We don’t need another inferior imitation

Some churches do things exceptionally well.

Music. Youth ministry. Preaching. Online presence. Ministry with families. Outreach to the poor. Social justice. 

Against a sole marker of quality, in general, large churches do most things very well.

They have crisp production. They have a plethora of skilled volunteers. They are led by the premium ministry agents. They have an abundant budget.

But, smaller churches also contain admirable strengths.

What Christendom doesn’t need are small church poorly imitating their larger cousins.

Far too often, neighbourhood churches will struggle to reproduce what is effective down the road, on Twitter or in the “glory days.” Of course, the results can resemble a struggle to launch and a battle - both of human and physical resources - to keep the ministry viable and functional.

There must be a better way.

Of course, God can and does work in smaller churches.

He can bless and grow ministries of churches of all sizes.

This includes any ministry which may imitate something done elsewhere.

But, again, there can be a better way.

Do. Something. Different.

Use your own strengths.

Leverage what your church is known for.

Still, reach the same people.

Still, seek to impact your community.

Still, strive to grow the Kingdom of God.

But, avoid doing it the way someone else does.

Trust me, they’ve got that “market” covered.

You don’t need to be their direct “opposition.”

Instead, use your size as an excuse to experiment.

Use your size as an excuse to be different.

Who knows, if you do something that doesn’t look and feel like what everyone is doing, you may be able to tap into a group who doesn’t connect with the traditional forms of ministry.’

How to set expectations without alienating your leaders

I’ve previously written that you need to set the bar for those volunteering in ministry positions. 

Frankly, it’s only fair that those who are stepping into a ministry role understand what is expected from them.

But, the process in determining what these expectations are, can be tricky.

You could just impose a blanket set of rules. No negotiation. Only agreed by those on the church payroll.

Or, you could utilise a more collaborative approach.

This is what I did.

The process was fairly simple…

With all your leaders present, you begin with a list of any and all potential expectations for those in leadership. In order to generate this, I just Googled various youth ministry leaders expectations/contracts and consolidated them onto one single PowerPoint slide.

This list included such things as the use of drugs, church attendance, spiritual disciplines, relational guidelines, legal guidelines and many, many, more.

From here, each leader sorted each point on the list into one of four categories - Essential, Important, Debatable, Rejected.

From here, everyone goes around the room and shares their list. No interjections.

Hopefully, the majority of the Essential and Rejected items will be fairly quickly agreed upon. But, any item which doesn’t have complete consensus will regress to one of the adjacent categories (eg any item that everyone doesn’t agree is essential, shifts to important or rejected, becomes debatable).

From here, the debates begin.

You then discuss everything else.

Why the item may be included.

How the item may be applied.

Why the item may ultimately become rejected.

With this process, the list of expectations becomes both contextually appropriate and owned by the group, not a list of demands from the ecclesiastical ivory tower.

What you need to launch a new ministry

No church should do everything.

Many churches shouldn’t do most things.

They simply cannot.

So, how do you decide what you do, and importantly, if you should launch into something new?

To start, there has to be a need. The ministry must have someone to serve or a need to meet. Without these then you’re just opening your doors and keeping busy for no one.

Second, the ministry must have a desire. This is both internal and external. There must be a yearning to have this ministry exist. This will give it energy. Both those within the church and outside of the ecclesiastical walls need to see that this ministry will be beneficial. Without desire, the ministry will quickly become a burden.

Finally, the ministry must have an ability. You need to logistically be able to pull off the event or activity. You need a space. You need people. You need training. You need time. Without these, then the ministry is a dream for the future, but not today.

Of course, this post doesn’t have to be a ministry vision killer.

In fact, it can be a catalyst for something grander than just a solo church launching something on their lonesome.

In partnership with other churches, a need, desire and ability can be channeled and utilised. They can share the ministry, pooling resources and enthusiasm.

But, without the trilogy of a solid need, desire and ability, then any perspective ministry will quickly find itself in troubled waters.

The short-term holiday workload for the long-term payoff

Year 10 History.

Year 9 History Elective.

Year 9 mainstream History.

Year 8 History.

Year 8 Geography.

Year 7 History.

Year 7 Geography.

