Snapshots

This is a tweet from Christopher Walken dating from December 10th:
“A man ate from a trash can while tourists clicked snapshots. I gave the guy 15 dollars & told the tourists to get the H*** out of my city.”
I couldn’t help but post this. While it is obviously off-color to a certain degree, doesn’t he have a point? When did people lose every ounce of compassion for people and begin to see “the least of these” as a photo-op?
And is the church anything like those tourists? Are we just looking at the problems? Are we just identifying them or pointing them out? Are we just yelling “Look! A homeless guy!”? Or are we doing something about it?
“Get the H*** out of my city?” Maybe we should be giving our all to get our city out of Hell…and in the meantime maybe we can give somebody a little bit of hope in the God who cares.

Unleash ‘09 – Thoughts and Highlights

Breakout sessions

Main sessions

Thoughts…

• First of all, major kudos to the volunteer staff. They knocked it out of the park! It could not have happened without them, that is obvious.
• Perry Noble tells it like it is…plain and simple.
• It is possible that a better worship team does not exist. Lee McDerment and RoseAngela Rugiero are amazing!
• The staff of NewSpring are for real! They all buy into the one directive of God’s church: leading people to Jesus Christ.

Highlights…

• Meeting some old friends there (Heath Mulliken and Charlie Collins)
• Perry said “[fill in the blank]” HILARIOUS!
• Chic-Fil-A for lunch
• Got to check out the FUSE building!
• WORSHIP! WORSHIP! WORSHIP!
• “Our God is Love” sung by Lee McD! Sooo good!!
• “Savior King” is one of the best worship songs ever written and they rocked it out!
• Perry brought it for the final session
• Prayer time with senior pastors

Unleash ‘09 – Breakout Sessions

Thoughts and Highlights

Main sessions

Breakout Session 1: Communications & Web Strategy with Suzanne Smith and Josh Blankenship:

• All communication needs to reflect who you are as a church and your vision.
• Keep it simple and streamlined – don’t give so many options that it will confuse people.
• Define the win first – decide NOW what you want your communication to do
• Clear communication with staff & volunteers is key.
• “How can I help you?”
• Same team. Same mission. Same vision. One church.
• Specialization of position does not make life easier.

Breakout Session 2: Student Ministries with Brad Cooper

Ask two questions (taken from Henry Ford):

(1) What’s business?

• One directive. Many strategies.
• The church is about people meeting Jesus!
• Say no to some good things in order to say yes to a very few great things.
• A good thing is the opposite of a great thing.
• Are we proud of Jesus? Would anyone know it when they enter our services?
• Youth ministers must join with the vision of the Senior Pastor.

(2) How’s business?

• What is your succession plan? If you were gone tomorrow, who would take over? Are you putting people in position to become ministers?
• Delegate. Involve. Empower.

Four levels of student involvment at FUSE:

1. Consumer – the first-time visitor; checking things out; hooked by the fun maybe
2. Relater – someone learns their name; pays attention to them; makes them feel welcome
3. Disciple – a decision of faith is made
4. Producer – makes disciples; moved into a position of minister (even as students, because no one reaches a teen better than another teen)

There is a culture of intrigue… CHANGE IT UP!

Lastly, healthy things grow.