Tag Archives: fun

Why Outreach Events Are Important For Our Ministry

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We’re having an outreach tonight (halloween party), here are a few of the reasons why these kinds of events are important for our ministry:

1. It’s an opportunity for unchurched/unconnected students to experience our ministry, and for us to invite them to join us at a weekend service.

2. It reminds our regular students about the importance of caring for the lost. Evangelism isn’t easy for most believers and we need regular reminders to develop greater compassion for the lost.

3. It creates memories—and therefore community—for our ministry. Events are great because they break up what’s normal. They can create fun milestones that are often important to our students. “Remember the time when Billy….”

4. It communicates care to our community. (sorry for all the C’s). I think it’s a good idea to have an outreach event night when many students are already planning on being out somewhere. It’s good when we can provide a safe alternative.

Question: What benefits have outreach events created in your ministry?

 

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Everything you do should be strategic

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Everything you do should be strategic. Why? Because anything less is a waste of your time.

Don’t just fill up your weekly programs with stuff to do, have a point to what you are doing. Move your students forward.

Let’s take winter camp (we just finished planning ours). Identify the reason why your camp exists, be able to articulate the big picture and where you want to take your students. Without a roadmap, you’ll just drive in circles. Your students may have fun, they’ll probably grow spiritually (because God can work through anything), but the fun and growth won’t be the result of your faithfulness.

We are constantly telling students that God has a plan for their life. Don’t we believe the same thing about our lives, and by extension, for our ministries? Why wouldn’t we want to have a plan for our ministry?

It’s possible to be intentional while being open to surprises, to new shifts from the Holy Spirit. But without thinking strategically, everything is a surprise.

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Why Fight Against Your ADD?

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There’s nothing inherently wrong with being impulsive. The foolish-ness or wisdom-ness of a choice isn’t based on length of time it took to make the decision. It’s just that taking your time usually leads to better results…But some of us aren’t wired to act slowly.

We’re more like an electrified Chihuahua that’s hopped up on crack.

We think. We act. It happens so fast that most people don’t call it thinking. However, I think you can make your “ADD” work for you. (I’m not making an argument to abolish self-control. Everyone needs to curb our natural, sinful impulses.) Here are few things to keep in mind to help you increase the impact of your impulsiveness:

Don’t feel guilty. You can’t fight the way you are designed. Impulsive actions have huge benefit to the community. First: you’re faster than most people. Faster to help, to have fun, to shake things up, etc.. Secondly, impulsive enthusiasm is infectious. Finally, you often make a ton of mistakes, and people get to laugh at you. Nothing creates community like laughter. If you don’t like being laughed at, get over yourself.

Don’t feel better than others. I’ve known some impulsive people to say they are more led by the Spirit, because they act quickly. The logic is so poor in this statement I’m not even going to engage it. If you feel like this, I feel sorry for you. If you want to have a discuss this, hit me up on Facebook. (see, I really do have a little compassion)

Keep your mind pure. Impulsive actions come from your brain. If you are filled with bitterness, envy, a critical spirit, or insecurity, well, these things will come out in your impulsive actions. Instinct can be great, but it needs to be trained.

Be relentless in your reflections. Typically, this is a struggle for impulsive people, but it’s a necessary skill. Everything you’re surprised by something you do is an opportunity for reflection. Examine what you did, why you did it, and what happened as a result. The more you shape your thoughts, the more you control your impulses.

 

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What to do on days you feel like quitting

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Don’t. At least not until you’re REALLY sure of your decision.

Show up. You can’t give up just because you feel like quitting. Going through the motions could restore some of the passion that you’ve lost.

Change it up. You need to show up, but that doesn’t mean you have to go through ALL the motions.

Laugh. Do what ever it takes to find a little fun. You may be on the titanic and its sinking fast, but better to eek out some joy rather than soak in the despair of it all.

Talk about it. Get with a friend–probably not anyone above you in the “food chain” at your church. You may be friends with your boss, but some issues need to be worked out with others.

Seek God. I believe God wants to teach us something every day…even on days when we want to quit. God may be moving in new ways in your life, and feeling like it’s time to quit may be a part of this. Discover the root causes of your thoughts and feelings. Sure, everything is piling up and it feels overwhelming, but what’s behind the superficial issues?

Determine if and where change is needed. When your life is a garbage pit, there are only two things that can change: your situation or your attitude. Most of the time, we need to change our hearts…this is the process where we become more like Jesus.

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