Chapter 11-Maintain an Appropriate Span of Care-the chapter was about the need to delegate. It's very important to do so that you don't get burned out! Give your team the care that they need (TIME).
Chapter 12-Put a Couch in Your Women's Restroom-this chapter talked about designing your building according to the needs/culture of your church.
Chapter 13-Find Administrators With a Touch of "Artist" in Them-the chapter talked about having someone in each key position in your church that is an "artist". Someone who enjoys change and is able to come up with creative and appropriate programs that will help your church move in the direction you want.
Chapter 14-Keep Influencers in the Look With the Inside Scoop-Find your "influencer". They are a key link to successful programs because they think of things you don't!
Chapter 15-Never Launch a Ministry Without a Leader-Identify your "ministry" leader before you start new ministries. This will help your ministry focus on the "primary purpose" and be able to meet it's full potential.
Chapter 16-Don't Be Afraid to Bring in the Hired Guns-Don't be afraid to bring someone in who is a non-biased opinion! Don't expect them to rearrange your reality for you-but know that they could provide some fresh insight!
Chapter 17-Without Systems, All Decisions Rise to the Top-Make sure that your church has certain systems that decisions go thru. By doing this it will help your church continue to grow in the direction of your goals. Some examples that they used were staff handbooks, guidelines, facility schedules, etc.
Chapter 18-Buy the Farm....the Entire Farm-Buy land....accept the land....whatever you get-get all of it. That way when the time comes you have it to build on or have it to sell to help build onto the dreams for the future.
Chapter 19-Staff Ahead of the Growth-The chapter was pretty self-explanatory. You don't have to actually pay someone to staff for your needs-growing or soon to be-they could be volunteer. Either way-this will help your ministry multiply and will help you avoid a nice big headache!
Chapter 20-Be.Clear.Be.Specific.Write it Down-Identify what role each of your staff members plays in the life of your church. If you clearly write down expectations your staff will not only know exactly what needs to be done but it will help them to "soar".
I have enjoyed seeing the practice of "writing it down" into play in a certain church that I go to occasionally and have the privilege of knowing it's leaders. I have observed that before each staff member knew what needed to be done in their specific area-some of them would show up and play on Facebook all day while others would-well-just not show up. It seemed as though the minute there were job descriptions set before each individual the work not only got done, but the staff was more motivated and slowly became more of team players with each other. This is one aspect of ministry that I will implement if I ever have people who work with me that I have the privilege to lead. Knowing what needs to be done gets the job done and helps to form dreams and goals for the future.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Furious
Lately I feel like frustrations have been piling me up and eating me alive. Everything has been making me angry-and I mean angry. I have an opinion about everything and they are not very nicely stated. I feel like even though me and my group of friends are in our early 20's, people have been treating us like we are five years old. I am SO sick of all of the crap that is going on at our school with people, administration, and other circumstances. I am beyond angry at a couple people for the way they treat me and the way that they act. I hate living at the school-it's not what I thought it would be like and it has turned into more of a headache than anything and I REALLY can't wait to move into my apartment and get out of this mess.
I have prayed hard for patience. I've tried to calm down. I have even tried to let things not bother me. But it just seems like everything is attacking me and no matter what I try to do it's still kicking my butt and I am so angry.
I need a break from all of this-break from people-break from school. I just need to cry.
God-please help me calm down. To relax.....and to know that it is going to be ok.
I have prayed hard for patience. I've tried to calm down. I have even tried to let things not bother me. But it just seems like everything is attacking me and no matter what I try to do it's still kicking my butt and I am so angry.
I need a break from all of this-break from people-break from school. I just need to cry.
God-please help me calm down. To relax.....and to know that it is going to be ok.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Simply Strategic Stuff part 1
Chapter 1- Fuel the Pioneering Spirit- the author talks about how important it is to keep momentum going in the life of your church so that it can keep moving forward.
Chapter 2- Good Leaders Let Good People Go- this chapter discusses the issue of letting other leaders in the church go due to different circumstances no matter how difficult it can be. It is an overall better decision for the church, the individual, or both.
Chapter 3-Count the Cost Before Hiring a Family Member-the issue of hiring family members, having them work together, and/or making the decision to reprimand them or let them go from their job was discussed. The author gave 2 specific guidelines to follow when having family members work together.
Chapter 4-Flexibility is a Higher Value than "Flashy"-chapter 4 discusses the importance of having "flexible" facilities instead of "flashy" ones. By being more flexible it allows great things to happen in the life of the church.
