Wednesday, February 22, 2006

For those without a life...

http://www.netlingo.com/emailsh

What’s the secret to success [in College Programs/Ministries]?

A former student lamented that the college program at his church is struggling to build momentum. I can identify because the program at our church (SOBC) has, by most standards, flopped.

Success can be a slippery thing. Too much or too little pressure and it slips out of your grasp. Success is defined (and measured) by an objective(s) which is often accompanied by predetermined "success factors." Many use the terms "program" and "ministry" interchangeably, but I draw a sharp distinction between the two.

Programs are designed to address needs thus program success is dependent on identifying and addressing the needs that students have in common. Programs also tend to be driven by internal needs and to be consumer oriented where the objective is participation through attendance. Successful programs focus on elements like format, location, content, personality, etc. Programs require dedicated resources including but not limited to leadership, space, and budget. Programs are designed for "keeping."

Programs are not without their place in the Kingdom. Most, if not all, mature believers have had the benefit of programs that served us well during our faith development. They provide structure and stability and they help to manage expectations. Programs seek to train our habits.

Ministries are designed to provide opportunities for mission thus ministry success is dependent on identifying gifts, talents, and areas of interest (perhaps "calling") that students have in common. Ministries focus on external needs and matching students with opportunities where the objective is participation through application and integration. Successful ministries are not necessarily reproducible since the gifts, talents, and interests of the students may not be the same and the opportunity may vary. Ministries require dedicated resources including but not limited to creativity, innovation, and mentoring. Ministries are designed for "giving."

The secret? ...managing your expectations ;-)

YMMV. That's just my view from here...

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

How you doin'?

As a church are we content to remain comfortable doing ministry the way we’ve always done it—with some positive, good results—but knowing in our hearts, if we were really honest, that we are not making the difference in our culture—in the lost culture in which we live—that we could be making?”

Or will we take the risk of boldly trusting God for a fresh commitment to His mission, to powerful strategies to do that mission and (I believe) with incredible results? If you are like me, it is so easy for us to be comfortable, and to be reasonably successful, doing what we’ve been doing. But I think some of us in this church—and I think it is a growing number of us—know that there is so much more! "

- Tim Owens, Pastor
FBC, Bryan, Texas

Thursday, February 16, 2006

IAM

Hey NYC! Check out this arts conference Feb 23-25th

International Arts Movement, Inc.(IAM) is a catalyst arts organization committed to cultural and spiritual renewal. Its programs support individual artists in their work and embrace the entire arts community. IAM is active in Tokyo and New York City, with affiliations in Orlando, Los Angeles, and London. Its vision: a fusion of creativity and faith that expresses and illustrates God's intimate and merciful identity in the world.
Here's a fresh idea
consider delivering a sermon or a short exhortation during your worship service directly related to the issues of "reconciling artists to the church"

"I am praying for that in fifty years, people would say [about the Church],"It's the source of my creativity, and it's where I experience beauty both in art and in my life." and for the blessed, "and I found the True and only Life through her in Jesus."

- Mako Fujimura, IAM Founder and Director