A silly, tiny, clueless fly that flitters around a window banging against it knowing that freedom lies on the other side of the glass but absolutely powerless to get there.
I know freedom is found in Jesus. I know the fresh, sweet breath of Christ is found on my knees. But I continue to beat against that window that seperates me from freedom in Christ insisting that maybe one more body slam will break through this barrier.
Won’t happen. I need my Savior to show me the crack. The little hole to slip through where freedom, peace and life are found.
we discussed the 5 essentials to the Orange Philosophy. My friend, Cathy Heitzenrater, asks a great question.
Hey Gina – How are some ways we can implement more orange strategy in churches with an Uber Simple Church structure?
This is an excellent question. One to which many of you could contribute some excellent ideas.
So, who’s game?
How would you respond to Cathy?
Leave a comment and let’s offer up some great ideas together.
BTW… I met Cathy at the Orange Conference last year. She’s fun. If you want to talk to her out on Twitter, click here or friend her on Facebook, click here. If you want to meet her in person… you have to come to the Orange Conference 2010. You can click here to sign up. She’ll be there. She’ll make you smile. 🙂
The story of the talents in Matthew 20 rings in my mind today.
The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more.But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money.
Many teachers of this scripture equate talents with money, time, gifts, abilities, etc. Basically, taking what God provides and using it rather than squandering it. So, my question is… if you have a handful of talents and find that you’re only using a few… how long will you allow the others to go unused?
It’s been a rough few months in ministry. And it’s beginning to wear on me. Much of the stress is surfacing and my ability to fend it off is diminished.
It’s a road I’ve traveled before and thankfully I recognize the signs. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s wearing on me.
Today God stopped me in my tracks. I had my plans. My schedule… and it was full. Full of all the ministry ‘things’ that must be accomplished so that I shine as a ministry leader. That’s my problem.
Leaving my first appointment of the day, I walk to my car only to find a flat tire.
“I can do this”, trying to convince myself.
I don’t freak out. I know how to change a tire. My dad showed me when I was 16. (I’m almost 36… it’s been a while)
But I don’t think the point of the excercise is to freshen up my tire changing skillz. I think the point is God is asking me to stop and define a few things. Stuff like…
ministry work vs. ‘busy’ work
tasks He’s handed me vs. tasks I’ve contrived for myself
the Holy Spirit prompting me vs. my own concieted, people-pleasing, self-gratifying heart leading me
He has a way of stopping me in my tracks… literally. Because He knows I won’t hear Him any other way.
Kenny Conley is the Next Generation Pastor of Gateway Community Church in Austin, Tx. True to Texas, Kenny thinks BIG. I’ve yet to hear anything out of Kenny’s mouth that isn’t bigger than all of us put together. He’s joining Jabberfrog today to share glimpse of what God has done inside of him lately. Enjoy, comment, then skip over to his blog, Children’s Ministry Online, for more.
Hello. My name is Kenny and I’m a Sabbath Skipper.
I’ve known better for years, but I habitually work on the Sabbath. It wasn’t until just a few weeks ago that I realized how out of control I was and began to put guidelines back into my life concerning the Sabbath. Actually I jumped into a small group of other men on staff and we’re on a Bible reading plan. While we were in the books of the Law, the thing that convicted us the most was the importance of the Sabbath and how pitiful we all were at celebrating it. Being in ministry, we’re all busy with really good things. Unfortunately our family was taking a back seat to unrealistic and out of control schedules.
For us, we first had to recognize what our Sabbath was. Sunday is a workday, so it wouldn’t be fair to our families if that was our Sabbath. We chose to go OT style and do the sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. It was a schedule that allowed us to have a full 24 hours with our families without school or work getting in the way. It also gave us flexibility to start ramping up for work again on Saturday night. We then surrounded each other with accountability, making sure we’re all celebrating the Sabbath.
I’m five weeks into my new practice and I’ve only blown it one weekend. Here is what I’ve learned:
I’m just as productive as I was before. I’ve got the same about of work, but I seem to be getting it done in one less day of work. Who knew. I think it’s like the tithe. For many people it is a step of faith to first begin giving that 10% and they have to trust God with the tithe. When choosing to celebrate the sabbath, you have to trust that God will multiply your ability to get everything done with one less day to work.
