BillSimmonsLive

Preschool Director Job Posting

SpringWell Church is currently accepting resumes for the position of Preschool Director. Responsibilities include oversight of all Sunday ministries to children, Nursery through 5K. We are looking for an enthusiastic person who relates well to children and adults.

We seek a leader with a caring heart and strong administrative abilities. Hours are as follows: Monday-Wednesday 9 AM-1 PM; Thursday 9 AM-12 PM; and Sunday 7:30 AM-12:30 PM. Please submit resume to chip.joiner@springwell.org or contact Chip Joiner at 864-268-2299 ext. 26. Job Description is available upon request.

Do You Limp or Strut?

Yesterday, I wrote the following status on my Facebook: When hiring staff.....I'd much rather hire someone with a limp instead of a strut.

I received several comments and thought I would expound more on my blog.

I think the limp represents those who are broken and dependant. Jacob is a great example of this in Genesis 32:22-32. Jacob wrestled with God and walked away with a limp for the rest of his life. He was transformed through his struggle.

When I hire someone, I want those who have been through enough struggle they know they are dependent on God. Broken people are dependent on God. This is much different from those who act like a victim all the time. Brokenness and dependence produces humility.

Those with a strut are quite the opposite. They are self-reliant and have no need for others. They miss the point of team ministry and dependence on God. I often say, "I cannot teach someone who knows it all." The strut represents those who know it all.

To be honest, when I first started out in ministry….I walked with a strut. It took almost 10 years before I was willing to wrestle with God and walk away with a limp. Today, I would never trade my limp in for the strut. I embrace it. I value it. I respect it.

How about you? Do you limp or strut?

Fierce Conversations: Book Review

Fierce Conversations is one of the best books I have read in a long time. The reason is I can put what I have learned to use right away. Many books are inspiring but very few actually cause us to change our behaviors.

There are so many quotes I enjoyed; I would not know where to begin in sharing them with you. I will say this book challenged me in a huge way. I've never been one who enjoys idle conversations that stay focused on the surface. Fierce Conversations opened my eyes to how I can influence each conversation to be a meaningful one. As a result, I was inspired to share with our staff some lessons regarding Confrontational Conversations.

Below are some of the notes. If becoming a more effective leader is important to you, I highly recommend reading this book.

 

Staff Meeting Notes from June 9, 2009

 

How do you have a conversation where you need to confront an issue?

 

What does it mean to confront someone?

 

Fierce = robust, intense, strong, powerful, passionate, eager, unbridled

 

Four Purposes of a Fierce Conversation

 

1. Interrogate Reality
2. Provoke Learning
3. Tackle Tough Issues
4. Enrich Relationships

 

Why do we avoid such conversations?

 

Seven Components to Opening a Fierce Conversation:

 

1. Name The issue
2. Provide specific example that illustrate the behavior or situation you want to change
3. Describe your emotions about this issue
4. Clarify what is at stake
5. Indentify your contribution to the problem
6. Indicate your wish to resolve the issue
7. Invite a response

How To Benefit From The Bible

On Sunday, June 14^th, I had the privilege of preaching at SpringWell. My topic was how to benefit from the Bible. Since then, I've had quite a few people ask for the resources I gave on during service.

First, much of my message was influenced by the book God Wrote A Book. I encourage you to consider purchasing the book as a resource.

Second, the podcast is available here if you want to listen again or if you missed it.

Lastly, here is the outline from the message:

 

Key Verse: His word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can't do it! Jeremiah 20:9

 

3 Ways to Benefit from the Bible:

 

1. Pick it Up!

   

The Bible cannot do anything for you if you don't pick it up. 

 

The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8

 

The Bible cannot grip you unless you grip it.

 

 Simple Question: How many times this week did you pick up your Bible?

   

2. Size it Up!

   

Eight Pictures of What the Word of God is:

 

1. Fire - Jeremiah 5:15 

2. Sword - Hebrews 4:12 

3. Hammer - Jeremiah 23:29  

4. Seed - 1 Peter 1:23 

5. Milk - 1 Peter 2:2  

6. Meat - Hebrews 5:12-14  

7. Lamp - Psalm 119:105 

8. Mirror - James 1:23-25 

   

3. Eat it up!

   

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.                                                                Jeremiah 15:16

    

5 Things To Do If You Want To Eat It Up

 

1. Read it

   

2. Question it

   

7 Questions to ask:

 

What portion stands out to me?

Why does it have my attention?

Is there an example to follow?

Is there an error to avoid?

Is there a duty for me to perform?

Is there a promise for me to claim?

Is there a sin for me to confess?

   

3. Plan it (What action will you take? How will you respond?)

   

4. Pray it (There is power in praying God's Word)

   

5. Share it (The best way to learn something is to tell others)

 

 

I hope this is helpful. Thanks for your encouragement. I'd love to hear what God is saying to you as you read your Bible.

