Do you preach clearly?
July 9, 2008
One resource that I am reading through is Andy Stanley’s Communicating for a Change. This quick narrative read clearly gives insight to simple steps to help in sermon/lesson preparation and delivery.
A critical issue here is, do you really think about your message? I know that sounds simple, but do you think about your message/lesson and how it is coming across? Is it understandable? Applicable? While not the only book on speaking, and not the only way of speaking/preaching, a read like this at least helps me pull out of some deep groves I may be stuck in.
Quick Tip for getting the word out about your church…Part 2
March 10, 2008
A powerful combination in reaching your community is by coupling spirit and action!
1. Prayer walk-activate your members by thinking about reaching their own neighborhoods. This seems simple but isn’t it the case that we often minister elsewhere than our own neighborhoods. Walk, pray, on your own block. I am not saying we do not minister elsewhere, but certainly make sure you have impacted your neighborhood.
2. Action-use doorhangers. Oklahoma Baptists are working again to touch every home in Oklahoma with information about local churches and a clear presentation of the Gospel through ACROSS Oklahoma. So now that your group has prayer-walked, head back out with information, and opportunities to engage others with the Gospel.
Most of all, go for it. Whatever you do, do something. If there are complainers about what will or won’t work, or just general apathy or laziness, rally the troups, get activated, get creative, and get out there. People need to know your church is active and there for them!
Quick tip for getting the Word out about your church…Part 1
March 1, 2008
One resource that we have recently been blessed by is a direct mailing organization right here in our city. We are able to easily target our neighborhood for special invitations and the like. It is a turn-key deal, from the layout of the mailer, to the postage purchase, to the distribution.
This month we will be sending out special invitations to our community for a Grand Opening of new facilities at our church. We are so blessed by these buildings, but these buildings are for the community! We want them here, and to hear about Jesus Christ.
Let me know if you would like more information on this particular resource, or how we have used them for other projects in the past.
God bless you as you reach the lost in your community!
Quick Tips for Promoting Adult Discipleship
December 23, 2007
If your church is like ours, your small groups/Sunday School classes kind of motor right along with few breaks if any, and seldom any significant shifts. However, our adult Discipleship classes, called Equip University, have definite stopping and starting points. You know the ones…these are the classes like:
Financial Peace University, Beth Moore, Men’s Fraternity/Navigators, One on One with God, DivorceCare, Moody Bible Memory, and One Verse Evangelism to name a few.
So how do I capture the momentum of promotion and registration:
1. We promote the classes online and in all our print.
2. We have online registration and registration through the offices.
3. We have a preview night in Worship to allow full church exposure to the new classes offered, and follow this with an opportunity to sign up at the end of the service.
4. There is a two week break between the preview night and class starts to allow time for the order and arrival of literature and leader kits.
Most of all, get excited. If you act like this learning growing opportunity is boring and out of touch, well, your experience probably will be.
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 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.
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.
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.