Area Coordinator's (AC's) Corner

Nichole Bethel, Zone 22 AC
CONVENTION UPDATE
We just signed the papers and we thank you for your prayers as we worked on moving, well, a whole lotta details in just a few days.
Drum roll #1: The Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area) was able to welcome us (in the midst of many conventions needing to move).
Drum roll #2: We're able to keep the registration fees the same, so some of you might decide to come early or stay late, and enjoy the Orlando amenities with your friends (or family).
And thanks for all the great ideas of cities! You helped our future dreaming. 'Twould be fun!
And again, it will be great because of Who we'll be with: "Where(ver) two or three (thousand) are gathered in my name, there am I with them." (Mt. 18:20, our year's theme verse with my additions).
Naomi Cramer Overton
Convention Details:
The MOPS International Convention will be at the Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee, FL (Orlando area). Dates will be the same, August 5-7, 2010. Speakers and artists will be the same great lineup — Julie Barnhill, Margaret Feinberg, Donald Miller, Naomi Cramer Overton, Shelly Radic, Go Fish, Mandisa, The Katinas and Richie McDonald.
Convention registration will re-open on Monday, May 17.
The early bird registration deadline will be extended to June 7.
We are working with the Gaylord Opryland for an official letter we can provide to anyone who has already purchased airline tickets to use with airlines to avoid rebooking fees. This letter should assist you in rebooking airline tickets — it will be posted online at www.MOPS.org/convention.
We continue to pray for families and businesses affected by the flooding and we have sent MOPS materials to local MOPS leaders who are distributing supplies in the Nashville area.
MOPS International Convention 2010
August 5-7, 2010
Gaylord Palms, Orlando FL
Check back often for more information!
Your MOPS International Convention Checklist:
Register for Convention (re-opens May 17)
Reserve a room at the hotel (register first!)
Schedule shuttle transportation
MOPS Convention ~ August 5-7, 2010
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
We'd love to have your feedback on Summit
Click'>http://www.zapsurvey.com/Survey.aspx?id=a4d705ed-5312-4179-afd8-4aac0e312272">Click here to take our Summit Survey.
Thanks,
Sunday, March 25, 2007
What an Awesome Summit

I hope you all enjoyed Summit as much as I did. I was great seeing all the wonderful MOPS leaders that came. We learned so much about our positional callings, how to connect with moms through our communciation skills, and how to effectively communicate the Gospel. In the coming days I'll post the notes from these workshops so you can refer to them when you need them.
Some of your Zone 22 Field Leader Team

Notice the very nicely arranged Field Leader interest table behind our Zone Event Coordinator, Kay Kissinger and Council Coordinator, Nichole Bethel. If you are interested in joining our awesome team contact Barb at joyousheart@enter.net
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Congratulations to Christy Molnar
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Following the Father's Commands
How do you know what you should be doing? There are so many opportunities for ministry and service. The following article from Prime Time With God was really helpful in pointing me in the right direction....
Following Only the Father's Commands
TGIF Today God Is First, by Os Hillman
Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." - John 5:19Have you ever thought about a typical day in Jesus' life? Perhaps He might have had questions like these, "Who am I going to heal today? Who will I visit today? Which person will I deliver from demons this day?" etc. The demands on Jesus' time were great. Yet we see that Jesus allocated His time very deliberately. We don't get the idea that Jesus was flustered or stressed from the activity He was involved in. He often sought times of prayer and reflection away from the disciples. His life appeared to have a balance of quiet moments and active ministry into the lives He came in contact with.
How do we determine what we will be involved in each day of our lives? What keeps us in sync with the will of our heavenly Father for the daily tasks He calls us to? Jesus tells us that He was only involved in those things the Father was involved in. Nothing more, nothing less. So often we determine our participation in an activity based on whether we have the time to do it or whether we desire to participate. The real question we should ask is, "Does the Father want me to participate in this activity?"
To read the rest of the article go to.....http://www.churchgrowthmail.org/web/pageid/30781/pages.asp
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Discussion Group Leader Training
Here is an excellent plan for training your Discussion Group Leaders.
MOPS Discussion Group Leader Training
I. The Shepherd’s Role (4 pages)
II. Article – Discussion Groups: Where Nurturing Happens
III. Troubleshooting in Small Groups
IV. Discussion Group Leader’s Checklist
V. Prayer (3 pages)
VI. Prayer Request Journal
VII. 11 Ways to Demolish Community
VIII. Active Listening (2 pages)
The Shepherd’s Role
Ezekiel 34:1-16a
Background: Many rulers, kings, and high officials throughout the ancient Near East were known as “shepherds.” In Israel, this designation was also given to prophets and priests. Ezekiel34 provides a picture of God’s judgement on Israel’s shepherds for not fulfilling their duty and role. By studying this passage we can determine what are the expectations that God has for his shepherds over his people.
