The Pave Podcast

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, Jonathan Smith interviews Pastor Eric Anthony Brown, who shares his journey of transforming a disconnected church community into a thriving, multicultural congregation. He emphasizes the importance of love in ministry, the challenges of navigating change, and the need for patience in church growth. The conversation highlights the power of relationships and the role of the church in meeting people where they are, ultimately leading them to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Join Jonathan L. Smith and Dr. Ward Hayes, Treasure/CFO at Texas Baptists, on the Pave Podcast as they explore the common pitfalls young pastors face when leading church revitalization efforts. From the challenges of having difficult conversations to the importance of balancing preaching with leadership, they share valuable lessons learned from their own journeys. Discover how to navigate these obstacles with wisdom and grace, ensuring a successful and impactful ministry.

Join us in this insightful episode of the Pave Podcast to hear from Jonathan Smith and Pastor Tim Rowell about how to engage senior adults in your congregation, foster a multi-generational church environment, and implement practical steps to breathe new life into your church community. Whether you're a seasoned pastor or new to church leadership, this episode offers valuable perspectives and actionable advice to help your church thrive.

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, Jonathan L. Smith is joined by Lee Williams III to explore the nuanced debate between vision and direction within church growth. They discuss the importance of contextualizing vision, avoiding generic statements, and ensuring that direction is embedded in the church's mission. Through biblical examples and personal insights, they discuss how churches can effectively balance vision and direction to fulfill their unique calling. Tune in to discover how to navigate this critical aspect of church leadership and growth!

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, Jonathan Smith sits and Pastor Brent McNeal explore the challenges faced by pastors in transforming aging congregations and the strategic patience required to foster growth and renewal. Pastor Brent shares his personal experiences, highlighting the importance of listening, building trust, and celebrating small victories. Tune in to discover how patience and strategic planning can lead to a thriving, youthful congregation.

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, Jonathan L. Smith interviews Pastor Joshua about the revitalization of Canyon Creek Baptist Church. They discuss the church's history, the challenges faced, and the strategies implemented to foster growth and community engagement. Joshua shares insights on bridging the age gap in leadership, creating a positive church culture, and transforming worship preferences. The conversation highlights the importance of outreach, leadership development, and the church's future vision as they continue to grow and serve their community.

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, Jonathan Smith sits down with Pastor Mark Davis of FBC Crosbyton to explore how living the mission equals church revitalization. Discover the transformative power of aligning with God's plan, the importance of missional living, and practical steps to rejuvenate your church community. Whether you're a pastor or a church member, this conversation offers valuable insights into fostering growth and vitality through obedience to the Great Commission. Tune in to learn how embracing the mission can breathe new life into your congregation.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Pave Podcast hosted by Jonathan L. Smith! Join us as we explore innovative, biblical strategies and revolutionary tools to empower you to be a catalyst for church growth. Be inspired by church growth practitioners who are expanding God’s Kingdom in their communities and around the world. In this episode of the Pave Podcast, host Jonathan L. Smith sits down with Pastor Dustin Slaton to explore innovative strategies for church revitalization. Discover how to reignite momentum in your congregation by focusing on key areas like baptism, mission work, and community engagement. Pastor Dustin shares practical insights and personal experiences that have helped his church grow and thrive. Whether you're facing declining attendance or looking to energize your ministry, this episode offers actionable steps to help your church advance the kingdom of God. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with wisdom and encouragement.

Join us on this episode of the Pave Podcast as we delve into the inspiring journey of Arcadia First Baptist Church's revitalization. Pastor Josh McDonald shares how a focus on community engagement transformed a congregation into a vibrant, growing community. Discover the innovative strategies and heartfelt stories that highlight the power of intentional change and the impact of a mission-driven church culture. Whether you're a pastor or a church member, this episode offers valuable insights into fostering growth and revitalization in your own community.

In this episode of the Pave Podcast, we explore the profound calling of the church to not just make an impact, but to make history. Join host Jonathan L. Smith and guest Lee Williams III as they discuss biblical examples of historical moments and how churches today can embrace their unique missions. Discover how focusing on families and being gospel-centered can lead to transformative, history-making moments in your community. Tune in to be inspired by stories of resilience and the enduring power of faith.

 Welcome to the Pave Podcast hosted by Jonathan L. Smith!Join us as we explore innovative, biblical strategies and revolutionary tools to empower you to be a catalyst for church growth. Be inspired by church growth practitioners who are expanding God’s Kingdom in their communities and around the world. Summary:In this episode of the PAVE Podcast, Jonathan Smith and Pastor Dustin Slayton discuss effective strategies for church growth and revitalization. They emphasize the importance of displaying the church that leaders aspire to create, focusing on leadership, community engagement, and the power of storytelling. The conversation covers practical steps for pastors to embody the vision they have for their congregations, shine a light on exemplary members, and utilize various platforms to foster a welcoming and transformative church environment.Takeaways:Display the church you need to become.Leaders must embody the vision they want to see.Empower future leaders within the church.

