How to Stay Excited About God – Even When the Retreat is Over

How to Stay Excited About God – Even When the Retreat is Over

One Saturday evening not too long ago, Molly decided her life would never be the same. For the first time, she was truly excited about God.

During an amazing weekend retreat Jesus seemed to be closer to her than ever before.

  • She finally felt God’s love for her.
  • She let go of her guilt over past decisions and embraced what Jesus did for her.
  • She developed new friendships with strong Christians.

When she headed home, she was ready to make drastic changes in her life, friendships, and habits. But by midweek, she felt herself slipping away from Jesus.

Once full of hope and excitement about what Jesus could do in her life, Molly has now settled back into her old habits and friendships. She knows life can be different, but she has lost her excitement for God.

Have you ever met someone like Molly?

Perhaps you have had the same experience as Molly – during a retreat you experienced God like never before, but shortly after your passion seemed to slip away.

How to Stay Excited About God – Even When the Retreat is Over

Churches can leverage retreats and events to bring people closer to God, but there must be a plan for maintaining their spiritual passion when they return home.

  • Discipleship is ongoing.
  • Spiritual growth requires daily investment.
  • Developing spiritual disciplines takes intentionality.

The bottom line: Event based discipleship does not develop disciples.

From my vantage point as a family pastor and former staff member at a Christian camp and retreat facility, I have seen tens of thousands of people draw near to Jesus.

My hope and prayer is that those same people will continue to draw near to God when they step back into their day-to-day lives.

Four Essential Habits to Build After a Retreat

Maintain Community with Believers

Retreats force you to journey with other people who are actually seeking Jesus. If you want to maintain your closeness with God when you return to your normal life, you’ve got to make friends with others who want to do the same.

How many people in your close circle of friends are excited about God?

Maintain a Spirit of Worship

When I worked at a camp, I did a lot of mundane and seemingly unspiritual things every day. I mowed fields, used a weed eater for hours, gathered supplies, and did safety checks. But I was also continually reminded that by doing all of those things, kids would be able to hear about Jesus. And that allowed me to take an attitude of worship into tasks that were not directly related to sharing about Jesus.

How can you develop a lifestyle of worship in your workplace, class, or family?

Maintain Daily Spiritual Disciplines

Retreats have Bible study time scheduled for you. Your typical schedule is not that kind. Everything and everybody wants your time. You have to make time for prayer, Bible study, worship, and service.

What spiritual discipline comes to mind as your biggest struggle? What steps can you take to change?

Maintain a “God is Going to Show Up” Mentality

For someone who is already a Christian, you usually go to a retreat knowing that God is going to do something. Significant time, money, energy, and planning go into every aspect of the event – it is structured to allow the time and space for participants to practice spiritual disciplines, be surrounded by people who also want to grow closer to God, and bring worship to God.

Do you usually approach life hopeful and expectant for God to work in you and use you?

It’s your turn now. What changes do you need to make in your daily routine and/or attitude to bring back your excitement for God?

3 Ways To Prepare Your Volunteers To Take Ownership

One of the hardest aspects of leadership is to create a culture where volunteers take ownership of the mission of the ministry.

And if you are a leader that is halfway worth his/her salt, you understand the importance of your volunteers taking ownership.

Ownership can take on various forms and even look different for different people, but it is rooted in our volunteers realizing and fulfilling their roles in God’s mission for the church — to make disciples in our cities, states, nations, and the world.

While this is our desire, often our volunteers’ ownership is attached to everything but the mission!

Over time, allegiance shifts away from the mission and starts to cling to the building, rooms, programs, or committees.

Your church will never move forward until your people take ownership.

It’s likely your volunteers have a heart to see God’s mission reign supreme in their local church. They simply need someone (YOU) to cast the vision and equip them to think, lead, and serve differently.

As I have been attempting to shift this mindset in our church, I have realized that I am responsible for more than charting the course. As the leader, I am responsible for preparing our volunteers for the journey.

Call it equipping.

Call it training.

Call it whatever you would like, but the truth is that you have to provide for every step of their journey.

Here are a few areas you have to provide before your leaders will take ownership.

Three Ways To Prepare Your Volunteers To Take Ownership

  • Leaders Must Provide Resources

If you expect your volunteers to take ownership, you have to supply them with quality resources. Failure to supply is failure to equip.

Volunteers need the assurance that you are going to cover the financial costs, invest your own time, provide necessary supplies, and train them appropriately for them to get the job done.

If you don’t provide for them, they will become frustrated by the unrealistic expectations you have placed on them and will quit your ministry.

Don’t throw your volunteers in the game without the proper equipment.

Want them to send cards to new visitors? Provide cards and postage. Want Bible studies for kids to be creative? Stock a central supply room and provide instructions. Want youth leaders to bond with students outside of Bible study time? Organize some structured activities to get the ball rolling.

