Premarital Counseling Tip
July 31, 2007
Do you ever wish that as a new leader you had a guide to help you share and lead premarital couples in the right direction? Do you ever feel a disconnect between the topics you may feel are important and what the couple is really struggling with?
In seminary, I was introduced to a unique tool for use in premarital and marital pastoral counseling. It is the Prepare/Enrich Assessment. This tool is very user friendly. Many conventions offer training for certification, that is very straightforward and easy to attain.
Prepare is designed for premarital guidance, and Enrich as an assessement and guide for those married couples needing a boost.
Think of it like this. Instead of you guessing, or working for hours to discover issues, P/E gives you a snapshot of areas of strength and areas of growth that are unique for each couple. Then it gives you the road map for discussion, plus clear guidance in communication and conflict management. Plus, you’ll be strengthening your pastoral counseling/listening skills for many issues.
My dad, who has pastored for almost 50 years has been delighted to use this in his ministry! Check it out. Find a training time and location in your area by visiting here.
Email Leaders?
July 30, 2007
There are almost too many ways to communicate with your team right? Email is great, but misses some umph. My friend Cory recommended I move my bulky group email to a simple weblog. At first I was not sure how this would work, but now I cannot imagine going back. It is simple. I can make a post to my leader team from anywhere, and it keeps all posts logged for back-tracking. Plus I can link to helpful resources for our team, like our leader calendar, and Bible study resources.
Two important side-lights, the page is restricted to those that subscribe, which is good, but I have to encourage my leaders to subscribe, and let them know I will not overwhelm them with posts. The other being that it can take a few hours for a post to be sent, so if you have a message of urgency, you may want to use another contact method.
Check out this unique ministry tool at www.qsbc.org/leader.
Creative Announcements
July 30, 2007
When it comes to announcements, attempt to make them half-way memorable. For example, we have discipleship classes that run each semester called Equip U classes. The music minister and myself spoofed a popular commercial and had a blast. The folks are ready to see it again. Think about what is coming up, chip out some creative think time with your team, and go for it.
Not your normal meeting…
July 30, 2007
Staff meeting. Wow. Aren’t you pumped? Exactly, staff meetings usually are not the things your team will get excited about. Or maybe not.
For an annual or bi-annual staff meeting, pick a place that ties your focus of the day in with your location. Our church is currently going through some significant changes. In rapid change, we wanted to be careful to not lose our grip on the things that are holding us together or “on track,” our mission and our values.
So, we loaded up everyone and headed down to the Union Station, downtown Oklahoma City. We talked overtly about staying on track. We took time to soak up the place, to ponder. We addressed how Union Station is no longer a station; in other words how change impacted what it was and is today.
Everyone came back to the office with a small scale track to put out as a reminder to stick to our mission and values in a time of rapid change.
Dream. Pray. Have fun. Go for it.
Charged up!
July 25, 2007
Have you ever gone to make a phone call only to discover that you have about one battery bar left? Imagine serving in ministry, needing to communicate and lead fully charged, only to have one bar left blinking on your battery light. Don’t let this happen…how?
1. Make a commitment now to personal development. Not just downloading the next leadership thing, but really a commitment to look at where you are and where you want to grow and go for it! Read books, add a blog, attend a conference, find a mentor and take him to coffee.
2. Find opportunities to be stretched and challenged, plan for it and go for it. One unique opportunity is this fall, October 5-6, at Catalyst in Atlanta. I am taking a group. Get the best from the best.
3. Quiet Time. Talk about the ultimate in refueling. Spend time every day at the Master’s feet, with the Living Word. Listen to Him. Do what He says. It sure sounds simple enough, but is it really.
Grow for it!
Crisis Visits
July 25, 2007
In ministry, crisis calls can come at any time. Are you prepared? Let me offer some simple suggestions when you face a crisis situation:
1. Take a deep breath, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with words of wisdom.
2. Listen. Really listen.
3. Make every situation, good and bad, a time of prayer with the person.
4. Link up with resources in your area before the call comes. Be ready with contact information of Christian counselors, other pastors who have helped with particular issues, books from Christian authors on special subjects, and hot-lines in your state for abuse and crisis. Have resources prepared in advance for the person in need.
Be ready.
Dynamic Leader Meetings
July 25, 2007
One extremely helpful format for a leader meeting, especially for Small Group/Sunday School leaders is a VHS meeting. I learned this from a leader at our Baptist State Convention. In an hour spend 20 minutes in each of these sections:
Vision-Lay out your heart and passion for where you are taking this group. Remember, you are leading this group somewhere.
Huddle-Allow time for your leader teams to cluster and plan. Make yourself available to all and answer questions, pray, get resources, wash feet or whatever. Serve them!
Skill-Give your leaders something they can take away. Feed them, train them, grow them. Again, if you are not responsible for this, who is? Dream a bit on this one. Ideas: have someone speak on how to facilitate small groups, or how to handle crisis calls. Survey your leaders, or lead a skill based on a current issue.
Cancel boring meetings. Do not read the calendar. Image the meeting you would want to attend, and then make it yours. Stir your leaders!
Communicate Regularly
July 25, 2007
It is virtually impossible to lead, without communicating regularly. I met with a group of leaders tonight at my church after a break from a monthly meeting time. Wow. Like a phone that has been disconnected, there are impaired messages of where we are going and what needs are present. I am glad to be back for these reasons:
1. I get to share vision. Get excited about where you are going as a leader.
2. I get to communicate the plan for obstacles. We are in building construction. I want my leaders ready for changes.
3. I get to reinforce our mission of Reaching and Teaching people.
4. I get to encourage our leaders with praise.
5. I get to correct issues that need to be addressed.
6. I get to listen to needs that this important group has to fulfill the mission.
A month off is too long. Schedule meetings with your leaders frequently. Make them purposeful and encouraging. Give your leaders something worth coming to a meeting for.
Welcome
July 24, 2007
I am thankful you have stopped by. In the future I hope you find many helpful things on this site as we serve in ministry. Thank the Lord for His call to serve Him and His Church! Email me with any thoughts you may have!