Receive Monthly Summaries of the Best Theology Books of the Year

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Jan 18, 2007 in Church, Church Technology, Teaching | 5 comments

During my flight to Hawaii, I cracked open the SkyMall.  In it, I found an advertisement for Soundview Executive Summaries.  For a yearly subscription, you can receive summaries of the best business books of the year in your choice of print, audio, CD-ROM, or online formats, covering subjects like management, leadership, strategy and more.

I know many of you read (or would like to) a large number of books.  BUT what if someone did the same thing for theology & church-related books?  People could subscribe to receive summaries of the best theology/Church titles of the year and (buy them if they like it or at least learn from the book).  I suggested it to Tim Challies for Discerning Reader (since he reads more books than 10 people combined).

What do you think, is this something you'd be interested in? 

Twenty Leadership Questions for Building a City within the City

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Jan 17, 2007 in Church, Church Planting, Leadership | 2 comments

The Acts 29 site is rolling out a blog and Mark Driscoll posted Twenty Leadership Questions for Building a City within the City for those who are in the church (or are considering) church planting.  These leadership questions are based on Nehemiah.

If Christianity is going to make a difference in the world, its leaders cannot just sit around waiting for the phone to ring and answering every e-mail complaint that hits the inbox. Leadership is not keeping everyone happy (that will never happen-especially for me). Leadership is not just gathering a bunch of mostly stubborn people together on Sunday. Rather, leadership is moving people in a passionate drive toward the mission of God.

LinkedIn, Work and the Christian

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Jan 17, 2007 in Church Technology | 0 comments

If you haven't heard, LinkedIn continues to gain momentum as a place for people to network, find jobs and old co-workers.  Because I work in the web development industry, I've joined, (view my LinkedIn Profile ) but I don't know if pastors and other church leaders are using it. 

Since we're talking about work, Keller wrote a short but good piece on "What Kind of Work Should I do?" and here is a quote:

First, consider your affinities. This is the existential aspect to determining your calling. It is asking the question: “What people-needs do I vibrate to?” Second, consider your abilities. This is the empirical aspect to determining your calling. It is asking the question: “What kinds of tasks am I good at doing?” Third, consider your opportunities. This is the ‘providential’ aspect to determining your calling. It is asking the question: “What actual doors are opening for me? What needs to be done?” 

Read the full article, “God’s Work; Our Work” in January 2007’s Redeemer Report (PDF).  (HT: djchuang )

Connect Ministry Design

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Jan 14, 2007 in Church, Ministry Design | 1 comment

In 2007, we will devout considerable time to building, re-thinking and planning how we Communicate (see previous Missional Survey), Connect, Develop & Send people.  The first ministry we will focus on is the Connect Ministry. See attached Connecting/Hospitality/Assimilation Ministry pdf that lays out some of the goals, plans and methods to do this.

1. To be the community of God, a hospitable and friendly church changed by the gospel (Acts 2).  We cannot program this, it must be gospel motivated. (Romans 15:7)

2. To see hospitality as a ministry. Ministering to why people visit the church. Common ministry needs that are discovered through hospitality:

• They are experiencing a life transition (loss of job, death in family, conversion, illness, marriage).  People who are in a life transition may need counseling, prayer and other support. 
• They are new to the area and seek a church.  People that are new to the area need to find gospel community and fellowship.
• They are ‘church shopping’ and their reason for leaving their prior church ranges from consumerism to legitimate theological convictions

How do we connect with these people and gather this information in order to minister to them?  We are looking to train our greeters where there will be a 'front door' welcoming greeting team and a second greeting team inside near a resource table to meet these people.  Our goal is to partner these guests with people in our church who can help minister to them and help them connect.  We would hope to have our people pray for, meet with and love these guests.  The attached pdf (click on image link) describes how the connecting process works and how ministry needs can be escalated as required.

How do you ensure you connect with all visitors?  We will offer guests a Kaleo Vision Package.  This packet would include our vision/values and a cd that they could listen to in their car during their 15-minute drive home from church.  At the same time we would gather their information if we had not received it.  On subsequent visits 2nd time guests could pick up copies of our worship cd and third time The Gospel for Real Life (or other resource).  This is how we would see our greeting operating as a ministry to those who visit Kaleo.

Return from Hawaii

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Jan 13, 2007 in Church | 0 comments

I know it was quiet this week, other than a pre-scheduled post.  I took the week off and head to Kauai (I uploaded 9 pictures from Hawaii including us zip lining through the jungle).  During the trip I had a chance to read a few books (including Small Is the New Big by Seth Godin & Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by C. John Miller, both excellent books well worth a read).

I'll have some posts from thoughts I wrote down, including re-thinking eldership in light of being under-shepherds of God's people, more on our ministry design and other non-related ideas Some of these may need to wait because I leave again on Wednesday for an elder/deacon retreat for Kaleo.