Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Our Lab on Team Leadership

Yesterday I wrapped up a six week ministrylab (Crossroads training course) on Team Leadership. The idea was to develop both the practical skills of our team leaders, and their 'inner life' as leaders. For one of our sessions, Nathanael Jeanneret--a great ol' mate of mine--came along to give us a bit of a masterclass on running meetings. He's developing an app called, Meetron, which is set for release around Easter 2012.

You can grab the (rather full) notes of the entire lab from our ministrylab page. Check it out, and let me know what you reckon.

I'll be running the lab again in February(ish) 2012.

By the way, John Dickson's Humilitas worked really well as a companion reading to the course. I recommend.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Kids These Days

Recently, I was reading Their God is So Big--a kids' ministry handbook--with Nick Mollison recently. Here are a few things that grabbed my attention (no surprises, just helpful reminders to me):
  • Two year-olds
    • have short attention spans, you have to change it up regularly
    • they like to help
    • they thrive on routine and repetition, rather than getting bored with it.
  • Three-Four year-olds
    • fantasy and reality remains a blur, so work to reinforce the historical truth of the Bible
    • Structure your various activities so that they give you their attention at the key time
    • use visual aids to lessons
  • Five-Seven year-olds
    • involve them in helping you
    • give them approval
    • delegate small tasks to them

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Evangelism and Training

Recently, I've been mulling over how to best encourage our church to excellence in welcoming newcomers and helping them become integrated to our church community. Obviously, evangelism is a closely related topic. I just stumbled across this pithy little quote from Phillip Jensen and Tony Payne, in their old Fellow Workers booklet:
"If you wish to promote evangelism as a high congregational priority, we need to include a strong evangelistic element in our public prayers." (45)
But how do you train for evangelism? Even though I run the formal in-house training platform at Crossroads (our ministrylab), I've been quick to point out it's limitations. So it was nice to read this quote, which affirmed me in my reservations ;)
"Training courses are asked to do too much. They are expected to motivate and teach people as well as train them for the task. This is a false expectation. Prayer and good teaching are the only things that will deliver motivation for evangelism. A training course harnesses that motivation and channels it in the right direction, but we must not expect the course to do it all." (46)

(PS. My copy of Fellow Workers is very old, so page numbers are likely different in newer editions).

Monday, November 28, 2011

Owning Stuff

Occasionally, I read about people resolving disputes among their kids with stuff like, "It's not your toy anyway, it belongs to Jesus, so let your sister play with it."

Occasionally, I hear people speaking as if the secret to the simple life was communal ownership, just like those first believers in Acts 2:44-45--or so they say.
"All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need."
I'm not so sure. And the apostles' response to deception and feigned generosity in Acts 5:3-5 suggests private ownership is good and right in its place.

But here's the thing: private ownership makes your life easier because you can genuinely say, "This thing is mine" (which, of course, cannot overturn Christ's claim on it, you, or the whole world, for that matter). But it also makes life harder, because you (or your kids) have to be generous with your things. And generosity is a harder thing to instil in our children than fairness.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Forgiveness v Brooding

Ken Sande makes this little comment on forgiveness in his book The Peacemaker:
“Forgiveness is a choice, a decision you make by God’s grace in spite of your feelings.” (p, 202)
The above comment comes in the context of an example that's pretty powerful. Forgiveness, in that case, worked itself out in this:

“I promise never to think about your sin again, or to dwell on it or brood over it. I promise never to bring it up and use it against you. I promise not to talk to others about it. And I promise not to let this sin stand between us or hinder our relationship.” (p, 202).

Forgiveness in action. I'd do well to think that way more often.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Integrating Newbies to Church: Environments

Recently I read 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. Stanley, et al., have this kinda cool way of thinking about the different 'environments' in our church programs through the metaphor of three rooms in a house. '[T]he environments of a church can work as steps to move people down a relational path to where they experience a sense of belonging and care.' (p 92).

So here are the three rooms:
  • Foyer typically describes a larger environment… it is an entry point for the unchurched… The relational goal of a Foyer Environment is to make sure that people walk away and feel like guests.
  • The Living Room is an environment where a number of people can network and meet with one another… Our goal is for people to walk away and feel like they are friends with someone.
  • The Kitchen Table is the most intimate of environments… where people should begin to feel like they are family. (pp92-93)
Just so you know, they include small groups in the Kitchen Table category.

