Ministry in Motion (MIM) Ezine, May 25, 2007

-- "The Reconstruction of a Youth Leader: A Guest Rambling" by R. Scott Miller.

-- Book Review: "God Called a Girl: How Mary Changed Her World—And You Can Too" by Shannon Kubiak, reviewed by Teena Stewart.

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

Several people file into the meeting room and gather in chairs around the table. A few make small talk while others introduce themselves to each other. You are the ministry leader. You have a mission and an agenda. You are excited about the possibilities this group may create. You have been praying and preparing for this initial meeting for some time. Are you ready?

What role you will play on this team? Do you understand your default reflexes in leadership? Do you know what style of leadership this team needs most from you?

Many writers have analyzed the strengths and characteristics of effective leadership. Others have noted the techniques and disciplines of an effective leader. There is no one leadership style that fits every situation. How does a leader know what style that is needed in his/her particular situation?

Think of three criteria in answering that question: maturity or experience of the group, clarity of the mission, and urgency of the task.

Just for fun this month I thought I would introduce our readers to a friend of mine: Brent “Woody” Clayton. Brent is one of the best resources I have when it comes to music and sound. He plays more instruments than anyone I know and is as good of a musician as he is a sound technician. I asked Woody to share some of his wisdom and ramblings about church sound systems. The scary thing is that I met Woody while he was in high school and I was a youth ministry intern at his church.

If we receive some interest and feedback from our readers, we may be able to convince Woody to share even more thoughts about the right sound in future issues.

Audio Upgrade: Smooth Transition or Recipe for Disaster

My heart was pounding. Could I really be experiencing this? All I could see was the gun. All I could hear was someone screaming, “Give me all the money!!!!!” And the poor victims! The victims just blindly handed over everything they had.

It wasn’t that dramatic or overtly criminal. However, seeing the church get ripped off by the local “Retail Music Store” when upgrading the sanctuary’s sound system prompted some deep thought. After all, the store sold and installed exactly $2200 worth of gear and services for the “discounted rate” of $17,000!

The purpose of this article is not to promote myself or make you feel bad about past purchases. The purpose of this article is to simply take a practical look at planning your church’s audio upgrade.

Shannon Kubiak may be young, but her giftedness is obvious. She is a graduate of Biola University with a BA in journalism, and, in addition to being a published author, she also speaks at youth events nationwide.

Though her book gives insights into Mary, the mother of Jesus, that is not its main focus. The primary purpose of God Called a Girl is to show what God can do with a teen that is fully committed to serving Him. Kubiak does use Mary as an example of how one teenage girl willingly allowed God to work through her.

Just as any teen, Mary was faced with many choices. Kubiak examines those choices and how Mary positively dealt with them and holds them up as an example of inspiration to young people, and especially young women. Though we have been taught to see Mary as a mother, Kubiak teaches us to see Mary as what she truly was, a young, teenage girl.

Young people will likely identify with the fact that Mary was a virtual unknown, a nobody, and yet God chose her and she willingly allowed him to use her. Kubiak discusses her own life experiences and the way in which she accepted the fact that God called her for some unique ministry, even though she felt the task was beyond her gifts and capabilities. The lesson: God can use each one of us and each of us has merit in his eyes.

God has a plan for us and wants to use us, but sometimes we won’t know what the ultimate plan is until he puts it in motion. This unknown factor can make us fearful because it may take years to see it unfold. However, if we learn to trust him and believe that He knows what he is doing despite our insecurities, the results can be both fulfilling and amazing.

Kubiak urges the reader to take a stand for what is morally right, even when it is not the popular thing to do, and to influence others, even in small ways that might bring about change for the greater good. Though we may have heard all of this before, the fact that these words come from a young woman who is barely out of college, adds strength to this powerful message.

This book is most appropriate for high school age youth and young women, but its lessons are rich no matter what your age.

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.

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

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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.

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MIM Ezine May 25, 2007

Audio Upgrade: Smooth Transition or Recipe for Disaster