Community

Community... What does that mean to you? How are you using the idea of community within your Steering Team and within your MOPS group this year. Please share...

I found this in an article in the August/September issue of Catalyst Leadership digital magazine.(from ChristianityToday.com) The article was titled Growth in the Gutter: Cultivating Spiritual Formation in a Community of Addicts by John Burke under the header Rigorous Honesty:
"The only thing we must do is stay connected. But we don't do this naturally, so creating the right environment, where we can best stay connected to God's spirit is critical. It starts with grace-filled, authentic relationships that make it okay to admit struggles, failure, and sin. James tells us God uses this kind of confessing, praying culture to heal us (James 5:16).

To read the article in its entirety, go to Catalyst Leadership http://www.catalystleadershipdigital.com/
The article is on page 14.

When to Ignore Criticism

Hi Ladies,

As you serve in MOPS you will sometimes have to deal with critics. You know, the mom who doesn't agree with the way you handle things. This article by Blaine Allen has some great Biblical insights for how to handle critics.
Blessings,
Barb


When to Ignore Criticism
As Christian leaders, we have to know when to let criticism roll off us.
by Blaine Allen

You will meet a beautiful young lady who will want to know everything about you," said the psychic to the frog who had telephoned her hotline.
"That's fabulous. Where will I meet her? In the park, along the seashore, on the trail to the woods?"

"No," countered the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."

And that's no fun. Diced to pieces by another on a cold lab table, dissected until your emotional guts hang out. That's just no fun.

Someone has said, "Two things are hard on the heart—running uphill and running down people."

May I suggest a third? Running down yourself.

Unjust criticism—the untrue, excruciating, vicious, Biology 101 criticism—slashes deep. Though the person who criticised you may be gone, the pain and injury is not.

"Am I really that bad?"
"Why did it happen that way? It must be because of me."
"I just can't seem to do anything right."
"I must not have what it takes."
In no time, the hurt person has turned on herself, a cannibal's nightmare. And with an insatiable appetite, she proceeds to consume what remaining shreds of emotional flesh are left.

"Why continue?"
"Who really wants or even needs me?"
"What a failure, an ugly failure, I am."
Brutal words wheeled by brutal thoughts … and another victim is clubbed to a heartrending death. Of course, followers of the Lord should expect unfair treatment. It is part of the Christian career opportunity. Timothy was reminded by the Apostle Paul:

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:10–12).

Jesus taught, in what is probably his most famous sermon: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me (Matthew 5:10–11).

Since biased criticism will increase the more we grow in the likeness of our Lord and take seriously his call, there must be a better way to mentally handle what is vented.

Therapy for the Bruised Psyche
There is—a biblical way. Paul was often the prey of stabbing tongues, and it wasn't all from unbelievers. One of the sickest New Testament churches labeled the great apostle Paul an absolute failure.

Paul, you don't know how to speak.
Paul, you are not really an apostle.
Paul, you are not very gifted.
Paul, you don't know how to lead.
Paul, with your handicap, you leave a bad impression.
Paul, as we rank you with others, you don't measure up. You're just not effective.
Rumors like that had to hurt, especially from a people Paul had shepherded to the Lord and spent much time encouraging in their new faith.

The Corinthians took the apostle apart piece by piece. It was Biology 101, and he was the subject being verbally dissected. Laying him out on their cold lab table in one bloody mess, the Corinthians decreed: "You're a failure, Paul, and you need to know it … an absolute failure."

He didn't know it and had no intentions of knowing it. Read his response:

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God (1 Corinthians 4:1–5).
He was polite, courteous, but to the point: "I don't care." When it was evident that the detractors were not heaven's messengers, the apostle mentally blew it off. "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court."

Know Who You Are
As Ralph drove down the freeway, the cell phone rang: "Ralph, this is your wife. I just heard on the news that some idiot is driving the wrong way down 1-95. Be careful."

