http://www.raygriffin.net Serving Leaders in Ministry Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:01:42 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/when-tragedy-strikes-your-church/ Well, there is nothing like being in the cool of the mountains of New Mexico.  Add to that an added bonus of a good conference and that is much like chocolate and peanut butter coming together! Last week I attended a Sunday School Conference at Glorieta led by LifeWay staff.  Ed ... http://www.raygriffin.net/small-groups-on-mission/ Have you ever wrestled with the thought of how you are wired up to serve?  Have you ever thought about the basics of managing versus leading and how you might lean one way or the other?  These are the kinds of issues that Marcus Buckingham raises in his book The One ... http://www.raygriffin.net/mirror-mirror-am-i-a-manager-or-leader-both/ Summer brings a flurry of activity, particularly in the preschool through youth ministry of a church.  Camps, VBS, daycamps, sport-camps, white-water rafting...whew!  Thank goodness for young interns who are ready to learn and engage in energetic ministry.  This summer we have been blessed with a number of interns from around ... http://www.raygriffin.net/summers-up-the-interns-are-going/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/do-you-preach-clearly/ Perhaps you have a discipleship hour for adults that coincides with a children's program.  If so, you know the juggle of the kids programming moving on through the end of a semester, but adult classes ending at 4, 6, 8+ week lengths.  Recently, I tagged on the end of the semester ... http://www.raygriffin.net/adult-discipleship-class-idea-coffee-talk/ 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:  Christian Worker's Handbook  Please let me know if you have come across anything similar ... http://www.raygriffin.net/crisis-care/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/quick-tip-for-getting-the-word-out-about-your-churchpart-2/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/quick-tip-for-getting-the-word-out-about-your-churchpart-1/ I have recently had the opportunity to serve on a board of an institution.  I appreciate the honor of being asked, Why? 1.  When you are asked to lead somewhere, they don't just need a warm body, or someone to read through reports, but someone to execute.  Make decisions, give advice, comment, ... http://www.raygriffin.net/leaders-lead-and-not-just-at-work/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/performance-evaluation-tips/ One of my favorite ways to explore the Bible each year is with a chronological Bible.  This blessing lays out the text in daily readings while placing the Bible's content in close order to its chronological timing. Check out this Bible. Meet with the Lord daily. http://www.raygriffin.net/reading-through-the-bible/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/easy-sunday-school-training-tools/ If you find yourself as the team leader on your church staff (Pastor, Associate Pastor, Minister of Ed, Executive Pastor, Lead Pastor, etc.), you do have a choice in how you lead: 1.  Realize you are the leader. I love a cool passage about Solomon that says that he "took a ... http://www.raygriffin.net/staff-team-leadership/ 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, ... http://www.raygriffin.net/quick-tips-for-promoting-adult-discipleship/ I am pumped about the discipleship classes we offer each semester at our church.  These classes offer the most flexibility, if you will, in getting creative; allowing teachers and the curriculum to stretch a bit.  Here are a couple of examples I am exploring this semester: 1.  Elementary Greek-Yikes, sounds heavy ... http://www.raygriffin.net/quick-discipleship-study-ideas/ As team members leave your particular ministry keep these important thoughts in mind: 1.  Reflect on any changes that you need to make in this particular job and its description prior to any future search, that way you've made adjustments prior to visiting with candidates, and quite frankly, you know who ... http://www.raygriffin.net/when-staff-members-leave/ 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 ... http://www.raygriffin.net/tips-in-the-hiring-process/ Here are a few simple things that can impact families right away in your ministry: 1.  Know that you really CAN have a positive impact on families!  There are some great resources available to grease the wheels of this momentum like Reggie Joiner's site at www.reThinkgroup.org and conferences like www.theorangeconference.com. 2.  Strategically ... http://www.raygriffin.net/how-to-strengthen-families-in-the-church/ Recently, a colleague directed me to a most interesting site.  Willow Creek Church in Chicago recently spent considerable time and effort to really take a hard look at the growth of the people they lead.  It has helped me in a number of ways, like, am I currently thinking about where people ... http://www.raygriffin.net/revealing/