Why Budgeting Should be Attractive to You

December 1, 2011 in Church Bookkeeping, Church Finance, Leadership with 1 Comment

So many Lead Pastors (and other pastors)  ... that I connect with throughout the year ... loathe budgeting. They hate it.

Call me sick in the noggin ... but, I think budgeting is fun & attractive. What?! Attractive?!

Yip ... and, here's why.

  1. Budgeting creates confidence with leaders in the church ... especially the Lead/Senior Pastor. With a solid understanding of knowing where the money is (and isn't) ... you can preach and cast vision with greater confidence. Show me a Pastor up against the ropes ... and I'll show you a Pastor who doesn't know where the money is.
  2. Budgeting teaches you what you didn't learn in Seminary (Cash Flow)

a.  You can’t conquer your budget by pinching pennies. You conquer your budget by doing the tough work of CUTTING and KILLING areas in the church that are not working. You must be brutal ... and other leaders must agree.

b.  You must also raise greater levels of income ... and there is a strategy for doing this. Several of my friends ... can help you do this ... like GivingRocket.com and Generis and others.

  1. Budgeting should force you to be consistent with your personal income and expenses (and your staff too). Yip! That's right ... how can someone trust you with their hard-earned cash ... if they think you are awful with your own personal expenses?
  2. Budgeting is the foundation for organizational development. Organizational huh? Budgeting enables you to drive to an end-goal. Budgeting says ... did we maintain our numbers month to month? Are we on track with our income? Budgeting is the bedrock of good, healthy financial decisions with your staff.
  3. Budgeting should be an All-Skate. Why does the youth pastor get a pass on his area's budget? Just because he needs a shower and his hair is funny ... doesn't mean he shouldn't be responsible with money for his area. Hold their feet to the fire with reports called "Budget vs. Actual" ... and teach them how to really understand the knowledge behind the report.

Budgeting can be sexy. You just have to look at it in the right light.

Bryan

 

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Inside the Box Thinking

November 29, 2011 in Leadership, Project Management with 2 Comments

I love people who "think inside the box."

Know why?

They are the ones who know their limitations, weaknesses, opponents, challenges, issues, and parameters at hand ... then, think of way(s) to make good things happen with what has been given to them.

Outside the box thinkers ... are perpetually frustrated people. They want to believe that every one of their ideas will be revolutionary for every issue/goal at hand. They are "rubber meets the sky" dreamers. Show me a person who wants to be outside the box with their thinking ... and I will show you a person who will make a lot of noise and achieve little.

Inside the box thinkers ... create solutions that are based on reality. They confront brutal facts. They make waves. They get ahead ... because ... don't miss this ... they push outward on the walls of the box. They don't pretend the box doesn't exist.

Get in the box! You'll discover that the most admired people in your life ... are already in box ... producing results tied to reality that make them so admired by you.

 

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The Power of NO

November 28, 2011 in Leadership, Pastors & Church Leaders with 1 Comment

 

Nothing is as clear … as a concise “NO” offered to you by someone else.

There’s power in the “no” that leaders often don’t realize or utilize.

When you say “no” to something … you are equally saying “yes” to something else. Helping your Team understand this is paramount. However, of greater importance is teaching your Team … the “yes” behind the “no.”

Here’s what I mean … a solid Team … takes a “no” as a clear directive … and starts looking for the “yes(s)” that are out there for ideas, solutions, and next steps. I often bump up against other leaders that wish to coddle, appease, or suffice their Team … by helping them think that every idea is a good one.

Here’s the truth: Not all ideas are good. In fact … some just plain suck. Your Team should lovingly know this.

Helping your Team know what the “no” means also giving them the freedom with “yes.”

Want a thriving Team firing on all cylinders? Want a Team that gets stuff done in fast order and with excellence? Want a Team that feels satisfied with their work efforts? Want a Team that gets real results? Want a Team that will charge a hill for you?

Then … start telling them NO now … and helping them find the YES in their work.

Need I say more? No.

Bryan

 

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Church and Politics

November 23, 2011 in Politics with 0 Comments

Church and State

Who will have political influence with your attendees?

So, I was re-watching a recent series at our church called Recovery Road. It wasn’t a political commentary from the platform. It was more about what our responsibility is … with our nation’s recovery. It begins with me not you. Us not them. Taking ownership of you … before pointing the finger to they. In essence … recovery begins with ME.

Re-watching this series got me thinking …

Why do a lot of pastors shy away from discussing the current political climate? Can the discussion of politics have a place in our churches? Consider these recent stats below.

