Category Archives: Ministry

8 Things You Can Do To Facilitate Change Effectively

Ministry, Professionalism

Everyone dislikes change to some degree — and some dislike it to the extent that it actually strikes fear or bad behavior in people. The idea of doing things differently leaves employees wondering whether their job function will be eliminated or change beyond their understanding or desire. Change can leave your group members in fear that their skills are no longer needed, or invite the notion that people will be inconvenienced in some way. It never fails, when I facilitate workshops for tech modernization, a participant will always ask some form of the same questions:

“Am I going to have to learn something new?”

“Will my department no longer be needed?”

“What will happen to my job?”

This challenge is not unique to the workplace. The thought of changing processes brings out the worst fears in people in volunteer organizations as well. One time, I had to work with a group who made coffee and refreshments regularly for a large crowd. When the crowd showed up, lines to get coffee were lonnnnng. But the coffee wasn’t the problem. Just before the coffee pots on the same counter were platters of grapes, cheese cubes and crackers, arranged in a manner that people had to serve themselves ONE GRAPE AT A TIME. So I suggested a change to their process: do some prep work with the refreshments to pre-package them in cups, so each person could grab a cup and move on, thus making the line move more quickly. The volunteers who had been serving in this capacity for years were completely against even trying the idea! I heard everything from “You just don’t understand how the kitchen works” to “You do realize that is a lot more work for US?”

Fear of change is rampant, especially among long-time employees and members of organizations. These folks are not necessarily “old” as far as age goes, either… they just have been in their particular role long enough to be very comfortable in it… and change makes them very uncomfortable! Here are some great things to do to help facilitate change in an organization.

1. SOCIALIZE.
Communicate clearly the WHAT and the WHY, before a decision is made. Explain WHAT changes are needed and WHY they are needed. Answer the question: What problem are we trying to solve? In my example, I kept pointing to the people in line. We needed to help the people! If you can, have these conversations before you make a decision about what to do. This is not always possible — sometimes, you have to implement something quickly — but if the timeline allows it, taking your time and having conversations with the team will go a long way toward socializing the solution.

2. ASK.
Solicit feedback from members of the organization. Most of your employees/volunteers/stakeholders know a LOT about what works, and what does not work. Leverage their experience. Seek input on how to facilitate the change, and how to effectively implement it. Not every suggestion can be implemented, but your staff members and/or volunteers have thought of things you would not. In my example, I spoke to some of the leaders in the kitchen to float my idea. They did not exactly welcome it warmly, but I listened to their feedback. I addressed their concerns, and worked with them myself to ensure the process I had proposed actually worked. They reasoned that if someone as young and inexperienced as me could pull it off, well, maybe they could do it after all.

3. MODEL.
Be willing to accept the proposed change yourself. Change is really hard for people to swallow if your decisions impact them, and you clearly are not impacted at all. Serve with them, and prove that your idea is workable. In the kitchen example, I stood there with the team in my high heels and put thousands of grapes and cheese cubes into hundreds of cups. In another example, I needed to facilitate a group and get them to share their organizational plans in a web-based program. They had always used email, and frankly, had no desire to change their process. By working directly with them for several weeks and implementing some of the plans online myself while guiding them, I was able to show them that the change was not only possible, but the outcome of online sharing was preferable to the old way of doing business.

4. TEACH.
Educate your team members. Often, the greatest resistance to change stems from a lack of knowledge about the new process. If someone is not great with computers, they may resist a web-based file sharing or scheduling system. Design a training guide, hold a class, or create a video to illustrate how to accomplish things the new way.

5. THANK.
Thank people for making the change with you. Once people are on board, genuinely thank them. This will be hard, because if you are a change agent, you will be completely irritated with some folks who did not get on board with you right away. You are human and you are allowed to feel that — BUT — you are NOT allowed to show it! Put a smile on your face, and thank them. Keeping things classy and polite will go a long way to keeping the team moving forward.