Takeaways:Replanting is often necessary for churches in decline.Indicators for replanting include a new name, leadership, and strategies.Revitalization focuses on returning to core church functions like prayer and evangelism.Churches must identify specific target groups for effective outreach.Healthy churches are led by healthy pastors, emphasizing the need for leadership assessment.Revitalization is a long-term process that requires commitment and focus.The mission of the church should always be expansive, not limited.Community engagement is crucial for revitalization efforts.Churches must be willing to innovate to remain relevant.Spiritual health directly impacts numerical growth in churches.Quotes:"Replanting takes courage.""Healthy churches are led by healthy pastors.""We have to return to our first love.""Change or die.""We need to innovate.""The gospel is what your church needs.""It's pace, not race.""The mission has become too small."Resources: https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/church-starting Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Pave Podcast03:05 Understanding Church Revitalization vs. Replanting05:55 Indicators for Replanting a Church09:11 Characteristics of a Church in Need of Replanting12:01 The Process of Replanting14:46 Transitioning to Revitalization18:00 Biblical Imperatives for Revitalization20:48 Defining Revitalization24:12 The Role of Leadership in Revitalization27:07 The Importance of Community Engagement29:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  

Takeaways:Courage is essential for church revitalization.Change often leads to conflict, which requires courage to address.Pastors can experience fear just like their congregations.Avoiding conflict can lead to paralysis in leadership.The church is either growing or dying; stagnation is not an option.Courage is rooted in trust in God and His promises.Pastors need support from peers during revitalization.Encouragement can be a powerful tool in ministry.Practicing difficult conversations can build confidence.Leaders must act decisively to address issues before they escalate.Quotes:"Courage is a Christian character.""Don't walk this journey alone.""Be bold, trust the Lord."Chapters00:00Introduction to Courage in Church Revitalization02:35Understanding the Need for Courage10:38Defining Courage in a Biblical Context14:41The Role of Pastors in Revitalization20:52Practical Steps for Living Courageously

Welcome to the Pave Podcast hosted by Jonathan L. Smith! Join us as we explore innovative, biblical strategies and revolutionary tools to empower you to be a catalyst for church growth. Be inspired by church growth practitioners who are expanding God’s Kingdom in their communities and around the world. Takeaways:Building a culture of worship is essential for community engagement.Hidden issues in the community often go unnoticed.Revitalizing community spaces can uplift morale.Living the mission drives church growth and revitalization.Resources: https://www.thisisfreedomdfw.com/

Takeaways:Jesus' last words are significant and should be taken seriously.The Great Commission is a command, not an option.Churches are often in decline due to disobedience to the Great Commission.Discipleship should be a priority for pastors and church leaders.Evangelism is a command for all believers, not just a gift for a few.Quotes:"We enter to worship, but we exit to witness.""The Great Commission is a command.""Failure to act is an act in itself.""You are the lead missionary in your church."

Takeaways:Trust is based on reliability, confidence, and truthfulness.Pastors must exhibit reliability and truthfulness over time to build trust.Building trust is essential for exercising authority in a church context.Leadership is a gift from followers, not a right.Trust takes time, often around five years in a typical church setting.Leading through crises can accelerate trust-building.Showing up for significant life events is crucial for pastors.Small victories can help establish reliability and trust.Engaging with community leaders is vital for gaining trust.Quotes:"Trust is a gift from followers.""It takes time to build trust.""Just show up."Resources: Church Revitalization Checklist - Sam Rainer

In this episode of the podcast, Jonathan Smith and Josh Prince discuss the revitalization of First Baptist Church of Cedar Hill, Texas. They also discuss the church's initiative, 'We Love 75104,' aimed at connecting with the local community and fostering relationships. The episode concludes with a focus on the importance of celebrating the mission and the transformative power of love within the church.TakeawaysA healthy church is concerned about other churches.Revitalization requires internal repair before external growth.Love and authenticity are key to attracting newcomers.Celebration of growth fosters a positive church culture.Leadership sets the tone for the church's attitude.Engaging with the community strengthens church identity.Celebrating life change is crucial for church vitality.The church's mission should be at the forefront of all activities.

Welcome to the Pave Podcast hosted by Jonathan L. Smith! Join us as we explore innovative, biblical strategies and revolutionary tools to empower you to be a catalyst for church growth. Be inspired by church growth practitioners who are expanding God’s Kingdom in their communities and around the world. In this episode of the PAVE Podcast, Jonathan Smith and Pastor Josh McDonald discuss innovative strategies for church growth and revitalization. They emphasize the importance of storytelling in celebrating life changes within the church community. Through real-life testimonies, they illustrate how sharing personal stories can inspire faith, encourage community engagement, and highlight the active work of God in people's lives. The conversation also provides practical tips for pastors on how to effectively incorporate storytelling into their ministry to foster a vibrant church culture. TakeawaysStorytelling is a powerful tool for revitalization.Celebrating spiritual milestones encourages community engagement.Baptisms should be accompanied by personal stories.Every church member has a story worth sharing.Church revitalization can be achieved through simple storytelling.Celebrate the things can bring new life to the church.