Day 1: 

Complete an overview of the subject based upon the syllabus and the way the subject has been previously taught.

Review the assessment tasks.

Stalk the Google Classrooms from the previous year for my classes and those of my colleagues.

Day 2:

Make notes on a topic from the course from a textbook.

Day3:

Find resources and teaching material from the various acquired magazines, books and resource Facebook groups that link in with the subject overviews.

This has been the nightly activities during the school holidays.

In theory, I could forego the depth of this prep for the upcoming school year.

Without doubt, in a few years time this preparation will be significantly condensed.

But not yet.

Not for a few more years.

Currently, I’m still earning my teaching stripes.

I’m still paying my dues.

Frankly, I’m too new and green to be complacent.

And, the more prep I do now, the more it will pay off in the future.

In the confidence I’ll have in week one of term.

In the preparation I’ll have in a few months from now.

In the groundwork I’ll have laid for a few years from now.

So, while I’ve got a bunch of work ahead of me for the rest of the month, the payoff makes it all worthwhile.

The trinity who shape the theology of your church

Of course, your theology should be shaped by the bible, guided by the Holy Spirit.

Now we’ve gotten that necessary caveat out of the way…

Practically, three people shape the theology of a congregation.

The senior minister.

The children’s worker.

The worship leader.

Really, the people should be called…

The one who gives the sermon.

The one who gives the kid’s address in church.

The one who selects the music.

They don’t need to be in vocational ministry or hold any specific title, but in these hands is where theology is caught by most people sitting in the pews.

The preacher gives it depth.

The talk to the children gives it simplicity.

The songs make it memorable.

The imprint of any Sunday will be shaped by all three and leave a lasting impression over time.

With this responsibility, each leg of the theology stool must be aligned or the understanding of the flock, particularly those newer to the faith, will be confused.

2022 Best Of…

This year’s Ramblings have had a different flavour.

In the most part, it’s because I’m in a different stage of life than before.

I’m not a youth minister… and I haven’t been vocationally since 2016.

I’m no longer a University student… I graduated last year.

I’m now a full time high school teacher, working my first year in a school teaching history and geography.

But, this is still a place for my musings on life, church, faith, ministry to youngsters and, now, teaching.

So, the prime Ramblings from 2022 were…

The test of Christian maturity you’ll inevitably face  

How long should you milk the controversy?

How aware are we of out time?

The cost of omitting the rituals in the evening

The dangers of Build-Your-Own Christianity 

You need to look at both sides of the marriage equation

Being on the other side of scripture teaching

What do you do with a bible you a throwing out?

What you gain when you don’t have to fake it anymore

What you preach on in your ministry diapers will shape your future

The best piece of teaching advice I’ve received 

Why Lamentations?

The reason that people leave that we MUST speak about

You may stop, but you don’t forget how

The secret to getting beyond the question “Was Sunday School fun this morning?”

The power of saying you agree (my most read post of 2020)

The only safe option when church and mental health collide 

Ministries of awareness and availability (what I think is the most important thing I’ve written in… years)

The perks of owning your own classroom

Why it’s time for the offering bags to return

The profession your minister morphs into as your church grows

Authoritative.

A constant.

A respected voice.

Something reliable in uncertain times.

Someone who shares the weighty stories of the community.

Someone you can somewhat get to know, but who will never personally know you.

Which profession am I referring to?

A newsreader.

But I could easily be referring to a long-term minister at a large church.

They have all the hallmarks of a beloved newsreader.

They are a familiar face.

They are a trusted voice.

They are someone who has been in the background of all the significant events.

But… they are in the background.

They are a voice… which doesn’t know your name.

They are one who shares select stories… but didn’t know yours.

And herein lies the weakness of supersized Christianity.

The flock is too large for the shepherd.

For example, today I graduated from University.

In all likelihood, my current minister will have no idea.

He won’t know to ask me about it on Sunday.

There’s a decent chance that he won’t even get around to speaking with me on Sunday.

And… this isn’t his fault. I attend a church large enough that the senior minister cannot possibly be in personal contact with everyone weekly.

The downside is that your minister becomes more like a beloved newsreader and less like a shepherd who intimately knows each individual sheep.

Why it’s time for the offering bags to return

At most churches everything appears pre-COVID.

