I'll keep you posted on what kind of results we get.
This one cost us $1,200 a month for one year. Not much competition in our area. Only about 4 billboards within 5 miles of our location.
New Billboard
Take a look at Church of the Suncoast's first billboard
I'll keep you posted on what kind of results we get.
This one cost us $1,200 a month for one year. Not much competition in our area. Only about 4 billboards within 5 miles of our location.
I'll keep you posted on what kind of results we get.
This one cost us $1,200 a month for one year. Not much competition in our area. Only about 4 billboards within 5 miles of our location.
Blogs I Like & Why?
Every blogger has a list of other blogs they read. But, why do they read them??? Here is my list and why I spend time looking at them:
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/
We all know about lousy church marketing... all those church signs with those really bad sayings on them. Yuck. Church Marketing Sucks is a great place to find out how to market your church without looking like all those other churches. Plus their stuff is track tested. It's not just pie in the sky stuff.
http://www.churchrelevance.com/
Written by a guy that is not even a church leader. That is why I read this blog. It's fresh. It's innovative. And, if you click through the categories you will find a wealth of great ideas.
http://www.youcanknowgod.com/
This is a personal friend of mine who started a church in north Georgia. He is open and honest. I like that. Plus he has been wildly successful, that helps. And, I don't know how he has the time to do all he does. I respect his work ethic and excellence.
http://www.halmayer.com/
This is another personal friend and mentor of mine. Hal is a big leader. No pun intended if you know Hal. He leads large and I wish I could lead like that. He challenges people straight up and gets results!!!
http://www.swerve.lifechurch.tv/
Craig Groeschel is one of the guys on swerve and I love his transparency. He is one of the wisest church leaders I know of but never comes across as arrogant. He is down to earth. He challenges people to a higher standard but remains relevant to today's unchurched. He takes risks and I like that.
Take a second and tell me about your favorite ministry blogs and why you read them. Leave a comment.
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/
We all know about lousy church marketing... all those church signs with those really bad sayings on them. Yuck. Church Marketing Sucks is a great place to find out how to market your church without looking like all those other churches. Plus their stuff is track tested. It's not just pie in the sky stuff.
http://www.churchrelevance.com/
Written by a guy that is not even a church leader. That is why I read this blog. It's fresh. It's innovative. And, if you click through the categories you will find a wealth of great ideas.
http://www.youcanknowgod.com/
This is a personal friend of mine who started a church in north Georgia. He is open and honest. I like that. Plus he has been wildly successful, that helps. And, I don't know how he has the time to do all he does. I respect his work ethic and excellence.
http://www.halmayer.com/
This is another personal friend and mentor of mine. Hal is a big leader. No pun intended if you know Hal. He leads large and I wish I could lead like that. He challenges people straight up and gets results!!!
http://www.swerve.lifechurch.tv/
Craig Groeschel is one of the guys on swerve and I love his transparency. He is one of the wisest church leaders I know of but never comes across as arrogant. He is down to earth. He challenges people to a higher standard but remains relevant to today's unchurched. He takes risks and I like that.
Take a second and tell me about your favorite ministry blogs and why you read them. Leave a comment.
I LOVE My Wife
As I have been thinking about marriage for our current series called "iMarriage" I realized that I have this awesome public format here to say:
I Love My Wife!!!
Tell your wife you love her too today.
I Love My Wife!!!
Tell your wife you love her too today.
Community Groups (Small Groups) Letter
Here is a letter I just sent out to our Community Group leaders about our new groups and our new trial format. I always like seeing internal documents from other churches so here you go. Cut and paste as you please...
Dear Leader / Co-Leader
This coming week a new semester of Community Groups begins. I am excited about what God is going to do as diverse people come together and open up in community. Thank you for stepping up and helping to facilitate these groups as they help people take their next steps with God. I hope the following letter will help you sharpen your group leading skills and answer any questions you might have about the new format.
Group Schedule
Adults (Brian & Cheryl Moon) 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7pm @ the Suncoast Crossings Starbucks
Adults (Woltmann’s & Leblanc’s) 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
7pm @ the Warehouse
Adults (Linda & McCauley’s) 2nd & 4th Thursday’s
7pm @ the Warehouse
Students (Brian) 2nd & 4th Sunday Nights
6:30pm @ the Warehouse
New Format
As you can see we have changed the scheduling of the groups. We are having two “scheduled” gatherings a month on the 2nd & 4th weeks. But, on the other two weeks the idea is to do something optional that is either totally fun and fellowship based or outreach based like doing some kind of servant evangelism or community project. The “optional” events will not be announced to the whole church and the people in the groups don’t need to feel obligated to attend. Some ideas might be dinner and a movie, dinner out, dinner at someone’s house, picnic at the park, go to a Rays game… you get the idea.
