Just in case you get stranded on this page with nowhere else to go, my most updated blog can be found at:
Openingsalvocr.blogspot.com
This is the communication hub for our new faith community, called The Connection.
You'll find announcements, links and text of recent study series, book reviews, and other stuff here.
Feel free to click above and browse.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
openingsalvo: January 2011
openingsalvo: January 2011
If you have not read The Tangible Kingdom, and you are looking to do church missionally, you are missing a piece of the puzzle. Frank, forthright, transparent commentary on the state of the American Church, and a pathway back to doing ancient church now, will bless and guide you. This is not a 12-ways-to-grow-your-church-12-ways-in-12-minutes checklist; the authors challenge you to a re-formation, and this takes time. You will read and re-read this book.
There is a companion volume, The TK Primer, that you can use in an intentional community group, having read or not read the mother tome.
Our Community Group is using the Primer as a stand-alone resource, and we're being challenged, affimed, and with God's grace, creating a pathway to inclusive community.
If you have not read The Tangible Kingdom, and you are looking to do church missionally, you are missing a piece of the puzzle. Frank, forthright, transparent commentary on the state of the American Church, and a pathway back to doing ancient church now, will bless and guide you. This is not a 12-ways-to-grow-your-church-12-ways-in-12-minutes checklist; the authors challenge you to a re-formation, and this takes time. You will read and re-read this book.
There is a companion volume, The TK Primer, that you can use in an intentional community group, having read or not read the mother tome.
Our Community Group is using the Primer as a stand-alone resource, and we're being challenged, affimed, and with God's grace, creating a pathway to inclusive community.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Developing a C.O.R.E of volunteers - Calling people to ministry.
This post is based on a skill-building session given at a meeting of VisionLI, a group of new, revitalized and growing churches on Long Island. These churches are partnering in a new way, sharing and releasing resources to see all congregations thrive.
To develop a solid C.O.R.E. of volunteers, we leaders must:
Jesus calls us all from the comfort level of the shores, out into the deep of service. "Follow me and I will make you (to become) fishers of men. (Mark 1:17) Most interesting in this verse, are two things. First, there is a model for service. Jesus will not leave you alone on the journey, He is prepared take the lead position, guiding you out. Second, the journey of service is a process. The volunteer will not always have all the knowledge to complete the tasks assigned at a 100% skill level, but will gain skill along the way. The one who follows must be willing to walk and willing to learn.
As the leader, the undershepherd, in order to begin this process of training and deploying volunteers (remembering that a local congregation is a voluntary organization, you can't staff everything out!) you must ask your self two questions:
Question # 1 - What is your skill set?
Question # 2 - What is NOT in your skill set?
So, we have to let go of total ministry ownership and allow others ownership. John C. Maxwell (remember him?) says that in delegating ministry, you must be happy with the 98%. People are unique and are going to do things a bit differently than you do. You need to give 2% task accomplishment away - to give the volunteer some flexiblity in completing the delegated task. Identify clearly what is your 2% for each task - for your own soul sanity!
In order to stay in your sweet spot, you are going to have to become very clear about what you do, and what you have to delegate to staff, either paid or unpaid. Because if it is all about you, it will never grow bigger than you.
It's not about me.
It's not about you either.
It's about we.
Service is essential to growth in the congregation. Service is the hallmark of Jesus.
Therefore, we must teach on service from the Scriptures. Looking the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11 and other place in the Bible, most of the great servants underwent a process to get "there." Each had a moment where the call was undeniable, and they were so motivated by the needs of the Kingdom, that they responded as did Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord. Send me."
We must ask people to step up to ministry regularly.
Make a "BIG ASK" - make it a spiritual challenge. The REVEAL study, conducted by Willow Creek, reports that Spiritual Challenge is the most important ingredient in spiritual growth at every place in the spiritual journey. Spiritual Challenge is reported as being more central in the life of a believer than pastoral care. Though you will make general calls to ministry from the pulpit, you will have to make strategic asks to individuals. It seems right now that many of my collegagues are preaching their "servant series" right now, getting ready for the Fall push into ministry. You have probably preached one of "those" sermons, out of weariness, desparation and frustration, and needed to take a shower afterwards! Instead of making those desparate pleas:
1) Have a regular mission emphasis
We have had quarterly guests to talk about their ministry and make calls for volunteer support. To actually give everyone a "high-grace / low-risk " ministry experience, we have also used the 5th Sunday of the month as a "Mission Sunday" and planned an outreach of some kind for an all-congregation event. Then I would make personal contacts to those who became consistent in missing 5th Sundays!
2)Conduct a mission fair
Have each ministry in the congregation put together a booth to give potential volunteers a chance to see the different ministries up close and personal.
As part one of this post comes to a close, we have to go back to the big questions.
What is in your skill set? Do that.
What is not in your skill set? Don't do that.
(and if you can't chuck it yet, make a plan to give it away.)
What must you give away, so that others can thrive in their area of gifting? Make that strategic ASK today!
