Ideas start somewhere.

Many times its scribbles on a napkin.

The journey from napkin to reality can be challenging.  At the Napkin Conference 2010 you’ll hear from speakers like Sam Luce, Allyson Evans (LifeChurch.tv),  Jim Wideman and more.  They’ve traveled the road of napkin to reality.

Experience a different kind of conference all together.

Where will you be in February 2010?

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If you lead a ministry, you should be familiar with the Core Values that shape your ministry.  But if your values do not translate into defined action steps… then they could end up as words on paper.

Values define how we act.

Our actions demonstrate our values.

So, what do we do if the actions of our volunteers do not demonstrate the values of our ministry?

In LifeKIDS we’re taking the time to identify specific action steps that demonstrate specific core values.  Here’s an example…

Core Value Community: We grow closer to Christ through Biblical community.  This community is most important in our mentor relationships with kids and peer relationships with volunteers.

Community Action Step: The relationship extends beyond the hour I serve in LifeKIDS.   Hand written notes is one way I connect with my kids during the week.

A simple phrase that reminds me that I serve in a ministry that has actionable values and they need to be lived out loud.

How do you get your volunteers to act?  Define clear, initial action steps.  Stepping stones.  Action that leads to more action.  Get them started then see how far they take it themselves.  You’ll be surprised.

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I live in the “Buckle of the Bible Belt” where we love our manicured lawns.

We water, we weed, we fertilize… then we sit back and admire our work.

We compare our lawn to the other lawns in the neighborhood.  We contrast the color of the grass, eyeball the cleanliness of edging and wag our finger at the shameful presence of weeds.

Some go so far as to meticulously mow patterns into the lawn.  This takes years of practice and is not for the faint of heart.  Only a true craftsman at work here.

We love our lawns.

But we only love our lawns.  Not our neighbors.

When my neighbor struggles with a crabgrass issue… I might offer some friendly advice on what kind of fertilizer to use… but I’m not about to help him.  Why?  Because I’ve got my own lawn to worry about.  If I’m not careful, I might end up with unwanted crabgrass too!

So I’ll stand by my lawn and guard it with diligence against the potential crabgrass threat.  I’ll pray for my neighbor and his lawn hoping God will send someone along to help him with his crabgrass issue.

If his lawn is overtaken by crabgrass… well, that can’t be my fault.  I mean, he didn’t take preventative measures.  He didn’t come out in early spring, like I did, and spray pre-emergent.  He didn’t mow at the right height at the right time.  He didn’t take care of his lawn the way that I took care of mine!  How could I be responsible for his mistakes?

Simply because I’m equipped with the tools and knowledge to aid him with his issue, doesn’t make it mine to own… right?

In the “Buckle of the Bible Belt”, we love our lawns just like we love our christianity.  Neat, clean, unobtrusive… with pretty patterns to boot.

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