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Giving Up on Resolutions

Posted by Debby on February 3, 2015

February 2015. So…how are you doing on your New Year’s resolutions?

I have always been a resolution maker…and a resolution breaker. The word “resolution” comes from the word “resolve” which actually has something to do with finding a solution and solving a problem by deciding on a new course of action. I want to make a resolution to solve the problems of ME… and we know THAT isn’t something that I can actually accomplish, certainly not by will power, nor permanently!

So, I moved on to “prayer goals” which are a lot like resolutions except that we bring these to God asking Him to accomplish these desires in our life. Definitely a step in the right direction–realizing that I can’t solve the problem of ME in my own strength.

I’ve had decades to be convinced that I can’t accomplish transformation by my own mental fortitude and determination. So maybe it is time to die–in the Biblical way. Die to ME, die to my efforts to “self-help” and DIY.

Here is what A.W. Tozer (The Crucified Life) said: “The crucified life is a life absolutely committed to following after Christ Jesus. To be more like Him. To think like Him. To act like Him. To love like Him. The whole essence of spiritual perfection has everything to do with Jesus Christ. Not with rules and regulations. Not with how we dress or what we do or do not do. We are not to look like each other; rather, we are to look like Christ.”

Important for all of us, leaders or not!

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, News & Information

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The Importance of a Name

Posted by Debby on October 28, 2014

I was planning to write a blog concerning specific ways we can show our women that we care about them. I still may do that. But I heard this song (from a 1980’s sitcom) again this week, and I think the lyrics hit the nail on the head as far as “step one” in caring for our women.

You may recognize these familiar lyrics:

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name…

And they’re always glad you came…

You wanna be where you can see your troubles are all the same…

You wanna be where everybody knows your name.”

I think that song writer was onto something! Maybe the very first way that we can show our women that we care is by learning their name….and letting them know that we are glad they came…and being open and honest so they know that they are not alone in their struggles.

How can we create that caring atmosphere in our women’s ministries? I know we all want it–we want everyone to feel welcomed and comfortable in a safe environment that encourages open sharing. I think it has to start in our leadership and trickle down from there. We as leaders need to do what it takes to learn names and go out of our way to welcome people. We need to be open and honest about our daily walk and daily struggles and temptations so that we can all come to the foot of the cross together in weakness and humility.

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, Little Things Make a Big Difference!, News & Information

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First Responders

Posted by Debby on October 7, 2014

“First Responder” was a term that really became part of our vernacular in the last 15 years or less. The first rescue personnel to arrive at the scene of an emergency or disaster are commonly referred to as “first responders.” But “first responder” is also a general term for all emergency service personnel who are expected to respond to medical emergencies or large-scale disasters and the skilled support personnel who provide immediate support during recovery operations. These people are trained to move quickly to the scene of an accident or disaster. Often, they are “on call” and must be ready at a moment’s notice.

I wonder if God would consider us one of His “first responders?” Does He know that He can call on us at a moment’s notice, and we will be ready to obey? Are we a tool that He can use should the need arise? God promises to equip those He calls. I Thess. 5:24 says “He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.” In other words, if the Lord calls you to do something, He will also equip us and give us the wisdom, strength and power to do it.

But there is the little issue of our willingness and availability. Do we delay obedience by considering whether or not to obey? Let’s be known to God as one of His “first responders.”

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Inspirations, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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Do You Micro-Manage?

Posted by Debby on August 5, 2014

“Micro-Manager” is a business term that has been coined for the leader who is controlling and gives excessive attention to minor details. He or she tries to ensure perfection by insisting on reviewing and approving everything. A micro-manager squelches initiative and creativity, and is perceived as having a lack of faith in the employee’s competence. Conversely, the term “macro-manager” refers to one who leaves the employee alone to their assigned tasks, confident that he or she has chosen competent workers who can complete the task.

Outside of the business world, we can still micro-manage and squelch the initiative and creativity of those serving under us. Yes, we want everything to be perfect for a retreat or women’s event. But we also need to give the assigned leader space to learn and grow and even make mistakes as they seek the Lord and use their God-given gifts and abilities. No, they may not do things exactly the way that you would have; but God doesn’t need another “you.” And maybe it’s time for a change in “the way things have always been done.”

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Lessons Learned, News & Information, Realities of Ministry

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Responsibilities of a Retreat Coordinator

Posted by Debby on July 22, 2014

The position we call “retreat coordinator” may or may not be filled by the ministry leader. In our case, our pastor’s wife is the ministry leader. But she is called upon for many other needs, and it would be very hard for her to coordinate the retreat both in the planning stages and at the retreat. That is why we have a retreat coordinator. She reports to the ministry leader, but does the organization and supervision involved in planning a retreat. It is important to have this position filled by a strong leader.

The best way to really see what the retreat coordinator does is to look at one of our flow charts. She is like the hub of the retreat, and other leaders are in charge of various aspects of the retreat. But everything is overseen by the coordinator.

The coordinator is involved in the retreat from the beginning – determining the who, when, where and what of the retreat. As retreat planning begins, depending on what is most important to you, you book the speaker and date of the retreat, OR you book the venue on a certain date and then find the speaker who can work with you on your chosen date. The retreat coordinator communicates with the speaker throughout the planning stages and works with the venue so that a contract can be signed. Once you have the date, a speaker and a venue, then the fun begins. If your speaker has not already suggested a theme, one of the preliminary planning activities is determining the retreat theme.

Once the basics have been confirmed, the coordinator works with a leadership team who will report back to her and/or she will hold their hand as they go through the process of planning the retreat. The leadership team is given responsibility to oversee the various ingredients of the retreat: registration, greeting, printed material, prayer team, skit, workshops, etc. In small churches like ours, the members of the leadership team often takes on more than one of these responsibilities. But the need for one person to coordinate remains.

Posted in: Developing Leadership, Lessons Learned, News & Information, Realities of Ministry, Retreat and Event Planning, Starting Points in Retreat Planning

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