By jimwideman on
4/25/2010 11:47 PM
It's almost here the week I've been looking forward to since last Orange. Why do you like Orange so much Jim? I'm glad you asked that. I like Orange because of two main reasons. First every year Reggie and company have dared to challenge the same old conference thinking and have dished up something fresh yet staying forcused on the main thing "the Orange way of life!" I just can't see what the minds of Orange have dished up for us this year. The second thing I love about Orange is the group of thinkers and leaders it assembles. Some of children's and youth ministries brightest and best all show up in one location. For the last several years my heart has been turned toward the next generation of children's ministry leaders, I've found some sharp ones at each of the Orange Conferences I've been a part of. Every year I have made my list of young guns I want to meet and connect with. To me networking and connecting is why I go to conferences. I try to create my own conference within a conference to learn what I came to learn.
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By jimwideman on
4/23/2010 11:36 PM
Something we can never outsource to other from 1 Peter 5:3 is that we must be an example. An example of what? I’m glad you asked. We should be an example of Christ Jesus. We should be an example of our Pastor. We should be an example of those in leadership above us. We should be an example of how we live and do business. We should be an example in family matters and relationships. We should be an example of how we carry ourselves that also includes our work ethic. We should be an example in ministry! What causes us to be able to do these things effectively is our heart. The Bible has a lot to say about our heart like…Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
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By jimwideman on
4/22/2010 11:29 PM
We have been called to oversee. You must be a leader as well as a doer. If you are doing all the work you are not an overseer. You and those who represent you in ministry must learn to work with adults. The primary job of an overseer is to cast vision. I don’t just pastor the ministry I have, I must pastor the ministry I want to have.” The problem with outsourcing we must learn what, when and to whom to delegate. It’s our job alone to develop a strong organization structure and to know when it’s a growth structure and when it is a maintenance structure. We must evaluate constantly- you cannot spend all your time teaching! You need to manage the ministry and those assisting you. You should make a list of every place you could use a worker. Make job descriptions, policies and procedures before you recruit volunteers. Train others to do what you want, how you want it done then continue to coach, equip &and duplicate yourself, as well as your heart into your team.
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By jimwideman on
4/21/2010 11:25 PM
We have been called to feed the flock (Kids need the Word!) But we are not the only feeders within the children’s ministry. Our success depends not only on our abilities to teach and communicate but also our abilities to coach as well as train volunteers how to be effective. Success also depends on our abilities to partner, connect, and motivate parents to also assist with the feeding of their child. Something we cannot outsource here is determining the needs at hand. Those who help us feed must teach in ways that get the best results. Jesus used a variety of methods. He used questions, discussion, lecture or preaching, He used stories, illustrations, object lessons and also demonstration. He ministered to both large group and small groups. He’s our example. Our teams as well as us should follow that example. You cannot successfully outsource to others without show in addition to tell. We must model to others what we want them to do with excellence.
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By jimwideman on
4/20/2010 11:22 PM
God has set ministry gifts within the church for a specific purpose. Let’s take a look at Ephesians 4:11 & 12 “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” All of us who are in ministry, minister out of a particular office or ministry gift. Although there are different ministry gifts they are all given for the same purpose. That purpose demands leadership. A true leader knows he or she cannot do every job himself or herself. That’s where outsourcing our responsibilities comes in.
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By jimwideman on
4/19/2010 11:19 PM
I believe many people in the church are confused about the role of a children’s pastor, this also includes many Children’s Pastors. Some view us as strictly a kid keeper or baby sitter, while others view us as entertainers. The truth is we are problem solvers and leaders of leaders who cannot do it all by ourselves no matter how we try. The key to becoming a problem solving, leader of leaders is to know what and when to delegate and what things within our ministries that we should be doing ourselves.
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By jimwideman on
4/15/2010 11:31 PM
6. Communicate the vision and plan every way you possibly can to your key leaders and staff! This is where you take what you’ve done so far and give it away. Casting vision is hard work and cannot be accomplished with just one method or part time. Speak it, put it in a brochure, make banners, and show pictures that explain it. Use video, interviews, and take every opportunity to communicate and explain your vision as well as your plan. This includes meetings! Spend time with the level of leaders directly under you and help them make your vision their own. This is an important step because they will impart your vision to others and you will not be alone in the vision casting process. This is something you must develop as a life habit and must become a part of your life-style.
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By jimwideman on
4/14/2010 11:23 PM
4. Create a plan to bring your vision to pass. Planning must always go before action. You’ve started with the end now go to the beginning. Determine exactly where you are. Now begin to think in small manageable steps or short-term goals. Focus on each step in the process being careful not to move too quickly or to skip a step.
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By jimwideman on
4/13/2010 11:17 PM
3. Simplify it. That verse in Habakkuk not only tells me to write the vision down but to also make it plain. I try to put it into a single sentence if possible.
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By jimwideman on
4/13/2010 8:13 AM
So how do you successfully cast your vision in a way that others grasp it and own it? I’m glad you asked, let’s look at seven steps.
1. Start with discovering your vision. Pray, dream and hear from God firsthand what he wants for the children’s ministry you lead. I love to be still before the Lord and imagine the possibilities and His desires for my ministry. Ask and you shall find. When I draw close to Him, He always draws close to me. Ask him for a picture of the end result.
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