Chapter 5-If It Feels Good, Check the Data-in this chapter the author tells us that just because your emotions tell you something is good-it doesn't mean that it actually is. Remember: measure outcomes, monitor cycles, and pay attention to balance.
Chapter 6-Don't Spend Your Life With Your Critics-chapter 6 went over that "answering every criticism and explaining every questioned action will wear you out." Let people say what they want-but know whose words to take to heart and whose words to just ignore.
Chapter 7-Get Geeked About Gadgets- chapter 7 discusses the importance of technology and its positive effects on your ministry as well as helping you and your staff make better use of your time!
Chapter 8-If Someone Hasn't Left Your Church Recently, Your Vision Is Probably Too Broad-The author states that it is ok when people leave your church-it means that your church isn't meeting their specific needs-remember 3 things: 1)Start very focused 2) Do a few things well 3) Add slowly.
Chapter 9-Work Yourself Out of a Job-One simple statement: "Keep the tasks that add the most value, and give everything else away." Churches have lay people who are just as talented as you! In fact, they may even be better at something than you. Give them the jobs and focus on the other tasks at hand!
Chapter 10-Visit Other Churches and Steal Their Stuff-The author talks about visiting other churches that are strong in the areas that your church is weak. If it works for them-perhaps it will work for you! Make it your own, but use their foundation.
I have lived in a pastor's home my entire life, and over the years I have seen my parents do (what I believe) a great job of having "momentum building" campaigns. One of the examples that I have become very fond of happened two years ago at my parents current assignment. For several months the church had a spike in attendance of families with children and the need became great to open updated facilities to help accommodate the growing need. My parents visited a church a couple hours away who has a killer children's program as well as incredibly facilities. They took some of the ideas-technology, design, set up, etc-and modified it to meet the needs of our church. They also got several lay people and new families involved and excited. This helped to make connections but to also get the word out and make people excited about the new changes that were taking place. They now run a very successful children's ministry and have been able to add onto their facility!
Chapter 2- Good Leaders Let Good People Go- this chapter discusses the issue of letting other leaders in the church go due to different circumstances no matter how difficult it can be. It is an overall better decision for the church, the individual, or both.
Chapter 3-Count the Cost Before Hiring a Family Member-the issue of hiring family members, having them work together, and/or making the decision to reprimand them or let them go from their job was discussed. The author gave 2 specific guidelines to follow when having family members work together.
Chapter 4-Flexibility is a Higher Value than "Flashy"-chapter 4 discusses the importance of having "flexible" facilities instead of "flashy" ones. By being more flexible it allows great things to happen in the life of the church.
Chapter 5-If It Feels Good, Check the Data-in this chapter the author tells us that just because your emotions tell you something is good-it doesn't mean that it actually is. Remember: measure outcomes, monitor cycles, and pay attention to balance.
Chapter 6-Don't Spend Your Life With Your Critics-chapter 6 went over that "answering every criticism and explaining every questioned action will wear you out." Let people say what they want-but know whose words to take to heart and whose words to just ignore.
Chapter 7-Get Geeked About Gadgets- chapter 7 discusses the importance of technology and its positive effects on your ministry as well as helping you and your staff make better use of your time!
Chapter 8-If Someone Hasn't Left Your Church Recently, Your Vision Is Probably Too Broad-The author states that it is ok when people leave your church-it means that your church isn't meeting their specific needs-remember 3 things: 1)Start very focused 2) Do a few things well 3) Add slowly.
Chapter 9-Work Yourself Out of a Job-One simple statement: "Keep the tasks that add the most value, and give everything else away." Churches have lay people who are just as talented as you! In fact, they may even be better at something than you. Give them the jobs and focus on the other tasks at hand!
Chapter 10-Visit Other Churches and Steal Their Stuff-The author talks about visiting other churches that are strong in the areas that your church is weak. If it works for them-perhaps it will work for you! Make it your own, but use their foundation.
I have lived in a pastor's home my entire life, and over the years I have seen my parents do (what I believe) a great job of having "momentum building" campaigns. One of the examples that I have become very fond of happened two years ago at my parents current assignment. For several months the church had a spike in attendance of families with children and the need became great to open updated facilities to help accommodate the growing need. My parents visited a church a couple hours away who has a killer children's program as well as incredibly facilities. They took some of the ideas-technology, design, set up, etc-and modified it to meet the needs of our church. They also got several lay people and new families involved and excited. This helped to make connections but to also get the word out and make people excited about the new changes that were taking place. They now run a very successful children's ministry and have been able to add onto their facility!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Irritating
Lately I have become really overwhelmed and annoyed with people. Honestly-it's been worse than normal. I've been trying to take deep breaths and step back-trying to factor in every possible thing that may be contributing to my irritated mood.
