VOLUNTEER Opportunity

I have a volunteer opportunity!! I work with the Savannah Baptist Center here on Wheaton St. In the afternoon Monday-Thursday, they have an after school program. They usually average from 20-30 kids in the afternoon. The weekday coordinator for that is in need. She is struggling for volunteers to help with the kids from 3:45-5:00 in the afternoon on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays.

SO, if you can help, contact me!! These kids are awesome. (Yes, I just said that). This place runs off volunteers. If you can give 1 hr 15 min. of your time, three days a week, let me know. Its not hard. There is a small video that tells you everything you need to know.That’s 3:45-5:00, Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays. If you can give any of these days, I know they will appreciate it greatly.

Email me at: jaredg@savannahcanvas.com if you can help.

Few Things I’ve Learned

Over the past few days and weeks I’ve been doing LOTS of reading on just about everything. I’ve been getting in God’s word, leadership books, marriage books and even volunteer books. Now, I’m not a reader at all, I actually hate it. For some strange reason I have had my face in the books this week and there a few things that hit me:

-What do I believe is impossible to do in my field, but if it could be done, would fundamentally change my business? (Stanley)

-God does not respond to what we do, we respond to what God does. (Romans)

-I must not just do things for April, I must learn to meet her EMOTIONAL needs. (Harley Jr.)

-80% of people’s time should be spent doing what God has created them to do. (Stevens)

-If we feel that we have enough volunteers, money, staff, space and time to accomplish everything, then what does that say about our vision? (Stevens)

Beginning of Organization

I talked with Doug today and I started working on some of the volunteer organization for Canvas Church. I pulled lots of documents from other churches like Oak Leaf and NewSpring to get ideas on how they have their volunteers organized because they’re pretty successful and a good example to look when putting this type of thing together. I started with the organization structure by building an organization chart. Wow. It grew fast. About 2 hours in to it, I realized how many flippen’ volunteers it takes to make church happen. At the beginning we will probably not have remotely the amount of what is planned, but it’s better to start now than wait until we’re screwed with 500 volunteers knocking at our doors wondering where to serve. Not only that, but it’s easier to skip over some of the detailed volunteer positions until we need them.

I’m really excited about organizing volunteers. I’m deeply passionate about volunteers and especially organizing (it’s an OCD thing). I actually got frustrated today because I was working on it while working my other job. I kept finding myself becoming brain blocked and just had to stop until I could focus. I even determined the difference between officers and coordinators; that was interesting. The good thing is I did get some things done and it feels nice. I can’t wait to see what it will all look like.

Technically Moving

I’m still trying to work on some of the budget areas for Canvas that I will be in charge of. Most of it is technical elements for all of our environments. I found out that a guy I have known works for a company who puts together all technical elements (audio, video, lighting) for companies including churches. What’s great is that he can put together something simple for us, but still remain quality. For example, portable churches can get VERY hectic when setting up technical elements. It would be nice to roll out the audio rack, pull out a huge whip, twist it on and be ready to go. This company can help put something together like that. That’s going to be huge for our future technical teams. It’s going to save them lots of time and stress. I’m excited to see what’s going to happen with this.

I want to see an exciting experience that people will be so wowed, they want to come back. Not something that sucks so bad that they’re ready to leave the minute they walk in. If people can’t experience God, then they’re going to leave and might not ever get another chance to know who Jesus is. So, I’m just pumped about this opportunity and can’t wait to see what will happen.

Systems

Last week I stopped by the CATR office to see what was up. I noticed Doug had sticky notes on the white board, which is a system we learned at GBC Basic Training. On these “mileposts” were lots of systems that needed to be documented. I signed my initials on some of them notating that I would take that away and complete that task.

