The heart of a healthy staff culture #OC12

How do we develop a healthy culture inside our staff and volunteer culture? We ask that question often if we lead any size team. We read books about it, we lead training to encourage it, and we find ourself frustrated when people don't get it. This morning Andy Stanley helped us process the root question to ask when you want to learn how to play well together inside our leadership environments. That question is...HOW CAN I HELP YOU? Check out these notes from the session this morning...

You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:41-45 ESV)

Healthy and productive staff cultures are characterized by mutual submission.

The question mutual submission asks is HOW CAN I HELP?
How can I leverage my influence for you?

The struggle comes with this idea is when pastors and leaders feel like the anointing in a leadership role demands special treatment. We are all servants. Look at what Jesus said, event he came to serve others. The annointed one means you are the best servant. The new testament talks about the church being a body not a corporation with a CEO.

1. Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone. // Do not allow the pressure to be "fair" stop you from helping people. Be engaged and take action. Being fair will keep you from serving anyone.

2. Systemize top down service. // Figure out how we can make service happen all year long. Place service into your calendar.

3. Create and maintain a sustainable pace. // The reason many of us don't help others is we do not have time.

4. Celebrate and reward mutual submission. // Who helps you go further faster? Share that answer!
What is rewarded is repeated.

5. Confront your ego. // If this is all about you tell people. We know it's not but sometimes we lead like it.

6. Drop the term loyalty from your vocabulary. // When we demand loyalty we have a loyalty problem.

The starting post for creating a culture of mutual submission is...HOW CAN I HELP?

Do you really empower teens?

What can a teen do? Just about anything if they have people around them who believe in them. Teens can accomplish so much and student ministries and the church are in the perfect place to help teens make an incredible difference in this world. Why is that? We already believe in teens! A month ago a group of teens in our student ministry had an idea to host a Karaoke / Dance event to raise money and awareness for cancer research. They pulled the event off, raised 1,000 dollars for research, and helped 4 schools unite behind a cause and all because of an idea and a desire to do something that matters. They were able to pull it off because a few adults who believe in teens (youth ministry leaders, educators, and parents) decided to believe in their idea. Empowering a teen means we get behind them. We empower teens when we give opportunities but also when we push their ideas and help make them a reality. We empower when we lead them to significant leadership roles but also allow them to lead us to creative ideas. When a group of teens have a idea here is what we try to do...

• Push them to make the idea a reality (they do the work) >> Adults really empower teens when we push them to do the hard work. We do not help teens when we shortcut the process and do the work for them. Making any idea reality takes hard work and when teens have the idea they need and want to do the work.
• Support them with resources we have >> This is different for every idea a teen might have. We do try to help with what resources we have.
• Help them to focus >> Many times teens need help cutting out what might be good so they can accomplish what will be great. Help them to say no to some ideas so they can focus.
• Be a voice of wisdom >> We can help teens avoid problems. As adults we can look out for problems and help teens address the before they become a reality.
• Spread the word >> We always try to leverage our social media tools for student led events and causes. We also try to find creative ways to let adults know about events in our church family. Parents and other adults love seeing teens do things that make a difference.

Are your teens missed at church?

Are your teens missed at church when you go away for a retreat or camp? The answer to that question reveals how integrated the teens are in your church culture. The honest truth is that for most churches the rest of the church doesn't notices when the teens are gone...some people may even be glad that group of kids that sit together on Sunday is not there because we know many times teens intimidate adults. A few weeks ago we took our small group leaders and teens to a retreat and we missed a Sunday morning. Those teens were missed. Why? Because most of those teens serve somewhere in our church culture. Because those teens actually go to the worship service and worship with their families and friends on Sunday. Because they bring energy to our church week in and week out. We missed them because they are a part of our church family...they belong in the church...they make an impact in the church. For all of us who lead student ministries we need to be honest and ask ourselves how we are helping the teens we lead connect to the church, serve in the church, find a place to belong at church. I know this is a difficult idea but maybe the reasons teens do not see the need for an inter-generational church is that as a teen they never connect with that church. How do we do this...here are just a few ideas that may help bridge the gap.

