Archive for the 'Street to the Seat' Category

Leveraging Technology as a Communication Tool: Twitter, Facebook, etc..

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on August 19, 2009
in Street to the Seat
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I received a hilarious twitter from @johnnycr (on Twitter) today about “tweet to the seat”, and if you saw my reply you understand the reason for this posting.

Even though it was having fun with a play on words with, “Street to the Seat” it is a great reminder of the use of social media tools.  I had the privilege of serving with @johnnycr when on staff together at Saddleback so I know his heart in his twitter.

Twitter and Facebook have been two of my favorite tools.  And with the new features available with Google Mail Signatures it increases ones affect on leveraging these type tools to get your intended message in the right hands.  Facebook also has a feature that allows all tweets to show up on your wall in the Facebook platform.

To get a better feel for how it works create a Twitter account and a Facebook account and “follow me” and “request as friend”.  As I post, you can see how it works and I can talk you through how to use it as a tool to reach those who Jesus misses most.

www.twitter.com/kerrymackey

www.facebook.com/kerry.mackey

You’ll also see that this posting will show up on my Facebook wall as I have my blog postings tied to Facebook as well.

Join the revolution!

Ministry Evaluations: Evaluation apart from action is an exercise in futility

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on July 15, 2009
in Street to the Seat and Uncategorized
. 0 Comments

Recently I spoke with our staff about the evaluation of ministries, events and programs.  Below are a brief set of notes I put together for the talk.
_____________________________________

Evaluation is an “investment” issue.

Paul used the “Unity of the Spirit” discussion in leading the church at Ephesus in one form of evaluating.

Ephesians 4:11-16 MSG
11 filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher
12 to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church,
13 until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
14 No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors.
15 God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
16 He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.

Thoughts we might consider when evaluating ministries:

1.    Are they moving rhythmically (vs. 13)
Evaluation markers – easily, efficient, graceful

  • is the ministry fluid?  Does it create ease of motion? (easily with each other)
    individuals - are you moving rhythmically?
    teams - does it fit the team?
    campuses - how does it affect a mulit-site environment (compounding affect)
  • is the ministry the best use of God’s resources (efficient or effective)
    good - isn’t always as good as we think it is.
    best - investment in things that have eternal impact (there is a limit)
    “good isn’t always best, best is best” Doug Fields
  • does the mission drive the ministry = grace (graceful)
    what is the motive? is it out of vision, obligation, personal pride,… what?
    who serves whom? Mission or Ministry?

2.    Is it the right investment? UNTIL and UNTO (vs. 13-14)

  • is the ministry maturing (maturing question)
    don simmons – “don’t feed a dead horse”
    has the ministry seen it’s lifespan?
  • is it required for the mission (development question)
    (example – a, b, c buckets)
    a = only things that are eternal (this must happen)
    b = best things, required for the mission
    c = good things, but if they went away eternity wouldn’t know.
  • is it a vibrant source of life (alive question)
    is it a drain on you, your team, the church?
    life breeds life

3.   Can we be Truth Tellers? (speak the truth in love)– (vs 15)
This is one of the toughest parts of ministry, speaking the truth in love when a ministry either doesn’t fit the rhythm of the mission any longer, it isn’t financially the right use of resources, and it is no longer a vibrant source of life.  And when this time comes, and it will come.  It will be your responsibility to speak truth in love.  And when you do, recall Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:2ff :

  • with all humility (vs 2)
  • gentleness
  • patience
  • showing tolerance for one another
  • being diligent; to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Nuggets about Evaluation:

  • Good systems are invisible. (don simmons)
  • We measure what matters and what matters counts. (don simmons)
  • We inspect what we expect. (rick warren)
  • Evaluation apart from action is an exercise in futility. (me)

Take Aways:

  • Focus on teams and programs… not ministry partners (don simmions)
  • Ask the tough questions about the ministry
  • Evaluate:
    regularly
    with strategic planning
    after events
    when effectiveness is an issue
  • Red - Yellow - Green
    what must we Stop
    what must we Continue
    what must we Start

CAUTION: Don’t ask if you are not going to move on them.

Use evaluation as an investment tool to make your
ministry and ministry environment healthier.

“21 Days to Making Your Life Count”, by Pastor Erik Rees

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on July 6, 2009
in Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

You have got to get hooked up with my friend and colleague from Saddleback Church, Pastor Erik Rees as he releases his new work, “Only You Can be You“.  I myself am taking the 21 Day Connection with Erik.

A great friend, Pastor Erik has a ton to offer us as we make “the rest of our lives… the best of our lives.”

Join him today for the journey!

21 Day Connection from Erik Rees on Vimeo.

Rockbridge Seminary - Just finishing up teaching “The Theology and Practice of Fellowship”

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on April 28, 2009
in B.E.L.O.N.G. and Street to the Seat
. 4 Comments

You’ve heard me share with great passion about Rockbridge Seminary.   Well, here I go again.

I have just finished teaching another semester for Rockbridge and the learning environment it creates for men and women around the world who desire a seminary education when they can not or do not desire to leave their ministry position to attend a traditional seminary is phenomenal.

I wished that you could read the Learning Assessments that I just read about how these students ranging in age for 25 to 65 are now implementing their learnings in the context of their local congregation.

