Archive for parentunity
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To enter, simply use our INVITE tool to help us spread the word about this community.
Every invitation sent equals one more chance of being randomly selected to receive the FREE tickets.
On September 2nd, if your name is drawn, you will be contacted to accept or reject the tickets. Upon acceptance, the winner’s name will be given to Randall House Publishing, creators of the D6 Conference, for receipt of prizes.
How to spot a #ministry guru
1). they are using a Mac
2). they are sippiing Starbucks
2) … ummm… 2) part two, they probably have their pinky up
3). they are sporting a go-tee
4). people are sitting at their feet to gain wisdom
Ok, so forget the first 3, err… 4, a real guru is spotted, not by stereotypes, but by who is sitting at their feet to learn.
And here enters my thoughts on social networking… a study was done, you may have heard of it, called 6-degrees of separation. Yes, that annoying facebook thing is grounded in real sociological science. It has to do with a “small-world experiment” performed by Stanley Milgram. Just in case you slept through sociology in college, here’s a link to the wiki-pedia article: click here.
Milgram, boiled down, said we are six people separated from anyone in the country. His experiments proved this to be true… however, now it is all different. With social networking, brought to you by Al Gore’s internet, we are virtually one or two degrees of separation from everyone on the planet. Now, I haven’t done the science to prove it; but, I think it stands to reason that if you can google someone’s contact info, track them via twitter, read their blog, friend them on facebook, and get a G.P.S. address to their back door… then we’ve broken down some barriers.
We are freakishly connected. Seriously, just ask your grandma or your mom, they’ll probably tell you it’s a little bit weird that you have all of your personal information online.
This is a scary thought: In our super-connected, high speed world, we can all claim to be gurus.
However, and this is my point, the true test of a guru is going to be right there at their feet. Because you can fake the funk, self-promote, and sale goods as ministry all day… but, people are smart and they will see through it… in ministry, the gurus are the ones to whom God has given a voice and an audience. They are time weathered and ministry tested.
Here are some people I have found to be trust worthy sources of wisdom and guidance within their specially gifted areas:
Urban Ministry/Inner City: Denny Dillman, James Kennison, Jared Kennedy
Small Groups: Bill Search (my boss)
Leadership: Reggie Joiner, Jim Wideman, Dave Stone, Bill Search, Brett Deyoung, Brad Devries
Children’s Ministry on a large scale: Jim Wideman, Sue Miller, Craig Jutilla, Steve Young
Children’s Ministry worship: Yancy, Sara Semenick, Jason Hauser
Children’s Ministry at a smaller to medium sized church: Ryan Frank, Rick Chromey
Children’s Ministry at a church plant: Stephanie Porter
Children’s Ministry at a satelitte campus: Pudge Huckaby
Children’s Ministry related events: Roger Fields
Children’s Ministry in a desperate place: Justyn Smith
Children’s Ministry videos: Eric Peterson, Matt Melton, Todd Hampson, Phil Vischer
Junior High Ministry: Jon McCallon
Senior High Ministry: Matt Reagan
College Ministry: Ben Hardman
Conferences: Nevan Hooker, Judy Comstock, Roger Fields
Crazy faces and creativity: Johnny Rogers
Being a constant student: Spencer Click
Blogging and Twitter: Sam Luce, Kenny Conley, Jonathan Cliff, Matt Guevara, Gina McClain
Portable Church: Dave Dummit, Brad Tate
Canada: Henry Zonio
Australia: David Wakerly, Rob Bradbury
Graphic Art: Brandon Milburn
Preteen Ministry: Rob Tuma, Nick Diliberto, Patrick Snow
Fitness: Michelle Romaine
Scholars: Rick Chromey, Diane Garland
Free Resources: Andy Johnson
Looking really pretty: Rose Chanley (my wife… yes, I know… it’s shameless)
Family Ministry: Reggie Joiner, Brian Vanderark
These servants of the church may not qualify as gurus in your book. They are people that I know I can go to for help in specific areas of ministry. Each of them are humble enough to be approachable and to share their thoughts, counsel, and encouragement.
I hope you have your own list… if not, well, maybe YOU are the guru we’ve all been looking for!
