Feedback is Your Friend

In any professional setting, even ministry, maintaining open communication with your boss is not just a good practice; it’s essential for personal growth, team success, and organizational effectiveness. Working in a church is no different. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your ministry career, understanding the importance of transparent dialogue with your lead pastor can significantly impact your career trajectory and overall job satisfaction. Few things can sap your joy more than not getting along with “the boss.” So let me suggest some ideas for working on that relationship. Importance of Open Communication: Clarity and Alignment: Open communication ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding expectations, goals, and priorities. When you regularly discuss tasks, projects, and objectives with your boss, you minimize misunderstandings and promote alignment within the team. Problem Solving: Effective communication allows you to address issues as they arise. Whether it’s a logistical challenge, a disagreement with a colleague, or a misunderstanding about a project, having an open line of communication with your boss enables you to seek guidance, brainstorm solutions, and prevent minor issues from escalating. Feedback and Growth: Perhaps the most crucial aspect of open communication is its role in facilitating feedback.…

Continue reading

Fostering Camaraderie: Building Friendships in Church Volunteer Teams

In any community endeavor, the strength of the team often determines its success. This rings particularly true in the context of church volunteer settings, where individuals come together driven by a shared purpose. However, beyond mere cooperation, cultivating camaraderie among team members is crucial. Camaraderie not only enhances productivity and efficiency but also fosters a sense of belonging and support, ultimately enriching the volunteering experience. Let’s delve into the significance of building camaraderie within church volunteer teams and explore practical strategies to transform teammates into genuine friendships. What is Camaraderie? Camaraderie is the intangible bond that forms among individuals bound by shared experiences, mutual respect, and a sense of belonging. It thrives in environments where collaboration, empathy, and support are valued. It is manifested through laughter shared in moments of joy, shoulders leaned on during times of difficulty, and a collective pursuit of common goals. Camaraderie transcends superficial interactions, weaving a tapestry of trust and friendship that strengthens interpersonal relationships and fosters a sense of unity within groups. It is the foundation upon which teams are built, communities flourish, and lasting friendships are forged, serving as a source of encouragement and solidarity in both triumph and adversity. Why is Camaraderie…

Continue reading

A Lesson without a Story is an Incomplete Lesson.

In Bible College I learned that the theological definition of faith is ‘active belief’. This means that to believe something is not enough; you must act on that belief in order for that belief to be transformed into faith. Therefore, if you want to put your faith in Jesus, you can’t just believe in Jesus, you need to act on that belief by putting your faith in Him. That active belief becomes faith. I could now go on with various biblical references to unpack this concept from James, John, and the Apostle Paul, but instead – let me shift to another way of explaining faith. In Sunday School, as a young boy, my teacher told me a story about a young girl whose bedroom was on the second floor. In the middle of the night, she was awakened by the smell of smoke followed almost immediately by the sounds of sirens out in the street. As her dad had taught her, she felt the door and, noticing it felt warm, she knew not to open it. She went to her window and opened it instead. As the cold night air rushed in, she heard the firemen below instructing her to…

Continue reading

Always Bring Your A-GAME!

Always Bring Your A-Game! One cannot over-emphasize the eternal impact and importance of your weekly investment into the lives of the children God has entrusted to you. It is during these formative years that children make decisions that will shape the direction of the rest of their lives. They need your best! Too often we compare ourselves to others and wish we were better – or get discouraged by what we can’t do. God makes no such comparisons. He asks only that we do our best and be our best. I call it bringing our A-Game each and every week, regardless of ministry size, number of kids, or what challenges we face. God sees that dedication and faithfulness and I believe He honors and rewards it with results in changed lives. Here is a checklist to help you bring your A-Game to your classroom! Appearance. First impressions make an impact! What do kids think when they see you? From our outfit to our smile – we need to be attractive to kids. Fun hats, playful jewelry, costumes, and most of all, a big smile will communicate to kids instantly that they are going to enjoy learning from you. If you…

Continue reading

Unlock Learning with Intentional Questions

The Quest for Quality Questions! The story goes that a student once asked his wise old mentor, “Why is it that every time I ask you a question, you respond with a question of your own?” to which the teacher responded, “Why do you think I do that?” Obviously, the teacher understood the power of questions. Questions are the key that unlock answers and unravel the mysteries of our world. Children love questions! At the earliest age, “Why?” seems to become one of their favorite words! I remember when my young son would play a verbal game with me by asking “Why” after every answer I would give to see how far I was willing to go before I figured out I was just being played. A popular magazine has as its tag line, “Enquiring minds want to know.” This would be a perfect tag line for children! A wise teacher doesn’t ask questions off the cuff – they intentionally plan them in advance! Here are some Quick Tips on how to use questions to engage children in learning to use questions. Then I’ll go deeper on how to ask questions that truly change lives. Ask questions that are more…

Continue reading

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...