"Hazel, it's not just one car … there's hundreds of them."

Perspective often determines outcome. And when you are the recipient of in-your-face criticism, that is especially so. The way you and I view ourselves determines how well we handle harsh words.

We live and minister at a time when the Western evangelical church is making a historic paradigm shift. Less and less, Scripture is our sole authority. More and more, a culture that mirrors an antibiblical value system has the final say. In the name of relevance, demographic research determines our music and the shape of our message so that we can reinvent ourselves to appeal to the greatest number. Though perhaps done from positive motives, the results are staggering: The audience is not just the customer, it has been crowned sovereign king. "Do it this way… . We don't like it done that way… . Don't forget, we can vote with our pocketbook and our feet." Sovereign king.

To take the heat in the midst of such a radical shift and live to tell about it, we must understand and embrace heaven's perspective on servanthood. We must hear again the true sovereign King's stance on those who lead for him. With it, we can endure for the long haul, no matter how "worldly" our Lord's bride becomes.

Paul knew that perspective. Though Paul's response to criticism in 1 Corinthians 4 is not the primary gallery of God's thoughts toward his own, there are some unforgettable portraits, like the two viewed in verse 1: "So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God."

Servants of Christ. "Yes," you say, "that's what I am."

Great. That's what I am, too … some of the time.

Only when I look closer at what a servant really is, I'm confronted with a troubling feeling that this snapshot is not always me. The photo is not of a person running one of heaven's regional offices as vice president of operations. It's not an executive setting the vision and agenda for the kingdom from corporate headquarters. It's not the perfectly dressed Coordinator of the mega fundraiser. Based on Paul's choice of words from the original, a servant is a person clothed in sweat and the stench that comes along with it. This is a take-orders trench person doing what another tells him to do without raising an eyebrow. It was an expression used in Paul's day to depict those who rowed from the lowest tier in the belly of the ship, an odious, painful place to be.

And as an authentic servant of Jesus Christ, you row. Not as a favor, but because it's your place. Assignments are made, not choices given; chores are done, not careers chased. With love, for sure—love for the Master with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—but a love that finds expression through the bent knee. You do what you are told even if no one else does it with you. You do it when others wouldn't dare. You do it unrecognized. You do it unappreciated. You just do it because you are his servant at his beck and call. If there are laurels for what was ordered, you know Who really deserves them. If there is something less … after thinking about it, you are not surprised; that's part of being a servant. Jesus said so: "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'" (Luke 17:10).

So what is really bothering you?

Are you reeling from the shock of unscrupulous criticism? That's understandable. But adjusting to the reality of "now," is there anything else that has bent you out of shape? Do the reverberations from what others think, say, and do torment you? Does the thought of facing people who've heard things that simply are not true horrify you? Are you afraid that the words that gored will cost you advancement, your job, not to mention friends and you just cannot shake it? To stagger from the shock is again understandable. But to stagger from more than shock may indicate that you cannot say with Paul, "I care very little," because you are an honest person, and you really care a whole lot.

Servants don't care a whole lot. What they do, they do because of the Master. It is the Master's responsibility to handle the fallout. The burden is his, not the servant's, to control the critic and grapple with the repercussions.

So what if you have encouraged, supported, and even wept with your critic, who has now taken a hunk out of your hide? You did not choose to serve your critic; God made that choice. Your choice was to be a servant. He assigned to you the task to serve someone he knew would bite the hand that fed it. As an unworthy servant, you only did your duty. You did what you were told to do.

Where I live they still ride on the back of the trash truck. Stopping at every house along the way, the two men do what few really want to do. Sometimes it's to pick up an end table, footstool, maybe a bench … stuff that looks pretty good to me. At other times it's to pick up what smells foul. But the two do what they are supposed to do, even if what's picked up is covered with maggots. As servants of Waste Management, these men just do not care a whole lot.