1. In five words or less…what is the primary role of a shepherd?
____________ ____________ ____________ ____________ ____________
2. The role of a shepherd can be broken down into different tasks. From the passage, list the different tasks that are expected from a shepherd toward the sheep on the left side of the chart.
Shepherd
MOPS Leader
3. How would each of the roles you just listed compare to the roles expected from a MOPS leader in your position today? Fill in the right side of the chart.
Personal Response & Application
1. Share an example when someone played a shepherding role in your life.
2. What role(s) of a shepherd do you feel most comfortable with? What role(s) are (will be) most challenging for you as you shepherd your discussion group, team or class?
3. Name some things you will do during a given week as you shepherd your group.
Passages for further study & discussion:Psalm 23
John 10:11-16John 21:15-181 Peter 5:1-4
Acts 20:25-31
Ezekiel 34:1-16a (NIV)
Shepherds and Sheep
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? 3 You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock. 4 You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally. 5 So they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals. 6 My sheep wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered over the whole earth, and no one searched or looked for them. 7 " 'Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 8 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD , because my flock lacks a shepherd and so has been plundered and has become food for all the wild animals, and because my shepherds did not search for my flock but cared for themselves rather than for my flock, 9 therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD : 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them. 11 " 'For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD . 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak…
Discussion Groups:
Where Nurturing Happens
By Vickie Musni, Nevada CC
MOPS International exists to nurture every mother of preschoolers by meeting her distinct needs to the glory of Jesus Christ. As leaders in MOPS, we have heard this dozens if not hundreds of times. But how does it happen? How can every mother be nurtured? How will her distinct needs be met? How is each MOPS group bringing glory to Jesus Christ?
I think the answer to each of these questions lies in the discussion group leaders having a clear understanding of their role as shepherds. Each woman who attends MOPS needs to be known by her leader if she is going to be nurtured and have her distinct needs met. Her leader also needs to know her to find out where she is on her spiritual journey. The handbook states that one of the purposes of the discussion groups is to “provide a nurturing atmosphere where a woman is gently challenged to examine her relationship with Christ and encouraged to make a commitment to him – the ultimate goal of the MOPS ministry.”
There are many places in the Bible that use the analogy of sheep and shepherds. My favorite is Ezekiel 34:1-16a. Many rulers, kings, and high officials throughout the ancient Near East were known as “shepherds.” In Israel, this designation was also given to prophets and priests. Ezekiel 34 provides a picture of God’s judgement on Israel’s shepherds for not fulfilling their duty and role. By studying this passage we can determine what are the expectations that God has for his shepherds over his people.
The expectations of the shepherds given in this passage include strengthening the weak, healing the sick, binding up the injured, bringing back the strays, searching for the lost, tending them in a good pasture, looking after them, having them lie down in good grazing land. What would those things look like today, in a MOPS ministry? It may befriending, supporting and praying for a woman going through a difficult time. It might mean making a meal or arranging childcare or housecleaning for a family who experiencing the birth of a new baby or an illness or other challenging circumstance. “Having them lie down in good grazing land” could translate “having a girls’ night out with lots of chocolate cake!” It means helping your discussion group move beyond casual conversation and surface-level questions to a deeper place – a place where each woman is known, accepted, loved. Discussion groups are about building relationships with one another, and leading moms into a relationship with Jesus Christ.
For Personal Reflection & Application
4. Think of an example when someone played a shepherding role in your life.
5. What role(s) of a shepherd do you feel most comfortable with? What role(s) is most challenging for you as you shepherd your discussion group?
6. List some things you will do during a given week as you shepherd your group.
Passages for further study:Psalm 23
John 10:11-16John 21:15-181 Peter 5:1-4
Acts 20:25-31
TROUBLESHOOTING IN SMALL GROUPS
Problems show up in even the best groups. Here are some of the most common group problems, with some symptoms and suggested solutions.
SYMPTOM
POSSIBLE PROBLEMS
APPROACHES
Quiet members
questions are too hard or too easy; lack of trust; leader and others not handling silence well and jumping in too quickly
Have a quiet member do something easy like simply read out loud; remind members: “Verbal people need to hold back at times; quiet members need to push themselves to speak up.” Direct some questions specifically to the quiet person; allow time for people to think
Overly talkative member
outgoing; doesn’t like silence; sees things quickly
Talk to privately. Mention that we need silence after some questions to think and reflect. Ask for help in drawing others out. Suggest she ask, “What do some of the rest of you think?”
