Bible Knowledge Tool
October 26, 2007
In an effort to help your folks know the Bible more clearly, consider this learning tool, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible in 15 Minutes a Day. This is ideal for the new believer, but would certainly be a great refresher for anyone!
While not exhaustive, or overtly complex, this straightforward plan gives a brief way to broadly help folks grasp the scope of the Bible. There is a format for a teaching setting, and there are also great bonuses like a guide for telling the story of the Bible in 1000 words.
This resource has been a blessing during our Equip University classes.
Wedding Tips: The Rehearsal
October 11, 2007
Ah, your first wedding ceremony. Don’t be scared, you’ll do great! Let me offer up some quick tips though that will keep you on track and help you focus this time of worship for this couple:
1. Decide in advance that you will run the rehearsal, and have your gameplan in place. The rehearsal does not need to be run by the mom, mother-in-law, florist, photographer, nor anyone else. You are in charge of this worship experience, this is your responsibility.
2. Before the rehearsal, make sure during one of your premarital counseling appointments you have discussed the ceremony itself. I use a similar format with all weddings as outlined in books like The Pastor’s Wedding Manual. The warmth of the ceremony comes from the application to the couple being married, but my format really does not change.
3. I begin the rehearsal itself with everyone gathered for prayer, with a special emphasis on how this will be a joyful, God honoring time. Then I place everyone as they will be for the heart of the ceremony, with bride and groom near me on the platform for vows and rings, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen on the steps as they will be in the heart of the ceremony. If tape needs to be used on the steps or platform so all remember where they are headed that is fine. Then I have them exit as they will at the end of the ceremony. We practice marching in, me and groomsmen first, followed by bridesmaids and their march one at a time to the front. Then the bride enters, after I have asked all to stand. We then proceed through the ceremony as outlined in a book like above. The couple has the freedom to place special songs and such throughout this standard service where they like. So really, you are experiencing the ceremony 1 and a half times per se.
4. Don’t forget important people: Sound technicians, childcare workers, caterers, ushers, photographer, instrumentalists, and the florist to name a few. Help take some pressure off of the bride that day by helping her think through scheduling, and important folks like these at premarital counseling.
5. Help the bride make this her special day. Help the groom make it special for her. This day is to celebrate and consecrate their lives together.
And as always, have fun. This is a celebration! Of all the things I experience as a minister, weddings seem to be the event with the most concentrated pressure on the service. Work to make it as perfect as possible, but as the minister keep it focused on the most important things.
Creative Worship Slides
October 11, 2007
If you have not added Cory Miller’s sites to your favorites and to your feeds please do so. You’ll be blessed. For instance, today, I received a great freebie from CM’s www.churchcommunicationspro.com site, creative worship slides.
We recently attended the Catalyst conference in Atlanta GA and I experienced this enhancement to worship in person. Not only was the Steve Fee band a blessing, but the environment as well, as supported by this type of slide presentation.
Evangelism Tools: Just stop and think.
October 11, 2007
Recently I made the journey to Atlanta GA for the Catalyst conference and I was blessed and stretched in a big way.
One speaker was a particular blessing, Francis Chan. Check out this great resource he has online for sharing the powerful message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: Just Stop and Think.
Ministry Staff: How to handle conflict.
October 3, 2007
Conflict happens in all groups. It has to, or someone is not voicing their opinion at some point. We cannot all agree all the time. Think of the missed opportunities, or even potential saves, if folks had just voiced their heart and mind.
Instead two things can happen in conflict that can make forward progress difficult:
1. Passive aggressiveness-When someone doesn’t feel like they could speak up, or are passed over, there could be efforts to sabotage what the rest of the team is doing through inactivity, or checking-out. Basically saying verbally and non-verbally “whatever.”
2. Aggressiveness-When someone doesn’t feel like a decision is good and overtly attacks with sarcasm, anger, or belittling. Frequently personal.
The best response is assertiveness-giving your whole-hearted, honest appraisal and input in a way that is not a personal attack, but issue focused, and solution focused. An assertive person is also prepared for potential rejection of their idea to go with what the team decides.
As always, pray. Pray for your team to be unified. John 13:34-35.
Ministry Staff: Office Email Etiquette
October 3, 2007
Communication is essential on a ministry team. Email is a blessing, but it can be counter productive if used poorly. Please remember these tips when emailing, especially in the church office:
1. Make your primary communication method verbal and in person. Make healthy relationships a high priority. Talk with coworkers in person.
2. Never use email when you are upset to “let someone have it.” If you cannot share emotional information with someone face to face, wait, collect your thoughts, pray, and set up a time to meet.
3. Be extremely careful with sarcasm and joking. Without seeing nonverbals, and context of the message, something that was meant to be funny could backfire in a huge way.
4. Remember, once you hit the send button, it is out there. What you meant to be private or restricted, even with disclaimers, can’t really be retrieved.
In a day of Instant Messaging, and emails, use them for great benefit, but don’t neglect personal face to face relationships.