6. SHARE.
Illustrate success for the team. Be sure to communicate out to your team some measurable success stories. You could say or write in an email something like this. “I wanted to share with the team some of the terrific feedback I have heard from our visitors. A newcomer told me that she has never seen a food line handled so efficiently for such a large group. Not only that, we now are getting people into the meetings in a more timely fashion because they are not waiting in line. Thank you so much for being willing to serve!”

7. ADMIT.
Be willing to acknowledge when a change does not work. Every once in a while, your bright idea (or the bright idea that was not yours, but you were charged with carrying out) just does not work. You have choices here: you can keep jamming the change down everyone’s throat because you are in charge; you can tweak the process to see if that works; or you can just admit to everyone that the solution did not work, and solicit feedback for what to try next. Obviously the first choice is a bad one. Sometimes, the second is optimal. Just remember, you have to be willing to admit when you were wrong. Doing so, and being honest and gracious with your team, goes a long way to establish trust.

8. ACCEPT.
Understand that even with your best efforts, not everyone will like it. Some people just cannot handle change. For some, it is a lack of control that they have a problem with. For others, the problem is fear. Still for others, the problem may lie in their specific relationship with you and their opinion of your leadership. Regardless, if the change was successfully implemented and the rest of the organization is working well under the new process, this attitude needs to be addressed with the team member in question. At this point, it is not a problem with you or the new process, it is a problem with them as an individual, and you will have to handle it accordingly.

All I Need Is Jesus and Coffee

Crafts, Ministry

Coffee. Just the smell of that hot, steaming mug in the morning, and the feel of the comforting warmth of said mug in my cold hands, makes me happy. How can one beverage be such a paradox… calming and reassuring… yet at times so stimulating it makes my head nearly spin off the top of my body after a few cups? Coffee is the Linus blanket of my generation, and it has completely permeated our culture in a way that, frankly, boggles my mind. I love it so much. And I absolutely love going to Starbucks to meet a girlfriend and share a few thousand calories together as we solve each other’s — and the world’s — problems. I know I’m not alone… Starbucks recently posted their 2014 financials, coming in at a cool $16.4 billion (yes, that’s a “b”) in net revenue. Wow!

Yes, we have certainly developed a definitive “need” for coffee! But do we really need it? Not really… I mean, if I didn’t have it, I would certainly miss it. But I don’t NEED it. When you think of the things in life you really need, what tops your list? I was shopping in Kirkland’s recently and came across this little sign that summed up my sentiments exactly: “All I need today is a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus.”
kirklands coffee jesus

Smiling, I took it off the shelf and placed it in my basket. But then, oh THEN. Just around the corner in Kirkland’s I found a blank, black coffee-mug-shaped chalkboard, a little larger than the sign… and my gears started turning. Wouldn’t this saying be PERFECT done up in those oh-so-trendy chalkboard letters?!? So in my typical method of making something much harder than it needs to be in order to make it special, I put the ready-made sign back and purchased the materials for my project. (Note, I am not affiliated with Kirkland’s, but it is only fair of me to post a link to their product since I borrowed their idea… to decorate one of their OTHER products. The ready-made Coffee/Jesus sign is here on Kirkland’s web site. Also, the chalkboard coffee cup is here.

I would never claim to be an artist, but I am willing to try just about anything crafty. So I viewed some tutorials on YouTube for chalk drawing and decided to make a go of it. First, I created a gorgeously lettered design on my computer, with the intention of tracing it. I swear I followed all of the directions to transfer my gorgeous design from the paper to the chalkboard… but… well, it wasn’t happening. Note to self: those chalkboard tracing projects need to have pretty big letters to work out. So, I decided to wing it. I had Jesus on my side, right?

