JonCannon.org

KEEP THE PROJECT ALIVE WITH "ACTION STEPS"

I just read a great article on "Action Steps" at www.the99percent.com website. As pastors, we need to bring this management tool into the DNA of our churches. 

Action Steps are the most important components of any project.  It's the oxygen for keeping projects alive.

No Action Steps = No Action = No Results!

The actual outcome of any idea is dependent on the Actions Steps that are captured and then completed by you or delegated to someone else. Action Steps are to be revered and treated as sacred in any project.

The more clear and concrete an Action Step is, the less friction you will encounter trying to do it. If an Action Step is vague or complicated, you will probably skip over it to others on your list that are more straightforward.

To avoid this, start each Action Step with a verb:

• Call programmer to discuss . . .
• Install new software for . . .
• Research the possibility of . . .
• Mock up a sample of the . . .
• Update XYZ document for . . .

Verbs help pull us into our Action Steps at first glance, efficiently indicating what type of action is required. For similar reasons, Action Steps should be kept short.

The more clear and concrete an Action Step is,

the less friction you will encounter trying to do it!

To read the entire article on "Action Steps" visit www.the99percent.com.

Priorities Matter Ministies (PMM) is a ministry the Lord laid on my heart to begin in 2009.  Our purpose is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.  We have a tremendous desire to come along side the local church, pastors, and fellow Christ followers to encourage, train, and equip them so they can "walk in God's favor!"  

In 2 Samuel 7:29, King David went in and sat in the presence of the Lord.  He then asked, "Now, please bless your servant's house so that it will continue before You forever."  In short, David was asking for God's favor!

Throughout God's Word, the Bible, there are examples of individuals upon whom God's favor would rest.  It's the purpose of PMM to assist, equip, and train in the areas which will allow the blessing (favor) of God to flow in your life, family, secular career and/or ministry.

In order to "walk in God's" favor PMM focuses on four (4) areas of your life which we call priorities (click on each of the priorities in order to see how PMM is able to assist you):

Priority #1: Your relationship with Christ

Priority #2: Your relationship with your spouse

Priority #3: Your relationship with your children

Priority #4: Your career and/or ministry

Beginning in 2010, I am available to assist you in all four (4) of these priorities.  To schedule a service, or to gather more information, please send an email to [email protected] or call 618.581.1391 and we will be more than glad to share with you how PMM can assist you and your ministry.

Feel free to visit our PMM website for more information.  God bless!

PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES

After a season of prayer, I feel the Lord has led me to begin a new ministry called "PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES (PMM)." 

I am a Free Will Baptist pastor and former church planter, and one of my greatest desires is to be an encouragement to the local church pastor and congregation.  The purpose of PMM is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.

Through PMM, I am able to come along side the local church and minister in a variety of ways: 

• Revivals / Camp Meetings / Bible Conferences / Mission Conferences
• Stewardship Seminars / Discipleship Training Seminars
• Marriage Retreats or Seminars
• Men’s and Ladies’ Retreats
• Youth Camps, Retreats or Rally’s
• Parenting Conferences or Seminars
• Leadership Seminars, Conferences or Retreats
• Local Church Leadership Team Strategic Planning Retreats

To learn more about me personally and PMM, please take time to visit www.PrioritiesMatterMinistries.org. 

If you have questions about this ministry please give me a call; I would love to speak with you about ways we can serve you and your church.  I am scheduling now into 2010, but I do have some openings for the remainder of 2009. 

Just contact me and I would be thrilled to travel and speak in whatever venue you feel is needed.  May God richly bless you and your ministry!

STRENGTHENING HIS CHURCH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - November 13-14, 2009 - Gateway Convention Center, Hickory, NC

ATTENTION ALL CHURCH LEADERS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA AREA! 

I would like to invite you to our "Strengthening His Church Leadership Seminar"  which Priorities Matter Ministries and I will be conducting at the Gateway Convention Center in Hickory, NC on November 13-14, 2009. Bring your entire church leadership team!

