Creativity and Innovation

, , ,

I’ve always been a big fan of dynamic duos like Batman and Robin, Sam and Dave, Sonny and Cher, Peanut butter and jelly and also Paul and Silas, Barnabas, and Timothy. The thing I’ve noticed about dynamic duos, is they are more dynamic together than they are apart. Just like the home and the church working together can do more than either on their on to reach the family, the same is true with creativity and innovation they are better together than either by themselves.

Children’s leaders are some of the the most creative people I know. It just seems like creativity runs through their veins as well as blood. Back in 1988 I put on a different kind of conference at the time called the Children’s Ministry Idea Explosion. It was held in Orlando and as part of the conference it included a day at DisneyWorld. Now this was not my first trip to this creativity megaplex but I think I got more ideas on that trip than any before or any since why? The answer is simple I went to a creative place with a bunch of creative people. All day long we bounced off ideas of “what if?” and “how could we?” off children’s pastor after children’s pastor.

I’ve never forgotten that day and the conversations that came from it. But conversations alone don’t make things come to pass. I’ve always heard, “After everything is said and done there’s usually more said than done.” This is why I think creativity without innovation is not as powerful as the two working together as a dynamic duo!

To help us understand these two let’s take a look at what Mr. Webster says about each one.

Creativity according to the dictionary is the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work. 

Imagination is a powerful tool. As most of you know I am a grandfather. One of the wonderful benefits of grandchildren for this children’s pastor is He has reminded me of things I knew about children and childhood that I forgot raising older children. My grandson’s imagination seems to be limitless. Every time he comes over to my house, his mother (Yancy) has to introduce who he is pretending to be which seems these days never to be Sparrow. He never breaks character until it’s time for a costume change and bam another super hero, doggie or hockey player breaks out. This has been a wonderful reminder of both the power of imagination and also the importance of string up my imagination. I don’t know why as adults we don’t make time to stir up our imagination and make time to think creatively and encourage original ideas.

I think one of the things that is lacking in children’s ministry today is the lack of original ideas. Now I know it’s been said there is nothing new under the sun but there’s stuff that’s new to you. 

You’ve heard me say over and over again that same action brings same results but did you know same thinking does also and we have to be willing to think differently and to think in ways we have never thought before to come up with original ideas. I think people in ministry develop bad habits over time because of how busy we are. Instead of taking time to be creative and try to come up with original ideas we just rely on the ideas of others. I’ve used this joke for years that one of my favorite tools in my kidmin arsenal of tricks is “selective creativity” that’s right I’m highly selective who’s ideas I rip off. There’s nothing wrong with borrowing a great idea in fact it’s smart but sadly one of the things that bothers me that has happen in children’s ministry we rely on the ideas of others rather than to continue to cultivate creative thought and original ideas in our own life and ministry.

Another excuse busy people use is we say we are not creative. I don’t believe that, especially for the believer because Genesis 1:27 tells us God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. We were created in the image of the creator, the one who created the universe and everything that was created. I think what we are really saying is we have chosen to not take the time to be creative and to get together with others to create creative meetings and sessions to brainstorm and think as well as rethink, to use our imaginations and dream what needs to happen differently as well as what needs to be created that just doesn’t exist in our ministries that needs to exist. In the early years of children’s ministry we were forced to be creative and innovative because stuff just didn’t exist.

I have enjoyed working more closely with the folks at Orange this past year. I have learned a lot about the importance of surrounding yourself with creative thinkers. I’ve learned that one of the things that encourages creativity is to begin to ask questions and then throw out new ideas.

One of the tools that I have started using that helps me with encouraging creativity is the creative board. (I’ve been using the web app version www.creativeboard.com, I love it!)

Don’t think because you are the leader you have to be the source of all creativity in your ministry, 1. Pray get the creator involved, 2. Surround yourself with creative thinkers, 3. Create a safe and idea welcoming environment that’s coved under the umbrella of mercy and even crazy, way-out there stretches of the imagination are welcomed.

Innovation is the action or process of innovating. To innovate means you make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products. I think you can’t evaluate your ministry and life too much. The missing piece from anything moving from good to great is evaluation. To innovate really requires the rethinking of what’s being done and being willing to change your systems, processes and methods to give birth to a new way of achieving a desired outcome. As a person who wants to see results we’ve never seen why would you just want one of these? I’m a systems guy and love systemic thought the problem is not all creative types are good at implementation and not all systems folks are great at creativity. That’s where we join forces and create teams that bring both, creativity and innovation together. Change begins when you realize one or both of these are missing. 