However-there have been a couple things lately that I really can't find an excuse for.
I have been really struggling with people and their attitudes and actions lately. I have been astonished....no....disgusted- at the actions that certain people in my world have displayed. For the life of me I have not been able to figure out why the below the belt jabs, the rude comments, the comparing, and the hatred are apart of their daily life. It makes me sick. How can these people live with themselves?
I hate the fact that I have started to become to resentful and disgusted with people lately. That isn't me-I'm usually a very compassionate, loving, caring person. But lately all I want to do is call these people and rip them a new one. Tell them how incredibly stupid they are and how much I hate them.
Then...of course....a voice pops into my head and I am forced to take a deep breath and take a step back.
Perhaps I am the only "Jesus" that is in these people's lives. Or perhaps-these people are so unhappy with their lives that they find it necessary to be hateful to others. Either way-here is my prayer.....
God-
Give me the strength to keep my mouth shut. To not punch these stupid people in the face. To smile and nod and not respond to their hateful comments and actions. I also ask that you are with them in their daily lives and that you bring people into their path that show them true love. And above all-bless them.....no matter how irritating they are.
Amen
However-there have been a couple things lately that I really can't find an excuse for.
I have been really struggling with people and their attitudes and actions lately. I have been astonished....no....disgusted- at the actions that certain people in my world have displayed. For the life of me I have not been able to figure out why the below the belt jabs, the rude comments, the comparing, and the hatred are apart of their daily life. It makes me sick. How can these people live with themselves?
I hate the fact that I have started to become to resentful and disgusted with people lately. That isn't me-I'm usually a very compassionate, loving, caring person. But lately all I want to do is call these people and rip them a new one. Tell them how incredibly stupid they are and how much I hate them.
Then...of course....a voice pops into my head and I am forced to take a deep breath and take a step back.
Perhaps I am the only "Jesus" that is in these people's lives. Or perhaps-these people are so unhappy with their lives that they find it necessary to be hateful to others. Either way-here is my prayer.....
God-
Give me the strength to keep my mouth shut. To not punch these stupid people in the face. To smile and nod and not respond to their hateful comments and actions. I also ask that you are with them in their daily lives and that you bring people into their path that show them true love. And above all-bless them.....no matter how irritating they are.
Amen
Monday, January 17, 2011
This stuff is for the birds!
I HATE WEDDING PLANNING!
No...like really. I HATE it. I hate picking out colors, songs, fabrics, cake, punch, all of it! And don't even get me started on the stupid honeymoon!
I'm not sure what delusion I was under as a little girl when I thought that this all was fun, but it was SO wrong! I literally wish right now that I could just elope and get all of this over with. I just want to curl up and cry and throw my hands up.
This day is supposed to be fun and a day to remember and it's turning out to be the biggest nightmare....EVER.
I know that all of you are probably thinking that I am awful and that I am some kind of ungrateful jerk. But this is all just too overwhelming and I just want the whole ever after thing....now and not in 157 days.
No...like really. I HATE it. I hate picking out colors, songs, fabrics, cake, punch, all of it! And don't even get me started on the stupid honeymoon!
I'm not sure what delusion I was under as a little girl when I thought that this all was fun, but it was SO wrong! I literally wish right now that I could just elope and get all of this over with. I just want to curl up and cry and throw my hands up.
This day is supposed to be fun and a day to remember and it's turning out to be the biggest nightmare....EVER.
I know that all of you are probably thinking that I am awful and that I am some kind of ungrateful jerk. But this is all just too overwhelming and I just want the whole ever after thing....now and not in 157 days.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011
As I sat in a dark room that was softly lit by the glow of the Chirstmas tree my mind went back through all of the memories-good and bad-that 2010 brought to me. There was laughter, tears, joy, anguish, and sorrow but through it all there was an ever present and constant peace that was with me.
It seems so strange to think that yet another year has passed us by and all too quickly might I add. However, the thought of the things to come in 2011 make me excited to see the new adventures and to learn the new lessons.
Life has a way of flying past us so this year I encourage you to soak up the moments. Laugh loud, love hard, cry when you must, and live to the fullest.
Happy New Year everyone and may you know the peace that passes all understanding.
It seems so strange to think that yet another year has passed us by and all too quickly might I add. However, the thought of the things to come in 2011 make me excited to see the new adventures and to learn the new lessons.
Life has a way of flying past us so this year I encourage you to soak up the moments. Laugh loud, love hard, cry when you must, and live to the fullest.
Happy New Year everyone and may you know the peace that passes all understanding.
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