Freshen your work environment and your spirits. Studies suggest that those who have a live plant on their desk are more productive and less stressed than those with no such touch of nature. (GH)
Stay close to God. Do life well.
8/13/11
8/12/11
8/11/11
Five Ways to Help Your Church Feel Welcoming
Pay attention to curb appeal. A well landscaped lawn and neat parking lot makes a great first impression.
Use friendly people to act as greeters and door openers...but train them not to hang out at the door talking to their own friends.
Keep the restrooms pleasant and well stocked. Nothing turns people off more than a sloppy bathroom or one that has run out of supplies. Consider having a fragrant lotion available, mints, and feminine products in the ladies rest rooms.
Use clear signage. Walk through the building as if you have never been there. Where do you need directional signs? Be careful of using names that won't connect with visitors. (i.e. don't just put "Elevate" on the sign--include "for Grades 4-5.) REmember that visitors won't know your lingo.
Use the word "guest" instead of "visitor" on parking signs and welcoming materials.
Question: What ideas do you have for making your church more welcoming?
8/10/11
Being Resourceful
Are you a “resourceful” person? To be resourceful means “to be able to act effectively or imaginatively, especially in difficult situations.” I once watched a DVD on which there was a lesson about training well for the Christian life. The speaker encouraged us to train in advance to handle storms that may come our way. Good training involves building both external and internal resources.
Develop external resources by having tools such as the Bible, helpful books, and access to instructional opportunities available. Even more importantly, build solid relationships with growing, godly people that can give you good advice.
In addition, develop your internal resources—your spirit, mind and body.
Build your mind by continually learning. Practicing the art of listening. Boost your body with exercise, rest, and proper diet. Saturate your spirit by spending time with the Lord, reading Scripture, praying, and studying Christian books.
As you build external and internal resources, you will find yourself better equipped for handling a variety of situations and less likely to be upended when the unexpected occurs. But remember, it is Christ in you that is the real reason you are able to do anything at all!
8/9/11
Apple Words at Church
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11 KJV
HOW we say something can make a huge difference. This proverb encourages us to use fitting words and when it comes to church communications, our selection of words can make a big difference in how we come across to those to whom we are ministering. For example, in the book, Creating Messages that Connect, (Group Publishing) Alan Nelson shares some words and phrases that we should avoid as we try to share our faith with those in the community, especially those who may be new to church or ministry. Some of these words include: saved, hallelujah, nonbeliever, fruit of the Spirit, seeker, and stewardship. You may be thinking, “Now, wait just a minute, Beth—we don’t want to water down our beliefs!” I agree. But think about people who may be so new to faith that they don’t even understand what most of these words and phrases mean. In your advertisements, brochures and other outreach materials, you must think of the reader as not being familiar with the “normal” religious terms we may have grown up with. Other unfamiliar words may be liturgy, vespers, sacraments, or expository preaching.
We should also be careful about how we communicate with regular attendees and members. Ministries often need to follow some business principles to run efficiently, but some business words can defeat the spirit of helpfulness we’d like to project. For example, words like procedures, policies or rules could be replaced with guidelines; phrases like “You can’t do that,” can be replaced with “Let me help you find an alternate way to accomplish that,” or “Here’s what we can do to help,” and signs that begin with a negative like “No Parking” or “Only for the use of ____ church” could be replaced with “Parking for our senior guests” or “For your safety, playground is only open during church events.” What other words or phrases could we change? Make a comment below! Oh, excuse me, PLEASE make a comment below!
8/8/11
Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems
If you must bring a problem to your supervisor, or your friend, or your spouse, think through some possible solutions to offer as well. Avoid simply whining or complaining. At the same time, don't be locked into the solutions you have brainstormed. Use them as a jumping off point for collaborating on how to fix the issue.
Question: What type of problem did you recently find a solution for?
8/7/11
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