(Women’s Ministry Innovation Laboratory)

Engaging Women in Leadership

Has had over 200 interviews with women in leadership
What are your successes?
What are your failures?
How did you get to where you’re at?

What are their struggles?
Lack of confidence
Under-identified leadership gifts
Lack of female mentors/role models
Leadership loneliness (leading is lonely)

Who do you admire the most? And why?
-those who are making a difference

What’s the most fulfilling area of your life? And why?
-volunteering: at church, in the city, etc

What keeps you up at night?
-older women: their children
-younger women: finances, marriage

What are you reading?
-most women are reading magazines…beauty, marriage and sex
-how many times do women talk about sex in church? (God is the author of sex)

Conclusions:
We aren’t listening to what women are really thinking about
We aren’t listening to their desire to  and need to make a difference
Younger women are done with big events just for connection

Women are great connectors

How can you engage women leaders?
Assess the current reality
How many women are leading?
Does our church leadership reflect our church population?
Where’s your biggest need?
Interview and empower

Cultivate

Look to the next generation

(These are my quick notes…for a great post on this session, check out Nick Carnes’ post.)

Church attendance is in the decline

Outreach and indrag

The church should be a sent people
There is no such thing as an unsent christian
All Christians are missionaries

Cultural Distance – Dr. Ralph Winters

There are 12,000 churches over 2,000 in attendance

430,000 churches in this country (average attendance 80-100)

More of the same will not get better results
-Organizational Insanity

Digging Holes
–>if you want to dig a whole 10 feet away, it’s no good digging a hole deeper where you’re at, won’t help

If you’ve been given a message, that makes you a messenger.

If you cannot imagine it, you cannot do it.

Planting a church was the hardest thing he’s ever done, but worth it. You MUST be called to do it.

-when you have money, sometimes you’re not as creative
-we need to close the gap between the crowd and the stage
-you’re end goal shouldn’t be to have a big church
-we need to close the gap between point A to point B with creative solutions
-God is the ultimate Creator and He’s placed creativity in each of His creations. So we’re all creative.

Innovation – doesn’t mean that you can’t do what someone else is doing, we’re one big church so we don’t have to well up with pride and try to do everything different
Examination – let’s examine our process
Disturb and Disrupt -it seems many people

Ezekiel 37:1-14
Each and every Sunday, as worshipers, we’re standing in front of dead bones and are to prophesy to life. (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
How can your obedience in worship (like Ezekiel) give life?

Creativity and our intimacy with the Creator go hand in hand.
Children have a relationship with God the Creator in a much bigger way then we do as adults.

What problems do you see with people trying to be innovative and creative?
Innovation does not mean cool lights…it’s having something new
-t-shirts, hoodies, jeans and tats are not innovative, it’s just the new “suit and tie”
-Are we trying to be hip? Or innovative?

*There is one absolute in church…Sunday’s coming!
*things can get stale if we don’t watch out
*What is something that you’ve always done one way, that you can do new (different) this week?

“Flickering Pixels” book to pick up

-do we have an evaluation time?
*during these times, don’t sit down – no chairs…it will help you not waste time

Was it fun?
Was is excellent?
Was it helpful?

Make sure that you are constantly “Exploring”
-this will help feed your creative bucket
– collect ideas (can put them in Evernote)
–stop and purposely observe what’s around you (put ideas in your “bucket”)

The day started out with an frozen Jeep.

This is my favorite part of the morning drive.

It seems that Borders traded all their employees for crappy old computers. (What the junk?!)

I’m really excited about this book! Simplicity is revolutionary!

Who needs flowers and chocolates for Valentine’s day? I’ll take this!

My roomie decided we would try star fruit.

The verdict? Star fruit is actually good!

Yesterday I mentioned that I felt like I have been living in a black hole. Why in the world would I say that?

No internet. No phone service.

Don’t get me wrong, my new place is amazing! It’s beautifully furnished, great neighbors and really feels like home. I have a wonderful roomie who is fun to hang out with, a great cook and an awesome sounding board to all my crazy ideas.