Always-right member
knows right way for everything; knows only one interpretation of situation or Bible verse
Avoid arguing right and wrong. Put focus back on the topic at hand and collect more data and summarize. Clarify facts. Help group look for alternatives and see “right” person’s frame of reference, e.g. “In what circumstances might Sue’s interpretation hold true?”
Disagreeing member
“But” is favorite word; “That’s true, but…” May hold group back from action or conclusions, causing group to stagnate.
Give feedback to disagreeing member; “What exactly causes your hesitation?” Confront group with choice of holding back (no risk) or going ahead (with risk but also growth): "How can we get around this objection?”
Superficial sharing
Leader not setting example; community building no challenging growth as a group
Plan community exercises carefully for stage of group’s development. Ask for specifics in sharing. Be open and specific in your own sharing. Meet one-on-one outside group for sharing and prayer.
Members with ongoing problems
Problems dominate group life. Member monopolizes group with personal crises
Talk individually to the person, suggesting resources for help (e.g. counseling). Help group see its purpose, identity (MOPS groups are not therapy groups). Continue in prayer and loving support.
Adapted from Good Things Come in Small Groups, by Ron Nicholas
Discussion Group Leader’s Checklist
IX. When a Discussion Group is over, each Discussion Group
Leader should take a few minutes to ask herself these questions.
1. Did everyone present take part in the discussion?
2. Was it a lecture, conversation, or discussion?
3. Did anyone become the group teacher?
4. Did the discussion expand on the material discussed in the talk?
5. Did you guide the discussion with questions?
6. Did you keep to the subject? (Brief digressions are okay if the group expressed interest in one individual’s vital concerns. This requires sensitivity and balance.)
7. Did you finish on time?
8. Was anyone interrupted at any time in the discussion?
9. Did anyone seem to open up? Close up?
10. Did anyone seem to express a change of opinion as a result of the talk or the discussion?
11. Did anyone leave with an air of dissatisfaction?
12. What can I be praying for before the next meeting?
If you are not satisfied with answers to any of these questions, consult with your Discussion Group Team Leader for her guidance.
Compiled by Kristy Hagan, Council Coordinator for Missouri
Praying for Yourself
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2 Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.
2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant – not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
In Luke 11:1 the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. We, too, can ask that same question.
A shepherd (small group leader) should pray for herself!
What should you ask God for?________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
When we realize that our adequacy and our competence no longer come from us but from God, and we draw on His resources daily, He keeps us from losing heart.
More than we need to be taught how to pray, we just need to be taught to pray! Prayer is a continual declaration of dependence upon God.
It is the Lord’s desire that we operate in the power of the Spirit, not in the flesh. Having an active and honest prayer life makes us wise in the ways of our flesh (self-effort) and enables us to serve in submission to the Holy Spirit.
KEY QUESTION: How can you tell if you are operating in the flesh or in the Spirit?Praying for the People in Your Group
Based on your own experiences, list some reasons why you pray for others.
¨ _________________________________________________________
¨ _________________________________________________________
¨ _________________________________________________________
¨ _________________________________________________________
Sovereignty
Why do we pray? Because God has commanded us to pray! He will fulfill all of His will, but God has chosen to use the prayers of His people as the means by which He works. He is not limited by our prayers or by our lack of praying. God could never be limited by man in any way. God is only limited by Himself, He cannot do what does not fulfill His purposes or bring Him glory. But in our prayers, God calls us to participate with Him in the fulfillment of His will. We pray for the same reason that we preach. We know that God will bring to Himself all those whom He has elected to salvation, but He has chosen to use preaching as the means of drawing His chosen ones to Himself (Romans 10:14). In the same way, God has chosen prayer as the means by which He works out His will.
Prayer involves us in spiritual battle for the people in our groups. We need to be praying for their spiritual protection, that the enemy will not snatch the truths they are learning.
Prayer will help deepen your relationship with group members. The Lord will honor your prayer by sharing knowledge of the others with you, giving you discernment you would not have otherwise. This is true even if you do not have a natural affinity for a particular group member. The Lord will change our hearts through prayer.
We need to remember that even though many in MOPS are Christians and/or come from Christian homes, you may be the only one praying for them in a consistent manner. This makes the responsibility and privilege of prayer even more important.
As you pray for each person, how do you keep your prayers fresh and prevent them from becoming routine and repetitious?
1. Pray a picture.
For example: a hedge of protection
that they would be attracted to walk in the light
that they would blossom like flowers into new truth
2. Think about the topic discussed at the last MOPS meeting. Find an application and pray that for your sheep.
3. Picture each person. Recall how she looked and acted at the last meeting. Review notes from any phone conversations.
4. Be quiet before the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit how you should pray. Don't fall into the trap that it is your responsibility to figure out how to pray.