More to follow. Be blessed today,
pax Christi,
sp
To develop a solid C.O.R.E. of volunteers, we leaders must:
- Call people to ministry
- Organize people for ministry
- Relate with people outside of ministry
- Equip people to do ministry.
Calling people to ministry.
Calling people to ministry can be done, no matter what their skill level or place on the spiritual journey. Service can heal some people, for others service can bring people closer to the "servant of all," Jesus Christ. Service in a Kingdom cause is a tool for discipleship and evangelism.Jesus calls us all from the comfort level of the shores, out into the deep of service. "Follow me and I will make you (to become) fishers of men. (Mark 1:17) Most interesting in this verse, are two things. First, there is a model for service. Jesus will not leave you alone on the journey, He is prepared take the lead position, guiding you out. Second, the journey of service is a process. The volunteer will not always have all the knowledge to complete the tasks assigned at a 100% skill level, but will gain skill along the way. The one who follows must be willing to walk and willing to learn.
As the leader, the undershepherd, in order to begin this process of training and deploying volunteers (remembering that a local congregation is a voluntary organization, you can't staff everything out!) you must ask your self two questions:
Question # 1 - What is your skill set?
Question # 2 - What is NOT in your skill set?
So, we have to let go of total ministry ownership and allow others ownership. John C. Maxwell (remember him?) says that in delegating ministry, you must be happy with the 98%. People are unique and are going to do things a bit differently than you do. You need to give 2% task accomplishment away - to give the volunteer some flexiblity in completing the delegated task. Identify clearly what is your 2% for each task - for your own soul sanity!
In order to stay in your sweet spot, you are going to have to become very clear about what you do, and what you have to delegate to staff, either paid or unpaid. Because if it is all about you, it will never grow bigger than you.
It's not about me.
It's not about you either.
It's about we.
Service is essential to growth in the congregation. Service is the hallmark of Jesus.
Therefore, we must teach on service from the Scriptures. Looking the "hall of faith" in Hebrews 11 and other place in the Bible, most of the great servants underwent a process to get "there." Each had a moment where the call was undeniable, and they were so motivated by the needs of the Kingdom, that they responded as did Isaiah: "Here am I, Lord. Send me."
We must ask people to step up to ministry regularly.
Make a "BIG ASK" - make it a spiritual challenge. The REVEAL study, conducted by Willow Creek, reports that Spiritual Challenge is the most important ingredient in spiritual growth at every place in the spiritual journey. Spiritual Challenge is reported as being more central in the life of a believer than pastoral care. Though you will make general calls to ministry from the pulpit, you will have to make strategic asks to individuals. It seems right now that many of my collegagues are preaching their "servant series" right now, getting ready for the Fall push into ministry. You have probably preached one of "those" sermons, out of weariness, desparation and frustration, and needed to take a shower afterwards! Instead of making those desparate pleas:
1) Have a regular mission emphasis
We have had quarterly guests to talk about their ministry and make calls for volunteer support. To actually give everyone a "high-grace / low-risk " ministry experience, we have also used the 5th Sunday of the month as a "Mission Sunday" and planned an outreach of some kind for an all-congregation event. Then I would make personal contacts to those who became consistent in missing 5th Sundays!
2)Conduct a mission fair
Have each ministry in the congregation put together a booth to give potential volunteers a chance to see the different ministries up close and personal.
As part one of this post comes to a close, we have to go back to the big questions.
What is in your skill set? Do that.
What is not in your skill set? Don't do that.
(and if you can't chuck it yet, make a plan to give it away.)
What must you give away, so that others can thrive in their area of gifting? Make that strategic ASK today!
More to follow. Be blessed today,
pax Christi,
sp
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Living on the Edge
It's a daring propostion, really! Living out your faith in such a way that radical is normal. Must read this book. Great ways to become a "trader" - swapping out the values of the American Dream for God's Dream! Looking at Romans 12 in a fresh way and INSTANT application to today!
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Monday, August 20, 2007
You say you want a revolution / Yah, you know ...God wants us to change a world!
In Uprising, Erwin Raphael McManus shows readers who are hungry for lasting spiritual change how to unleash God’s character in their lives.
We are all, as Erwin Raphael McManus states, broken pieces of the image of God. And as Christians, too often we talk about God’s ability to change lives without fully understanding how to access that power.
The reason is simple: we ourselves have never been radically transformed.
McManus explains how many people unknowingly block God from changing us and teaches readers the “texture of the heart” required to unleash God’s transforming power within us. He also demonstrates the passion and purpose that lie ahead when we undertake the journey that leads us to the true source, the very character of God.
Fascinating stories from McManus’s personal life and ministry, paired with fresh biblical teaching and profound insights, will astonish and challenge readers to break free from negative habits, destructive emotions, and other strongholds that hinder a lasting transformation and to turn toward a life marked by enlightenment, nobility, and virtue. What a great book then!
Uprising will be used by God to revolutionize your life. Check it out!
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