to learn about the church's community. On this episode, Jason Lowe is joined by Eric Allen, who provides several practical and strategic suggestions for doing so.

This episode is based on the article, "Learning Your New Church's Community," written by Eric Allen. Other resources mentioned in this episode include:

• NAMB's Community Demographics Report
• Seed To Oaks
• The Externally Focused Church by Eric Swanson and Rick Rusaw

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Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

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