But me? When I walk through our neighborhood, I have been known to check out a rocking chair at the curb, a wheelbarrow, even a rake, just to see if it's something I could use. But garbage? Maggot-infested garbage? No way. I'm very selective. Somebody else can deal with that mess. Because I am not a servant of Waste Management, I am very, very picky.

Servants of Jesus Christ are not picky. Dealing with maggot-infested crud that's brought to the curb is not their favorite thing to do. Sometimes it really smells, but that comes with ministry. It's part of the assignment. Authentic servants of Jesus Christ just don't care a whole lot. And because they don't, it's easier for them to "blow it off."

"Men ought to regard us as … those entrusted with the secret things of God" (1 Cor. 4:1). Who are "those entrusted"? Think of an investment broker responsible for someone else's money or a flight attendant caring for the needs of his passengers—that is the idea behind the phrase. This is the second portrait in Paul's gallery. For the apostle, the entrusted assets—food of truth—were the "secret things of God" managed for his Master. Feeding God's household was an awesome responsibility, for which the cook dare not tinker with the assigned recipes. This was not Paul's own dinner to doctor up. Everything was God's—the food, the gifts to prepare the food, the know-how to serve it in the right way at the right time to the right people. All of it was from God. Because it was, Paul answered to him, not to his critics.

Remember who your audience is. You live your life, use His spiritual gifts, serve as a servant, all before the audience of One. Your ultimate accountability is to him. He, and He alone, determines what success is and what it's not.

This is not to imply people should not hold people accountable. Quite the contrary. The Lord interposes individuals into our lives who are commissioned by him to hold us responsible within their various spheres of influence. They are supervisors, teachers, pastors, elders, deacons, board members, mentors and those who serve in civil government to name a few.

But there are some who simply assume that role. They believe all balance sheets—mistakes, no mistakes, bad work, good work, what's said, what's not said—are due on their desk. There are others who rightfully have oversight, but abuse it. They don't hold people accountable; they execute them.

When told by either the power usurper or the power abuser, "You can't cut it," you must remember who ultimately makes cuts. If we do, with Paul we can say, "I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court" (1 Cor. 4:3a). It's looking into God's gallery and seeing our portrait: one entrusted.

One of the worst ministry blunders you can make is to think you are working for someone else.

I work for the mission board.
I work for the elder/deacon board.
I work for the senior pastor.
I work for the congregation.
I work for a "parachurch" ministry.
I work for the denomination.
I work for the school.
And the most deadly is the attitude of a spiritual entrepreneur: "I work for myself."

No, you are a servant of the living God, and an unworthy servant at that. You work for him. God puts his servants in various places to accomplish his purposes. Though we are to submit with positive attitudes and our very best effort for all those placed in proper authority over us, it's from him that we live to hear, "Well done."

What, then, is the point of coming unglued over unfounded criticism? Did you use your abilities loaned from above to carry out duties assigned to you by the Lord? Did you carry them out with a passionate diligence? Have you been teachable? Are you still teachable? Are you still willing to be corrected if wrong or shown a better way?

You said "Yes"? Then, friend, with graciousness, "blow it off."

Taken from When People Throw Stones © 2005 by Blaine Allen. Published by Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Updating MIM and Group Leadership info

Hi Ladies,

It's that time of year when you need to update your MIM memberships and your Steering Team Leaders on the MOPS International database. This information is invaluable to your Field Leaders in our quest to assist you meet the needs of moms in your group. Please take time to update all your leadership info.
How do you update? Go to the MOPS Leaders website http://www.mops.org/leaders/page.php?pageid=700&srctype=menu If the managing your group pages doesn't come up you can click it in the left hand side bar. Click on register and you should get a page that asks for your username and password. That is a password that was set up when your group was first chartered. If you are a renewing group could ask the past Coordinator. Your charter # is the username, but your original steering made up the group password. It would probably be a good idea to put this info in a binder with the MOPS Handbook to pass to new Steering Team Coordinators and Finance each year.

