A week ago I presented at the e3 ministry summit. www.e3summit.com It was a great event, with great audience participation. The event went so well that we are already in the planning stages for next year’s event. Mark May 18, 2011 on your calendars! According to the survey taken live by Reply (wireless instant audience response system) http://www.replysystems.com I beat out Bill Gate and Steve Jobs to give next year’s Keynote address(see photo). The entire planning committee gave a huge sigh of relief when I decided that it was in the best interest of the summit for me to decline that opportunity. Based on my good friendship with this year’s keynote speaker Greg Stielstra www.pyromarketing.com I thought it would be best for me to not upstage and out shine the spectacular presentation Salt, Light and Social Media that Greg gave at the event.
At this year's event I did have the privilege of leading a breakout section entitled “making church happen”. Below are some of the bullet points that I hit on.
People, Planning and Purpose
Set Time
8 am Monday mornings
Stable Group
Same core group with rotating extra's
Stated Purpose
We are going to plan the Sunday 5/16/10 am service
Selected Topic and Theme
The theme for the morning is: forgiveness, the topic: receiving it
Specific discussion
Keep it focused on the theme and topic
Stringent time allotment
Have a non negotiable set time limit (just like most of us have on a Sunday morning)
Stifling not allowed!
Let the conversation stay open and free. No “that's crazy or dumb” remarks from anybody.
Structure
Have a loose but recognized structure to the group
Secretary
Someone needs to record the ideas (usually the pastor that will be preaching this message)
Strengths
Use and do what you are best at. Great band, drama, video, storytelling, stage set
Space out
Let the “Wonder of it all” keep you wondering what to do...
I was really on an “S” theme there so if some of the bullets seem to be a Stretch…. Well they are.
The main thing is to get Started and be consistent in planning worship. The reSt of it will come together. Okay, I know enough of the “S” Stuff!
I found it very interesting that 71%* of the attendees used a thematic approach to planning services for all or most all services!
It was also great to see that 89%* of the attendees were holding their own or experiencing growth. In fact a full 71%* responded that they were experiencing growth!
I closed the presentation with these bullet points:
Putting it all together
Set your limits
Know what your team can pull of successfully
Simple and Solid always beats Flashy and Flakey
Stretch your limits
Push your team to grow and expand “a limit is a growth opportunity ready to happen”
Visit other churches
Network & Share
Spend time Preparing
If something changes, because of your preparation you will be able to respond to the change much quicker and much easier
Setting the table
Does it Looks orderly
Chords hidden and dressed
Clutter removed
Sound Check
Don't just Rehearse Look around. What could be different? (sign up for my eZine….. email me at garyz@parkwayelectric.com )
“It is not about the tools……. It's all about both the tools and the talent”
Gary Zandstra
* responses were immediately collected and tallied from the audience using Reply Systems www.replysystems.com