Portion of people who say the following should be top priority of politicians:

  • 38.1% – Job Creation
  • 16.6% – Budget Deficit
  • 8.7% – Tax Policy
  • 8.6% – Access to Credit
  • 6.7% – Government Regulation
  • 5.2% – Healthcare
  • 4.1% – Housing Market
  • 12% – Other

Portion of people who are highly satisfied with the effectiveness of the federal government: 2%

Portion of people who are highly unsatisfied with the effectiveness of the federal government: 67%

There’s relevant content … tied to appropriately discussing issues that surround our politicians. Here are some examples:

  1. Do you pray for your political leaders?
  2. Do you know where ALL authority comes from?
  3. What is your responsibility with our nation’s recovery?
  4. Contrasting American poverty to third world poverty … do you know the difference?
  5. How can a healthy life can impact our nation’s healthcare system?
  6. If you believe that God created the world … shouldn’t we take care of it?
  7. Can you really point a finger at the nation’s debt when you are maxed out on your credit cards?

The list is endless. You can bring points into your sermon/talk … that are relevant … that don’t require you to state your political affiliation.

Look at it this way … do you want all your attendee’s perspectives on political issues to be fully formed by watching talking heads on TV or people who want to be elected? Or, should you have some influence as well … in their political thinking?

Bryan

 

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Who are Virtual Groups Pastors?

November 22, 2011 in Church Small Groups, Virtual Groups Pastor, Web, Internet, & IT with 0 Comments

It’s a common question we get at MAG  …  “Who are Virtual Groups Pastors?”

Below is a video … to show you who our VGPs are. In this video … you’ll see one of our VGPs (Paul) introducing himself to his new small group leader(s) that he’ll daily lead/serve as an “on call doctor” in the realm of small group leader coaching & development. Paul (living in Seattle, WA), as a MAG VGP, reports into the small group leadership at the church (in Hattiesburg, MS). If you are a map nerd … that’s 2,673 miles apart.

 

Ain’t technology great?

Still struggling with developing your small groups? Need help sorting out the WHY before the HOW?

Reach out to MAG to help you & your church. We can consult with you on small groups … AND then … help you execute.

Want more info on MAG’s VGP service? Click Here.

 

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The Power of Organization

November 21, 2011 in Leadership with 3 Comments

It has often been said ... that the world gets done by people who are doers not dreamers.

Dreamers are needed. Yes.

However, doers get stuff done. They execute. They produce.

Recently, for some reason, I have found myself in several conversations with people who are big dreamers. And, they are frustrated too. Their ideas are great ... yet they can't get traction. They can't lift their idea. They are frustrated that they have this huge dream or vision or goal ... and yet can't get started. I think I know why ....

They are not organized.

There is so much power in organization. Organization forces you to think systematically about what is next. It forces a mind to think critically on next steps. Doers know this. Dreamers are crushed by this.

Now, this doesn't mean you need to start labeling all your folders or restructure your on-line file management system or add last names to all your contacts in your phone. Organization can mean something a little bit differently for everyone. It doesn't mean you need to be a task-list nerd. But, if you have big dreams ... and no organization ... that's all you'll have ... big dreams ... that one day, will dissipate in front of you.

Often times, dreamers are full of excuses. They need excuses to mask the reality that they are not organized.

The world is waiting for dreamers who are organized. What about YOU? Do you have big dreams and can't seem to get them off the ground? Are you willing to get organized to change the world?

 

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Every Life Has a Story …

November 18, 2011 in Other Stuff with 5 Comments

This video (produced by Chick-fil-A) moved me to tears.

I just saw this for the first time, this week, at my church.

Please take a moment, when you can … to stop, quiet yourself … and watch this video (it’s less than 3 minutes long).

Every life … everyone … has a story … IF we bother to read it.

Not sure I can put a bow-tie on this video … it’s impact in our companies, churches, and organizations … could have far-reaching effects and affects … if we saw people, members, customers, attendees, prospects, partners, and lives in a way … so that … we could read stories of their lives.

Does this video impact YOU?

 

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Your Life Plan

November 17, 2011 in Leadership, Pastors & Church Leaders with 3 Comments

 

I've gotta be honest.

When I first thought about developing a life plan for myself ... it freaked me out. It felt too daunting. Too big an effort. I mean, really .. a whole life?!

And, so I started ... it's a work in progress ... but it made be think critically about my life plan.

I need some help ... some guides. For help ...

  • I read Michael Hyatt's Life Plan eBook ... (free by the way) and realized in the power of incremental change. Short, small steps in a particular direction can lead you to some incredible places with your relationship with Jesus, family, friends, work, personal goals, & etc.
  • I searched Google ... for "purpose statements," "life plans," "personal mission statements," and etc.
  • I bought this article for $6.95 -  called Success That Lasts by Laura Nash and Howard Stevenson.
  • I have asked people I know and love ... to offer me critical feedback ... to make sure what I have outlined is consistent with who I am.