Selah.

Is it in the Bible? Yep.

Should you read it? No, says Rod Decker here.

Ok, so I'm being a bit cheeky, but I reckon Decker's right about omitting the word Selah when publicly reading the Psalms.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Borg-Church: Perfecting Assimilation

One of my projects at the moment includes cultivating a more newcomer-friendly culture at church, together with helping us put things in place to welcome newbies and follow-them-up with excellence. The literature refers to it as 'assimilation'. Scary, huh?!

Ed Stetzer (borrowing from Win Arn) has a great list of eight characteristics of newcomers who have really made it 'in' to a church:
  1. New members should be able to list at least seven new friends they have made in the church.
  2. New members should be able to identify their spiritual gifts.
  3. New members should be involved in at least one (preferably several) roles/tasks/ministries in the church, appropriate to their spiritual gifts.
  4. New members should be actively involved in a small fellowship (face-to-face) group.
  5. New members should demonstrate a regular financial commitment to the church.
  6. New members should personally understand and identify with church goals.
  7. New members should attend worship services regularly.
  8. New members should identify unchurched friends and relatives and take specific steps to help them toward responsible church membership.
from Planting Missional Churches, 280-81.

Friday, October 14, 2011

The Pastor and Frontline Evangelism

I've heard it said that a pastor need not necessarily pursue personal evangelism as something beyond their regular preaching, because their regular preaching is evangelism.

Chewing on that this afternoon, two things sprang to mind:
  • It rests on the assumption that significant numbers of non-Christians are actually coming under your preaching. So, are they?
    • I'll let you decide what 'significant' means (--that's a conversation worth having). But let me say: don't just look to the number of 'visitors' (which most churches track somehow). 'Visitors' includes genuinely converted Christians holidaying, church-shopping, or just plain 'passing through'--none of whom are relevant to this discussion.
  • It means you're expecting your church members to do something you're not modelling: namely, getting non-Christians to church.
    • Let me say: I don't think that's a fatal flaw with the proposal. But, I do think you need to be able train people to do it, and training usually includes being able to point to people who are modelling it. Some people are natural bringers. Who can you point to?
Even with both of the above issues addressed, I reckon the 'idea' serves one situation well, and another very poorly:
  • If you're feeling totally inadequate as a pastor, because you're comparing yourself to some gun-frontline-evangelist, then let this be a comforting reality check: you evangelise as you preach.
  • If you're feeling comfortable as a proclaimer of Christ's gospel, while evangelising the 'lost' appears to exert little control over your diary, then let this be a reality check: people are headed to hell.

Those Ingenious Swedes

Kate reminded me recently of a little method that her Bible Study back in Sydney used to use to structure their learning in a very lo-fi way.

The Swedish method requires almost zero prep (though prep obviously helps!), it's simple enough to hold in your head, it encourages people to ask their questions of the text (with the attendant benefit that they'll actually want answers), while at the same time still prodding people to figure out what a given passage is actually saying on its own terms.

Check it. I like.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Crumby Interviewing, and how to avoid it

A while ago I watched this video featuring Andrew Zuckerman on the creation of his "Wisdom" project.

Out of it came this paraphrase (quote?) of Michael Parkinson on interviewing.
"What's a bad interview is when you come with questions and you shoot them at me, and you want answers. What's a great interview is when we go on a journey together."
Parko should know.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Video Killed the Blockages

One of the best bits of advice for writing sermons I was ever given came from Dave Thurston: write your entire sermon--beginning to end--in one sitting.

There's just one problem.
  • I usually have only enough creative energy to get me through about two-thirds. Then progress slows to a crawl, quality takes a dive, and I'm basically creating work for myself.
Last week I made a breakthrough: Video.

That's it. Fire up Photobooth, hit 'video', and record yourself explaining the idea you're trying to get across. No, not reading your notes, just ad lib. What I find, is that something I say to the video 'works', something comes out 'right'. And then I just play it back, and take notes from what I said.

