Finding Your People—How Friendship Contributes to Sanctification

By on October 9, 2020   /   Biblical Encouragement, Communication and Relationships   /   Leave a comment

One afternoon, I was coaching a small group as we did a team-building ropes course, and everyone (including me!) was frustrated. “Keep going, everyone. I am sure you are almost there!” I cheered half-heartedly. I was sure there was a point to our current challenge and believed onestaff member when he said it was possible to solve, but my patience had worn out along with my bug spray, and my cheering was waning in the afternoon sun.  The goal was to have two people, connected by their hands, balancing on two separate thin wires about a foot off the ground. […]

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8 Tips on Writing Newsletters that Rock

By on August 4, 2020   /   Basics, Communication and Relationships, Helpful Tips   /   Leave a comment

Layout & Language  I’ve observed that most missionaries struggle with one of two things when writing their prayer and update newsletters. Either they struggle to design a newsletter layout that is both attractive to the eye and easy to read, or they struggle to use language that speaks to the heart and inspires the reader. Here are 4 quick tips on the layout of your newsletter and 4 quick tips on the language in your newsletter.  4 Tips on Layout  Use your organization’s logo and branding You don’t want to know how many missionary newsletters I receive where it’s unclear […]

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The Anatomy of Core Messages

By on April 30, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   Leave a comment

Core Messaging is just what it sounds like: the core, the foundation, of everything you want to and have to say.  If you get these right, your communications become easier throughout the year, and you have a better chance of following the old “they need to hear it 7+ times to pay attention” rule.  Without core messages, your funding plan falls flat because your donors will lack the clarity of message. And without that funding plan, your core messages would never see the light of day.  It’s a hand-in-hand thing. Let’s build some strong messages out of all your hard […]

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Sabbath and Home Ministry Assignments

By on April 21, 2020   /   Biblical Encouragement, Communication and Relationships, Expat Solutions, Strategy and Planning, Thriving for a Lifetime   /   Leave a comment

“Relationships, Resources and Rhythms”. I’ve taught this so very often: 3 R’s that help categorize and quantify losses that accompany every significant transition. They are areas that must be noticed, grieved and rebuilt in seasons of change.  Relationships—Christianity is a “team sport,” so a good measure of thriving has its roots in knowing who “your people” are. This is by design. Part of God’s image is “us-ness” (Trinity) and it has been imprinted onto our souls. Most of the “you” imperatives in scripture are plural. Transition disrupts and disconnects us from those who have been our people. Resources—The first year […]

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How to Handle an Abrupt Transition

By on April 9, 2020   /   Biblical Encouragement, Communication and Relationships, COVID-19, Family and Finances   /   Leave a comment

I wrote Looming Transitions with known transitions in mind. But what the world has been experiencing recently is the exact opposite of a looming transition. Instead, it is akin to an abrupt transition and compounded by information changing on the daily, as well as layers of loss. Probably most on the planet have had this experience: This is not where you want to be. This is not where you thought you’d be. This was not your plan. I get it. I have made three major transitions during my adulthood and only one of them—moving to China—was a desired transition that I initiated. Even when a change is […]

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Setting Your Focus

By on April 2, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, COVID-19, Culture, Fear and Perspective, Leadership   /   Leave a comment

What to do about what you can’t control for you and your team My wife homeschooled our children for a few years. She did a great job motivating our kids. She set an end of the year reward for the kids to go to an amusement park if they hit their weekly and semester goals. The kids hit their goals and the day trip was planned. One of my children had their heart set on riding one particular ride for months.  The day came and the excitement grew as we stood in line to buy tickets. The gates opened and […]

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Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 1

By on March 19, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, COVID-19, Fear and Perspective   /   Leave a comment

(This is Part 1 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) No battle plan survives first contact.  It is a strategic fact that the best made plans won’t last after meeting reality, one must adapt to the circumstances presented. This is true in partnership development too. The internet goes out, it’s suddenly Christmas and no one is available, you have a family emergency, or maybe there is a global pandemic.  So then, what must we do? Before unpacking some really practical suggestions about communication and adaptation—let’s start […]

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Should I Even Be Raising Support Right Now?

By on March 19, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, COVID-19, Fear and Perspective   /   Leave a comment

Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 2 (This is part 2 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) While on a stateside trip for some leadership meetings I was asked to stop by a friend’s ministry in Oklahoma City to speak at the Rescue Mission downtown on my way back to Germany. I shared a short devotional and a few minutes on my current ministry. Then something happened that humbled and amazed me. It was a holy moment. The Executive Director asked the […]

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How Do I Raise Support Right Now?

By on March 19, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, COVID-19, Fear and Perspective   /   Leave a comment

Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 3 (pulled from Steve Shadrach’s article, “Successful Support Raising in a Suffering Economy”. This is part 3 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) First, remember again that God is in control. Keep the ministry vision centralScott Morton with the Navigators says, “We must remember we are inviting supporters to advance the Kingdom, not merely to meet our personal needs.” YWAM’s John Ray adds: “Let’s help our supporters process what is really valuable and how their investments […]

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Communication

By on March 19, 2020   /   Communication and Relationships, COVID-19   /   Leave a comment

Survival Guide to Raising Support During the Coronavirus – Part 4 (This is part 4 in our series as we look at heart postures and strategies for connecting with ministry partners during the coronavirus pandemic.) You should always be communicating with your ministry partners. Especially when ministry might be in flux as travel becomes restricted and events are cancelled, your partners might be wondering what you are doing? Be vision focused in what you communicate, that means communicating what you ARE doing and not just listing what you are not doing. As you keep your supporters updated on your ministry, […]

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