Family Integrated Small Groups
If one were to search across history, they would find at the center of all civilization a small group… also known as family.
We were designed to exist in community. Community is where we learn, interact, play, and generally experience life.
Think about it… it is everywhere and in everything. Family is at the center of every society that has ever existed.
Though family may be central to community, there is also a need within the stages of development to segregate into age appropriate groups. Within these groups one can connect with their peers, learn basic steps, or and develop important skills.
Enter the Church… Most churches are really great at the family SEGREGATED model. That is, we are good at running excellent Adult, Youth, or Children’s focused ministries. How many are good at family INTEGRATED models?
At Southeast Christian Church, we are in the process of integrating family into some of our small groups. Our goal is to accomplish the vision that has been set forth by our Senior Minister, Dave Stone and approved by our Board of Elders. That vision is to “Connect People to Jesus and One Another.” My role in this vision is to create and shepherd over the development of groups for Parents and Families. It is a unique blend of Children’s, Youth, and Adult ministry. As we move toward the launch of these groups and their continued development, I will be writing about them, posting resources, and sharing my thoughts, successes, and failures with the parentunity.org community. I invite you to join me in this journey.
Your feedback will be a huge blessing.
Michael Chanley
Looking for a new calling?
Ever wonder if there is something else out there?
Your church having trouble finding the right candidate for an open position?
Now, we can help!
Check out our new career center under the “Callings” tab.
It is free for the next 30 days… just enter code: PURECALLING.
I hate divorce.
I hate divorce.
It cripples children for years, leaves them scarred and hurt. They are the silent victims of every failed marriage.
At the root of most divorces is a selfishness that is ungodly… its seed is evil and its fruit is bitter.
So, on the day you marry, when you commit yourself to love one another, to cherish one another, to serve one another… ‘til death do us part’… do not take your vows lightly. If you are blessed to be entrusted with a child to rear, the most important thing you can do to create a healthy family is to have a healthy marriage.
Do not abandon them to divorce.
Divorce cripples children. It is emotional abuse.
Instead, cherish your spouse. Serve them with everything you have. Lay down your needs and wants for that of your beloved. Leave no stone unturned in loving them. You will find this possible when you honor God in your marriage. Make Him the center of your relationship and He will create a Godly home through you.
Follow His example and die to yourself. Die every single day. Pick up your cross in the morning and follow Jesus. Follow Him as one on a path to glory.
Be Glory. Be sacrificial. Be loving. Be encouraging. Be Christ-like.
When you do these things and honor God in your relationship you will become the parents that God would have you be. You will be more than mommy or daddy; you will be a spiritual leader in your home.
Most importantly, you will be family.
A family centered on Christ… and Christ cannot be divided or divorced.
Supporting Orphan Impact
Travel to a third world country will change your life. It convicts and challenges us to evaluate our blessed station in life. Some individuals are moved from conviction to action. Craig Jutila is one such person.
When I first heard Craig’s vision to help other families adopt children from over seas I was on board. I saw the need first hand during my travels as a Marine. I knew it was the right thing to do. However, I didn’t know how I could help until I met Jessica Jenkins the Director of Operations for Orphan Impact.
Please take a moment to read Jessica’s guest blog and prayerfully consider supporting Orphan Impact. Your church could play a key role in helping to connect families to orphans who desperately need hope.
We are excited about the things God is doing at Orphan Impact and would love to tell you more, you contact us at info@orphanimpact.com“
Do you know what is more encouraging than God’s Word?
Is it a kind word from a friend? No…
Is it a brand new car? Nooo….
Is it a chocolate milkshake? Nope…
Give up? Let me give you a hint…
It has rhythm.
It will make you smile.
It’s great for the whole family.
Ok, ok… I’ll tell you….
it’s GOD’S WORD set to great music!
If you have a hard time getting your kids to memorize God’s Word?
Have you ever wanted to fill your home, car, or office with the sound of scriptures set to great music?
What if you could be encouraged through worship that is safe and fun for the whole family?
By setting scripture to cool music with a great beat, Seeds Family Worship makes all of this possible!
