A Hackey Sack, Mountain Dew and Next Steps
Excerpt from becausepeoplematter.com | by Mark Waltz, Pastor of Connections
Stories carry vision. They remind us of the "why" behind the "what," the "Who" behind the "why." They celebrate God moments. We love to hear them and share them.
So I wasn't surprised a few weeks ago when Carl, one of our volunteer guest services leaders, shared this story with me. I wasn't surprised because it's what we do and it's who Carl is. But, I was amazed! Here's Carl's story:
Four young men (middle/high school) begin playing "hacky sack" in the atrium. Because guests were distracted as they tried to take in the service via monitors in the cafe, the guest relations team ask them to go outside.
Some time later I was called to the guest relations kiosk where I was met by a concerned member who wondered if perhaps the boys should be asked to leave. This is where things could have gone "south". I said" Let them play. They aren't hurting anything". We watched as the boys had a great time playing outside the south entrance. After they had enough and were freezing from falling in the snow, they came back into the building. As they re-entered the building, they were laughing loudly, pushing each other and just being boys. Rather than assume they'd continue to distract others, I felt there was a God-opportunity. [Read the rest of the story to find out what Carl does.]
Are you hearing stories? Sharing stories? God's story runs through them. Look for them. Find them. Share them. And celebrate God in your people!
Learn more from Mark about how to make great First Impressions on all kinds of guests at an upcoming one-day workshop at Granger on Friday, March 19. You can register your teams for Less Clutter. Less Noise. with Kem or First Impressions with Mark Waltz for $119/person.
Ignoring social media may be hazardous...
Excerpt from kemmeyer.com | by Kem Meyer, Director of Communications
Ignoring social media may be hazardous to your organizational health. The number of users is up 87% since 2003 and now outnumbers email users for the first time. In the past year, the time spent on social networks increased 73 percent, Nielsen says.
The full article shows ways more companies are using it. Thanks for the link, Guy Kawasaki.
Worth noting: the smartest companies use social media to LISTEN to what customers and competitors are saying. They don't jump in with the self-centered perspective of "here's another outlet for us to TALK." They use it as an opportunity to deliver great customer service fielding real-time to customer feedback; good and bad.
It's called taking your head out of the sand. And, it may not always be pretty. But, if you're serious about learning the perception others have (which is their reality), then I'm confident you can handle it.
Not ready to set up a blog, twitter or facebook account for your organization? That's ok. At least search to see what others are saying about your church or your company. And, here's where to start:
Learn more from Kem about how to clear through the noise and clutter to clearly communicate at an upcoming one-day workshop at Granger on Friday, March 19. The Early Bird deadline has been extended and you can register your teams for Less Clutter. Less Noise. or First Impressions by Monday, by March 8 to get the rate of just $99/person.
Get the Early Bird Rate for March Workshops at Granger
Be an early bird and register your teams by March 1 to get the rate of just $99/person for these upcoming one-day workshops at Granger on Friday, March 19. What's it all about?
First Impressions Workshop
Presenter: Mark Waltz, Granger’s Pastor of Connections
Learn how to make great first impressions that last. Discover ways to:
• Keep things like announcements, communion and the offering from distracting your guests or making them feel like outsiders.
• Determine the “rules” your church has, even if you don’t know them yet.
• Experience hands-on training that will empower your volunteers.
Less Clutter. Less Noise. Workshop
Presenter: Kem Meyer, Granger’s Communications Director
This workshop is for pastors, creative professionals, ministry leaders or volunteers who want to find out:
• New ways to encourage collaboration among ministry areas and minimize competitiveness.
• How to find out what guests need and want—and then craft communications to meet those felt needs.
• How to organize information effectively through bulletins, brochures, Web sites and other avenues that keep the end-user’s time, tastes and habits in mind.
Guest Services Best Practice #4
Excerpt from becausepeoplematter.com | by Mark Waltz, Pastor of Connections
People are people and value is value. Pay attention to what businesses and service organizations are doing well.