Here’s the not so good part…the phone service is terrible. I have to go outside if I want to have a decent phone conversation. Even then, it’s better if I walk up the hill a little ways. Crazy, huh? Then there is the internet. Or lack thereof. Occasionally, I can pick up an unsecured signal, but it’s really weak and takes forever to load. But, I shouldn’t complain because I don’t pay for it.

All that said, my online activity has drastically decreased.

I feel like I’ve been disconnected from many of the people (friends and family) that I usually keep up with online. I feel like I’m not as “in the know” as I used to be. I feel a bit unsettled.

BUT…I also feel that this has been a GREAT opportunity for me as well. It has forced me to get off my computer and find other things to do. I’m finding time to read books again. I’m outside meeting neighbors. I’m getting out of my computer chair and working out. I’m going to concerts and having people over for dinner.

I still have that “unsettled” feeling, but I’m learning to find balance in my daily routine and online habits. I’ve never been much of a “schedule” person, but now I’m being forced to be purposeful and focused with my time.

Honestly, I think this was exactly what I needed.

I can’t believe it’s already Thanksgiving. Where has the time gone? I feel as though I have been in a black hole for the past couple months. But, more on that tomorrow.

Today has been a beautifully difficult day.

How is that possible? Well, as difficult as family can be at times…they are still family. They know you. They bug you. They love you. You belong.

I missed my family today.

But I am thankful for friends and “adopted family” who took me in and made me a part of their Thanksgiving. Granted, it wasn’t like the huge celebrations I remember growing up, but it was wonderful to see such generosity is action.

So…here’s a list. Off the top of my head. What I am thankful for.

-I’m thankful for the generous people who open their home to me (and many others) today.

-I’m thankful for family and friends who love, support and encourage me. (Both online and off)

-I’m thankful that I have a place to live.

-I’m thankful that I have food to eat.

-I’m thankful that I have my health.

-I’m thankful I’m not the same person I was a year ago.

-I’m thankful for a God whose mercies are new every morning. (Lamentations 3.22-23)

This year has been tough. Really tough. But I’ve seen beauty in the hard times.

I’m thankful. Truly thankful.

*(Please forgive the lack of posting…things have been crazy here. I do have an update coming soon.)

So, I just had to share my extreme excitement. My favorite artist, Jennifer Knapp, is back! How cool is that?! Her first show is September 24th in LA. Wow…I really, REALLY wish I could be there. Hopefully, she’ll do a show in Nashville soon.

She has been such and inspiration to me. Her music is brutally honest. I’ve never heard any artist convey such raw passion in songs. Truly incredible. After hearing her first album in 1998, I picked up guitar and started putting my lyrics to music.

There have been many rumors that I’ve heard as to why she left (everyone here in Nashville has a different story to tell). Although we may never really know what happened, one thing I will say is, we have all been given abundant grace throughout our lives, we better be giving it out too.

Welcome back, Jennifer. We’ve missed you.

Her Website

Her MySpace

Patrol Magazine

I was thinking I need some kind of consistency on the blog. So, every week I’m gonna have “Show and Tell Sunday.”

This week it’s a few photos from a shoot I did last month. Andy and Rebekah are a beautiful couple that I go to church with. It was a lot of fun spending time with them and capturing a few moments.

So there you have it. What do you think? Also…do you have something you’d like to post for “Show and Tell?” I’d like to see it!

So, yeah. Maybe I’m crazy.

too much stuff

Why? Well, because I’m getting rid of almost all my stuff.

What? I’m liquidating nearly all my possessions.

Oh, that’s nice…wait, what?

Yup, it’s true. I’m getting rid of it all. For as far back as I can remember, I’ve had a lot of stuff. I find stuff. I collect stuff. I keep stuff. I hoard stuff. I can’t pack light because I always bring a lot of stuff. You get the picture.

So, why in the world would I get rid of everything? Well, there are a few reasons.