all i need coffee jesus

Well, I wouldn’t say it turned out so well that I can quit my day job, but I am pretty happy with it. And my bestie that received it for Christmas, that aforementioned friend who solves the world’s problems with me at Starbucks, loved it! So today, I’ll thank Jesus for coffee, for great friends, and yes, even for Starbucks, Kirkland’s, and that pesky day job. 🙂

Why You Should Unashamedly Do Church Like a Rock Concert

Creative Ideas for Worship, Ministry

There is no question that worship over the centuries has been at the center of debate at one time or another in most churches. Fifteen or twenty years ago, we had heated disagreements over drums and clapping. Thirty years ago, we had heated debates over the guitar. A hundred years ago or more, the debates were over whether the hymns sung in church should so closely resemble pub songs. Today, the debate continues over lights, haze, and the accusation that worship leaders everywhere are making church “like a rock concert.”

It’s interesting, the line of thought that goes into these heated debates. Most often, the argument comes down to a singular point: we want the worship to be about God, not the _______ (fill in that blank with the word being debated at the time: drums. lights. guitar. singer. pastor. musical style.)

The department I manage at New Life would be called something like Worship Arts or Creative Arts at most other churches. Here, our group is called the Reach team. On Reach team, our mantra is very simple. As the name implies, we have only one goal, and that is to reach people for Jesus Christ. We will use every tool at our disposal to reach people. All ages, races and genders. We are happy if people enjoy worship, but our priority is on reaching the lost for Christ. It’s not just about making it younger and hipper. We are seeking to hit a target rich environment of lost people. This year, we made a conscious decision to start incorporating more creative elements into our worship services to help us realize the goal.

We actually didn’t wake up one day and decide that we were going to do rock-n-roll church. Rather, we thoughtfully decided that every element in the room needed to be executed at a level of professional excellence that would glorify God. We wanted to use every tool at our disposal to reach people for Christ who had not otherwise been reached in any other church in our community. That meant doing things a little differently. OK, for some, it was a lot differently. In our transition in worship, this boiled down to introducing three new visual elements: additional colored lights, haze and staging. We have also worked with volume and EQ levels, and introduced some usage of multitracks for the worship teams. The sermon series are now themed and the theme is supported with logos, bumper videos that precede the sermon, and social media reinforcement of key scriptures and biblical ideals.

So when we add all this, aren’t we worried about distracting people from God? Let me answer that question with another series of questions. When you go to the Maroon5 concert, is there any concern that an awesome light show will make you forget you’re there to see Maroon5? Is there a worry that the haze on the stage will obstruct the view of Adam Levine? Does the stage design detract from the meaning of the music or the quality? Of course not. When we go to a concert, it is an expectation that the artist puts on a highly professional, produced show worthy of the money we paid for the ticket.

Let’s translate that example to post-modern, “rock concert” worship. Through our stage elements, song lyrics, posture on stage, and surrounding activities, we make it quite clear who the star of the “show” is: Jesus Christ, our one true God. How much effort should we then put into worship of OUR star? He paid the ultimate price for us; more than we could ever fathom paying for a ticket to a show. Why would we settle for anything less than an all-out, no-holds-barred worship experience that lives up at least to the standards of what we would expect when we come out to see our favorite secular artist? Our God is worthy of EVERYTHING we can give. Every tool, technology, light, sound and creative offering. Yes, what is created is cool — but isn’t that the point? Shouldn’t the worship we offer up to God be amazing in every way? In addition, when we open ourselves to methods of worship that the unchurched can relate to, we close the door on exclusivity and elitism that plagues so many churches. The unchurched — remember them? Oh right. They are the whole reason we exist as a church. If there is any doubt, read the great commission in Matthew 28:20.