Clunky? Perhaps. But it's moving creative blockages. And that I like.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Edging Towards a Course on Leadership

I just finished reading John Dickson's new-ish book on leadership, Humilitas. True to form, it reads as easily as an article in Dolly. But--I should be quick to make the contrast--Humilitas actually has substance.

Loved it. I reckon I'll make it the 'set text' for a course on leadership that I'm developing at the moment.

Incidentally, it's not one of those 'Christian books', either. Dickson's self-awareness shines through even as he points to Jesus (among many, many others) as exemplar of humility. I'd recommend it for anyone looking to review their own role and character as a leader.

The other contender for a 'set text': Carson's The Cross and Christian Ministry.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Searching for the 'Standard 10'

Recently I had the chance to set a ten-part reading curriculum-of-sorts for an eager friend. I chose 10 articles/readings that I thought would help them along. But it's now got me thinking about what my 'Standard 10' might look like. That is, if I had the chance to get keen-beans at Crossroads reading 10 'set readings', what would they be?

Here's the ten that I set (and please note, I tailored it to the individual):
  1. 'Atonement' by Leon Morris, in the New Bible Dictionary
  2. The discussion on John 17:1-5 in Don Carson's Pillar John Commentary
  3. 'Biblical Theology' by Brian Rosner, in the New Dictionary of Biblical Theology
  4. Paul's Letter to the Romans - from the Bible, I mean!
  5. 'The Natural Ethic' by Oliver O'Donovan
  6. 'Baptism' by J D G Dunn, in the New Bible Dictionary
  7. 'The Natural State of Fallen Man' a section of Robert Reymond's A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (450-58)
  8. Joined Up Life by Andrew Cameron (just start reading it)
  9. Joined Up Life (contd)
  10. Joined Up Life (contd)
I reckon I'd keep 1-5 and 7 if I were making a Standard 10.

Thoughts?

Friday, September 23, 2011

Snobs, Meritocracy, and the Art of Tragedy

I just re-listened to this TED talk by Alain de Botton. I can't remember if I raved about it the first time around, so let me do so again: it's fantastic. Incisive, funny, and includes several piercing critiques of some deeply-ingrained thinking on success.

Listen. Now. I dare you.

On a related note, I'm really looking forward to the (English!) release of his new book, Religion for Atheists. Perhaps it'll bring the 'beauty' angle to the current atheist vision? Dunno. Its release is still several months away.

Friday, September 16, 2011

On the Scrounge for Leadership Materials

Yesterday I gave my ol' friend and beloved mentor, Dave Thurston, a call. I mentioned that I'm working on a training course on leadership, and asked for his advice on resources to consult or use. From the top of his head, these were his picks:
I'm also looking forward to sinking my teeth into John Dickson's recent book, Humilitas, which a close mate gave me recently.

Wouldn't it be nice if our churches ran leadership training that was *so* good that we attracted non-church people along to learn to lead after the pattern of the servant-King? That's my dream.

Friday, September 9, 2011

When the Genius is in None of the Details

The other day a good mate of mine was outlining the basics of GTD to a bunch of students. My hunch is, 80% of the people present needed to hear it, need to remember it. The tragedy is, less than 20% of his audience were taking notes. *sigh*

But here's the thing: the genius of GTD is in none of its details.

The genius of it is in the whole. With pencil poised to take notes, you'd often find yourself considering any individual detail, "Should I take this down? Is it important enough?... Nah. I'll wait for the gold."

So here's my hunch: when you're outlining something where the gold is in the whole, rather than the parts, I reckon you have to put out the call:
Use a mindmap, write a flow chart, take down skeletal bullet-points--I don't care--but make sure that you take notes solidly for the next ten minutes, 'cause the genius of this thing is in the whole. It is in none of its details, alone.
Let's hope I remember my own advice :)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Lunch. And all I can do with it.

I find it incredibly difficult to take a proper lunch break, especially when I'm in the office. My mind is usually racing, and I'm usually in checklisty-documenty-brainstormy kinda mode. I find it hard to just relax and take the time.

So here's my new thing: when it's lunchtime at the office, use it as a chance to do the checklisty-documenty-brainstormy kinda stuff for my home projects.

Today I brainstormed how to rejuvenate our family devotional life.

Ah, lunch times. I feel we're at peace again.

