I highly recommend that you check out the Campus Crusade blogference blog. It’s got some great interaction from Campus staff all over the place. The recent discussion about how large evangelistic events do more harm than good was intriguing.
I may be tooting my own horn but I posted over there today about getting better at listening in evangelism. I’d love for you take a look, but only if you promise to mix it up in the comments. Tell them Matt sent you.
We’ve been experimenting with various evangelism tools and methods since we’ve been in Portland. Here’s what we’ve learned in the context of this beautiful, crazy, individualistic, post-Christian city.
What about you? What are you learning about evangelism in your context? What’s working, what’s not working?
I love harnessing technology, cutting costs and freeing our staff to do what they do best. Watch reality tv. Just kidding…I think we’re pretty good at spending time with people.
Here are two examples we’ve used recently….
1) Recently we had a volunteer vision night for the ministry in Portland. We had no paper invitation. We did everything via email, facebook and an online RSVP form made from Google doc’s (i.e. free!). We had 27 people show up to hear about how they might get involved! Awesomesauce. We spend less than $100 total (mostly on food) and we got the people that we wanted there…people that are comfortable with online technology. And more importantly our staff are connecting relationally with these people instead of making copies.
2)We advertised PDX Cru on facebook for 4 days at the start of the Portland State school year. Our staff didn’t need to run around printing promotional materials and trying to figure out how to gain permission to post things on campus. We may end up adding the paper aspect, but for now this serves us perfectly. Today the majority of students that showed up at Portland State for our first info meeting found us on Facebook. Well worth it.
What about you? Where has being forced to cut costs allowed you to be more effective and strategic?
I work for Campus Crusade for Christ. We love to talk to students about our faith. Sometimes the administration of a school doesn’t appreciate us like we think they should.
At Portland State University we don’t have access to our target audience of freshmen yet, so I took a few minutes to set up an ad that directs students to our fanpage. It’s an experiment, but the beauty is we can target PSU students specificilly.
It’s one of many strategies to reach students at PSU, and it’s not going to bring massive involvement, but it’s been fun to see a handful of connections made. (pardon the quick scribbles).
It’s fun to make Facebook profitable for ministry. Plus, we’ll only spend about $50 on ad’s.
Does your ministry use Facebook to connect with people? How?
Today, I was reminded how fragile life is.
One of my wife’s grandmothers died last night. It was sudden and shocking, but not surprising.
“What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14
In the midst of ministry, emails and decisions about fall retreat, I stop and hold my wife and kids a little closer and a little longer tonight.
The fragility of life just socked me in the gut.
Maybe I needed it.
Maybe I preaching to the choir when I ask that question, but I want to know! What online technology has spurred spiritual growth in you?
Examples:
Are there any specific stories you can point to where the Lord used an online resources to grow you as a follower of Christ and as a spiritual leader?
You’ll hear about one of mine on Monday, when I post on the Campus Crusade for Christ, ReThink Blogference site.
Charlene Li is the master of social media and has coined the term open leadership. Companies like Google call her to consult on social media plans. This a great primer on the subject of leadership in the technologically rich culture we live in. I heard Charlene speak at Catalyst last spring and it was intriguing and challenging.
This is what my life feels like right now. My staff team is officially launching the ministry in Portland right now and I’m in Boise waiting for our son to be born. Not the way I planned it.
Writing a plan makes you feel in control of things you can’t actually control. Why don’t we just call plans what they really are: guesses. Start referring to your business plans as business guesses, your financial plans as financial guesses, and your strategic plans as strategic guesses. Now you can stop worrying about them as much. They just aren’t worth the stress.
Rework – Fried and Hansonn
Things just don’t go as planned do they? Don’t get me wrong, there is great value in planning and thinking about the future. But we must build into our plans enough margin to seize opportunities and improvise if needed. And sometime we need to stop having meetings and start working on today.
Do you have tendency to overplan? I do. How do you balance necessary planning with being nimble enough to take advantage of God opportunities?
Here are the top 5 books that have shaped and challenged me the most in the leadership category. These are the ones I keep coming back to and I’m not sure what I’d do without.
Next Generation Leader – Andy Stanley. Far and away this has been the most helpful book for me to grow as a leader. I’m revisiting it right now!
Master Plan of Evangelism – Robert Coleman. A hard look at the way Jesus did discipleship, his plan to change the world and how it applies to us today.
Five Dysfunctions of Team – Patrick Lencioni. A must for helping you and your team grow and function well.
Changes that Heal – Henry Cloud. For personal growth that has bounces all over your ability to lead well, this is a great one.
Communicating for Change – Andy Stanley. Increase your ability to leverage communication opportunities for the Kingdom
Am I missing any? What leadership books have shaped you the most?
