And one more article from Pastor Herbert Cooper:
I am a strong believer in communication. I believe healthy organizations have great communication, so with our staff at People's Church, we practice the art of communication. You might be asking yourself, "What does communication look like at People's Church?"
1. We tell team members very clearly what we expect out of them and what their role on the team is. You don't work at People's Church and wonder what is expected of you. We communicate it loud and clear.
2. We tell you if you are meeting expectations. We have quarterly reviews, and we tell every team member if they are meeting expectations.
3. In every quarterly review, we tell team members what they need to improve on. They don't have to guess or wonder about what areas we are expecting growth in.
4. We are quick to tell team members that they are doing a great job. If someone is hitting the ball out of the park, we will tell them. I personally send emails and verbally tell team members who are flat out getting it done that they are doing a great job.
5. We have a very candid and confrontational environment. If we even sense an attitude problem, a confidentiality issue, a disloyalty issue or anything else that could be detrimental to the health of People's Church, we will pull you aside immediately and nip it in the bud or get to the bottom of it. We also have a zero tolerance policy if we find out a team member has been disloyal or broken confidentiality. One strike and they’re out with the quickness.
6. We argue in executive meetings and staff meetings. I don't mean yell, but we do voice our opinions and thoughts very freely and sometimes strongly. We have created an environment where everyone in the meetings opinions matter, and we want to hear it. Getting all the opinions and ideas on the table is a good and healthy thing.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Water Fountains
An excellent article by Todd Rhoades:
An amazing thing happened a couple weeks ago. It was the opening day of the University of Central Florida’s new football stadium. This new $55 million dollar facility is a beauty. It has seats for over 43,000 screaming football fans, and on this day, every seat was filled. But something wasn’t right at the first game ever played in the stadium just outside Orlando. People were fainting. Actually, over a dozen people needed to be treated on this not surprisingly hot day in central Florida. According to news reports, emergency workers passed out free cups of water, but the hot temperatures were just too much for some people. Sounds like a sad story. Things like this happen on hot days. What’s so amazing about this story? I’m glad you asked...
You see, the new $55 million dollar facility was built with no water fountains. Not one. According to a local fire official, “We don’t have water fountains on the property here. So going to the water stations and making purchases of water or bringing bottled water with you is paramount.”
The obvious question is: “How do you build such a massive facility (in Orlando, FL of all places) and not allow for hydration of the 40,000+ people who will be utilizing the facility?” When you add the fact that there were no water fountains, the reality that people suffered from heat exhaustion is suddenly much less surprising. The stadium actually ran out of the $3.00 bottled waters from vendors as well. The University has openly apologized for ‘underestimating the need for water’.
When it comes right down to it, the church is in the water business as well. Only we don’t serve up refreshment that comes from water fountains, we offer the Living Water that Jesus talks about in John 4. They type of water that we offer causes people to, as Jesus puts it, ‘never thirst again’.
So why is it that so many of our churches are dead? Why are so many churches declining? And why is it that many times we aren’t seeing major advances in our communities through the local church? It could be that we’ve built many of our churches without water fountains.
When week after week, month after month, and year after year, it seems that no one finds and accepts Christ in many of our churches, could it be that we’re not readily offering up the refreshment and water that they need? Are we expecting them to buy or find their refreshment somewhere else? And are we, by our actions and leadership, just getting the results (or lack of results) we deserve?
There are many churches that are doing a great job of introducing people to Christ. They are seeing outstanding results evangelizing their towns and cities, and building strong, competent disciples.
Then there are others, who, like the University cited above, need to apologize for ‘underestimating the need for water.’
My question for all of us today is… in which category is your church?
An amazing thing happened a couple weeks ago. It was the opening day of the University of Central Florida’s new football stadium. This new $55 million dollar facility is a beauty. It has seats for over 43,000 screaming football fans, and on this day, every seat was filled. But something wasn’t right at the first game ever played in the stadium just outside Orlando. People were fainting. Actually, over a dozen people needed to be treated on this not surprisingly hot day in central Florida. According to news reports, emergency workers passed out free cups of water, but the hot temperatures were just too much for some people. Sounds like a sad story. Things like this happen on hot days. What’s so amazing about this story? I’m glad you asked...
