Church Planting Together

Episode 49- Church planting is filled with disappointment. It is a massive part of the church planting experience. In this episode, Loren and Carrie discuss some of the disappointments they faced and what God taught them through the experience. They found that they are thankful for the disappointments because disappointments grow you. They can show a window into what is going on in your heart and allow God to change you. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 48- There are plenty of resources for Church Planters and Pastors. There are not so many for the wife of the planter. In this episode, Carrie and Loren talk to Coletta Smith of Alongside Ministries. Coletta started Alongside intending to minister to pastors' wives to help them partner with their husbands and view it as a family calling, not just "his gig."  Alongside ministers to pastors' wives in several ways. The most significant growth that she sees happens in the free cohorts. These cohorts are led by trained coaches, who guide participants through a series of conversations. These conversations help participants see their ministry in a new light and build relationships with others who understand. Carrie is one of the Alongside coaches because she believes strongly in this ministry. If you would like to join a cohort or to see what other resources they have to offer, visit the  Alongside website at www.alongsideministrywives.comDon't forget to sign up for the mailing list to receive great resources and be the first to know when their podcast launches this fall. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 47- In church planting, you will find that not everyone likes your ideas or how you do things. And, to be honest, you may not always know. Therefore, it may be essential to have a thick skin because you will face much criticism in church planting. In this episode, Loren lays out three questions that he asks himself each time he hears criticism. Is this just a matter of taste? Is it a difference in strategy or visionIs it clear in scripture?The first two don’t need to beat you up, but the third should cause you to question and potentially make a change. The gospel is vital in our lives to admit where we are failing, repent, and move forward. Carrie lays out her perspective on dealing with criticism and how she and Loren have learned to handle it better in their relationship. She also talks about how criticism can help us grow. It is part of the sanctification process. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 46-  Having someone with you on your church planting journey can be the biggest blessing. In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about their partner in crime, Brent Petersen, and how it changed things for both the church and their family when his family moved to Utah. In addition, they discuss qualities you should look for in that person based on your strengths and personality. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 45- In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about things you should think about to set your church plant up for success years down the road. If you were to get hit by a bus (The Bus Quotient), the church would still move forward with God's mission. Loren shares five things to think about to set your church plant up for future success. 1. Don't be a one-man show. Put teams in place with goals and boundaries2. Raise up leaders to teach3. Be wise about salary4. Have a process for removing or hiring a pastor5. Have 'fishermen' in your DNAFollow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 44- David and Victoria Henderson return and share the complex parts of church planting, what God taught them about themselves, and what God revealed to them about Himself. You can find out more about their church at heyneighborhood.comFollow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 43- David and Victoria Henderson moved to Daybreak Utah to plant a church at the beginning of the pandemic. In this episode, David and Victoria share their experience of how God called them to Utah and what they are doing in the building phase of their church plant. They share failures and wins in this early phase of Neighborhood church.  From failed worship nights to popular Bunco nights and block parties, the Hendersons are doing their best to serve their community. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 42- We all have different strengths and weaknesses. During Church Planter Assessment, Loren and Carrie took many personality tests. The one they found the most helpful was the Strengthfinders assessment. In this episode, they talk about what they learned about themselves, playing to their strengths,  and the negative side of your strength if you are an achiever. Then, Loren talks about reigning that in for the good of his family, church, and other staff members to sustain the pace in ministry. Early on, it is crucial to put guardrails in place. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 41- Sometimes you pick up your life and move to a new area to plant a church. Doing research before you go is important, but it is also imperative that you do some things when you get there. In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about ways that you can get to know the culture as well as offer your service to the community. Building relationships with other pastors and public servants in the city can teach you more than you realize. You also might all want to move to our town after listening to this episode!Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 40- Sometimes, people will ask, “Why are you starting a new church when there are already so many?” In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk through some objections to church planting. Then, they show why a church plant is one of the best ways to fulfill the great commission and why existing churches should support them. Finally, they tell a story of how an older church chose to support them to leave a legacy and how that had a significant impact on Loren and Carrie and the people of Centerville, Utah. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 39- In the early days of church planting, it is tempting to let just about anyone take stuff over. In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about what to look for in your leaders. Loren came up with another one of his fantastic acronyms. This one says that the people you are looking for must F.A.R.T. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 38- Why do so many churches lose their evangelism focus and start to grow inward? In this episode, Loren and Carrie break down page 64 of the book Church Planting Landmines: Mistakes to avoid in years 2-10 by Tom Nebel and Gary Rohrmayer. This page talks about the landmine of evangelism entropy. Loren and Carrie add some of their insight into this topic from their church planting experiences. Loren has found over the years that the book is so right! Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com 

Episode 37- From marriages that are ticking time bombs to difficult people to those who want you to be just like their old pastor, the early stage of church planting can be emotionally draining and bring feelings of inadequacy. In this episode, Carrie and Loren discuss people around at the beginning of their church plant and the complex emotions that came with it. They share several things you might want to be prepared for as you embark on the church planting journey. They also share how hard it was on their marriage and what they wish they would have done.  Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 35- What do you do when you realize that you have hit your relational capacity as a church planter? In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about growth barriers in your church plant and what you should look for in a person that you are going to bring on staff, whether that is paid or volunteer. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Episode 35- As we begin the new year, resolutions are on everyone's minds. In this episode, Loren and Carrie discuss setting goals for the church plant and your family. Many people have heard of S.M.A.R.T. goals, but Loren will introduce us to D.U.M.B goals in this episode. D-Do U-Unless (you want)M-Momentum (to)B-BreakFollow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Most pastors don't take a "marketing your church" class in seminary.  Some people even think of marketing as a bad word when it comes to church, but Loren thinks of it as sewing seeds of awareness in the community. If people don't know you exist, they can't come. In this episode, Loren shares many of the things he has done over the years and shares the importance of under selling and over delivering. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Where there are people, there is poop! Wise words spoken by Loren Pankratz! In this episode, Loren and Carrie share some difficult things that they experienced from friends leaving the church, relationships with people that they had invested in, and staff changes that almost broke them. They share what gets them through and how their relationship with each other and their relationship with the Lord is stronger for it. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

On any given Sunday, many things can go wrong... Like waking up and puking your guts out. What do you do when you can't preach the sermon you prepared? What do you do if the power is out in the building or your technology has a mind of its own??? In this episode, Loren and Carrie talk about what you should do today to prepare for these types of emergencies. Stay tuned for Loren's emergency sub plans for pastors... coming to a website near you. (Don't steal our idea)Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Holidays can be wonderful as well as stressful. In this episode, Loren and Carrie share some of the difficulties they have had when it comes to holidays and they give some ideas of things to think through so that you can avoid the loneliness and getting your family mad at you that they experienced. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com

Carrie shares that she has made a temporary life change; therefore, some things will change.  For everything to work for their family, they will be publishing every other Monday instead of every Monday as they have been. Then, in this episode of Church Planting Together,  Loren and Carrie share what they are doing to prepare this time that they failed at the last time Carrie taught. Loren also compares it to early on in the church plant and starting a building campaign. Follow us on Instagram @churchplantingtogethercontact us at churchplantingtogether@gmail.com