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Protecting Your Ministry From Brand Damage
Friday, July 9th, 2010
A Ministry Lesson from the 4th Fireworks Celebration
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
I spent my Independence Day in my hometown of Savannah, GA with my extended family. Wow, it really was amazing. While I had spent time with these same people I had known all my life, something seemed apparent that this gathering was different from all those previous. This year as we gathered together for the purpose of having fun and visiting with one another, we were all decked out in our matching family reunion style t-shirts. Was that some of the excitement I was feeling, that we were calling it a “Family Reunion”, hence the matching t-shirts. This year was also different because we decided to get into the mix of things. Previous years we had just enjoyed the fireworks from our strategic vantage point at our home, avoiding the traffic, jaywalkers and crowds of families all making their way to an up- close and personal firework experience. Was this change in venue cause for my excitement? This year we planned as our culminating event – a group trip to River Street in downtown Savannah, to enjoy the fireworks. Even the excursion itself was exciting. Yes there was the anticipated bumper to bumper traffic, hordes of jaywalkers, and multitudes of families all headed to witness a series of colorful loud mid-air gunpowder triggered explosions. In the midst of all of this my heart was racing; and I was just as giddy as my “3 almost 4 year old” nephew, as he would readily tell anyone brave enough to ask his age. Again I wondered why after years of witnessing fireworks and years of experiencing my family, why am I just as excited as ever; and perhaps even more so? I mean I have been to downtown Savannah before, seen fireworks before and spent time with my family before. Did I perhaps expect some new dazzling firework display? And then it hit me! My excitement wasn’t because it was my first experience. My excitement was a contagion I had contracted from those amongst us who “were” experiencing all this for the first time! I was so excited because excitement is contagious and I had caught it! Although I wasn’t new to the experience, there were several among us who were. My cousins immediate families had expanded over the years as had mine. And I found myself caught up in the wonder that they were about to experience. Newcomers have that affect. Newcomers can make the routine and mundane as exciting and explosive as a Fourth of July celebration, simply because they’ve never seen it or heard it before. The excitement of a newcomer is contagious. Could this be an answer for those finding their ministry or business in a rut? Consider inviting someone new into your organization. Newcomers can make the familiar and routine, exciting and new!
Soar don’t settle
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
I hope you got a chance to enjoy some BBQ, baked beans, just plain, good ole fashion grillin’ as my uncle would say. Memorial Day, traditionally, marks the beginning of a season of family fun in the sun: beaches, vacations, time with family and friends.
While for many this time of year commences an influx of road trips, summer camps, and much needed family get-a-ways, for most churches it often represents a season of stark decline. Decreased attendance, sporadic giving and lack of participation in church activities are on an all-time rise now that summer is almost here.
It doesn’t have to be this way! Your ministry CAN have different results. How? It’s simple. Change the game! Here are 5 game changing ways to soar into this summer season:
- Take stock – Evaluate what’s going on in your church or ministry today. What is the current participation level? What’s the mood of your current parishioners? Are you seeing consistent number of visitors? Before you look to “change the game” you need to assess what you are already doing.
- Include everyone – Ask, seek, knock. You can find out a lot about people if you take time to talk to them. What exactly are the summer plans of your current members? What does your ministry offer during the summer months that are of interest and relevance to your current audience?
- Be proactive – You know summer is quickly approaching; actually it comes every year around this same time. Why sit back and wait for things to decrease and decline? Launch out! Begin seeking ways NOW to engage your current audience and attract new people BEFORE you get deep into the summer months.
- Take Action – Once you have heard back from your loyal, local church members, – take action. If necessary, change things, do something different, use what you learn from your members to make your church the place to be this summer.
- Have FUN! – Did you know that “summer” is defined as a period of greatest happiness, success, or fulfillment? Does what you offer in the form of activities, programs, and ministry contribute to one’s happiness? Do your ministry’s programs or activities include a strong “fun-factor”? If, not do something different! If happiness is the order of the day, be sure to include it in your ministry efforts.
Summer is swiftly approaching, what will you do differently? Will your ministry soar or will it settle?
A Life of Sacrifice
Monday, May 31st, 2010Happy Memorial Day!
It takes a brave man or woman to sacrifice their life for that of someone else. Even if it i
s someone you know, love, and trust. OK, be honest, would you without hesitation, willingly throw yourself in front of a moving train for your old nagging auntie? What about your cousin who always wants to borrow $20? Now imagine, giving up your life for a complete stranger? Or someone that openly disrespects you, your profession and your beliefs? Well, that’s what our soldiers do each time they engage in combat for our freedoms and liberties. They put their lives on the line for our rights. Today as you enjoy your time with family, friends, or just sheer relaxation take a moment and thank God for our soldiers.
Selection Sunday: Will you make the cut?
Sunday, March 14th, 2010
March Madness is HERE! And guess what??? Everybody knows it! Raving fans, die-hard sports jocks, former athletes and wanna-be superstars have all resurfaced for this must-see sports event. At the grocery store, in the mall, on the way to church…seems like the air is full of this phenomenon. People have really gone “mad” about college basketball.