Keller's Reason for God, for cheap

I just noticed that Fishpond is selling Tim Keller's The Reason for God cheap, and with free shipping.

I recommend it. Buy it. Read it yourself (if you haven't already). Give it to every person you meet.

Monday, September 5, 2011

The Basics - Part 1

Right now I'm finishing off a short course that's designed to establish a kinda baseline for every person involved in ministry at my church.

The first component of it is about the gospel itself. And it looks at:
  • Go-to passages in Scripture for explaining the gospel (in discussion)
  • Two Ways to Live (Matthias)
  • Our own Intro to Christianity course
  • Prayer and evangelism (in discussion)
There are also a couple of recommendations at the end:
  • The Reason for God (book by Keller)
  • The Life of Jesus (DVD by CPX)
If you could take every single person in ministry at your church through material on evangelism, what would you choose?

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Top 5 Books for Sinking your Teeth into the Bible

One of the blokes that I meet with regularly (to talk Bible, ministry, life) wants to build a little reference library for himself, to help him sink his teeth into Bible Study. It's a kinda 'next step' for him.

Here's the list I rattled off:
  • New Bible Dictionary (IVP, eds. Marshall, Millard, Packer, Wiseman)
  • New Dictionary of Biblical Theology (IVP, eds. Alexander, Rosner)
  • A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith (Reymond)
  • An Introduction to the New Testament (Carson, Moo), and the Old Testament volume, too. 
  • A Holman (HCSB) Bible, to use alongside his NIV/ESV.
Then there are commentaries, which are chosen case-by-case.

I'd be very keen to hear alternative theories :)

Monday, August 29, 2011

A Parody of the "Leader"

I just read this spectacular parody of 'leadership' in Transformational Church (Stetzer and Rainer):
Normally, what we really mean when we say "leader" is a strong, no-compromise, CEO who is not afraid of anybody but God. That leader is charging forward with a tribe of crazed folders. The leader has a game show-host public charisma and a personality that makes even casual contact inspirational. The leader has a strong belief in personal leadership skills. He is always courageous and sometimes reckless. (76)
My favourite bit: "...and sometimes reckless".

And just for clarity: No, the authors are not recommending such 'leadership' in our churches.

Read Books with your Ministry Teams

Early in my one-to-one ministry days I read a lot of books with people. I'd sit down with a mate and a cup of tea, and we'd read aloud to each other. I've some very fond memories of those days.

Over the last 10 TBTeam meetings (that is, Tuesday Crossroads' 10ish leaders), we've read through J. Mack Styles', The Marks of the Messenger. It's been a real treat. Perhaps the big win has been the way in which it's kept evangelism on our radar in a sustained, but varied way.

I think I'll be reading more books in small groups and one-to-one.

Friday, August 26, 2011

3 Books, 3 Reasons

Today I grabbed three books from the markdowns in Koorong.
  • Philippians commentary in the WBC, Hawthorne series. $3. (Thanks, Dan)
    • 'Cause it was cheap.
  • Transformational Church, Stetzer and Rainer. $7.
    • 'Cause the chapter on leadership looked interesting.
  • Christ and his People, David Peterson, $5.
    • 'Cause anything by David Peterson is worth a fiver (and then some).
Ah, Koorong. I always leave when I can no-longer cope with the music. (I'm kinda serious. Sometimes I only last a couple of minutes.)

Oh yeah, I also grabbed the new Colin album ('cause it was only a matter of time).

My New Favourite Resource on Leadership

The first chapter of Rod and Karen Morris' Leading Better Bible Studies is an absolute cracker on leadership. Truly. It's my new favourite.

Among other things, they identify the following areas of focus for considering the health of your Bible Study Group Leaders (but I reckon they're pretty transferable to other roles):

  • Character
  • Conviction
  • Content (able to handle God's word)
  • Competence (group skills)
  • Commitment
  • Confidence
  • Dependence (on God in prayer)
Did I mention how good the rest of the chapter is? It's very good.

Why?

Just in the course of my work I produce a whole bunch of 'stuff' that I'd like to share with my mates (and anyone else who cares). That's why. 'Cause I'm doing it anyway.


Welcome to my ministry miscellany.