Impact, Transform, Lead ...

So how are you impacting your community?


If your church ever left the community would it be missed?


How are you being transformed?

Transforming others?


How are you leading?

Others leading you?


What would you say is your impact factor?

Around this time of year is the ever important evaluations. People evaluate the leaders, the ministry, see what we done, and where we are going. How is it measured? People's stories.

This past year we had 11 baptisms, 5 funerals, 2 renewing of vowes ceremonies, several dedications, and one oil annointing.

As I reflect back on the past year I think of several events: Easter Balloon Launch, VBS, Harvest Party, and the several Bible readings we did this past year.

I think of being with several families who lost loved ones: Myers, Huntsberrys, Reeds, Peli, and their stories.

And of course of newborns: Ava, Harlem, Lilah, David and others ...


But it comes down to my own self evaluation ... How am I doing? How am I being Jesus' hands and feet.

If I'm honest, I would say not as good as I'd like to be. How about you?

O Cicada

Cicadas are very interesting insects. Nicknamed "Tree Locusts" though no relation. After 13 yrs underground they emerge as adults and the males make a loud noise. I haven't recently paid attention to what a cicada was until my recent trip to Virginia - in which my friends' home had their loud noise and you can see them and hummingbirds about their yard. It was a very fascinating thing - to hear and see - in which you don't get to see them but every 13 (or some 17yrs)

What type of animal or insect did you last find fascinating?

Having a Social Media Policy for your Church or Ministry.

Here
is a sample of one.

And the article:
10 Must Haves for your Social media policy


With Web 2.0 and getting into Web 3.0 and beyond ... it is good to think about your church having a social media and internet policy.

Here are some guidelines I would suggest for any church, ministry etc.


I. Use common sense. There are just some things that are not meant to be posted online and shared with the world. (I've learned this recently). Write and post things as if your Mom is reading it. (Actually my Mom does ..she recently joined facebook , and follows that, my blog and several websites.)

II. Be a Christian at all times. Love your neighbour. Remember the Golden Rule. On forums, social media sites, email, etc. Treat others as you would like to be treated. Love people and love God.

III. Have a Disclaimer. Sure you are a leader and it reflects that, but also make sure that people know that not everyone believes or has the same opinions as you do.

IV. Have Fun. Some suggest don't have your parishioners as your followers etc. I disagree. Have fun with it, build those relationships. That is what Ministry is about.

V. Be authentic. Be as real as you are online as you are off.

VI. Be safe. Be aware of your security settings, privacy issues, confidentiality. Don't share everything. I'm careful with those underage. I personally don't bank online or use credit cards online due to being hacked and try to be safe. I have firewalls, make sure my protection software is updated etc. In other words surf online as if Jesus is typing for you.

VII. Get permission. Sometimes it is nice to post pictures of children in your ministry - get the parents input. Have them in groups. Don't have individual pictures with the child's full name on it. Protect their identity and be safe as well. See what schools do. We had to sign a waiver for release of the pictures for our local school.

VIII. Know copyright. Try your best to obey copyright laws. There are lots of good venues, and Christian bands that allow their music to be used .. and pictures but also make sure you buy it - get permission etc.

IX. Google is your friend. Google your name, ministry to find out what others are saying about you. Google resources, and other policies and see what fits best in your context.

X. Think before you post. There are some posts and things I wish I never posted for the whole world to see, and other times I'm glad I posted. Edit, delete, and copy and paste are your friends. Pray about what you put online. Afterall it is posted for all to see ... there isn't alot you can do to change it - even if you delete it or deactivate your account. Sometimes the damage has already been done.  Here are some good guidelines

People have been fired, not hired, and damage to their own lives over things they posted online. Sport figures fined for twitter status. Teachers for inappropriate photos etc.

Makes sure your internet activity honors God. That in all you do whether in work or deed honors Christ.
Be productive. Be safe. think. Pray. People in the congregation I serve over 3/4s are online. Over 60% are on facebook. Set limits.  Some people think I'm online all the time but due to RSS feeds, and timing my blog entries helps. Be wise and discerning in all you do.

And there Shall be a Census ....

Story


Do you think it is blasphemous or not?

The 3 Things that make Up a Person!

I. Your Genetics. If born ugly - stay ugly. (Unless plastic surgery). You inherit the physical traits from your Mom and Dad.