• Let teens see you connect with the church. // you need to be worshiping with your church on Sundays (if you are not leading a Sunday morning environment). We can set the tone by supporting the church not just our ministry.
• Empower teens to serve on Sundays. // when teens find a place to serve at church many times they find a place to belong. If you do Sunday morning environments for teens then challenge them to attend and then serve.
• Communicate what your student ministry is doing with your church. // keep adults in the loop of what God is doing in the student ministry you lead. Build a culture of sharing the good things God is doing. People love to hear an celebrate good news.
• Connect efforts of the church and student ministry together. // find ways to connect baptisms, mission projects, church wide strategy together with your student ministry.
• Welcome your senior pastor and other staff into your student environment. // let your senior pastor speak one week or just hang out for the night, ask staff to visit and help you evaluate your environment, keep staff in the loop of your vision. Connect the world of the church and your ministry!

Helping families SERVE TOGETHER

This past week we got to see over 1,200 volunteers serve our city in an event we call Operation Serve. We had parents, kids, teens, college students, senior adults, and even high school sports teams come out and serve together for one day and work to make a difference in our community. One of my favorite parts of the days is getting to watch teens and kids serve with their parents. Some work on the same project. Other families divide up and serve at several projects. No matter where they serve, at the end of the day the entire family has worked together to do significant things. When I talk about family ministry this is what I am talking about. Family ministry is nothing more than creating opportunities where the the influence of church and home unite. When parents and teens serve together good things happen. Here are a few reasons why I think creating serve opportunities for families is important.

• Memories are made when families serve together. > It's so incredible to hear families share stories after they serve together. Some are funny and some are intense but when families make memories around a serve opportunity those memories stick!
• Spiritual growth happens when families serve together. > This is a fact and we see it year after year. People grow in their faith when they serve. The same truth applies to families. Serving leads to growth.
• Families find a place to "belong" when they serve. > When families serve together they discover that their family can accomplish significant things together. That truth links families to your church like nothing else.
• Families influence each other when they serve together. > When we see teens and kids serve it is inspiring. When our kids see us serve they are proud and they see a different side of us. Serving together provides a new arena of influence for our families!
• After mission experiences families will look to serve together every week in your church. > Every week we see families serve together in different ministries at our church. Many times that started with serve events like Op Serve. Why make families wait, let them serve every Sunday!

TEAM (who will be on your next mission team?)

We decided several years ago that we would be very intentional with who we asked to join youth mission teams. Our goal is simple...we want a team that is going to work together with one single goal of serving others. The people you select have a direct impact on how much you accomplish in the lives of others and how much God can shape the lives of your team. The level of life change increases when you have the right team in place. When we build a team for a mission trip this is who we are looking for...

• Leaders who will lead and serve // Your team leaders set the tone for everything that happens on a student ministry mission trip. You may be an amazing student pastor but if you have distracting adult leaders your team will have a hard time being effective. Make sure you bring the right leaders so you can make the greatest impact in the life of other teens and the people you are serving.
• Teens who get it // It is important to have teens on a mission trip who are already serving in your student ministry, city, and church. Teens that have a heart to make a difference will show it all year round. Make sure you have plenty of these leaders on the team.
• Teens in process // Look around and find teens you see God working in and are ready for another step forward. It is so amazing to watch teens "get it" while serving others. God can work in powerful ways while on a mission trip. Serving opens up people like nothing else.
• People who are flexible // This is big. Make sure you bring people who will be flexible and adapt to changing circumstances. I have never led a mission trip that went according to plan. Make sure you take people who will follow your lead when circumstances change.