Seeds has been a real blessing to me. On days when I am feeling a little discouraged and very hurried, I pop one of their albums in my cd player and it helps me to get my focus back. There really is nothing more encouraging than God’s Word. The great thing about having His Word set to music is that you can listen to it on the go. I even find myself singing the songs all day; because, they are so catchy and fun.
“So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater.”
I Corinthians 3:7
A little more about Seeds Family Worship:
Seeds Family Worship was planted when worship leader Jason Houser recognized a need for quality music for the families of his church. He began writing songs and singing them with the kids and families he knew. The songs were well-crafted, catchy, and taken straight from scripture. Now, five albums later, the seeds of God’s Word have been planted in the hearts of thousands of families all over the world.
Seeds Family Worship is about planting God’s Word in the hearts of families.
Why do they do it?
The crew at Seeds Family Worship believes getting families worshiping God and learning scripture together is more important than anything else. Period. So, whether it’s an album of music, a live event, a conference, or a new product, everything they do grows out of that motivation and encouragement. That’s what I like about them.
God’s Word + Good Music + Family Time + Lots of Fun = Seeds Family Worship
To book Seeds Family Worship Live at your church, contact them at 615-463-7398.
As much fun as the albums are, the live events must be a great time.
Book a LIVE EVENT today… for a preview, watch this short video!
Find more videos like this on cmconnect.org
To be a Hero.
My heart cringes when I see my children stumbling over my same sins… pride, envy, and jealousy. Patiently, I try to correct them. I search for the root issue leading them to fall. Then, I wonder. I wonder if they will follow the same dark path I took as a teen. I pray they do not.
I pray my children don’t repeat my mistakes.
Watching your child fall into or even struggle with temptation is horrible. It is one of the most difficult things a parent endures. It’s difficult because we doubt our ability to point them in the right way. We doubt our own ability to overcome the same trials. We doubt if God will bless our efforts when we are so very fallen. When we see our children repeat our own sins we feel hopelessly defeated and lost.
Would it be a great blessing to know of one family that got it right? Would you like to hear the testimony of a father who’s son turned away from multiple generations of sinful living to live a life of purity? I would. Without a doubt, it would be a story of heroic efforts.
I was recently blessed to get an advanced copy of my new friend’s book. It is an account of one father’s struggle to overcome his affair with pornography. More so, it is a story of how his son championed the same cause with unbelievable purity. It is a story of how a son became his father’s hero.
If you have ever doubted your ability to raise Godly children because of your own sin…
If Satan has lied to you convincing you that your child is destined to follow in your footsteps…
… then, you need to read this story.
Fred Stoeker, author of the Every Man’s Battle series, pours out his heart once again. He shares the story of Jasen, his son and his hero. It is a compelling call to live a life of pure devotion to Christ. Packed with great insights and thought provoking perspectives, Fred dispels the enemy’s lies and challenges men to take a stand for their faith.
“Hero: Becoming the Man She Desires” is due to be released on April 21st. Visit www.FredStoeker.com and order the men in your church a prereleased signed copy today! Additionally, Fred has created a group on www.parentunity.org to connect with his readers.
Buy the book and connect with the author in his group for Men: Every Man’s Group.
When you join the group, share with us your thoughts. We, Fred and I, are looking forward to hearing how “Hero” touches your life and changes your family.
Michael Chanley
Where the Wild Things Are
This is one of my favorite books from my childhood. It is simple and powerful. If you have never afforded your children the opportunity to read this book, you should get it now.
The movie comes out October 16, 2009. I can’t wait.
Here is the trailer:
We are Twittered
Join twitter today.
If you are a member of twitter, you can now direct message anyone who follows our communities there.
First, follow us by clicking on one of these links:
Second, to connect to all of our tweets through a direct message, type:
d + communinty name + your text
For example, if I wanted to let everyone know I posted a new forum at smconnect, I would tweet this:
d smconnect Check out my new forum at www.smconnect.org.
It’s that simple.
Please don’t abuse this new tool. It is meant to help you connect with and about our community. Thanks for all you do.
Click here to find me on twitter: Michael Chanley
brandonmilburn
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