Click here to learn more about this leadership seminar.  Also, register before October 15th to take advantage of the Early Bird special!  With six or more registered the Senior Pastor attends free!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email them to me; I will respond ASAP.

REGISTER FOR D6 CONFERENCE BY 09/08 AND SAVE!

Come on, let's keep connecting the church and home!

Almost 1,350 people have registered for the D6 Conference , September 23-25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.  The exciting to thing to know is there are more and more groups registering each day.

To make it as easy as possible on those who missed all of the early bird opportunities, the D6 Conference would like to extend a promotion to everyone who has not yet registered.  This will help you save a little extra. 

In order to take advantage of this offer, do the following:

1. Go to the D6 Conference website (click here)
2. Register by Tuesday, September 8th (click here)
3. Use the discount code SEPTD6 and groups of 2 - 9 will save $25 per person!!! (Individuals will save $30. Groups of 10+ will save $15 per person.)

See you in Dallas!!

FORMULA FOR FRUITFULNESS

In his book Be All You Can Be, John Maxwell shares the formula for fruitfulness taught by Jesus. 

Jesus gives us a three-word formula for fruitfulness in John 15. These three words are the ones I want you to remember, because they are the key to fruitful living.

1. REMAIN - The first word is remain. Throughout John 15 Jesus tells us to remain. In fact, the word abide in the original language can be translated "remain." "Remain in Me," Jesus says. He's talking about our willingness to take time with Him in prayer and in study of the Word. We need to let Him begin to be part of our lives and work on our lives.

2. RECEIVE - The second word in the formula is receive. Jesus says in John 15 that if we remain in Him, we will begin to receive certain things. What we'll receive is good, fruitful living.

3. REPRODUCE - The third word is reproduce. If we remain in Him, we're going to receive what He has for us, then and only then will we begin to reproduce in our lives.

Spend some time reading John chapter 15 from God's Word and then I encourage you to apply these principles to you life.  Decide today you are going to be fruitful!

DEFINING YOUR MISSION STATEMENT

Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men. (Mark 7:8)

Effective leaders see beyond the traditional way of doing things and look for better ways.  They do this, however, realizing that some things are so sacred they are untouchable, and they always keep the ultimate goal in mind.

This is why it is so important to have a well-thought out, closely defined, easily understood mission statement.  Without this, even the most compelling and charismatic leaders get off track and go astray.  A mission statement is essential to quality leadership.  Otherwise, personality, pride, and the demands of the moment will be diverting.

For Jesus, "the command of God," doing His Father's will, constituted His mission statement. And the "tradition of men" was never going to sidetrack Him from His goal.  He was not to be diverted.

Again, the point to notice in Mark 7:8 is not that the Pharisees were holding on to the traditions of men.  We all do that to some extent becasue tradition helps to take the best of the past as a guide while we walk into the future.  Jesus might be wrongly seen here as attacking all tradition.  Instead, He criticized the Pharisees for having let go of the commands of God. When you place your own traditions underneath God's will, they will serve as a positive guide, but, when the order is reversed, you will end up exactly like the Pharisees - abandoning God's will for your own personal agenda.

Note the specific example Jesus gave in the following passage, verses 9-13.

REGISTER BY TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH FOR REDUCED PRICE!

D6 CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 23-25 - DALLAS, TX

Just give a quick reminder that the August 4 price break for the D6 Conference is quickly approaching. If you register on or before next Tuesday (August 4), it will be your last change to SAVE BIG for the D6 Conference.

Don't forget to go and check out the new Main Event speaker topics that have recently been added, as well as the PreCon Lab Schedule, topics, topic descriptions, and bios of the Lab presenters. (Click here for D6 Conference website.)

 

D6 Conference Promo (Long Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES

After a season of prayer, I feel the Lord has led me to begin a new ministry called "PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES (PMM)." 