You see, the new $55 million dollar facility was built with no water fountains. Not one. According to a local fire official, “We don’t have water fountains on the property here. So going to the water stations and making purchases of water or bringing bottled water with you is paramount.”
The obvious question is: “How do you build such a massive facility (in Orlando, FL of all places) and not allow for hydration of the 40,000+ people who will be utilizing the facility?” When you add the fact that there were no water fountains, the reality that people suffered from heat exhaustion is suddenly much less surprising. The stadium actually ran out of the $3.00 bottled waters from vendors as well. The University has openly apologized for ‘underestimating the need for water’.
When it comes right down to it, the church is in the water business as well. Only we don’t serve up refreshment that comes from water fountains, we offer the Living Water that Jesus talks about in John 4. They type of water that we offer causes people to, as Jesus puts it, ‘never thirst again’.
So why is it that so many of our churches are dead? Why are so many churches declining? And why is it that many times we aren’t seeing major advances in our communities through the local church? It could be that we’ve built many of our churches without water fountains.
When week after week, month after month, and year after year, it seems that no one finds and accepts Christ in many of our churches, could it be that we’re not readily offering up the refreshment and water that they need? Are we expecting them to buy or find their refreshment somewhere else? And are we, by our actions and leadership, just getting the results (or lack of results) we deserve?
There are many churches that are doing a great job of introducing people to Christ. They are seeing outstanding results evangelizing their towns and cities, and building strong, competent disciples.
Then there are others, who, like the University cited above, need to apologize for ‘underestimating the need for water.’
My question for all of us today is… in which category is your church?
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
As Good as McDonald's?
There was an interesting legal question posed in The Saturday Evening Post recently. It seems that one lovely Sunday when the sermon was overlong, the congregation rushed, as usual, from its pews on the first syllable of "Amen!" Faithful Abigail, the only worshiper held entranced by the sermon, moved slowly and was trampled. She sued the church and its officials for damages.
"Those in charge of the church knew that most of the congregation stampedes after long sermons," Abigail argued. "They should have recognized the danger in the situation. Not being prepared to cope with it, they were negligent."
The church's attorney argued like this in response: "A church is a nonprofit organization manned for the most part by volunteers. No one has a right to expect it to be run with the smart efficiency of a business concern. Abigail, therefore, has no real claim."
If you were the judge, asks the writer, would you award damages to Abigail?
What I found interesting in this hypothetical situation was the characterization of the church. "A church is a nonprofit organization manned for the most part by volunteers. . . No one has a right to expect it to be run with the smart efficiency of a business. . . ."
Why not? What if we were as good at what we do as McDonald's is at what they do, or Coca Cola or Microsoft? What if we were as committed to spreading the good news of the kingdom of God as American business is to winning new customers? This is the point Jesus is trying to make. He wants people who bear his name to not only be nice people but to be people who make a difference in the world.
"Those in charge of the church knew that most of the congregation stampedes after long sermons," Abigail argued. "They should have recognized the danger in the situation. Not being prepared to cope with it, they were negligent."
The church's attorney argued like this in response: "A church is a nonprofit organization manned for the most part by volunteers. No one has a right to expect it to be run with the smart efficiency of a business concern. Abigail, therefore, has no real claim."
If you were the judge, asks the writer, would you award damages to Abigail?
What I found interesting in this hypothetical situation was the characterization of the church. "A church is a nonprofit organization manned for the most part by volunteers. . . No one has a right to expect it to be run with the smart efficiency of a business. . . ."
Why not? What if we were as good at what we do as McDonald's is at what they do, or Coca Cola or Microsoft? What if we were as committed to spreading the good news of the kingdom of God as American business is to winning new customers? This is the point Jesus is trying to make. He wants people who bear his name to not only be nice people but to be people who make a difference in the world.
Monday, September 17, 2007
What OAG Can Learn from Microsoft
I think I can read your mind right now. “There is SO MUCH wrong with this title… and we should not in ever compare the church to Microsoft.” I can just read the comments now… Some will immediately think something like, "The church is NOT a business" or "The church is already too much like business" or "We just need to preach the Bible and not ever bring 'business' into the church." Well, before you go off on me, please hear me out. I saw this list and thought that here are a few 'business' practices that many churches would be wise to adopt.
