Is It Time To Update Your Ministry?

10:14 AM  Unknown  

So you're sitting at your computer. Suddenly it pops up on you. "Update Available." You then have to make a decision if you want to click "yes" or "no." 

Same scenario in ministry. You're suddenly confronted with the reality that it may be time for a ministry update. A decision has to be made..."yes" or "no?"

What causes us to say "no" to a ministry update?
  • Busyness. Most of the time when the update option pops up and I say "no," it's because I tell myself I'm too "busy" to make the time for it. I tell myself I will do it next time it pops up. Same thing happens in ministry. It's sometimes hard to work ON the ministry when you're working IN the ministry. It's like trying to jump off a moving train. You have to intentionally make time for updates.
  • Interruption. Accepting an update can interrupt what you're doing. Especially when it tells you that you're going to have to reboot your computer for it to work. You see, in ministry an update will be an interruption. It will interrupt your schedule, programming, and structure.
  • Fear. Will this effect any of the current programs on my computer? I'm afraid I won't know how to operate the system with the update. In ministry, we are sometimes afraid of updates because it will shake up the status quota or make a group of people unhappy. We are afraid to try because we're not sure if it will work.
  • Change. We think things are okay the way they are. We fall into complacency and don't want to journey down the complicated road of making changes. It moves us out of our comfort zone.

When is it time for a ministry update?
  • When we are using programs just because we've always used them. Did you know that a single computer used to take up a whole room? Can you imagine having one of those puppies in your house? Are there philosophies, programs, or events that you are doing just because the church has always done them?
  • When we are not being effective. The whole reason for updates is to make things more effective and efficient. They were created from feedback, bugs that needed to be fixed, and creative planning. Each year we must sit down and take a hard look at our programs. Are they reaching the unchurched? Are they helping people grow spiritually? Are they advancing God's kingdom?
  • When personalities are overriding productivity. Are you hesitant to hit the button because someone will be offended? Is there someone who is resistant to hitting the update button because they will lose control of something? Are you hesitant because you know it will stir up conflict? There's too much at stake to let personalities override productivity.
  • When we are "comfortable." It's easy to just keep the program the way it is. You know it well. You've used it for forever. It's hard to start over. It's easier to just live in yesterday's successes. But we are not called to be comfortable. We are called to be conquerors in Christ. Conquering requires us to constantly be moving forward.

What are the benefits of a ministry update?
  • You can stay connected with the rapidly changing culture around you. Updates help you stay current with the latest. Are you trying to do ministry with a floppy disk in a 4g speed day? I am watching Blockbuster stores close all around me. Why? They didn't update in time. They didn't change with the mobile, digital culture around them and know they are behind the curve.
  • You will be more effective and productive. You will see fruit and a breath of fresh air blow through your ministry.
  • You will acquire new skills. Many times when you update, it forces you to learn new skills. It moves you into a new level of leadership. You grow personally and professionally.
  • Your vision will be focused on the future instead of the past. Updating turns your attention and passion to what God has ahead for your life and ministry.

How do you push the update button on your ministry?
  • Take a hard, honest look at your current programs, events, and philosophies.
  • Prepare a recommendation for your senior leadership. Include a current programming evaluation, why you feel the update button needs to be pushed, and your plan for pushing the button and implementing it. Make sure the update button you are recommending aligns with the overall church vision and direction.
  • Take your time pushing the update button. Be patient and ask God to give you wisdom in timing. If you push the button too fast before getting key people on board, it will be difficult.
  • Share with key volunteers and families why the update needs to be made.
  • Have an implementation plan after you push the update button.
  • Be prepared...just when you get that update figured out, another one will pop up. There will always be more updates to make if you want to be a growing leader with a growing ministry.
Is it time to push the "update" button on your ministry?

Posted by Dale Hudson
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A Great Model For Enlisting New Volunteers

9:11 AM  Unknown  

A few days ago, I received a letter from the Florida Sheriff's Association. They were inviting me to join their membership club. As I read the letter, I was impressed by how they were approaching me. In fact, it's a great model for Children's Ministry leaders to follow when asking someone to volunteer. Here is the strategy they used and ideas we can take away from it.

They shared their history and track record.
"Dedicated to service since 1893"
"Become a member of one of the largest and oldest law enforcement agencies in the nation"
"Helped lower Florida's crime rate to it's lowest in 39 years"
Idea: When inviting people to join your team, share with them the history and wins of your team. People like to be part of a winning team.                                                                               

They shared what they do and the impact it makes.
"Able to save lives and keep our roads safe"
"Go after child predators"
"Help at-risk youth"
Idea: When inviting people to join your team, share with them specific examples of what you do and the impact it makes on people's lives. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. They want to know their life made a difference.

