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ENJOYING A GREAT NEW BOOK - "PEAKS AND VALLEYS"

Enjoying a very good book by Spencer Johnson titled Peaks and Valleys.  Dr. Johnson is also the author of one of my all time favorite books titled Who Moved My Cheese?  If you have never read either of these books, then you must place these on your MUST READ book list.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"Peaks and valleys are connected.  The errors you make in today's good times create tomorrow's bad times.  The wise things you do in today's bad times create tomorrow's good times."

Let that sink in and then let me know what you think!

If you would like to change your perspective on your life and situations, but don't really know how, then this book is for you!

PRACTICE #3: BUILD KINGDOM LEADERS

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #3: "Build Kingdom Leaders."

As pastors and church leaders, we must build Kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday school strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His church, and the mission mandate He has given us by...

• Praying for God to call out leaders for kingdom service through Sunday school ministry.
• Implementing a leader-enlistment approach that focuses on helping people respond to their personal call from God rather than an approach that is primarily concerned with filling church or organizational positions.
• Enlisting leaders who themselves are committed to cultivating and multiplying new leaders.
• Devoting major attention to leadership meetings that focus on the mission, on relationships, and on Bible study.
• Providing training that equips leaders for their work and enhances the quality of their leadership.
• Calling out people who will give their lives to evangelizing the lost and who are willing to participate in ongoing evangelism training and multiplication of evangelism leaders.

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining seven practices.

PRACTICE #2: ORGANIZE WITH PURPOSE

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #2: "Organize with Purpose."

As pastors and church leaders, we must organize our Sunday school ministry to accomplish the objectives of leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and building on-mission Christians by...

• Using the concept of age-graded, open Bible study groups as the primary organizing principle for Bible study groups.
• Providing groups for all ages and generations, including preschool, children, youth, young adults, and adults.
• Relying on sound learner:leader ratios proven to be effective for each age in developing the  age-group organizational structures.       

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining eight practices.

PRACTICE #1: COMMIT TO THE STRATEGY

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #1: "Commit to the Strategy!"

As pastors and church leaders, we must commit to Sunday school as the foundational strategy in our church for doing the work of the Great Commission.

Below are some suggestions:

• We must develop an annual plan that supports the church's thrust to lead people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and build on-mission Christians.
• We must include as key elements of the plan ongoing and short-term open Bible study groups and additional Bible study events, such as Vacation Bible School, that focus on foundational evangelism and foundational discipleship.
• We must provide the best possible financial support to implement the strategic plans.
• We must implement the plan through specific monthly and weekly actions.

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining nine practices.

10 BEST PRACTICES OF SUNDAY SCHOOL

Over the last year the Lord has really be dealing with me concerning the ministry of Sunday school.  Therefore, at Victory Church we have rediscovered and reimplemented the ministry of Sunday school.  During the next several weeks I will be sharing with you some of the pros and cons of Sunday school.  I am currently reading a book titled Ten Best Practices To Make Your Sunday School Work by Ken Hemphill and Bill Taylor.

In this first post I will introduce you to the the "10 Best Practices of Sunday School" as suggested in the book, then I will share them with you in individual posts.

1. Commit to the Strategy
2. Organize with Purpose
3. Build Kingdom Leaders
4. Develop Soul Winners
5. Win the Lost
6. Assimilate People
7. Partner with Families
8. Teach to Transform
9. Mobilize for Ministry
10. Multiply Leaders and Units

How is Sunday school working for you in your church?  Please feel free to leave your comments, I'm  interested in how things are going in your Sunday school. 

Are you a Sunday school teacher?  If so, please give me some feedback on how Sunday school is working for you!

Are you a student (any age) in Sunday school? If so, please leave your comments as well!

1ST RULE MEN MUST BREAK: NEVER GET IN A FIGHT

I just purchased Bill Perkin's book titled 6 Rules Every Man Must Break. I recently heard Bill at the Iron Sharpens Iron men's conference last weekend, and I really enjoyed his very practical way of thinking.

Bill shares six different rules Christian men need to break. I will be sharing with you some excerpts from this book in the weeks to come, so be sure to check back often.

