Exponential Conference Podcasts

I've started listening to the podcasts under the heading:
Audio recorded prior to the conference

Here are some podcasts and some brief notes.

Dave Ferguson - New Thing Network - Dave talks about how they planted their church. They surveyed non-Christians and tried to give them church the way they wanted it without compromising the Gospel. That of course would hinge hard on your definition of the Gospel. If the Gospel is just grace, just salvation, just "getting saved" then this would be an excellent model. But if the Gospel includes justice and service and humbleness, then it might not be a good model.

Ferguson is a sharp guy and while I don't want to model a church exactly as he does it, it would be a mistake to not listen carefully. He talks about the essentials of coaching, not just the pastor but all church leaders and gives the five questions most used by coaches.

1. How are you doing? (Relational question)
2. What are your current challenges?
3. What are you going to do about it? (Teach them to solve their own problems.)
4. How can I help you?
5. How can I pray for you?

When is the last time somebody asked you those questions?

Ron Sylvia - Purpose Driven Planting - Sylvia is a church planting coach trained by Rick Warren. Sylvia made this comment right off the bat -- "A lot of coaching is just asking questions to get the planter to think through what he needs to do. That isn't what we do. We tell you what to do and hold you to it." That is NOT an exact quote but it is the jist. I do think there is a place for this. In our experience, we've let planters make all of the final decisions and we've watched them set their ministries back by doing so. But at the same time, Sylvia struck me a little too "hard charging."

Ed Stetzer - NewChurches.com - It wasn't that memorable.

Catalyst - Gabe Lyons & Brad Lomenick These two guys plan and oversee the Catalyst conference at Andy Stanley's church. It was interesting about developing a conference.

Dan Smith - Church Planter - Smith is famous for the Baby Got Book video which a lot of people thought was hilarious, and I really didn't. He's planted a church in Cleveland. It wasn't that memorable either, but if I remember, he did talk about being innovative and creative as a key to reaching the culture. Do we over emphasize this? Do we plan just so people won't get bored?

Church Planting Spouses - This is an interview with three young women whose husbands are about to plant. They are nervous and excited. It might have been better if it had a couple of women who had been in it for a while to reflect back.

Mark Batterson - National Community Church - Batterson planted a church in a movie theater. He is big on creative/innovative production. He said they have 40% turnover in their church per year, and that 85% of the people in his church have invited five or more people in the last year, which helps them to maintain their size and even growth. I thought they had some interesting things to say about what they measure.

Mark Driscoll with Ed Stetzer - For me, this was one of the better ones. Driscoll was just real honest about his faults through his time planting a church. I found it very refreshing and helpful.