April 23, 2007
MIM Ezine April 23, 2007
IN THIS ISSUE--
-- "Login Leadership: Conflict 3" by Tom Hanover.
-- "The Reconstruction of a Youth Leader: Thoughts About Prayer" by R. Scott Miller.
-- Book Review: "Seeing in the Dark: Getting the Facts on Depression and Finding Hope Again," by Gary Kinnamon and Richard Jacobs, reviewed by Teena Stewart.
Shop at DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion’s Bookstore for Christian Books, CD, DVDs, Jewelry, Apparel & Gifts and Save! Order Books & Resources
APRIL FREE BOOK GIVE-AWAY!
Congratulations to Daniel Dawson of Middletown, Ohio
as our second April Winner!
Because of the strong response we got to our free book give-away- we are going to continue with this offer each issue of the E-Zine.
Enter each issue - we will draw names from a new list each issue.
As a thanks to our valued e-zine readers, we would like to offer some of the best back to you.
We are offering books such as, "Pastor," by Will Willimon; "The Secret Message," by Brian MacLaren; "Overcoming Barriers to Growth: Proven Strategies for Taking Your Church to the Next Level," by Michael Fletcher, and many others.
To enter the drawing for a free book, send an email to:
FREEBOOKGIVEAWAY@Ministryinmotion.net
Put 'FREEBOOKGIVEAWAY' in the Subject line and include your name and mailing address.
(Free shipping to US addresses only)
Login Leadership: Conflict 3
Tom Hanover
Leading a ministry group through conflict can be one of the most challenging dimensions of spiritual leadership. Conflict is inevitable wherever people are involved. Many in ministry leadership wear out or burn out with the constant pressures of navigating conflict. It is like white water rafting a constantly changing river. The guide needs to watch vigilantly for the changing clues and signs of how the currents are flowing.
In the same manner a ministry leader is attentively observing the currents among the leaders of the ministry as well as the needs of the mission. Since these are constantly evolving and changing, a few simple communication techniques will prove quite useful.
- Listening. Many conflicts begin to escalate when the parties involved sense no one has heard their concerns. The ministry leader can take the time to listen to those concerns. I often take notes during discussions and since my handwriting is so illegible no one can tell if I am recording comments or making out a grocery list. But the perception is that I am attentive to their thoughts and their feelings; that I care enough to write down their concerns.
- Responsive questions. One way a leader can communicate that he/she has heard the expressed concerns is to ask questions that respond directly to those concerns. Aunt Sally is upset the Boy Scouts are leaving the church kitchen in a mess. What is left out of place? When does she observe this? Could the ketchup packets sticking on the ceiling really have been a project of the Elizabeth Women’s Prayer Group? (Not likely.) Questions indicate that the leader has heard and comprehended their concerns.
- Paraphrase. People will know the leader has heard their concerns when the leader can restate them in his/her own words. This paraphrasing should be done with a nonjudgmental tone of voice. People can sense the leader is mocking them if the leader sounds sarcastic or if he/she treats the concern as trivial. “Aunt Sally, I hear you saying that you notice on Tuesdays the kitchen is a mess. There are dirty dishes in the sink and open ketchup packets on the ceiling. And you suspect it may be the Boy Scouts who meet on Monday night.”
- Perception check. An effective leader will instinctively begin to read the feelings and emotions of the other person. But sometimes, those feelings and emotions appear ambivalent and confused. Rather than assuming the leader understands, he/she can check out that perception. “Aunt Sally, I sense you are upset with the mess in the kitchen. Is that right?” The perception check names a feeling and follows with a gentle question. <To read more of Tom's article, click here>
If you are looking to hire or looking for a ministry position
Click HERE to link directly to America's Ministry Connection
Free Resume Submissions -- Hundreds of Job Openings
Eliminate viruses and spyware with McAffe VirusScan.
The Reconstruction of a Youth Worker
Thoughts about Prayer
By R. Scott Miller
Have you thought about prayer lately? How do you pray? Is your prayer something that sounds like it came out of King James? Or does it sound like it came out of a dramatic reading? Or do you talk with God like it is a conversation with someone you love very much?
Lately, I have been thinking about prayer. I love to hear teenagers pray. I love those stumbling, fumbling attempts to pray in public. I also love to hear when our teenagers really get prayer; when they really understand that this is a chance to speak to someone who loves us very much.
Sometimes as adults we get caught up in our own theological understanding about things. We come up with the idea that praying to God is a very formal thing. I often hear more “Thee’s” and “Thou’s” than is currently used in the English language today.
I am not picking on the way people pray. I do not want to mislead teenagers into thinking that God is only approachable in a formal way. Prayer should be anything but formal. It should be something very personal. It should be very approachable. It should be a conversation.
A number of years ago a guy in my youth group by the name of Moose began a prayer in this way. “Hey, God, it’s us.” It sounded like a joke at first. But as many things do, it became a tradition. Unfortunately, this prayer has also been misunderstood by some people as well. Some people have considered it to be disrespectful.
In thinking about this, I looked at one of the most personal prayers Jesus prayed. Mark 14:36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (NIV)
I think sometimes we just run over this prayer thinking that it is no different than when Jesus taught us the Lord’s prayer. But this is different. Jesus uses the word: “Abba.” The definition in Easton’s Bible Dictionary intrigues me. “This Syriac or Chaldee word is found three times in the New Testament (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6), and in each case is followed by its Greek equivalent, which is translated "father." It is a term expressing warm affection and filial confidence. It has no perfect equivalent in our language.”
