Dave Travis Now

Greatest Opportunity of the Decade

I received a few emails this past week from very good, solid church-serving organizations that provide leadership programs for leaders. The emails were advertising specific programs for "dealing with the economic crisis." The messaging speaks of cutting back costs, laying off staff, and bemoaning the hard times. To their credit, these organizations are trying to help church leaders productively deal with these very hard challenges.

I know these are important issues and must be addressed. And I have advised many clients in these matters as well.

But from the ads they appear to approach the issue through the lens of struggle. They approach this economic season as a key obstacle and challenge to the church's mission.

I choose to believe that this is the greatest opportunity for ministry since 2001. The lens of opportunity says that we have a positive message of hope that is the right message for the times.

It is time to seize the day for church leaders.

 

We want to be proactive in dealing with attender's challenges and concerns.

And we view this season as one where our messaging should be encouraging not discouraging.

I am not proposing a "prosperity theology" or "positive thinking" but rather see proactive leaders being intentional at finding very creative ways to advance the gospel, the outreach of their church, and the increase of their ministry internationally.

My challenge to readers today is to examine the language used in all communications be they written, oral, web based and the like.

Are you unintentionally communicating a message of doom and gloom or a message of hope and redemption.

My sense from talking to lots of leaders this past quarter is that those who are communicating "I know times are hard" are not seeing as much fruit as those who are saying "what a powerful time it is for our church to show its love for this community."

I am not saying those are totally disconnected messages but those that focus on the former see this as the greatest crisis of the decade. Those that focus on the latter see it as the greatest opportunity.

So which are you?

Feel free to push back on me in the comments.

Daily Dose Catch up

Miss the Daily Dose? I didn't think so but to catch you up on my life beyond twitter updates....

• Traded my truck and aquired a new Honda. Eventually, it will be driven by my youngest daughter.
• What sold it to her.....heated seats.
• I still consider myself to be in the 3rd inning of my career and it is a nine inning game.
• A good baseball manager manages each inning a little differently.
• OK maybe I'm in the fourth inning.
• But I will say it now, I want to keep most of my team together for the next few innings.
• Met with Casey Graham of Rethink Money today. Nice guy.
• I need to continue to spend more of my time creating the future and leave managing the present to my excellent lead team.
• Very excited about how "The Show" http://theshow.leadnet.org is going. Very pleased with Todd Rhoades' work there. And the rest of the team. #leadnet.
• next week's show? Nancy Ortberg.
• Driving tomorow to meet with a pastor friend in Commerce GA. We are both coming halfway. Commerce is the Outlet Mall Capital of Georgia. Too bad my girls have things to do tomorrow.
• But speaking of shopping - my advice is to guy buy American Eagle stock tonight because they did some real damage there tonight.
• Doc today said I could lift weights and play golf now. Also said that I need more therapy and possibly another "procedure." That's doctor speak for more fees.
• At dinner heard what sounded like Take 6 singing the old Chicago song "After All". Does anyone know if that is them?

How Churches are Dealing with the Flu Pandemic

 

Living here in Atlanta I interact with several people who work for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters. I don't talk to the top doctorss and executives but the normal folks there. Of course I inquired about H1N1 (the flu formerly known as swine but that was an insult to good barbecue!).  I asked about the myths versus realities. "Come on, level with us" I asked.

 

The basic response:

1. The media have overhyped the dangers for most of the U.S. I  paraphrase here "That's not neccesarily bad but as an illustration, we are at about a 3 on a 10 scale in the U.S. and the media is playing it as a 6 or 7." Let's face it, news organizations make their money getting people to watch,  and scary headlines sell. 

I read today that CNN is hoping to extend the story through sweeps ratings season. But I am cynical here.

2. Take normal precautions, not extreme precautions. The simple measures - washing hands often, covering your mouth when coughing, etc., are all that is required at this time.

3. Stay home from work or school or church if you have flu symptoms, and don't return for two days after symptoms disappear.

4. Go to the hospital only if you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

Frankly, these are the same cautions you'll find on most medical sites, including the CDC's.

What about Churches?

 

Leadership Network's research director Warren Bird has been spot checking a bunch of churches, especially ones in high vulnerability areas. Here's what he's learning:

 

o Many are developing a plan in case the flu becomes more widespread.

o Most are addressing the issue via email, website, or initial message when answering the church phone. Messages are calming, clear, and specific.

o No one we monitored canceled church services, but a very few did cancel social events that involved children.

 

Things to Think About

1. Should childcare workers wear masks for their own protection or to increase confidence of the parents of children? It might provide a little protection for nursery workers because children can't tell you they are sick but it would probably also increase unwarranted concerns at this time.  In general, masks are probably a good idea for health care professionals and family members who come in close contact with flu patients. But health officials currently say there is no need for the general public to wear them. 

2 . What about skipping the welcome time in shaking hands, hugging and "greeting one another with a brotherly kiss?" That one got a laugh when I asked my CDC friends. Answer: Advise those that have symptons or think they have symptons to stay home. Otherwise the social contact at church is similar to other social settings congregants would encounter throughout the week. 

3. I forgot to ask about Communion/Eucharist/Lord’s Supper because that is not my tradition to celebrate that weekly but there have been numerous news stories about Catholic Archdiocese’s advising on that subject. A google search will turn those up.

 

That's the perspective as of today. It may get worse and it may get better. Please add your comments of how your church is handling the situation. 

 

The CDC’s web site about the flu is here: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Dave Travis
Managing Director
Leadership Network