All ministries have reactivated.

Attendance is back to normal.

Christmas will be business-as-usual.

Of course, the signs of COVID still linger.

COVID safety plans are still in effect - some social distancing, stay away if you’re sick, online services are still an option to tune in to.

But, one thing has remained absent - the offering bag.

These velvet pouches or wooden plates have remained in mothballs.

But, it’s time they returned.

Why?

Because we need to get back into the habit of giving.

We need to be reminded that giving is a communal activity.

We need to remember that giving is a physical discipline.

Online, direct-debit, giving - while absolutely essential during lockdowns - has stripped the congregation of the tangible-ness of the offering.

We need to get that back.

If we don’t, the offering will remain another weekly bill that we barely notice.

The habit of bringing your offering will go unlearnt by younger generations.

While I’m sure the offering bags won’t overflow with their reintroduction, since cash is a far rarer commodity nowadays, the lessons that the offering bags teach are well worth their return.

The power of the meeting confession

Last Sunday I was in a church meeting. Nothing unexpected was predicted.

How wrong I was.

During the meeting the church leadership did something I’ve never seen before.

They publicly confessed.

Openly.

In front of the entire church.

Without even the hint of a scandal.

They admitted that they’ve let people down.

They admitted that they’ve miscommunicated.

And then they were prayed for, while kneeling before the congregation, by a lay leader of the church.

It was refreshing to see and hear.

It was vulnerable.

It was authentic.

It was something I’d never considered doing personally.

Nor was it something I’d heard done elsewhere.

But, it’s moments of pastoral awareness like this which dramatically add relational capital with those who have been let down by the leadership and those who will remain under the pastoral wings of the leaders.

Why I showed a bunch of non-preachers how you prepare a sermon

Meditation.

Investigation.

Reflection.

These are the steps I took a group of young adults through last night.

In short, we went through the process that you’d go through in order to write a sermon.

Meditation: Think deeply and slowly about the text. Note anything that jumps out, surprises or raises questions.

Investigation: Research the details of the passage and delve into some of the things raised as you meditated on the passage. Use resources of various types and depths.

Reflection: Write out your thoughts. Make connections. Draw out application. Share your thoughts with others.

Obviously, I won’t be delivering a sermon on Sunday based upon the passage we dealt with last night.

No one in the room will be.

But, in going through the process, it exposes those present to the steps a preacher will undergo and, more importantly, arm them with an effective method to deeply interact with a bible passage.

The danger of teaching the simple things

Currently, I teach junior high-schoolers.

Within my subjects - history and geography - there is a sizeable element within the curriculum for subject skills.

Frankly, some of it is really basic.

For example, direction.

Simple. North, East, South, West.

Year 7 have a whole lesson dedicated to direction.

The danger of teaching such topics is this… I find it simple. Obvious. Easy.

So, the temptation exists to not teach it throughly.

Instead, you assume that the students will understand the content quickly. 

The assumption can be that the answers will be as obvious to them as it is to me.

Of course… this ignores the fact that I learnt some of these skills over a quarter of a century ago. And I’ve now got multiple degrees.

A similar thing can happen with the gospel.

We can assume, just because something is clear for us, then it should come quickly for others.

This isn’t how it works.

For some, the ability to connect the dots will take time.

The ability to link the concepts will not click until they have their individual light-bulb moment.

The ability of a good teacher - be it in the classroom, Bible study or pulpit - is to ride the wave of discovery with the learner, not just going at the pace you assume will be enough to fly through the content.

The key is patience.

Why every church needs a kid’s ministry cheat sheet

The kid’s name

Date of birth

Father’s name

Father’s occupation

Mother’s name

Mother’s occupation

Dietary information

Length of time at church

Other pertinent details (for example, attends fortnightly, parents divorced, pressing health concerns or history, interests, activities which may restrict attendance)

This is the list of information all churches should know and have available to those working with children within a church congregation setting.

This information lets you enter a ministry situation with your eyes open.

It allows an unfamiliar person to be able to make and see connections.

It allows for personal touches to be included.

It highlights red flags that a new person could trip over.

It assists in the development of relationships.

In short, this cheat sheet puts someone on the highway to making those they newly minister to feel a sense of belonging.