We felt like one of the stumbling blocks for more people getting plugged into groups was the every week time commitment. So we are giving this a try for a semester to see how it goes.
Improving Your Group
I don’t pretend to be an expert on groups but here are some tools I have picked up from 15+ years of group life.
Be yourself and keep it loose
One of the tendencies we all have when we are uncomfortable in a setting is to shut down our personalities and start talking in a monotone. Don’t do that! Let your personality out, laugh, take a chance, keep the group loose. If people feel your discomfort they will be uncomfortable.
Don’t be afraid of silence
BUT keep the conversation going
When you throw a question out there chances are you have been thinking about an answer but for everyone else it will require some thought. Don’t be afraid of a little silence as they think. BUT, you can also keep the conversation going by asking the question again or asking it in a different way. Keep the flow of the group going until you hit a question that sparks some real conversation.
Spend time connecting with the shy people
You are going to have outgoing people and more reserved people. The outgoing people will more than likely flock together and be talking up a storm. Find the groups “outsiders” and spend some time getting to know them one on one. They may feel more comfortable with you than a half dozen strangers.
Look for ways to give the group away
Constantly be looking for ways to get others in the group to step up. It might be bringing snacks next time, planning the fun event, or even leading portions of the discussion. Raise up the next generation of group leaders.
If you have an questions let me know – brian@canthisbechurch.com
Dear Leader / Co-Leader
This coming week a new semester of Community Groups begins. I am excited about what God is going to do as diverse people come together and open up in community. Thank you for stepping up and helping to facilitate these groups as they help people take their next steps with God. I hope the following letter will help you sharpen your group leading skills and answer any questions you might have about the new format.
Group Schedule
Adults (Brian & Cheryl Moon) 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
7pm @ the Suncoast Crossings Starbucks
Adults (Woltmann’s & Leblanc’s) 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
7pm @ the Warehouse
Adults (Linda & McCauley’s) 2nd & 4th Thursday’s
7pm @ the Warehouse
Students (Brian) 2nd & 4th Sunday Nights
6:30pm @ the Warehouse
New Format
As you can see we have changed the scheduling of the groups. We are having two “scheduled” gatherings a month on the 2nd & 4th weeks. But, on the other two weeks the idea is to do something optional that is either totally fun and fellowship based or outreach based like doing some kind of servant evangelism or community project. The “optional” events will not be announced to the whole church and the people in the groups don’t need to feel obligated to attend. Some ideas might be dinner and a movie, dinner out, dinner at someone’s house, picnic at the park, go to a Rays game… you get the idea.
We felt like one of the stumbling blocks for more people getting plugged into groups was the every week time commitment. So we are giving this a try for a semester to see how it goes.
Improving Your Group
I don’t pretend to be an expert on groups but here are some tools I have picked up from 15+ years of group life.
Be yourself and keep it loose
One of the tendencies we all have when we are uncomfortable in a setting is to shut down our personalities and start talking in a monotone. Don’t do that! Let your personality out, laugh, take a chance, keep the group loose. If people feel your discomfort they will be uncomfortable.
Don’t be afraid of silence
BUT keep the conversation going
When you throw a question out there chances are you have been thinking about an answer but for everyone else it will require some thought. Don’t be afraid of a little silence as they think. BUT, you can also keep the conversation going by asking the question again or asking it in a different way. Keep the flow of the group going until you hit a question that sparks some real conversation.
Spend time connecting with the shy people
You are going to have outgoing people and more reserved people. The outgoing people will more than likely flock together and be talking up a storm. Find the groups “outsiders” and spend some time getting to know them one on one. They may feel more comfortable with you than a half dozen strangers.
Look for ways to give the group away
Constantly be looking for ways to get others in the group to step up. It might be bringing snacks next time, planning the fun event, or even leading portions of the discussion. Raise up the next generation of group leaders.
If you have an questions let me know – brian@canthisbechurch.com
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