5. Praying at a particular time of day and in a special place can help.
Music can enable your mind to settle. Kneeling often helps one to concentrate.
6. Find something from your quiet time to pray for the people in your group.
7. Remember to Whom you are praying. Read Isaiah 6:1-6 or Revelation 4.
The power of prayer comes from who is listening, not who is praying.
We must persevere in prayer and not be discouraged. The enemy will try anything and everything to keep us from praying. We must remember that a prayerless shepherd is a faithless shepherd. Your most important and powerful ministry on behalf of your sheep is prayer.
Another Caution
Be careful not to be so focused on interceding for your flock that you forsake praying for yourself, your family and friends. Also remember not to forsake your personal quiet time.
An additional note - As we all know God works from the "inside out" as He matures us in Christ-likeness. As we co-partner with Him we also should pray for the inside things (spiritual concerns, things unseen, etc.).
Prayer Request Journal
Date
Person
Request
Personal Response
11 Ways To Demolish Community
(A.K.A. 11 Things NOT to do in a Small Group)
1. Take sides
2. Lecture
3. Ignore
4. Give (unsolicited) advice
5. Focus on your own story
6. Interrupt
7. Not listen
8. Find fault
9. Fix it
10. Brush over it
11. Guilt by Scripture/Dogma
Active Listening Skills
What you say
- invite comments from the group
This may be especially important for more shy members. It may take them longer to process the ideas being discussed. Watch for cues that they’re ready to participate, but don’t put them on the spot. If someone is dominating the conversation, direct questions elsewhere.
- empathize with people’s emotions
Use “feeling” words to paraphrase key things and share a feeling a member might have. Most feeling words will stem from “mad, sad, glad, scared” and might include confused, overwhelmed, angry, elated, etc. "You seem overwhelmed.” “Did you feel confused when that happened?”
-use “I” statements
“I” statements = “I feel (emotion) when you do (action) in (situation).”
- explore their statements, seeking more information
- clarify what has been said
What you hear
-Verbal: the content of what is said. Sometimes we are so interested in what we are about to say that we fail to hear the simple facts in a discussion. As you listen, focus on people’s names, events, dates, and other specific information that is being shared.
-Nonverbal: how the content is expressed. Here you are listening for congruity; that is, do the nonverbal messages match the verbal messages? Listen for this in three areas: facial expressions, tone of voice, body movements and posture.
Remember - as a group discussion leader, you also give verbal and nonverbal messages to your group!
Skills
Passive Listening Active Listening
Attitude Rejecting, critical Receptive, accepting
“I’m really not interested.” “I really want to hear.”
Focus Me--what I want to say Other person--you think about what others are saying
“What do I think?” “What does she mean?”
Response This is what I’ve been Telling first what you have
thinking hear the other person say
“I think you should. . .” “You think. . .”
“You feel. . .”
Message What you said isn’t You heard both the feeling and
important the need in the message
“I didn’t really hear “I heard what you said.”
what you said.”
Results Frustration, anger Satisfaction, willing to compromise or tell more.
“I don’t care.” “I care about what you said.”
When something hurts you or someone else in the group, say “Ouch!” Give the members of your discussion group permission to do so too!
Compiled by Kristy Hagan, Council Coordinator for Missouri
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Getting Donations and Sponsors for Your MOPS group
I got this great information from a CC in Atlanta. If you are not pursuing donations and sponsors for your group is can greatly help your budget. If you are getting some donations here are a few great ideas to help you get more. Get a donations committee going under your Finance Team Leader and reap the benefits for your moms.
Get Donations & Sponsors
(For all MOPS Groups & Leaders)
1. Donation/Sponsorship Letter
Living Hope Church
3450 Stilesboro Road Kennesaw, GA 30152
770-425-6726 www.livinghopevision.com
Dear Manager :
I am writing to you on behalf of the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at the
Living Hope Church. MOPS is a non-prof i t organization designed to encourage
mothers with children under school age through relationships and resources. These
women come from different backgrounds and lifestyles, yet have similar needs and a
desire to be the best mothers they can be! As well, I feel our group is unique to the
area because we will be meeting in the evenings twice a month, which will reach out
to all moms (stay-at-home, working, single, and even teen moms).
A MOPS group provides a caring, accepting atmosphere for today’s mother of
preschoolers. Here she has an opportunity to share concerns, explore areas of
creativity, and hear instruction that equips her for the responsibilities of family and
community while her children are being cared for in a pre-school like sett ing.
On behalf of the MOPS group, we are requesting:
Sponsorship for dinner for our meetings.
Gift certificate for a “Date Night Out ” Dinner . . . many of our Moms do not have it in their budget to go out, especially when babysitting costs as much as dinner, so itis our goal to give each mom a free dinner out.