  • Leaders Must Provide Energy

Does your ministry give or take energy from your volunteers?

I understand serving is hard work, but is your ministry sucking the life out of your leaders? Do you experience constant turnover?

Don’t overlook the need for positive energy in your ministry. You are the key spokesperson for your ministry. You must create a volunteer culture that is known for its fun, creativity, and purpose.

Two easy ways to create this culture is to celebrate (encourage) wins and clearly/consistently communicate lessons, events, and updates. Nothing kills a volunteer’s energy than receiving a lesson one day before they are supposed to teach. If you do your part to be prepared, your volunteers can do theirs.

  • Leaders Must Provide Protection

When you fulfill your responsibilities, you protect your leaders.

No one likes correcting misalignments, enforcing policies, or asking hazardous participants to leave. But guess what? As a leader this is YOUR job. When you avoid making hard decisions you put your volunteers in a bad spot.

Volunteers shouldn’t be expected to run new check-in system and defend its validity to parents because you didn’t communicate why the system is important. Similarly, volunteers shouldn’t be expected to continue running a program that isn’t going well and needs realignment because you don’t feel like making a tough call.

When you avoid your responsibilities, you are not protecting your volunteers’ time, energy, and effort.

When you fulfill your responsibilities your volunteers will take ownership.

 

What are other key provisions a leader can make for his/her volunteers to make their experiences better and their ministry more effective? 

6 Signs That You Need A Break From Serving

6 Signs That You Need A Break From Serving

Smart leaders understand that there will be a time where they will need to step back and take a break from their role. In the simplest form this is why our employers offer vacation time. They understand that we work better when we are refreshed.

The same applies to church volunteers.

Every now and again volunteers simply need a break from serving.

Unfortunately, most people will not take a break because they feel guilty that they are giving up their post in the church.

Now I will say deciding to take an indefinite break from serving in the church is unbiblical and sinful! You should not do that!

God gifted you uniquely to serve others so that they may glorify Jesus. I don’t think the majority of volunteers serving in church are looking to quit serving forever.

[Read: 16 Ministry Quotes That Will Encourage You To Keep Serving]

However, most volunteers are not looking for a way out, they are simply looking to catch their breath.

Think of this concept as a sabbatical from serving. Albeit this is a short sabbatical, but the principals hold true. Sabbaticals are meant to re-energize, re-focus, and renew leaders so they can jump back into ministry.

When our volunteers are spiritually refreshed our ministries are positively impacted.

Wondering if you need a mini-sabbatical from serving?

Here are 6 signs that you need a break from serving at church:

  1. You Are In A Spiritual Drought

Are you lacking in spiritual passion, growth, and excitement?

Trying to serve the church when you are spiritually dry means you’re trying to do God’s work in your power. This always leads to burnout.

  1. You Dread Attending Church

Do you dread attending your church?

Are you avoiding people when you walk in the door, hoping to make it to your group’s room unnoticed then slip out the back door when worship is over?

Whether there is a broken relationship, unconfessed sin, or burnout, dreading church attendance causes negative emotions towards God’s church and His people.

  1. You Are Convinced No One Can Do What You Do

In your mind, you are indispensable. Without you, the church would fall apart!

When you start thinking you are essential it causes an arrogant view of yourself and leads to a small view of Jesus.

Don’t forget, Jesus is the head of the church (not you) and He builds and sustains His church (once again, not you).

  1. You Are Serving In Too Many Ministries

When you are spread too thin, you will eventually fail at all of your responsibilities.

It might be time for you to stop focusing on every ministry the church has to offer and see how God has uniquely gifted you to serve in one or two ministries. When you narrow your focus you are able to invest more deeply.

  1. You Are More Concerned With The Process Than The People

When your focus shifts from ministering to the people to maintaining a program, you might need to take a break and ask God to give you a renewed vision and mission.

An easy tell is to ask the question, “Am I protecting the program or providing for people?”

  1. You Are Unwilling To Submit To The Church’s Leadership

If you are questioning every decision simply because you don’t want it done “their way” then it is time for you to take a step back from serving.

There is no room for pride in the local church.

Here is how to take a break

  • Communicate with Your Leadership that You Need a Break

A strong leader will understand and respect your decision and help make accommodations while you step back. Make sure that you stay in contact and set a definite time period for your rest.

  • Continue to Attend Worship

If you need a break from serving take one, but don’t take a break from church. You are created to worship. Skipping out on corporate worship and small groups will only contribute to your spiritual drought.

  • Dive Deep in Prayer

Prayer has a unique way of encouraging and correcting us. Resting in Jesus means we commune with Him.

