Last Sunday, we worshipped with Calvary Baptist Church in Seymour Indiana. They were celebrating their church’s 50th anniversary, and it was a joyous occasion.

Will your church be ccelebrating an upcoming anniversary? Here are a couple of great ideas they did to make it special:

Pastor David Schrock and the planning team printed and framed a 4X6″ photograph of the church building, with text about 50th anniversary celebration (see photo above). An entire table held hundreds of the framed photos.  He announced that each family unit in attendance could pick one up as a momento of the occasion. What a lovely gift!

The Pastor had preached for several weeks on each segment of their church covenant. On anniversary day, they had a covenant renewal service. They printed a large copy of the covenant, and had a wide photo mat prepared. Each member of the church signed the mat before the covenant was beautifully framed for the church entryway.

Isn’t it exciting to celebrate God’s blessings of the past as we look forward to seeing what He has ahead for the future? Happy anniversary, Calvary Baptist.

As I look  at some upcoming speaking engagements, I realize how much I depend on my God! I’m no gifted speaker, so I lean hard on Him, and trust Him to use this willing vessel to encourage Christian women. I spend lots of time writing, but God continues to open interesting and challenging speaking opportunities.

[Most of my travel  is to accompany my husband, Steve, as he works with the 420 Southern Baptist Churches across Indiana. If you'd like to see what God's doing in Indiana, check out www.scbi.org]

Here are several speaking engagements on my schedule in coming months. Pray for me, and if one is in your area,  I hope to see you there:

S. CAROLINA – South Carolina Baptist State Convention’s retreat for Ministers Wives, S.W.A.T., November 5-6 at White Oak Conference Center.

IOWA - Ladies’ Christmas luncheon at Grace Baptist, Waterloo Iowa December 7

TENNESSEE – Ladies retreat at New Heights Baptist, Chatanooga TN April 8-9 2011

OHIO – Southern Ohio’s Scioto Valley Baptist Association’s ladies’ conference May 5 2011, Athens OH.

ALABAMA – Speak for Alabama Baptist Convention‘s statewide Pastors, Deacons and Wives Retreat, September 23-24 2011

UKRAINE – Teach seminary class at Kiev Theological Seminary, May 14-22 2011

INDIANA – several events, including

• Ladies’ Day Nov 13 for Northeast Baptist Association churches.
• Pastors, Deacons and Wives Training (with Steve) for East Central Baptist Association churches, Oct.2, Halteman Village Baptist Church, Muncie IN
• Deacon and Wives retreat (with  Steve) for Southwest Baptist Association churches, October 15-16
• Ladies’ Retreat September 18, Fellowship Baptist in Richmond IN

And thanks for your prayers, my friends!

My son married last weekend. It was such a joyful, fabulous day!

So, of course, I observed an idea at the church that I thought you might use in your church.  A small closet was designated for wedding items — candelabras, arch, lighters, etc.  Does your  church provide some materials like that?

Our former church purchased two sets of candleabras and made them available for weddings.  It saved lots of money for many brides and grooms, and of course they were allowed to rent if they preferred.  A few times, those brides would donate some money in appreciation, and we could reinvest those dollars for another piece we could provide for others. Perhaps some dollars could be designated in the annual church budget to begin stocking a closet like that.

When a father built a beautiful gazebo for his daughter’s wedding, he donated it for use by other  weddings as needed, and even stored the large piece in his barn. A woodworker in our church built lovely lattice walls to fit the church’s fellowship hall, and those were available for weddings as well.

Simple idea, yes. But, with the cost of weddings, it can be a kind and thoughtful gift for couples in your church.

[Oh, I really had to work at putting my son and daugher-in-law's photo in this blog! Thanks for understanding! ]

Here’s this month’s article on Baptist Press:

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–He cleans the church’s carpet regularly, but he’s never been invited to worship there. She delivers the church mail daily, but she doesn’t know Jesus. The family spent hours there during Aunt Tip’s funeral, but none of them go to church.

