It can be so easy to forget the power of a first impression. 

Think back to your last job interview, or maybe even your first date: how much time did you invest in making sure your first impression communicated the right message?

First impressions matter! 

We recently hosted men and women for our Summer Coaching Networks who came from all over the country to learn from Mark Waltz, GCC's Pastor of Connection and Multi-Site.

Here's just a few highlights from the first hour of the session:    

• With vision, you need to know where you are so that you know where you can go
• Analogy of being in a shopping mall and planning which stores you want to visit
• You can’t get where you want to go until you are honest about where you are. What steps are going to be required, how do you take them, and where are they going to lead.
• You can’t be any other place than where you are because you’ve taken the steps you’ve taken

What one or two words comes to mind when you see these images:

• Starbucks
• BMV
• The person to your right
• Last hotel stay
• US Postal Service
• Your local church
• Last movie preview you watched
• A Walmart store
  

As a true test of first impressions and associations, imagine a photo of a boarded up, run down home. What do you think of? A quick survey of the room, none of the answers were about the structure we were looking at – all of them were judgments about the people (homeowners) we have never seen or met. 

Your first impressions – or associations – with these images matter. 

If you missed this session, get tuned in from more info on the upcoming Fall Coaching Networks sessions.

 "...a leader without integrated character will never see the results personally and professionally they desire... To become whole we need to be open for growth, own our current reality, invite others to speak truth in our lives, and connect often and intimately with God."

A recent post on the blog for the WCA Global Leadership Summit underscores our need to develop ourselves as leaders - not just in what we do, but also in who we are.

The Willow Creek Association Global Leadership Summit is a must-attend for all leaders... in the church and the marketplace... who seek to go deeper to go further.

Register now - Early Bird rates fly away after June 26th.

 

min·is·try [min-uh-stree] noun - no longer just a function, profession, or service; effectively reaching people for Christ (with the help of your friends at Wired Churches)

Ministry is no longer just what we do... or some side function of your church. 

Ministry is BEING the church, even inside your four walls. 

[Some of you might have more than four walls... in that case, this still applies to you.]

The bottom line is this: Your ministry matters. Your staff and volunteers matter. The people you are reaching matter. 

We want to help you communicate that these people matter to you, and of course, that they matter to God. In fact, we want to help you communicate that better than ever! 

With the guidance of folks like Mark Waltz on First Impressions, Kem Meyer on Communication that actually communicates, and Tim Stevens on recruiting and keeping solid Volunteers, we've put together an amazing one-day workshop program.

One day. Three sessions. Major Kingdom impact. 

Click here to learn more.

 

If you're leading worship "in the sticks," and you're looking for practical coaching on everything from the basics of leading smaller congregations in song—and why it's so important—to the ins and outs of programming worship with limited resources, from new ways to find and build into volunteers, to finding effective rehearsal techniques, then this ONE-DAY workshop is for you. (And did we mention - bring your team? The best ideas and relational development happen in teams!) It's ONE DAY.

Worship in the Sticks will be one of the three One-Day Workshops held on Friday, March 9, along with theLess Clutter. Less Noise. and First Impressions workshops. Leading worship in smaller communities can be challenging. At Worship in the Sticks we're looking to equip teams and leaders to lead their congregations with skill and grace. 

AT WORSHIP IN THE STICKS YOU'LL EXPERIENCE:

• Practical training from Dan Vukmirovich, Pastor of Music at Granger to help your team understand the 'how' and 'why' of leading worship with God-given authority and confidence
• A live worship team coaching session with members of the Granger Community Church Arts Team
• Teaching on how to keep your services engaging and on avoiding disconnects in planning between the worship team and the speaking pastor
• Ways to use the arts to reach multiple generations within your church

Get more information and register online at WiredChurches.com.

Not a worship leader, but want help in your ministry role? Check out our Less Clutter. Less Noise.communications workshop with Kem Meyer or the First Impressions workshop with Mark Waltz.