Something from Nothing

I’ll be the first to admit that there are, in my opinion, far too many church conferences. Leadership. Servanthood. Technology. Creativity. Growth. Church Plants. Mega Churches. They’re all covered, ad nauseum.

I wonder if what we need isn’t another pep rally or just the perspective of one particular church methodology but rather practical, we-can-do-this-too ideas that are not predicated on the DNA, methodology or programs of other churches.

I think I’ve found a group of people who have some of this figured out. They’re a group who created Dirt, a conference that invites us to make something from nothing.

Last week, I spent nearly three days in the company of people like myself who simply wanted to help the “Big-C” Church learn from the collective creativity, processes and experiences of people who are not on the big-time speaking circuits. It was a collection of not-so-average, average people; folks who had done things with next to nothing and were willing to share their successes and failures as adventurers who had been where most of us are today. The results of this collective group of co-adventurers provided us all with truckloads of knowledge and pages of notes that could readily be applied regardless of budget, attendance, venue, position or denomination. It was beautiful.

I had the privilege of being part of the gaggle of people presenting years of experience and encouraging each person to go back and make some necessary changes. The format was simple: a panel of us would answer a set of questions from a moderator and then dive into Q&A with the attendees. I kept my MacBook Pro open with MindManager ready for note-taking and my Bible available to share inspiration as the Lord impressed upon me during each lab. At the end, I have more excellent ideas, solid best-practices and a huge dose of practical inspiration to share with my ministry friends.

Dirt may be the most practical, down-to-earth, encouraging and equipping-focused conference for churches today. With over 500 in attendance during the inaugural conference, I’m sure we’ll see another one in 2010. I, for one, will be there, speaking or not. This is my new favorite conference. I encourage you to reach out to Neil Greathouse, the Technical Director for New Life Church in Little Rock, AR, and share with him your desire to bring your team to next year’s Dirt Conference.

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Dirt Conference Lab: Balancing Workload & Life

This session from the Dirt Conference was another that I had the chance to help lead along with panelists Anne Jackson, Kristen Becnel & Charlie Loften. The wisdom these three shared was eye-opening and extremely transparent. In particular, Anne Jackson really knocked it out of the ballpark with her insight. Of course, the IS the author of “Mad Church Disease” – a book about ministry burn-out – so she had a lot to say that was very helpful and insightful.

Here are the notes I took while trying to hold my laptop, a microphone & my Bible while sitting on a stool (in other words, not as many typed in as I’d like to have done):

1.  How can I say no? (or how do “you” say no)

In terms of serving your Pastor: There are three answers for your pastor – “Yes”, “Yes, but” or “No”; but “no” is reserved only for that which is unethical, immoral or un-Biblical.

By having a strong relationship with your church leadership, you can share openly & honestly about your workload. As leaders, there job is to lead you and protect you.

Anne Jackson talked about how in Luke chapter 4 Jesus pulled away from the non-stop ministry. He set a precedent for us to retreat away to spend time refreshing.

Charlie & Kristen spoke of putting boundaries on your time commitment.

I implored people to track their time via projects. By first understanding how & where you spend your time, you can begin to make changes in prioritization and in making important cuts to buy margin in our time.

2.  What do I do if my family is missing me and I have a deadline?

“An inconsistent schedule has to be the exception, not the norm.” – Charlie Loften

Go home. Work will be there tomorrow. Your family needs you more than yet another project.
3.  How do you teach the concept that this job isn’t 9-5?

Respect the seasons of ministry. Know that extra time is required during Christmas & Easter. Balance that time with rest afterward.

“We need time to dream & rest.” – Kristen Becnel

Manage people well. Help protect your staff’s time and ensure you’re “selling what you’re smoking”.

4.  How do you protect yourself from becoming burned out?

Spend time with the Lord daily.

Protect YOUR Sabbath (for most church staff, that’s not Sunday).

Be part of a group that holds each other accountable.

Read Anne Jacksons’ book “Mad Church Disease”.