But wait! As a church, isn’t it important that we stay rooted in our core beliefs and values? Of course it is. Lights and haze are no further from our core beliefs than stained glass and incense. All of the above are expressions of worship. Think for a moment about one of the major contributors to the value system of the United Methodist and Wesleyan churches, John Wesley. Wesley was a structure guy. He valued discipline and order. But did you know that he also valued corporate worship and corporate involvement, and sought to find ways to reach people for Christ? In The Way to Heaven: The Gospel According to John Wesley
author Steve Harper explains that Wesley understood transition and the need for evolution in the church. Wesley believed, “We have no other age to serve but the one we’re in, and we recognize it to be one of substantial and radical evolution.” Wesley strove to see the Gospel influence the culture. But then, how do we influence culture? By being completely apart from it or by leveraging the cultural tools of our time? I argue the latter. I’ve seen it work SO MUCH. When you speak – or worship – in the language
of people you are trying to reach – deliver messages in a medium people understand and engage with — we then have a chance of delivering the truth of the gospel to folks who may not have otherwise given this message a chance. In this way we turn culture inside out. Media, lights, haze are all tools. You can use them to glorify secular rock stars, or turn culture on its head and use all this awesome technology to glorify the Lord.

These things are just things, they are not God. We use these things to glorify God.

Now back to Wesley. Wesley’s structure, discipline and appreciation for doctrine did not mean he was stuck in his ways. He sought to use this theology “to address the time and place in which he lived,” according to Harper. Doing all this creates a kind of tension between two truths, one that has existed for all of humanity. On one hand, we are called to not conform to the patterns of this world. On the other hand, we must meet people where they are in order to reach them and make disciples for Christ.

Let’s take a look at David, a shining example of a great worshiper in the Old Testament. In 2 Samuel 6, we read that David is bringing the ark of God to Jerusalem. They are worshipping “with all their might.” Then in 2 Samuel 6:5 we see that “David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals.”

What does it look like when we worship with all our might? With all of our energy?

What does it look like when we worship with everything we have at our disposal to lift up to the Lord?

Keep reading there in 2 Samuel. A little later, Michal is watching David worship this way and didn’t like it at all. In 2 Sam 6:16 we see her reaction to his showy worship: “As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.”

Not everyone will like the style of worship as it evolves today, tomorrow or ten years from now. Why?
– They judge it as insincere or fake
– They mistake who or what is being worshipped
– They are distracted by the thing we are using to exalt

In this story, I like to imagine Michal looking at that ark, shaking her head. I envision her thoughts: “Ridiculous. They could have used the money and energy of building that ark to help people. What a waste. There they are out there dancing and singing and having a good old time. You know they aren’t thinking about God. They’re just having a go-go and not thinking about anything but jamming with the band!” Do you think she thought they were worshiping the ark? What thoughts do you suppose were going through her mind? The bible doesn’t say, this is just what I envision.

When it comes down to it, we know a few things about modern worship. Within a few years, the thing we’re doing today that is effective in reaching people will fade and something else will be in the toolbox. The thing that is shocking today will be commonplace and well accepted in a few years, because there was nothing wrong with it in the first place. Regardless of our methods, the important thing is the heart of the worship leaders and the sincerity of the tech team. Are we doing what we’re doing to be cool? Or to reach people for Christ? If we keep our goal at the front of our minds… if we make “reaching” a priority… then we are doing exactly what Jesus called us to do. Rock on.

Working with Negativity in Ministry Professionals: It starts in your head!

Book Reviews, Ministry, Professionalism

People are messy. Humans are humans, and we all have flaws. In a field full of people anointed with incredible talents and gifts, we work with people who have passions (tempers), alternate scheduling tendencies (disorganized and unreliable), introvert awkwardness (antisocial behaviors), extreme self confidence (arrogance). Yep. Even just downright jerks. The negativity in some, despite incredible talent and anointing, can cause a level of dysfunction that drags down the efforts of the entire ministry team. Dysfunction leads people to quit – or worse, turn their backs on the Jesus they have worked so hard to promote. So, how do we deal with these difficult personalities?