Blessings,
Barb

End of the Year Evaluations

How many groups do end of the year evaluations? How do you use the information gleaned from these evaluations? Please share.....we have many new groups in our Zone that can benefit from the wonderful things going on at our established groups.
Thanks!

Charter Renewal Questions and Answers

Charter Renewal Questions and Answers

It's spring and that means Charter Renewal time. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please leave a comment or contact your Council Coordinator.

Who Needs To Renew?

• All MOPS groups chartered before December 1st, 2006 need to renew in order to continue their MOPS Charter.
• Groups chartered after December 1st, 2006 do not need to renew. They will still receive the Charter Renewal form with a letter explaining that they do not need to renew. They will need to order their FREE copy of the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD and downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit. They are still eligible for the discount on the Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum and the new MOPPETS Curriculum.

Renewal Fee

• The MOPS Group Renewal fee is $125 USD if the Agreement is postmarked by May 31, 2007. The fee is $155 for Charter Renewals postmarked after May 31, 2007.
• The MOPS@ Group Renewal fee is $75 USD if the Agreement is postmarked by May 31, 2007. The fee is $105 for MOPS@ Charter Renewals postmarked after May 31, 2007.
• The Renewal fee can be paid by check or credit card, but credit card is preferred.

the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD

• All groups, including International MOPS groups, renewing before May 31, 2007 will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD. Groups that renew early (by April 30, 2007) will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD in a special May mailing. Groups renewing in May will receive the HOME factor: 2007 MOPS International Theme DVD in a June mailing. The DVD will be sent to your Chartering Ministry, to the attention of the MOPS Coordinator. After the May 31st deadline, the Theme DVD can be purchased in the MOPShop.

Downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit

• The Charter Renewal confirmation e-mail will contain a link to the downloadable Pastor’s Resource Kit .
• Groups that Chartered after July 1, 2006 have received the information in the Ready, Set, Go! Kit.

Do I have to renew on-line?

• On-line renewal is fast and simple, but your group may wish to renew by mail if sending a check for the Charter Renewal fee. You may use the paper form that was sent to your Chartering Ministry. If you need another Charter Renewal form, you can Download a form now.
• Mail the Charter Renewal form with your check to MOPS International, 2370 S. Trenton Way, Denver, CO 80231-3822.
• Call your MOPS Service Representative to renew your group over the phone. 888-910-6677

Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum

• The Simply MOPS: Dwelling Curriculum is offered at a great discount to renewing groups. The discount is only good until May 31, 2007 and only applies to curriculum orders that are made in conjunction with Charter Renewal.
• All curriculum orders will be sent to the Chartering Ministry in July. Please inform your Chartering Ministry.

Lively Bible Lessons for MOPPETS Curriculum

• The MOPPETS Curriculum is offered at a great discount to renewing groups. The discount is only good until May 31, 2007 and only applies to curriculum orders that are made in conjunction with Charter Renewal.
• All curriculum orders will be sent to the Chartering Ministry in July. Please inform your Chartering Ministry.

To Drop or Go Inactive

• Inactive Status - Sometimes circumstances make it necessary for a group to take one year off to regroup, refocus vision and/or rebuild the Steering Team. If a group finds itself in this situation, they can renew as "INACTIVE" for the 2007-2008 MOPS year. When a group is "INACTIVE," the Chartering Ministry will continue to receive regular mailings and ministry support from MOPS International. To request Inactive status, a group must still fill out the Charter Renewal form and submit it with the Charter Renewal fee. On the form, they will need to check the box indicating "Inactive." We will change their status to Inactive when the form is received. Please contact your MOPS Service Representative for more information.
  
• Dropping a MOPS Charter - If the Chartering Ministry decides to discontinue having a MOPS group, they must send MOPS International notification of their intent to drop by letter on the Chartering Ministry's letterhead, with a signature from a Pastor or Church Officer. All Chartering materials provided in the Charter Box need to be returned to MOPS International. Please contact your MOPS Service Representative for more information.