#1 RULE TO BREAK - THE RULE OF PASSIVITY - Never Get in a Fight

In this chapter, Bill shares a junior high experience he had with a fellow student in Roswell, New Mexico. It is a really funny story (funny now...I'm sure it was not funny at the time) of how he was confronted with a surprise attack from a gang of boys in his school. But, he goes on to say that "life is a battlefield" and there are times when we must fight! Not all fights can be avoided.

Bill says that it seems as though followers of Christ are expected to be so humble, so meek, so mature, so passive, so submissive, that men sometimes try to avoid a fight at all costs. In this particular Bill suggest tow areas in which we must not avoid a fight:

1. Fight legalism

Bill suggest that we take an hour or so and read through the Gospels. As you do, note how many times Jesus hammers away at drunks, prostitutes, crooked politicians, dishonest businessmen, drug addicts, con artists, gays, and thieves. Your list will be short...very short. That's because Jesus didn't fight these people, He hung out with them. The people He challenged were the legalistic religious leaders.

Many churches today have that turned around. They condemn sinners, and their members hang out with the civilized--should I say legalistic--elements of the church. Many of these religious folk attempt to live up to the add-on rules of their church...often unsuccessfully. And many live in fear that someone will catch them breaking those rules.

2. Fight hypocrisy

A hypocrite is someone who lives a double life. He's a man who is different on the inside than he appears on the outside. Bill says that he believes Jesus liked sinners more than religious leaders because they didn't try to disguise themselves. With them, what you saw was what you got.

The next time you find yourself thinking a leader is somehow wired differently than the rest of us, remember the wisest, strongest, and Godliest men in the Old Testament...Solomon, Samson, and David...all fell!

Check back in the days (weeks) to come and I will continue to share with you some reviews of this great book. Until then, look for opportunities to fight legalism and hypocrisy!

STOP #3 - STOP Cheating Our Children

Governor Mike Huckabee shares his "12 STOPS for Restoring America's Greatness" in his new book titled: From Hope to Higher Ground. Below is a review of STOP #3 - Stop Cheating our Children.

STOP #3 - STOP CHEATING OUR CHILDREN

In reading this book, I am pleased and very appreciative of a governor and politician that has tremendous insight, concern and passion for our public school system. In all reality, he has a great love for the next generation and generations to follow!

In this chapter Governor Huckabee shares five elements essential for improving our public schools. In this post I will share his five elements for the public school system along with his "12 Action Steps to Stop Cheating our Children.

STOP #2 - STOP Thinking Horizontally

Governor Mike Huckabee shares his "12 STOPS to Restoring America's Greatness" in his new book titled: From Hope to Higher Ground. Below is a review of STOP #2.

STOP #2 - STOP Thinking Horizontally

Governor Huckabee writes:

I believe in the unlimited potential of the human spirit, a strong national defense, and a government that allows the marketplace to regulate itself as much as possible to encourage and enhance free enterprise. Despite partisan stereotypes, I'm not mad at everyone and my views are not driven by rage or even mild anger. Fact is, I'm a pretty happy guy most of the time. I have a simple philosophy - we need to take God more seriously and ourselves less seriously. Despite some tough times, my life has turned out far better than I deserve!

He goes on to say in this particular chapter that our nation has grown weary of the polarized and paralyzed government that Americans are getting at a record cost. Too many in our nation's political ruling class think the only direction for us is to the left or to the right. Governor Huckabee says that we need to look another direction - UP!

STOP #1 - STOP Being Cynical

I have really enjoyed reading this book by Governor Mike Huckabee. I shared with you in a previous post that I would post 12 different articles on what Governor Huckabee calls his "12 STOPS to Restoring America's Greatness." Below is a review of STOP #1.

STOP #1 - STOP Being Cynical

Governor Huckabee says that cynicism is the worst enemy of optimism. It is worse than negativism. The negative person often yearns to believe something will be better, but is fearful that believing is a setup for disappointment. The cynic, however, is not a mere doubter but actually scoffs at virtue, honor, duty, and humility, believing they are signs of weakness or, worse, are mere facades of duplicity and insincerity.

