Pastor Rick asked each department in the church to develop 5 new equipping and connection strategies in the coming year and report back at a meeting this afternoon on our ideas. Kurt (who posted a few of these already to scoop me) and I spent some time together dreaming about Equpping and here’s the thoughts we came up with:
EQUIPPING
The 5 Things Podcast– In 2009 Student Ministries will launch a 5-minute monthly podcast for volunteer training. It would include 5 things: training, announcements, tip of the week, spotlight and celebration.
The Parent Link — We want to keep parents in the loop. Our goal is to launch a quarterly parent newsletter with encouragement and leadership from the church to the home.
REWIND — We have a huge opportunity to minister to the home, and each week we will offer up on the web a parent weekend in review sheet called Rewind. Rewind will give the verses, content and discussion questions to be used in the home.
Staff Development Day — We want to focus on internal equipping as well, so we’re planning an internal development day to take personality test, do StrengthFinder and pursue balance and spiritual health.
The Starting 5 — Our volunteers need equipping, too. And developing good habits right from the start is crucial. Every rookie leader will get connected with a veteran leader for the first 5 events in their area — 5 weekend services, 5 small group nights, whatever — so they’re connected with a great experienced leader when they start to make sure they stick.
JG
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Josh Griffin has been in youth ministry for 15+ years and serves as the High School Pastor at Saddleback Church. [
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Geoff Stewart serves the Jr / Sr High School Pastor at Peace Portal Alliance Church in Surrey B.C.
Excellent stuff! Thanks!
Trying to visuallize how these would look/work in my ministry. Can you expand on #4 Staff Development Day? I have 15 volunteer staff, many have been with us for a while and I’m looking to grow them. This sounds interesting but would like a little more info.
Thanks.
It would be great if, as you were implementing these changes, you gave us a “behind the scenes” look at them (showing implementation, basics, and how effective they are in the ministry).
Love it all. I’ve actually been meaning to do StrengthFinder with my volunteer staff. I’m glad that has been reaffirmed through the post.
I love the ParentLink. This is also something I’ve been meaning to do (to provide some sort of newsletter to the home). I’ve noticed, however, that many of my parents have the email attention span of a junior higher at youth group. I feel like a more visually stimulating newsletter rather than a text document. Is there any software or services that provide a simple plug and chug sort of deal to create nifty newsletters?
m
Great ideas. I think I’ll steal a few. We do the parent link on a monthly basis and then use e-mail a lot. I like the 5 minute podcast idea for training volunteers, I think that will be great to do.
Josh,
Love it man! I always love seeing how God is using you and encouraging other leaders. Thanks for being passionate about Jesus and sharing these ideas with us!
Has anyone ever taken or administered the strengthfinder and ever learned anything new about themselves or others?
RG
I’ve taken the Strengthfinder, and found it very helpful. Gave me insight into some things. I’d highly recommend it.
We have seen your email. Keep up the good work! Pls. pray for us. Me and my husband are serving in parts of India as Evangelist and desire to go for a conference in March 2009 to Iceland for 5 days (Catch the fire) but are praying for the airfare tickets. Pls. pray that this need may be met. Thanks and much blessings,
rosy