And I am no different! I absolutely LOVE this time of year! Between-the-legs…pump fake…SLAM! Yep, my adrenaline starts flowing just thinking about the thrill of the Cinderella comeback stories and the last second buzzer beaters. March Madness stirs the heart and soul of all the real “B-ball” players. Ok, and the fake ones too! LOL! It’s the one time of year where the rookies are highlighted and the pro prospects are recognized.
My husband and I printed our brackets out last night; we are anxiously awaiting 6:00PM for the selection process to officially begin. Who are the bubble teams? Who has the potential to win it all? As I prepare to make my prediction, I can’t help but think of myself, my business, and my clients. Is my organization Final Four material??? Do we have what it takes to go all the way and win BIG? Well, what does it take? How will I know if we deserve a trip to the Final Four? I’ve managed to narrow it down to three key factors:
- Dream Team – Without a team you can’t play the game. Without the right team, you will never win a game. What makes up the right team? Skill + passion + singular focus = right team. When the stakes are high, you need to know that you have the right people by your side. Is your team well trained, committed, and all focused on the same goal? If not…um..well…this may not be your year.
- Strategy – Will it be your pressure defense? Or fast-paced offense? For the West Virginia Mountaineers, it’s the same play they’ve run all season…set the corner screen and get the ball in the hands of Da’Sean Butler. If he doesn’t see it, he’ll create it. What about you? What is your game-winning strategy? How will you win BIG? What steps will your organization take to ensure you are on the Road to the Final Four? Without a strategy or a plan, you have no chance of winning. Winning must be intentional!
- Momentum – By the time you reach the tournament…the playing fields are pretty much even. The real contenders have strong teams with good to great players, they have a set of game winning plays that they have mastered. There even exists a cohesiveness that is not easily rattled or broken. So what separates the winners from the losers? The champions from the runner-ups? I believe it is momentum. Have you ever tried to stop someone who’s on a winning streak? You can’t. They’re unstoppable. Think about it. If you are used to winning all the time you think like a winner, you see yourself as a winner, you do what winners do. There is no wondering “hmmm can we win this?” or “we might just win this”. Rather, the attitude is “we have no choice BUT to win because we ARE winners.” Now this attitude can be achieved a number of ways, but the most effective way is to have a series of wins under your belt. Tournament time is reserved for the winners. And it is much easier to win, if you have had practice doing it.
Well, I must go and prepare my brackets; my NCAA bracket and my life bracket. But before I go, I want to know ‘will you make the cut’? Are you and your team Final Four material? Share your thoughts and happy picking!
You are who you SAY you are!
Saturday, February 20th, 2010It snowed last week here in Georgia. For many, this was exciting. For us it was…bittersweet. My daughter was scheduled to play her first basketball playoff game. Due to the weather, their game was cancelled. Not only was her first playoff game canceled, but so was her season. The league decided to only allow the top two teams to play for the championship.
Jasmine had just written and recorded her I AM statements a couple of nights before we received this disheartening news. As a mom, it was especially hard to share with her this news. We were studying faith and I was teaching her about the power of her words. After sharing with her what her coach shared with me, I told her to pray. “God can change everything!” She prayed and we made a snow baby (never in my life had I made a snowman so…a “baby” is what became of our efforts! LOL!). Feeling a little better, she went on her merry way. This was Saturday.
On Monday, her coach called. “Great news! The league reversed their decision. We play Saturday at 9:00AM. See ya at 8:30.” Thank you Lord! I was excited to share this news with Jasmine. Elated by the news, she pranced around all week confidently with her head held high. As a matter of fact, she said, “Mom, when we win the championship can I get a new iPod?”
“Well, baby, let’s just play our best in the semi-finals first.” To my surprise, she said with such certainty in her voice “ok, but you know we are going to win the championship. Remember, my I AM statements?”
A week later, without having met with her team, Jasmine was facing game day. She woke up at 4:00AM. She was ready! “Have a great game baby! Be aggressive. Think like a champion. Play hard!”
“Ok, mom!”
“Remember your I AM statements.”
As my husband and I entered the gym, I thought to myself, “Lord, please let her have a good game.” The team they were playing had beat them twice. The whistle blew. The game had begun.
Four quarters later, Jasmine and her team advanced to the finals. But, there was one catch. The championship game was at 12 Noon TODAY. It was now 10:15AM.
Well folks, all I can say is this. There is power in what you say. If God can speak the world into existence, why can’t we who are made in His image, speak to our own situations? We CAN!
My 10-year old daughter brought home today the Henry County Recreational Division 10 and Under Girls Championship trophy! Yes, they won! And you know what she said to me?
“Mom, I TOLD you… I AM a champion!”
