A day in the life of...Mark Williams

You Can't Delegate Your Prayer Life

There are lots of things that can be delegated when you are in leadership.  It is a must if all of the work is to be done.  Delegation can be very positive.  It empowers people to put "their touch" on something.  It gives people ownership of a task, event, project, etc.  It allows more people to be involved, rather than one person doing everything.  In ministry, delegation empowers volunteers to "buy in", to invest in the ministry and work of the kingdom.  

One thing that can't be delegated:  Your Prayer Life.  I have a Personal relationship with Jesus.  It isn't someone else's relationship.  It's the one I have with Jesus.  Yes, other people have a relationship with Jesus.  But mine isn't theirs.  And theirs isn't mine.  I spend time in prayer because I have a desire to grow the relationship I have with Jesus.  Delegation doesn't apply here.  Never has.  Never will.  I encourage you as you lead in what you do, remember that you can't delegate your prayer life.  

Orange Conference 2010 #2 Jim Wideman part 1

I attended two breakouts by Jim Wideman, well-known children's minister who now lives just outside of Nashville, TN.  Jim is absolutely brilliant.  Here are my notes from the first breakout, on "Leading in Seasons of Change".

--Change is one of the most important keys of knowing God.
--One change leads to the next place.
--There is no growth without change.
--Choose to be flexible.
--Be positive.  Stay in the Word.

Whatever changes you lead, people will put back naturally if you don't focus them.  (I thought this statement was great!!)

--When the reason "why" change isn't communicated, people resist change.

REASONS WHY PEOPLE RESIST CHANGE

1. When change isn't self-initiated.
2. Our routine is disrupted. 
3. Fear of the Unknown.
4. The purpose of the change is unclear.
5. Change creates fear of failure.
6. People are too satisfied with the way things are.
7. Change requires an additional commitment.  "Whatever it takes" resists not changing.
8. Tradition resists change.
9. Pride resists change.
10. Our "want to" and "excitement" can't change.

It is up to us to create an environment that encourages change. 

FEAR is FAITH in REVERSE.

God leads us in steps.
Our God is more than able to help us succeed.

Jim Wideman on Encouragement

1. Seek God for your plan now.
2. Evaluate constantly.
3. Make personal changes before asking others to change.
4. Good leaders understand the history of an organization.
5. How are others doing what you're doing?
6. Brainstorm with trusted allies.
7. Develop a gameplan that will assist change.
8. Explain the change to others.
9. Talk up the benefits.
10. Remember, there are people counting on you in the future to make change happen. 

Orange Conference 2010 #1 Nancy Ortberg notes

I thought I'd jump back into blogging by posting some of my notes from the Orange Conference 2010, that was held April 28-30th.  The main sessions were great!!  My breakout sessions with Jim Wideman were amazing as well.  I got to connect with some really great people who "Think Orange".  Below are my notes from Nancy Ortberg's message.  She did a great job talking about working on a "team". 

• It's beneficial to be on a great team.
• We like to work "with" people instead of "under" people.
• Call the best out of people.
• Know who you're working with.
• Always debrief.
• Care about the people on your team.
• What is the condition of my team?

1.  Give people OPPORTUNITIES.
    --in their giftedness
    --Collaborate and give vision

2.  Give people CHALLENGES
    --Stretch and grow.

3.  Give an ENVIRONMENT OF RELATIONSHIPS.

What I'm reading, listening to...

Over the past few weeks, I have been reading more and more it seems.  Here are a few things that I have read or am currently reading:

If God Were Real by John Avant.  A no-holds barred look at what Christianity has become....and it's NOT good. 

Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  An absolute must-read.  We'll be going through this book for DT during Jan.-March.  

My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers.  I've never done a year straight in this.  Not sure I will this time.  I pick it up and it challenges the heck outta me!!  Love this.  Read it online HERE.

Stuff I've been listening to lately.

Hope Rising album by Fee.  He's probably my favorite worship leader.  

