This is a post on a new site I’ve been collaborating on that’s worth checking out. I wrote what I believe to be one of my best posts ever on addressing the pain people have as a solution for church growth.
If it’s time to build a new church building make sure you check out this article on my other site.
Is your church stuck? http://wp.me/p1t5vB-t5 #pastor
#Pastor How much time do you spend on donor development? http://wp.me/p1t5vB-s4
#Pastor How much time do you spend raising money? http://wp.me/p1t5vB-s4
Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. #circlemaker
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The Boy Who Went To Heaven
Posted: March 29, 2011 in Christianity, Church Construction, Outcome Planning, VisionThis is worth 6 minutes.
Changing the World 
Guest Blogger: Kristin Ruther from ASPEN GROUP
You have dreams for your community, for your ministry. Research tells you the divorce rate is abnormally high or the biggest demographic group will be 12 year-old kids or…another new need that your building is not equipped to manage. The world has changed and the church’s ministry has changed since you built your facility. Are we relevant you ask? Or will ministry in this building die a slow death?
Churches are distinctively designed to meet the human needs of friendliness, accessibility, functionality, along with a good measure of inspirational architecture. Then please remember that the majority of people using the ministry space are volunteers. Where do you start?
You thumb through your mail and happen upon a postcard for a building conference. You wonder if you have time and if it will be of any value. Have you ever heard of this group? The graphics look nice. The cost? Well, if you learn just half of what they listed, it would be well worth the money. After all, this building might cost millions of ministry dollars. It will cost even more if it is wrong. Cringe. Conferences have a way of inspiring us, but will this help you make a decision?
A friend from World Vision once told me,
To dream without action leads to regret.
Action without dreaming leads to boredom.
Good dose of dreaming with action leads to changing the world.
We must find a good mix of both to be successful. The CKN’s Alignment4 Conference shows you how. Don’t just take our word for it; here are quotes from ministry leaders about their next steps following the conference:
- Setting a driving leadership in place to cast vision about the church’s future and help the congregation move toward it. Roland Nightengale/Merrillville Christian Church
- Build a great communication team to tell our new story. Dennis Starkey/Vineyard Church
- Putting together a “mission metaphor” – visioning change and growth. Michelle Jenks/Grace Community Church
- Reviewing how we use our space and trying to figure out can get the most out of it. Jacob Garcia/Impact Church
Click Here to sign up for less than $100. Come. Be inspired and dream. Take home tools to help you move forward. And go change the world for Christ.
My Pastor Andy Stanley wrote a book called “The Best Question Ever” a few years back. If you haven’t read it you should give it a shot. I agree with Andrew (that’s what his close friends close friends call him, and we’re tight because I saw him speak at Catalyst last year) “The Best Question Ever” is “what’s the wise thing to do?”
When it comes to the five key areas of my life, (life, family, marriage, work, and church) I want to be wise, and growing in wisdom. I’ve learned there are two people I have to connect with and serve every day to be growing in wisdom; my beautiful wife Kristy, and my Savior. If I’m connecting with one, it automatically connects me with the other. Everything I do is directly impacted by these two relationships. My connection to Kristy makes sure my prayers to God are heard. Connecting to Him is the number one thing I can do to be successful in every area of my life.
With that in mind I thought I’d share a great question with you to ask your wife. (ladies I’ll get to your question in a moment.)
Take her out on a date, somewhere different, and you plan the whole evening. From baby sitters, to reservations, to a change of venue for desert, you plan it all.
At dinner, Ask a couple starter questions. Here are some good ones courtesy of my friend and mentor John Woodall.
What are you thinking?
How are you feeling?
What do you want to do?
That should get you through dinner. Memorize these questions and ask them often.
Now here’s the big question of the evening…
Ask her “When do you feel most loved by me?”
Now, for some guys, this is a risky question because you aren’t in the act of loving her very well. Man up and ask the dang question anyway! (said with man love) If you don’t somebody else might, then you’ll be asking a different set of questions.
Take notes….literally take notes. I didn’t the first time and I had to ask again because I forgot. Sorry baby!!
When she tells you….do it. This is radically simple. Understand what makes her feel loved and do it!
Ladies this post is primarily for the guys but I think it’s important that you know that we’ll struggle with the answer to the question of “when do we feel most loved”. If you want your guy to get his wheels turning ask him “when do you feel most respected by me”. Most women don’t know that about us. We’d rather feel respect than love. If you want a better understanding grab a copy of “Love and Respect” by Emerson Eggerich.
“What’s your favorite thing to hear me say?” is a good follow up if you spouse has difficulty answering the other question.
This should be a whole evening in the chewy caramel center of connection with your spouse.
TOUGH LOVIN – PASTORS ONLY
We know you aren’t perfect but we are looking to you for an example of how to live. If you aren’t loving your wife well, and putting her ahead of you work, can you really be used to take us where God wants us to go?
Is it possible to be on purpose and neglect the person who has the most influence in your life!
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