Gift certificates or store items which our MOPS Moms can use around theirhomes, for/with their families or to relax and enjoy for themselves.
We have a small budget and a big mission of providing mothers of preschoolers the
opportunity to grow and gain confidence in their abilities. Any assistance would be
greatly appreciated.
As a “Thank You” for your donations & sponsorship your business will receive a year
(or more) publicity on our Partners/Sponsors section of our website. We encourage
all of our moms to help support these businesses because you are a vital part in us
supporting our moms.
Sincerely,
Bobbie Jo Ryan
Finace Steering Team Leader
Living Hope MOPS
770 332-4242
mops_coordinator@bellsouth.net
Kim Ruch
Donations/Sponsorship
(770) 332-4242
ruchk@bellsouth.net
2. Brainstorming Form for Donations/Sponsors
Prepare a donations/sponsorship letter.
Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group.
Think outside the box.
Know who can fill those needs.
Don’t give up when you hear “No”… it doesn’t always mean Never!
Know the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group…
List the needs of your group below.
Needs of MOPS Moms:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Needs of MOPS Families:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Needs of MOPS Group:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Needs of MOPPETS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other needs you can think of.
Think outside the box!
Here are some examples of the items my group received as donations.
Things for MOPS Moms & Families:
Gutter Cleaning
Carpet Cleaning (for whole house)
Car Wash Gift Cards
Oil Changes
Grocery Store Vouchers
Gift Baskets for businesses
Christian CDs, DVDs, & Books (for Moms & Kids!)
Tickets for Family Outings: Zoo & Museum Tickets
Gift Cards for Mom: Pottery, Massage, Tanning, Haircut, Manicure/Pedicure
Date Nights: gift cards
Things for MOPS Group:
Office Supplies: Paper, Ink, Pens, Binders, Dividers, etc.
Hospitality Supplies: Table Cloth, Plates, Plasticware, Cups, Decorations, Food, etc
Creative Activities Supplies: Craft Items or Ready-to-Complete Crafts, Prizes for Games
MOPPETS: Resurrection Eggs, Christian DVDs, Food for MOPPETS Program
Know who can fill the needs of your MOPS Moms & Group:
The first place I start is by going to www.local.yahoo.com this will help me search out businesses that are nearest me (or my group). You can also narrow your search by clicking on specific choices on the left side.
You have to think outside the box with this too… example:
If you want someone to donate t-shirts to your MOPS group.
You can ask someone who does screen printing or embroidering and ask if they can supply the shirts as well.
If they are not able to supply the shirts… go the next step, ask if they have any vendors you may contact to see about a donation… if they don’t search out places that supply t-shirts (Michael’s Craft Store has a variety as well as Wal-Mart). Another idea is to have those who want t-shirts to supply their own, that way you know everyone will be happy with the fit.
Tips:
It’s okay to contact businesses that are not local.
You should always have a “sales pitch” ready for the potential Sponsor.
Mine is that we will publicize for one year on our website that they have sponsored our group, that we will let our MOPS Moms know so we can promote their business and that we will use word of mouth advertising when the opportunity presents itself!
Think positive and don’t give up when you hear “No”.
Sometimes “No” really means “Not Right Now”, so be sure to ask if there is a better time you could contact them. If they give you a time, make sure to follow up!
As a MOPS group… you have the added benefit of letting the businesses know that you have Moms who are new to the area joining your group, they like having contacts who are reaching out to their “new neighbors”.
If the company doesn’t have a way to do a gift card/certificate offer to make one for them so they have not hassle! But be sure to get all the contact info and the name of the person who approved it.
Be sure the offer doesn’t expire before the MOPS Moms have time to get and use it!
When I get someone as a food sponsor I always ask if they could also donate a gift card for a MOPS Mom to have a Date Night Out (and I explain a little of the financial woes of having small children.)
If the company says NO to everything… ask if they wouldn’t mind donating a coupon (free kids meal with any adults meal, 15% off any service, buy one get one free)… some companies just want to be sure they are getting customers out of it!
It’s very, very important to have something to give them in return… the website advertising is what I have found works the best… it is something they can view themselves, check our MOPS website out (click on Sponsors & Partners)
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Tea and Testimony
Tea & Testimony
Compiled by
Ann Goade, North Texas CC
Why should we do this?
† MOPS International suggests sharing the gospel twice a year, usually around Christmas and Easter (MOPS Handbook, page 69).
† In today’s society, stories are an effective way to share a personal message. Testimony is a person’s story with the added elements of how they accepted Jesus and informs the listener of how they can do the same (MOPS Handbook, pages 66-68).