You are not alone
Saturday, February 13th, 2010Have you ever set your mind to do something? Whatever the task, once completed, would bring you a great sense of accomplishment? I do it all the time. I am a habitual goal setter. “This week I will teach my girls how to be business owners, attract greatness into my life, write a bestselling book…etc”. Right now, today even, I am working on a few projects that will enhance my personal and professional life. Ideas so grand that upon completion they will render life altering results for me and those around me. As I sit and plan, strategize and work, think and pray; I often experience a cycle of intense yet varying emotions. Excitement, anticipation, hesitancy, doubt, fear, fatigue, elation… is there a way to take this journey without going through so many emotions? Yes and No. Because we are human we will experience human emotions… it’s part of our fallibility. Our emotions, however, don’t have to consume or cripple us. Our Maker, the Lord God of heaven and earth, is alongside us during this journey. He is here to help guide and lead us every step of the way. A clear indication that we are attempting to do our part and His is when we experience gross fatigue, weariness, and limited productivity. Seeking help only after we hit a brick wall or experience burnout is not necessary.
Guess what? You don’t have to take on everything! Resist the temptation to prepare, plan and proceed without God’s intimate involvement. As the weekend approaches, I urge you to reflect on your efforts this past week. Have you allowed God to serve as your guide? Your help? Your source of strength? Or have you prepared, planned, and attempted to produce without Him? It is ok to have a high expectation of an outcome, just remember not to limit yourself on how you get that outcome. You are not alone. Seek help. (read Psalm 121:1-8)
Janice Roberson is President and CEO of Moruwa Consulting. You can find many more strategies like this including how to create a game changer plan in her new book entitled “Expanding Your Reach without Emptying Your Pockets: A Practical Guide to Ministry Marketing.”
A-A-A – Don’t leave home without it!
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Oh how time flies! It seems like yesterday I was taking my daughter, Jasmine, to school when I was faced with what could have been a major catastrophe. At the time, I was 7 months pregnant with my youngest daughter Jada when all of a sudden the car made a horrific sound and started to shake. “Please, Lord, not right now,” I mumbled. It was too late, I just had a blow out. With a huge sigh, I looked for the nearest place to pull over. Oh how I was hoping that I could just make it to the school. But I couldn’t, the further I drove the worse the sound became. It was not good. Up ahead, I noticed a what appeared to to be a safe community. I pulled over and parked the car. I called my husband, who was at work by now, just to let him know what was going on. I then called a friend to take Jasmine to school. Lastly, I called AAA. “Thanks for calling ‘Triple A’ Mrs. Johnson, how can I help you?” The operator was very pleasant and accommodating. Actually, she was so good that I had forgotten that I was in a seemingly, uncomfortable position.
I don’t remember her name, but I remember what she said. She told me that she was going to ask a series of questions that would allow her to assess the situation so that she could determine the best way to service me. Sounds logical so I agreed to answer her questions. “Can you explain what happened?” “OMG! Do I have to tell her what just happened or the real truth?,” I said to myself as I reasoned like Jasmine. I was not liking this process already. It was in that moment that I realized the first step in getting out of this predicament and others like it. I had to admit that I had made some decisions before today that contributed to the current situation. My tires had been going bald for a while. I knew it and so did my husband, yet we kept driving the car (ok mostly me…I was the pregnant one. I drove good car). As days turned into weeks and weeks into months we each made the same half-hearted promise, “tomorrow I will take the car to the shop.” Next, the operator asked me my current location. I took this same route every day, yet I had never noticed this particular community. I guess I zoomed right past it without paying attention since it had nothing to do with my destination. So I had to take a few moments to figure out where I was as well as how to explain it to the operator in a manner that will allow her to best assist me. I looked around and spotted a few landmarks: a stop sign, a park, and another sign. The other sign, which seemed to be very important, was something I couldn’t quite see from inside the car. I got out and walked about 1/2 block before noticing the mysterious sign had written on it the name of the community. Yep, this was pretty important! With that last bit of information the operator was fully equipped to help me. She immediately mapped out for me the planned course of action. When I hung up the phone I felt good. I felt like my issue was resolved. Although my daughter and I were on the side of the road with a busted tire, I was resting in the fact that in “less than 35 minutes” there would be someone there to change my tire and get me back on course. As a matter of fact, the AAA system was so efficient that when the driver was 10 minutes away I received an automated message that alerted me of the driver’s exact location and ETA. It’s amazing how in a matter of moments what could have been a catastrophe turned out to be an opportunity for personal growth.
I learned a few things from this experience: #1 if you are going to be pregnant in the summertime while your husband works 45 miles away from home, you better get the tires changed. Secondly, I learned that everyone needs a AAA card. Lastly, I realized that by asking and answering three simple questions I was able to overcome my self induced obstacle. Do you find yourself facing obstacles throughout your journey? How do you respond? If you are willing to answer three simple, yet powerful questions you can alter the effects of life’s obstacles (even when they are self induced):
#1 Are you willing to admit that where you are today is a result of choices you made in the past?
#2 Will you make yourself aware of where you are today by taking a close look at your surroundings and identify things that can help you get closer to your desired destination?
#3 Will you develop an action plan that will serve as a guide to your destination?
It’s that simple. By becoming a A-A-A member you, too, can gain access to life-altering rewards. I’ve got my card, do you have yours?
Janice Roberson is President and CEO of Moruwa Consulting. You can find many more strategies like this including how to create a game winning plan in her new book entitled “Expanding Your Reach without Emptying Your Pockets: A Practical Guide to Ministry Marketing.”
