If you are a CM leader and a self-proclaimed public speaking goof-ball, I want to challenge you to step your game up. Make your ability to communicate to groups of people a top focus for 2010.
To get started, go over to the Six Minutes blog to find out about The 25 Essential Public Speaking Skills. My personal favorite is to “start strong and close stronger!”
Have you heard of Prezi yet? If not, you need to go check it out and see if it could be beneficial to any presentations you give. Unlike cues or slides, Prezi utilizes a “canvas” concept where you zoom in on various aspects of your presentation. It’s quite unique.
The free account from Prezi is a little limited, but still offers you a great deal of flexibility as well as allows you to add pizazz to your presentations. While the free account allows only online presentation development, you still get offline presentation capabilities. This means you can download your custom presentation and present it without a web connection.
Use Prezi for:
One of the biggest blunders that we make in ministry is offending the masses with a poorly implemented change. I’ve learned through personal experience and the study of a few good books (the business sector calls change “innovation”), that change can be done in ministry in an effective way. Since almost quitting 4 years ago because my volunteers rejected our background check mandate, I have sought out how to initiate effective change and I think I have a good resource for those of you on the same journey.
The link below will lead you to a worksheet that will help guide you through effective change in your ministry. Before you speak a word of change to someone in your ministry, work through this guide first. I think it can be a big help to making your “innovation” a success!
Initiating Effective Change Worksheet
…from Cresset Baptist in Durham, NC which is coincidentally my town of ministry!
I promise, there was no rigging, I randomly selected the winner through the Interactive Fruit Machine.
Here’s a screenshot for the skeptics! Amanda (the winner) is highlighted in orange.
You can, however, still get a discount on the Handbook and a Kidology membership. Just take note of the discount codes in the WGA post.
I know that many of you may be considering your options for a guest speaker over the coming year. With many of you not coming to my actual site and checking the blog from a reader, I wanted to make sure you knew about my secondary calling as an event speaker or worship leader. I am passionate about kids and families drawing closer to the Lord. I’m even more passionate about my Jesus and His gospel. Perhaps you are considering a speaker for:
Coincidentally, I’m not available to speak on:
Or perhaps you want a powerful and entertaining message delivered at half of what you would normally pay someone who does this on a full time basis. I don’t juggle fiery samurai swords, can’t spin 14 basketballs on my fingers, and don’t know how to make an ornery child disappear under a sheet. I have been told, however, that the Lord has given me a unique ability to present His Word in creative, powerful, and entertaining ways. I intertwine games, interactive object lessons, passionate speaking, music, audience response, and expository preaching into all of my messages. I’ve done a number of these events over the years and can provide a good deal of references (except the church that almost burnt down…).
If you are interested, check out my Consulting section for contact details. I’m flexible and fair regarding fees and travel; I work with what your church is able to do and have no set charges. May the Lord bless your ministry, and I hope my calling can benefit a few churches out there!
One of the priorities in my prayer and planning day earlier this month was to develop a communication time line. I started thinking that I not only need to communicate about events that happen from year to year, but I need to communicate other pertinent reminders throughout the year. I thought this time line might be helpful for you. It is in an editable format so you can adjust to fit your ministry needs.
What would you add to it? Send me some comments to make it better!
This month’s Wednesday Give Away (WGA) is generously provided by the Kidologist, Karl Bastian. I had not met Karl until a few weeks ago at CPC. He is an awesome leader in CM and continues to do great things for our field of ministry.
Karl has made several arrangements for Free CM Stuff readers. Here they are, take advantage of them all!
1. One free copy of the Kidology Handbook. Find out more info on the hand book from the video below. After watching the video, submit this comment: “Gimme tha’ Handbook!” and I’ll put your name in a drawing. The more times you comment, the more times I will enter your name in the drawing. The winner will be announced next Wednesday January 27th.
2: For the many unlucky enough to not win it here, you can still get a $5 off discount for the handbook. Just put in the code: FRCMHND at checkout. This offer is valid from 1/20-2/20/2010.
3. Karl is offering one final deal. Join or renew your Kidology membership, place the code: FRCMKDY in the promo box and get two free months added to your membership. Again this offer is valid only from 1/20-2/20/2010.
Start commenting!
Church budgets always seem to be tight no matter what the state of the economy. However, if you can prove to those in your church that you are budget-minded and tenacious at being frugal with church resources, they may just crown you as the King or Queen of Savings! Here are a few tips across the various areas of your ministry that can save you money:
This month, I’m giving away 1 hour of ministry phone consultation. We can do one of several things over this conversation (or a mixture of any listed):
If you are interested in this process, please leave a comment below simply stating the word “Help” with your name. Be sure to put your email address in the info box. You have until next Wednesday to put your name in the hat! Good luck!
Today, I bring you Examen.me.
This is an online devotional site which allows spiritual growth through the following three arenas:
You have to sign up with a free account to access it. I have to say that it is a very neat concept and its interface is user friendly. However, if you are like me, and you love to have the actual book in front of you with real pen and paper, this site most likely won’t be used much. I did want to make it known to my more “tech-minded” followers out there who may be able to foster a great amount of spiritual growth using this avenue.