† One of the goals of a local MOPS group is to bring each mom one step closer to Jesus. For some moms, that one step may be making the decision to ask Jesus into her life. If she isn’t given the opportunity or shown how this can be done, she may not move a step closer.
† As MOPS leaders, it’s always nice to be reminded that what we do and the sacrifices we make really do make a difference in the lives of moms. Sharing stories of how lives have been changed through Jesus and seeing moms come to Jesus because of those stories is a reminder of the importance of our work.
Do we have to serve tea?
† The reference to “Tea and Testimony” simply means a time to share personal stories of individuals’ relationships with Jesus and presenting the way a mom can have that same relationship. Although many groups do serve tea, it can take on many alternative themes. In fact, using the word “testimony” is discouraged, as it is one of those “Christianese” words that may not be understood by a non-believer.
† Below are several ways to incorporate the sharing of stories in meetings.
Tea & Treasures
Make the moms feel special and have them hear how Jesus values each of them. Two moms share from their lives.
Traditional tea party décor (i.e. china, teapot, fancy dress, etc.).
Treasures of the Heart
Focus on the relationship we treasure most, Jesus. Two moms share how they came into a relationship with Jesus and what that relationship has meant to them in their life.
Normal meeting décor. Treasure candies for favors with Matthew 6:21 attached.
The Amazing Race
Testimony based on “Who’s Your Partner?” and “What’s in Your Backpack?”
Travel décor including maps, backpacks, globes, Amazing Race signs (i.e. Fast Forward, Detour, Roadblock). Around the World Buffet for food.
Bloom Where You’re Planted
Focus on the growing relationship with Jesus
Mary Engelbreit décor.
Coffee Talk
Share testimony.
Less formal than traditional tea. Several flavors of coffee offered.
Sisters & Smoothies
Focus on friendship.
Fruit Smoothies
You’ve Got a Friend in Me
Testimony of two members who spoke of the unlikely friendship they developed through MOPS. They talked about how the friendship helped them through crisis and led them to a better friendship with Jesus.
Toy Story décor
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Focus on ways to share Jesus with your children and how to know when they are ready to make a commitment. Ended with that last way to share Jesus being by example and plan of salvation is presented.
We used normal meeting décor, but added lots of candlelight.
Extreme Makeover:MOPS Edition
To proclaim the life-changing power of Jesus through stories told by peers in an effort to help moms see their need for Jesus’ forgiveness, restoration, hope, & peace. God is the ultimate designer of Extreme Makeovers. Three testimonies expressing the need for a strong foundation, building up during stormy times, & the continual need to repair & renovate.
Favors were tape measures with a sticker attached reading, “Your worth is beyond measure.” Table decorations of toy dump trucks filled with candy. Centerpieces were metal paint cans with an arrangement of flowers & tools in them. Caution tape tied in bow around the chairs. Plastic spackle tools were serving utensils. Sawhorses, pink hard hats, orange cones, etc.
Breathe Deeply: Live Fully
Focus on “Live, Laugh, Love.”
Red Hat Society décor.
This sounds great, but where do I begin?
† Pray. Pray. Pray. Enlist others to begin praying about this day and during the event.
† Establish when the special event will take place. While the meeting can be anytime, an optimal time is usually in April. Easter offers a great opportunity to easily transition into spiritual matters. It is also far enough into the year for moms to have built relationships and trust with the Steering Team and Discussion Group Leaders. April meetings allow time for follow-up with the moms before the MOPS year is over.
† Choose a theme and focus for your day. Make decisions regarding food, decorations, etc.
† Create special invitations to send to each mom and have them RSVP to their Discussion Group Leader. This extra touch helps them know what a special day this will be.
† Choose two MOPS moms to share their testimony. It’s good to have two diverse stories to show how God wants a relationship with everyone, no matter where they are in life. Having more than two may take up more time than you have for a meeting. Give the moms information about “Preparing Their Testimony” (see attachment) and have them write it out. Plan a meeting for the moms to practice in front of the Steering Team.
† You may also want to have Discussion Group Leaders (DGLS) share their mini-testimony (5 minutes or so) to their group once the two main speakers are done. If so, have the DGLs attend the meeting mentioned above to practice their testimony as well.
† If you have regular meeting items to do such as icebreakers, doorprizes, creative activities, & announcements, do those at the beginning of the meeting so the reverent atmosphere will not be disturbed later.
† When introducing the topic, mention how MOPS focuses on all relationships. We seek to help moms improve relationships with their spouse, children, friends, and family. Today we would like to focus on a relationship that is important to many of us. We have two moms who will be sharing about their relationship with Jesus.
† After the testimonies are given, have the DGLs give their mini-testimonies to their group.
