Do you evaluate based on effort?
Wednesday January 6, 2010 | Carey NieuwhofAs leaders and volunteers, we spend 99% of our time in preparation for ministry and about 1% evaluating what we've done. But the congregation and the people we serve do exactly the opposite. Read more
How to plan for the new year
Friday January 1, 2010 | Orange LeadersSetting goals and making plans is important, but if they’re never monitored or implemented, those goals are worthless. It’s like keeping a winning lottery ticket in your coat pocket for a year but never actually cashing it in. On this New Year’s Day, spend a few minutes thinking about how to reach the goals you […] Read more
Frugality, Orange-style (part 2)
Tuesday December 22, 2009 | Orange LeadersYesterday I wrote about how to make 20 percent of your dollars contribute to 80 percent of your WOW factor. Here are a few more practical ideas that will help you spend wisely while creating a killer environment for your ministries. Watch several episodes of “Design on a Dime” to prime the creative pump. I […] Read more
Frugality, Orange-style
Monday December 21, 2009 | Orange LeadersIn this economy where many churches are cutting budgets or delaying spending, I firmly believe when it comes to budgets sometimes less is more. I often describe our philosophy about environments by saying we get 80 percent of the WOW for 20 percent of the dollars. I confess our philosophy didn’t start out as a […] Read more
Getting your team on the same page
Wednesday December 16, 2009 | Carey NieuwhofSo if getting people on the same page yields greater results than simply starting on a new page, how do you get your team on the same page? I’d love your thoughts and best practices, but here are a few we’ve learned over time: Meet together. You can’t be on the same page if you’re […] Read more
The same page
Tuesday December 15, 2009 | Carey NieuwhofWe’re human. We’re tempted to believe that new is always better than same. Some of you are tempted right now to start a brand new page in your life. But today I want to change that up. A new church is not necessarily better than the same church, nor is new staff inherently better than […] Read more
Ready to quit?
Monday December 14, 2009 | Carey NieuwhofSome of you are ready to quit right now. You haven’t told anyone, but you’re thinking about it. The new year is right around the corner, and you’re thinking about a move. Wouldn’t it be great to get to a new church where everybody worked together rather than against each other? Wouldn’t it be great […] Read more
Squeeze the Orange – Part 3
Thursday December 3, 2009 | Orange LeadersThis is the final in a series of posts about getting the Orange philosophy to pervade your entire team, from top to bottom. You can read Part 1 here and Part 2 here. The third benefit of an Orange philosophy being squeezed into your staff this coming year is influence. When everyone on your staff […] Read more
Squeeze the Orange – Part 2
Wednesday December 2, 2009 | Orange LeadersWe’re continuing a series of posts from Todd Clark about squeezing the Orange philosophy all over your ministry. See Part 1 here. The second benefit of an Orange philosophy being squeezed into your staff this coming year is … Chemistry. When everyone on your staff is headed in the same direction, an infectious culture is […] Read more
Squeeze the Orange – Part 1
Tuesday December 1, 2009 | Orange LeadersToday begins a series of posts from Todd Clark about getting your staff and volunteers to buy in to the Orange philosophy. Yes, you may get a little sticky, but it’s worth it! Is it really worth the time and energy it will take in 2010 to “squeeze the orange” philosophy into your church staff? […] Read more