Here are some idea(s) that have emerged ... in my thinking since beginning to map out my life plan:

  • To be happy in my business/career ... my greatest rewards come from investing in people ... not organizations.
  • Never, ever underestimate the power of incremental change in my life. As Andy Stanley has said ... "Direction not intention ... determines destination."
  • My end goals ... won't happen without necessary & specific "margin" aka "guardrails" in my life ... that keep me from being baited to the edge.
  • A life plan is is only a plan ... if you don't think about the resources that are required to achieve it ... you won't achieve it.

Get going! Create a life plan! Your spouse will benefit. Your kids will benefit. Your legacy ... starts with planning for it.

Bryan

 

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Changing the Face of Time

November 15, 2011 in Church Culture, Church Staff, Leadership with 0 Comments

Changing Time

As a follow up to this post on MAGsays from Feb 2011, we decided to highlight an on-going discussion we have with many of our Clients and Prospective Clients. It starts with a series of questions:

  1. What’s more important to your organization? Results or punching a clock?
  2. Are your team members crystal clear on their expected results?
  3. Would you let your team member leave work early if they are producing results? Seriously, don’t miss this … would you let your team members go home early if they got the job done (as expected, tied to their results)? Or, should they just sit at their desk or stand at their post until quitting time … just for the sake of it?
  4. Can your own, personal work ethic drive away your leaders? Does time in the office equal success for them?

Are you catching on? Since the beginning of MAG … from Day One … we believed that people could be just as productive when they worked fewer (but more focused) hours. No joke, we consistently replace secretaries and admin support roles in organizations … where they are working 30 to 35 hours per week … with a 15 hour MAG EA (Executive Assistant).

How can this be? Part of it, with our model at MAG, of getting things done … is that we are a virtual firm. The virtual nature of our business … helps our EAs stay focused and not distracted by in-office politics, antics, and activities. Still highly connected to your organization culture & DNA … our MAG EAs get the job done … producing as expected … on a consistent basis … because they are results-oriented. They are not a time clock puncher.

Looking for more reading on this topic? Try this one: Supervisor Work/Life Training Gets Results (by Ellen Ernst Kossek and Leslie B. Hammer)

 

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Radical Mentoring

November 14, 2011 in Leadership with 0 Comments

 

Regi Campbell from Radical Mentoring on Vimeo.

Ever been mentored? Ever mentored? Female or Male … if not, you are missing out. You are missing out on someone who has some years on you … challenging you, serving you, listening to you, guiding you, offering you examples of what they did and wished they hadn’t.

How would you classify your mentoring experience? Reactive or Proactive?

Back in 2007 … I (Bryan) went through a year-long structured mentoring group led by Regi Campbell (the guy speaking in the video above). It was like getting a baby MBA. Regi, as a successful business guy proactively led 8 guys around my age, with similar characteristics through a mentoring group that fascinated me. Regi was already busy … and yet … he had control of his time enough to investment in me and our group with his time. Not to mention that he is crazy in love with Jesus. I was in “RMG 7″ which stood for Radical Mentoring Group – 7th year.

Yip! 7 years … he had poured himself (as of 2007) … and now more groups have occurred. It felt like a Band of Brothers. We argued & push-backed. We discussed & learned from each other. We poked fun at each other. We read books together & netted them out with each other. We memorized scripture. We went on 2 private retreats. We prayed together. ALL under the watchful eye of Regi. Don’t miss this … he proactively guided eight 30-somethings with huge ambitions all in 1 year.

Some other mentoring considerations for you today:

  1. Are you hungering for a mentor? Seek one. Ask God to provide you with one.
  2. Be intentional about your mentoring effort … have a plan … regardless of whether you are the mentor or mentee.
    • How long?
    • What will you do?
    • What will you read?
    • How many of you will there be?
    • What are your end goal(s)?
  3. I see too many young men who hunger to be mentored … BUT … their mentors are not structured. They think that asking tough questions can happen with someone once a quarter at a Waffle House is mentoring. That’s not mentoring … that’s having an arm’s length acquaintance. One-directional question asking is just that. As a mentor you have to expose all & be as transparent.
  4. What is at stake? Imagine more & more young people deciding to intentionally, and proactively be led by a person, for a defined period of time … with an end-goal of being more in love with Jesus, a stronger leader, better husband, greater friend, engaged parent, contributor to society … the list is endless.

Regi, has now created a new entity called Radical Mentoring. If you are interested in creating this sort of environment in your church or business … reach out to his new group.

Thank you Regi … for your proactive investment in me.

Bryan

PS – here’s a picture at a recent RMG Reunion below.

RMG Reunion Pic with Guys with Regi Campbell - 2009

RMG Reunion Pic with Guys with Regi Campbell - Atlanta, GA

 

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