From Hope to Higher Ground: 12 STOPS to Restoring America's Greatness by Governor Mike Huckabee

This weekend I visited my all-time favorite store - Barnes and Noble - and picked up my copy of Governor Mike Huckabee's new book titled "From Hope to Higher Ground." (Also, while I was there, I could not help but purchase a White Chocolate Mocha Latte Venti from the coffee shop! I love Starbucks coffee!)

Anyway, I have only read three chapters, but I am finding it a great read. I love the humble and God-honoring spirit in which Governor Huckabee writes. He shares a little about his life growing up and then shares "12 STOPS to Restoring America's Greatness." I thought I would share with you his 12 STOPS and then comment on each of these in 12 different posts. Here are his 12 STOPS:

1. Stop being cynical

2. Stop thinking horizontally

3. Stop cheating our children

4. Stop the culture of chronic disease

5. Stop abusing our planet

6. Stop the revenge-based criminal justice system

7. Stop robbing taxpayers

8. Stop the heat and turn on the light for hot issues

9. Stop the loss of America's prestige at home and abroad

10. Stop moving the landmark of liberty

11. Stop the loss of good jobs and erosion of agriculture

12. Stop being a selfish citizen

I have really enjoyed reading about the first three STOPS. I plan on posting a separate post for for each STOP, be sure to check back and read these posts.

Until then, I highly recommend this book. It will challenge your thinking about America, and it will also give you a window to the soul of Governor Huckabee. Enjoy!

The Exceptional Presenter - Don't Underestimate the Power of Your Delivery

In "The Exceptional Presenter" book, Tim Koegel shares some insight on what determines our communication impact.

Dr. Albert Mahrabian, professor at UCLA, conducted a research to find our what determines our communication impact. The results of his study are essential to our understanding of presentation effectiveness.

His study reveals that:

7% of our impact is determined by the words we use.

38% of our impact is determined by our voice: how confident and comfortable we sound.

55% of our impact is determined non-verbally: our appearance, posture, gestures and movement, eye contact and facial expressions.

Does Dr. Mahrabian's study suggest that our words are not important? No. Our words are critical. We all know that inaccurate information or a mistaken projection can undermine our credibility. This study does, however, highlight the fact that 93% of our communication impact comes from the way we deliver our words.

As former Chrysler Corporation Chairman Lee Iacocca once said, "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get those ideas across, they don't do anybody any good."

What are your thoughts concerning this? Leave your comment.

The Exceptional Presenter Must OPEN UP!

I am reading a book titled, The Exceptional Presenter. Timothy J. Koegel is the author and has helped thousands of individuals make better presentations. I found some statistics, quotes and research about public speaking that was thought provoking. I thought I would share some of the most interesting things in this book with you. (If you click on the title of the book above, or on this link, it will take you to his website.)

Tim says that the "Exceptional Presenter" must OPEN UP and owe the room! Below is the acronym for OPEN UP.

The Exceptional Presenter is:

O - ORGANIZED

Exceptional presenters take charge. They look poised and polished. They sound prepared. You get the sense they are not there to waste your time. Their message is well structured and clearly defined.

P - PASSIONATE

Exceptional presenters exude enthusiasm and conviction. If the presenter doesn't look and sound passionate about his or her topic, why would anyone else be passionate about it? Exceptional presenters speak from the heart and leave no doubt as to where they stand. Their energy is persuasive and contagious.

E - ENGAGING

Exceptional presenters do anything in their power to engage each audience member. They build rapport quickly and involve the audience early and often. If you want their respect, you must first connect.

N - NATURAL

An exceptional presenter's style is natural. Their delivery has a conversational feel. Natural presenters make it look easy. They appear comfortable with any audience. A presenter who appears natural appears confident.

As an Exceptional Presenter, you must:

U - UNDERSTAND YOUR AUDIENCE

Exceptional Presenters learn as much as they can about their audience before presenting to them. The more they know about the audience, the easier it will be to connect and engage.

P - PRACTICE

Those who practice improve. Those who don't, don't! Exceptional skills must become second nature.