† Once the DGLs are finished, have someone share the plan of salvation. Those who may be a good choice for this might be a mentor mom, a steering team member, or the church pastor.
† Have everyone complete a response card and then seal it in an envelope. This way, everyone is writing something and a person making a decision wouldn’t be singled out or made to feel uncomfortable. While everyone is completing their card a nice touch is to have someone sing a song or play an instrument. One group had someone sing, “I Can Only Imagine” while a dance trio performed ballet. Have the DGLs collect all the cards and turn them in to the Coordinator, Discussion Group Team Leader, or Prayer & Care Leader.
† If you choose to have discussion time, the following questions may be helpful: 1) With which speaker did you most identify? Why? 2) What does the phrase, “a relationship with Jesus” suggest to you? 3) Compare your life to driving a car. As you drive down the road of life, where is Jesus?
What do we do after the meeting?
† The person who collected all the cards after the meeting should go through them as soon as possible. She should contact all those indicating they made a decision to ask Jesus into their life that day as well as those who indicated they still have questions or reservations. Offer encouragement. If your church or MOPS group has new believer resources available, put together a packet and deliver it to them. Go over all the things you included in the packet. Ask permission to pass this information to their DGL and mentor mom, so they can also follow-up and encourage them in the coming weeks.
† Disseminate all prayer requests to the Steering Team and Prayer Team.
† DGLs should follow-up with every mom no matter her response on the card. A personal call by the DGL gives each mom a chance to express her thoughts. Use open-ended questions, but do not pressure. Suggested questions include: 1) What did you think about what Jane shared yesterday? Do you have any questions about what you heard?
† Continue to pray for the moms. Just because a mom has not responded visibly or verbally, doesn’t mean God isn’t working in her heart.
† Let the Steering Team and church leaders no of the outcome of that meeting. For a steering team to know a mom came to know Jesus for the first time because of their efforts is encouraging. Sharing the information with church leaders helps establish MOPS as a worthwhile ministry of the church.
So what are you waiting for? Getting busy planning the next special day in your MOPS group!
Friday, March 02, 2007
More ideas for getting MOPS members more involved
Our group started the GROWTH program back in 2000. Our coordinator at the time was trying to come up with a way to get the moms involved and take some of the burden off of the Steering. She asked me to come up with a catchy name for the program. After some prayer, God gave me the acronym GROWTH (God Rewards Our Willingness To Help). The program is based on 1 Corinthians 9:17 "for if I do so willingly, I will receive a reward".
We have a GROWTH Team Leader on our Steering Team. She acts as a liason between the moms and the rest of the steering. She puts out sign-up sheets at each meeting for the moms. Each sign-up sheet is for a different area of need and has the specific dates of the job. For instance, there is a Steering Meeting Child Care sign-up sheet with all the dates of the Steering meetings listed so moms can sign up to give child care while the steering meets. The mom signs up for a particular job and when she has completed the job, she gets a job credit.
The GROWTH Team Leader keeps track of each mom's credits. At the end of the year, we put the mom's names in a "hat" one time for each credit she has earned. So if she has successully completed 5 jobs over the year, she gets her name in the "hat" 5 times. We pull one name out of the "hat" for a Grand Prize. We usually have businesses donate gift certificates and whatever is the biggest and best prize ends up being the Grand Prize. We then have smaller drawings for all the other donated prizes we received.
It is a win-win-win situation. 1. The Steering team gets help with their jobs. 2. The moms gain a sense of ownership and purpose. and 3. Propective leaders have opportunity to shine. Some opportunities we've offered the moms: Child care during Steering meeting MOPPETS help during MOPS meeting Set up MOPS room the day before our meeting Assist with Creative Activities Wrap Birthday/Baby/Speaker gifts The moms could also earn credit by helping with big projects such as the MOPPETS Appreciation Brunch, MOPS and POPS Dinner, Christmas Brunch, Steering Retreat, etc. Just be sure to keep track of each mom's credits. How we keep track of credits: The GROWTH Team Leader has a 3 by 5 card for each mom and she records the date and the job completed on each mom's card as she completes said job. The other Steering members let her know if they actually got the help they needed, or if there is another job they need help with.
GROWTH is an incredible program that will only enhance your group.
Hugs, Irene
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Ideas for new theme

MOPS Theme for 2007/2008

Mothers of Preschoolers
the HOME factor BEGIN HERE...GO THERE
In our homes of origin many of us learned the deepest lessons about relationship, developed life routines and acquired our tastes and preferences. And now, as moms, we long to create homes where our families can thrive and grow — and we can too.
Our homes must be safe places – physically and also emotionally safe. In them we bond, we eat and play and rest together, we decorate and provision our special home spaces. The theme the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE enriches our perspective and hones our abilities to create a cocoon of home.