In addition, since each student is working alongside a mentor within their local church environment, how much more rich that is for them.  They are learning online with students from all over the world while being mentored by a local pastor/minister all the while having some of the most knowledgeable persons in the their specific field of ministry facilitating the entire learning community.

I know what you are thinking… It’s just to good to be true… I can get my seminary education fully online while collaborating with men/women around the world from the comfort of my own home while sitting in my pajamas sipping a hot cup of coffee…. BUT, you can!

Try it for yourself… Tell them I sent you!

A thought for you fathers out there.

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on February 17, 2009
in Community and Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

Long time no write.  Sorry about that.

“Reflections on Life while Walking in Death” used to be the title for letters a buddy of mine was writing about his journey with cancer.  This past week he changed the title to….

“Reflections on Life”

He went on to say, “Death can walk by himself… cause he ain’t walking with me.”

What a great reminder to us that we are so blessed to walk in life.  The time we have is so precious.  My buddy reminded me this week that my greatest priority is my faith in Jesus and my second is my family.  Death is trying to take both of his, but he isn’t fighting alone.  He has turned the battle over to the Lord.

Thanks friend for reminding me what is most important.  I needed that reminder.

You are a blessing to me.

Recession Proof Your Life - Join me LIVE online Wednesday Night.

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on November 12, 2008
in Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

Wednesday night Christ Fellowship will begin a two session class called “Recession Proof Your Life - Navigation through the crisis of our lives.”

It will be held at the Royal Palm Campus, Gardens Campus and will also be Live Online Wednesday November 12 & 19, at 6:30 pm EST.

Live Online, I will be joined by David Helbig the Internet Campus Pastor of Christ Fellowship. Together Pastor David and I will go over the following in our first session (Wed, Nov 12):

1. God’s Principles for Managing Finances
2. Developing a Financial Statement
3. Q & A

You can join us live online by clicking the following link on Wednesday Nov. 12 at 6:30 pm EST.

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/internetcampus

You will also be able to chat with us live online as we present the material. Please join us, and email David at davidh@cftoday.org for a copy of our student manual.

I look forward to seeing you there!

How is the economy affecting your ministry?

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on October 31, 2008
in Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

With what we know about the economy and where the economy is headed how is it affecting your ministry?

Please post your comments to this post and let’s learn together.

Remember, Street to the Seat is a learning community so posting your comments for all to read is very important.

UDFD Design’s put the face on Street to the Seat and saved my bacon by fixing my blog.

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on October 27, 2008
in Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

I can not say THANK YOU enough to Bill Jones and  UDFD Design . Not only did they create the look/feel for Street to the Seat, but when I messed up the blog in its entirety a month ago.  They fixed it.

If you are looking for one of the most creative guys in Christianity today with a heart for making your business, ministry, and/or church relevant in it’s communication with the world, then Bill Jones and UDFD Design can take you there.

Hook up with Bill and let him do his thing.  Tell him Kerry sent you.

Thanks Bill!

Plan for Change

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on August 25, 2008
in Street to the Seat
. 0 Comments

This past week Stephanie (wife) and I have been reminded of the need to, “Plan for Change“.  You can read the full story on Stephanie’s blog.

Summary:

1.  Have a plan
2.  Have someone who can take over in your absence - your “second”
3.  Make sure your “second” can run your plan
4.  Allow your “second” flexibility to run your plan on your behalf
5.  Know the right time to hand over leadership

I was absence from my team for 5 days and they never missed a beat.  In fact, they probably did a better job without me there.

Thanks TEAM!

First 90 Days at Christ Fellowship in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Published
by
Kerry Mackey
on July 31, 2008
in Street to the Seat
. 3 Comments

Well gang I am wrapping up my first 90 days at Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida with Pastor Tom and Todd Mullins. It has been a true blessing in our lives to join this team. You can’t even imagine all that the Lord has done in such a short 90 days. Just ask my staff. LOL

The thing that I am most proud of is that we have seen hundreds of lives changed in such a short time. OneLife at a time. I had the privilege of leading my first beach baptism at Christ Fellowship here in June with 115 baptism and in July saw 66 baptism. How awesome is that! The water on the East Coast is a whole lot warmer than the West Coast. Florida has California beat on water temperature.

Here are a few other things you can rejoice with us about. (no particular order)

  • launching our 6th campus in Stuart, Florida on September 7th (You go Matt!)
  • working on our new communication strategy with Cindy (Communications Director) (aligning oral, print, broadcast, and digital media)
  • we are aligning core values, purposes, strategies, philosophy, and implementation across our campuses.
  • we are seeing several thousand join us with our online community - Pastor David Helbig is here to help you make that connection as well
  • new welcome brochures coming out in the next several weeks
  • updating our First Impression Team manuals for all campuses
  • reworking our Response Card to get persons engaged earlier - launching new card and process September 6/7
  • rewriting 101-401 and putting them in 2 hour orientations (Pastor Lance Witt is doing most of the work. Thanks Bro!)
  • beginning to write 501 with James Duvall (our worship pastor)
  • our Community Life Pastor Reid Smith is rebranding our groups to “Life Groups” with a major relaunch of groups on September 6/7
  • defined our discipleship “matrix” with the team to launch October 1 (this is super cool… stay tuned for details)
  • addressing the needs of college, singles, men, and women in the new discipleship matrix
  • getting ready to open our new Life Center (125,000 sq. ft.) - October 1

Thought you would enjoy that. Wonder what the next 90 days holds. Can’t wait.