So my question to you is who do you need to invite to your meetings and to evaluate what you’re doing creative folks or innovators? What needs to be that isn’t so that your ministries are effective, healthy, growing and bearing the fruit God wants they to bear. A wonderful mentor in my life used to say it doesn’t take leadership to change something that’s not working, it takes true leadership to take something that’s working good and add creativity and innovation to make it better!  Decide total to let this dynamic duo work for you to help you see God’s dreams for your life and ministry come to pass.

 

/by

Kids’ Ministry Certification

, ,

Over my lifetime I have received three specific ”calls” on my life. The call to get “ready for vocational ministry,” the call “to vocational ministry,” and the call to “teach and train others for ministry.” I am amazed through the years the doors that the Lord has opened for me to walk through. I have had the honor to host and be a part of training events all over the globe. Two of the churches I’ve served in have had a School of Ministry that I’ve gotten to be a part of. I’ve also been blessed along my journey to see firsthand the advancement of technology to get the Gospel out as well as to train and prepare others. I was absolutely thrilled when the President of The Kings University at Gateway Church in Dallas reached out to me about an idea they had to train the local church for ministry they were naming ChurchED

. Their idea was to create “Masterclass” style courses on every area of local church ministry to create a place where busy church leaders could go to be trained. One of the biggest needs in the church today is to train Kid’s workers to reach and disciple the next generation. I was so honored to be asked to help with the creation of their Kids’ Ministry Certification course.

You’ll learn from trusted voices who not only have 75 years of combined experience in local church Kid’s Ministry but they are still actively involved in ministry to kids now. A lot of Kidmin training available today is taught by people who used to work with kids rather than people who are currently ministering to kids and families.

You’ll learn about important topics like the Heart, Philosophy, and Theology of Kids’ Ministry, How to Conduct Effective Kids Services, Systems, Policies and Procedures You Need to Establish, Recruiting and Developing Volunteers and turning them into Servant Leaders, as well as Partnering with Parents and Grandparents, Time Management and much more!

The ChurchED Kids’ Ministry Certification is a completely online program. All content is accessible via your desktop, laptop, or mobile devise. The ChurchED mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devises.

I know what you’ve thinking, “How much does this cost?” NOTHING, it’s free! 

The Kids’ Ministry Certification is more than a certificate it’s an investment in your personal, professional, and spiritual growth. You can learn more at ChurchED.com.

/by

There’s A Brand New Jim Wideman Book Available Now!

, , , , , ,

Over thirty years ago, I began a journey that I’m still on today—a quest to move past “live well and do well” and to actually “lead well.” After fifteen years on the job trying to do my best and working hard, I realized there was more needed than just hard work, or even smart work for that matter. I realized true authentic leadership doesn’t come from a position or even a title; it comes from who you are, as well as, from who you are becoming. It comes from the inside out, and it is not a one-time choice; instead, it is the result of a daily choice to say yes to all of Jesus’ invitations.

One of the good things that came out of the shut down of 2020 for me is that my first book (Children’s Ministry Leadership “The-You-Can-Do-It-Guide”) that I  published more than twenty years ago, the rights, came back to me. Hallelujah! My idea was to read through it and make some updates and self-publish it and make an updated version of this popular book that has served as a textbook on Children’s Ministry Leadership for many colleges and seminaries.

As I started reading the book I realize more than the information inside had changed in twenty years. I had changed! In fact, I realized quick that I am not the same person I was when I wrote it the first time. I don’t think in the same ways, I don’t lead the same way. Although I am still involved in Children’s Ministry, my role had totally changed.  As the Executive Operations Pastor at my church. I mow oversee the finances, the data base, the facilities, HR, legal, security, guest services and car park, as well as Children’s Ministries. I have known from consulting and coaching with churches of all sizes, that the principles of leadership I live and teach work in every area of church ministry not just Children’s Ministry. 

That’s why, this is not the same book. I ended up not updated old material but totally re-writing the book from a whole different viewpoint and perspective as well as as over forty five years of hands-on experience.  What a wonderful opportunity I’ve been given to have a second chance to add, to take away, and to make the changes that I’ve wanted to make for years, as I have coached and taught through this material over the last twenty years.

I hope that wherever you are on your leadership journey that you’ll listen to Holy Spirit and apply what He will be speaking to you through this new book. We all have been called to be learners, and Jesus is not done leading us and showing us what He wants us to know and become, no matter what area of ministry you are currently leading.

I am so excited to announce beginning  October 5th, 2021 my new book “Authentic Leadership That Lasts” will be available for purchase. Right now you can pre-order it here at jimwideman.com  and be one of the first to receive it. I’ll also include a free digital copy as well for ordering from me. So follow the link and order your copy today! If you’d like to purchase multiple copies, reach out for quantity discounts. This new book is filled with gold, so get ready to dig.