Abba is a word so personal and warm that there is no such word in the English language. This totally blows me away. It makes my imagination go wild. Once again we have gotten so caught up in our theological depth that we forgot that prayer was a conversation of the heart and Jesus was the model.
So how have you been praying? Have you been going to God with your heart so open that the words are not defined? Are you willing to pray to God in public in a way that people know it is truly a conversation to someone who loves you? I don’t know about you but for me that makes me even want to pray more. “Hey God, it’s me, Scott. Boy, do I have some things to talk to you about!”
Feel free to contact Scott to either agree, disagree or just pick his brain about youth ministry you can contact him at: rscottmiller1@aol.com Scott would love to hear from you!
R. Scott Miller is the Director of Christian Education and Youth at Milford First United Methodist Church in the suburbs of Cincinnati, OH. In his 17 years of youth ministry, Scott has written and developed much of the youth programming used in his churches. Scott has a B.A. in Radio/TV and Journalism from Morehead State University and an M.A. from Asbury Theological Seminary. Scott is the author of 7 Things Christians Don't Do and What To Do Instead by Abingdon Press.
Save Up to 75% on Vitamins. Click Here!
BOOK REVIEW
Seeing in the Dark: Getting the Facts on Depression and Finding Hope Again
Gary Kinnamon and Richard Jacobs, MD, 2006, Bethany House, 108 pages, ISBN #10:0764201999
Reviewed by Teena M. Stewart
Many people, Christians included, suffer from depression. Seeing in the Dark is a great pastoral and counseling resource on the subject and is written by two highly qualified individuals who have experienced depression first hand.
Gary Kinnaman, a senior pastor of a congregation of 6,000 at Word of Grace Church near Phoenix, has worked for decades counseling people with depression while battling his own depression. Richard Jacobs is a medical doctor who shared in his wife’s struggle with clinical depression. These life-changing events allowed both authors to see depression with new eyes and understand the private hell that those facing depression must deal with.
Their first-hand knowledge lends a validity you will not find in most self-help books. Because of their experience with the pain of depression, they realize it is not a simple matter of thinking the right way. And it is not brought on by a Christian’s inability to apply spiritual principles to his/her life.
Seeing in the Dark chronicles the personal journeys of the authors as well as their loved-ones while covering many aspects of this disease from a Christian standpoint. A chapter on myths about depression includes the burden Christians put on other Christians who wrestle with it. Ways of recognizing depression and its symptoms are discussed as well as the most common types, and why some people are more genetically pre-disposed to suffer from it.
The book also includes biblical references to people who suffered from depression, and concludes with suggestions as to how readers can improve their lifestyles so they can live a more balanced life.
Seeing in the Dark offers hope for those suffering from depression. The book is an excellent tool for those wishing to present workshops on depression, as a counseling resource, or even a self-help tool. Anyone who counsels should have this book on his/her shelf.
Attention: Churches, Small Groups & Non-profits. Are You Paying Too Much for Books & Resources?
If you or your organization normally orders multiple copies of books and Christian resources you can save money by applying for a special discount coupon via DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion's online bookstore. The coupon is absolutely free with no strings attached. Email Teena Stewart at smartwords@sbcglobal to apply for this discount coupon.
Are you a speaker? Do you have a conference you want to promote? List your speaking or conference with DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion. Click here for more info: http://www.ministryinmotion.net/list_your_speaking.html
Are You Wanting to Create Your Own Website?
Shop at DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion’s Bookstore for Christian Books, CD, DVDs, Jewelry, Apparel & Gifts and Save! Order Books & Resources
Set Up Your Own Online Bookstore
Spread the Word/30 Fold provides books and resources for your church or ministry clientele while allowing you to earn residual income well above what other online book affiliate programs offer. Save up to 25% or more on Christian books, music, gifts, jewelry, and apparel. Build a highly profitable, sustainable business from home with excellent earning potential. Churches and ministries with websites can even link to their bookstore right from their web pages. Fund a ministry or church or run it as a business. Learn About STW Earning Potential
Looking for ministry resources to help you in ministry?
Be sure to visit Ministry in Motion's Bookshop. Every resource is developed from hands-on church experience. Help members discover their spiritual gifts, how to connect them in ministry and more. Visit MIM's Bookshop.
Classified Ads
Advertise with Ministry in Motion
Just $10 per classified listing. For more information on advertising visit our advertising page
---
Looking for Columnists & Writers
Ministry in Motion is looking for columnists & writers in the following areas: women's ministry, men's ministry, single's ministry, youth ministry, worship ministry, small group/bible study ministry, and general ministry. We are also open to general church ministry related freelance articles. If you have an idea for a column or would like to share ministry insight or even short ministry tips, we'd love to hear from you. Present payment is promotion only -- no pay but great exposure for you, your ministry, book, or website. Please read our writer's guidelines here.
---
Searching for a New Ministry Position?
One of the needs we have perceived at Ministry in Motion is a service to help connect qualified ministers and church workers to ministry related and church staff positions. If you are presently in job search mode, or if you have a ministry position you are looking to fill, be sure to check out this site by clicking here.
---
Christian Magazines at Great Prices
Magazines to help
Christians grow spiritual and succeed in ministry. Discipleship Journal,
Leadership Magazine, SpiritLed Woman, Christianity Today & Lots More! Click
HERE for Magazines
---
www.DreamBuildersMinistries.net
Helping Churches Dream Dreams and Live out their Vision!