Reggie Joiner's Blog, page 30

How to Make the Most of a Virtual Orange Conference

We originally had a different vision for this blog post. It was originally written as a resource to church leaders who couldnt attend the Orange Conference in person. But things have changed since then.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, no one can attend the Orange Conference 2020 in person. In keeping with the trend of social distancing, weve shifted the conference to an entirely online format.

No, it wont be quite the same as getting to attend with over 8,000 people live in the same...

The Difference Between Church and Business Leadership

Id bet that youre reading this blog because you want to learn. And that goes a long way. 

In fact, the desire to learn is a founding function of a growth mindset. A person with a growth mindset sees setbacks as challenges, expects to struggle along the way to success, andabove allknows well that they dont know everything.

If were going to continue to grow the Church (with a capital C), we must be willing to learn what we can from our fellow church leaders and beyond. So today, were going to...

A Church Leader’s Guide to Coronavirus: Continuing Ministry During a Pandemic

Editors Note: This blog post is being reshared with permission from our friends at Pushpay. Orange is honored to work with other ministry organizations like Pushpay to resource church leaders during this time of crisis.

Download free resources

Download these resources from Pushpay for even more guidance with coronavirus.

Checklist: How to Pivot to a Digital Strategy 5 Characteristics of Effective Mobile Notifications During a Crisis Church leaders and the Coronavirus

Over the past few...

Leading Change: 3 Strategies to Help Make it Easier

In the world of ministry, pastors are trusted with leading an entire church congregationthat means families and kids of all ages. What a task!

On top of that, being successful in such a complex arena requires adapting (and leading adaptation) to the ever-changing climate of culture. Thats why I believe pastors should be better at leading change than nearly everyone in the church.

Because lets be honest:

if culture shifts if a model needs to change if a style, phrase or tradition becomes...

What to Do in Ministry When You Have to Press Pause

At many churches around the country and around the world, weve pressed the pause button during this COVID-19 virus crisis. Pressing pause doesnt mean that were no longer preaching the Gospel or ministering to people. It simply means were temporarily not doing things they way weve always done them.

This global pandemic is affecting all churches: big and small, rural and city, modern and traditional. Despite having to press pause on physically gathering together, church leaders still have an...

Coronavirus: Everything Your Church Needs for Digital Family Ministry Experiences

We knew when we selected the theme for the Orange Conference 2020, Every Generation Needs a New Revolution, that it would require a willingness to change.

We had no idea just how much we would need to change.

We didnt know we would be facing a global health pandemic. We had never heard the word coronavirus. We werent familiar with a term like social distancing. (Now, were a little too familiar with what that term means.)

But just because your church doors might be closed, doesnt mean you cant...

What the Church Needs to Know about Families with Special Needs

You see them. You know theyre there. You might even provide a great Special Needs ministry for their child or young adult. But have you ever focused on what a family who has a kid with special needs might want you to know?

After talking with lots of churches who serve families who have kids with special needs, and with the families themselves, here are some things weve learned and wish youd know too.

Their kid is awesome

Every kid is unique and special to their parent, but heres what we miss...

Getting Your Small Group Leaders to Download the Lead Small App

Youve been there before. Its Sunday morning. Its a few minutes before service, and youre confidently standing in front of a few sleepy-eyed small group leadersbulletproof coffee in-hand.

Alright, friends, who can tell me this months focus!?

Crickets and blank stares.

Who can tell me the Memory Verse?

More crickets.

Anyone have any questions about the activities well leading today?

Theres a symphony of crickets and their babies.

Clearly, your small group leaders are unprepared.

Still, you lead...

Staying Connected with Volunteers and Parents During the Covid-19 Outbreak

Well, folks, it feels like we collectively blinked, and 2020 took a sharp turn into some pretty uncharted territory. Needless to say, the landscape of the world looks vastly different than it did a few monthseven a few weeksago.

And what we previously understood about our jobs, our schools, our churches, our social lives, and even what a trip to the grocery store looks like has been challenged.

Were in this together

Right this second, I dont know where you live or what youre facing. I dont...

How to be a Small Group Leader When Church is Cancelled

Remember the good old days when you could grab a bag of Doritos (cool-ranch fans, anyone?) and pass the open bag around your small group to munch on? Living dangerously and diving in with unwashed hands and all.

Now we find ourselves living in a new reality of social distancing where you cant share a high five or a table at a restaurant. You might not have the weekly gathering in a building like you used to, but you still have a small group of students who need encouragement and connection...