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LIQUID: A Children's Ministry Leadership Gathering!
Dallas TX Here we come!
You can sign up today at www.liquidleadership.tv
We are only taking 217 leaders at each of these regional gatherings. So make sure you sign up as soon as you can.
At www.liquidleadership.tv you can see where "pools" are forming around the country as well as subscribe to our RSS feeds and sign up for weekly PODCASTS. These resources are all designed to keep you buoyant and fluid in the world of Children's Ministry. Also, check out Craig's facebook account at www.facebook.com to join an Empowering Kids curriculum users group and sign up for a LIQUID Leadership network where you can talk to other like minded leaders in the country about Children's Ministry issues.
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SNEAK PEAK
Get Ready for Easter Curriculum is almost here! Pre-Order your copy now!
Easter is March 23rd this year! (What happened to Easter in April?) |
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Hey Everyone,
Well, it's Christmas time, again. I say it that way because for many of us Christmas has a tendency to be a "hectic" season. Plays, productions, planning and parties. Am I right? This year we had to take some action against our hurry. Mary and I sat down and decided to put up a few less decorations, shop a little less and spend more time with our family. Now, I must say, we had great intentions about doing this over the last few years but never did it. This year, we did it. We are going back to "Simple Christmas." We were looking through a few Christmas pictures of past years, way past, like before kids past. We had a sparsely decorated Christmas tree with one present for each of us under the tree. That's it. As we looked back there was something about that Christmas, it was simple, we weren't hurried and we weren't overly distracted by the "season." Enjoy the season, if you get busy, as we all most certainly will, then stop, get a mocha (decaf) put your bags down, sit down, yes, all the way down and just escape for a moment to the inn where the hope of this world was born.
Craig
p.s. As a gift to you this season with every order placed before January 7th, yes anything before January 7th we will send you a free copy of the Growing Leader. Have a great Christmas!
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E1 Encouraging You
Verse:
The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I have good news for you, a message that will fill everyone with joy. Today your Savior, Christ the Lord, was born in David's city. Luke 2:10-11 GWORD
Quote:
We are human beings, not human doings. Peter Scazzero |
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E3Energizing You
Story:
Urban legend has it that a lady in a faded gingham dress and her husband, dressed in a homespun threadbare suit, stepped off the train in Boston, and walked timidly without an appointment into the president of Harvard's outer office. The secretary could tell in a moment that such backwoods, country hicks hadno business at Harvard and probably didn't even deserve to be in Cambridge.She frowned. "We want to see the president," the man said softly. "He'll be
busy all day," the secretary snapped.We'll wait," the lady replied. For hours, the secretary ignored them, hopingthat the couple would finally become discouraged and go away.They didn't. And the secretary grew frustrated and finally decided todisturb the president, even though it was a chore she always regretted todo.
"Maybe if they just see you for a few minutes, they'll leave," she told him. And he sighed in exasperation and nodded. Someone of his importance obviously didn't have the time to spend with them, but he detested gingham dresses and homespun suits cluttering up his outer office.
The president, stern-faced with dignity, strutted toward the couple.
The lady told him, "We had a son that attended Harvard for one year. He loved Harvard. He was happy here. But about a year ago, he was accidentally killed. And my husband and I
would like to erect a memorial to him, somewhere on campus." The president wasn't touched, he was shocked. "Madam,"he said gruffly. "We can't put up a statue for every person who attended Harvard and died. If we did, this place would look like a cemetery." Oh, no," the lady explained quickly. "We don't want to erect a statue. We thought we would like to give a building to Harvard."
The president rolled his eyes. He glanced at the gingham dress and homespun suit, then exclaimed "A building. Do you have any earthly idea how much a building costs
We have over seven and a half million dollars in the physical plant at Harvard." For a moment the lady was silent. The president was pleased. He could get rid of them now. And the lady turned
to her husband and said quietly, "Is that all it costs to start a University? Why don't we just start
our own?" Her husband nodded. The president's face wilted in confusion and bewilderment. And Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford walked away, travelling to Palo Alto, California where they established the University that bears their name, a memorial to a son that Harvard no longer cared about. You can easily judge the character of others by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them. Malcolm Forbes
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E4 Empowering You
I asked my kids what they wanted for Christmas a few weeks back and they all listed at least 1 game. Maybe a board game, video game or card game but each one of them said, "I want a game." It got me thinking. Here are three games we should be playing and one that we should put away when it comes to ministry.
Three Games Worth Playing
Stratego
Remember this game? It has to do with Vision, Focus and Direction. Three words that have a direct impact on how we lead our ministries. Definitely a game worth playing.
After all, with the right strategy you can wage war, and with many advisers there is victory. Proverbs 24:6 GWORD
If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. Proverbs 29:18 MESSAGE
Sorry
Ok, I must admit that when I play this game with my kids they really aren't sorry when they say "soooooooory" and then knock me off the board and put me back at home base but certainly the name of the game applies. Some other words that come to mind are forgiveness, mercy and grace. This is a game we should play weekly and share with others.
Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. Colossians 3:13 MESSAGE
Risk
Wow, what a game. If you have ever played you know that the name implies risk and that it also implies "Calculated Risk." Risk without calculation is not very smart. We must take calculated risks in ministry it improves and strengthens our faith. Take the adventure, try, risk!
"I have commanded you, 'Be strong and courageous! Don't tremble or be terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"Joshua 1:9 GWT
And why do you think I keep risking my neck in this dangerous work? I look death in the face practically every day I live. Do you think I'd do this if I wasn't convinced of your resurrection and mine as guaranteed by the resurrected Messiah Jesus?1Corinthians 15:30-31 MESSAGE
"He said, 'That's what I mean: Risk your life and get more than you ever dreamed of. Play it safe and end up holding the bag. Luke 19:26 MESSAGE
One Game Worth Leaving on The Shelf
Twister
Often pulled out at board meetings and with disgruntled volunteers. Yes, it's a fun party game but not a good game to play alone in ministry and if you get others involved in playing this game you will definitely get yourself twisted in knots. Words like worry, fear, distress, concern get us all "twisted" up inside. I am pretty sure many of us have this game not only in our offices but in our hearts with a very well worn spinner board and matt. Let's do ourselves a favor this year and leave twister in the box.
Don't worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. You have enough to worry about today. Matthew 6:34 CEV |
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