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BMG Awesome Insight Newsletter

How will you lead in the next decade? Will volunteers at your church look for new ways to reach out? What will you do to energize and renew the spirits of long time members as well as younger leaders? Happy new year! The celebration of 2010 brings so much anticipation of where God may be leading us as we seek understanding of the vision. In most recent weeks, I have been facilitating discussions with church leaders who desire to grow. One comment that was shared in one of the meetings stayed with me,”What must we do to prepare to lead the next generation?” Wow, that question has kept me on fire as we seek understanding of how we prepare to be even more faithful to the Great Commission in 2010.

Are your leaders ready to influence volunteers for effective ministry? A definition shared in Ken Blanchard’s book, Lead Like Jesus states “leadership is a process of influence.” To take that thought further, one of my favorite pastors often states, “If you’re leading but no one is following, you’re simply taking a walk.” With that in mind, how can we shape plans for 2010 that prepare our leaders to move to the next level of ministry in serving, reaching out, welcoming and inviting?

Welcome to this issue of BMG Awesome Insight Newsletter. Whether you are already making plans for leading beyond the walls of the church or you simply want to hear “awesome” more, this issue shares a few tips to help you make plans to reach out and welcome strangers in our midst.

As we continue to seek ways to be even more faithful to the Great Commission, let’s take the time to think about the importance of how we lead and communicate so that volunteers as well as outsiders/strangers will see obvious signs of Christian love. I am so excited what God is doing in ministry. It is my prayer that leaders like you are energized and continue to be renewed to seek ways to effectively lead, reach out, invite and welcome new disciples. I urge you to share this issue of BMG Awesome Insight Newsletter for Church Leaders with a colleague in ministry. Encourage them to sign up for the newsletter at www.awesomeinsight.com.

Lynette Hawkins

How Some Ministry Teams May No Longer Be Effective

Is becoming a new leader at your church similar to jumping double dutch rope? Let me explain. Growing up in Richmond, my childhood friends and I often jumped with two ropes called double dutch. When trying to begin to jump, getting into the two ropes while they were constantly rotating was a challenge. In other words, you’re standing in front of the ropes wanting to jump but asking yourself, “When can I get in?” I wonder if there are people at your congregation, looking the same way to ministry leadership thinking, “When can I get in?”Is it difficult for newer members to lead existing ministries at your church? Do people rotate their roles or are some ministry teams led by the same people for too many years? If you’re wondering how some ministry teams end up more like a double dutch game, here are some signs of teams that may lose their ability to be as effective.

Do any of these sound familiar?

• Same chairperson stays in the lead role indefinitely. Ask yourself: What impact would new leadership have on this ministry? Some times selection of a new leader brings new energy, ideas, approaches and another way to respond to God’s call.
• No new people are ever a part of the team. Ask yourself: How will new people be received on this team? Creating a welcoming attitude toward new people can lift the energy of the team with new insight, interest and commitment.
• The agenda of events and activities are the same year after year. Ask yourself: Are we still relevant today? Some times the things put in place many years ago no longer address the needs of today’s community. Take a step away and re-think things.
• The scheduled meeting time is set when most working people cannot attend. Ask yourself: How can we schedule our meetings so that younger adults can take part? Scheduling a meeting at 10:00 am on Tuesday may work more for non-working, retired people. Being open to new dates and times for meeting may welcome even newcomers to a ministry.

Now take a look at the team you lead. How can you be even more effective? Join us in our Teleseminar series: Magnet Leaders starting February 9th!

Can You Attract Volunteers?

Have you ever worked on a team that the leader made you feel wonderful? If that leader asked you to volunteer again, would you? If you have a smile on your face as you think of a very positive experience you’ve had volunteering in a nonprofit or ministry, it may be that you have worked on the team of a magnet leader.Magnet leaders easily attract volunteers. It is something in the way they lead that makes it so easy to be a part of their team.

Visit our website for the 5 ideas. See our blog and let us know what you think. Click Here!

Create A Culture of Hospitality!

Do you train ushers on ushering but not hospitality? Could it help them if they knew why smiling matters? If you’re looking for ways to talk hospitality. Get this video!Take a look at the brief preview of our interactive training DVD, Make Room to Welcome. This seminar offers:

• Scripture based hospitality training
• Opportunity to pause & discuss to build personal action plans
• Three steps to practice hospitality with strangers.
• Practical, easy to follow tips including a W.A.R.M. Welcome formula for everyone and what first time guests notice.
• Great practical insight for members, ushers and greeters
• Every reason to encourage members to smile and welcome!

Take an hour one Saturday morning. Get some coffee and the people who want to share their gifts of hospitality. Make Room To Welcome DVD offers training, a leader’s guide and an opportunity to discuss what really matters to people who may visit this coming Sunday.

