Posted by: Garrick | November 5, 2009

Trading spaces (church edition)

Fortune CookiesAnyone who has ever served as an education pastor — or in any similar role — understands the sheer terror that is felt at the mere thought of moving classes around, particularly in a traditional church setting. In fact, I have some ministry friends who simply refuse to do it, having barely survived their wounds from past battles.

Perhaps I’m not so timid. Perhaps I’m not so smart. Whatever the case, this Sunday is a day for trading spaces at my church. And while I’m cautiously optimistic that the moves will go smoothly, I’m also understandably nervous that in spite of my best efforts, maybe there’s a detail or two I’ve overlooked — or a class or two I haven’t yet discovered!

Still, our church is overdue for a purposeful shuffle. This is just the first of a number of moves I anticipate over the course of my ministry here. I’m excited about the opportunity this move will provide us to minister in new ways to our young and median adults. By setting aside an area for relationship building, in keeping with biblical community, I think we will be poised to reach new people.

And as an education pastor, I’m always having to remember the truth in this statement: “100% of the people we will reach are not here yet!” What we do at church is not — and must never be — all about us. The church, in fact, is the only organization that exists for the benefit of those who do not belong to it.

Problems arise though when classes become too attached to a particular space or specific chairs or some other detail. While I have had a few critical comments in the past several weeks, I rejoice in the fact that most people have been exceedingly gracious in this process, many of them simply expressing enthusiasm for the change itself.

But I’m definitely not a person who makes changes for the sake of change alone. Here are a few key reasons changing spaces can be helpful in the life of a church: Read More…

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Posted by: Garrick | November 3, 2009

5 keys to connecting with guests

name-tagIt’s no secret that churches can often become self-centered and inwardly-focused. In fact, I think that’s the natural tendency, as I’ve communicated in other posts.

There are a few simple things that every on-campus class can do to better connect with guests. Here are some of them:

1. Communicate clearly the type and style of the class. For example, make sure that the age range or life stage of the class is clearly communicated in Welcome Center brochures, on the website, and on the door sign of the room. Some people are drawn to classes that are more focused on biblical content; others are drawn to classes that are more focused on biblical community, fellowship, and support. Being ‘out front’ with who you are as a class will help guests have a better first-time experience.

2. Set up the classroom in a way that is welcoming but non-threatening. One of my all time pet peeves is walking into a classroom and finding that all the chairs are facing the door. With this kind of room set-up, there is no way for guests to peek in inconspicuously to check out the class — let alone make an entrance that is anything less than grand! I encourage class leaders, whenever possible, to set up their room with materials and refreshments by the door — and with the teacher or director being the only one facing the door.

3. Assign class members to serve as hosts for guests. This is not to say that the hosts are to smother the guests with hospitality. But having someone to walk with the guests to worship, show them restroom locations, etc., is a great way to encourage an instant connection. Hosts might also invite guests to lunch after church, during which they can help answer any questions about the church or class.

4. Secure contact information from any guests — and use it! So many times class leaders fall into the trap of thinking they have to do it all. In a short period of time, teachers can find themselves responsible for preparing a lesson, completing attendance records, sending cards, setting up the room, and making announcements — among other things. It can become quite overwhelming, so it’s no wonder that details begin to fall through the cracks. All classes should have someone who makes sure that guest information is completed — and outreach leaders who make sure that guests receive a thank-you call or visit in the first few days following their attendance.

5. Wear name tags! This is one of the easiest but often over-looked tools for connecting not only with guests but with each other. If you’ve ever watched the old TV show “Cheers,” then you know that the thing that made that bar popular was that it was a place “where everybody knows your name.” There are a few people in this world who are really good at remembering names. However, most people aren’t like that. I’m in the majority. I have to really work at names, so I appreciate name tags a great deal. If your class is not already using name tags, I encourage you to start. You’ll be surprised how such a simple thing can make a big difference!

IT’S YOUR TURN!

  • If you’re in a Bible study group or class, what works well to help you connect with guests?
  • If you’ve recently been a guest in a class, what kind of experience did you have?

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Posted by: Garrick | November 1, 2009

A season of thanks

Fall-FoliageSo many times it seems that we save up our thanksgiving praises for the week of Thanksgiving. We all have so much for which to be thankful. I challenge you this year to be intentional in remembering your blessings throughout the whole month of November.

At our house we have a tradition in which we collect blessings shared by our family and friends, write them on paper leaves, and attach them to our ‘tree of thanks.’ This is a great way to practice thanksgiving throughout the month — and to model gratitude for the children.

There are so many things for which we are thankful. Big things. Little things. And things in between. But in the Conner home, we are careful to remember that every good and perfect gift is from above.

Of course, not everything that happens in life is considered to be a good thing. But for those of us who are in Christ, we know that He causes all things to work together for the good to those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. So, your list of blessings will likely include things such as patience and faithfulness in bringing you through a particularly difficult situation. Or maybe your list will include trials which made you stronger and more dependent on Him.