Church Music by David Crowder Band. 

I agree

Here is an EXCELLENT POST by Carey Niewhof, pastor of Connexus church in Canada.  He talks about the hardest thing he does....and I agree with him!!

CLICK HERE FOR POST.

Keys to starting a movement

This came from the blog "Ragamuffin Soul".  Excellent stuff on starting a movement.

His observations:

A few things I think we can learn from this video.
A few things I think we can learn from this video.
1. One man can start a movement.
2. A movement need not be started by the most skilled member of the movement.
3. When beginning your movement and you look around and no one else is joining the dance, just keep dancing.
4. When the one guy who joins your movement slowly fades away, keep going.
5. Before you know it, the people joining your movement won’t even know you started it.
6. When your movement takes a life of it’s own, just let go. There will be no stopping it.
7. The very people who are staring at you like your nuts as you movement alone, will be the very same people dancing the hardest in the end.

My observations:

The importance of the first few people of the movement is crucial.

The longer the movement goes, the less crucial the first few people become. 

Once the movement starts, it's almost impossible to stop.  Make sure you're starting the right movement.

Some people just like to dance.  We just need to give them the opportunity to do it!!

What are some of your thoughts?

Moving to the Launch Pad

    I enjoy watching the space shuttle take off.  The sheer amount of thrust and power that it takes to lift that massive spacecraft off the ground is amazing.  And straight up at that.  It is also amazing to me that people in Mississippi are the ones doing a lot of that work!!  Great job for them!! 
    But before the space shuttle takes off, and all the excitement begins...something else has to happen.  Everything has to be prepared away from the launch pad.  System tests, inspections, instrument readings must be perfect or within a certain % of some "number" they are looking for.  There are countless numbers of protocol operations that HAVE to happen in order for the crew of 7-10 astronauts to experience going into space.  We don't see those things happening.  We don't see all of the people working SO hard behind the scenes with meticulous numbers and data to ensure that the mission is a success. 
    However, those people and their jobs are VITAL to the mission.  This is how it is when we are working on a big project, event, or experience.  Right now, I have two of those.  One is getting our new S.S. year kicked off with all people in place.  It's important that our mission of discipling others is as good as we can make it.  We look at dynamics of classes, sizes, teacher personalities and how that will fit with certain classes.  We analyze our space and see where we can be more efficient, and reach more people.  We are constantly evaluating what we are doing, if there is a problem, and what needs to be done about it.  That's how we are moving to the "Launch Pad" for our new S.S. year. 

    Another "mission" that I am leading with my wife is M4 Camps 2009.  We are a week and a half from launch.  It is crunch time.  It's the time where we are checking everything.  Practices have been going on.  Logistics for rooms, meals, worship, worship elements, worship leaders, speakers, staff, churches, and the list goes on.  I've got to tell you that the anticipation for the "launch" is high.  At the same time, we are excited, nervous, and a little on edge.  We want everything to be perfect for liftoff. 
    The launch and mission is the exciting part.  But there is so much more that goes into the actual journey.  It's just nice to know that when you are on that journey, someone was taking the time to make sure everything was "All Systems Go"!!

Statements I like to hear

I got this from another blog I read.  Statements I like to hear:

If you want to win my heart, start a sentence with the following words. You’ll have my full attention:

1. What if we …
2. No one has ever tried something like this …
3. Here’s something that will make us more effective …
4. blah, blah, blah, FREE, blah, blah
5. I had this idea …
6. It doesn’t seem possible, but …
7. I’ve been praying about this a ton …
8. I know this might sound crazy …
9. I think God might be leading us to …
10. I’d like to take you out to lunch …

Church....a marketing problem or an idea problem

This blog post spurs a great question.

Click here

What does a fired basketball coach and a pastor have in common?

I found this blog post VERY interesting. 

Click here to read. 

Ohhhhhh....the expectations of a staff member or pastor.