Integrating Strategy

One of the reasons we like Think Orange is that it integrates the strategy of how we disciple children and teenagers. In other words, the things we do when a child is 4 years old are quite similar to what we do when he or she is 14 years old. Because our goal is to make disciples that will both stick with the church after high school graduation and continue to make disciples themselves, our children's ministry and youth ministry can begin to work together to reach that goal. One of the ways we work together is by integrating the strategy. That is, we can begin to think together about the ways each ministry of our church fits with the next, how children's church prepares kids for youth group and how youth group prepares students for entering a small group...

Reggie Joiner writes in the Think Orange Leader Handbook about the consequences of NOT integrating strategy. His six statements are in bold with my comments afterward. 

1. Parents struggle with how to partner with the church. If moms and dads aren't sure how AWANA fits with children's church, or how a special youth event fits with Sunday nights, or how any of those things work to make a disciple, then they won't bring their children to them. 

2. Programming and ministry tend to be random and isolated in impact. We may brainstorm about great ideas and events that we could do, but if they don't fit the strategy, or if they compete with existing programs that do fit the strategy, we won't implement the new ideas. 

3. There is no consistent forum to evaluate and change ineffective programming. A strategy provides great guidelines for determining whether or not we are "on target." 

4. Leaders and volunteers get disillusioned with the lack of direction. Just like you put down a book if it's going nowhere in the first few chapters, so do leaders and volunteers quit if they perceive the program to be "going nowhere."

5. Staff members drift toward silo thinking. That is, Peter does what Peter wants and Josh does what Josh wants without talking with one another. Or, children's ministry does what it wants and youth ministry does what it wants. This type of thinking is impossible with a strategy in place. 

6. Over-programming and competing systems dilute the effectiveness of the church. Leaders and families end up with too many options and too many things to be involved in. In the end, the temptation is for us to choose nothing when the choices get numerous. 

So what does this mean for us in practical terms? 

1. Our children's ministry and youth ministry leaders will begin talking together on a regular basis about how each one's programming affects the family and schedule. 

2. Our children's ministry has made the decision to move to First Look and 252 Basics curriculum starting in February 2011 for children's church. FYI: We'll be sitting down with parents on Sunday December 5 after service to introduce you to it. 

3. We will evaluate our programming based on whether or not it fits our strategy. We will "edit" when necessary. No church gets it right the first time every time. 

4. You will hear us use phrases like "another voice saying the same thing as parents" to describe small group leaders or "family experiences" to describe activities designed for the whole family to engage in outside of your time in this building. These are part of the strategy. 

So, what are your thoughts? What would you add to the conversation?

Come Together

Ephesians 1:3-10 is an incredible passage of scripture.  We have just concluded 7 weeks unpacking verbs that are inserted into these verses.  It's been a lot of fun.  The sermon series was called, God Story; from Infinity to Belong.

A couple observations:
a) God has done so much for us
b) All his actions hinge on Jesus Christ
c) His actions are aimed at us and are intended for us to live out (ie. see the remained of the book of Ephesians)

As we wrapped things up today it was easy to show a couple reasons God has done all that he has.  First, I believe there is a tendency among people - Christian or not - to finger point.  We are pretty quick to talk about "them".  When we realize the personal nature of God's actions it chips away at this tendency.  Ephesians 1 also teaches that Christ has come to put everything back in its place.  NT Wright would say, "put things to right."  There's a unifying factor found in him - and again, this gets personal.  His involvement in the story is intended to have impact on my life and yours.

In our attempts to be the church we (I) sometimes forget how important it is to be together.  I forget how important is is to experience something together.

But sometimes we (I) make the church about me rather than about knowing others, serving with others, and serving for others.

Let me suggest that serving together is an incredible way to make church "about us" without making it "about me".  Serving together has an powerful unifying effect.  Doing work together is so cool.  In particular, this is great for men.

@ NBWC this week we have some great opportunities to come together.
Wednesday, AWANA takes place--serving 60+ elementary students.
Thursday, we host a Grocery Giveaway--serving 150+ family units
Friday, we'll be setting up for the Autumn Vendor Fair scheduled for Saturday--hosting 70+ local vendors.

I say, get in the game.  This is about you.  This is about you and me.  This is about us.