Core Values: Bonus

Over the last week or so, I've been sharing the core values that drive my ministry life. They are the hills I am willing to die on. These 7 values guide every decision I make as a church leader. Let's review:

 

• Authentic Relationships - People not programs and relationships not religion are built through biblical community.

  Acts 2:44-46; John 15:12

   

• Transformation - Life is a journey and best developed through biblical application and taking responsibility for personal growth. Romans 12:1-2; Galatians 5:22-25

 

• Reproduction - Church growth is the result of growing people…growing people. Matthew 28:19-20; Ephesians 4:11-13

   

• Team Ministry - Servanthood expressed through shared vision and values produces synergy. Philippians 2:4; Romans 12:5

 

• Cultural Relevance - Creativity and excellence in our forms and methods maximize effectiveness. 1 Chronicles 12:32;

1 Corinthians 9:22-23; Colossians 3:23-24

 

• Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

  Matthew 6:33

   

• Prayer - Private and corporate prayer is relied upon in every area of our lives and this church. Matthew 7:7-8;

  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

How about you? Have you gone through the journey of discovering your core values?

Core Values 7 of 7

 

Prayer - Private and corporate prayer is relied upon in every area of our lives and the church.

 

Ministry is too tough to be accomplished in my own power. This is why prayer is so important. Prayer is a humbling experience. It positions us to a place where we are dependent on God.

 

Prayer is birthed in relationship. It is an act of faith. When we engage in prayer, we are acknowledging our need for God to be involved in our lives.

 

It is my desire for everything I do to be bathed in prayer. It is only then I have confidence to move forward.

 

How about you? Is prayer a value in your life? Are you living out that value or just wishing you were? How has prayer given you confidence?

 

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.        Matthew 7:7-8

 

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.    2 Chronicles 7:14

Core Values 6 of 7

 

Simplicity - Church is not meant to be complicated therefore; we strive for balance as we live out everyday Christianity.

 

The most radical thing in life is balance. We live in a world of extremes. The church has many times fallen into the same trap. This is why I crave simplicity in ministry.

 

As a church leader, I strive for simplicity and balance in all we do. The church has too often complicated things. We create programs to oversee programs and put committees together to develop rules for our rules. All of this is very exhausting.

 

Christianity is about radical balance. The Sermon on the Mount is full of examples. Jesus calls us to find ultimate balance in Him and through the Kingdom of God.

 

How about you? Does life seem complicated? Do you crave simplicity? What needs to be simplified in your life?

 

Here is the scripture I use as a foundation for this value:

 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.     Matthew 6:33

Core Values 5 of 7

 

Cultural Relevance - Creativity and excellence in our forms and methods maximize effectiveness.

 

Effectiveness in ministry is very important to me. I think one of the best ways to be effective is to be relevant. Don't confuse relevance with music style and/or technology. Both are important tools used to express our message but they alone do not equate relevance.

 

Relevance means we deal with issues and topics that matter in a time when they matter most. I think too much preaching and teaching doesn't resonate with people because it does not connect with their lives.

 

Too often we go to a class or attend a service and leave asking ourselves, "So what?". Ministry should be answering the "So what" question.

 

The world we live in is complicated. Ministry demands we deal with the complex issues of our day. If your church wants to be effective, demand relevance from yourself and your team.

 

How about you? Is your ministry relevant? What can you do to be more so?

 

Here are some scriptures that serve as a foundation for this value:

 

Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command; 1 Chronicles 12:32

 

To the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.    1 Corinthians 9:22-23

 

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.    Colossians 3:23-24

Core Values 4 of 7

 

Team Ministry - Servanthood expressed through shared vision and values produces synergy.

 

I learned many years ago, doing ministry with others is a whole lot more productive and fun. I actually hate to do ministry on my own. I am very intentional about making sure team is a part of everything we do.

 

Team ministry is not always easy but is always worth it. We have to be willing to embrace other personalities, leadership styles, and conflict. We must learn to celebrate diversity. Everyone brings something to table.

 

I also think shared vision and values are key to a team's success. If we all want the same thing for the same reasons, we will sacrifice without question. When I work with a new team, I always take time deal with vision and values.

 

How about you? Are you a lone ranger or team leader? What about team ministry gives you life? What are the challenges you face in developing teams?

 

Here are a couple of scriptures I use to support this value:

 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

 

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Romans 12:5

Core Values 3 of 7

 

Reproduction - Church growth is the result of growing people…growing people.

 

Today's core value is the direct result of transformation. We all reproduce what we are. The best church growth strategy is when changed people…change people. When growing people….grow people.

 

What are you reproducing? God has an expectation for each of us to influence the lives around us. What is your influence producing?

 

Here are a couple of scriptures that guide this value in my life:

 

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

 

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;    Ephesians 4:11-13