But at its healthiest, our home experience should fill us and launch us into wider circles of investment and influence where we interact with our world. We return HOME to reconnect and refuel — but we’ll move from the HOME outwards to make a difference.
The heart of the HOME is also a picture of God’s desire to interact with us and deeply love us where we really live. He desires to make his home in our hearts. He expresses it this way in the theme verse: "...he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:17
Three key elements of this theme to explore throughout the year:
Our homes are where we bond, cocoon, build inwardly.
Our homes are where we refuel so that we can live fully in the world beyond.
Our homes are a picture of Jesus' dwelling within us.
Theme Resources and Graphic Elements
Key elements in the HOME factor: BEGIN HERE … GO THERE include simple houses representing HOME in all its diversity of size, shape and location. The butterfly represents the heart of the home, touching rooms with its glow and leaving the cocoon to soar. The earth represents our home planet, where we live in community.
Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home Book and Curriculum
Anchoring the theme is a new MOPS book and curriculum titled Dwelling: Living Fully from the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg, author and Director of Media for MOPS International. At the heart of Dwelling is the quest by the author to find the foundational principles for building the type of home we all crave – no matter what the home we grew up in is like, no matter what our current income or address. Through interviews, excerpts from literature, and her own experiences shaping a dwelling place for her family, Mary Beth helps us craft a home where we can live fully from our own private spaces. She then compels us to take all we gain into life in the larger world. Dwelling is warm, hopeful and practical.
The companion curriculum for use in MOPS groups will provide six video Home Tours plus additional resources for Discussion Group Leaders. Each tour will feature topics such as understanding and making room for different personalities, dining in, home as a safe place to make mistakes, comparing your home with others’, feeling trapped at home, decorating and organizing, having company and being involved in community.
Deeper Theme for Convention
The MOPS International Convention takes the annual theme a bit deeper for leadership training and spiritual enrichment of leaders. This year the convention theme is Dwell Well: Heart — Home — Planet, also based on John 14:17.
Lifestyle Evangelism -- Meeting Moms where they are at...
Touch Points
By Liz Selzer, PhD, Director of Leadership Development
As you are deepening relationships with women in your MOPS group, listen carefully for ways to connect. One way to facilitate relationship is to listen for “touch points.” Touch points are topics where you relate to another person’s life, areas of common ground, places to begin honest discussion.
As the other person is speaking, listen for things that you have in common; areas where your life experience touches hers:
A specific topic (e.g. growth of the internet, suffering, longing for acceptance, motherhood)
An emotion (e.g. frustration, tiredness, excitement)
Specific people (e.g. a favorite author, a certain actor, Mother Teresa)
Personal relationships (e.g. husbands, parents, friends, sisters)
Past experiences (e.g. loss of a loved one, high school memories, previous spiritual experience, physical illness)
Common values (e.g. a strong marriage, a good educational system, integrity)
Once you identify a touch point, guide the conversation to these places of common ground. If a mom feels you are really listening to her, she is affirmed. Often this will open the door for her to be willing to listen to you.
Paraphrase what she says. This shows her you have heard her and gives her the opportunity to correct or expand on your understanding of what she said. You can also ask open-ended questions (questions that require more than a one word answer). This will expand your understanding of what she is saying and allow her to control the course of the conversation.
Once you have really heard what the other person has to say about the subject, find the area where you agree and build on it. For example:
If she is struggling with her mother’s cancer – your touch point might be that suffering in others is hard to watch. You can then discuss this common feeling to build your relationship.
If she is nervous to have people over to her house because it is not as ‘nice’ as others’ – your touch point might be the common feeling of insecurity in areas where we are different from others. You can then talk about that feeling of insecurity.
If she is telling you about how much joy she feels as she watches her toddler take his first steps–your touch point might be the indescribable feeling of love we have for our children.
Be careful not to immediately emphasize areas where you do not agree. You may not agree with all that she says about that topic, but you can still find touch points within it:
You may not agree with the way she disciplines her children, but you can both agree on the touch point of how much you love your children.
You may not agree with her view that “all good people end up in heaven regardless of their beliefs,” but you can agree on the touch points of the desire to be good, the desire to understand what happens after death and the desire to go to heaven.
Once you have found a touch point:
Emphasize the areas where you agree. Make sure that she sees that you are quite similar to her in this respect.
Next, talk about the places where you believe differently and why. Do not tell her you think she is wrong. Instead, engage her in your own story about how you live out your beliefs.
Touch points offer opportunities to build bridges that may eventually lead to a discussion about faith and how Jesus can make a difference in her life.
Remember this is God’s process. We are called to participate!