Jodie's 14 day Goal

1. Set vision for Life Group (May 23rd) determine Bible study, activities and schedule.
2. Heir Force (connect with the kids)add them to facebook, ideas for activities, see that van drivers provided for them.
3.  2011 Meis Family Reunion > add link to Facebook Done 6-6-11
4. Plan Honor Team Social >set date and time, contact (get excited - build team)

Allison's May 14 day goal

1) Organize a Calander for summer activities
2) Put add in the paper for painting jobs
3) Touch base with those who have expressed interest in St Louis Missions trip
4) Have volunteer packets ready to hand out to people who want to attend Missions trip

May 30 day goal

My May goal is to get my Quicken software usable so that I am better able to track my finances. We have been paying for our back account to sync with Quicken so now I just have to figure out how to do it! Here are my action steps:

1. Call Wells Fargo about setting up password/account info
2. Download bank transactions to software
3. Categorize expenses

This will be an ongoing process. I would like to set aside time to go through finances once a week. I am also hoping that Josh and I will be able to go through this process together so that we both can make better financial decisions.

What is "the win" for you?

Natalie - to be a FINISHER.

Jodie - to be a better TEAM LEADER.

Allison - to be more EFFECTIVE in casting vision for Missions.

Mike - to INSPIRE men to come together to build His Kingdom.  (You're the man Mike.)

Annette - to be a LEADER OF LEADERS.

Randy - be ready to CAST VISION for how our Children's Ministry can be the primary spiritual influence for the kids that don't have one.

Natalie's RI Chapter 5 & 6 book review

Chapter 5 - "The Compelling Relator" is a chapter that challenged me but it can also be quite intimidating. I think I've always had that desire to be liked by all. Looking back in my life I can see where I was trying to fit in. I also recall times where I challenged the norm and didn't go along with what everyone else was saying or doing. That surely didn't bring me great popularity. I pray that although I made a lot of mistakes along my younger christian years that people will remember me as compelling and that I did take a stand for things that I believed in. One area that I think I may struggle with now is being culturally relevant. A lot of my time outside of home is at church, and I really only listen to christian music. I haven't read a non-christian book probably since college. So I do kind of feel disconnected to culture. And its not that I think I really care because the world has gotten so corrupt. The only reason that I feel like I should is that I want to be relevant to unbelievers and make an impact in the lives of unsaved around me.
Being a better communicator is also another big challenge for me. I don't speak to large groups very often but even if life group situations I know this would be helpful. Having passion is also another great leader. I don't know any effective leaders that aren't passionate in their field. Sometimes I feel like my passion hasn't been fully harnessed. So this chapter definitely challenged me to see my shortfalls. But it has challenged me to try to be interesting.

In chapter 6 the author talks about being a "conversational futurist." Jesus was obviously the best model of this. I think what's important to get out of this chapter, and what Jesus demonstrated, was getting to the heart of the issue. Sometimes it seems like in conversation we can seem like we're going round and round but never getting to the point. Jesus saw people for who they really were and saw their real need. I think the key to this is what the author calls "keeping one ear to earth and one ear to heaven." We should always be aware of what the Holy Spirit may be prompting us to do or say.

Natalie's RI Chapters 3 & 4

What I got out of being a story collector is that part of relational intelligence is drawing people out. When we ask people questions that are deeper than just discussing the weather we can connect with them and they feel a sense of being valued and that someone cares about them. I think we all want to feel like we are understood and that someone else can relate to what we're saying. The most important thing I think the author is saying is that if we get to know who a person really is then we will be able to have greater influence in their life. This is so important in getting to know new people and getting to a place where you can speak into someone's life.

In the "Energy Carrier" chapter the author describes how leaders set the tone for energy. I can definitely resonate with this chapter. Having been a life group leader for several years now I can see how things like distractions and the appearance of alertness can be energy killers. The energy of a group can really go down when it seems like people aren't paying attention or just aren't really engaged in what's going on. I know that he's talking more about the leader having distraction in his/her own mind or being internally asleep. But I guess I can see it both sides. I know I've been guilty of pretending to be listening to someone when in reality my mind is really somewhere else. This chapter motivated me to try new things to create positive energy in our group and to keep people involved and motivated. Especially at this point in my life I do feel pretty distracted on the inside so I have a hard time being fully in the moment, so that is something I will be thinking about.

Annette's 30 Day Goal for May 2011

GOAL: To effectively and efficiently plan for summer camps.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Go above and beyond with promoting camp.  Mention on Wednesday nights, but also send emails to parents, show videos on Sunday mornings, have students share testimonies, etc.
2. Plan and execute fundraisers for camp scholarships.
3. Find a way to recruit individuals to sponsor a camper financially for those who are in greater need.
4. Recruit camp guides to go along to each camp and share the training resources with them.
5. Accurately track all registration information.
6. Plan for transportation.

Annette's April RI Review

I have these "airhead" moments a couple times a year where I have checked something off my mental TO DO list, but in the REAL WORLD, it hasn't been done.  I did that with this post.  I titled my March post as April, and I really enjoyed these chapters, so I was thinking I was done with it.  Good grief...I need some gingko biloba or something.  LOL  So I finally got around to posting my new 30 day goal and realized I had missed this post.  SORRY!!

