Here Comes Sunday

Got a great pic from my niece today.  I was working on the power of a small group and the strategy of Orange went I received her photo.  It  said so much to what I was working on. (Check out the tiny  little small group member scrunched down in the middle of the couch.  Emma is my 6 month old great who was hosting the get together). These little ladies  have so much ahead of them.  They  have parents who love them. Their parents want to do all they can to be sure these girls know and grow in the Lord.  They need to be cheered on as they raise these girls.  How can you, the church leader help?  Give them a consistent small group leader.  Train and equip your small group leader to invest in a consistent group of kids.   It sets parents up for  win.  It sets kids up for  a win.  It’s what happens when a church truly partners with parents.

The future is so bright for this generation.   Their are praiseworthy deeds for us to tell them! Oh, to be in on the ground floor opportunity of a big investment like this!  You can. Start casting vision and invest as a leader to be sure a consistent small group leader is there for the kids at your church.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, dream, and discover.” — Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s quote just invites adventure. It stirs me.  I like to think about adventure in life.  But wait!  What if Mark Twain was talking about church? What about adventure in ministry?  If you are a ministry leader, you know about the everyday stuff of ministry responsibilities. Make sure the “t” is crossed and the “i” is dotted.   Get your volunteer spots covered.  Make sure you have the ritz crackers stocked in the nursery.  Get everyone copies of the lessons.  Make your handouts.  Yes, it might be important and keep us busy.   But without strategy- the adventure could be oh-so-common after a short while.   A strategy is the way you weave all into purposeful ministry

What if Mark Twain were in your ministry today.   Okay,  go with me here just for a moment think about it.  I think he would invite some change in the ministry game.  He would help you invite adventure. I think he could make you smile with some wit in a rough situation.  And perhaps he might help keep things in perspective.

When Jesus invited his future disciples to leave all and come follow Him, He knew that adventure was ahead.  Blind would see.  Dead would come alive.  Many fed with a few fish and some bread.   Seems much more exciting that just the fishin’ business..  They threw off the bowlines.  They walked away from a safe harbor.

This next week I have the pleasure of being with people who will have HUGE jewels in their crown in heaven.  Imagine the millions of hours invested to touch the lives of kids and families represented at Orange.  People that want to do EFFECTIVE ministry to kids and families.  This could be ministry game changing.  This gospel is too glorious to stay in a safe harbor, and reject the notion of ministry as an adventure. I’m all in to explore, to dream and discover ministry strategies to impact families. The Timeless Gospel never grows cold as we use fresh ways to share it.

I had the joy of attending a shared Family Experience at The Crossing in Quincy Illinois this past weekend.  In this quiet Midwest town something wonderful and “no so quiet” is happening.  Each month they host a service where kids bring their parents to learn.   Kids and parents learn together, (did I mention they have 6 campuses?!)   After the service I thought through some of the glaring big wins there.

#1 There will be much more to talk about together because families shared an experience together. Bigger impact with opportunity.

#2 Worship was current, and interactive. When I saw the fourth and fifth grade boys behind me participating-I had to smile.

#3 The volunteers invested to learn their lines. They in turn served many by that offering they made ahead of time during their busy week.  They were energizing and kid focused. The leaders were pumped!

#4 They invited more people in to the serve. I actually had the pleasure to watch a parent ask to sign up to be a small group leader.  They cast vision to join them in so many areas to serve on the weekend.  People who served looked happy to be there and were focused on the arriving families.  The place just looks like a FUN place to be!

#5 Investments were being made in relationships. I walked by a mean foursquare game with a leader and kids during arrival time.   Conversations were happening as they played.  Oh how I love arrival times. It’s a BIG ministry time we often miss.  They lean in to this time!

#6 Their church endorses and promotes the shared family weekends that happen each month at the Crossing.  The pastor pre-recorded a casual welcome video that played 5 minutes before things started. Families knew about upcoming events, upcoming sermon series and what’s happening as their family service launched. Their pastor shared how much they appreciated attending their family service. I sensed everyone knew the door of opportunity a regular shared family experience was. Did I mention they were in their first season of doing this? Big Orange thanks to the team at The Crossing.  You rock!

It’s no big announcement to say that we are all human.  We make mistakes.  You have opportunities every moment of your day to succeed or fail at whatever you do.  Relationships are sticky.  Walking out your faith leading ministry is stickier as people are involved. People who we serve with are human!  We humans make mistakes and fail.   And reputation is everything when it comes to credibility.  Proverbs says it very simply, but so true as  “even a child is known by his doings.”  We are all known by our doings.  As a ministry leader I hope you will keep on believing  the best in people.  I hear how volunteers don’t show up on time, or show at all. I hear of people not stepping up to serve.  People will let you down at times, (you will too) but I don’t want you to let that stop you from believing the best in people you serve with as you lead ministry.

I hope you will resist any hardening of your heart when people let you down. As a leader keep believing the best in people.  Ask people to fill big roles in ministry.  Help others step out in something new as they serve.  Ask big asks. They may fail, but you keep being their cheerleader.  Keep believing the best and pulling out the best in people as you lead ministry.  I have been astounded by the positive answers I  have received when asking big asks and believing the best.    Keep asking and believe the best!

The gal at Starbucks set the customer service bar pretty high today.  With a smile at the drive through she gave me my hot drink made the way I requested.  Then, she said it. The  killer customer service line… “Let me know if that’s not perfect for you! Have a nice day.” I drove away with and said out loud THAT’S customer service! She had been trained in a genuine, undeniable fashion that her role was  to serve and be sure you are happy with what you have ordered.

I hope those who lead ministry to kids and families are taking the Starbucks lead  in customer service.  Yes, at church!   It should be there more than anywhere else.  Every greeter in your ministry should ooze “I am happy you are here today!” Every registration person should convey the  message that they are  happy to see kids and parents!  Make eye contact. Make conversation.  Bend to address kids at eye level as they arrive.  It sends such a great message.  And I believe it opens the door for ministry.

Have you thought if  your “people” persons are on the front lines of your ministry?  It’s a strategic ministry move.  You get ONE opportunity to make a great impression.  Kids know a sincere hello and welcome. Its really a win for all involved when you think about customer service and first impressions!   Sharpen your customer service skills!