II. The Environment. Influences such as family, friends, TV, radio, internet. People say music doesn't affect me ...really? So ... finish the following ...

Born to be ..........

Its fun to goto the Y M .....

Music and TV doesn't influence? So why do they spend millions on a 30 second commercial during the Superbowl if it doesn't have an influence? It does.

III. The Will. You choose to sin or not. sorry - No scapegoat. No time to blame others. We already play the blame game and make scapegoats enough. That's why we have talk shows. Things like "It wasn't my fault I killed 10 people - it was my parents." Actually it was. You killed 10 people because you choose to. You're an idiot and need to take responsibility for your actions.

Interesting enough on the day of judgment every deed, action will be revealed. Almost a youtube of our entire lives. No excuses. No blaming others. We have to take responsibility for what we do, say, and think. Let's start now.

Why Your Church should be involved with Relay For Life.

Article





So last nite we had our church partner with a local business to be behind the scenes and be visible with the Relay For Life


So Why should a Church Support Rely for Life. Here are a few reasons.

I. Ministry of Presence. Nothing like being there for People.

II. Support of the Community. Fact is this Event is a Big deal for the Community.

III. Chances for Ministry. To interact and to meet new people and to minister to them to hear their stories.

IV. Cancer - affects everyone. Chances are there are people in your congregation that are struggling or know someone that is struggling with Cancer.

V. A chance to pray. I had the honor of just saying "grace" for the Survivor's Dinner. I also had a chance to quietly walk around the track and just pray quietly.

VI. A chance to listen. (See #1)

VII. A chance to help. I didn't expect to break up a fight ... but did. Be willing to help where needed.

Any other suggestions?

Ministry is more about Listening than it is Speaking.

I'm learning this lesson along life's journey. Life is full of surprises. Life is messy, broken and isn't easy.

Ministry is about listening.

It is about listening to:

1. God's Voice - and doing what He would have us do.

2. It is about listening to God's people - their stories. There are many hurting people out there that just want you to listen.

3. It is about listening leaders. We need leaders that don't just talk, but sit still and listen and try to comfort, grieve, be joyful when the occasion is needed.

4. It is about listening to those that need Jesus. Listening to their stories of suffering, pain, and on life's journey ...knowing that that the GREAT Listener has been there all along.

5. It is about listening to parents. Listening to their dreams, visions they have for their children. It isn't so much telling parents how to parent; as it is listening and encouraging parents to parent.

6. It is about listening to mentors. Learning how one disciples. Want to know how to disciple - listen to others who been there.

7. It is about listening to servants. Those that serve have Great stories. Stories of Faith. Stories of stepping out of the boat and getting out of their comfort zones. Stories to go beyond of which they only trusted God.

8. It is about listening to children. Listen to a child use their imagination and dream Big things. Listen to their innocence. Listen to them having fears, and also No fears. Listening to them not caring what holds the future.

9. It is about listening to a heartbeat. Sometimes hearing the simple things in life cause us to pause. Be Still. Have balance. Embrace life.

10. It is about listening to all. Listen to a teen talk about college. Listen to some of the elderly when they talk about "when they were young ..." Listen to young adults who have hope for the future.

Listening isn't easy. Sometimes, we, who are in ministry, like to talk more than listen. We do that because it is easier. Talk is cheap. Actions are few. Listening is hard. I wish I'd just listen more often.

Why does Truth need the Qualifier: Absolute?

Paul Williams
asks this very question in his latest column: And So it Goes: What is Truth?

This quote:

"I asked why truth needed “absolute” as a qualifier. Did the word itself not carry enough weight? He said he did not know. He was just a musician. Later I had a thought. Could “absolute” be to “truth” what “perfect” is to “harmony”"

Good thoughts. So if all truth is God's Truth; why do we need the qualifier: Absolute Truth?

Since there isn't anything relative about it - only in God's eyes.

Church Myth Debunked: It is all about relationships!

I'm hearing alot of church lingo lately with the newest trend being that in order to grow your church it has to be based upon relationships. That relationship building and maintaining is what leads to presenting truth and transformation.

I would urge caution. Relationships are the means, not the goal. The church isn't suppose to be about relationships - it is suppose to be about Jesus.