- Read books: anything from Disney, Nordstroms, Starbucks.
- Read magazines like Fast Company and Forbes and Wired.
- Visit airports, museums, and shopping malls - places with high traffic. Study signage and
traffic flow. - Pay attention to quality experiences in restaurants, hotels, airlines and banks. What made it an exceptional experience?
- Play at Disney and other "experiential" venues. Pay attention to value-added touches that make the experience unique and surprising.
Maybe one day it will all be right-sized and the marketplace will look at the local church and say, "We must study, watch, learn from the local church. They understand people. They get relationships. They communicate authentic value. They are our model."
Until then, continue to find truth wherever truth exists. Model personal value where it's excellent. Don't be afraid to learn from...any and every one.
Want to read all 47 of Mark's 'Guest Services Best Practices'? Want to hear more from Mark about making First Impressions that will last at your church? Don't miss an upcoming one-day workshop at Granger on Friday, March 19. Register by March 1 to get the Early Bird rate of just $99/person.
EnterMission Coaching 2010 Coming Soon!
Would you like a front-row seat to see how Granger's Life Mission team unleashes the local church outside the four walls of the building on mission locally, domestically and internationally?
Starting a new session in the fall of 2010, this coaching event will give ministry leaders a chance to participate in an 18-month journey. We'll swap notes, share stories, share access to each other's materials and grow together.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE:
“Combine real-world practitioners with a proven track record, a teaching church that sets the standard in laser-focused partnership missions, learning experiences marked by the appropriate mix of information and engagement, colleagues passionate about the mission of Jesus in the world, practical resources that have been developed and tested in the trenches, all topped off with remarkable hospitality, personal attention and generous surprises, and you'll begin to understand what EnterMission Coaching is all about. Or more simply, it's the single best experience available to guide us on the journey to church-centered missions. These guys really get it!” - Bryan Mills, Lead Pastor, Meadow Heights Church, Fredericktown, MO
If you're a church planter, a pastor or senior-level ministry leader, this experience could change the future of your church and the impact you'll have on your community for years to come. You'll participate in six modules of two-day training at Granger throughout this coaching journey, along with monthly phone conferences, have access to Granger's administrative documents, series materials, videos and more. Download a detailed PDF description. Get dates and apply now.
Workshops on March 19 at Granger
Looking for practical training to help take your ministry role or team to the next step? Check out these one-day workshops on Friday, March 19 at Granger:
Less Clutter. Less Noise. This workshop is for pastors, creative professionals, ministry leaders or volunteers who want to find out:
- New ways to encourage collaboration among ministry areas and minimize competitiveness.
- How to find out what guests need and want—and then craft communications to meet those felt needs.
- How to organize information effectively through bulletins, brochures, Web sites and other avenues that keep the end-user's time, tastes and habits in mind.
First Impressions. Learn how to make great first impressions that last. Discover ways to:
- Build your team from the ground up, based on the experience you define.
- Cultivate volunteer “wow-makers.”
- Keep things like announcements, communion and the offering from distracting your guests or making them feel like outsiders.
- Determine the “rules” your church has, even if you don't know them yet.
- Experience hands-on training that will empower your volunteers.
Register and bring your team for the Early Bird Rate of just $99/person. Group Discount available - $20 off/person for groups of six or more. Workshops run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (EST)
Social Media Butterfly Charm School
Excerpt from kemmeyer.com | Kem Meyer, Communications Director
I get questions about social media from business leaders and pastors several times a week. Sometimes several times a day. I would say all inquires easily boil down to two primary questions:
- Is it worth it?
- How do I control it?
Here's some helpful links that might help answer both questions …
- Why I do it…a pastor's answer.
- Why we do it…from business people in the trenches.
- The number 1 mistake…we all make.
- Taking brands social…the best & worst.
- Social experiences…how to build them.
Want to hear more from Kem about making social media, the Web and your communications connect? New dates coming soon for one-day workshops and the Communications Strategy Coaching Network for 2010. The network is limited to 12 people, so if you're interested in a spot, get more details and apply.