1. Peace of Mind – help myself, then help others

For over a year now, I have read about how my cousins (@RowdyKittens and @Loganenator) have been simplifying their lives. At first I didn’t know how anyone could do that and truly be happy. But over time, I started to see that it was the real deal. They were happy. They were enjoying life. They were helping others. And it really made me start to question my life and the decisions I made on a daily basis. They are also very giving people and I was able to experience that first hand when they made a way for me come to California last month. They truly live and give. That’s the kind of life I want to live. (You can read about their simplifying adventures at RowdyKittens.)

2. Refocus and Rediscover – back to the essentials

I have a wide variety of interests, so I have a wide variety of stuff. I love to read, so I have a ton of books. I love music, so I have a ton of gear…guitars, amps, recording stuff. I love computers and tech stuff, so I have a ton of old computers/gadgets laying around. I love photography, so I have a ton of camera gear around. The list goes on and on. Basically, all this leads to clutter and then makes me feel “pressured” to try to do everything…and of course that’s just not possible.  It kills my creativity. So, I want to get back to the essentials, refocus and rediscover my true passions and giftings.

3. Sacrifice and Humility – some things are just worth it

In the Bible, there is the story about a Rich Young Ruler (check out Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30). Basically this guy comes to Jesus to learn what others “rules” he need to follow to be a good religious person (gag me). Jesus goes through a few things and the Young guy says he has kept all the rules. So then Jesus gives him the biggest challenge, but also the greatest opportunity of a lifetime.  Jesus tells him to sell everything he had, give it to the poor and then follow him and become a disciple. What did the guy do? He walked away. Why? Because he had a lot of stuff and he valued that more then the opportunity he’d just been given. He didn’t want to sacrifice his stuff, or his status. Ouch. Honestly, I feel like I’ve been like this Rich Young Ruler for most of my life. Not giving up stuff for the greater good. And that is something I want to change. Starting now.

There is one more reason. Actually, I see this as more of a catalyst to do it now. I have an amazing opportunity to be a part of an 18 month training/missions program at my church. The only problem I’m facing right now? The program costs money ($2,250 to be exact – I need $750 by Sept 1st), and after almost 5 months of unemployment I have no savings left over. In fact, just paying my bills has been hard. Now…I tell you this not to complain, but to say I believe I’m supposed to be a part of the program and it’s more important then my “stuff.” So, I’m also selling things to raise money to pay for the program. Whatever it takes.

So, if you’re in the market for an awesome 25.5″ Samsung monitor/tv, looking for a Fender Blues Junior amp, a big baby Taylor guitar and many more things, I’m your girl. I’ll publish a complete list of things for sale soon. I want to help people out as well, so I’m willing to negotiate on pricing. If you need something I have, I want to get it to you. Also, if you’d like to donate, I have a PayPal donate button on the right side of the blog. Feel free to give to the cause.

One final note. There are a few things that I am keeping. Here’s the list. Computer, camera, phone, Bible, journal, pen, a bag,  bike, one guitar, one bass, a handful of books and a few clothes (edit: and my Jeep).

So, yeah. Maybe I’m crazy. But you only live once and I believe somethings are worth it.

Ok, so I know I haven’t been really good about sharing some of my photos and artwork. I’m trying to change that. There are still a bajillion photos I need to upload from my trip to California. But here are a few of the ones I did take out there, with a little twist. Someone showed me this trick in Photoshop (to add texture) and IMMEDIATELY I was hooked. Yeah….I don’t know how I didn’t know this before. Oh well. Lemme know what you think.

This was taken in Sacramento, CA at one of the parks we went to. I love, love LOVE Sacramento!

This was at Yosemite. One of the most magnificent places I’ve even been. I plan to go back as soon as I can.

This was also taken at a park in Sacramento. I took this with a 50mm f/1.8, so yes, I was really close. And no, I didn’t get stung. It’s a miracle, really.

This is one of the first photos I took when I arrived in California. I miss it already.

So…there you have it. Some of my crazy creations. What do you think?