A church that is centered on Jesus will have the relationships and enhance the transformation - not relationship centered to enhance Jesus. Jesus doesn't need enhancement. God does the transformation. So often we build relationships thinking we do the changing, but the Holy Spirit acts on our behalf.

I've seen alot of churches base their theology and "Gimmicks" on relationships as the end rather than the means. It isn't about relationships ...it is all about Jesus. And sometimes I need to be reminded of that too!

Ad I came Across

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Here's the translation: "You do all the work, you help the elderly, you are to blame if anything goes wrong, want you to be young to hire you cheap, work you to death for the cause of Christ (No life but Church work), we're patriotic much like the next guy, challenge of living on an island, beware of the sharks, and well there isn't a Super Walmart nearby and good luck"

Dangers of Christianity?

Article on raise an awareness of the danger of Islam at local Public High School


Ummm what about the dangers of Christianity?

1. That one has to forsake their Father and Mother.
2. One has to count the cost to follow Jesus.
3. You actually might be transformed.
4. Your mind maybe renewed.
5. That there will be persecution.
6. Not everything will be ok.
7. You are called to love one another and love those that even hate you.
8. It isn't so much about You than it is "I AM"
9. There are no Guarantees this side of Heaven.
10. Having a relationship with Jesus - just is dangerous. It messes up your whole world.

Self Esteem versus Self-protection!

There is a whole debate on Self Esteem
and that of self-protection.

By self-esteem, I define it as one's view evaluation of their own worth or self-worth.

I like the following definition: "the experience of being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and being worthy of happiness."

The problem with self-esteem is that sometimes the ability to cope with abuse in one's own life hurts their self-esteem or even questions their image as they are created by God and to be tranformed. I know the abuse I have suffered has hurt my own self-worth and even God-worth as I have focused much from ME to that of the Great "I AM"

We need to tell students that they are valued. They need to have self-worth. That God values them and created them. There is hope and purpose.

The real issue is how to balance this in a PC (Politically Correct) world that wants self-esteem to be self-protection. Self-protection is defined as that of protecting of one's self or others' their own emotional feelings and hurts so everyone can feel good about everyone else. So in self-protection - there is no games of Tag
, Dodgeball
and of course Kickball
because there are winners and losers.

There is not a clear cut way to coping with the basics of life. Everyone is OK. Everyone is a winner. Everyone's feelings are to not be trampled on. There is more coddling and less evaluation. There isn't even a clear cut Grading system. It is all about relationships and well "Self-esteem" but it is more Self-protection.

Life isn't Fair. The more children get to know this, the better. There are winners and losers. Not everyone can be a Superhero. We do need to praise people but also tell the truth in love.

The more self-protection we do - the more harm it is. The more people think because their Grandmother says they can Sing ...they think they are the next American Idol. In all reality ... they sing worse than William Hung
. It was just nobody had the guts to tell them until Simon Cowell
.

So what is the answer? Let's not focus on self-protecting. Society does enough of that. Let's have students know their worth and value they have in Christ. Even before they encounter Christ - they have to know they are valued, loved, and need to encounter the One who made them. This leads to spending time. Knowing the hurts. Praising students (sometimes that isn't what they get at home). Balancing how to cope with life and how God views it.

So what do you think? Is there too much self-protection? Do our students suffer from lack of self-esteem or are they protected too much?

Top 10 Important Things Every Youthworker needs to know.

1. Your relationship with God is more important than your ministry. Take time to tend to your soul.

2. Your Family is important. Do not neglect your family. They are your number one ministry.

3. Learn to delegate responsibility. The more you equip - the less you do yourself.


4. Spend time alone. - Get a hobby. It will help your sanity.

5. Be a life long learner. Invest in resources, studies, online etc.

6. Choose your battles wisely. Not every hill is worth dying for. Learn conflict resolution and even have others take the heat off of you.

7. Build relationships that will last.

8. The Kingdom of God is Bigger than your one Church. Learn to network, get to know other churches, learn from them and vice versa.

9. Be a leader. Be responsible and be the leader God called you to be - don't try to be something you are not.

10. Be humble. Part of that is being authentic. Not everyone is buddy buddy with Doug Fields, knows Marko, or even can speak at Group's or YS' or whoever's denominational YouthWorkers' convention. Be who God called you to be, not this trying to be a "Minor" Christian celebrity. I know I'm definitely not.


What would you add to the list? Thoughts?