Celebrating the Sabbath changes the way I work during the week. Every day I’m thinking about that Sabbath and and prioritizing my week so that when Thursday comes, I’m able to wrap up what needs to be done for that week. I’ve found that it has helped me become more efficient.
I’m happier. Seriously, I’m less stressed, I feel more confident about the direction we’re going and I’m having such a blast with my family on my days off. My relationship with my wife is better and I’m making great memories with my family.
It’s funny how as pastors, we’re sure to tithe and stress how important it is for others to follow this suggestion, yet so many of us totally neglect taking a Sabbath rest. The irony of it all is that taking the Sabbath rest is one of the ten commandments, which is pretty important.
So, schedule your next Sabbath rest day. Enjoy it and be sure to honor God this way!
Working with Gina was one of the best learning experiences of my career. Gina not only brought a sensible, no-nonsense attitude to the table, she had a way of casting vision that I have rarely seen. In a few short months, she was able to bring our team together with a common mission and goal. She was able to build and help us implement processes and procedures into our systems that had been missing for years.
Gina's strategic mind combined with her deep care of those she leads is a combination that leaves a mark on anyone who is fortunate enough to sit under her leadership. I'm forever grateful for the impact she has had and continues to have on my life.
Gina is willing to listen.
Working alongside Gina and her leadership is a blessing because she allowed me to learn from what I produce from the coaching tools she delivers. As a leader, Gina shows that she is not perfect, and expects imperfection from her team as well.
The biggest aspect that I love about Gina and her leadership is her willingness to listen, and not just look for a solution.
Gina is a strong leader.
She is gifted in strategy, vision, and communication. Not only is she gifted, but she cares deeply for the church and seeing people come to know and understand how loved they are by their perfect Heavenly Father. Gina has great experience in family ministry and has personally helped develop me as a leader for the next-generation!
Working with Gina has been a gift.
Working with Gina the last several years has been such a gift to me! She has a way of asking questions and sharing her wisdom to help you move your ministry in a direction you never thought possible. She helped me take a ministry that relied heavily on one person and create a structure that supported teams of leaders and teachers. Our ministry today has so many people that are owners of their areas of ministry because of the coaching I received. Her counsel in my life personally and with ministry has been such a gift to me! If you are looking for someone full of Godly wisdom and practical advice that will challenge and encourage you along the way, she is it!
Exciting, Rewarding and Challenging
While the world of working in ministry is ever changing, the goal never wavers. Staying true to the vision becomes increasingly important and Gina has an ability to bring clarity to that goal, while inspiring and challenging leaders. Working under Gina's leadership was exciting, rewarding, and challenging. Gifts were brought to light, hurdles were broken and clarity was brought to every situation. Even in the moments of feeling stuck in leadership, movement happened. Gina has a gift for providing the next step no matter where the start point may be, but always in the direction of the end result.
An Incredible Mentor
Gina McClain has been an incredible mentor and coach of mine for the past several years. Her real world experience and humble vulnerability make her advice both wise and relatable. She is great with processing strategic systems, brainstorming new ideas, casting vision, and seeing the big picture. Gina has helped develop me into a much better leader and see things differently with new ways to grow.
Working with Gina was an absolute joy.
She has the amazing ability to take things that seem jumbled and disconnected, zoom out, and bring clarity of vision to any situation she’s faced with. Gina’s a unique leader who isn’t able to just cast strong vision but can actually give you the steps to make it happen! And of course the added bonus is that it’s just plain fun to work with Gina!
She Makes Things Fun
It was one of the greatest honors to lead under and alongside a leader like Gina. She has a powerful gifting to bring clear vision and strategy to teams while also stopping to walk through individual scenarios with care and intentionality. She makes things fun and understandable while leading a team always with the greatest balance of strength through vulnerability and wisdom. I have been changed as a leader because of working with Gina.
Thriving Culture
She guided our team towards a coaching structure, selection of key leaders, and ensured we had an optimal environment to welcome kids and families while not wavering on a safe and engaging experience.Her leadership and guidance not only strengthened the foundation, our team naturally grew because people were seen and known. The team quickly became a community with a thriving culture that people wanted to be a part of.
The story of the talents in 
