What if tragedy strikes your church…
August 3, 2008
We do live in perilous times, and this means that someone with evil intent can walk through the doors of the church at any time and inflict violence on many. I had the opportunity some time ago to visit with a young man who had been in a church during an attack and it was a harrowing account.
A colleague of mine recently forwarded information that addresses a plan for churches to be prepared when the unthinkable happens.
Check it out at Brotherhood Mutual.
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.
Crisis Care
April 19, 2008
I was recently forwarded a fantastic resource for insights on all types of issues and circumstances you may face in ministry. It is from the capable hands of those at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Check this out:
Please let me know if you have come across anything similar that could be of benefit.
God bless you as you serve Him when times are smooth, and in crisis.
Performance Evaluation Tips
January 11, 2008
Does performance evaluation make you shiver just a bit? Not so fun right for the boss or employee? But, this does not have to be the case.
1. Make a habit of routine evaluations, at least once a year, but frequently give feedback, direction, and coaching. Do not wait and simply be a person reacting to issues and problems.
2. Use a simple tool like this Employee Performance Review. There are self, and management review sheets. Perhaps you cover issues in addition to those listed here, but having something like this as a guide certainly keeps you from shooting from the hip, or being blind to issues that need to be confronted.
3. Meet in threes. Have your employees meet with their immediate and upper supervisor. This helps everyone, and also allows young supervisors to continue to be coached.
4. Yes, I am talking to you as ministers. Do yourself a favor and don’t assume that you are exempt from this practice as a church. The folks who work, serve, and minister for your congregation need contact and direction from the pastor/boss.
5. Use this as a powerful time for praise and vision casting. Please don’t let your review time be a time to unload everything that folks are doing wrong. Yikes. Restate the vision, and give solid praise for jobs well done.
6. As a church, be careful for what you are measuring. One powerful benchmark is a values statement. Do you have one?
Use the gift of performance reviews.
Easy Sunday School Training Tools
December 31, 2007
Are you looking for some user friendly, clear, and purposeful training resources for your Sunday School Leaders? Check out these:
1. Sunday School Done Right by Allan Taylor. He is the Minister of Ed at First Woodstock, GA. He is certainly fired up about Sunday School.
2. Power Up Your Sunday School by Bob Mayfield, state Sunday School Leader for Oklahoma. Bob is the real deal, and he is passionate about people finding a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Most of all, remember with whatever you use, as the leader, your enthusiasm and passion will communicate most powerfully!
Tips in the hiring process
December 20, 2007
Isn’t it great when you are given the opportunity to hire a new staff person for a new ministry? But you may also find yourself in the spot of replacing someone. Here are some very important issues in hiring team members:
1. Pray. Make sure you are proceeding in the direction the Lord has for you and your church. For example, we have been blessed by hiring a person for a ministry area that is anticipated to grow versus hiring a person for a position when it looks like you “need” them.
2. Review the job description or create the new one.
3. Make an adequate and appropriate search. Get the word out. Contact folks in similar fields of work.
4. Work within the constructs of your ministry in hiring, that is, use a search committee when necessary, but always team up with someone in the interviewing process. Utilize the personnel and finance committees of your church in the process when possible.
5. Collect resumes of candidates. Narrow to the top 3 or so.
6. Only interview one candidate at a time from your #1 choice on. If there is a “no” either way, communicate this clearly. Do not leave folks guessing or hanging on if the committee is moving on.
7. Remember that candidates are observing the church and staff team as much as you are observing them in the interviewing process. So, just as they are making first impressions and are working on stating objectives, goals, values, vision…you should as well.
8. Background checks. Get the information and do the search.
You be blessed in the hard work of a great hiring process!
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.
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.
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!
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.