MOPS International Membership

• MOPS groups are required to register all moms for MOPS International Membership. This membership is optional for International and Military MOPS groups only. While MOPS International covers the cost for teen mom membership, they must be registered.
• The MOPS Membership Instruction is coming soon. On-line registration for 2007-08 will be available mid May at www.MOPS.org/registration.

Following the Father's Commands

It's that time of year when we are bombarded with things that need to be done. At MOPS we're getting ready for the Leadership For Life Summit, nominating and interviewing new Steering Team members, planning Tea and Testimonies and seeking to end well. Some of us are involved in end of the year school activities, spring sports, recitals, spring musicals, and field trips. At church we're planning VBS, summer events, teaching Sunday school, on the praise team, women's bible study and more.

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

Tea and Testimony

Does your MOPS group have a tea and testimony. These are great MOPS events to really give your moms an opportunity to know Christ. . . which is why we do MOPS. If you've never done one or are looking for some Fresh ideas read on. This article was on the MOPS forums and written by a Council Coordinator.

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!

More ideas for getting MOPS members more involved

A group in Maryland has had a lot of success with this idea.....

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

Lifestyle Evangelism -- Meeting Moms where they are at...

Here's a great article by Liz Selzner of MOPS International on touch points. It's worth publishing here for all of you to help you reach one more mom for Jesus.



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!

Getting more MOPS moms to help at meetings....

How do you encourage your MOPS members to take ownership of your group? Is your Steering getting burnt out because they do everything? How can you find new leaders if no one is stepping up to help?

MOPS is a place for moms to be nutured but it is also a place for them to use their gifts and skills and grow. The Steering Team is not hosting a party but providing opportunities.

Here's how a group in Texas tackled the problem...by having every mom assigned to a committee when she joins. Below is what they include with every registration. Interesting idea to try ....

Volunteer Sign-Up

In order for all aspects of MOPS to run smoothly and efficiently, we are asking EVERY member to serve in some capacity. If you are serving as a steering team member, discussion group leader, or mentor mom, you are not required to serve on a team.

We will strive to place you in your top choice. However, in order for all teams to be equal, please rank your top three choices by placing a “1” in the blank beside your first choice, a “2” beside your second choice, and a “3” beside your third choice.

*Prayer & Care Team: Assist Prayer & Care leader in her responsibilities which may include praying for specific prayer requests of the MOPS group, preparing for birthday, anniversary, & pregnancy recognitions, and reaching out to moms in need.

*Hospitality Team: Assist Hospitality leader in her responsibilities which may include decorating for MOPS meetings, greeting moms at meetings, welcoming visitors, & planning icebreakers.

*Creative Activities Team: Assist Creative Activities leader in her responsibilities which may include assisting MOPS members with their craft and assembling craft kits.

*Service Project Team: Assist Steering Team by delivering donated items to the Mid-Cities Crisis Pregnancy Center each month and/or helping with large annual service project.

*Finance Team: Assist Finance leader in her responsibilities which may include collecting meeting fees from members, registering new members, and taking attendance.
_________________

How to Identify Future Leaders - Some advice from Christianity Today

I found this great article at Christianity Today's website on how to identify a future leader.....

Spotting a New Leader - Ten ways to identify a promising person to take on guidance of small group ministry.

by Fred Smith

The most gifted athletes rarely make good coaches. The best violinist will not necessarily make the best conductor. Nor will the best teacher necessarily make the best head of the department.
So it's critical to distinguish between the skill of performance and the skill of leading the performance, two entirely different skills.
It's also important to determine whether a person is capable of learning leadership. The natural leader will stand out. The trick is identifying those who are capable of learning leadership over time.
Here are several traits to help identify whether someone is capable of learning to lead.

