U-Turn Ministries

...Not So Urgent

I just wanted to apologize for dropping the ball on blogging Kotter's A Sense of Urgency .  I'll try to get something here on Chapter 2 by Friday.

One of the reasons for the delay, not to make excuses, is the preparation for this Saturday's one-day, U-Turn Turbo conference.  We are excited for the 5 churches and 75 people that will be with us to examine next steps in turning their church around.

If you still want to come....I think I can get you in :)

Jason

A Sense of Urgency

Thanks to the fact I am on hiatus from school for a month I decided to pick up a book that has been on my reading list for a while:  A Sense of Urgency by John Kotter.  (Kotter is one of the leading experts on Change and Leadership today.)  Since we believe having a sense of urgency is imperative in the U-Turn process I am excited to read what Kotter has to say.  Over the next stretch of time I'm going to blog about what I learn throughout the book.  If you want to read along, you can get your own copy by Clicking HERE.

Insights from the first chapter:  

1.  A sufficient number of people in the organization have to have the sense of urgency.

2.  Strong Teams that are committed to guide an ambitious change are quickly formed around critical issues.

3.  Those teams strive to find smart visions and strategies for dealing with key issues.

4.  Teams relentlessly communicate those visions to relevant people in order to continue to get buy-in.

5.  Remove barriers from teams so that they can make the vision a reality.

6.  Short-term wins achieved by the teams will silence critics and disarm cynics.

7.  Never let up until the vision is a reality.

8.  Make the changes stick by institutionalizing it into the structure, systems, and most of all, culture.

Can't wait to see what is in Chapter 2!

Jason

Getting off the treadmill

I spent the past three days somewhere in Nebraska.  I think it was Ashland, but I'm not sure because I was picked-up on the curb of the Omaha airport and taken to the retreat center.  I was there to train facilitators from around the country who will be leading leadership development small groups in their churches.  

Besides having the joy of being with these quality people and working with them, I was reminded of the blessing that getting off of the treadmill of life is.  I re-connected with God, had good alone time, could think more clearly, it was good.

If you can find time, even if it is just a morning, afternoon or evening, I encourage you to get off the treadmill for a little while.

Jason

Summit is HERE!!!

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year, Summit week.  Tomorrow and Friday we will be one of the over 120 sites around North America broadcast this two-day world-class conference on Leadership.  The faculty is amazing, the community that gathers is a blessing, and hearing from God, that's the best part.  Whether it is individually or a word for the communities we lead God always has something to say during this time.  It's not too late.  You can join us or go to the site closest to your location.  Just visit the Summit Website to find out where that is:  http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/2009/

Come to U-Turn Turbo!

This year U-Turn Ministries is going to try something new.  We often have teams attend the U-Turn Church Conference wanting to go more in-depth into the nuts and bolts of what we do than we are able to cover in our time together.  That is why we are going to off U-Turn Turbo, a 1-day, noon-6 p.m. (central) opportunity for your team to delve into the inner workings of:  Children's Ministry, Technical Arts, Worship or Lay Leaders.

For more info click on the "Conferences" button @ faithchurchonline.org

Culture of Invitation

In meetings this morning we talked about the importance for creating a "Culture of Invitation" within our church.  (I think it is beneficial for all of us which is why I share it here.)  Going back to Willow Creek's Reveal Study I was reminded of how crucial this is.  Here are the findings:  Over 40% of people first went to their church because they were invited by a friend or relative, Almost 30% because it was recommended to them, and right behind that was because they knew someone who attended.  We need to provide opportunities for members of our communities to make inviting the disconnected that are easy and expected.

Having a bad day?

Ministry is hard and there are bad days.  Hopefully yours isn't this bad!  Stay strong, the Lord has called you to this place for such a time as this!

Consultation

It has been a real joy to participate in the process of consulting with churches.  Pastor Bob and I just completed one a little over a week ago.  It was great to come alongside the leadership team and help them with focus.  It's interesting, the last few consultations we've done the churches are further along then they think they are.  Our job has been to help focus on areas to concentrate on for future growth and encourage them.  Can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do through this part of the body in Lansing, Illinois.

(Did you read the fine print of the picture?  Just so you know, not our philosophy.)

One Day Seminar this Fall

We are thinking about having a one-day, hands-on seminar this fall.  On a Saturday, start around noon (central time) have a general session then spend a few hours with the ministry area you are interested in and see how they operate here at Faith Church.  Have supper, and then end with the Saturday night worship service at our Dyer Campus.  Interested?

Sticky Church Conference

I lifted this blog post from Dave Weemhoff, our Cedar Lake Campus Pastor, and Champion of Multi-Sites for Faith Church.  His ideas were just as good as mine, so why not use them?  Jason

p.s.  Thanks Dave for your unknowing lending of this post.

I attended the Sticky Church Conference in beautiful St. John, Indiana yesterday. 

The big question was, "How do you get people to "stick" in the church?"  So many churches are good at attracting people in through the front door, but eventually lose them out the back door.  So how do you get them to "stick"?  How do you help them grow spiritually so that they can lead others to "stick"?

One of the sessions that really struck me was led by Larry Osborne from North Coast Church in southern California.  Larry gave 5 compelling reasons why people aren't sticking in churches.  Here is a brief summary:

5 Subtle Shifts in the Focus of Churches

1. Churches have shifted from making disciples to counting decisions made for Christ.  What are we counting, reporting and celebrating as churches?  Are mature disciples being made or do we focus on the conversion moment?

2. Churches have shifted from obedience to doctrine.  Head knowledge has value, but obedience and a child-like faith are essential.

3. Churches have shifted from persuasion to warfare. Christians are perceived as judgmental and hypocritical.  John 3:16 says, "For God SO LOVED THE WORLD..."  So why do we (Christians) hate it? The church is to be gentle, humble, kind to all, and not resentful so as to persuade others to Christ.

4. Churches have shifted the focus from relationship to attendance.  Are we celebrating and promoting relationships that are authentic, caring and Christ-centered?

5. Churches have shifted their focus from Jesus to justice.  Serving the poor is certainly part of the call of the Church, but if Jesus is absent from the action, it misses the point of the gospel and the Church.

Challenging words from a veteran church leader.  Do you feel the shift?