  • Consider Your Talents and Giftedness

You might feel burned out because you were not serving in the correct area. Taking a break from serving will allow you to gain some clarity.

  • Return with a Renewed Spirit

When you are ready, hop back into serving the ministry. But before you get too deep, remember what contributed to your burnout and establish some boundaries on the front end.

Now What? 

Taking a strategic step back can set you up for some awesome ministry down the road.

So step back, take a couple week sabbatical, and prepare for God to use you for 40 more years in the local church.

 

Take a Ministry Field Trip

Take a Ministry Field Trip

Family ministry leaders are constantly sharing the bigger vision with their volunteers.

No matter how you communicate it, many volunteers seem to miss the point.

Before you question their commitment, heart for the ministry, or intentions, answer this question:

What is the best way to make your vision stick?

While I have trained our leaders in a variety of ways (guest facilitators, email trainings, online discussions, and the most boring way – meetings) the best way for your leaders to capture vision is to see that vision working firsthand.

Firsthand experience is the BEST way to make your vision stick.

Now you may be wondering, “How do I get my team to experience my vision firsthand?”

I’m sure you can come up with some creative ways for your team to see, smell, touch, and experience the vision for your ministry. Good for you, but I’m not that creative.

One of the most humbling realizations is that you do not have everything figured out! Especially in church ministry, there are plenty of people who are more creative, more organized, and more administrative than you are.

Why not channel in some of their expertise and extend it to your volunteers?

Here is the easiest way for your leaders to catch your vision:

Take leaders to see other ministry spaces and meet other thinkers.

Seriously. Pick a day on the calendar, load your volunteers into a church van, and visit a few area churches that are great at certain aspects of your vision. This works for preschool, kids, student, college, and camping ministries!

Here is how I facilitate a ministry field trip:

  1. Pick a Field Trip Day

I try to see when the majority of my leaders can attend. I know that I will never have 100% attendance (and we have nearly 100 volunteers which would make this impossible). I take those who can attend knowing their excitement will be contagious for the rest.

  1. Schedule 2-3 Churches

Call 2-3 churches that you know of and respect and see if they would give your team an hour and a half to visit with the family pastor and tour the facilities. Plan your route before hand and make sure you leave in time to travel between churches.

  1. Load Up the Van and GO!

Make a big deal about the trip. Remember, you are taking them on a journey to see your vision in action. Most of your church members have not visited another church in YEARS because they have been serving at your church.

  1. Meet with the Family Pastor

Allow the family pastor at the church you visit to share their vision, mission, and schedule with your team. Let them ask some questions. When they see your ideas are being utilized around the area to reach people for Jesus, they will be less defensive when you implement change.

  1. Tour the Facilities

Look in the classrooms, check out the worship center, take some promotional materials, and snap some pictures. You never know what ideas your team will come up with as you tour another facility.

  1. Eat Lunch Together

I use this time to laugh, hang out, and debrief. Remember, this might be the first church your volunteer has visited in 5 years! Get their thoughts and make sure to plant the ministry’s vision in their minds and heart.

  1. Send a “Thank You” Note to the Church

Express your appreciation and fill them in on the highlights of your field trip. Let them know how beneficial their hospitality is to the ministry of your church.

  1. Get to Work

What action items do you have from your field trip? Make sure you communicate with everyone (including those who were not able to attend) and strike while the iron is hot!

Now What? 

Have you taken any ministry field trips? How did it benefit your team?

 

How To Easily Setup An Announcement TV

How To Easily Setup An Announcement TV

With TVs being inexpensive, many businesses are opting to use them to scroll announcements. Bulletin boards are a thing of the past. Printed flyers are becoming obsolete.

Setting a TV up to scroll announcements is easier than you would think. Most companies are not big enough to have a tech department and are trying to save money by having someone on staff set up the system. And if you are under the age of 35 then “tech consultant” is typically added to your job description.

Last year our church installed 5 flat screen TVs that scrolled announcements in strategic locations around our building. This was a major jump from the bulletin and bulletin-board driven culture that we had.

After a ton of conversations and Googling, we found a simple way to install the TVs so that we can utilize them for scrolling announcements.

