The Other Side of the Fence

January 18, 2012 in Ministry with 0 Comments

I’ve had the opportunity in the past two years to visit many other churches and see and hear how they are doing ministry in their local church family.  Along with those opportunities, I’ve had the privilege to sit and talk with many children and student leaders on a local church level about the things they are doing (attempting) in their churches.  In all of the conversations, I can’t help but filter all that I see and hear through the lens of what I am involved with here at my church home.  That has helped me be a better leader.

When processing, listening, observing, and critiquing what others are doing; I’m really setting myself up to view my own space in a new way.  I’m using new eyes to look at what have become old things.

Here are the things I’m learning through the process:

  • I’m so much more blessed to be where I am than I give myself credit for.  There ain’t nothin’ like eating some of that grass on the other side of the fence to know how good your own grass is!
  •  Everything is a season.  When I talk to people on either side of where I’m currently working, I can see the story being weaved where I am.  I’ve been where some people are, and I’m looking forward to being where other people are now!
  •  Things need to change.  There are times that I hear and see what others are doing, and immediately know that I need to get our team to play catch-up real, real, real quick.  You may call it inspiration, I call it conviction.
  • I need to champion my team more.  Spending time with other leaders (and no offense, please) makes me appreciate the team I work with.  I work with some real all-stars, and hearing from others always help me see that.  Then I need to bring that gratefulness home and share it!
  •  It feels good to share.  I love sharing what I’ve done and am doing, and I’m so grateful that others are willing to share with me where they are.  I always walk away from conversations with other leaders encouraged .

What in your area do you need to look at with some new eyes?  Are there things you read online that help you to see the old as if it were new again?  What is your conviction…or inspiration to change?

CPC Orlando Recap

January 17, 2012 in Ministry with 0 Comments

I had such a blast at my first Children’s Pastor Conference, and was able to meet many of you that participate here at the website.  What a great few days in the warm weather of Central Florida, enjoying meeting old friends and making new ones.  Some of my favorite highlights from the weekend were getting to hear Reggie Joiner continue to share his passion for families and hearing Beth Guckenberger speak about God writing the story in all our our lives.

If you missed it, then you can still attend in San Diego in February.  Make some plans now to attend!

Using Negativity to my Advantage

January 16, 2012 in Bible, Ministry with 0 Comments

You know the whole “glass half full vs. glass half empty” debate?  Personally, I fall somewhere in the middle with my personality type.  I’m one more prone to ask who drank half my glass of water.

Well in leadership it’s important that we be positive people, looking for the good in others and affirming their steps towards improvement.  However, there is a time to be negative.  There is a time to shine the light in dark places.  There is a time and place to be critical.  If we guard against becoming critical in all our interactions, we can actually use Negativity to our advantage.

How Negativity Can Help a Leader

  • The things that bother you, probably bother others as well.  That sign that is always crooked and covered with fingerprints?  If it bugs you, I can guarantee you that it bugs someone else.
  • If you aren’t finding negative things in what you do at times, then you’re not doing it right.  We all make mistakes.  We all do things wrong.  We all have room for improvement.  If you evaluate yourself and can find nothing worth improving…there is something wrong with you!
  • Negativity helps you to answer the question, “What is the worst that can happen?”  I believe we should be able to answer this question at all times.  Have you thought out the worst-case scenario?  Have you planned for a quick recovery if things don’t go your way?
  • Critical eyes bring improvement.  While we are careful to not let our criticism become a nag to those we lead, we also want our criticism to bring about real change.  Let yourself see things for how they really are.

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

 

Looking Forward to CPC

January 10, 2012 in Links, Ministry with 5 Comments

I’ll be heading to Orlando, FL this week to make my very first visit to THE Children’s Pastor Conference.  I’ve never made it to this gathering of Kidmin leaders, and I’m looking forward to so much as I escape the relatively cold climate of West Texas in January for the relatively warm climate of Florida!

What I’m looking forward to:

  • My friends are gonna be there.  The short ones, tall ones, smart ones, curious ones, and even Matt McKee.  Seriously, I love anything that incorporates the leadership of Sam Luce, Jim Wideman, Craig Jutila, Gina McClain, and so many others.
  • Experiencing some of Michael Chanley’s new ideas.  Michael is the newest Executive Director of INCM, and I know that he brings a ton of connecting ability to the organization and conference.  I’m super-excited to see all he’s told me about played out for everyone to experience.
  • The 5 Initiatives.  What are the 5 Initiatives?
    1. Impart God’s truth to this generation
    2. Provide a safe and relevant environment
    3. Communicate with families
    4. Network with a community of leaders
    5. Pray for the international children’s ministry community
  • The INCM Certificate Program.  Basically, it’s a way for you to specialize in something and take it back home to your church as a expert in that area.  I’ll let Michael explain it in more depth HERE.
If you aren’t able to be with me in Orlando, would you consider the next CPC in San Diego?  It’s at the end of February!  Register today!

 

Reboot for 2012

January 9, 2012 in Bible, Personal with 0 Comments

Years ago I managed an IT department on a university campus, and every conversation we had with end-users (those are the ones with problems) began something like this, “Have you rebooted your machine?”  I swear back in the 90′s this would fix 90% of the problems on a Windows 95 machine.

January is official reboot your life month, right?  You might prefer the word resolutions, quick-fixes, or get better ideas for 2012.  I personally like the idea of rebooting things. Well at this time of year, let me ask you…

“Have you rebooted your resolutions and goals this year?”

Here are 5 ways to take the time to push the reboot button on 2011, and amp up for 2012.

1. Quit pretending everything went perfect in 2011.  What went wrong?  Define it, meditate on it, look into why it didn’t go your way in these areas, and then bury it.

2. Quit pretending everything was terrible in 2011.  What went right?  Some of you might have to look hard, but I can guarantee you that you’ve done something noble and honorable this year.  Define it, meditate on it, look into why it went your way, and then bury it.

3. What challenged you this year?  Notice I used the word “challenge”, not the word “troubled.”  What was hard for you to do this year?  Why was it harder than you thought?

4. What do you want to do this year?  <Insert Dream Here>

5. Pray.  Work through these top 4 and then pray.  But why pray?  Well the Bible tells us so!

Psalm 107:28-30 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven

Matthew 7:7  ”Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Mark 9:29  And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Mark 11:24  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Ephesians 6:18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

James 5:14-16 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another,that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Page 3 of 193«12345»102030...Last »