Now, the teaching can incorporate personal connections.

Important dates won’t be overlooked.

Awkward parent interactions can be somewhat averted because you now have some background information to chat about.

Basically, this information arms you and bales you out.

The two reasons my daughter will be sending you to hell

Today my eldest was educating me about God and how heaven works.

I thought I’d already figured it out.

Apparently, you go to hell if you aren’t a Christian. 

Or hurt the planet.

It turns out that climate change denial or lack of effort to avert the warning of the globe will result in damnation.

While I didn’t immediately amend her ideas about the end times and judgement, I did wonder where she developed the connection between hell and climate change.

Is this the level that the youngest generation equate with the issue of climate change?

It’s a damnable offence?

I assume that every generation has had a similar hot-button issue that they would project in a similar fashion (justifiable or otherwise), be it the aids epidemic, nuclear war, the civil rights movement, abolition…

I wonder if we consider the effects these globe-defying, civilisation-shaping generational topics have on the mindset of the young.

As they hear about the “next great calamity facing humanity,” do we consider the gravity of the message we are implanting on our most impressionable minds?

Should we be okay with any youngster thinking that any topic is on par with the destination you’re going to end up in after your dead?

The perks of owning your own classroom

A decade ago I wrote that a preacher needs to own the room.

The same is true for a teacher.

But, currently, I don’t have an assigned room.

I’m like a man without a country. A teaching orphan. 

But I wish I did have a room.

A place I could consider “home”.

A place to decorate.

A place to display assignments.

A place to be proud of.

A place of routine.

A place of consistency.

A place to be dictatorial over the placement of the tables.

But mainly… I want a space that is… mine.

A place I somewhat own.

A place of regularity.

A place where my students will meet me, not me rushing to meet them… somewhere.

A place to store what I need.

A place to stash what I’ve found.

A place which my classes will be familiar with.

A place with visual reminders of what we learn about and what they are expected to produce.

These are the perks of having your own space.

Would I be an A-Grade student?

World War 1 was caused by the ignition of the four primary conditions rife throughout Europe leading up to “The Great War.” These conditions - militarism, alliances, imperialism and nationalism - combined to form the kindling which would be set alight by the two primary triggering events - The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the initiation of the Schlieffen Plan by the Germans.

This is how I would start the year 9 essay that was due from my history classes week.

Now, I’m marking 45 responses over the next few days.

This is on top of the 100 or so essays I had to mark during the last school holidays.

But, what mark would I receive if I wrote my 800-word response and slid it, anonymously, in with one of the classes of my fellow teachers?

Would they notice any significant difference in the essay?

If a reciprocal event occurred, would I detect the inclusion of another faculty members’ submission?

The question is intriguing.

Would I get full marks? You’d hope so.

Would I give out the full compliment of marks to a teacher who has been instructing on the topic a half-dozen times?

Could you conduct such an experiment without becoming dreadfully unpopular due to the addition of a half-dozen essays on top of the workload your colleagues already juggle?

To an extent, the practice would be of great benefit to new teachers, fine-tuning the instructions they give to their students.

If only I had the time to pen my responses…

What should you say about the previous week’s sermon?

When you’re preaching, you’re not an island.

You’re connected to the congregation.

You’re connected to those in the wider church whom you’ve read and listened to in preparation.

Importantly, if those present were attending last Sunday, you’re connected to the person who preached the previous week.

So, if you reference the previous speaker, what should you say?

To begin with, it all depends what you thought of the sermon last Sunday? 

Did you agree with what they said? Is there a natural connection to what you are currently saying?

Frankly, I think that the majority of the time, you won’t reference who spoke seven days prior. You just won’t need to. 

They will have done a perfectly faithful, adequate, job. They used the text well. They shared the message of Jesus. They applied their points so they would impact beyond the few hours on a Sunday morning or evening. 

But, what if you have something to add?

While there’s nothing wrong with chipping in to the sermon last week, I’d hope you have enough to say about the passage before you currently to forego the addition.

Furthermore, if you intend to correct something said the week prior (unless it is a simple factual mistake that can be addressed within 30 seconds) then the majority of criticisms are better touched on in person with the preacher, not flaunted at the pulpit without the ability for a response.

