05Apr 2017 by Nigel Ring

Grace-filled or grumpy? Pt 1 Is there a problem?

Equipping, Handing over, Older generation, Serving
Every family sees the passing of generations. As the Newfrontiers family experiences increasing longevity – nearly 36 years have passed since Terry Virgo drew together the first team (see my recent blog 'A team is born') – there is the inevitability of those involved in the early years growing older, both church members and those who have been privileged with leadership. In recent months I have attended thanksgiving services for five people whom I had grown to know, love and in some cases work closely with, who are now dwelling with Jesus in glory. What a joy, if tinged with inevitable sadness, to celebrate their lives and recognise that in each case they had ‘run well’ till the end. In no case did I witness complaining or grumpiness, despite handling serious…
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04Nov 2015 by Nigel Ring

Your Questions answered… 1. Volunteers

Administration in the Church, Equipping, Serving, Volunteer
Recently I offered to answer questions related to church administration. While responding direct to the enquirer I felt that some answers might be of wider interest. Question It is increasingly difficult to motivate people to join a team and to stay on in that particular team; most people leave the team or lose interest in serving within 4 weeks. Is that down to poor leadership, poor recruitment or is there a deeper issue with the attitude of serving? Answer Clearly there is something seriously wrong here. Lets look at it together and see if we can diagnose the problem. 1. Understanding Do people in the church understand what serving is about? It is not just about getting a job done but about vision and a desire to be like Jesus.…
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28Jun 2014 by Nigel Ring

Discover and Serve pt 34 – The Book and the Course

Discover and Serve, Equipping, Serving, Volunteers
The Book I have now shared with you the burden of my heart in helping people to find their place of service in the church. As I have already mentioned the material is embodied in the 100 page book Discover and Serve. This includes not only the teaching but all the materials you need to run a course in your church, including extensive Appendices which can be photocopied, and is available from me at £5.99 plus postage. The Course The best way to run the course is over a 3-week period, probably in the evenings. There needs to be time for ‘homework' between each session. On each occasion there is teaching about different aspects of serving and the unique characteristics and qualities a person has to offer, as we have…
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21May 2014 by Nigel Ring

Discover and Serve pt 33 – Developing a Serving Profile 4

Discover and Serve, Equipping, Serving
The final part of our Serving Profile considers Temperament and Spiritual Maturity. Temperament This has already been considered in Part 27. People are asked to indicate where they feel they come in considering the following statements by placing X in the box at the appropriate point along the 4-point scale. 1. I prefer working on a project/with people. 2. When carrying out a task I am a better sprinter (i.e. short term motivation)/long-distance runner. 3. When considering a situation I see the detail/broad concepts. 4. I am a better initiator/responder. 5. When carrying out a task I work better alone/in a team. 6. I prefer to act spontaneously/with pre-planning. The results of this help when considering what part they might play in a team as their particular temperament can complement…
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15May 2014 by Nigel Ring

Discover and Serve pt 32 – Developing a Serving Profile 3

Discover and Serve, Equipping, Serving
As we continue to develop the Serving Profile we shall now take three aspects that are closely related. Calling, Heart's Desire There is often a strong link between Calling and Heart's Desire. We have already seen how some people are passionate about a specific issue or have a strong sense of specific calling. Others may be more laid back and have seen their calling as more general if, indeed, they have defined it at all. To help people think this through there is another simple self-assessment form I use which gives people the opportunity to reflect prayerfully on any area that God might reveal to them. It also allows them to consider their strengths and weaknesses. Self-assessment As people meet with their facilitators this assessment form provides a very helpful…
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07May 2014 by Nigel Ring

Discover and Serve pt 31 – Developing a Serving Profile 2

Discover and Serve, Equipping, Serving, Spiritual Gifts
What is a Serving Profile? We shall be constructing a Profile which will provide the basis of a prayerful discussion with the two facilitators to help find a satisfying and fulfilling place to serve in the church. It has the seven elements we have been considering throughout this series: • Skills/Talents • Spiritual Gifts • Calling • Heart's Desire • Temperament • Time • Spiritual maturity Skills and Talents There is, of course, a huge range of possible skills and talents to consider; that is inevitable since we are made in the image of an infinite Creator! If you were to list all the types of employment people have in your church and then add their interests and recreational activities you would find an awesome variety of possibilities. In our…
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