What you will need

Here is how to set up an announcement TV

  1. Pick a High-Traffic Area
    • If you are going to spend money on a new announcement system, make sure it is located in a high traffic area. For  a church this would be your welcome center, front entrance, nursery, kids ministry area, and student ministry area.
  2. Ensure Your Wifi Connection Is Strong
    • Once you have picked your area, make sure that you have a strong enough wifi connection for that area. If your internet connection is weak you will need to run an additional hotspot to get a strong connection where you want to mount the TV. No internet = no announcements.
  3. Secure the TV Mount To The Wall
    • When you are ready to mount your TV first figure out the height of your screen. Too high and it will be hard to read by people as they pass. Too low and you will constantly be clearing finger prints off of the screen.
    • Once you secure the wall mount I suggest installing a receptacle directly behind the TV so power cables will be hidden from view. The area will look better and people will not accidentally unplug the cords.
    • If this can’t be done, then there are some cable hiders online.
    • Reminder: The power cord to the Apple TV isn’t long, so make sure the receptacle is close enough to plug it in.
  4. Attach Apple TV
    • Once you take the Apple TV out of the box use some Command velcro strips to stick the Apple TV to the back of the TV.
    • Use wire ties to tie up the power and HDMI cables to keep them from hanging down.  How To Easily Set Up An Announcement TV - Apple TV Front | Ministry BubbleHow To Easily Set Up An Announcement TV - Apple TV | Ministry BubbleHow To Easily Set Up An Announcement TV - 2| Ministry Bubble
  5. Setup Apple TV
    • Use the remote to set up your Apple TV. Tutorial here.
    • Set your Apple TV up using a secured wifi network. If your Apple TV is on a guest account, anyone can access the Apple TV.
  6. Setup Flickr Account
    • Flickr is an online photo album that will enable your team to upload and manage pictures and photo albums.
    • Your announcements will simply be slides (JPEG) that you can create in your favorite design program and upload into Flickr.
    • My suggestions is that you create an album for each TV so you are able to control which pictures show for different demographics (i.e. kids area, welcome center, front entrance). How To Easily Set Up An Announcement TV - Flickr Albums| Ministry Bubble
  7. Connect Apple TV to Flickr Account
    • Now that you have Apple TV setup and a Flickr account, you will need to open the Flickr App on the Apple TV.
    • The screen will display a set code that you will need to type into your Flickr account.
    • Simply go to the link (www.flickr.com/appletv) and input the code.
  8. Run Slideshow From An Album
    • Congrats, you are connected!
    • Using the Apple TV remote, click “albums” and then “start slideshow”
    • The slideshow will give you the option to pick a variety of transitions. Remember, less is better. A simple fade to the next slide is sufficient.How To Easily Set Up An Announcement TV - Finished | Ministry Bubble

 

Do you have another way of setting up announcement TVs?

 

 

8 Awesome Tips For Leading Games

8 Awesome Tips For Leading Games

Is there anything better than playing games?

Games are an integral part of any ministry. Kids love running their energy out and students enjoy non-threatening moments to be goofy. If done well, games can bring Bible lessons to life and add an experiential element that most Bible studies lack.

While everyone plays games, there is definitely an art to lead effective games. Trust me, if the leader is not a strong communicator, fun, and willing to be crazy, the students and kids will not participate. Great game leaders are prepared to lead once the kids arrive.

I don’t claim to be an expert by any means, but below are some tips I have picked up over the 10 years I was involved in camping/retreat ministry. By the way, these tips work for kid and student ministry. I use the word “kid” just to make the read easier.

8 Awesome Tips For Leading Games

Safety First

If all your kids end up in the hospital, no one gets to have fun. You go from having fun to sitting beside a sit old man in the ER who won’t stop coughing on you. But seriously, if a kid get hurt because of an oversight on your part, the parent will not let the kid come back. That means you have lost opportunities to share Jesus with that family. Safety is the most important aspect of game facilitation. Never play a game that will sacrifice safety.

Always “Look In” On a Game

Look at all games as if you were a parent/teacher/principal. “Head-lock Tag” might be fun, but it looks like all the kids are being bullied. (NEVER play “Head-lock Tag”) If the game looks like kids are ganging up on a few kids, odds are a parent might get upset. Best thing to do is to step back and ask, “What would a parent think if they walked in right now?”

Never Play the Same Game Twice

Keep variety in your planning.  Make sure the game is a positive spot in their mind, not the reoccurring norm. If you need some ideas, funninja.org is awesome.

Don’t Use Tons of  “Out” Games

The more games that you play were kids get “out” means the more kids you have standing around with nothing to do but get in trouble. Try to involve as many kids as you can as long as you can.

Be Creative

Relate games to your theme. Change up the supplies needed to bring a theme alive in the games.

Participate, Participate, Participate

If you don’t think the game is fun or worth while, why would the kids?

Practice Leading the Game

Make sure your volunteers know the rules/explanation of the game before kids arrive.  That way you can ensure directions are clear and concise for everyone. “Without clear game instructions, the children perish.” I’m pretty sure that is in the Bible somewhere.

Excitement/Energy/Enthusiasm

They are all contagious! At the very least, you should enjoy yourself. If YOU are having fun, I promise that the kids will enjoy themselves.

Now What?

What are some other tips you have for leading awesome games?

 

Pin It on Pinterest