Tag: ministry

Duncan McFadzean talks about micro-financing

I’m editing and listening to the next Something Beautiful Podcast – version 1.10!

Version 1.10 is a great interview that Thomas did with Duncan McFadzean who’s wrapping up his career in the secular finance world to head a start-up ministry – Seven Men. The ministry is based around micro-financing and supporting the marginalized.

From the Seven Men site:

Seven Men Limited is a new vehicle created to launch, invest in, and nurture small businesses for the purpose of bringing freedom, justice and restoration to the city of Edinburgh and around the world.

By launching a series of businesses across a range of sectors, Seven Men Limited will seek to create a sustainable flow of profits that can be used for good.

Great stuff! Thanks to Thomas for getting the interview and sharing Duncan’s story with us.

While surfing Duncan’s site I was also intrigued by his page “Understandings.” Probably the best way to describe the page is a “statement of faith.” Looking over the page I love the ways hes worded his beliefs and written them in a great manor. I may have to sit down and write a similar page…

Today actually marks Duncan’s last day at the Bank of Scottland – so have a listen to the podcast and then drop by his site and wish him luck on his new ministry and outreach.

Interesting too that this podcast will go live the same day I twittered this:

related ::
something beautiful podcast
duncan mcfadzean’s blog
seven men
wikipedia :: microfinance
my twitter feed

Changing roles in ministry

Mike Blythe writes about his recent changes from being a physician at the hospital in Jos, Nigeria, to helping oversee much of SIMS IT work in the area.

It’s interesting how sometimes God calls us from one ministry to the other. He may call us to the front lines, only to later call us to move into a background role – in support of others on the front line. And vice-versa. Sometimes we’re willing and ready. Sometimes we go kicking and screaming.

Sometimes we have to be pulled and pushed by those around us as well just to even get started in a ministry. What frustrations, issues have you found as God moves you from one direction to another?

twisted pressure on pastors

Brian shared some thoughts on the encounter blog about pastors and a new book by George Barna, Pagan Christianity…

  • 94 percent feel pressured to have an ideal family
  • 90 percent work more than 46 hours a week
  • 81 percent say they have insufficient time with their spouse
  • 80 percent believe that pastoral ministry affects their family negatively
  • 70 percent do not have someone they consider a close friend
  • 70 percent have lower self-esteem than when they entered the ministry
  • 50 percent feel unable to meet the demands of the job
  • 80 percent feel discouraged and deal with depression
  • more than 40 percent report that they are suffering from burnout, frantic schedules, and unrealistic expectations
  • 33 percent consider pastoral ministry an outright hazard to their family
  • 33 percent have seriously considered leaving their position in the past year
  • 40 percent of pastoral resignations are due to burnout

Brian says he’s rarely faced any of these issues since encounter began, but I wonder if there are other pastors in our lives that might be struggling with these issues while there are things we can take off their plate, encourage them about, or ensure them that its not expected of them.

Driving in reverse

For the past 4 months, our pastor, Brian (aka Brother Treadaway, Brother Brian, Pastor Treadaway, Rev. Pastor Brother Brian Treadaway :-)) has been challenging the men of encounter with the encounter 9. You’ve probably heard me mention it here or on twitter more than a couple times.

Each month we’re given GPS coordinates to an undisclosed location and a set time to meet there. The location varies from month to month. The first month we met at a boat dock and were carried out by john boats to an island in the middle of the lake. The next month we met next to a stock pond while Brian talked about growing spiritually and Scott grilled fish on a nearby fire — illustrating the progress from a baby drinking milk, to fixing our own meals and then fixing meals for others (physically and spiritually). Another month we did a “prayer/Q&A walk.” And this last month we met at a local cometary and talked about our legacy and identity and how Jesus called the disciples out of their known identity — their careers as fishermen or tax collectors, etc — and into a new identity with Christ — as fishers of men.
Continue reading Driving in reverse

Save gas – don’t make left hand turns

Shipping giant UPS made a realization – they could save fuel and costs by reducing the number of left hand turns on their routes.
According to the NY Times, the international shipper is saving roughly three million gallons of gas a year by reducing those turns.

Think about the time and fuel used at each left hand turn. Left-hand turns are far more costly because of the waiting time involved. There’s rarely a “left on red” rule and thus drivers have to idle, wait for the lights to change and burn up gas. Depending on the cross street, that can take up considerable time and fuel.

Thinking about my new job, and duties at encounter and other places, it’s always exciting when someone comes in with a fresh set of eyes on things. You may never know how you’ve accepted doing something a certain way – only to find out there could be a much easier, simpler and cheaper way to do it.

What could you change in your ministry or church or organization to speed things up and cut costs?

Are you called to serve in New York City?

From Church Video Ideas:
My friends, Nelson Searcy and Jason Hatley, at The Journey Church in New York are looking for a Pastor of Media. This is an awesome team, an amazing church and a special ministry where God is moving in the “Big Apple”. I highly encourage my tech friends to pray about this opportunity.

Below is the job description:

Are you passionate about raising up volunteer leaders, directing the media area at one of the nation’s most innovative churches, and growing a production ministry in a multi-site setting?

Are you interested in expanding an already healthy volunteer base of over 35 team members (camera, lights, stage, switchers, editors, etc.) to a structure of over 100 volunteers?

Can you join with our worship arts staff to lead at a very high level, and bring creative and technical excellence to the Sunday service, to worship planning, and to cultivating highly experienced technicians in New York City?

Are you interested in helping a growing church continue to grow?

Do you have a high view ’serving as part of discipleship’ and do you have a strong desire to reach unchurched young professionals and artists?

This is an equipping position to make a difference with the best and the brightest from around the world that make up the Journey Church in NYC.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
– A Solid Calling to New York City
– The ability to mobilize and lead a growing Media/Production Team in an ever-growing environment
– A passion for the Bible and innovation
– A team player
– A high level understanding of media, including contemporary/secular films, video editing systems, technical systems (lighting, staging, video, minimal sound)
– Bachelor or Masters Degree
– Ministry experience in a creative, fast-paced, results-driven environment a plus
– A positive attitude
– A familiarity with The Purpose Driven Church Model
– A risk taker
– A passion for media and the arts
– A passion and drive for evangelism and reaching the unchurched
– A high commitment to the local church
*If you have interest in this position, please email Jason at jason@journeymetro.com.