Let’s face it, it would be foolish to start an ongoing theological debate cross-crossing  a number of weeks.

The pulpit should primarily be for the edification of the congregation, not a place for academic arm-wrestling or chest-puffing.

The best thing you could do, if you’re pointing people back to the previous week, is to say that you agree with what you heard. Declare that you genuinely agreed. Say where you saw God move as a consequence. Share how the message inspired you. Better yet, tell the congregation how this previous message helped shape your current sermon.

These are the best ways, if you have to at all, to share the spotlight with the preacher the week before.

Beware of the whisperers

Some people love to whisper.

They delight in hushed conversations.

They love muttered debriefs.

And the two places they reside the most are churches and staff-rooms.

This is when they are in their element.

But, the danger is, if you get sucked into the whispered diatribes - given enough time - you will be the one whispered about…

The harm of having a window for taboo topics?

How often does your church preach on controversial issues?

How often do they intentionally speak about current trends?

How often will they directly address the questions you’re most likely to have?

In youth ministry, these are must-hit targets.

You must teach on the things at the both core and cutting edge of youth culture.

But, I’m not sure that these targets are as intentionally hit from most pulpits.

Will they speak on taboos if the intersect with the biblical passage they were preaching on nonetheless? You’d hope so. But, these hot-button issues are often touched on by happenstance than design.

What effect does this have?

If a church tiptoes around controversial issues, surely this risks putting it out of touch, for the messages from the pulpit won’t intersect with the water cooler in the workplace.

This evasion not only paints the church as irrelevant, but fails to equip church members to engage with uneasy topics.

Furthermore, if their church shys away from the meatier topics, this weakens those who are new to the faith.

It would be a tremendous detriment if the taboo window slammed shut after, say, the age of 25.

If a church wants their people to live fruitfully in the world then they shouldn’t  remain silent on Sunday about the issues discussed on Monday.

The essential interview mindset

It’s not unusual that an element of a church service will involve an interview, be it with an invited guest or a member of the congregation.

Most times, it is a refreshing change from the regular church service format.

But, the church interview must come with a few m generally understood, disclaimers.

1 - You’re only getting a part of the story. Be it a snippet of a wider series of events or the slant which the interviewer wants to investigate.

2 - You’re only getting a few minutes. Tying closely with my first point, there will be more story for the speaker to tell. You’re only getting a taste.

3 - You’re only getting one side. It should be obvious, but you’re Primarily getting the point-of-view of the interviewee.

4 - The story isn’t finished yet. No matter where the one holding the microphone is on their journey of life and faith, it is still ongoing. 

5 - The speaker may still be working everything out. Depending on the proximity of the event being discussed, the speaker may be still processing what has occurred.

6 - You’re not getting a complete theology of the interviewee. They are there for a purpose, and open unpacking of their systematic theology isn’t it. We should never expect one nor walk away thinking that we’ve heard one.

7 - Finally, an interview is vastly different from a book. The later is throughly prepared. Each chapter, paragraph, phrase and word can be scrutinised over. A interview, is off-the-cuff. It is impromptu. 

So… while interviews are excellent, everyone should go in with their eyes and ears open to avoid disappointment and misunderstanding. 

How long do you need to commemorate?

A few weeks back, September 11 fell on a Sunday.

I had no idea.

I heard nothing mentioned in church.

The potential significance of this date didn’t even occur to me until my wife mentioned something on the way home.

She thought that something should have been mentioned. At least in passing.

I thought it was perfectly acceptable that the date went past without acknowledgment.

Why?

Because you don’t have to be shackled to the past.

Sure, if I was in America or there was a significant connection between the congregation and 9/11, then it should definitely be a factor within the service.

But in Australia…

21 years later…

I’m perfectly fine with it not being mentioned.

Because, with the passing of time, every date has an event attached with it.

The sinking of the Titanic… April 14.

The ending of apartheid in South Africa… May 4.

The sacking of Rome…August 24.

On the day I write this - September 29 - The Greeks defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis.

If they got mentioned during a church service… it would be interesting… but not something that I’d expect.

Surely, with the passing of time, modern events need to eventually fall into this skippable category as well.