5.  Can you have a successful family life and work life?

The quote of the day was a stunner: “We like to let productivity define our spiritual maturity” – Anne Jackson. Smack, that’s good!

The answer is “Yes”, but it requires intentionality.

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Dirt Conference Lab: Series Development

At this inaugural year of the Dirt Conference, I’ve been impressed with the caliber of panelists leaders and the vibe that’s evidenced from churches hungry to learn how to “make something from nothing”. I’m blogging the sessions I’ve helped lead and attend to share the wisdom I’m soaking up here in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The first Lab was one that I helped lead, along with Kristen Becnel, Michael Buckingham & Neil Greathouse (the inventor of Dirt and Tech Director here at the church). We interacted with the audience around the subject of “Series Development”. Here’s my notes from the session:
1.  How far out do you plan a series?

Ideally – Vision for the idea, rough plan for the series length… 90 days.

Reality - Following the vision of the pastor defines the planning options for series development

2.  When it feels like it’s all been done before, what then?

“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” – Ecclesiastes 1:9

innovation |ˌinəˈvā sh ən| – noun
the action or process of innovating.
• a new method, idea, product, etc.

“How do we say an old thing in a new way?”

3.  What elements should be included in a series?

If by elements you mean “essentials” then the list includes:

• Scripture & Worship

If by elements you mean “aspects of” then the list can include, but is not limited to:

• Take Aways
• Give Aways

“Creative elements come when you have worked as a creative team in a creative way to accomplish a creative experience.”
4.  What does the creative process look like for brainstorming ideas?

3 – 6 people were recommended for creative teams; more if you can manage large groups.

I led a discussion around Creative Planning Teams and referenced Edward DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats.

FEAR = Failure to Equip, Authorize and Release. Pastors need to have the self-confidence in themselves to share the responsibility to their team members without hesitation.

Here are additional thoughts specific to this subject. I’ve also included a few blog posts from my old blog (my archives) that speak into this as well.

There are some basic “true-isms” that come along with working or volunteering at a church.

• Sunday comes every seven days.
• Yet being predictable (boring) is being irrelevant to your audience.
• And creativity doesn’t come quick or easy by yourself.

In a sense, each Monday starts with a blank slate. Or, in vernacular that I grew up with, a clean chalkboard. Today, that might be a clean document or MindMap on your computer. Whatever the metaphor you choose to best represent your generational style, the reality is that we have to come ready to be creative and willing to work together and listen for the Spirit’s guidance.

So what does your blank slate look like?

• Are you a Pastor stuck in the mire of week-to-week planning on your own?
• Are you in a church where creativity takes a back seat to more pressing day-to-day needs of shepherding and leading because it’s hard to be creative under pressure?
• Are you a worship leader that doesn’t get sermon concepts until Wednesday or Thursday before a service?
• Or are you a tech person who doesn’t get notes until the last minute, leaving any creative juices mere minutes to “work their magic” or else it’s time to open up that PowerPoint Template Wizard?

Starting with a blank slate is either a great thing or a potentially horrible thing. If you have the margin to think, collaborate, plan and execute, then that blank slate is welcomed as the canvas for creating a work of art with a team of committed, enterprising and creative individuals. But if you’re in the get-it-done-now-or-else situation, that blank slate is like being in solitary confinement.

If you’re in the latter type of situation, spend time praying that God will give you the opportunity to speak to the leadership of your church about changing the paradigm of last minute mayhem to blank slate bliss.

I’ve written about how to start and utilize Creative Planning Teams at churches. With so many new people reading my blog and listening to my podcasts, I wanted to bring up this series of blog posts (mini articles) to open up your eyes to just how awesome a blank slate can be when you’re not the spiritual lone ranger forced to make it or break it week in and week out.

Creative Meetings: Overcoming the Fears

Creative Meetings: When and Where

Creative Meetings: Picking the Team

Creative Meetings: Expanding “Go-To” Resources

Creative Meetings: Controlling the Meeting

The Chaos of Creative Meetings Comes to Order!

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