Your Church's Hinge

A few months ago, my family and I moved out of our apartment that we loved very much so that we could be a little more aggressive at paying off our debts. It has been a few months since we moved out and currently we have been renting from my folks.

This past week we started the finishing touches on the downstairs apartment that would eventually be our temporary residence. We have had paint work done, tile work and we needed to replace the hinges on most of the doors.

Hinges. This object got me thinking this week. Door hinges are probably the most overlooked and least expensive component to anyone's house. We never walk into anyone's house and say, "Hey! Nice hinges!" Small and unseen as they are, they are essential and functional.

I have thought to myself that vision is a lot like your church's hinge. Everything our churches teach, everything we do, everything we are is established upon that hinge. Your overall vision for your church must be communicated clearly and frequently.

A couple of years ago, my wife and I visited Calvary Church (www.calvarychurch.cc), a rapidly growing, multi-racial church in Irving, Texas. Pastor Ben Dailey asked the church, "Church, what is our vision?" The whole room erupted one word, "Reach." I was like, "WOW..."

No doubt, this church is seeing their vision transform into a reality. They have 5 English Service, Spanish Services, Nepali Services, an online campus and a Mid-Cities Campus. Talk about reaching!

Are you and your church effectively and clearly declaring your vision to your people, congregation and community?

Website Downfalls

Drew Goodmanson, CEO of Monk Development, posted late last year a great article about the pitfalls of website design. He boldly points out 6 mistakes many churches make with their website. While our church is yet to launch its web presence, this article taught me some things that I never thought of before.

"The web no longer is a nice thing to have. Today a presence online has become an essential element of interacting with new people as well as your existing congregation. Churches need a clear leadership plan to establish their vision, align their ministries and build a plan with specific goals in mind. With how fast things are changing, this can’t be a roadmap that becomes obsolete by the time it’s created, it needs to be a learned rhythm that constantly triages the situation to focus on where the church needs to go."

-Drew Goodmanson on his post, "6 Ways Churches Fail With Their Website"

Check it out: http://www.goodmanson.com/church-technology/6-ways-churches-fail-with-their-website/

TimSchraeder.com

Tim Schraeder, writer, church coach and an inspirational voice for church leaders. Tim posted a great article on his website, TimSchraeder.com, on church marketing. The title of the post is "4 Things You Need To Know About Church Marketing." In this post, Tim challenges us all to rethink our marketing strategy and set into place a new way of thinking about how we will make our churches known in our mission field. Something he wrote that caught my attention was this:

"Church marketing is a team effort that’s not on the shoulders of a single person or department in your church, but the collaborative efforts of everyone (paid staff, volunteers, and attendees) that ultimately defines your church marketing." - Tim Schraeder, on Church Marketing

Perhaps, you are a part of new church or a church with 100 years of experience, you will definitely want to check out this great article and visit Tim's website regularly. I know I will.
Check it out: http://www.timschraeder.com/

Easter Morning On The Horizon

It is a new year and a season of preparation for your church. Most churches have never considered their Easter Service this early in the year, but the truth is that it will be here sooner than you think. I think that we are challenged every year to do something over the top and memorable. Maybe this year would be the year that we could simplify.

Outreach Magazine (www.outreachmagazine.com) posted a great article about a church deep in the heart of Texas that has a heart for the homeless. Austin New Church, in Austin, Texas, closed its doors on Easter Sunday 2010. They moved their services to a street corner and invited the homeless to participate in communion and have some grilled cheeseburgers to eat.

Has your church talked about Easter Sunday and how they will leave a lasting impression on its community and members? Read more about it here and copy and paste to your address bar:

http://www.outreachmagazine.com/ideas/spring/4529-Easter-the-Street.html

How Do You Eat An Elephant?

"How do you eat an elephant?" asked Dave Ramsey, financial expert, author and radio show host of The Dave Ramsey Show. "Bit by bit" Dave answers.

This catchy line has been on my mind the last couple of days. I have always been one of those people who says they "work better under pressure". Yeah, yeah, yeah... I have been guilty of getting caught up in the chaos of trying to meet deadlines, prepare sermons on a weekly basis, maintain a personal life and family life. I have been a victim of poor planning and the chances are you have too.

Even in a world full of tablets and smartphones we still can't seem to stay on track, plan or budget. Perhaps we are overwhelmed? When we don't plan right, we don't live right. Take a look at your car. Is it dirty on the outside and overflowing with empty Starbucks cups and receipts that you have been needing to turn in? Is it in dire need a of a wash? The way your car looks right now is a good indicator of what your life looks like. Got you thinking, huh?

Let's get back to basics. Get a pen, some paper and get those thoughts, ideas, prayer requests, responsibilities and honey-do's out of your head! Take a look at that list and say, "In the name of Jesus, I will accomplish these things one at a time!" That's how I believe it can be done: one at a time.

Use that Notes App on your iPad, buy some Post-It Notes and let's get those ideas on paper and scheduled on your calendar. Let's make some progress this year and go BIG for God in 2012. But first, go wash your car!