A friend of mine, Kim Hardy, just wrote a witnessing tract, so that was on my mind when I saw this photo. This is an Indiana pastor’s wife, Tami Hubler, skydiving! Take a close look at what’s written on her hands.
“Jesus saves.”
Now, wouldn’t that make a great photo on a witnessing tract???
How would you tie that in?
Actually, I just wanted you to see that photo!
You can also read this article on Baptist Press.
Pupils, Pencils and Prayers
Diana Davis Posted
INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–A new school year begins soon. What an opportune time for a church to encourage students and teachers. Need fresh ideas?
– Pray for students and teachers. An adult Bible class can adopt a youth class to pray for them by name. During worship, a pastor could invite students to kneel at the altar as he or the youth minister prays for them. Or he could invite teachers and school staff (elementary, secondary, college, home school) to stand, then pray and challenge the entire church to pray for them faithfully. After taking children to school the first day, moms can gather for coffee, fellowship and prayer for the kids and teachers.
– Make it easy for kids to invite friends to church. Print a bookmark-size schedule of weekly and special fall events for kids at your church. Order book covers, notebooks, T-shirts or pencils with Scripture, the youth motto, the church website and the church name. Our church teens redecorate their Sunday School classrooms annually, painting murals and Scripture art. Plan a back-to-school party or Christian concert. After school the first day, serve homemade pizza at the church. Work hard to provide relevant, top-quality Bible classes and activities for students.
– Adopt a school. Your church or adult Bible class could help a nearby school. Visit the principal to offer assistance, such as mentoring, office help, reading, crossing guards, scholarship application aid or providing shoes, haircut or school supplies for a child in need. Send encouraging prayer notes to the principal. Deliver a huge basket of snacks for the teacher’s break room with a note from your church. An Indiana church painted the playground and developed a great relationship with the school. Be flexible, and joyfully show God’s love as you respond to requests.
– Prepare for guests. In Sunday’s bulletin, print names of children’s and youth Bible teachers, choir leaders, missions teachers, and so on. Church members can pray for them, and guests will see your commitment to disciple kids. Since families often relocate during summer, purchase a newcomer list for your town, and mail or deliver church invitations before school begins. You could advertise in the local paper to invite all teachers and school faculty in town to worship on Sunday before school begins. Recognize them, pray for them, and give a gift (coffee cup, pen) with a Scripture and promise of prayer.
As our children, youth and teachers return to school as ambassadors for Christ, will you assure them of your church’s love and prayers?
–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.
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.
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.
– Assign timely ambassadors. Friendly church members can assist with expected guests, such as weddings or community meetings. They can set a positive atmosphere, help with directions or needs, and show God’s love. Serve lunch to construction workers. If the town festival is outside the church doors, serve cold lemonade and welcome people to use restroom facilities.
The church’s purpose is to share God with the lost world. Seize the opportunity to impact those who come into your building. If a toilet overflows in your church next Monday, will the plumber receive more than just a check for his services?
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:5).
–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.
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.
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.
Our Indiana pastors and wives retreat this weekend was such fun! Our churches are blessed with wonderful, Godly leaders.
Looking for a good mixer for a large church event? Here’s one we used at the retreat. You can see that the questions are designed for pastors and pastor wives in Indiana, but you can tweak the questions to fit your group.
Hang giant numbers 1 – 9 (made of posterboard) all around the room, high on the walls. Spread them out to cover the entire room. You’ll call out a question, show the answer choices on powerpoint (or posters), and ask everyone to go to the number that corresponds with their answer, and chat with others in that area. Explain that when the buzzer sounds, everyone stops and moves to the next question.
We gave a new question every 3 or 4 minutes to keep the game moving. People would move to their answer and immediately begin chatting with others there. We played music a little loudly to make conversaton less intimidating. The purpose, of course, is to allow the group members to quickly discover some things they have in common, stimulating friendships and later conversation. These are the questions we used:
FRIDAY NIGHT SCRAMBLE
[Questions & answer choices on powerpoint; host blows whistle to announce next question.]
COLOR OF YOUR SHIRT
(this one’s for practice…when you get there, tell someone your favorite joke?)
1) Blue
2) Red
3) Green
4) White
5) Pink
6) Black
7) Brown
8) Yellow
9) Other
MY CHURCH LOCATION (chat about what your town’s known for)
1) North Indiana
2) South Indiana
3) East Indiana
4) West Indiana
5) Central Indiana
LIFE STAGE: (if you have children, share your favorite “pastor kid” story)
1) Married with no kids
2) Married with preschool kids
3) Married with school age kids
4) Married with teenager
5) Married with college age kids
6) Married with adult kids
BIRTH STATE (where did you grow up?)
Put up a map of the US with colors and have them to the right area by number
ARE YOU… (more than half IN pastors bi-vocational! Q: tell your worst wedding accident)
1) Full Time Pastor/wife
2) Bi-vocational pastor/wife
A SPORT I LIKE: (FAVORITE PLACE/USED FOR MINISTRY HOW?)
CHURCH SIZE: [your church’s high attendance this year](Q: what’s the best thing going on at your church lately)
1) 2-50
2) 50-100
3) 100-200
4) 200-350
5) 350-500
6) 500+
BIRTH MONTH (a quick one. See if you can find someone who shares your birthdate.)
1) January - February
2) March
3) April
4) May-June
5) July
6) August
7) September - October
8) November
9) December
OUR CHURCH WORSHIP MUSIC STYLE: (talk about how your music helps reach people)
1) Contemporary
2) Traditional
3) Blended
I ENJOY… (FAST)
CHURCH SETTING: (after you get to your group, tell someone about your most embarrassing moment as a pastor/pastor’s wife.)
IF YOU WERE LEAVING TODAY TO BE A MISSIONARY, WHICH COUNTRY WOULD YOU CHOOSE? (Here’s a fun question for you.)
1) Chili
2) Ireland
3) China
4) India
5) Brazil
6) Mongolia
7) Iran
8) Australia
9) Zimbabwe
AGE GROUP I’M DRAWN TO FOR MINISTRY: (if you could only do ministry with one age, which would you choose?)
1) Senior Adults
2) Adults
3) Young adults
4) Singles
5) Youth
6) Children
7) Pre-School
WHICH COLOR WOULD YOU RATHER DYE YOUR HAIR? (Here’s your chance to tell about your funniest ministry story (baptism, evangelism bloop). Divide this way, then share.)
1) Blue
2) Green
3) Pink
4) Purple
5) Yellow
6) Orange
AGE: (couple/use younger age) (name your favorite restaurant)
1) 20s
2) 30
3) 40s
4) 50s
5) 60+
MINISTRY DRAW: (Besides preaching, what’s an area of ministry that you really enjoy?)
1) Music
2) Media/Arts/Drama
3) Administration
4) Prayer
5) Benevolence
6) Teaching
FAVORITE SEASON: (what’s the most unique ministry your church does in this season?)
1) Summer
2) Fall
3) Winter
4) Spring
FAVORITE STYLE OF MUSIC (Just for fun, which of these styles of music do you like best?)
1) Jazz
2) Rap
3) Bluegrass
4) Rock
5) Classical
6) Techno
7) Country