Invite Us to Start the Conversation…

Does your board need to need to open their eyes to the community you’re in? Are you looking for ways to start thinking about communicating with young adults in their 20’s and 30’s? Now may be a great time to start that conversation. Invite us to share insight on who lives in your community. (Demographics study)Let us plan a time to set goals to reach people where they are. Here are things participants say about our work:

• Pastor: “Thank you for the insight of where young adults are.”
• Pastor: “I am grateful for your very thorough, very effective presentation and leadership. I have received many positive comments as well.”
• Lead Coordinator: “Thanks for an outstanding job at the retreat.”
• After a Retreat from a Pastor: “Thanks for the notes. They are excellent!”
• Participant in Brainstorming Session: “Amazing Facilitator”

Our conversations can began with teaching moments, clarity on vision and mission, Scripture, research and data on how to reach the next generation. Seminars include:

• A.R.K.: Attract, Reach & Keep - Practical tools for reaching out.
• Awesome Welcome - Training for ushers and greeters
• Reaching the Next Generation
• Communicators Bootcamp - The how-to’s for people who are responsible for ministry communication.
• Big Bowl Leadership for Boards - Helping to stay focused on the big picture
• Motivate Volunteers!
• Leading When You’re New at Leadership
• Ready Set Vision!

Let us know the date. The day will be shaped based on your goals and where you believe God is leading your ministry. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Join Us for a Free Trial Thursday, February 11th

Are you looking for solutions to challenges in your internal and external communications? Would it be helpful to build a team of fellow communicators that can share tips and learning about Facebook, YouTube, fliers, bulletins and building an online presence? Join us for Group Coaching. Benefit from the group and a skilled facilitator.What is Group Coaching? It is not a workshop. Instead, the coach facilitator takes her cues from the group. The agenda is yours. All sessions are done by telephone. You give feedback, brainstorm and set the course of the group. This first free session would be a start of ongoing scheduled times where the group can connect, and gain synergy and resource ideas from working with the group.

Being a communicator at a Presbytery, District, Synod, Association, church office or ministry does not have to be lonely. Coaching across the telephone is a convenient way to not leave your desk but have expertise that can share practical guidance in your real every day communications challenges. Your first assignment is simple: Have a goal in mind. Think of something you’d like to take action on. Then join the group!

Reserve Your Spot Now! Free Group Session Limited Spaces Available. Future Sessions to Cover

• Best Practices for Communicators
• How To’s for Planning a Website
• General Principles in Church Communications
• Setting Up Communication with Facebook, YouTube, etc.
• Internal Communications
• Email for Members and Beyond

This Free Session brings you the comfort of knowing others who can help you overcome stumbling blocks! Sessions are normally priced at $25.

Effective Ways to Recruit, Motivate & Lead

Join Lynette Hawkins on Tuesday February 9th, Tuesday February 16th and Tuesday, February 23rd at noon (EST) as we explore ways recruit, lead and motivate volunteers. One of the biggest challenges facing ministry leaders is having the tools to recruit committed people, lead them with energy and motivate them to stay the task even on long term projects. Lynette will share very practical ways that you can keep your ministry teams in action. Each seminar is $20 per location per seminar or $50 for the three. (If you can not attend all on Tuesday, these seminars will be recorded to review at your convenience.)

Tuesday, February 9th @ Noon EST - RECRUIT - Discover how to solicit support for your team and identify volunteers who may be very open to joining your team. Hear from someone who leads several teams that include adults of all ages. Hear what makes some young adults move away from teams and how you can possibly overcome the stumbling blocks.

Tuesday, February 16th @ Noon EST - MOTIVATE VOLUNTEERS! - How do you get volunteers to stay late, come early and take assignments because they want to? After years of working with volunteers in the church and on community events, this seminar will share some very practical insight on the little things you can do to jumpstart a team and keep volunteers. Be ready to take notes. Lots of ideas!

Tuesday, February 23rd @ Noon EST - LEAD LIKE YOU’RE COMMITTED! - Explore ways to excite volunteers to follow your lead if you show signs of commitment. Hear some of the real reasons some volunteers fall out of the team. Get practical ideas to dust off your leadership skills and practice leadership that is follows Jesus’ lead. You will get lists and ideas that you can use right away.

What Is a Teleseminar? A seminar by telephone where participants gather around the speaker phone to learn and discuss topics. How Do Teleseminars Work? Participants are given a learning guide, access phone number and bridge number to connect to the call at the designated time. The call is recorded if you want to review later at a more convenient time, you can do so. The last 15 minutes of each call allow you to ask your own questions regarding your ministry. Visit the website for dates, times and fees. What are the Benefits? Train your church leadership without any travel. Call from anywhere. Lead a group discussion after the call with ministry leaders and/or staff. Review the recorded seminar at a time that is convenient for you!