Don't call them 'business' principles, if you like. Call them something totally different... but wouldn't more churches be healthier and accomplish more for the Kingdom if they adhered to some or all of the things on this list? (Also, please don't over-spiritualize this list... it's not a theological doctrine statement of a church... just a list of helpful practices). All those disclaimers out of the way, see what you think *(I'll put some of my comments in parenthesis). This is how Microsoft keeps going and growing into the world leader in computers...
1). Hire the Best People—(how many churches hire poorly and then really pay for it? Hire the best people the first time by doing your homework and searching high and low for your next staff member)
2). Bet the Company’s (church’s) Future On Big Opportunities —(that’s called ‘risk’… something many churches NEVER do!)
3). Expect People To fail & Learn from Their Mistakes—(many times, we don’t allow people to make mistakes; many times we don’t allow people enough authority and ownership to make mistakes. I think it has something to do with #2 (our aversion to risk))
4). Insure that Managers Can Do the Work of the People That Report To Them—(this goes to ‘competence’… again, hire well; hire competence… ministry should be a team effort; not a ‘that’s his area and I know nothing about it’ thing)
5). Evaluate People Only On Their Recent Performance— (boy, I see this often… when a staff person fails (see #3), he/she is doomed. Forgive and give another chance. Restore and encourage. Allow for growth and encouragement. You may be surprised what people can pull off!)
6). Spend Money Frugally—(Many churches are frugal because they have to be. Others spend money like it’s going out of style. Make sure your spending match’s your vision and purpose… otherwise you might as well throw it out into the street)
7). Manage A Large Company (church) Like A Collection of Small, Independent Companies (churches) —(I think we’re starting to see this happen more these days)
8). Know What Is Actually Going On In the Company—(again, ministry is a team thing… be sure you know what’s happening in other areas, not just your own.)
9). Establish an “esprit de cour” (a spirit of cooperation) to motivate People To Superior Performance—(isn’t this biblical?)
10). Never Make Your Employees Put Up with Stupid Rules—(ok… be honest… does your church have any stupid rules? Why?)
11). Create an Office Atmosphere That’s Like a Home Away from Home— (people always work best when they’re comfortable)
12). (a rule specific to Microsoft’s environment): Focus On Total World Domination—(OK… ‘world domination’ sounds a little strong; but in our ‘business’ it would be a great thing, wouldn’t it? To see the church and Christ’s impact on the world increase would be awesome.)
OK… that’s the end of my Microsoft rant...
Don't call them 'business' principles, if you like. Call them something totally different... but wouldn't more churches be healthier and accomplish more for the Kingdom if they adhered to some or all of the things on this list? (Also, please don't over-spiritualize this list... it's not a theological doctrine statement of a church... just a list of helpful practices). All those disclaimers out of the way, see what you think *(I'll put some of my comments in parenthesis). This is how Microsoft keeps going and growing into the world leader in computers...
1). Hire the Best People—(how many churches hire poorly and then really pay for it? Hire the best people the first time by doing your homework and searching high and low for your next staff member)
2). Bet the Company’s (church’s) Future On Big Opportunities —(that’s called ‘risk’… something many churches NEVER do!)
3). Expect People To fail & Learn from Their Mistakes—(many times, we don’t allow people to make mistakes; many times we don’t allow people enough authority and ownership to make mistakes. I think it has something to do with #2 (our aversion to risk))
4). Insure that Managers Can Do the Work of the People That Report To Them—(this goes to ‘competence’… again, hire well; hire competence… ministry should be a team effort; not a ‘that’s his area and I know nothing about it’ thing)
5). Evaluate People Only On Their Recent Performance— (boy, I see this often… when a staff person fails (see #3), he/she is doomed. Forgive and give another chance. Restore and encourage. Allow for growth and encouragement. You may be surprised what people can pull off!)
6). Spend Money Frugally—(Many churches are frugal because they have to be. Others spend money like it’s going out of style. Make sure your spending match’s your vision and purpose… otherwise you might as well throw it out into the street)
7). Manage A Large Company (church) Like A Collection of Small, Independent Companies (churches) —(I think we’re starting to see this happen more these days)
8). Know What Is Actually Going On In the Company—(again, ministry is a team thing… be sure you know what’s happening in other areas, not just your own.)
9). Establish an “esprit de cour” (a spirit of cooperation) to motivate People To Superior Performance—(isn’t this biblical?)
10). Never Make Your Employees Put Up with Stupid Rules—(ok… be honest… does your church have any stupid rules? Why?)
