JOHNNYROBERTS.TV

What guests are asking part 3 of 3...

Part 3:  Put yourself in someone else's shoes...

How would you describe the after-church coffee? I guess in England, they have after-church coffee. Most churches I’ve been to in the US drink their coffee before church. The point remains--do you include your visitors or just talk with your friends?

Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian? Or want to be a Christian?

What one thing will you remember about this in seven days' time? Often times it’s the bad things that stick in our memory.

Using questions like these can help you notice some things you’ve never considered before and catch them before you leave your visitors with a bad first impression.  That's a wrap.  I think we will post these in the office so we are constantly reminded of the importance of seeing things as the first time guest sees them... Don't Blink...

Priceless...

• Cell phone added to the family plan = $10.00 monthly
• Unlimited texting added to the plan = $10.00 monthly
• Cell phone ring tones downloaded = $3.95 each
• These two text sent to PePe (Grandpa Tommy Roberts) = Priceless....

Tommy and Judy have had TWO grandsons accept Christ as their Lord this fall.  One of the first things they both wanted to do... Send PePe a text to let him know... I love that.... I think  he did too.  Note the one text is still on his phone from 9-19-07... God is good...

 

What guests are asking part 2 of 3...

Part 2:  Put yourself in some elses shoes...

Did anything distract you? I’ve been to churches that had train tracks run beside them and one that met in a bowling alley. Distractions aren’t always auditory. I once met in a Karate studio that couldn’t shake the smell of sweaty men.

Which part of the service was like being in heaven? And which part was like being in... er... the other place? Isn’t our worship a foretaste of what we’ll be doing for an eternity?

What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?

Part 3 tomorrow... Don't Blink...

What guests are asking part 1 of 3...

Through the web the world is at your fingertips.  I recently found this and it’s something I think we all need to be continually returning to as we try to reach out.  The Mystery Worshipper is a secret team of church-reviewers who visit churches all over the world. They have a standard set of questions that they ask of each church service--questions that I think all churches should constantly be asking of themselves. After all, most of our guests will be asking these questions too.

How full was the building? If you’ve ever shown up early to a church with only a few members or shown up late to a church with too many people you know how the capacity of the building can make you feel about the service.

Did anyone welcome you personally? That is, who didn’t have a name tag that says, “Greeter.” The “passing of the peace” doesn’t count either.

How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere? Did everyone talk with their friends or include you? Did everyone seem glad to be there or were they so “reverent” that it seemed like a funeral home?

Part 2 tomorrow...Don't Blink...

Losing weight...

OK, I've had so many posts with just words, I thought I should throw in a post for you "visual" people.  This is the reason I don't eat more fruit!  Or could it be that fat tastes better... New Year... time to shed a few pounds....

New Year thinking... Part 3 of 3.

More thoughts on where we’ve been and where we are going…

• I have to be me.  Whether that looks like what most people think of as a pastor or not.  Anything else is a lie, and just stupid.  You know what else?  You get to be you.  Enjoy being who God has designed you to be.  He's cool with that.  Your uniqueness is what will enable you to reach people I could never get close to.  Is the job changing me?  Yes.  Is God changing me? Yes.  Do I have “preacher hair”? Unfortunately.  God made me this way and I’m going to do everything I can to maximize what he has given me.  I will rely on others around me (YOU) to take up the slack.  There’s lots of slack…
• The ARK Ministry has done incredible things.  It will have a high priority in our future.  However, without a healthy church budget and body, ARKwill not function.
• In 2008 a large portion of my energy and time will be invested in getting The Sunday Morning Experience right, encouraging LifeGroup lifestyles, and leading others to reach out to the unchurched by example and word.
• Simple.  Keep it Simple.  Let me repeat that…. Keep it simple.  The more complex we become the less effective we will be at fulfilling our mission: to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Christ.  Less is more.  Focus on the real stuff and get rid of the fluff. 

Don't Blink...

New Year thinking... Part 2 of 3.

More thoughts on where we’ve been and where we are going…

• SERVE THE WORLD             - will be the tool that opens our eyes to the world around us.  It will change us.  It will impact the lives of many.  It will keep our focus outside the walls of our church.
• Numbers matter.  If we are not having guests, we are not sharing our faith.
• Gathering matters.  I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard the same story.  So many have given up on attending a church because leaders of the church condemn, judge, reject and fail them.  So many decide they will go it alone.  They still believe in Jesus and try to do right, but try to do it alone.  That’s a shame and not God’s plan.  We have to be a church that loves people.  God’s Word & the Holy Spirit will take care of the convicting.  We will love.
• We need more faces and voices on the platform.  I’m tired of hearing myself talk and sing.  I know others are as well.  To be on the platform takes large commitments of time, passion, energy, and a willingness to lose the ego, not to mention talent, a willingness to be a team player, and hard work to develop your skills.  Excellence is not optional, because it’s not about you, or me, it’s about God.  Our guests deserve excellence as well.  Up for the challenge?

Don't Blink...

New Year thinking... Part 1 of 3.

As we approach the New Year I have begun to reflect, as well as look ahead.  I have a few thoughts bouncing around in my head and thought I’d dump them on paper (virtual paper that is).  I’m going to post them as a series in no particular order.  Stay tuned and feel free to comment. 

1. There is great temptation to form a “holy huddle” and be unwilling to change things, since “things are going so well, we don’t want to mess it up.”  We didn’t get here playing it save and won’t get anywhere if we start now.
2. I read something yesterday that said the first 100 people to join the movement will define what it will be in the future.  We now have many people stepping into leadership roles.  TheBOD will be what we make it.  It will only be what God wants it to be if we are tuned in to Him in our personal lives.
3. I can’t do this… God can.
4. There is great temptation to “appeal” to church goers, to try to do the things other churches do to lure them in.  Although it’s OK when God moves a believer to our work, our vision is to reach out to those far from God.  If we use the same bait as other churches we will catch the same fish, from the same little pond of already convinced.  Different methods are the only way to achieve different results.  We are deep sea fishing not shooting fish in a barrel.

Don't blink...

Happy Santa....

I'm not sure how hard the "white-out" was to get out of the mustache but I think Santa thought it was worth it.  Merry Christmas!!!

Ginger Bread House Contest #3

Time for our third annual Ginger Bread Making Contest.  It's guys against the girls, starting with the same ingredients.  The teams have grown.  The girls tend to take it a touch more seriously than the guys.  However, the guys have more fun eating the ingredients during the process.  The winner this year.... the girls.. no the guys... no.... well.... it's a long story and the judge.... well lets just say he folded under pressure.....  MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL... with visions of sugar plums dancing... or something like that....