Listen to Complaints
Excerpt from BecausePeopleMatter.com | Mark Waltz, Pastor of Connections
Listen to Complaints...
As in when people make comments less than complimentary. Even disparaging. Listen.
- If one person is making the observation, ten more may be thinking the same thing. They just didn't have the courage to say so.
- The person may not understand your values, methods or language, but if you'll listen, you may learn what people are actually hearing - even if you don't intend to communicate it.
- There's usually at least a grain of truth - even if the complaint is riddled with emotion and misinformed statements.
- A primary concern (in addition to your faithfulness to the message of Jesus) should be how people are hearing and experience your message: from the parking lot to the message to the care expressed in your systems and connection points.
- Often people who share legitimate concerns are people who can help bring solutions to your systems and organization.
One more thought - if you're the one making a complaint, have the courage to use your name. When you do, conversation can be constructive and helpful. To both parties.
Want to hear more from Mark about connections ministry and first impressions? Don't miss an opportunity to be part of a Connections Stratetgy Coaching Network led by Mark that starts in February. The network is limited to 12 people, so if you're interested in a spot, get more details and apply.
A Decade of Changes
Excerpt from LeadingSmart.com | Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor
A few days ago we ended a decade and began a brand new one. I've been thinking quite a bit about what has changed in the church world in the past ten years. You'll have to consider the source: I'm not a church historian, and my view is limited to what I see. But I have been a "church professional" (arghhh, I hate the sound of that!) for almost 25 years and have seen many changes. My view on what has changed...
Church Buildings
2000: Church buildings were mostly viewed as status symbols. Respect for a pastor was high if he or she had a new building. An emphasis on style and design was beginning to creep back into the church construction industry. Everyone came to one location to worship. 2010: You only build if absolutely necessary. The need to have everyone at one location has been eliminated by technology. Money spent on extravagant buildings is seen as wasteful, and the definition of what is "extravagant" is lower than it was ten years ago.
Conferences
2000: Everyone went to Willow Creek. Or Saddleback. Or a handful of other mombo-churches to learn the newest and best of what was working. These conferences were inspiring. 2010: Inspiring is over-rated. Church leaders want practical. Now there are hundreds of specialty conferences hosted by churches of all sizes. And with the training available on the Web, many choose to stay home.
Expectation
2000: "You want to meet Jesus and grow spiritually? Come to church this Sunday." We expected people to come to us. Playing off Clinton's effective campaign slogan ("It's about the economy, stupid!"), churches adopted "It's About the Weekend, Stupid!" as their rallying cry. 2010: Churches are becoming more intentional about helping people integrate their faith into their daily lives...not just for a few hours on Sunday. We are less concerned about attendance and more concerned about outcomes.
Staffing
2000: We hired professionals. Pastors and directors were being hired left and right to lead or do ministry. A senior pastor was being transformed from a shepherd and teacher to a manager and CEO. 2010: The realities of a tough economy hit and more and more churches are reducing staff - not hiring. Volunteers are being called on for high capacity roles like campus pastor and children's ministry director. Church leaders are learning new skills - like leading people who aren't motivated by a paycheck and who are significantly more qualified in a role than the pastor is.
Tell me what you think. Do you see the same changes? Any others you would add?
Do you do church online?
At Granger, we launched something new this fall - a way for people to do church online. Sound crazy?
It's a new way for us to reach people who will never walk through the physical doors of a Granger campus. Guests can enter anonymously or create an account where they can register for events talked about during the service or give online. Once inside the 'auditorium,' you'll find the service order, a way to chat in real-time with others attending the service, sermon notes and a chance to see on a world map who else is joining in. You can also write on your facebook wall or tweet directly from the auditorium and invite your friends to join you!
More on the experience from our Web Director...
Wondering how we made it happen? The creative strategists at AspireOne partnered with us for months to brainstorm and help build this online experience. We're at the start of an incredible journey.
To get a taste of the experience for yourself, stop by for a service happening at live.gccwired.com on Sundays at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.
