Daniel Ausbun
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The 3 "No-Noes" of Getting Started in Ministry

2/18/2013

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Has God called you to preach, teach or become a church leader? I remember when I was 20 years old beginning to preach, I accepted every preaching and teaching opportunity. One of the ways I created more opportunities was establishing a personal website with an updated speaking schedule. A church leader could check my calendar and see if I was available. I can't tell you how many pastors told me how helpful my simple 3 page website was - I kept it updated daily.

Now, on the other side, being a pastor for nearly 8 years, I've seen some guys make some ministry "No-Noes."

1). Do not invite yourself to preach, teach, sing, lead a conference or hold a revival. It is wrong to call a church or music minister and ask them to host a concert of you for a love offering. If you're doing this, people will avoid you. You have to trust that God will open doors, you don't have to pry them open.

If you're looking for opportunities, you need to "put yourself out there" by connecting with ministry leaders through Facebook, Twitter, blogs, ministry conferences, and conventions. Your resume should be immaculate with multiple pictures and video available to hear you preach/teach/sing. If you get to know people, doors will begin opening.

Also, be aware of everything you're putting on the internet. I know a music evangelist who bashes President Obama on Facebook. Negative comments do not make you more attractive and inviting. In fact, I would not invite this man simply because he comes across online as angry and hateful. Who wants to hear a man sing about how much he loves Jesus on Sunday and then read about him hating Obama on Monday?

2). Be respectful of people's time. Many times the guest preacher says he's going to speak for 30 minutes and it turns into 50. The quartet is going to sing 4 songs and it carries on to 7. The testimony turns into a sermon. If you're not respectful of people's time, they won't ask you to come back.

You always want to leave with people longing for more, not less. Remember, there are nursery and children's church workers looking at their watches while you go on and on and on...

3). Do not have a know-it-all attitude. Years ago I went out to dinner with an evangelist and he told me 14 things First Baptist Moreland needed to do while we were eating. We needed a new microphone, less music, remove the table in front of the pulpit, louder offertory prayer, service needed to start on time, should have bought a newspaper ad, begin offering an evangelism class...

Remember, if they wanted a consultant, they would've hired one. Making suggestions and a "to do list" are completely different. You want to bring encouragement - not an arrogant attitude.

Related Posts:

  • The 3 P's to Doing ANYTHING Successful at Church
  • 5 Steps to Grow Your Sunday School Class
  • How Facebook and Twitter Could Be Hurting Your Job Search
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An Interview with Melanie Rowe

2/15/2013

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Today I had the privilege of interviewing Melanie Rowe (center in picture above) about her battle with cancer. Melanie is a member of First Baptist Moreland (and my neighbor) and will have a BBQ fundraiser in her honor tomorrow in the fellowship hall (see below). She has a unique and powerful story over the past six years.

What type of cancer do you have?

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2006. In March 2012 my doctor told me I was cancer-free. In October 2012 I was re-diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I made one of the best decisions this past October by going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia. It was unbelieable how aggressive they were at treating me - I had to have hip replacement surgery because the cancer cells had traveled to other parts of my body. Anyone considering cancer treatment, I highly recommend CTCA - it was a blessing - I called them and they had me on a plane the next day.

Did your husband pass away from cancer?

David was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer on March 22, 2007. The day before I had just finished my chemotherapy and now he had cancer. We went to Emory for treatment and they did everything possible, but David passed away in February 2008. He was 47 years old. At one point my father was in his 70s driving both of us to doctor's appointments and we were in our mid forties. We joked about being the two young people with cancer.


What has your life been like the past six years?

We've been back-and-forth. This caused the kids to grow up fast. I keep saying it's going to be fine and we can't back down.

How is Micah and Micala handling this?

We're the 3 musketeers. Micah is attending the University of West Georgia and works at Belk and Mega Granite. Micala is a freshman at the University of Georgia. I've always told them the truth - anything can happen. We stay positive and rely on prayer.

How has your faith in Christ sustained you?

This battle has brought me closer to Christ. Once a doctor told me what my husband and I had gone through was too much. I told her that God never puts more on us than we can handle (1 Corinthians 10:13). I also told her that everyone's problems are equal. She told me she would write that down. These are the problems God has given me. God has a plan for us and mine has involved fighting cancer.

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3 Adoption Agencies You Should Use

2/15/2013

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God tells us as Christians we're adopted into Christ (Ephesians 1:5). Jesus said He's not leaving us as orphans (John 14:18). There are 147 million orphans in the world. God tells us to look after orphans and widows (James 1:27).

Sherri and I plan to adopt internationally. A little girl from China - the most populated country on earth. Americans adopt more children than every other country in the world combined.

