Getting Ready for 2009

Some thoughts on getting ready for the new year

Start to repent for things that need to be resolved with God and others

Start to pray for Gods direction and purpose for the new year

Start to make goals that are reasonable and reachable

Trust God during Christmas

things can change

Right now the weather is changing as I write. It was warm earlier today and now it's freezing. They are saying it might even snow (right). Yesterday they were saying it wasn't even going to rain. Things change and they change fast. The wind blows and we can't see it but we can feel it.
The Spirit of God can change things up quickly. What are some of the things we should keep in mind as things happen all around us?

1. Don't let change make you paranoid. Just because things change it does not mean the sky is falling.
2. Don't let change change what you know is your mission. Keep focused on loving God and serving people.
3. Don't let change put you on the defensive with people. People are going through the same things you are. As a leader point out the change and help every one make the adjustments.

Shine in 2009

For 2009 we will be encouraging our church to "SHINE IN 2009".

S- Study (discipleship)
H- Help Others (ministry)
I- Invite (evangelism)
N-Network (fellowship)
E- Exalt (worship)

thoughts of Christmas giving

I heard a coversation that was about giving gifts for Christmas during an economic slump. Should we give gifts or not? Should we discourage giving by others so that we won't feel bad that we didn't give?

No matter what we think or say Christmas will always be about giving a recieving. What we must remember is that the amount of the gift is not what's important. We can give many gifts that can be minimal in expense.

Most adults are not looking for a gift and are mature enough to realize sometimes one will not be given. The children of our families are thrilled to open a simple toy from the dollar store. Don't allow the economy to rob you of the joy that comes from just hanging out with loved ones. Time is priceless.

We must keep the reason for the season before us. Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

Much to be thankful about

There is a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am blessed that all my family is doing well. I am blessed to have been given new opportunities this years is so many areas. I am thankful for a future that seems to have so many possibilities. I wanted to thank the Lord for all He has done in my life.

I wanted to thank my wife for all she has done for me. I wanted to thank my children for all there great support. I wanted to thank my church families for seeing the vision God has for us.

A billion thanks to Jesus my Lord and Savior.

really good stuff from Andy Stanley

3 COMPONENTS OF SUSTAINED MOMENTUM: NEW, IMPROVED & IMPROVING

1. NEW
New triggers momentum
Anything new by definition, generates some kind of momentum
The momentum can be positive or negative.

Organizational momentum is often triggered by one of three things:
new leadership
new direction
new product

Momentum is never triggered by tweaking something old. It is triggered by introducing something new!

2. IMPROVED
The new must be a noticeable improvement over the old.
Ask, "is this a significant improvement over what we had before?"
If you are in a situation where there is not enough money to do something new and improved, you are doing too many things.

3. IMPROVING
Momentum is sustained through continuous improvement.
Continuous improvement requires systematic evaluation.
Continuous improvement requires unfiltered evaluation.
Evaluation must be rigorous and on-going and done by the people who helped create it.

APPLYING NEW & IMPROVED & IMPROVING
NEW: personnel, programming, season, series, look, venues.
Look for ways to upgrade your presentation
Visit other organizations
Attend other churches

MOMENTUM STOPPERS
Disengaged leaders
Overactive management
Complacency
Complexity
A breach of trust