They shared the benefits of joining.
"Honorary membership card"
"Four issues of The Sheriff's magazine"
"Green and gold window decal"
"Will have a key part in lowering the crime rate and keeping our area safe"
Idea: When inviting people to join your team, share with them the benefits they will receive. Remind them that they will receive spiritual blessings such as personal growth, joy, fulfillment, and more.

Try using these three key points and watch your volunteer team grow.

Posted by Dale Hudson
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Pulling and Being Pulled As a Leader

10:26 PM  Unknown  

"The things which you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." 
2 Timothy 2:2

In this passage, we see that Paul pulled up Timothy and helped him become a better leader. Now Paul is telling Timothy to pull up others and help them become better leaders as well.

1. Who is pulling you up and helping you become a better leader?
2. Who are you pulling up and helping become a better leader?

Picture it like this. Your right hand is reaching out and grasping the hand of someone who is helping you become a better leader. At the same time, your left hand is reaching out and grasping the hand of someone you are helping become a better leader.

To be a balanced, growing, impacting leader, you should be pulling others up while being pulled up yourself.

Who is pulling you up and helping you become a better leader?

When I was in middle school, I played basketball. I wanted to improve. So, in between practices and games, I started playing pick-up ball with high school kids. They were a lot bigger and stronger than me. They could jump higher than me, run faster than me, shoot better than me, and play defense better than me. Yes, I got a lot of my shots blocked. Yes, they scored on me with ease. But...each day I played with them I was getting better. Why?  Because even though they were a lot better than me, they were making me a better basketball planer. They were pulling me up. 
  • What should you look for in the person you want to pull you up?
    • They should be a better leader than you.
    • They should be someone who can help you identify and work on your blind spots. 
    • They should be someone who is willing to be honest with you about your weaknesses. Not someone who will tell you how good you are, but someone who will challenge you.
    • You can be pulled up by great leaders through their books. You may not have the time or access to meet with some great leaders. But they can still pull you up through their books and video/audio resources. Bill Hybels, in my opinion, is one of the great leaders of our day. He is way out of my league. I would love to spend a few days asking him questions and learning from him, but that's probably not going to happen. I have met him and talked with him in person, but only for a few minutes. But...he has pulled me up through his books. Last year I read his leadership book, Axiom, and I came out of it a better leader. Through reading, you can be pulled up by any great leader you want to learn from.
    • Don't wait for a leader to offer to pull you up. Take the initiative and ask them.

Dr. John Maxwell is an incredible leader. He has pulled up countless leaders through his speaking, writing, conferences, and more. He is also a Teaching Pastor at our church so we have the privilege of hearing him on a regular basis. I recently heard him share about first starting out as a leader years ago. He had a great passion to grow and improve as a leader. And so he took initiative. He contacted some of the greatest church leaders in the country and asked for an appointment with them to learn from them. He told them he would pay them $100 for just a short amount of their time. Not everyone said "yes," but many did. And so early in his ministry, he became a better leader by being pulled up by great leaders.

Who are you pulling up and helping become a better leader?
  • What characteristics should you look for in the person you want to help become a better leader?
    • Willingness
    • Teachability
    • Passion for God
    • Hunger for growth
    • Faithfulness
    • Focus
  • How can you help the person become a better leader?
    • Build a relationship with the person. Earn their trust and respect.
    • Help them discover their blind spots and work with them to improve in those areas.
    • Give them key ministry books to read and report back to you the top ten things they learned from the read.
    • Model for them the area(s) they want to improve in. Let them observe how you react or lead in certain situations or environments.
    • Let them lead in that area and observe. 
    • From your observation, give them feedback and ways they can improve.
    • Meet with them on a regular basis. Between meetings let them set goals.
    • Measure improvement at each meeting and give them tips on how they can continue to improve.
A great example of this is a young man who serves in our Children's Ministry. He has a call to Children's Ministry on his life. He has so much potential. We are pouring into his life. We are giving him key ministry books to read. We observe when he teaches and interacts with the kids and then give him feedback and ways to improve. He has such a passion to become a better leader. We are excited to see him continue to grow. I believe one day he will lead the children's ministry at one of our campuses.

Maybe it's time to approach someone and ask them to help you become a better leader. And maybe it's time to look for someone you can invest in and help become a better leader.

As leaders, our life should be one of pulling and being pulled.

Posted by Dale Hudson
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