Ministry Idea Studios

I painted myself into a corner this week. Really. I was staining my deck-and working hard at it when I realized a BIG mistake. I had lost sight of the big picture of the project. I had painted myself into a corner.

Happens in ministry too. I’ve got my head down conquering the task in front of me with a vengeance… and then I look up. How did I get here? That’s when you you utter a big “Doh” just like Homer Simpson.

I think it’s done in more ministry areas than we might want to admit. No matter if it’s volunteer recruitment or recognition or ministry planning, it can all get you painted into a corner quickly. Well, from a Simpson like perspective may I encourage you to take a moment to back away to reflect on what’s going on. It’s biblical. Be still. Survey the land. We humans get so busy DOING ministry sometimes that we miss the point. I think Jesus had that conversation at Mary and Martha’s house.

Some ministry questions for children’s leaders: Are new kids and parents welcomed and acclimated with loving care? Are your team members gifted in the right areas for what they do? Do you need to stop some programming? Do you need to start some programming? Are you to lead the way in doing something fresh?

If you feel painted in a corner…STOP. Stop and listen and pray. He will keep you from losing sight of the big picture as you accomplish whatever the task at hand. He will keep you from getting yourself painted in to a corner.

Check out an exerpt from a business blog I read today. TOTALLY secular and TOTALLY right. Simply replace the word “people” for volunteers. Pull out the “company” and insert your church name.

Reputation is Built on First ImpressionsMy Mom always told me, “There’s no second chance to make a good first impression.”

Your people create strong impressions that become part of your reputation.

Who speaks your Reputation?
Who speaks for your company?

Consider…
Everyone in your company becomes an “Impression Opportunity.”

What I find astounding is how this PR deal is still missing in lots of great churches! While we may be seeker targeted in some areas, others, not so much. It’s like going from Nordstrom’s to Kmart. We forget what’s a stake here in having great PR. Jesus and the Message. We’ve got ONE impression to make for a family who may or may not know what that even means. How does your ministry area score in public relations? DO you know? Is the process easy? Are the volunteers friendly and helpful? The door to your church his through your children’s ministry. Make sure it’s just as great of an impression as the front door of your church. Make entrance into ministry for both the kids and the parents smooth like butter. Put your best foot forward and your “people” people in the forefront. Evaluate this frequently. Nordstrom’s does. Successful companies do. Have parents review their experiences. It is a difference maker. There are no second chances.

Great people desire to bring out the greatness in others.
John Maxwell.

Just spent a week serving at the Orange conference in Atlanta. I noticed that something was missing. I looked at speakers,volunteers, both set up and clean up people, and couldn’t find it anywhere. The ego. I was reflecting on the flight home to the midwest how refreshing it was to find a united group of people from many backgrounds serving. California. South Carolina. Oklahoma. Many denominations. They were shining in whatever role they played. Servanthood. What a beautiful thing to see in action.
Your own team at can be that fine tuned. I believe it blesses God. Your task? Do faithfully what Maxwell recommended. Bring out the greatness in others. It’s Jesus model of losing yourself to gain. Everyone fights the ego in ministry. It’s a deal breaker. It’s a team wrecker. Don’t tolerate it.
Where do you start? Take note of your volunteers giftings. Talk with them. What do they feel makes God smile in their life of serving? Set a personal goal of how you might help them be their best. Search for tools arm them with. Give teachings to inspire and bring out the greatness IN them. Set up opportunity for community to build them up each time they serve. Stretch them a bit to grow into their great calling of service. Ask BIG asks of your team. Pour out your life to bring out their greatness.
…And for heaven’s sake, mix it up. Stop some events. Start some events. The life of ministry is a vibrant one. I cannot think of anything more fun than to watch others discover their gifts. When they do you’d better hold on, because there is no stopping them. They contribute ideas to the team. They arrive on time. The converse through the week. Their light of greatness has come on- minus the ego.

Just enjoyed a great message by Francis Chan at the #orange09 conference here in Atlanta.
It has set back on my heels thinking about what he shared. He spoke of when God speaks something to us that really is an emergency of something He wants us to do. Urgent! Needs follow through! Then we “think” about it and get told to “simmer down” and “think” through it first. Even the Apostle Paul indicated the need of prayer to stay bold by what we read from Acts to the book of Ephesians. I can relate. I need to stop thinking so much and listen. We are so fired up at conferences, then we “simmer down” when we return to the life of ministry routine. I say no. Endeavor to stay prayed up asking the Holy Spirit- the same Spirit that moved in Acts, to move through us. Same God. Same Spirit. How could I forget? Well, I did and I do. So together at the studio table today let’s hold one another accountable to follow through on the Spirit’s voice within us. He’s there. He’s been there. We just make the choice to listen and follow through. Let’s go!

I like it when people of all different backgrounds,gifts and talents converge with a purpose in mind. Wayyy cool God thing happen. That’s why I’m excited to be serving at the Orange Conference ’09 in Atlanta (www.theorangeconference.com) To converge is to have all lines come together. A Meet Up. People coming to hear and share and get to know others in the trenches of ministry around the world. It’s when I realize what an amazing God we serve. What great people are planted in churches all over the globe!
The serve in Children’s Ministry is always evolving. Yep, always. It must. Why? To stay fresh in presenting the timeless life changing Message to kids. It must to stay engaging to kids in our culture. It must to say excellent. Some take issue with that. I don’t think we need to think twice about improving ministry and being current. My biggest defense for that is what you are reading now. If you were using your Smith Corona typewriter- you’d be in the dark. But congratulations, you too have evolved. Some slower than others. And some with reluctance until they see the benefits.

Kids are smart. Parents are savvy. The church had better be prepped, poised and ready for this next generation of members. There is no economic downturn in hungy hearts need Christ. May we take action in thinking forward with regards to both family and kids of all ages. They must teach with the END in mind. The whole lifespan of a child/teen/adult. Parents are searching and are hungry now more than ever, I believe. Let’s present the best to them.

I pray past programming in your children’s ministry is given an opportunity to align itself to present the timeless message in a fresh way May there be no typrewriters to be found in your ministry area.