STRATEGY (what is the plan for your mission trip)

If you are going to lead a team on a mission trip then your strategy will determine much of the success of your team. When I talk about strategy and missions I am simply asking what are you going to do and how are your going to do it. Having the right plan for your team can help you make a real impact. Having the wrong plan and make a trip miserable. Our strategy for mission work revolves around kids because we are a church that is focused on reaching kids. We have tons of teens who serve children every week. The bridge for us has been natural to connect missions and working with kids. The three factors that will shape your strategy on a trip are...

1. What is my church passionate about? Many times the heart of your church will shape how you develop your mission trip strategy. Like I said, Grace Community is passionate about working with kids and parents and that desire shapes what we do on mission trips. We believe if you change the life of a kid you shape the future of a family.
2. What skills do my leaders have? The skills of your team will help you decide your mission trip strategy. Your leaders need to be doing things they really enjoy. Is it construction? Is it youth ministry? Is it evangelism? Is it working with the homeless? Make sure your team is passionate about your plan!
3. What are my teens doing during the rest of the year? If you lead student ministry then you need to check out what your teens are involved in the rest of the year. Our teens work with kids...they do great working with kids on mission trip. Check into what your teens are good at and build your plan around the gifting of your teens.

LOCATION (why we've committed to a city for our mission work)

Location, location location. If there are any factors that shapes a mission experience the location and culture have to be at the top that list. When you are thinking about the right mission experience for the ministry you lead, location is a big deal. Location shapes what you will be doing. Location determines who you need to take with you. Location determines your budget. Our team has decided that when it comes to location we want to find a city and make a long term commitment. We want to make an impact in a community and a church. We want to be part of the solution but just a group of tourists doing good deeds. We choose the city of New Orleans four years ago and we are excited about year five in 2012. Why did we choose a city and stay focused?

• passion //  God simply gave us a passion for New Orleans and as we have served in the city our passion has grown stronger. We know God will make it clear we are to move on when we loose our passion.
• relationships // The more we serve one city the stronger our relationship base grows. We have a strong relationship with several churches. Parents in our target neighborhoods trust us. We see many of the same kids every year and get to invest in them. Staying in one city for several years helps create relationships of significance.
• consistency // training, strategy, improvements...when we serve in one city we have consistency for our team. There is no greater help in a stressful week than to have a general consistent flow for the team.
• growth // when we commit to a city we get the chance to see growth in the lives of people...in the church...in our team. We also get to try new things because we have a stable platform.

SHOCK (what happens when we take teens on mission trips)

Shock...I really like using that word when talking about what happens when we create mission opportunities for teenagers because that is what happens. When we expose teens to other cities, countries, and people groups we help them experience a side of life they may have never seen. Poverty is shocking. Injustice is destructive. Lack of love is tragic. Hopelessness is draining. These words are a reality for many people living in our world. They exist even if we have never experienced them. When we gather a group or teenagers and leaders and go away to do nothing but serve we expose them to needed shock. Mission experiences...

• Help teens see that much of the world is broken and that they have a part to play in making it better.
• Give teens a glimpse of the impact their life can make on others.
• Provide a basis for generosity in the heart of a teen.
• Develop needed leadership skills.
• Help teens share the message of Christ.
• Place teens in a place where they have to trust God or fail...there are no places to hide on a mission trip.
• Direct teens to the very heart of the God they serve. Many teens have no idea what serving the poor is about or what their role is in God's plan to rescue the hurting in our world.

Shock can be a good thing and every student ministry needs an element of it in order to help teens embrace our call to serve the world. I hope this year you will make sure you make helping teens serve in your city...one a mission trip...in your church...in their schools a priority. Teens are ready to serve now so stop asking them to wait.

Tornado Tithe Challenge // Sunday at Grace Community Church

This past week we watched storms and flooding destroy many communities in the Southeast. We watched as families and business owners lost everything due to tornadoes. The past few days many of us on the Grace Community staff have been in contact with leaders on the ground in Alabama asking how we can help? This Sunday we want to take action and do something to help families with no insurance begin to pick up the pieces. We are uniting with other churches (right now over a 100, we hope that climbs to close to 1,000) to give 10% of all money given Sunday at GCC to help tornado victims in the Southeast. The local church on the ground will use these funds to reach out and help families. This Sunday if you give, 10% of every dollar is going to make a difference. As you give Sunday you are partnering with churches all across America to make a difference. We pray you will join us in taking action...pity is not enough, action is needed. Our partner churches have let us know that have plenty of volunteers right now. The greatest need right now is for funding to help the poorest in these communities. Join the movement and pray about what you can give Sunday.