 

/by

Leading With Help

, , , ,

Life can be a very stressful and even overwhelming at times! As rewarding as ministry can be it too, can be overwhelming. I worked for a wonderful pastor  who used to say,“Ministry is a privilege, but sometimes it looks a whole bunch like work!  As I have studied people in ministry, especially people in kid’s ministry  over the past forty-five plus years, there are two things that are apparent to me: One, we have a tendency to want to do things all by ourselves and secondly, at times (More times than most) in our own strength. This is not good. I should have listened to “Three Dog Night” years ago they told me “One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do!” (google this milenials) or maybe the “Beatles” they not only sang about needing “help” but also “help from our friends.” Better yet I should have listened to Jesus. John 15: 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. God never intended us to do the work of the ministry by ourselves! For that matter He never intended us to live the Christian life by ourselves. Jesus told his disciples that He would send them a helper or another counselor to be with us forever. He also said in John 14:26 “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Verse 27 adds “Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This is good news! It’s also the only way to live and lead effectively and handle the stress and demands of life and of ministry.

Mr. Webster defines stress as “the physical, mental, or emotional pressure, pull or force exerted on one thing by another; strain; tension” Pressure is normal and can be helpful at times but not knowing how to handle it causes us problems. Trying to handle it by ourselves is not God’s plan for us that is why he has sent us Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit (who is not a THE, He’s a person) is our teacher, He is our guide, He is our helper and He is our comforter! Just because stress exists doesn’t mean it cannot be managed and controlled. Electricity like stress can be deadly but when it is harnessed and controlled it is a powerful and helpful resource. Pressure is an excellent test of your ability to lead or your current leadership level. But when pressure and problems come, you don’t need to try to handle them in your own strength but in the strength and power of Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of the living God! Just because you are doing the “Lord’s work” doesn’t mean you won’t have problems and challenges. We all have issues of life to deal with. Psalm 34:19 tells us, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” I believe this verse describes us as “getting up people! When we lead with the help of “our helper-Holy Spirit, we are not leading in our own strength but in the strength of Jesus’ promised power source.

I learned a very valuable lesson about relying on my helper several years ago. One day as I was leaving for work I had an impression in my spirit that I needed to bring my bass guitar with me to church. Rather than be quick to obey I started reasoning with myself and to make a long story short I blew off the leading and went to work. No sooner as I walked in my office the phone rang and it was my Wednesday Night bass player in my pre-youth class informing me that he just got to work and found out he had to work late and asked if I could play bass myself for him. My helper (Holy Spirit) wanted to help me save time. As I drove back home to get my bass I saw that the more I listened to the voice of Holy Spirit in small things the easier it was to hear him in major decisions. I also realized it would have been better for me to brought my bass and didn’t need it, than to blow off the voice of Holy Spirit, my helper. I’ve also learned through the years to never disobey a check in my Spirit. If I sense a strong leading to not go somewhere or to not do something or to pass on a certain worker or team member, even if I can’t explain it, I trust my helper! With these things in mind here are Ten Ways I allow Holy Spirit to help me Lead in ministry.

1. Let the Peace of God rule and reign in your lives. How do you do that? I’m glad you asked. Make time to meditate the Word about peace daily as well as in stressful times. Make time to pray! When you don’t know how to pray let Holy Spirit guide you and lead your prayers. Give no place to fear! Fear is faith in reverse.

2. Meet every situation with a spirit of faith. Holy Spirit gives us boldness.

Be positive and speak faith words! Speak what God’s Word says not your doubts. Remind yourself what God has done for you. One of the jobs of our helper is to remind us about what Jesus has done and said. Don’t go by what you see, feel or hear. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight:

Don’t listen to the devil, his messengers or to bad or evil reports.

3. Be strong and courageous. Acts 1:8 says But you will receive power when Holy Spirit comes on you. I believe a good measurement of the Spirit in us is how strong we are. What ever you are full of comes out of you when you are shaken. When you are full of the Spirit, His strength and courage comes out of you when life shakes you! Don’t be a baby, instead be strong! Thirty-three times in the Bible we are told to be strong, and an additional ten times will are told to be strong and courageous!

4. Ask for the Spirit to guide your plans. The Bible could not be more plain on the subject of Gods plans are different than our plans. That’s why we should be sensitive to the leading of Holy Spirit for God’s plan. Don’t be afraid to be detailed in your planning. Learn to think backwards from the desired outcome and break your plan down into steps. Don’t wait to the last minute. Never equate flowing with Holy Spirit to flying by the seat of your paints.

