DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion (DBMIM) Ezine, June 19, 2007

-- "Dysfunctional computer relationships (Inspirational)" by Charles Marshall.

-- Book Review: "Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards" by Richard P. Chait, William P. Ryan, Barbara E. Taylor, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005, reviewed by Tom Hanover.

I apologize for being late with this issue of the DBMIM E-Zine. (A son to Church Camp for the summer and a daughter to Russia for the year will do that.) Things will get caught up with back-to-back issues in June. dm- Site Publisher

Visit our bookstore page and compare prices at three different Christian online bookstores.

My husband and I hurried out of the car and past the old clock tower. We made our way across the brittle grass and down a narrow footpath to a point of land that looked out across the Carquinez Strait. Ahead were the steel arches of the Benicia Bridge. A growing crowd was gathering and straining to see past the bridge. Overhead flew a news helicopter stirring the water below us with its propellers. On the other side of the bridge a few boats waited.

“No,” came several answers. “Not a sign.” Thus began the waiting game: the whales were coming! Jeff and I stood baking in the sun hoping to catch a glimpse of a couple of 20 ton mammals.

Several weeks ago, two wounded wayward whales made an amazing trek. They threaded their way from the Pacific Ocean, up through the San Francisco Bay area, through San Pablo Bay, across the Carquinez Strait, through the Suisun Bay and into the fresh water near the mouth of the Sacramento River. Authorities believed the two whales —a mother and her calf-- had been wounded in a collision with a ship’s keel.

As they lingered in the fresh water, concerns for their welfare grew along with the ever-increasing crowds. The ailing whales, unaccustomed to fresh water, were starting to show signs of distress. <Click here to read more...>

This is actually my second computer. My first computer was an older model with stone components made by the Flintstone Corp. It worked fine unless I quit pedaling.

I’ve been seeing the computer I have now for about three years, and a more dysfunctional relationship one could not imagine. I can’t stand my computer, but I can’t live without it either.

The problem we’re having lately is that it works fine when I don’t need it but whenever there is something important to be done, it decides to check out on me.

I know that this is very likely my computer’s cry for attention. It knows that I’m losing interest in it so it constantly makes pathetic attempts to get my attention. “Um, excuse me, Sweetie, I’ve got updates. Would you like to install them now?”

This, of course, is a diabolically manipulative question because if I say “yes,” then my computer is tied up for fifteen minutes while I wait for the updates to be installed. If I say “no,” then the computer crashes, blames me for not updating it when it asked me to, and we get into this huge fight. It’s a no-win situation. <Click here to read more...>

Book Review: Governance as Leadership: Reframing the Work of Nonprofit Boards by Richard P. Chait, William P. Ryan, Barbara E. Taylor, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005, 198 pages, ISBN 0-471-6420-1

Nonprofit board governance does not generally fit the framework of many local churches. However, many leaders are engaged in ministries that function as nonprofit boards. These range from a community childcare center to senior services to community development corporations.

A nonprofit board that governs well will add immense value to the ministry and services provided. However, there is no guarantee that well-meaning people will automatically understand how to lead a nonprofit well.

Nonprofit ministries are growing rapidly. The number of 501c3 incorporations, named after the IRS tax code that covers nonprofits, has increased dramatically in the last several years. More and more people are engaged in nonprofit ministries as volunteers, staff, and board members.

Chait, Ryan, and Taylor collaborated on this research in partnership with BoardSource, an organization that resources nonprofits. Chait is a professor of Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ryan is a research fellow at the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Harvard. Taylor is a senior consultant with Academic Search Consultation Service. Among them they have authored a number of books and articles.

This book analyzes three modes of a nonprofit board: the fiduciary, the strategic, and the generative. In the fiduciary mode a board will practice proper stewardship in examining the careful use of resources such as finances, leadership, and reputation of the organization in the community. In the strategic mode the board will work with staff to develop vision and goals. In the generative mode the board is working to answer the questions of purpose and mission.

The authors raise the observation that many boards function well at the fiduciary level and some even work at the strategic. However, few boards engage in discussions clarifying the mission and purpose of the organization. A healthy board will intentionally engage in work at all three levels.

In addition to the two chapters on generative thinking and generative governing, the authors include a helpful chapter on working capital. Often capital is measured in financial terms. But an effective board will bring far more capital to the table: intellectual capital, reputational capital, political capital, and social capital. Boards that are intentional about utilizing this capital as well as they manage their financial capital will multiply the effectiveness of their ministries and services.

The book is well written with a number of practical examples from the authors’ experiences. It is a useful resource for leaders engaged in nonprofit ministries and services.

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.

Site Build It -- There are many different hosting plans for those wanting Christian websites but few work with you to drive traffic to your site. SBI differs from these because it is an all-in-one do-it-yourself website program that doesn’t require html knowledge. Includes domain registration, hosting, keyword research tools, search engine optimization, ezine mailing, and non-interactive blog option. The system guarantees success in getting good ranking with search engines thereby assuring you of more traffic. This website system is used by DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion. Site Build It Quick Tour

Order Books Online and Help Support DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion's Bookstore

When you order books and resources through our online bookstore you help support DreamBuilders Ministry in Motion.

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.

Just $10 per classified listing. For more information on advertising visit our advertising page

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.

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.

Magazines to help Christians grow spiritual and succeed in ministry. Discipleship Journal, Leadership Magazine, SpiritLed Woman, Christianity Today & Lots More! Click HERE for Magazines

DBMIM Ezine June 19, 2007