Four Steps to a Great Service

Set the Stage.

To many times we assume that everyone in the room is already part of the “club” and knows the basics of who we are, what we believe, and what we are getting ready to do. (Sing 3 songs, take up offering, play a cool intro video, listen to a message, pray and dismiss). 

But the truth is many people coming to our service have absolutely no clue of any of these things. Because of this, each week we want to set the stage for everyone in the room. We want to help them understand, who we are, why we are gathering, and what we are getting ready to do for the next 60 minutes or so. 

This could be done by the worship leader, a video, or our service host. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but the important thing is; we never want to take for granted that everyone in the room is already part of the “club”. 

Give Permission.

When you and I go to a persons home for the very first time, we do not know what is acceptable behavior. Do we take off our shoes or leave them on? Do we sit anywhere we want or should we stand till invited to sit down? Do we help ourselves to a glass of water or should we ask permission to get a drink? As a guest in a persons home you are waiting on permission for what to do or not to do. 

The same is true for guest at our church. People who are fairly new to our services, do not know for sure what is acceptable behavior. Do they stand or sit? Do they raise their hands during worship or stand still? Is it OK to say something during the message or should they sit quietly? 

This is very awkward. 

We want to take that awkwardness away by giving them permission to ….
- Follow along during the message by watching the screens and reading the Bible verses. 
- Join in the singing however they feel comfortable – sit – stand – clap or raise their hands
- To ask more questions at our Next Steps Booth or with talk with any of our workers after the service

We need to treat our guest like we would want to be treated when we are visiting another persons home for the very first time. Give them permission to be themselves.

Be Intentional.

When planning out our services we always ask the reason “why”. Why are we doing 3 songs for worship? Why are we doing worship? Why are we having a host come out onto the stage? Why do we need a host? Why are we preaching this particular message this particular week? Why are we doing this video? Why …. well I think you get the point.

We never want to do anything just “because”. We only have 60 to 90 minutes to be the conduit of which God’s love and voice flows thru, so we need to be intentional. 

Give people something to do with what they heard.

When we communicate the word of God we are communicating for CHANGE. We want to inspire people to be wiling to change from who they are to who God desires them to be. So every time we speak we want to give our people simple steps to help them walk out the changes they need to make as parents, children, families, Christ followers, or someone dealing with past hurts. 

Hearing God’s word is good … doing God’s word is even better.

Three MUST watch videos from Matt, Craig, and Patrick.

Like you, I want to become the best leader I can be, so that I can help other people fulfill their God given potential in life. Because of this I read books, listen to podcast and watch videos. (Lots of videos). 

Three of my favorite leadership videos are. 

The Healthy Leader by Matt Chandler. 

Increasing your capacity by Craig Groeschel

Five dysfunctions of a team by Patrick Lencioni

Each one has so much life altering information, that you can't just watch them. 

Here are four things I suggest that you do with each of these videos. 

1 - Watch the video alone. 

2 - Watch the video a second time and take notes. 

3 - Watch the video with your team and have them take notes. 

4 - Have a discussion with your team about what learned, how to apply, what they heard. 

5 - Hold each other accountable to continually apply and walk out the principles that you learned. 

---

---

Lunch Time Leadership Nugget. Four things to NEVER do.

Well it's lunch time here in California. So I thought I would give you something to chew on. 

Here are four things to never do as a leader. 

1. Never despise the days of small beginnings.

Trees that last start small, dig deep roots and continue to grow!

2. Never promote someone that has not proven themselves in small things.

You don't need people, you need the right people.

3. Never try to do anything on your own.

Anyone who has ever accomplished anything had great partners.

4. Never think that it's better to have things look good rather than be good.

Substance will win over style in the long run.

What are a few things you have done that you regret? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below. 

Four M's that will make you a better leader.

1. Mentor.

Paul said “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Every leader needs a mentor. Mentors don’t have to be people that you meet with one on one. Mentors can be people that you choose to learn from and then read everything they write, listen to everything they say, and watch everything they do, even from afar. If you want to become the leader God has desires you to be … you have to have a mentor.

2. Mind.

One of my favorite passages in the Bible says …”Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.” To be a truly great leader you need to think like Jesus. The primary thing on Jesus mind was “how can I serve others”. Jesus was a servant. Because of this he was the greatest leader of all time. 

Leadership is really just finding a problem that needs to be solved …then giving your time and energy to build a team to solve the problem. If you want to be a great leader – stop thinking about yourself, start thinking about others … and you will be like Jesus … an incredible leader.

3. Mission.

Jesus once said – “The Son of Man came not but to seek and save the Lost.” Jesus was on mission. His mission drove him to talk, think, and act the way that he did. His mission was the catalyst behind every thing he did. What is your mission? Why are you here? What are you living for? Most people in life never find the answer to these three questions. If you can …If you can find your mission …you will not be like everyone else … you will be a leader.

4. Message.

In order to be a leader, you have to have people following you. In order for people to follow you, they have to know where they are going. As a leader it is up to you to not only know where you are going or what you are called to do… but you also have to be able to clearly state these things to the people around you. 

Take your mission and develop a 5 minute verbal presentation, a 15 minute presentation and a 45 minute presentation. As a leader you must be able to talk to one person, a small group of people or a large room of people about your mission in such a compelling way that it is hard for them to pass on joining your team.

Want to keep growing in leadership? Check out Youth Ministry University by clicking HERE

Your past belongs to yesterday. Your tomorrow belongs to you.

Your past belongs to yesterday, but tomorrow belongs to you.To maximize your tomorrow here are three things you need to do today.

1. Remember the past but don’t live in it.
 

Learn from your past but don’t live there. Stop wasting so much time thinking or talking about where you’ve been,what you’ve done or what’s been done to you.

2. Embrace the present.

You are where you are. You are what you are. You have what you have. Don’t lie to yourself about the truth. Be honest and embrace the situation you are in.

3. Change the future.

Where you are is not where you have to stay. What you are is not who you have to be. What you have does not have to define you. You control you … if something needs to change … then CHANGE. Learn what you need to learn. Do what you need to do and go where you need to go.

Your past belongs to yesterday but tomorrow belongs to you.