Yes, guests attend your church for worship services, but additional dozens — even hundreds — walk in on weekdays each year. They come in for directions, weddings, benevolence or after-game fellowships. They attend scouts, daycare, support groups. There’s the exterminator, repairman, roofer, delivery person … and God brings them inside your building. Will they meet Jesus there?

Intentionally impact each person who walks in your church doors.

– Let your walls talk. Stroll through your church entryways and offices, carefully observing as if it’s your first time there. What can a stranger learn about your church and God? Attractively display current newsletters, brochures, witnessing tracts and invitations for visitors to take. Replace negative or outdated signage. Carefully read each poster to assure outsiders can understand it. Play Christian music. Use art to point to the One you worship.

– Salute! Warmly welcome each person who walks in the door. Learn their names. If they need directions, mark a map. When offering benevolence, give it joyfully. Give the postal carrier an icy soda on a hot day. Invite every individual to come for Sunday worship. Promise to pray for them. Use small gift bags to prepare welcome packets with a church brochure, newsletter, CD, upcoming events and a few candies. Then watch for opportunities to share them.

Some of you know my family, but even if you don’t, you’ll get a kick out of my son, Justin’s, audition video for Amazing Race.  He’s teaching in Denmark right now for a few weeks, so pray for his safety. Click here to see it on YouTube.

Tylor and Katie’s wedding is a month from now, and we’re thrilled. Autumn’s beginning her first seminary class, and she and Yale have Vacation Bible School beginning tonight for their apartment ministry.

Isn’t it fun to watch your kids–even as they’re grownups! Parenthood never gets boring.
“So give your father and mother joy!May she who gave you birth be happy.” Proverbs 23:25

Need a gift for dads at your church this Father’s Day? Keep reading…

The single most influential person on my life was my dad–a strong, yet tender, lover of God; a role model in daily life as a Christian businessman and husband and daddy; a man joyfully committed to his God first, and to his family and church and friends.

My dad died years ago, but his legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren. As I watch my brothers rear their children, I see Dad’s influence. Dad’s children are all serving God and teaching their childen to follow God. A Christian father impacts daily life. And he impacts eternity. 

 Will you celebrate and encourage Christian dads in their role as spiritual leader in their homes?  

I’ve put my Father’s Day article into a bookmark format, and attached it here for you. (This is a repeat post from last June, but I thought some of you may have missed this idea–a nice gift for Dads at church on Father’s Day.) It’s as simple as 1-2-3, and you’ll have a two-sided bookmark with some simple ideas for Christian dads.

1) Download the bookmark.  To download: click HERE and select save as.
If you are using a mac, hold option + click.(It’s also under ”free stuff” on this website.) NOTE:  To receive a Word document already formatted with three bookmarks on a page and borders, email me at Jesuslivesindiana@gmail.com and I’ll send it right away.

2) Add your church name, and personalize it with borders, colors, etc. 

3) Print bookmarks, using cardstock, and laminate. It’s 2-sided, so watch the lineup.

Recruit a team of children to pass out bookmarks to all male attenders at the entrance to worship on Father’s Day. For example, you could use the fifth grade Bible class.  

There’s no charge, of course, and I’d love to hear how you used it. Praying that God will use this bookmark to encourage some of the most important people in the world– Christian dads.

Front of bookmark:

     BACK OF BOOKMARK:

“Have I not commanded you?
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified;
do not be discouraged,
for the LORD your God
will be with you
wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Check out my article today at bpnews.org. It’s called “Hot Ideas for Summer Church Fun” and offers lots of summer activities with purpose!

Here’s a new Fresh Ideas article from today’s Baptist Press (and the upcoming Indiana Baptist) with ideas  to encourage your church youth camp.

INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–Kids are leaving for church camp. What does that have to do with you — a church member? Youth camp and kids’ camp offer an amazing focus for Christian growth, building Christian friendships, and knowing God’s will. Small encouragements from you can enhance that experience. Need fresh ideas?

