Reggie Joiner's Blog, page 23

Volunteering From Home

The 2020-2021 Pandemic changed everything.

I even hate uttering that phrase, because I want things to go back to normal so bad. But it’s true. It really did change everything.

It changed the way we work.
The way we think.
It even changed the way we do church.
And… most importantly for our conversation today, it changed the way Volunteers, well, Volunteered.

While most of us have gone back to normal and are having weekly services again, attempting to salvage the programming we once had, we just k...

Volunteers Working From Home

The 2020-2021 Pandemic changed everything.

I even hate uttering that phrase, because I want things to go back to normal so bad. But it’s true. It really did change everything.

It changed the way we work.
The way we think.
It even changed the way we do church.
And… most importantly for our conversation today, it changed the way Volunteers, well, Volunteered.

While most of us have gone back to normal and are having weekly services again, attempting to salvage the programming we once had, we just k...

How to Practice a Generosity of Spirit

Did you know Amazon made a catalog? I didn’t either until they started showing up in my mailbox a couple of years ago. And suddenly, my kids became desperate for gadgets they never knew existed until they opened this catalog and saw all the options before them. Thanks for nothing, Amazon.

I could make this post all about the fight for contentment this time of year for my kids, but the truth is, my kids aren’t the only ones fighting a losing battle for contentment headed into the holiday season. ...

Environment, Gen Z, and the Church

As we began to build this year’s annual teaching calendar for XP3 partners, one topic stood out that we’ve never discussed before but felt absolutely necessary this year: Caring for creation.

 

Because we have limited time with students each year, it feels necessary to ask the same question about every topic, new or old:

 

Why should we talk about this with teenagers?

 

We think there are a few really compelling reasons.

 

Why the Church Should Talk About the Environment and Creation

 

1. Gen Z...

The Ministry Reminder I Knew I Needed

Just two years ago, I would have never imagined a need, nor the desire, to consider a shift in our ministry model. I mean, things were by no means perfect, but what ministry is? We were thriving and moving forward. We had some of the most amazing servant leaders we could ever ask for in our children and student ministry. They wholeheartedly loved God and served our youngest members of the congregation with love.

But, then the pandemic hit and my heart was impacted in a way that I have never expe...

Why Your Strategy Matters More Than Your Mission

What is your strategy?

Not, what is your mission?

Most of us know our mission. We spent time crafting the language very carefully and it is probably on a wall somewhere. But, what is your strategy? What is your plan of action to accomplish your mission? If I asked you to give me your elevator pitch, what would you say? 

We like to say that it’s your strategy, not your mission, that ultimately determines your success.

In other words, some of us think that because we have defined our mission, we a...

How to Manage Prayer with New Students

Teenagers were sitting at my kitchen table for dinner. I knew one had a church background and followed Jesus. The others, I had no idea. They were along for the ride and came over because they had nothing else going on, and free food tends to draw a crowd of hungry teenagers. I placed chicken nuggets and waffle fries down on the table. And then I wondered, is it weird if we pray? I almost felt bad for thinking that. Was I the very worst youth pastor ever? Wanting to skip the mealtime prayer to a...

How to Redesign Your Ministry To Last

Chances are, you want to win at being a kid’s pastor or a student pastor for a couple of reasons. 

You believe in what you do. It’s your mission so you will always want to do it better because you know it’s one of the most important jobs on the planet. 

You have a boss, and you are accountable to someone who evaluates or measures what you do.

So, redesigning your ministry to last is important to you and those over you. Let’s break down what that actually means. 

What it Means to Redesign Your Mi...

What’s New at Orange Conference 2022

The past couple of years have been a wild ride for us ministry leaders.

 

We’ve had to cope with new safety protocols.

Online church.

Canceled events.

Restructuring of kid’s programming.

Political tension.

Racial injustice.

Digital school and work.

Quarantine.

 

. . . All while trying to engage kids and volunteers in our ministries.

 

The ride hasn’t been easy. The year hasn’t been easy.

We know you as ministry leaders need renewed inspiration.

 

That’s why we’ve planned Orange Conference 2022 l...

Are You Ready to Be Human Again?

This last season of life has left an indelible mark on a generation.

We’re more aware than ever before that there’s a fragility to our humanness.

 

Today many of us are more . . .

vulnerable

insulated

cautious

skeptical

afraid

and reluctant

than we were a year ago.

 

There’s an impulse to withdraw into the safest places we can find and forfeit the adventures that we’re designed to live.

The only problem with that logic is that we are human.

 

We’re not created to isolate.

We’re made to live in c...