Whatever the case may be, as you begin November, I encourage you to consider a family activity like the ‘tree of thanks’ as a way to focus your hearts in preparation for the coming holiday season.

Give thanks with a grateful heart . . . and see how much your perspective will change!

IT’S YOUR TURN!

  • What are you most thankful for this year?

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Posted by: Garrick | October 30, 2009

Thinking through Halloween

cross-pumpkinIt’s that time of year again — you know, the time when Christians debate the pros and cons of Halloween.

I must admit that I’m not all that big a fan of Halloween. Pumpkins are fine. And I’ve even been a scarecrow once or twice in my adult life. But times have changed a lot since I was a kid.

When I was young, my brother and I used to love dressing up and going door-to-door on our country road, collecting all kinds of candy from the neighbors. Of course, that was then — and this is now. The big difference is that people in our community actually knew our neighbors. We visited with each other. We cared for each other during tough times. We shared meals and exchanged homegrown vegetables and homemade jams.

These days the busyness of life keeps many of us from knowing our neighbors on a personal level — or perhaps even wanting to be known.

As parents we are faced with more serious challenges today. If you watch the news at all, you certainly understand that parents just can’t be too cautious about the safety of their kids. Gangbangers, drug dealers, and sex offenders too often find themselves nestled in the middle of quiet and unassuming neighborhoods . . . so much so that, at least for my family, traditional trick-or-treating is simply not a viable option.

I enjoy seeing kids in costumes. Adults? Not so much. And I really don’t care at all for scary costumes. I think some of the school and church harvest carnivals provide a good family-friendly alternative — if they’re actually held on Halloween. Too often I think these events just provide an opportunity for layering the candy-collecting craze (or should I say calorie-collecting?).

How do I feel about Halloween? Well, that’s not exactly an easy question for me to answer. I suppose it has much to do with what it means to you. If it’s about death, devils, and demons, I really want nothing to do with it. If it’s about seeing kids dress up in fun costumes and having some family fun — particularly in a safe, church or school setting — then I think it can be OK.

I guess my real concern lies in seeing our schools focus more on Halloween than Christmas. And, yes, that’s definitely happening in many places. We don’t seem to mind legislating Jesus out of our schools, but the devil is always welcome.

In some ways though, I must confess that I think Halloween is probably one of the biggest ways in which believers have become a part of the world rather than just people passing through it. And as I listen to myself, I suppose my own seeming ambivalence underscores the significance of the issue.

The truth is that as believers, we’ve become pretty good at developing ways to share the Gospel during this hotly contested time of year. Through the Pumpkin Patch Parable, special tracts, and outreach events, many churches have worked to make the best of it.

However, one thought keeps coming to me: Just as a recovering alcoholic shouldn’t hang out in a bar, a growing believer shouldn’t flirt with evil. And no matter how we dress it up, Halloween is at its core a celebration of darkness.

1 John 1:5b says, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Hmmm . . . maybe I need to spend more time being in the Light than looking for ways to excuse playing in the dark.

But boy, how good we’ve gotten at justifying that!

IT’S YOUR TURN!

  • I’m really interested. What are your thoughts on Halloween?
  • If you’re a Christian, do you ‘observe’ the day — and if so, how?

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Posted by: Garrick | October 28, 2009

Definitely not my home

sad-man-hispanicI don’t know about you, but with every passing day the news just seems to get worse and worse. There are so many things going on that are downright scary. As much as I like to be informed, I find myself having to limit my own exposure to news because, as they say, a little bit goes a long, long way.

It is my sincere belief that the times in which we live are urgent. And while I am confident in my eternal destiny by virtue of faith in Jesus Christ, it’s hard sometimes to not be afraid . . . to be anxious . . . to worry about tomorrow.

To all those who are in Christ, we truly have nothing to fear. The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Of course, that doesn’t mean we necessarily look forward to experiencing trials and death, but we have the very promise of Jesus who himself acknowledged the anxious feeling that most of us have from time to time. He said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

The thing about having a personal relationship with Christ is that in spite of all the troubles, the questions, the frustrations, and the heartaches of this world, we can still experience abundant life. If you do not know for sure what would happen to your soul if you died today, I can’t think of anything more significant to you at this time.

God loves you more than you could possibly imagine. And He wants you to choose to enjoy that abiding peace and joy that can come only from a relationship with Him. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

If you have never trusted Christ as Savior and Lord of your life, what are you waiting for? Scripture states plainly that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I urge you to make sure — make absolutely sure — that you are ready to meet Him whenever that time comes for you. For those who wait until the mass chorus of confessions, it will be too late. I’m so glad that even though this world is not my home, Jesus has made a place for me. He’d love nothing more than to prepare a place for you too!

If you have questions about how you can experience this abundant life and hope for tomorrow, please feel free to contact me. You may also visit the sites listed below.

Real Life Stories of God’s Transforming Power
Here’s Hope for You

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