Men’s/Women’s Ministry
September 29, 2007
As the Minister of Education where I serve, I really am fulfilling a title I had at another church, Minister of Families. I get the honor of impacting families, new, young, old, single, and it is a ball.
One of the blessings of being a minister is being able to hear from so many and their passion in the church. Not everyone is excited or focused on the same area, and thank the Lord for how He gifts people in the Body to fulfill so many different needs.
One arm of family ministry in our church is the men’s and women’s ministry. Our women’s ministry has flourished with some common elements that would boost any ministry:
1. Led by a gifted person who simply focuses all the ladies and their passions in one direction, vision, and mission. Remember, not everyone is excited about the same thing.
2. People are activated to lead with their giftedness and passion. On this women’s team, there are leaders for discipleship, special events, hospitality, retreats, missions, prayer, and mentoring to name a few.
3. Ministries are validated and elevated to new levels, but also, priorities are brought into light. There are ministry-wide events, and events or groups that are not.
Pray as I do that the Lord will bless you with passionate Spirit-filled people, and capable leadership!
Dual Sunday Schools: Schedule
September 29, 2007
As you move to a dual Sunday School schedule, here are some time schedules I have seen work:
9:30 SS/Worship, 11:00 SS/Worship (30 Minute Window for turnover/fellowship)
8:15 Worship, 9:30 SS/Worship, 11:00 SS/Worship (8:15 added to allow more space in 11:00 Worship service)
8:00 SS/Worship, 9:15 SS/Worship, 10:45 SS/Worship (Heaviest schedule I have been a part of where we had ABC Sunday School hours.)
I have also worked with 7:00 and 7:30 “early bird” Sunday School classes, which have been Senior Adult, or men’s classes.
Whatever the schedule adjustment, communicate clearly and for some time about the changes. Pray about it, and have fun!
Dual Sunday Schools: Space
September 29, 2007
If your ministry uses Sunday School for small group ministry, then space will be an issue for you. One way to easily make room on your campus for more Sunday School space is to meet multiple hours. Keep these principles in mind as you move forward in planning for multiple Sunday School hours:
1. Take your current facility and count the number of Sunday School rooms you have and multiply by 10. This equation is not very fancy, but it does give you a quick baseline number of how many folks you can minister with and to on Sundays.
2. Remember two important ceilings: preschool rooms and parking. If you move to two Sunday Schools, you cannot double use the parking lot or preschool rooms. You will need space in both of these areas for the max number you are planning to have on campus. One church where I served was in desperate need of moving to two Sunday Schools. But, there was no way to be able to accomodate this because of lack of preschool space and parking. Since then, the church has been blessed to move to a larger campus.
Ask the Lord to help you grow, in every way!
Marriage/Crisis Help
September 27, 2007
One of the best resources I have come across in help with couples, is direction from H. Norman Wright. His books for premarital help, and couple communication and health are extremely helpful.
He also has excellent direction and counsel in the area of crisis and grief counseling. Check out his wisdom at www.hnormanwright.com.
Evangelism Online
September 17, 2007
Wouldn’t it be great if there was an evangelistic website where you could post your testimony for the world to see? Wouldn’t it be great if there were resources you could use like business/info cards that would point people to this website? Wouldn’t it be great if it were possible for this resource to also come in a training format for evangelism in your church discipleship training?
Well, there is such a resource.
It is called CROSS Evangelism training, and the online site is www.mostimportantthing.com. Check out my testimony by simply clicking the link and then type in my name at “name.” A person can see testimonies followed by a clear presentation of the gospel.
Recently I was in Salt Lake City, and I had the opportunity to share my faith on the go. As I parted company, I was able to leave this website for further exploration for the person. I am thankful for one more way to share my faith in Jesus Christ.
Family Help
September 17, 2007
Parenting. What a blessing, but what a workout! I am so thankful that our Heavenly Father does not leave us alone in raising our kids, and that He truly is the ultimate source and model of unconditional love.
If you are looking for an excellent resource for families in your ministry to benefit from in both resources, and conferences, check out Dr. Tim Kimmel at Family Matters. I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Kimmel at a recent convention, and I was certainly blessed. Now I have read one of his books, Raising Your Kids for True Greatness.
Let’s make a commitment to help our couples and families. Thank the Lord for the skill of folks like Dr. Kimmel!
Listening
September 15, 2007
When it comes to pastoral counseling/help in the office or out, the key is listening. I find it hard at times to remember the power of active listening and reflecting back what I am hearing, and the ineffectiveness of thinking of what I will say as soon as there is a break in the person’s communication.
There are simple formulas and techniques for listening:
Person A says they feel/think such and so…
Person B reflects back “so you felt…” or a sentence summary of content.
Person A affirms or corrects your understanding with “yes, and not only that but…” OR “No, I really wasn’t scared, I was mad…”
Listening helps you really be able to get to core issues, bear others’ burdens, and show genuine concern and care.
One great resource for active listening training is The Art of Helping by Robert Carkhuff.
Calvinism: Theological Hot Button?
September 11, 2007
One very hot issue in ministry/church circles today is the issue of election, predestination, and foreknowledge. Here are some resources that have been a blessing to me in personally and in ministering with others:
1. Christian Theology by Millard Erickson, and his discussion of the differing views of predestination in chapter 44.
2. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, by J.I. Packer brings to light the important issues, and how you could hold them in view.
3. A powerful sermon. Listen to this good word from Dr. Hance Dilbeck, pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church, on Romans 8.
To make a short simple statement though, I believe the Bible.
Easy Marriage Enrichment Events
September 10, 2007
Ah, the marriage retreat. There are some really good resources out there, content, speakers, and location, not to mention providers of the whole deal.
But retreats carry their own drawbacks too:
1. Childcare for a weekend get-away is not always easy for some couples in your church.
2. The expense of the event itself.
2. Couples that attend could be doing really well and are always attending great events. There could also be couples who are on the verge of real crisis and this is a last effort to try and make it work. These are both fine, but I am also concerned about the couples who believe they are doing fine, but really aren’t. How do I get them to a retreat? When could I impact the most couples?
I bring the retreat to them.
I have been providing broad-scale marriage enrichment, and it has been during our Sunday School hour for all married adults. Why? This hits motivated, unmotivated, and crisis couples alike. No cost. It is a booster, but it does provide help to marriages, and opens the door for couples to know they can come in for more direction.
I promote the great retreats that are available to our couples, but keep in mind having a marriage retreat on Sunday Morning. Let me know if I can help you locate a provider!
Men’s Integrity
September 10, 2007
After serving on an anti-pornography team with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, it did not take long to find the statistics supporting the rampant and devestating effects of the distortion of human sexuality. As ministers, we must be vigilant in providing direction in how to safeguard one’s home and family, and also provide a place of safety and correction when a brother/family needs help.
Here are a few resources that I have found particularly helpful especially in dealing with men and healthy sexuality:
1. Every Man’s Battle/Every Young Man’s Battle by Steven Arterburn gives great insight and direction for men and young men to stay pure.
2. Every Man’s Battle Workshop designed to help in intense situations, and this website has great links.
3. Web filters to help like Integrity Online and Be Safe.
4. False Intimacy by Harry Schaumburg with a stark description of this problem.
5. In a positive way, provide opportunities to strengthen couple relationships, help with parenting skills, build up your men in ministry, and train your men in core discipleship. Be proactive in leading and training in all areas of men’s lives. It will shore them up when trials come, and create an open door if help is needed.
Address this issue with your men. Don’t simply wait for the times of crisis to come to your door.