Stuff Leaders Want: Free Book Preview of Jeff Olson’s The Slight Edge
Thursday January 9, 2014 | Bre HallbergHave you ever thought about what keeps us from making the right choices—with the food we eat, the lifestyle we choose, how we spend our time? Well in this day and age, it’s our need for instant gratification. The Slight Edge is a way of thinking, a way of processing information that enables you to […] Read more
10 New Year Resolutions for College Students
Wednesday January 8, 2014 | Orange LeadersI would consider myself a HUGE advocate for college-age people. I think my track record would show that. That said, I thought I might throw out a few things (with a bit of sarcastic tone behind them) that college-age people might consider including in their New Year’s resolutions. So, let me say it this way […] Read more
Attend OC14 on a Budget
Monday January 6, 2014 | Kristi PorterWe’re going to go out on a limb and guess that budgeting is not the highlight of your job. No cool spreadsheet or app can make up for that. But take heart, even those with small conference budgets can make it to The Orange Conference 2014. It may take a little creativity and hard work, […] Read more
Why We Do What We Do
Friday January 3, 2014 | Jennifer WilderRecently, I came across a video that drove home—even more deeply—the importance that small group leaders and church volunteers have in a child’s life. The video is called “I’ll Need You” by Igniter Media. What you’re doing today, this weekend, next month and next year in your church is important to the children around you. […] Read more
Say it Simply
Thursday January 2, 2014 | Bre HallbergPerhaps you are living the new craze! Rainbow Loom bracelets. They take the place of silly bands, slap bracelets, friendship bracelets, jelly bracelets . . . you know, it’s always something. So of course, my six-year-old couldn’t wait to start making them. What seemed like something so simple, ended up being quite the complicated project. […] Read more
12 Cultural Trends Church Leaders Can’t Ignore (But Might)
Thursday October 31, 2013 | Carey NieuwhofWhen you lead an organization — especially when you are responsible for leading an organization like the local church — there is a temptation to ignore trends or minimize the impact they will have on how you operate. It’s so difficult to gain and keep momentum, that when you have some momentum it becomes tempting […] Read more
Five Things Small Group Leaders Should say to Parents
Tuesday July 30, 2013 | Orange Leadersby Jeff Brodie Parents don’t walk around over-encouraged. They just don’t. Most parents feel like they aren’t doing a good job of raising their kids. Parenting resources make them feel guilty, and the Facebook feed of their friends’ seemingly perfect families doesn’t help. It’s isolating. For some families, the only time they hear from an […] Read more
Leveraging Effective Communication Methods for Your Church
Wednesday January 23, 2013 | Orange Leadersby Kenny Conley A while back, I had lunch with one of the children’s pastors on my team. He was a little frustrated about communication. We utilize a volunteer blog where we upload videos, curriculum and small group materials for all of our volunteers to prepare for their Sunday responsibilities. We communicate to our volunteers […] Read more
Managing a Portable Church Environment, Part Two
Tuesday October 2, 2012 | Orange Leadersby Nina Schmidgall This is Part Two of Managing a Portable Church Environment. Click here for Part One. HOW DO YOU DO IT? As many of you surely realize, many of the benefits of portable church environments do not transfer to the children’s programs. I get many emails asking “How do you do children’s ministry […] Read more
Managing a Portable Church Environment, Part One
Monday October 1, 2012 | Orange Leadersby Nina Schmidgall We have a core conviction [at National Community Church] that the church belongs in the middle of the marketplace. National Community Church (Washington, D.C.) started with the traditional mindset: Meet in rented facilities until you can buy or build a church building. When our first location, a school building, was closed without […] Read more