To finish this great article go to http://www.christianitytoday.com/smallgroups/articles/spottingaleader.html

Planning New MOPS Year and New Steering Team Members

As we look at our Steering Teams for next year here is one group's guide-lines for helping them stay on course the entire year. It also helps new Steering Team Member see the time committment that will be expected of them. Each group is individual but sharing ideas always helps. Why reinvent the wheel?

Don't Lose Your Course
Planning a Great MOPS Year

Jan./Feb. - Begin recruiting Steering Members
· Hold an open house for prospective leaders
· Begin talking with prospects
· MOPS should be #1 priority with husband's support
· Prospects should be presented with expectations of responsibilities
· Coordinator must state ahead of time the dates of retreats and Steering meetings
· Steering members must agree to attend all events

March - Have Steering team set so all can attend Spring Council or Leadership for Life Summit and new leaders can “shadow” and train with current leaders.

May - Open Registration for general members
· Hold this at your church on a first come basis
· Let existing members, church members, and waiting list know of the time and date, then open to the public over the summer.
· Pass the torch meeting. Members rolling off pass their stuff to new members coming on.
· Convention Meeting. Hold a meeting to see who can attend convention and how to raise the money to go.

June - Planning Retreat
· Book a hotel or open your home up for the night
· Evaluate the evaluations
· Coordinator comes with a blank outline of the year and some kind of Steering Development Training (Nine needs, goals,etc.)
· Speaker person comes with a list of ideas
1. Brainstorm ideas keeping in mind your topics should start out light at the beginning of the year and get heavier as the year goes on.
· Craft person comes with craft examples/ideas including pictures
· Hospitality person comes with ideas on theme days, brunch ideas, decorations for the tables, etc.
· Finance person comes with a list of the moms who have already registered.
1. Might have a few ideas for fundraisers
2. Might have an idea on creative ways to collect money
· Mentor moms come with devotionals for Friday night and Saturday morning
· Moppets person comes with info regarding childcare needs or issues. Also brings ideas for any extra events or special celebrations for the kids.
· DG person comes with ideas for names of the groups, special events, etc.
· Publicity person comes with ideas for notebooks for the moms, ways to advertise to the public, and ideas for newsletters.

Summer - Everyone takes time to complete tasks
· You may want to hold one meeting in July just to touch base
· Meet together for play time with kids and take time to form some bonds

August - Mini Retreat 6pm - 12pm on a Fri. night
· Everyone gives an individual report on the work they did over the summer
· Take time to tweak or change any ideas
· Year is planned written and confirmed.
· Time is spent in prayer for the moms and goals for the year.
· Coordinator conducts a mini training time using the video provided by home office.

Your year should now be set and you should be ready to put all your plans into action preparing decorations, craft examples, notebooks, etc.

1 or 2 times a month - your General MOPS Meetings then:

Every other week or once a month - Steering Meetings
· One and one half hour in duration
· Prayer and devotional time or mini bible study (Since plans have already been made ahead of time, most of your meeting can be spent in prayer needs of your moms and spiritual development. Then you can spend a little time making sure plans are good for the next meeting.)
· Try to arrange childcare during Steering meetings. This should be a priority!!!Your meeting time and place should be consistent all year

Have started Recruiting for next year's Steering?

The best way to assure the future of your MOPS group is to always be in prayer for new leaders. Any time of year is a good time to be asking God to show you who will be the future leaders of your group. Now is an especially good time because you can bring your next year's Steering Team members to the MOPS Leadership for Life Summit on March 24th 2007. Let your Field Leadership Team and MOPS International help train the ladies God is calling to lead your MOPS group next year.

Here are some interesting and helpful articles on recruiting Steering Team Members. Please take the time to contact your CC or leave a comment below if you have any questions or concerns when it comes to leadership recruitment. We'd also love to hear how you find new leaders and your praises of how God is working things out in your group.