If you lead at another church will you pray about joining us in this offering? Check out this website to see the details of what is going to happen with this offering. Let's make a difference this week.

My day with Operation Serve [School Edition]

Had the chance to work with a camera crew from The Orange Conference to capture the story of Operation Serve School Edition today. In the end 900 volunteers served 35 school in our community. Just a great reminder that when we partner with people in the community we can make a difference in the public schools in our community. It was amazing to see the church and school system partner. It was incredible to watch parents, children, and teens work together to help schools in our city. Here are a few pictures from this morning as we saw people prep for their day and our team captured the story of Op Serve School Edition from different leaders...THIS WAS AN AMAZING DAY!

be the SOLUTION

During my break off the blog this past week our city experienced the worst flood since 1975...I was not even born in 1975 just so you don't think I saw that flood. It is hard to put into words what it is like to watch your friends suffer from a disaster that can't be planned for or diverted. When you experience a flood all you can do is watch the power of nature take control of homes, parks, roads, and businesses. There is nothing you can do but watch. Just 35 miles down the road our friends in Nashville felt the same furry only on a larger scale. The damage is staggering. Now the question is how will we respond? My hope is that we can step into the pain and help be the solution. I pray that with every volunteer giving time we can bring a little hope. This will be a long process of helping folks get back on their feet. I pray that we will be present for the long haul. I am already blown away by the gnerosity of people in our city. I am proud to live in Clarksville. If you want to keep up with urgent needs in our city in the coming weeks go to www.gcomchurch.com and check out what is happening. Go ahead...step up...be the solution.

Extreme Makeover / Home Edition coming back to Clarksville, TN

ABC's television show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is returning to the Montgomery County area to film another show this month! Grace Community Church has been asked to supply volunteers to help run the VIP tent on the construction site. The tentative dates are October 18th through October 24th. We are asking people to sign up in 2 hour blocks. Dates and times are subject to change and we cannot guarantee slots. According to the production company's rules, you must be 18 years old or older to participate. The family and location details have not been announced. If you would like to participate, please fill out this form as soon as possible. Slots will fill up fast! Volunteers will be taken on a first come-first serve basis.

Hope lots of you in our area will take some time to be a part of this project. Remember this is about stepping into someones story and helping to bring change. This is not about being on TV, it is about helping a family who has been through hard things in life. This is not about meeting people on TV, it is about working together as a community to help a family. I am excited that once again we get to work with people in our city to serve others. MOVE THAT BUS, lets do this!

HELP, someone did not show up!!!!!

Maybe this is a student ministry phenomenon but so many of us get caught in the...WHO WAS NOT HERE mindset of ministry. It is almost like at every event, gathering, retreat our minds move right past all of people who chose to come and dwell on all the folks missing. Should we check on folks who miss? Sure! Should it consume us with worry? No! I think it comes back to our thinking that our ministry, our plans, our events are the most important things, the only thing that does and should matter. Sounds harsh but you know it is true. We so often think, how could those people who missed, miss, what is so important? Well, they do miss and they will miss and at some point we have serve who is in the room. Why should we miss what God is doing right around us and worry about people who are not even there. In 2009 I am having to come to terms with the fact that at every event, every camp, and every weekly gathering teens are going to have other stuff going on in their lives and they are going to miss what is going on. I hate they will miss it, I want them to experience what is going on, but I am not really in control am I. I think we should all say that together. WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL. I am called to serve people not to control their schedules. Just a thought...serve who is there, encourage those who miss (the stuff we have planned), and drink a diet dew. I really like the dew part!