Quotes

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
–Martin Luther King, Jr.

The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. –Albert Einstein

I have one life and one chance to make it count for something…I’m free to choose what that something is, and the something I’ve chose is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands—this is not optional –my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference. –Jimmy Carter

I long to accomplish great and noble tasks, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. –Helen Keller

You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there. –Yogi Berra

 

Verses

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NRSV

 

Benjamin Bear

Terry Tiger

Kid's Quest Tote Bag

Breakout Messenger Bag

Breakout T-Shirt

Illustration 1

I was reading an article in Fast Company Magazine entitled “The American Cancer Society’s Next Crusade.” It opened by saying, “Slash the cancer rate by 50%. Reduce the incidence of cancer by 25%. Make a clear impact on the quality of life of cancer survivors. These are the three ultra-ambitious goals that the American Cancer Society has set for itself—and hopes to achieve by 2015. But the organization won’t come close to reaching those milestones if it doesn’t meet another do-or-die challenge: to assemble an elite team of the best and brightest among its 6,500 employees, and to prepare them to lead the organization in the next phase of its war on cancer.” (Article entitled “The American Cancer Society’s Next Crusade” by Bill Bree, p. 58, October 2001.)

Illustration 2

I can remember wanting to serve so badly at the church I was saved in. They were having a meeting one Sunday evening to discuss various topics for classes they were going to offer on Sunday evenings. Everyone was invited to the evening meeting, and we were also invited to bring a few topics for discussion. I was a sophomore in college, and I brought five topics that day with a curriculum book for each. I mean, I was prepared. Those that showed up for the meeting were basically those who planned it. Everyone got to share their ideas. Mine didn’t fly. They then turned their attention on to “Who” would be teaching in the classes. Basically…everyone but me was selected to do the teaching, the assisting, and the greeting in the room. I think they were telling me something. I remember feeling like I could not make a difference; they were telling me one thing in my classes in college and another at the church. As I walked out of church that day I remember asking the gentleman in charge of the meeting if there was somewhere I could serve. He said to me, “Do you have to do it for a class at school?” I had just finished a class where I needed to teach to get credit. I said “No, not for a class—just wanting to serve.” He said, “We really don’t have anything at this time.” I said goodbye…my last day at that church.

Illustration 3

Nothing destroys like isolation. POW’s during the Vietnam War communicated and sustained one another by tapping through walls. The Hanoi Hilton, says ex-Air Force pilot Ron Bliss, sounded like a den of run-away woodpeckers. The North Vietnamese never mastered the code, which laid out the alphabet on a simple 5 x 5 grid. The code flowed so fluently that the men told one another jokes. Kicks on the wall meant a laugh. Every Sunday at a code signal the men stood and recited the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. Even walls and guards could not stop the prisoners of war from having community and fellowship with one another. We face our own walls and barriers to true community within churches today. The essence of community is at the very least a conversation together, a quick connect, a holding of a hand to join forces together to serve this day. Question…”Is fellowship alive and well in your own teaching teams today?” (Adapted from a story told on Preaching Today Cassette number 218 entitled “Community At Risk”)

 

Gang, take a look back at that first illustration about the American Cancer Society. T hose are three very assertive goals that the American Cancer Society has set for itself. Will they accomplish them? I don’t know. What I do know is that they are on the right track. The reason I know this is that they are focusing on the leadership of their staff to accomplish those goals. The same is true for us in our ministries.

So here’s a question that must be asked…How do we get everyone on our ministry team moving effectively and synergistically toward our objectives, our vision, our mission in ministry. Well, I need to start by asking three questions, and here they are…

Question Number 1:

 Why do people serve?
They want to Contribute
They want to Participate
They want to Serve
They want to make a Meaningful contribution
They want to show some life Significance

Question Number 2:

Why do people stop serving?
They feel like they are on the bench rather than actually in the game making a difference. They feel that they have no responsibility. “If I am not there someone else can do my job. After all, I am just a bench player, rotated from position to position.”

Question Number 3:

Why should we serve together?

We should serve together because Scripture reminds us of the importance of serving together. And, if you must know, it’s more fun!

One line that popped out at me from the American Cancer Society Article was, “The organization won’t come close to reaching those milestones if it doesn’t meet another do-or-die challenge: to assemble an elite team of the best and brightest among its 6,500 employees, and to prepare them to lead the organization in the next phase of its war on cancer.”

I began thinking, what is the next phase of leadership for us? What preparations must we make in order to take the next step in winning kids to Christ and growing them spiritually? What steps must we take to deepen our ministry experience? The answer…Fellowship and community with each ministry team we have serving together.

Since we can’t do anything without an acrostic, I have put one together. We are calling it G.AT.H.E.R. I will try and walk us through the what, the when, and the how. First, the “What”…

 

The “What” of G.A.T.H.E.R.

Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 GWT

We need a regular time of meeting to connect, to team, to focus, and sharpen. A time to pause our heart, to prepare our minds and to purposefully reflect on why we are here today. A time to G.A.T.H.E.R.

