towards leadership and culture

Hey Children Ministry Leaders!

We hosted a training event at Evergreen Christian Community on February 11th, 2012. We posted a collection of  notes from our large group talk on The Story of God and the three discussion groups which focused on the use of scripture in children’s ministry. Thanks for joining us and please feel free to use this content however you wish. *Updated February 13th 2012.

Email me with any questions at brent@ecconline.cc

Teacher Toolbox Overview 2-11-2012

Teacher Toolbox Presentation Notes

Teacher Toolbox Group Handout 2-11-2012

Group Discussion – Brent Colby

*Group Discussion – Chrissy Najarro

-Brent

There has been a recent plea for the church to become more simple. This may be a response to the complex and busy systems of popular Evangelicalism. I believe that the church that focuses on one simple purpose results in many ministries carried out by individuals in their own special way. This is what I call doing one thing well in every way possible.

Many of us grew up in a time where more church was better church. It is difficult for us to see how simplicity is better. No one would argue for less church, would they? As a leader in a local church I feel the tension between less and more programming. Some families count on church activities to help structure their lives and provide a framework for community, discipleship and evangelism. Other people are protective of their family schedule and feel that too much church can rob them of the relationships they seek outside of the perish. One group may say what good are we if we don’t go to church? While the other groups says what good are we if we are always in church? Both sides have a valid argument.

I agree that the church must become more simple. It must focus on doing one thing well. I also think that the church should be willing to exhaust every means necessary to accomplish its goal. The purpose of the church is clear. We don’t have to make it up because Jesus gave it to us. We are to go and reproduce followers of Jesus who know his teaching, are baptized in his name and remember his death and resurrection. In these things the church must become more simple. The life that flows out of these things becomes an extension of the church into the world. And it may do so in a very complicated way.

Do not fall into lazy thinking where less church is good enough. Everything you do must fall into a more narrow focus. When you enter into that focus, the mission of the church, a new world opens up! Fresh opportunities and areas of influence become within reach of the church… the people of the church! Programs begin to fade away as church members begin to own their faith and reach out on their own. We begin to do one thing well in every way possible through every member of the church.

There is a good chance that your church is trying to become a more simple church. Are you becoming simple in purpose or just simple in programming?

 

Teamwork can be crowded. For those who enjoy their personal space this can be a major downside to collaborating with others. When you are a part of a team you are giving up some measure of autonomy. You can’t go it alone or do your own thing. You must be willing to huddle up and bunker down with other people. Take this video for example. It is a perfect example of a clip that has gone viral (read over 35 million views). What makes it such a novelty? It is the creative use of a guitar and the exceptional team work of the group.

Each of us must be willing to be a part of a team. This means that we have to leave the comfort of our home turf and mingle with other people. Hermits and homebodies be ware: other people are different. When teams come together they accumulate a variety of strengths and talents. The members of Walk the Earth show this concept in action. Each one is making a unique contribution to the work of the whole. It is one song but is made up of many different parts.

Are you a part of a team? Are their areas of your own work that you have been unwilling to submit to others? Know that teamwork is crowded and the benefits far outweigh the burdens.