I am a Free Will Baptist pastor and former church planter, and one of my greatest desires is to be an encouragement to the local church pastor and congregation.  The purpose of PMM is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.

Through PMM, I am able to come along side the local church and minister in a variety of ways: 

• Revivals / Camp Meetings / Bible Conferences / Mission Conferences
• Stewardship Seminars / Discipleship Training Seminars
• Marriage Retreats or Seminars
• Men’s and Ladies’ Retreats
• Youth Camps, Retreats or Rally’s
• Parenting Conferences or Seminars
• Leadership Seminars, Conferences or Retreats
• Local Church Leadership Team Strategic Planning Retreats

To learn more about me personally and PMM, please take time to visit my webpage at www.PrioritiesMatterMinistries.org. 

If you have questions about this ministry please give me a call; I would love to speak with you about ways we can serve you and your church.  I am scheduling now into 2010, but I do have some openings for the remainder of 2009. 

Just contact me and I would be thrilled to travel and speak in whatever venue you feel is needed.  May God richly bless you and your ministry!

"D6" CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 23-25 DALLAS, TX

D6 Conference Promo (Long Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

It’s time to take a different look at the way we minister to children, students, and families in the church. Research shows that the kids who grow up to be spiritual champions most often have parent(s) in the home who make a considerable contribution to their spiritual influence. Unfortunately far too many parents rely on the church to be responsible for the spiritual development of their kids. According to D6 (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) this is the job of dad and mom.

The D6 Conference will equip leaders with the tools and ideas they need to influence the parents in their church to be responsible for leading their kids spiritually. There is no other ministry of the Church that is more important than ministering to children. At any cost, we must equip dad and mom to connect with their kids spiritually in the home.

TIPS TO WORSHIPPING BETTER

I just read a great post by Pastor Robert J. Morgan on worship.  Below are some of his tips for worshipping better:

1. Make worship and praise a part of your quiet time each day.  Include the verse of a hymn and/or a period of true thanksgiving in your morning devotional routine.
2. Learn to visualize the throne of God above you, as described in Exodus 17, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1, and Revelation 4, 5, and 22.
3. Don’t worry about worship “styles.”  Whatever the style, keep your eyes on the Lord.  Never say, “I didn’t like that hymn,” or “I wish we wouldn’t sing those praise songs.”  It’s not about our favorite styles; it’s about forgetting our own preferences and focusing on Him .
4. Train yourself to concentrate on the words of the hymns and prayers during church services.  Don’t let yourself sing mindlessly or aimlessly.
5. Learn to say, “Thank you, Lord,” whenever you see a beautiful cloud formation, a lovely cluster of plants, or whenever something good or bad happens.  Take it right to the Lord in praise.
6. Serve the Lord with joy.  To quote Tozer again:  “We’re here to be worshippers first and workers only second.”

Click here to read the entire article and many other great posts from Rob.

WELCOME PASTOR REUBEN CASON TO THE BLOG-A-SPHERE!

I would like to officially welcome my good friend, Pastor Reuben Cason to the blog-a-sphere!  Pastor Cason is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of White Oak Free Will Baptist Church in Bailey, NC.

Welcome Brother Reuben!  Click here to check out his new blog!

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR PASTOR WINTERS FAMILY

By now you probably are well aware of the tragedy that took place last Sunday morning at the First Baptist Church of Maryville, Illinois.  Pastor Fred Winters was shot while preaching his message in the early service.  Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital.  Before going any further, let me say that I am praying for his wife, his children, and his church family.  Please know that my heart is literally "aching" for you all!

Pastor Fred was doing a great work for the Lord in leading this church for 22 years; and seeing the Lord grow the church from 38 people to a membership of 1300.

My heart is still "numb" to the fact that something like this can take place in a Bible preaching church, right in the heartland of our nation!  Not to mention the fact that this incident took place really, really close to home!