Steering Team Selection Tips

Here are some suggestions:

The coordinator asks the present steering team to pray as to whether they sense God’s calling them to continue in their present position for another year (MOPS International encourages two-year commitments). She needs to give them a deadline of one to two weeks away.

During this same time the Coordinator gathers together her Steering Selection Committee. This committee is made up of the Coordinator, Mentor, Discussion Group team Leader and two to four (depending on the size of your group) other women NOT on the present steering team. These non=steering women will provide the needed objective view; they can be MOPS moms, church members, or recent MOPS alum. These women should be prayer warriors, submitted to the Lord, and know most of the women in the group. If a Coordinator decides not to use a specific Steering Selection committee, the current steering team can assume this role.

When the Coordinator has her list of steering positions open for next year, she then will let the Steering Team and Discussion Group Team Leader know what positions need to be filled for the next year. The Discussion Group Team Leader (DGTL) then lets the Group Leaders know the openings. The Steering Team and DGTL then pray, and confidentially and anonymously turn in to the Coordinator their nominations for each position. The nominations should be anonymous, on a sheet of paper with the following; Name of the nominee, positions she is being nominated for and why this individual is being nominated (gifts, walk with Christ, etc.) A steering member or group leader may nominate herself for a position.

The Steering Selection Committee then begins a series of meetings to go over the names and positions. They will pray over each nominee and each position. There is no one way this is to be done; however, you want to keep this process as much in God’s hands and as little in your hands as possible! Perhaps during the first meeting the committee can go over all the names and positions, then break for a week or so to pray over them. Then, when they come back together, they can see where they are. This may take several meetings. The Coordinator should spell out the way the committee will approach the selection process during the first meeting.

Unanimous agreement on a nominee is very important. If one person is in disagreement, it is worth revisiting, or moving on to another person. His is why prayer is so important. A unanimous decision is the best way we know how to trust that God is making the choice, not us. Even if the position is not filled right away, it is better not to fill it, then to fill it with the wrong person.

Once the Committee has come to a unanimous decision on an individual for a certain position, then the Coordinator calls her, and gives her the job responsibilities, Leadership questionnaire, and anything else she might need in order to make the decision. The Coordinator should ask the woman not to answer right away, but spend some time in prayer, and talk to her husband, getting back to the Coordinator by a certain date. Stress the importance of confidentiality while she considers this. That is to avoid hurt feelings if the woman says no and someone else is asked next.

Some additional pointers:

Ø The method described is not the only way steering selection is to be accomplished, it is recommended because it has worked. The whole object of this process is to give God the greatest opportunity to guide the choices. It is important that everyone involved desire God’s choice above all.

Ø If necessary, have a Steering Open House or a Steering Information Tea that will give all MOPS women a chance to see and hear what positions are available. Provide written job descriptions. In your final selection, remember how important it is that the woman you ask to fill Leadership positions have a personal, active relationship with Christ.

Ø We need to be careful not to make the decision for someone else. We pray for God to guide us to the best possible choice for a position; without looking at how busy she is, how quiet she is, etc. We don’t know what God’s plan is. Sometimes He is working to accomplish purposes higher than we can see.

Ø Do not just get a “warm body” to fill the position. That is a huge mistake! If God does not provide someone right away, keep working on it. He may wait and bring someone after you start the year, or He may not. Yes, it can be difficult. Yes, we must be creative.

Ø The Groups Leaders and Steering Team should be trained in August to be on the lookout for potential leadership starting with the first meeting, and going on all first semester. They should know each woman very well by January.

Ø If your group is very small, you may have to be creative with steering positions. You may have to go “beyond the box” and create your morning around the gifts and talents of your leadership making sure to fulfill the mops purpose statement, of course!

Ø This steering selection process can, and should be used for choosing Group Leaders, too. The Group Leaders are so important to your ministry. Make sure that you have God’s best!