Adoption has been in the news lately. Russia recently banned Americans from international adoptions. "In 2011, about 1,000 Russian children were adopted by Americans, more than any other foreign country, but still a tiny number given that nearly 120,000 children in Russia are eligible for adoption." According to David Satter of the Hudson Institute, "Russia has more orphans per capita than any nation in the world. Of the estimated 650,000 orphans, an estimated 95 percent are 'social orphans' who have been abandoned by their parents or taken away from them."

One of the most important decisions about adoption is which agency to use. If you're not careful, you will spend thousands of dollars, and wait, and wait and wait...or worse - lose all your money. When checking out accreditation - make sure they're Hague accredited (international) and COA (domestic). Remember, if God has placed a certain country on your heart, find an organization that adopts from that country.

Here are 3 (or 4) recommended adoption agencies:

Lifeline Children's Services - this is an evangelical adoption agency - they require the people using them to be followers of Christ. Sherri and I are using Lifeline. We attended an information meeting in July in Columbus and were very impressed. We learned Lifeline is the fastest growing adoption agency in the United States.

Bethany Christian Services - this is the largest Christian adoption agency in the United States. The Georgia Baptist Children's Home recommends this agency.

Holt International Children's Services - this is one of America's oldest international adoption agencies. They also have an India program, a country Lifeline and Bethany don't offer.


America World Adoption - I said three agencies, but this one has a Kazakhstani and Russian program, plus I have some church planting friends using this agency to adopt from India.


Resources:

Together for Adoption
Saddleback Church Orphan Care
Kisses from Katie (book)
Adopted for Life (book)

Orphan Justice (book)
Lifesong (fundraising)
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3 Reasons People Use and Deal Drugs

2/12/2013

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Last night in Discipleship Group I asked the question, "Why are so many people involved with drugs?"

Here are the answers I received:

1). Its Easy Money. Why go to school, get a job, work hard and earn a paycheck when you could "sling" drugs on the street and makes hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars each night? No taxes, no need to cash a check - pure cash in your pocket. Granted, you might get shot or arrested, but as long as there are buyers - someone will be pocketing cash selling drugs.


2). Its an Addiction. Dealers want to get you hooked on Meth - you'll become a good customer - texting them whenever you find some money. Healing from addictions begin when you realize you can't help yourself. You might have to be admitted into a facility such as Breaking Free and you need accountability to avoid relapsing. You must replace your desire for drugs with a desire for God.


3). It Relieves Boredom. No career goals, nothing to do but play on the phone, video games, listening to Eminem, Lil Wayne and Third Eye Blind sing about using drugs - its cool, secretive and feels good.


Top 3 Books on Addictions:

Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave
The Heart of Addiction: A Biblical Perspective
Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction (secular book - but one of the best available)

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3 Reasons to Consider Club VBS this Summer

2/7/2013

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Is your church now making plans for Summer Vacation Bible School? VBS is an exciting, evangelistic outreach for elementary aged children. First Baptist Moreland is doing something we've never done before - shifting from LifeWay's main VBS theme to their smaller Club VBS. Here are 3 reasons for you to consider making the move:

1). Club VBS is less expensive. VBS costs thousands of dollars. Club VBS offers less literature, decorations, and accessories for their theme - your church will spend less with Club VBS.

2). Club VBS is more versatile. Last summer our student ministry rented a trailer in a local mobile home park and hosted a VBS. Club VBS is perfect for a non-traditional, non-church-based VBS setting. A trailer, an apartment complex pavilion, your home, or a one-day VBS - LifeWay has designed Club VBS to fit any format.

3). Club VBS is different than every other SBC church. Last year I had a young man tell me he attended 3 Amazing Wonders Aviation's. While everyone else is attending Colossal Coaster World, the children who come to your church will be at Jungle Jaunt.


Here are 5 important secrets to a successful VBS:

1). Promotion will determine your attendance. This year we're buying Facebook ads to promote Club VBS.


2). Organization will determine the worker's attitudes. Plans and back-up plans should be made months in advance.

3). The real reason children want to come - to have fun. Boring people should be banned from VBS.

4). Present the Gospel every night. Club VBS presents the Gospel on the 4th night with an opportunity to respond. Good teachers present the Gospel in their classrooms every night.

5). Follow-up can easily be forgotten. The best follow-up is from the teachers who taught that child. If you commit to teach a class, you should also be committed to follow-up.

Here's LifeWay's chart to help you pick the right VBS.

Related Posts:

5 Secrets to a Successful Preteen Ministry
Which Children's Bible Should You Buy
4 Ways to Run a Low or No Budget Ministry

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