What have you found helpful for...

[Mrs D]

preparing *yourself* for ministry? For example, how do you prepare yourself to lead SS class, or take a position in Awana, or help organize VBS, or participate in an outreach project, or take on a discipleship?

I find myself in the prep stages again concerning the Christianity 101 Conference & am looking for some fresh insight, new idea, some ritual to borrow, or whatever you have to offer. :)

[brendagary]

Besides prayer? :giggle: I'm a list maker. I divide up the papers into sections and put either jobs that need to be done, or people that need to be found. I also go to McDonald's and get a coke and spread out the papers and work there. I usually do this during the late afternoon -- before school gets out and before the dinner crowd.

[Hadley]

ditto on the list making! I research the internet for as many ideas as i can find and try to post my ideas too! I enjoy making lists...jot down everything that comes to me and make forms on the computer, email folks when possible, etc.

I was head of our girls ministry when it got started, and I spent A LOT of time reading books on girls ministry, trying to find out what other churches did, making notes all along the way. When I figured out what direction to go, I started recruiting helpers and making lists and files of all the ideas I found (events, games, favors, devotions, Bible studies, etc).

And of course, #1 and continuing throughout...PRAY

[klttrego]

I list things out as well. I take that list then and make a timeline of what needs to be done when. (I direct VBS so this is a short term ministry. As far as long term, I can't help)

[Binny]

Lots and lots of prayer, and I practice what I am going to say a lot so that I can be more fluid and "in the moment". I am one who thrives on routine so the more prepared/researched I am the more I am able to handle when things dont go as planned.