Ø Confidentiality is stressed in this process for several reasons:
o To avoid hurt feelings
o To reduce “human” involvement and increase God’s involvement
o It is more “professional”
o It allows for the woman being chosen to the position to sense the importance and the privilege of serving God in this ministry. It allows her to sense that God is involved in her being asked – she is not just being asked on her merit or popularity, but by God’s guidance.

Ø Most of these ideas have come straight from the MOPS Handbook (page 33) and the Coordinator’s Handbook (page 16).

How do you honor your volunteers?

It so important that we honor the wonderful volunteers that make MOPS a reality. How does your group thank and honor your MOPPETS workers and any other volunteers?

One suggestion is to take advantage of local newspapers and radios that honor volunteer efforts.

I found this link to honor volunteers in the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton area

To Nominate a WAEB/Gebhardt's “Someone Special" Volunteer http://www.volunteerlv.org/special.html

I'll be on the lookout for opportunities in other Councils...share what you find.

Strengthening Your MOPS groups relationship with your Chartering Ministry

STRENGTHENING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOPS AND THE CHARTERING MINISTRY

As the new MOPS year is looming here are some suggestions to help you enhance the relationship between your MOPS group and your chartering ministry.

COMMUNICATION WITH STAFF

1. Keep in touch with the pastor and staff overseeing the MOPS ministry. On a regular basis inform them of both your needs and your accomplishments.

2. Attend a church staff and/or board meeting and communicate to the leaders the effectiveness of MOPS as an outreach.

3. Be careful to follow church procedures and policy. Ask for permission to use church materials, office equipment, and storage space.

4. Inform church staff of MOPS activities by putting those dates on the church calendar. Cooperate with other groups using the same facilities.

5. Remember who owns the MOPS group: the MOPS group comes under the authority of its chartering ministry. Issues of finances, MOPPETS staff, Steering Team members, etc. require guidance from the governing entities of the church.

6. Make friends with the church office staff. Find out what services (ie. copying, typing, computers) are available to you. Set up a mailbox for receiving MOPS materials.

7. Show appreciation for staff who work to make your MOPS ministry effective. Find ways to communicate your gratitude to those who encourage and help you.

8. When a new pastor comes to a chartering church, be sure to meet with him/her and provide information about the ministry of MOPS and its relationship to the church.

9. Never speak ill of the chartering ministry or its staff. Resolve issues through the proper channels with respect and confidentiality.

COMMUNICATION WITH CHURCH MEMBERS

1. Ask for prayer for MOPS needs. This can be done through prayer requests during worship, written prayer concerns in the church newsletter, or by asking persons from the church to be MOPS prayer warriors. Inform the church of answered prayers, too.

2. Write an article for the church newsletter entitled "Did You Know?" and tell about the ministry opportunities and outreach that occur through MOPS.

3. Display a bulletin board in the church with pictures of MOPS activities, information about your MOPS group, and samples of moms’ or MOPPETS’ crafts.

4. Design an eye-catching insert for the church bulletin. Be brief, informative, and creative. Pass out a bookmark with MOPS information on it or a "Thanks for supporting MOPS."

5. Make available a flyer with information about your MOPS group. This can be distributed to invite moms to join the MOPS group or to solicit MOPPETS workers.

6. Have a MOPS Awareness Sunday. MOPS moms can attend the worship service, a mom can tell what MOPS has meant to her, a few moms can do a skit describing MOPS, and the MOPPETS can sing a song.

7. Attend adult church school classes and take a few minutes to inform and update the class about the blessings of the MOPS ministry.

8. When speaking to others, refer to MOPS as a ministry and outreach. If MOPS leaders describe MOPS as meeting moms’ needs, the greatest of which is hope in Jesus Christ, church members will come to see MOPS as a part of the church’s outreach to the community.

9. Provide the MOPS International Web site address and encourage church members to find out more about MOPS in our nation and around the world!