5. Learn to allow Holy Spirit to help you Identify things that need correcting and ask Him to teach you why it needs fixing as well as how. To me my friend and helper Holy Spirit works in our lives like a spot light He shines or illuminates things that need to be brought to light. I also rely of Holy Spirit to help me identify areas of improvement in my ministry. The Spirit is a safe guide, one whom can always be trusted. The voice of wisdom and the voice of Father God is always the same thing. Our helper Holy Spirit will lead us to all truth and will never disagree with the voice of wisdom or God’s Word!

6. Trust your guide. I used to illustrate this in Children’s Church by blindfolding a child and give them verbal instructions that they had to carry out without bumping into things. It’s impossible to walk by faith and not by sight in our own strength. Then I would ask another child to come be a guide (just like Holy Spirit is our guide) and guide the blindfolded child to safety. It’s much easier with a guide to follow Father’s Word . I have found practice make perfect not only in playing an instrument or developing a skill but also in trusting our guide!

The more we practice walking this out, the more reflexive it becomes.

7. I rely on the help of Holy Spirit to lead me to people I need to develop to be on my team. I refuse to wait on people to show up that I need to lead. I’m on a mission from God to connect with those He leads me to. Jesus was out and about when he found the twelve disciples. I ask the Lord daily to lead me to the right people who need to be a part of the team He is building!

8. Learn how to let Holy Spirit refresh you. The biggest challenge for people in ministry is to learn how to leave the stress and pressures of life and ministry at the church or the office and don’t bring them home. I have learned to pray in the Spirit on the way home and allow Holy Spirit to refresh me. It helps me to be able to enjoy my family more. One of the things old Jim would tell young Jim is to take time off. Rest is part of God’s plan just like work. I guard my day(s) off and use my vacation wisely. Retreat when you are at your busiest. When we study the life of Jesus here on the earth Holy Spirit led him away from work and those he was leading to pray and be refreshed.  I believe when we pray in the Spirit it refreshes our spirit and builds up or edifies us! Holy Spirit still leads Christ Followers to times of refreshing and renewal.

9. Take care of the temple. 1 Corinthians 3: 16 asks “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If this is true and it is then it’s important we take care of the temple. I have learned the hard way as I age I must exercise, eat healthier, take vitamins and supplements as well as get plenty of sleep. I don’t stay up all night anymore.

10. Holy Spirit helps me discern what is right for me to be involved in. What’s of God and what’s not? Learn to be sensitive to Holy Spirit’s involvement and presence and recognize or discern if something is good or God as well as bad or evil. Not every good idea is Father’s will for me now. Not everything that is wrong or bad for now is evil, it’s just not the right timing. If every believer has Holy Spirit on the inside and they do then how much more do we in leadership need  Holy Spirit’s help to be the leaders God has called us to be.

Proverbs 3:5 & 6 tells us “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 

Aren’t you glad we have a helper to lead us to be the leaders we need to be. Listen to your guide, our helper, Holy Spirit is with us, always. Listen to Him, Learn from Him, do what He says. Every leader leads better with help, no matter what they are doing!

Thanks Holy Spirit, for being our helper, we need your help, more now than ever!

/by

What Are You Pursuing?

, , ,

There’s a big difference between choosing and pursuing. Choosing is about the short term while Pursuing is about the long term. Mr Webster says to choose means: “To decide on a course of action, typically after rejecting alternatives.” The problem is we’ve all made choices without rejecting the bad choices or alternatives. My wise Mom always told me “Don’t make the same mistakes twice there are enough different ones you can make every time!” So true, so true!

Making good choices is important but when you think about making intentional choices over the long haul choice turns into concise pursuit of a realized goal. The dictionary says to pursue means: “To seek to attain or accomplish (a goal), especially over a long period.” Most people especially me look and give up  quiet easily when searching for something lost while wives on the other hand have learned the difference between looking and seeking. Seek means you look until your find. The Bible speaks more about seeking than just choosing. Consistent seeking leads to pursuit.

In 1 Timothy 6: 11-12 it says “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.“

This scripture tells us, “If there is a good fight then that means that there’s also a bad one!” I believe the bad fight that we sometimes fight comes from pursuing the wrong things. So my question for you is this, “What are you pursuing?” Why not make a list and put them in order by importance. Start with the list mentioned in 1 Timothy 6:11 and then add what is important to you especially your walk with God, your family and other important relationships and last of all your ministry. Spend some time listening to Holy Spirit. He will lead you to the truth and the truth will set you free. What are you pursuing could also be asked this way, “What are you aiming for?”One of my favorite tweets from my book TWEETABLE LEADERSHIP, “If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.”

So what are you waiting for? Start pursuing all the things God is leading you to pursue.

/by