 G reet

Fellowship starts with a greeting—a quick connect, a moment of pause before we serve, a focus for our heart on the ministry we are about to undertake. The chance to begin together as one team. Greet each other in Christian love.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 NLT

A wareness

Is our attitude in check? Is our heart right? How about our countenance? Let’s see…smile, attitude, energy level, passion for today, what are your eyes saying? Are they bright and happy? Attitude is a choice and it’s contagious. Let’s make sure ours are worth catching today. Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! Philippians 4:4 GWT

T ogether

Doing ministry together is critical to the success of our ministry and, to be honest, it’s more fun serving together. Having a “family” to serve alongside you. Making a difference together. At the end of the hour saying, “We did it. We made a difference in the life of a child today.” Or “Wow, what a tough day. I am so glad you were here to encourage and empower me. I could not have done it without you.” We all have up days and down days. We want to have both in the presence of others. Serving together lightens the load and strengthens the heart. Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose. Philippians 2:2 NLT

H one

Focus the group on the next hour at hand. Encourage leaders to arrive at your meeting on time. Assist them and encourage them with classroom prep and set up. Remind them of their schedule and to keep to it. This is the most important hour. This is an hour where children will be entrusted to your care; an hour of opportunity to share the love of Christ. Focus on your life and your teaching. Continue to do what I’ve told you. If you do this, you will save yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16 GWT

E ncouragement

You gotta have fun. The Bible reminds us to be full of joy. If we have no joy then things become a pain to do, including ministry. You may want to just remind yourself about the positive effects of joy by finishing a “Thank You God For…” sentence. Repeat maybe 5 to 10 times filling in the blank. Watch your joy start to return! Then you will be in a position to encourage others and give them the strength they need today. So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NCV

R elationships

Relationships and accountability are important within our ministry teams. Exchange addresses, e-mails and phone numbers. At least one phone call or connect during the week is critical to building team relationships. We need to deepen our care through other meaningful information, like remembering birthdays, anniversaries, kids’ names, hobbies, likes and dislikes. We need all of our ministry teams to experience affinity and fellowship in their group. Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24 NLT

The “When” of G.A.T.H.E.R.

1. All of your departments’ leaders meet in one of your rooms 30 minutes prior to the start of your service.

2. Start the clock. No more than 7 minutes.

3. This is not a discussion time—just a quick moment to pause and prepare our hearts.

4. Read your G.A.T.H.E.R. Devotional together.

5. Close with a prayer of blessing for today, asking God to make a difference through you.

6. Touch each person that is there. Hug...High Five...Handshake

The “How” of G.A.T.H.E.R.

Topic: Community and Fellowship (each week there will be a different topic.)

 

Encouraging:

The Story I Shared… Check out the third illustration back in E3

 

Equipping:

The Skill I Sharpened…

Today, before leaving your room, swap phone numbers and e-mails and call or write each other one time before next week.

Energizing:

The Value I Solidified…

Our eight values are spelled out in an acrostic called P.R.A.C.T.I.C.E. The “I” in PRACTICE says, “Investing in others through open and honest relationships.” That’s community. A reminder for us today is…”It’s no fun doing ministry alone.”

Empowering:

The Verse I Showed…

Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds. You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming. Hebrews 10:24-25 NCV

Marti Smye, the author of Is It Too Late to Run Away and Join The Circus? A Guide for Your Second Life, tells the values story based on the often neglected value of having fun at work. Marti’s story involves her brother, who was also named Marti, and her father (named – what else? – Marti). Clearly Marti (the father) was a bit eccentric. The story involves the piano lessons that Marti and her brother were forced to endure by their mother when they were young. The piano sat on the back porch, and both children dreaded practice time. (Her brother even wore his football helmet during practice in silent protest). The torture continued for months until one day her brother came running into the house saying, “Mom, come look, COME LOOK!” Everyone ran to the back porch to see the piano engulfed in flames, as her father watched on. Turning to the rest of the family, her father calmly explained, “I want children to know that if it ain’t fun, don’t do it.” (Soundview Executive Book Summaries “The Story Factor” Volume 23, No 9, September 2001, pg. 3)

I don’t think Marti was saying that everything you do has to be fun. I think he was saying that everything you do…has to be fun. I often say that the attitude with which you approach a situation will greatly affect its outcome.

I think Marti was simply saying in this story…enjoy what you are doing. Here are three reminders from the New Testament about “having fun” in ministry.

 

Reminder Number 1:

Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 NASB

 

Bottom Line:

Don’t serve because you have to, serve because you want to. And serve with your whole heart!

Reminder Number 2:

I'm not saying this because I'm in any need. I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in.

I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I've learned the secret of how to live when I'm full or when I'm hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. Philippians 4:11-12 GWT

Bottom Line:

Be content in every situation…this is a learned response. Did you see what Paul said. “I’ve learned the secret of how to live…”

Reminder Number 3:

Always be joyful in the Lord! I'll say it again: Be joyful! Philippians 4:4 GWT

Bottom Line:

Joy is a choice and this is a command: Burn a piano today!

Reminder Number 3:

And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NRSV

Bottom Line:

Stoke up on another to good deeds. Encourage your co-leaders. Call them each week. Partner together in your room or in your groups to make the biggest impact in a child’s life that you can. Be joyful…be happy…have fun serving the Lord in your ministries!