11). Create an Office Atmosphere That’s Like a Home Away from Home— (people always work best when they’re comfortable)
12). (a rule specific to Microsoft’s environment): Focus On Total World Domination—(OK… ‘world domination’ sounds a little strong; but in our ‘business’ it would be a great thing, wouldn’t it? To see the church and Christ’s impact on the world increase would be awesome.)
OK… that’s the end of my Microsoft rant...
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
It's As Easy As A-B-C
This was written by Allen Ratta......something to think about......
In the beginning, after Jesus had overcome his temptations in the desert, right when He began His public ministry, the apostles Matthew and Mark faithfully recorded the first words of Jesus to the leaders of His Church. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt 4.19, NASB) Jesus was not in the least confused about the Father's strategic plan to advance His Church. His first words carry particular import. They were not just a cute turn of phrase to catch the attention of some professional fishermen. They speak to the very heart of the matter of church leadership.
These ten words speak just as clearly to the aspiring Christian leader of today. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." The approach is refreshingly simple, timeless, and the key to all sustainable advances of His Kingdom throughout the ages.
Keep It Simple
Let's not get complicated here. We must learn how to successfully fish for people. This is the heart of it. Being an avid fisherman I love the true simplicity of Jesus' approach. As any fisherman knows, catching fish is as simple as ABC.
A = Attract (bait)
B = Bond (hook)
C = Catch (land)
The church leader that puts their primary focus on these three simple things will do well and fulfill their biblical mandate from Christ as a leader in His Church.
Distractions
Alas, how easily we are distracted from the fundamentals! We live in a day and age when the myriads of church programs and philosophies of ministries can blur the essentials. Yet the ABCs serve as a guiding light, our north star, to every question we will face as a church leader. Are we going to be a small group church? What events should we conduct this year? How should be allocate funding? What key staff acquisitions should be made?
Assessing Our Obedience
The ABCs serve to keep us in critical balance. An important question to ask is how well are you doing on each of the three fundamentals of fishing. Perhaps your church looks like the example below.
A = Attract (bait) – doing great lots of community awareness and strong visitor flow
B = Bond (hook) – doing OK many seem to be coming back
C = Catch (land) – doing terribly as very few are making it to the core of the church
Let's be blunt. This is not just a matter of church growth. This is a matter of obedience to Christ. How will the lost be found? How will the cross of Christ be made of great effect in your community? Jesus teaches us the simple answer. We must learn to excel at fishing.
The Weakest Link
A church is only as strong as its weakest link. What good will it do you if you are running your lure through the lake all day long and there are no fish around to see it? I know a lot of preachers who are in this fishing boat. They work very hard at producing great sermons yet the same believers are the only ones there to hear it week after week.
We have to attract, hook, and land a fish. Failure at any one of these three fundamentals translates into a greatly diminished harvest. Conversely the church that can successfully do these three things cannot help but grow. The formula is simple.
A+B+C= Church Growth.
In the beginning, after Jesus had overcome his temptations in the desert, right when He began His public ministry, the apostles Matthew and Mark faithfully recorded the first words of Jesus to the leaders of His Church. And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mt 4.19, NASB) Jesus was not in the least confused about the Father's strategic plan to advance His Church. His first words carry particular import. They were not just a cute turn of phrase to catch the attention of some professional fishermen. They speak to the very heart of the matter of church leadership.
These ten words speak just as clearly to the aspiring Christian leader of today. "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." The approach is refreshingly simple, timeless, and the key to all sustainable advances of His Kingdom throughout the ages.
Keep It Simple
Let's not get complicated here. We must learn how to successfully fish for people. This is the heart of it. Being an avid fisherman I love the true simplicity of Jesus' approach. As any fisherman knows, catching fish is as simple as ABC.
A = Attract (bait)
B = Bond (hook)
C = Catch (land)
The church leader that puts their primary focus on these three simple things will do well and fulfill their biblical mandate from Christ as a leader in His Church.
Distractions
Alas, how easily we are distracted from the fundamentals! We live in a day and age when the myriads of church programs and philosophies of ministries can blur the essentials. Yet the ABCs serve as a guiding light, our north star, to every question we will face as a church leader. Are we going to be a small group church? What events should we conduct this year? How should be allocate funding? What key staff acquisitions should be made?