This past week I documented about four systems that we use at CATR. With these, Doug and I created a new general guidelines for CATR also. I’ve already taken all of these and revamped them for Canvas, so we now have systems in place before we even launch; that’s exciting. Once we get them the way we like, we’ll get all the appropriate leadership to sign off on it and approve it. I’m really excited. I think the coolest thing is that we were able to get some of these systems documented already for Canvas, so we’re that much more ahead (actually I think we’re right on time, but you get the idea). We will soon have a way to come up with creative elements for services to dealing with discipline problems.

Systems are really exciting! Working in public safety, I’m surrounded by policies and procedures (systems) to protect us and I took lots of ideas away from that. Any church that wants to keep people around and continuously growing needs to have systems, besides the obvious God factor. Systems can make or break a church. It can determine how long volunteers will stick around. It can determine how you make a decision fairly. It can determine so much in a church. I’m just really excited that we’re not only getting these at CATR, but Canvas too. Canvas is going along pretty well right now and we’re really starting to move along. 

Ummm…

So here are some thoughts:

-James is pretty cool.

-Newsletters look awesome. (Nice work Mikey).

-April knew a co worker, who had a story from a client. They talked to them about Jesus and this guy had no idea at all!!! You don’t need to memorize the Bible to be Christian. I think if this guy saw the staff from Canvas, he might shart a little.

-Woa, I’m getting married in 6 months.

-Faith and action, together?

-About to start new hours at work and I’m excited. Longer four days, but weekends are off. People don’t need protection or any type of public safety 24/7.

-I’ve started documenting systems, policies, procedures for CATR. Not too many, but a few that I know what I’m doing with. About to start documenting procedures for Canvas. Is it weird that I am stoked about policies?

-Talked with a real estate agent in Savannah. She’s researching some warehouses for us.

-Volunteers are awesome. Without them, church would NOT happen! Hmmm…

-April and I bought some books on marriage/relationships.

-Character. That’s an interesting word.

-Austin Powers is funny.

-Family is more important than work will EVER be.

-Pro Co Momentum is a pretty cool system.

-Ok, I’m watching the Weather Channel again. Anyone else?

The Word “Need”

I was reading yesterday in January’s issue of Church Production Magazine. I enjoy this magazine because I’m a pretty big geek when it comes to church production. Anyway, there is an article I always enjoy reading titled “Exit Stage Left.” This month there was a gentleman by the name of Al Whittaker who is a TD and Associate Minister at Storehouse Church in Philadelphia. Who wrote about the media ministry or whatever you want to call it. There are 2 points that he made I want to share with you, but let me lead up to that.

He writes, “Do you ever read church production and ask ‘why can’t we do that here?’ or do you constantly wish you had more skilled people to make your ministry run like a well-oiled machine?”…YES! This guy simply read my mind from the very beginning. I wonder that every week when we are down to the last minute, making changes, when things break, etc. I figured the best way to fix SOME problems is to have upgraded equipment, newer stuff. Now, to an extent I think that’s true, but there is more to that that Whittaker just nailed I think.

Four steps for changing your perspective on God on providing resources:

1. Eliminate the word “need” from your vocabulary.

2. Set time aside every week to ask God for HIS direction for you ministry.

3. Think in terms of opportunities. (Imagine that).

4. Focus on what you can do, and do it the best you possibly can.

Now, I just want to “camp out” on the first point today. I always say that we “need” new subs, “need” a new monitor system, “need” new mics, etc., but I think this explains it. Whittaker writes that there are probably only two things that we “need:” a) to get on our knees before Jesus and ask for his will and b) ask him how we can be most faithful with the resources he has already given us. I’m sure there are some things that are acutally needed, but there is a difference in a “need” and a “want.”

That hit me like a ton of bricks. I agree with him because it’s like I’m doubting God with what He has blessed the ministry with. The equipment does jack us up every now and then, but it is what God has given and I need to be thankful for what He did give us. I’m always going to pursue newer and better things, but the word “need” is very strong and I need to bow down before Christ himself and ask for what he would have done.

God is God and He is FREAKIN’ awesome. If He wants to bless us with new subs, monitor system, mics, whatever, He will. I’m going to change my perspective on what we “need” for our technical ministry.