Cause to Pause

I saw this post from Christopher Dawsonover at ZDNET:

“Just a brief rant here, folks…I talked a while ago about my superintendent and how he used AOL extensively for calendaring and communication. Basically, I came to the conclusion that if we don’t provide users with a range of tools to satisfy their needs, they’ll bring crappy ones on-site that we’ll need to support (like AOL).”

Now there is a little bit of wisdom! One of the challenges we face in church data is “silos of information”. People maintaining their Excel sheets, Outlook contact lists, etc outside of the main database. This became a topic of discussion at the FL.CITRT during the session on IT Strategy.

One of the axioms I picked up over 10 years ago from Calvary Chapel, Ft. Lauderdale was that their entire method of ministry had been boiled down to:
“Find a need and fill it.”

The same applies to internal tools: listen to needs, prove the tools, maintain ongoing dialog, be willing to set aside pride and the “I am right, you WILL do it MY way” type of thinking.

It is either that or fractured ministry, silos of information, frustrated staff on both sides and burned out volunteers.

1. Vigilance and meekness.

This is what three Rhodesian Ridgebacks look like when they are searching for something to chase. The cute one on the right is Tam the Wonderdog. In case you are not familiar, these dogs were formerly used to hunt lions in Africa. Three of them could keep a lion at bay until the hunters could walk up and shoot or spear it. These dogs are bred mostly for companionship now, but still have some of that instinct in them. This is possibly the best definition of Jesus’ example of meekness being “strength under control” I have seen. I would trust them with an infant any day of the week. If the infant was a family member and someone tried to harm it-that is another story.
2. The life change that can happen ONLY in the local church.
This past Sunday at church, the pastor talked about how at one of the Spanish services, someone invited a couple of leaders from local gangs. They gave their lives to Christ and are now in the process of making new decisions. They asked for prayer for these two men. Please join with me in that.
3. Derek Berg and Scott Goodger. Couple of all around nice guys in the church IT world. Their blogs are worth reading. As an added bonus: If there is free food to be had anywhere in Florida-these guys know about it. That alone makes them worth the cost of following them on twitter.
4. Ted Dekker-Christian fiction writer. C.S.Lewis said “What the world needs is NOT more Christian authors. What the world needs is more GOOD authors who happen to be Christian.” Dekker fits that mold. I finished his book “Adam” over the weekend. Gives great insight into spiritual warfare and demonic possesion. All wrapped up as an FBI crime thriller. Saturday night around midnight I couldn’t sleep so I thought I would read for a little while. By 2:30 am the book was done. I still couldn’t sleep plus I now I was scared! Got another of his novels from the library on Monday.

Got an email from one of the attendees of the #flcitrt yesterday morning that his position was being eliminated. Another victim of the budget.
Jeff McNeil, lives in the FL. Lauderdale area. Bachelors in Engineering, Masters in Marriage and Family therapy.
He was (and will be until Feb.) the Facility Manager at Christ Church, United Methodist in Ft. Lauderdale.
He could use some prayers and job leads. If you know of anything his email is:
jmcneil at echristchurch dot org
twitter him at jeffreymcneil.
I give the guy credit, this didn’t rattle his faith. Talking to him about it was a pleasure.