What should you do when you are going through a trial?

1. Embrace It.

This trial is going to make you stronger. So don’t ignore it, justify it or try and wish it away.
Embrace the reality of the situation you are currently in. 

2. Realize and Believe that God is bigger than your trial.

No matter what type of trial you are going through. You have to realize and believe that, there is no other name above the name of Jesus.  HE is bigger. He is faster. He is stronger than anything you will ever face. 

3. Speak Positively and not negatively to yourself and others over your situation.

You set the tone for your day by what you say. So make sure you are saying positive things, based on the word of God and not negative things about your situation.

4. Find two Scriptures that promise victory. 

Every time a negative thought comes into your mind, speak these promises over your situation. 

5. Do the right thing every day regardless of how it feels.

If you will do the right thing regardless of how you feel, your steps will take you to the future God has for you. 

6. Go thru the trial.

Successful people go thru tough times all of the time. That is what makes them successful … they GO THRU their problem. You will not stay here forever … so GO THRU whatever situation you are in.

What great advertising will and will not do for your ministry.

Advertising is a great tool to be used by your church and ministry. However, as you build your advertising game-plan keep in mind a few things that advertising will and will not do. 

Great Advertising will not ... 

Change the situation people who attend your ministry venues are living in. 

Win people to Jesus .

Make disciples.

Replace personal relationships.

Make up for lack of quality or content in your gathering. 

Great advertising will … 

Build strong moral in and around your church. 

Create a climate of excitement and growth.

Attract people to your ministry venues.

Shape people’s perception of your ministry.

Two Great ways to advertise for free. 

1. Be great at what you do.

When you are great at what you do, people will talk. When people talk, their friends listen. When their friends listen, they will come check out what you are doing. And then the cycle continues. 

2. Social Media. 

Studies have shown that Americans check their phones more than 150 times per day. You can't get someones attention if they are not looking at you. So put your church, ministry, or idea where people are looking. Put it on their phones. Either Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat are on everyones phone. Take advantage of these free platforms and put up great content on a regular basis. 

 

Four Steps to a Great Service

Set the Stage.

To many times we assume that everyone in the room is already part of the “club” and knows the basics of who we are, what we believe, and what we are getting ready to do. (Sing 3 songs, take up offering, play a cool intro video, listen to a message, pray and dismiss). 

But the truth is many people coming to our service have absolutely no clue of any of these things. Because of this, each week we want to set the stage for everyone in the room. We want to help them understand, who we are, why we are gathering, and what we are getting ready to do for the next 60 minutes or so. 

This could be done by the worship leader, a video, or our service host. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but the important thing is; we never want to take for granted that everyone in the room is already part of the “club”. 

Give Permission.

When you and I go to a persons home for the very first time, we do not know what is acceptable behavior. Do we take off our shoes or leave them on? Do we sit anywhere we want or should we stand till invited to sit down? Do we help ourselves to a glass of water or should we ask permission to get a drink? As a guest in a persons home you are waiting on permission for what to do or not to do. 

The same is true for guest at our church. People who are fairly new to our services, do not know for sure what is acceptable behavior. Do they stand or sit? Do they raise their hands during worship or stand still? Is it OK to say something during the message or should they sit quietly? 

This is very awkward. 

We want to take that awkwardness away by giving them permission to ….
- Follow along during the message by watching the screens and reading the Bible verses. 
- Join in the singing however they feel comfortable – sit – stand – clap or raise their hands
- To ask more questions at our Next Steps Booth or with talk with any of our workers after the service

We need to treat our guest like we would want to be treated when we are visiting another persons home for the very first time. Give them permission to be themselves.

Be Intentional.

When planning out our services we always ask the reason “why”. Why are we doing 3 songs for worship? Why are we doing worship? Why are we having a host come out onto the stage? Why do we need a host? Why are we preaching this particular message this particular week? Why are we doing this video? Why …. well I think you get the point.

We never want to do anything just “because”. We only have 60 to 90 minutes to be the conduit of which God’s love and voice flows thru, so we need to be intentional. 

Give people something to do with what they heard.

When we communicate the word of God we are communicating for CHANGE. We want to inspire people to be wiling to change from who they are to who God desires them to be. So every time we speak we want to give our people simple steps to help them walk out the changes they need to make as parents, children, families, Christ followers, or someone dealing with past hurts. 

Hearing God’s word is good … doing God’s word is even better.

Three MUST watch videos from Matt, Craig, and Patrick.

Like you, I want to become the best leader I can be, so that I can help other people fulfill their God given potential in life. Because of this I read books, listen to podcast and watch videos. (Lots of videos). 

Three of my favorite leadership videos are. 

The Healthy Leader by Matt Chandler. 

Increasing your capacity by Craig Groeschel

Five dysfunctions of a team by Patrick Lencioni

Each one has so much life altering information, that you can't just watch them. 

Here are four things I suggest that you do with each of these videos. 

1 - Watch the video alone. 

2 - Watch the video a second time and take notes. 

3 - Watch the video with your team and have them take notes. 

4 - Have a discussion with your team about what learned, how to apply, what they heard. 

5 - Hold each other accountable to continually apply and walk out the principles that you learned. 

Lunch Time Leadership Nugget. Four things to NEVER do.

Well it's lunch time here in California. So I thought I would give you something to chew on. 

Here are four things to never do as a leader. 

1. Never despise the days of small beginnings.

Trees that last start small, dig deep roots and continue to grow!

2. Never promote someone that has not proven themselves in small things.

You don't need people, you need the right people.

3. Never try to do anything on your own.

Anyone who has ever accomplished anything had great partners.

4. Never think that it's better to have things look good rather than be good.

Substance will win over style in the long run.

What are a few things you have done that you regret? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below.