Creative Ministry on a Shoestring
This morning our Staff took a field trip for our monthly meeting. We have many different meetings each week with different ministry leaders. But the first Tuesday of the month is a meeting with all our ministry staff, from office, facilities, pastors, and other support ministries. Most of the time we meet at the church. But today I decided to take the staff to IKEA for breakfast. But even more important, it was a trip to challenge our creative side. We have some of the most creative young staff I have ever seen. They constantly amaze me at all the fresh ideas they bring to meetings and to our ministry. 
What most don't realize is that while our church would be considered large, and some would even put it in the category of a Mega church by attendance standards, we are not a church that has lots of financial resources. As a young and rapidly growing church we have always struggled to make sure we were good stewards of the limited resources given through you, our faithful members and attenders. During this very difficult financial time in our country, in South Florida and in many of our families, it has also been a time of testing for us as a church. We have embarked on some of the most ambitious new ministry endeavors of any church I know of. We have started 7NOW -- worship 365 days a year, but we also accepted the challenge of merging with an 82 year old church in North Miami, and made major repairs after Hurricane Wilma.
Having said this, we work on a lean budget. Many call me cheap!! Well, today after our $.99 breakfast at IKEA, we challenged our staff to see how creative they could get. We gave them $10 -- for each of the four teams, and sent them off to figure out how they could come up with creative Ideas for the next 4 Sermon Series. The $10 covered what they would use to make a presentation of their ideas for the sermon series they were assigned. They were to figure out how to decorate the entire platform of each campus for $100 for the entire Series. Now, you see the platforms and auditoriums and think we spend thousands. No, we have some incredibly creative team members who work on a shoestring budget. Normally our Creative Team does this. But, today our entire staff joined in. I loved their ideas, their spirit and co-operation. Now our Creative Team will take their ideas and work them into our next four series.
It doesn't take a fortune or big budget to be creative...it takes some really committed and creative people. Thanks, guys/gals for a great morning! Hey, and that was some breakfast for .99 cents. Oh, and that 9' clearance on the parking garage was plenty for me to get the bus through. The yellow paint on the top of the bus, was not really there!!!!!!
P.S. By the way guys...Looking for a great romantic place to take your sweetheart for Valentines!! IKEA -- $.99 Breakfast, eggs, potatoes, and bacon. Lunch for $4.99 and less!!! Dinner, not sure, but its cheap!!! 
cool, creative post Guy. I want to see the results of the stage! have a great day bro
Posted by: Allen DiStefano | February 06, 2008 at 11:43 AM
apparently only the YOUNG are the creative ones - hmmmmmm!Of course pulling a 9.5' tall bus under a 9' clearing was pretty creative.
It was a great time, Guy, thanks for YOUR creativity.
Posted by: gabi | February 06, 2008 at 02:05 PM
I really want to know what they found. I love that kind of stuff!
Posted by: Jen | February 06, 2008 at 04:14 PM
I really want to know what they found. I love that kind of stuff!
Posted by: Jen | February 06, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Thanks for a great & cheap breakfast! I only hope that our creativity does not lead me into a kitchen! Also, thank you for helping me face and conquer the IKEA Lion! Great times were had by all!
V
Posted by: Vanessa Cook | February 06, 2008 at 06:20 PM
We had an awesome time at Ikea. You can click on my name to see my blog about our day.
Posted by: chris hughes | February 07, 2008 at 09:32 AM
what a fun morning! thanks guy! :)
Posted by: Jenn | February 07, 2008 at 02:38 PM
p.s. even though my team didn't win...:(
Posted by: Jenn | February 07, 2008 at 02:38 PM
But we didn't lose, Jenn!
Posted by: gabi | February 07, 2008 at 03:14 PM
I followed your advice and found out from Chris. He blogged about it. Man, I love the world of blogging!
Posted by: Jen | February 08, 2008 at 12:13 AM
One thing I like about you guys on the Creative team is your commitment to quality. So many times we see "Christian" stuff that is cheesy and irrelevant to the world. We need some quality work out there, and I think the church does that. But to find out that your budget is so low! That makes it even more impactful.
Posted by: Michele | February 08, 2008 at 10:48 AM