Michael's Notes - Thoughts On Worship, Leadership & Fitness

Make the most of 2010 Goals, talk about them

2010-01-06T09:40:38-06:00

It is that time of the year when everyone is making resolutions and setting goals. I have come to the realization that the goals and initiatives I have set at my work place have the potential of becoming much more effective if I am willing to talk about them.

Accountability and Feedback from my supervisor. It is part of our culture to submit a “goals and initiatives” plan to our supervisor which is then discussed once a month in a one-on-one meeting; in doing so we open the lines of communication about these goals and other items. These meetings are a great way to keep the supervisor informed of our progress which helps us be accountable for our actions. Many organizations only rise to this level of communicating goals. I believe we miss a great opportunity if we stop here.

So this year I will also share my goals with:

Those I lead. By sharing my goals with the people I lead I give them insight into the job I am trying to carry out. In communicating my goals I will also encourage input. I have these people on my team because I believe they do amazing work and we function better as a unit than as individuals. I trust their input. I also again believe I am held to a higher level of accountability if let people know what I am working on.

My peers. My group of peers consists of five other team members who have responsibilities much like mine. The reason to share my goals and initiatives for 2010 with this group is to get support and feedback. If constructed correctly my goals fit the ‘big picture’ of the organization. I want to keep my peers informed, I want them to buy-in to my work and I need their support.

Setting goals are an admirable task; however they are nothing more than words on a paper if they are not put into action. And if we are willing to talk about our goals we will get support and effective accountability.

Sunday Setlists, January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T19:47:07-06:00

This post is my participation in "Sunday Setlists" a blog carnival hosted at TheWorshipCommunity.com. This week is the 76th edition of this blog carnival.

A new year is a great time to add a new worship song to our list…at least we thought so. This Sunday we introduced the song “Glory To God Forever,” by Steve Fee and Vicky Beeching. I had heard a lot of comments about people using this song over the last few months; however I was not sold on how well our congregation would sing this. I changed my mind after attending Catalyst 09 and seeing 13,000 people lifting their voices using the words of this song. Here is how we introduced the song and used it in the song set.

Opening Song
Glory to God Forever Key of A
    Two minutes before the start of service the worship leader takes a few moments to teach the chorus and bridge to the congregation. Then we jumped into a full arrangement of the song, worship team member singing the verses, this introduction week, and then inviting the congregation to stand and sing the last chorus and bridge repeats.

Baptism

Welcome

Song Set
Glory to God Forever (reprise: chorus-bridge-chorus) Key of A
How Great is Our God (starts on hold of last not of previous song) Key of A

Scripture
    Worship leader used a quick overview of the book of Galatians and closed with Galatians 6:14 as introduction to next song.

Song Set
The Wonderful Cross
Prayer
From the Inside Out

Sermon Introduction (video)

Sermon
    A continuation of the series “Origins” based on the first eleven chapters of Genesis. This week Genesis 9:18-29. There were some really good points in this sermon, so I thought I would post a few of them. You can find the audio version of the sermon here.

Even the most Godly are prone to sin
- Past Godliness does not guarantee future Godliness.
We easily become calloused toward sin
Sin casts a long shadow
- Be conscious your spiritual weakness can be magnified in your children and grandchildren.

Response time
Opportunity is given in service for response and also there is explanation given that there is a prayer room in close proximity for further prayer staffed by trained counselors.

Help Me Listen in 2010

2010-01-01T09:18:56-06:00

As the new year begins this morning I am praying that I can be more tuned-in to God's voice. When He speaks help me to listen.

I will strive to keep a conversation open throughout the day with Him.
I will set aside time each day to listen...really shut down the busyness to listen.
I will work at becoming a better student of His Word.

The song, Speak To Me, written by Tommy Walker sums up much of what I am thinking this morning.

Giving That Is Remembered

2009-12-27T18:46:19-06:00

Gifts exchanged are a part of our Christmas. This year we added another tradition, take some of the money we would use to exchanged gifts and send that money to some great charities. Here are four non-profits that we choice to support.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
    Our hearts were touched this year at this non-profits support of a family that we know. To find out more about Ian Miller and his story check out his Caringbridge site.

Compassion International
    We have talked about supporting this ministry for quite some time, but on this Christmas Eve we all sat around the computer screen and got started. It was our choice not to choose a child from the pictures displayed, but allow the ministry to choose. My kids can’t wait to get the information pack in the mail.

Blood Water Mission
    The office of this ministry is located in Franklin, Tennessee, our home town. I drive by their office every day, but it wasn’t until a friend, Anne Jackson (flowerdust.net) became personally involved that I went searching for more information. After the search we decided to make a contribution. Anne is making a big contribution as she and others will do a cross country bicycle ride the summer of 2010 to bring awareness to this mission.

Operation Smile
    I knew nothing of this non-profit until a friend from high school became the Donor Relations. This group travels around the world performing life changing operations on children with facial deformities such as cleft lip and cleft palate. This link gives a better description of their mission.

It seems that many years all we do is exchange money with family members, we buy them gifts they buy us gifts. But our new tradition will hopefully make a greater impact.

Do you give to charities during the holiday season?