Chapter 5: The Compelling Relator
This chapter was right on for me - part of my ministry life is with teenagers - and the author is so right about boredom.  He calls it a "rampant epidemic in our culture".  It is so true!  People will give you about 5 minutes to determine whether you're worth listening to or not (and that might be on the generous side with teens).  I have to admit that I find myself easily bored - I like to stay occupied with a task.  I rarely just sit and watch a movie.  I'm usually folding laundry at the same time.  :o)  So I'm hoping I can use that for my benefit in leadership.  I liked the practical tips for becoming compelling, and it made me hopeful that everyone can become more interesting if they're thoughtful about it!  So leaders with laid back personalities don't have any excuse.  I decided to rate myself on these things he suggested.  Take a look:

• Dare to be contraversial when the moment calls for it - I give myself a solid B in this.  I'm not ever afraid to say something that might be contraversial, BUT sometimes I work hard to cloke it in diplomacy so it's less offensive. 
• Refuse to be irrelevant - I give myself an A- in this area.  Working with youth demands relevance.  I'd be useless if I weren't relevant.  I don't agree with most things that are going on in the world, but I am aware of what's happening in our culture and take the time to figure out why people care.
• Change the way you communicate - I give myself a C in this.  I'm becoming more aware of it (because of this book), but I feel I'm definitely average and have some work to do.  I think I'm a pretty good communicator in general, but he talks about beginning with the other person in mind.  That was an AHA moment for me.
• Activate your passion - I give myself an A.  I don't know where it comes from, aside from the Holy Spirit, but I've always been a passionate person.  I'm passionate in talking about things I love, I'm passionate about not having mediocre relationships, and I'm passionate when I disagree with someone.  :o)  I personally think it's much easier to follow a passionate leader.

Chapter 6:  The Conversational Futurist
At the beginning of this chapter, I was wondering "what kind of obscure crud is this?".  It took me about three pages before I really understood what he was getting at.  I love the show "House" so I got the reference, but what made me really understand the principle is when he talked about Jesus!!  I wish he had given that story first.  :o)  Jesus had this incredible knack of leading people through conversation right where He wanted them to go.  Even if they were out to get Him, they still followed right along!  It's genius!  After I read that, I could identify a couple of people that I know that do that.  I have to say that there aren't many I know that have this ability, and I think it's definitely something that you have to work on.  I don't know that it's a natural gift like some of these other qualities can be.  Think before you speak is a common principle, but he's going much deeper here. 

I think being a conversational futurist is a combination of being in tune with the Holy Spirit, AND being thoughtful and intentional when you're talking with someone.  How often do we just fall into conversation, and hope it's enjoyable - when we could make each conversation have purpose.  I LOVE this idea and I'm really excited to work on it!!

Mike's 30 Day Goals for May

At this time it appears that we are back at the planning stages for future items within the Honor Bound Group. Somethings that need to be addressed or looked at:

1. Possible Father's Day gift. Had a planning meeting. Gift was decided on and on order.

2. Fun event / activity to help bridge the Thursday night, Saturday morning, and possibly the Under Oath young men together.
At planning meeting set up another small group to go further with this project - I am one of the members. Some ideas were brought forth to pursue. Another meeting was set. The dates have been set for the event, the meeting place has been reserved. More promotions of the event will be needed between now and July 22.
3. Looking for a bible study or lesson plan to go through for the group. A Bible study / curiculum was decided upon. Materials have been ordered. Looking to start the material the week after Father's Day. More promotions of the event / series will be needed.

Mike's April Review RI chapters 5 and 6

Chapter 5 is entitled the Compelling Relator. The chapter starts with the topic of boredom and how we should work at overcoming it. We need to put ourselves in the place of our audience and become a person they want to listen to. Two items that the author tried to merge together was the value of becoming a compelling person, and being able to relate well to others thus the title of the chapter. We need to realize how important it is to engage peoples interest in our relational spheres. When we don't, we can become boring. The author made a comment about pastors - what if they worked harder to compel their audience to seek something meaningful and stopped assuming that people are automatically interested simply because what they are saying is "true"? This could be said for each one of us for whatever area we serve in within the church body. The author then points out 4 ways to help become a better compelling relator. Dare to be controversial when the moment calls for it, refuse to be irrelevant, change the way you communicate (begin with the other person in mind), and activate your passion (the more passionately you care about what you are saying, the more people will desire to listen to you, be around you, and take part in your mission.

Chapter 6 was entitled the converational futurist. One of the main ideas in this chapter was improving in the ability to see where a conversation is going and get ahead of it. Sometimes this may involve looking beyond what is right in front of me, considering what isn't an obvious response but instead one that addresses a deeper issue than what is simply on the surface. Some points that were brought out in this chapter - think before you speak, keep one ear to earth ( listening to whom you are talking to and being engaged on a human-to-human level). Keep one ear to heaven (listen to how and where God is guiding you). Interpreting the signs - sometimes when we interact with people, we can see signs pointing toward where they are heading (help connect the present with the future). Reversing the assumptions - when we let the wrong assumptions drive a conversation, we put our mind in neutral and therefore are reactive rather than proactive. But if we address wrong assumptions that people make, artfully and meaningfully, we can immediately change the momentum of a conversation.

Allison's April Reveiw

"There's nothing we can do about other people's choice to remain irrelevant to us, but we do have all the power to ensure our relevance to others." Chapter 6 was eye opening for me. At one time he spoke of how Heretics are compelling to people, because they challenge people thinking and have strong opinionated subject matters always at hand. That is a little scary and challenging to me all at the same time in that I don't want to be irrelevant for the cause of Christ while a Heretic leads them astray. I can think of a Christian that I know and love who follows a Hectic and now I have an understanding why that has happened. This Chapter really challenged me to be more informed as to draw others by interesting dialogue.

"Conversational Futurists refuse to stall the dialogue or even circle around the same subjects simply by using different words." I am inspired by this chapter, I have been in many a conversation that I have not known how to make progress forward. I leave these conversation feeling distatisfied and sometimes defeated. I actually was pleased to find myself in this kind of conversation this week and was able to move the conversation ahead with resolve for the other person and ultimately myself! All simple because I read this chapter. Glory! Hallelujah!