The verse that immediately came to my mind, when I was made aware of what took place, was Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

"For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

I'm certain that Pastor Fred preached from this verse many times, and I'm also certain that he has gained far more than he could have ever imagined when he was ushered into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ last Sunday morning!  I can assure you, he is far better off than any of us are today.  However, that still does not change the fact that we are having to deal with the loss and pain of this event.

The Bible clearly teaches us that this IS NOT a perfect world.  Why?  Well, because there is sin in the world, therefore, people do the wrong things and suffering is the result.  Notice this passage of Scripture in Ecclesiastes 8:14 (HCSB)

There is a futility that is done on the earth: there are righteous people who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked people who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.

Here is the same verse in Eugene Peterson's "The Message:"

Here's something that happens all the time and makes no sense at all: Good people get what's coming to the wicked, and bad people get what's coming to the good. I tell you, this makes no sense. It's smoke.

What Ecclesiastes 8:14 is teaching is that we don't always get what we deserve.

MARY'S CHRISTMAS SONG - by Pastor Reuben Cason

Songs of the Season from the Christmas Story – Part II

Have you been enjoying your Christmas music this year? I'm sure have! I usually buy a couple of new Christmas CD’s each year and have already done so this year. I have even been tempted to buy more, but have decided to be content with what I have for now.

I love Christmas music, especially when our Church starts singing the Christmas hymns. This past Sunday we sang “Silent Night.” I enjoy this peaceful hymn, especially when we sing it as a part of our Candlelight service.

I have been studying some of the history behind the Christmas carols and hymns we sing. This week I read the story behind “Silent Night.” May I share it with you?

Joseph Mohr was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1792. As a boy he was an active chorister in the Cathedral of Salzburg. In 1815 Mohr was ordained to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church. It was Christmas Eve and Father Mohr was preparing for the midnight service. He was distraught because the church organ was broken, ruining the prospects for that evening’s carefully planned music. Father Mohr and Franz Gruber, the village schoolmaster and church organist had often talked about the fact that the perfect Christmas hymn had never been written. Father Mohr decided that he must write his own Christmas hymn, immediately, in order to have music for the Christmas Eve Mass and to avoid disappointing his faithful congregation. Hastily, he wrote the words, “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright...” Taking the text to his organist, he explained the situation and asked him to compose a simple tune. That night, December 24, 1818, “Silent Night” was sung for the first time as a duet accompanied by guitar at the aptly named Church of St. Nicholas.

Wow, if it were not for a broken organ, there would never have been a “Silent Night.”

Music has a profound impact on us. Do you recall the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16? The Bible says that “an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.” So his servants asked for permission to seek out a man, “who is a cunning player on an harp,” or skillful in playing. So they found David and he was brought in to play his harp for King Saul. And the Bible says, “when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”

I read about one Country Music artist that said:

“Once, when a bar brawl broke out, I tried something that worked so well it became my standard response when fights started. Just when things started getting out of hand, when bikers were reaching for their pool cues and rednecks were heading for the gun rack, I’d start playing Silent Night. It could be the middle of July, I didn’t care. As I played, grown men would stop everything and calm down. Sometimes they’d even start crying, standing there watching me sweat and play Christmas carols.”

Why, even my little grandson Brayden, who is almost 18 months old, starts to “move” when he hears any kind music. So music does have an effect on us.

ANOTHER VICTORY MAN LICENSED AS A FREE WILL BAPTIST MINISTER

Today, 12 November 2008,  Carlos Castro met with the Metro-East District Association Credentials Committee of the Illinois Free Will Baptist and was licensed as a Free Will Baptist Minister! 

Carlos has been a very vital part of the ministry of Victory Church for more than four years.  He now feels the Lord is leading him to be a pastor to the Hispanic people.  Carlos is the key person in launching Victory Church's Hispanic Ministry.  He will begin his studies to prepare for ordination as a Free Will Baptist Pastor.

Carlos has served our country for four years in the U.S. Air Force and is currently employed at Scott Air Force Base.  He has now devoted the rest of his life to serve in the Lord's Army!

