Reggie Joiner's Blog, page 29

How to Start a Special Needs Ministry at Your Church

Over the past few years, I’ve become very interested in the mission statements of various churches.  I’ve found that most of them, despite geographic region or even denomination, have a few things in common. Most churches focus their mission statements around God and love.  

I know what you’re thinking: A church with a mission statement focused on “God” and “love” —what a novel idea! One other similarity I’ve found in most mission statements is that each one has an inclusive statement of some ty...

4 Myths about Foster Care

When I say the words foster care, I imagine a number of thoughts race through your head.

Youve heard stories.

You know someone who knew someone.

Youve even seen it in movies and television.

Foster care is an easy topic to form opinions about, but it wasnt until I actually began the process of fostering kids that I realized how little I knew about it.

Foster care is a messy (and necessary) business. But its the kind of messy reality that we cant afford to ignore or be ignorant aboutespecially...

4 Reasons Why The MVP Box Volunteer Kickoff Event is Indispensable

Full disclosure: Im a huge fan of the MVP Box, especially the leader components like the Volunteer Kickoff event.

While there are a plethora of reasons that Im such a fan, the main reason is that Im only one person. I dont have the convenience of a staff writer, graphic arts designer, event planner, marketing developer, or volunteer trainer at my disposal.

You can imagine the elation of opening up one volunteer kickoff folder to find that all of these resources are already prepared and ready...

Your MVP in Ministry this Year

Every year, we share a lot of big ideas at the Orange Conference and the Orange Tour. Its always a great mix of inspirational and practical. Which is likely why for years church leaders asked us how we could re-package the experience for them to take back to their church.

Not every church can bring their volunteers to experience the Orange Conference. And none of them can bring their entire congregation along, too. But the messages shared are still valuable ones for them to hear.

So we...

Orange Partners with Playlister to Make Curriculum Easier to Use

Orange has always aimed to make technology easy for churches to use. The Orange curriculum was one of the first to offer digital downloads to ministry leaders. Products like Weekly and Orange Apps allow churches to leverage technology for digital communications.

Orange is taking that ease of use to the next level by partnering with Playlister, a software company that provides the first and only instant curriculum solution.

Together, Orange and Playlister will bring Oranges curriculum and...

Orange Conference Live: Tech Tips to Make the Most of the Online Experience

Shifting to an online Conference has been an interesting and educational experience for the Orange team. Were sure youre also adjusting to our new reality and appreciate the patience and encouragement from all of the Orange Leaders like you.

Since The Orange Conference Live Experience will be so unique compared to our usual in-person conference, we thought wed come up with a few suggestions on how to make the most of this (or really any) online conference.

Orange Conference Live attendees...

The Instant Curriculum Revolution And What It Means For Your Ministry

In the past, churches used expensive and complicated technology in all their classrooms to present Orange curriculum.

Getting this ready every week took several team members countless hours. And if a kid didnt show up to church that week there was no way for the family to view the full video experience and lessons they missed from their ministry leaders.

The Church Technology Monster

Countless leaders have shared with us the old way they were preparing curriculum and expressed pain and...

How To Successfully Lead A Remote Church Team

Youve seen the headlines. And so have we. All of them.

But if we know one thing its that this too shall pass.

Weve also seen a lot of headlines about how to weather this storm as a church leader. And more specifically about how many churches are dipping their toes into leading a remote church team.

So while COVID-19 has changed the landscape of the global workforce, after 10 years of being a 100%-remote company, we know about leading a remote workforce.

And if weve learned anything in these...

Why The Church Can Seriously Be Funny

Editors Note: In 2020, the Orange Conference and Seriously Night are going to look very different. Thats because were doing an entirely online conference, which means we cant be in the same room for Seriously Night like usual. But we still aim to do some fun and funny stuff for the 2020 Digital Experienceif only because we need a little humor now more than ever.

It is a curious fact that people are never so trivial as when they take themselves seriously. Oscar Wilde

Every year at the Orange...

Parent and Small Group Leader: A Child Needs Both

Last Friday, you put on some tunes and busted a move in front of your totally-mortified middle school sons. Then tonight they came home from the dance doing the sprinkler, just like you taught emonly they gave credit to Jeff, their small group leader. What gives?

Its not just your own kids, either. One of the toddlers you teach at church lost it over a missing toy on Sunday. You tried to talk her through it with no luck. In the end, all she needed was a big hug from mom and the tears dried...