Jesus Hates Papyrus » ministry

Beauty from the rubble

Michael Buckingham — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:14:48 +0000

I just returned from Chicago with my trend spotter (who also happens to be my son) where we met with Tim Schraeder, Director of Communications for Park Community Church, a church in the middle of a huge building project (with one of the BEST views of the city). What I was most impressed with (other than that view) was that the church purchased a warehouse in a less then ideal neighborhood to watch that neighborhood literally be torn down and beauty arise from the rubble. New condos, office space and shopping now surround their future site. What a perfect analogy of what a church should be and how big God is.

Sometimes we are surrounded by ugly. Sometimes it seems like the darkness will overtake the people we are trying to reach. Sometimes the miracle is that we made it through the day. On our own the rubble would bury us.

With ministry come some ugly days, it’s easy to be frustrated by those that don’t understand, volunteers who aren’t committed, projects that don’t go as planned…be encouraged today that your ministry is much smaller than the God you serve. Be encouraged that He sees the rubble and from it can make something beautiful.

Read this before you lose it

Michael Buckingham — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:15:48 +0000

One of the more difficult aspects of being in a creative ministry is that some people don’t understand your ministry (we’ll get back to that word your in a little bit). We all live in our own worlds and while we know the importance of great design and powerful communications, others are focused on the sermon, the music…the things in their ministry.

It’s been heavy on my heart when I read about a designer in the dumps, and when I know of designers ready to quit. And folks you’re not alone, I work in the same world you do, sometimes they just don’t get my ministry.

And then I read my devotion yesterday:

Jesus turned to Peter and said, ‘Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, and not from God’s.’” Matthew 16:23 (NLT)

This devotion came right after listening to Phil Vischer’s session from the NRB convention as he talked about the challenges about having a successful ministry and losing it.

It is easy, human nature, to see things from our perspective. We get it, why can’t they? But here’s the newsflash that might keep you from losing it: it’s not your/mine/their ministry,

it doesn’t belong to you.

And do you really want it to? Do you really want to rely on you to make all the right moves? One of my constant ‘mantras’ that I pray is that

I not get ahead of God and
that all things happen the way He intended,
when He intended.

That requires me to let go of the reins and realize I am not driving and while it is easy to say “God is in control”, it’s not as easy to remember that when you’re told your budget has been cut, that your design isn’t important, or you are expected to produce excellence in an hour.

But the bottom line is that it is not about you and me…it’s ALL about God. The ministry God placed in your hands is not their for your achievement or your pleasure…it is their to glorify God and draw all men to him.

You’ve been there. What are your challenges, what carries you through those challenges of ministry?

What’s in your annual report?

Michael Buckingham — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:56:55 +0000

Annual reports are not easy beasts to tame from a marketing standpoint. Some might even wonder what this has to do with church marketing since your annual report isn’t even on the radar. After all it’s just a bunch of facts and figures, right?

No. Your annual report is, or should be, a report on the health of your church. We just wrapped up an annual report for a church and only 4 pages of the 20 were facts and figures. The rest, including a full page on marketing and communications, told of both the health and growth of the various ministries of the church. The health of a church is about more than just numbers. A growing church is a sign of a healthy church, but growth isn’t limited to the number of people that walk through your doors.

Growth is found in the depth of your ministries, the increase in outreach, missionaries support, well received sermon series and yes, the number of people that are showing up to all of those things.

Of course not every church can celebrate growth in all areas, there may be areas that need attention. Don’t shy away from that, in fact I might argue that every church should have at least one area that they should focus some added attention to. Take the opportunity to cast a vision for those areas that haven’t been growing, build excitement. This is the half time locker room talk when you’re down by 21. The second half is yours!

Thanks!

Michael Buckingham — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:04:49 +0000

I have much to be thankful for. I’m thankful that we’ve created a holiday that reminds us to be thankful, but sad that I need the reminder.

I’m thankful to have such a supporting wife and family who never stop believing in me and the abilities God has given, even when I do.

I’m thankful to all the churches that allow me the honor to take part in their ministry…I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. When I took the step of faith and started Holy Cow Creative, I wanted to be more than just a vendor, I wanted to be a part of your ministry, an extension of your vision. I’m so grateful that God has blessed that and has made it happen. I’m thankful for people like Joe Sindorf and Pastor Sam Rifjkogel for making me feel like a part of their team. I’m thankful for pastors like Josh Carroll for sharing their vision with me and letting me take part. I’m thankful for Pastor Joel Stocker who now sees our work as a needed part in Sunday worship. I’m thankful for Deryck Frye for allowing me to speak into his sermons even when it’s meant a completely new direction. I’m thankful for Don Record for going against the norm and stretching what the word church means. I’m thankful for Pastor Jason Mackey for taking the first step in building his church’s brand, we’re going to have a great time doing it. I’m thankful for James Damude who not only allows me to pour creativity into his college ministry, but pours his creativity into me. I’m thankful for Don Smith for giving us free reign over the new site, we wouldn’t have seen the great results without that freedom. I’m thankful to Pastor Leon Beaudin for not only allowing me to take part in your ministry, but for the words of wisdom you have spoke in my vision. I am thankful for pastors with big dreams like Kirk Lauckner. I am thankful for Pastor David Payne, I always wanted to work with a church that met in a movie theater. I’m thankful for Pastor Michael Lukaszewski, I may still not be able to pronounce your last name but I know God has much in store for the new location. I am thankful for Sarah Schieber, for sharing her voice, her heart and her ministry. You are all rock stars in my book!

I’m thankful for the 4 subscribers to this blog, I hope you will find the words I type to bring inspiration and that it helps you to press towards excellence.