Consider this biblical passage from the book of Philippians:

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me — put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

The trickiest part of the passage is those last few words: “think about such things.” The ultimate “think positive” verse… it all starts – and ends – in our heads. Ultimately, what causes people to give up on a ministry really isn’t any one particular event, but how we think about and react to that event in our brains.

How do you handle it when someone loses their cool with you, lets you down, or isn’t being cooperative? For me, a self-described “Polly Positive,” such behavior from other people, especially professionals, can be derailing. Here are some methods that I have used successfully to ward off the negative thoughts and negative consequences of bad behavior:

1. Pray for the person who irritates/insults/annoys you. Remember the title of this blog post — it starts in your head. It starts with YOUR thoughts. Pray that God would help them with their shortcomings, as He helps you with yours. Pray for heart change, either in their heart, or in yours. Remember that you have faults, they are just not as annoying to you as someone else’s faults are.

2. Be honest and constructive with people who are dragging down the effort or the team – or you. Don’t avoid conversations or interactions because someone is difficult. Be prepared with specifics, and have a direct conversation in private.

3. Identify the positive in the project you are working on. That’s right – define your task according to Paul’s criteria. What about the task you are trying to accomplish is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy? Share these characteristics with the team. Be sure the mission is clear. Lack of clarity breeds negativity.

4. Think positive, but stop being surprised by a person who consistently acts badly. At some point over that last few years, while struggling with a particularly negative person, I had to admit to myself that in being shocked by their negative or rude reaction, I actually got personally hurt. Such behavior really knocks me off the tracks. This realization was huge. I needed to expect the behavior and be prepared for it. Rather than take it personally, or hope that this time when you deal with them that they will somehow be different, use strategies (in the next step) to prepare yourself for the situation.

5. Craft your message ahead of time. Take a factual, cool, calm, collected approach. STICK TO THE FACTS. Know what you want to accomplish, get it done, and don’t get dragged emotionally into the conversation. Don’t react in the moment, it only fuels the negativity.

6. Prune. Sometimes, it really is time for people to move on. A team cannot flourish — and God will not bless a ministry fully — when there is negativity brewing. Negativity is neither honoring nor respectful to God. He is patient and loving with our flaws, but does not expect us to wallow in them. Encourage, or insist, that someone with an incurable negative attitude find another position or way to serve.

For further reading on this topic, I recently completed Joyce Meyer’s bible study called “Battlefield of the Mind.” In it, she explores overcoming negative thinking and using scriptures to realize that God loves you and wants the very best for you. The bible study is FREE and is available at YouVersion, also a free phone app. The bible study is based on Myers’ book of the same title:

Thinking positive, and understanding the good that God has promised, are huge factors in being able to succeed with a team of humans. Starting in your own head will go a long way toward how you approach, and accomplish, those tough tasks and win over those tough people.

A prayer for people in ministry

Ministry, Prayer

We think of ministry as a wonderful vocation (which it is), and while the work is hard (very), it is also rewarding (extremely). Careers that have the combination “very hard” and “very rewarding” are emotionally intense and physically draining. This prayer is for everyone who might be experiencing a season of tiredness, or even burnout, in their ministry work.

Lord, I know with all of my heart that You are the one true and everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. I adore You with everything that I am. The fact that You will not grow tired or weary, ever, is something I really could never understand. When I entered ministry, I knew it would be hard on many fronts, and without Your sustenance I could not accomplish anything; yet You have allowed me to learn and achieve so much. I confess that there have been times where I was so overwhelmed I thought I should give up. Ministry is the hardest job I have ever had, and when I look around I can see that others in ministry are also tired, even those whom I know are energetic and dedicated. You continue to give me strength when I have been weary and give me a boost when I am at my weakest. Every time I lean on You and put my hope in You, You always faithfully renew my strength. By Your power, and only by Your power, will I succeed in reaching people for You; You provide the energy, the brain power and the will to allow me to not grow weary, and to never give up. Thank you for your awesomeness! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Isaiah 40:28-31

28Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.