– A church can order vinyl write-on wristbands, add a camper’s name, and ask members to wear a band all week, praying for God to work in that student’s life.

– As kids depart for camp, show up with individually wrapped Rice Krispie treats for the trip.

– Your choir, deacons or Bible class could ask the youth leader for a camp-enhancing idea, then collect money to purchase it (i.e. camp T-shirts, ping pong table, contest prize, sports equipment, money for ice cream or pizza en route to camp.)

– You or your group could write and mail prayer notes to each camper.

– Mail a giant container of fireball candies for campers to share. Jot a prayer note right on the container and add an address label.

– Invest personally as a volunteer camp counselor, sponsor, nurse or sports organizer.

– Donate a partial camp scholarship(s). Even better, do it as a class or anonymously. Some churches provide camp for minimal cost using budget or a special offering.

– Prioritize camp on your family’s summer calendar if you have a child.

– Fill a pretty bowl with fruit and snacks for a cabin. Provide replenishments for the week, and gift the bowl to the cabin counselor.

– A youth worker who can’t attend could pack individual goodie bags for their students, with a small gift, snacks, quarters and Scripture note. Or write daily personal encouragement notes for the cabin counselor to distribute.

– Help the camp leader with last-minute details the week before camp or with check-in and luggage duties on send-off day.

– Invite campers’ parents to Wednesday prayer meeting that week. Pray for their kids.

– Attend worship or help behind the scenes one night, if camp is nearby.

– Celebrate the results. Ask campers to tell you about their experiences. Enthusiastically attend any post-camp report, testimony service or baptismal celebration.

How will you help make your church camp a highlight of summer for kids this year?
–30–
Diana Davis is the author of “Fresh Ideas,” “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” and “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing) and the wife of the Indiana Baptist State Convention executive director. Learn more at www.keeponshining.com.

This will only make sense to you ladies who were at the First Baptist Daytona Beach luncheon last Saturday, where I talked about “The Secret Ingredient.” I’d promised to post my favorite chocoholic recipe–Chocolate Trifle Explosion–so here it is! The secret ingredient is the almond extract. 

A secret ingredient for Christian living is found in Philippians 2:3-4.

—-

Here’s the recipe:

CHOCOLATE TRIFLE EXPLOSION

Note: You’ve got to have a glass trifle dish for this one. See photo above. And don’t forget the secret ingredient*

INGREDIENTS:

1 Duncan Hines triple chocolate brownie mix. Prepare as directed.

1 Chocolate fudge instant pudding mix. Prepare as directed.

1 large Cool Whip. *Mix in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.

12 oz. pkg toffee bits or Heath bits of brickle (find it in baking section near the chocolate chips)

1 container fresh strawberries, sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare brownies and pudding. Crumble brownies.

Layer ingredients in this order, spreading each layer to tthe edges of the trifle dish.

- crumbled brownies

- chocolate pudding

- cool whip (almonded)

- brickle bits

 - strawberries

Repeat; ending with cool whip.

Garnish with grated chocolate and a strawberry

Here’s an idea you might use for a conference theme.  “Fresh Winds of Change”

West Virginia’s ABW state retreat for women’s ministry leaders used that theme for this weekend’s retreat, with this Scripture:

“Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”                        (Psalm 51:7b The Message)

The decor included huge colorful banners hung from the ceiling and behind the stage, with fans to create a gentle breeze.  They were using my book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, to show how to do women’s ministry with an “upward and outward” focus, called LIGHT, so the table decor was all sorts of lanterns and lights. 

Each retreat attendee received a soft, colorful scarf as a gift, and their reteat closing sent all 250 women outside, with the scarfs blowing in the breeze. What a lovely visual–rolling West Virginia hills, blossoming trees and flowers all around, and scarves billowing.

It was such a fun weekend, and a great honor  for me to get to share with all those ladies.  Praying for “fresh winds of change” as they go back to their ministries across that state.