Assessing Our Obedience
The ABCs serve to keep us in critical balance. An important question to ask is how well are you doing on each of the three fundamentals of fishing. Perhaps your church looks like the example below.
A = Attract (bait) – doing great lots of community awareness and strong visitor flow
B = Bond (hook) – doing OK many seem to be coming back
C = Catch (land) – doing terribly as very few are making it to the core of the church
Let's be blunt. This is not just a matter of church growth. This is a matter of obedience to Christ. How will the lost be found? How will the cross of Christ be made of great effect in your community? Jesus teaches us the simple answer. We must learn to excel at fishing.
The Weakest Link
A church is only as strong as its weakest link. What good will it do you if you are running your lure through the lake all day long and there are no fish around to see it? I know a lot of preachers who are in this fishing boat. They work very hard at producing great sermons yet the same believers are the only ones there to hear it week after week.
We have to attract, hook, and land a fish. Failure at any one of these three fundamentals translates into a greatly diminished harvest. Conversely the church that can successfully do these three things cannot help but grow. The formula is simple.
A+B+C= Church Growth.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Making of a Leader
A nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders. (Proverbs 28:2, GNT)
...with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. (Proverbs 28:2, NLT)
6 Laws of Leadership:
1. Nothing happens until somebody provides leadership for it.
- Everything rises and falls on leadership. -John Maxwell
-In those days Israel had no king [leader], so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. (Judges 21:25, NLT)
2. Leadership is influence
-A "leader" is someone with God-given ability and responsibility to influence a group of God’s people to accomplish God’s purpose for that group.
3. The test of leadership is: Is anybody following?
-My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [Jesus] (John 10:27, NLT)
-Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. [Paul]
(1 Corinthians 11:1, NCV)
- If you have to remind people that you’re the leader, you’re not.
4. The foundation of leadership is character, not charisma.
It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self_control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil’s trap and be disgraced.
In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money. They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, they should be given other responsibilities in the church as a test of their character and ability. If they do well, then they may serve as deacons.
In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not speak evil of others.
They must exercise self_control and be faithful in everything they do.
A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13, NLT)
Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about how their lives turned out, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7, GWT)
3 Characteristics of a good leader:
* They have a message worth remembering.
* They have a lifestyle worth thinking about.
* They have a faith worth imitating.
5. Leadership can be learned.
Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9, NLT)
6. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading
If an ax is blunt and the edge isn’t sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10, GWT)
...with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability. (Proverbs 28:2, NLT)
6 Laws of Leadership:
1. Nothing happens until somebody provides leadership for it.
- Everything rises and falls on leadership. -John Maxwell
-In those days Israel had no king [leader], so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. (Judges 21:25, NLT)
2. Leadership is influence
-A "leader" is someone with God-given ability and responsibility to influence a group of God’s people to accomplish God’s purpose for that group.
3. The test of leadership is: Is anybody following?
-My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [Jesus] (John 10:27, NLT)
-Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. [Paul]
(1 Corinthians 11:1, NCV)
- If you have to remind people that you’re the leader, you’re not.
4. The foundation of leadership is character, not charisma.
It is a true saying that if someone wants to be an elder, he desires an honorable responsibility. For an elder must be a man whose life cannot be spoken against. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exhibit self_control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home and must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, peace loving, and not one who loves money. He must manage his own family well, with children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
An elder must not be a new Christian, because he might be proud of being chosen so soon, and the Devil will use that pride to make him fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not fall into the Devil’s trap and be disgraced.
In the same way, deacons must be people who are respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers and must not be greedy for money. They must be committed to the revealed truths of the Christian faith and must live with a clear conscience. Before they are appointed as deacons, they should be given other responsibilities in the church as a test of their character and ability. If they do well, then they may serve as deacons.
In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not speak evil of others.
They must exercise self_control and be faithful in everything they do.
A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
(1 Timothy 3:1-13, NLT)
Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about how their lives turned out, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7, GWT)
3 Characteristics of a good leader:
* They have a message worth remembering.
* They have a lifestyle worth thinking about.
* They have a faith worth imitating.
5. Leadership can be learned.
Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9, NLT)
6. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading
If an ax is blunt and the edge isn’t sharpened, then one has to use more strength. But wisdom prepares the way for success. (Ecclesiastes 10:10, GWT)
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