Ministry Idea Studios

So, you are ready for a road trip to the ORANGE Conference 2010.  Got your reservation?  Got your breakouts? Got your comfy shoes?  There is one thing I highly recommend you bring. Bring your  expectations! Plan now for what you want to come away with.  As you travel together- whether by plane, train, automobile or giant church van- – TALK.  You are about to experience something together.  You will get to know your team.  You will laugh till your sides hurt.  You will worship and fellowship with churches from all over the globe. How cool is that?

What do you want to walk away with ?  Pinpoint with your team as you travel what some goals are.  Gather all the info you can.  PLAN for great things to happen within you and your team!

And after a long day at a conference I recommend you meet and recap.  Have each team member share highlights of their takeaways from the day.   Talk about all of them.  Pray together.  Laugh some more.   And make a note about people you meet.  Pray for them.  Connect with them.  The power of networking has never been so strong as today!    Remember iron sharpens iron! And on the road home?  Yep, recall it.  Process information and filter through what God is calling your team to do in your local church.

Can you imagine the possibility for impact on kids/parents/volunteers/churches/leaders?   Shout “road trip” and  “amen”  somebody!

Can’t  BE  at Orange>  You can still  join in on a live webcast starting Wednesday night at 7:15pm  www.makingoforange.com and throughout the conference.  You ARE part of the team.     Click on BACKSTAGE.

Next week is a big week for churches from around the globe. Teams are converging in Atlanta for the Orange Conference to learn from so many great leaders on how to leverage ministry to all ages and connect families. I’ve been to many leaders conferences. I always come away amazed when I take in the view.   I am not alone.  I KNOW that God is always me… BUT, when I see the view of co-laborers together at a conference it amazes me. All of us  sold out to see God show up and work in our hearts, it just knocks me back. We  are different yet have the Cross and grace in common.   We are not alone.  United we are unstoppable  when we are united to see the bright light of the church shine to a darkened world.  Carrying out His mission effectively is imperative.  Put away mediocre.   Shine the light.  Shine it better. Shine it effectively. Shine it creatively. Shine it BIG because God is BIG, and loves those in our communities so much.   I go back home changed as I recall the view I had for a bit.  I am refueled knowing that all around the globe people do what I do each week for the Kingdom.   We are not alone!   www.theorangeconference.com

I was thinking back to being a kid at Easter. Oh the anticipation! Oh the joy of what was in the basket.  Oh the outfit! Yep, rain or shine you had those new patent shoes that came with a free blister, and short sleeved poofy dress to help you freeze all morning at church.  And what ever got in to my family to give me a a baby chick to celebrate is mind boggling to me now that I have had kids. What were they thinking? We did not live on a farm!
I remember ENJOYING my self being a kid. And I know I heard the Message of Jesus on all of those Easter’s. The seeds were planted.

On this Easter may you remember Easter through the eyes of a child.
May your Messages be child targeted- remembering the WONDER in kids.  At the right time Jesus died for us. He conquered death and is King. Tell it. Tell it real good like! (kid language)

PS  Give peeps not chicks to a child.  Trust me, I know.