Comments on: How Cut & Paste in Ministry Ignores Context

By: austinklee

austinklee — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:08:48 +0000

I think that the form providers should make that suggestion, but I think that even more than that I think the end responsibility lies with the end user. End users should take the time and opportunity to incorporate their organization's branding and culture into the forms. Otherwise they find, just as Courageous Church found, that the forms sent messaging that was more confusing than helpful.

By: hsmathteacha

hsmathteacha — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:32:47 +0000

The point you raised is right in line with what teachers learn to do with their students. Even though looking at old lesson plans and syllabi are great resources when teaching a class for the first time, every good teacher know that they must differentiate their instruction for the students sitting in front of them. One size does not fit all. My philosophy is "adapt" not "adopt." It looks like you've developed a similar one.

By: shaunking

shaunking — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:39:13 +0000

Lavonne! Great thoughts. It's fine to have models, but we HAVE to know our context!

By: shaunking

shaunking — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:40:23 +0000

Thanks Frank!

By: shaunking

shaunking — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:40:14 +0000

Thanks Jani! I will check it out!

By: shaunking

shaunking — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:39:56 +0000

Hey Austin!

I think a simple few sentences from FORM PROVIDERS suggesting they be used as models might go a long way. Agree?

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:22:09 +0000

Good Stuff SK!

By: jani lewis

jani lewis — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:12:11 +0000

Suggested reading: A Credible Witness by Brenda Salter McNeil – makes us examine our own motives and reasoning behind ministry and how we are doing it.

By: austinklee

austinklee — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:11:57 +0000

Man, I think that is a very valuable lesson as more and more churches are opening their vaults for forms and documents. Use them as a framework to build your own forms.

I tell my clients all the time that their organization is not like any other organization. I encourage them to take the time to build their own processes that fit their unique style and mission. The majority of the time the leadership grows closer to each other as they examine all of their processes as a group as opposed to the cut and paste method.

By: LaVonne

LaVonne — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:10:16 +0000

Pastor Shawn, you've touched on one reason why many churches fail. The inability to see the uniqueness of the people in their reach. The pastors of the church I recently attended came into a small, poor area, saying God had sent them. They preached constantly about how a big city preacher, their leader, did things with excellence (planes, high-end meals, designer clothes, etc.) and patterned everthing after a man instead of God. No one stayed at the church & it shut down.

Thank you for your honesty.