I am very proud of Carlos!  Why not shoot him an email and let him know you are proud of him and that you are praying for him? 

For those looking for a Spanish speaking ministry in the  Metro-East of St. Louis contact us!

21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF COMMUNICATION

As pastors, teachers, and leaders we must be continually developing our skills in the area of communication.  After all, for us pastors, it's what we do every week!

Therefore, I would like to share with you a great article I just read by Dr. James O. Davis titled "21 Irrefutable Laws of Communication."  Although I do not know a great deal about this man, I do think he is right on target when it comes to connecting and communicating from the pulpit.  (I have posted the entire article for you to review...enjoy!)

VICTORY MEN RECENTLY LICENSED AS FREE WILL BAPTIST MINISTERS

This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.” 1 Timothy 3:1 (HCSB)

Last Tuesday evening here at the Victory Church offices, the credentials committee from the Metro-East District Association of the Illinois Free Will Baptist met with and licensed two men from Victory Church into the ministry as Free Will Baptist ministers. 

Below is a small bio of each of these men, please pray for them as they prepare themselves for ordination.

Brad Range has just surrendered to full time Christian service in the area of youth ministry.  Brad is also married to Teri Schmidt and they live in O'Fallon, IL.  He will become a full-time student at Missouri Baptist University in January 2009 and pursue a degree in pastoral ministry.  Brad currently works with the Jr. and Sr. High student ministry here at Victory Church.  He is also very active as a sound technician in the weekend services of Victory.  Click here and send Brad an email of encouragement and let him know you are praying for him!  

Paul Boyer has also surrender to the call of God on his life as a Free Will Baptist minister of the Gospel.  Paul has been blessed to have been married to his wife Mayron for 32 years!  They have two children five grand children.  Paul retired from the  U.S. Coast Guard after serving for 20+ years!  He is finishing up his theology degree at St. Louis Christian College.  Paul is an ordained deacon here at Victory Church and currently leads Victory's mens ministry.  Click here and send Paul an email of encouragement and let him know you are praying for him! 

Both of these men have been licensed as Free Will Baptist ministers and are in the process of becoming ordained.  May God bless them both as they follow the leadership of the Lord in their life!

PAUL BOYER SURRENDERS TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY!

Last night Paul Boyer, currently a deacon at Victory Church and our men's ministry leader, shared with our leadership team that the Lord had called him into the ministry as a Free Will Baptist Minister!

Pictured with Paul is his wife of 32 years, Mayron.  Way to go guys, we are very proud of you both!

Pictured below is the Victory Leadership Team.  These guys and gals are awesome!

Top 10 Reasons Pastors Get Fired

I read a report today in the Leadership Journal Spring 2008 edition concerning the "Top 10 Reasons Pastors Get Fired."  This is a new report on the forced terminations of pastors in Southern Baptist Churches.  Here we go...

10. Conflict with other staff.

9. Sexual misconduct

8. Administrative  incompetence

7. Weak leadership style

6. Decline in attendance

5. Conflict pre-dating the pastor's arrival

4. Too-strong leadership style

3. Poor people skill

2. Church's resistance to change

1. Control issues (the same #1 reason since the surveys began in 1996!)

"Ten Pointers" for New Pastors

I ran across an article the other day titled "Ten Pointers for New Pastors" written by Joe McKeever.  After reading this article, I found it sound advice for seasoned pastors also.  I have been in the ministry for 22 years and I found this to be refreshing to say the least.

Below are the "Ten Pointers."  If you would like to read the entire article click here.

1. Remember to say 'we' and 'our,' not 'I' and 'my.'
2. Never claim any authority as the pastor.
3. Learn to listen.
4. Try not to over-talk.
5. With the office staff, always conduct yourself with quietness and strength.
6. Never put anything negative in a letter; deal with it personally.
7. Lower your expectations about your congregation.
8. Nothing is more important than staying close to the Lord.
9. Know how much of church stuff to keep from your wife.
10. Protect your sermon study time.