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Opened with Expectation and Closed in Profit
That is a good book which is opened with
expectation and closed in profit.
~ Amos Bronson Alcott ~
To really get your leaders on board with the vision that God has given you you are going to have to shape not only their thoughts but how they form them. Through the years countless books have been written on the church and what is going on inside and out. Most ministers/pastors devote a great deal of time to reading these books along with their normal Bible Study routine. Through these avenues we find inspiration and God begins birthing visions based on what hHe is revealing to us through these combinations of Scripture and teachings.
Here is the problem
Most church lay leaders are not deep in their Word much less reading other books about the church and culture so when we go to those leaders with a completed vision it is like we are talking an alien language. So in the process once the vision is developed we will go back from the beginning
1. Take your leadership into a deep study of the Scriptural foundations of what the church is and what the church should be doing. It has to all start in Scripture. As your leaderships sees you delving into Scripture and see the fundamental components of what you are leading them into their minds, eyes and hearts will be opened and they will be ready for the next step
2. Assign your leadership to read what you have read. As they read what inspired you they will start to glean terminology and methodology and see what roads you are going down this will prepare them to go even farther.
3. Discuss the readings with your team. These discussions will help you direct the ideas that are forming in your team’s minds and it will plant concepts that God has already birthed in you but in smaller form than the completed vision.
In this way once you have laid the groundwork then the vision casting will unfold with more acceptance and excitement. As you talk they will understand and identify and they will feel connected enough to support the vision. Ultimately setting up a more successful task and satisfied leadership.
Tomorrow I will identify another way we can build our leadership.
Top Resources
A good friend was asking about what websites and resources I use in ministry. I honestly get a lot of creative stuff off the internet and it is such a blessing to be doing ministry in a world where resources are readily available. After our conversation had gone on he suggested I do a blog. So here it is
Software-
Adobe Photoshop Elements- I use this to do all my own logo work/ graphic work. I picked up the older version off ebay at a bargain bin price still sealed in the box
Koyote Free FLV Converter- I just found this. It is for downloading videos off of sites like youtube and will save it to you computer. It is a free download from the Koyote website.
E-sword- This is a free bible study software complete with concordance dictionary several commentaries and multiple versions of the Bible available for free add on. It also offers certain material add-on’s for a small fee. Available for download via the E-sword website
Open Office- For those of us who cannot afford to purchase Microsoft Office Open office is a great alternative. It offers a document writer, spreadsheet, database and presentation software. There is no publisher which is a downside but it is all free available for download from the Open Office website
Google Chrome- I love this browser!! Simple clean and functional free from google
Websites-
First the obvious ones
Google.com- You can seriously find ANYTHING on Google. Just type it in it isn’t that hard. Some of you may think this is silly for me to list this but you have know idea how many people say that they cannot find or do something I can google it and have what I need in mere minutes. whether it be a brush for Photoshop or a manual for a piece of equipment laying around I can usually find it.
Youtube.com- As with Google, you can find almost anything on YouTube. I get videos for worship and for sermons as well as silly video that I use in all in our Youth service on Wednesday nights
Facebook.com- This is the numer one communication tool I have. I have more facebook contacts in my church than I have email addresses. If I need to get the word out I use facebook. If you aren’t using it then…. well you need to.
Now for some lesser known
Savevid.com- If you are antsy about downloading freeware to your computer this is a great online option. Here is the main reason I use it. I don’t always have internet when I am teaching/speaking somewhere and if I want to have a video I am going to need it on my hard drive. This has been one of my most valuable resources keepvid.com is similar but has more downtimes.
Deviantart.com- Once you have Photoshop then you need some “brushes” to make the graphics you want. This is where I find all of mine. I may not always find exactly what I am looking for but I usually find something suitable. Brusheezy.com is a good site as well
Pastor2youth.com- This site is amazing and I use it all the time. If you need a lesson or a game or even a release form this is the place to go. It literally has THOUSANDS of resources available for FREE. It has saved my butt many a time at the last minute
Bestofyoutube.com- When I really want a funny YouTube video this is where I turn. It breaks things down out of the vastness of the YouTube realm and gives me a slimmer set of options when I don’t have time to muddle through countless videos trying to find one suitable for our service
Well those are my picks and I am sure there are some I have forgotten but hopefully those will help you out.
