Eric's Blog

Blog Name Contest

OK, here is the deal. Eric's Blog don't get it. We need a name that represents me and my heart. The interest listed on the about me page may help because that will be what I am blogging about. The biggest rule is that it must be creative. Please inform all New Lifers about this and let's see what we can come up with. By the way, you do not have to be from New Life to submit a name. Let the games (names) begin...

Making Vision Stick

Making Vision Stick is a small book with big ideas from Andy Stanley. I have read several books from Andy and every one of them has been helpful with ministry ideas and strategy. Here are a few quotes from Making Vision Stick:

• "Vision does not stick without constant care and attention."
• "It is up to each one of us to make sure there is alignment between the activity and the vision of our enterprise."
• "If it's a mist in the pulpit, it's a fog in the pew." -Howard Hendricks
• "If the vision is too complicated for people to embrace, nothing changes."
• "Every vision is a solution to a problem." "What is the need or problem my vision addresses? and What will happen if those needs or problems continue to go unaddressed?"
• "To make vision stick, a leader needs to pause long enough to celebrate the wins along the way."
• "What's celebrated is repeated."
• "Vision, not people's random ideas, should determine programming."
• "What people complain about communicates their understanding of the vision."
• "We pray for what we are most burdened for"

Wow, those last two are very powerful. Read them again and let them sink in.

Top 8 Books for Church Leaders

Here is a list of the top 8 books for church leaders as recommended by Nelson Searcy and Roy Mansfield. Click on this link to take you to the list now. On my desk from this list to read next is, "15 Characteristics of Effective Pastors." What would you add to the list as a must read book for church leaders that you read from last year?

The W.O.R.S.H.I.P. BRIDGE

This is from Ed Young's book "The Creative Leader." An acronym for worship that expresses the importance of the Sunday service.

W: Welcoming - Does your church have a welcoming environment that helps people overcome fear?

O: Organized - Creativity emerges from order.

R: Relevancy: - What difference does this make in peoples lives?

S: Sensitive - Are you sensitive to your guest needs?

H: Hour - You service should be one hour.

I: Inspirational - Our services should be motivational and inspiring.

P: Promotion - Promote what influences and affects the most people.

Let's talk about H: One Hour. What do you think about that? How long do you think a Celebration service should be: 1 Hour    75 Minutes    90 minutes? I would like to know what you think.