Friday’s Five – Character Quotes

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 27, 2009 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

When people talk about you, what do they say?

When all is said and done on this Earth and your time is passed, what will the world remember you?

I believe our character defines us and leaves thoughts in people’s minds to the way we conducted ourselves. I want to give you five quotes on character to consider this weekend.

Gallagher’s Five Favorite Character quotes:

(5) “Life for some people is to sow wild oats during the week and then go to church Sunday and pray for  crop failure.” (Unknown)

(4) “The Lord do esn’t take us into deep water to drown us, but to develop us.” (Unknown)

(3)”Character is much easier kept than recovered.” (Thomas Paine)

(2) “Character is what you are when no one is around.” (Unknown)

(1) “A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.” (Charles Spurgeon)

What is your favorite quote on character?

Just some thoughts…

Chris

Downloadable Songs – Limited Time

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 25, 2009 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

Here is your opportunity to download new songs for a *LIMITED TIME!*

A friend of mine, Andy Robison, is making approximately thirty songs available for download for a *LIMITED TIME*. In talking with Andy today, he is allowing *Free* downloads of the songs until March 13th. This is a *LIMITED TIME* offer. The entire list of songs, the sheet music for each, as well as the PowerPoint for each song will be made available in the next few days!

After March 13th, the price will be $1.00 for the MP3 of each song; this includes the sheet music as well as the PowerPoint! A great deal for someone seeking to learn new songs.

Andy is making the song titled, “In Your Bible Class” available right now! This song is a perfect song for VBS and preparing children for Bible class. Take a moment and give it a listen here: Click here to listen. (A new window should open.)

Andy can be contacted by using the Preacher’s Pen Contact Form.

Here is the song available right now! (The other songs are being uploaded and they will be made available in the next few days!)

Downloading the files:

Right click on the file you want below and use the “Save As” function to save them to your computer.

*Click here for a copy of the sheet music.*

*Click here to Download the MP3!*

*Click here to download the PowerPoint!*

Remember to stop back for more songs in a few days!!

Enjoy!

Chris

Gallagher’s Random VBS Mind

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 23, 2009 in Uncategorized | 7 comments

I talked with a good friend this morning about preparations for Vacation Bible School. It is hard to believe VBS is just around the corner for most congregations. We do not have a VBS here in Mount Pleasant, but one day we will and I hope every year we have VBS our building will not hold the people who come.

In thinking about VBS, I pulled this old article and decided to post it to the front again. Take a moment and give it a read and let me know what you think.

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Here are my thoughts from May 6th, 2008:

Summertime is just around the corner and that means the everlasting rush to get VBS done. A close friend of mine and I were talking about the process of getting ready for VBS and I thought I might give some hints to get VBS done better each year. Remember, I am no VBS guru, but I have learned some vital necessities of getting VBS done well and it has nothing to do with me, but the people involved make it happen.

It used to be the preacher was the one "volunteered" to handle VBS, but the trend is changing and people are now more involved. So if this does not apply to you, pass this list along to someone else.

Here are Gallagher’s Rules for VBS:

Start early – Don’t wait until two weeks before VBS to begin handing out the material and drafting teachers! This is possibly the second worst mistake you can make with VBS.

Here is a timeline I used for VBS:

• Six Months form VBS Start Date – First meeting to gather teachers, helpers, maintenance crew, snack people, and any other area needed.
• Five months from VBS Start Date – Begin gathering material or ideas for material if your plan to create your own.
• Four Months from VBS Start Date – Begin sending postcards to family, friends, visitors, and even the congregation to remind them of the VBS date. Publicize the VBS date on the Internet.
• Three Months from VBS Start Date – Gather your Decorating Crew together and brainstorm for materials and ideas for decorations.
• Two Months (8 weeks) from VBS Start Date – Pass out material to the teachers and ask if they need anything and be sure to get it. Advertise VBS again in the community paper, direct mail, word of mouth, postcards, whatever is takes to get the word out. Be sure a sign is placed on the church property noting VBS is coming.
• Six Weeks from VBS Start Date – Begin Door knocking opportunities and create posters to be passed out to the community bulletin boards in grocery stores, etc. Arrange for transportation of kids whose parents cannot bring them; begin now to get volunteers.
• Four Weeks from VBS Start Date – Gather every VBS member together and as if there is anything needed. Whatever is needed, get someone other than yourself to be responsible for getting it and delivering it.
• Three Weeks from VBS Start Date – The Decorating Team should be placing the final touches on the decorations and material. Also, more flyers need passed out and sent to each contact.
• Two Weeks from VBS Start Date – The teachers need to be asked if there is anything they need. Constant encouragement is needed because of their powerful role.
• One Week from VBS Start Date – Pray! The final touches need placed on VBS and the congregation needs to be regularly encouraged to be there.
• The Day of VBS – Drink Coffee, Jolt Cola, Mountain Dew and eat lots of Twinkies – you will need it!

Gallagher’s Notable VBS  Techniques:

• Always encourage your VBS staff – Write them notes weekly, email them, call them and be there for them. Make sure they are taken care of, because they will take care of the children during the week.
• NEVER MICRO-MANAGE! Now stand up and say it with me, "I WILL NOT MICRO-MANAGE VBS!" 
• Involve Everyone – Make sure everyone in your congregation is involved in some way. Get those who like to talk on the phone to make phone calls inviting people, get the computer savvy to develop a web page for VBS, let no one out. Get a new Christian to be an assistant and watch them grow.
• No Skimping on Snacks – No generic gospel, no generic snacks!
• Reward the reward-able – make sure you reward the children for a job well done. Give Bibles to those who brought others, give good gifts to those who work hard.
• Acknowledge your staff each day – At each gathering thank, show appreciation and acknowledge the great qualities of your staff. Provide your staff with rewards as well.

Gallagher’s After VBS Techniques

• Food! After VBS is over, have a meal for everyone who took part in VBS and thank them for all the work they have done.
• Review VBS! Soon after VBS, but separate form the Appreciation Meal, have a VBS review. Be open and honest, let people voice opinions and discuss situations that could be improved and situations that are great. Bring the good and the improvable to the forefront of the discussions.

The techniques listed above is a brief look at the way VBS worked for me. Here in Mount Pleasant, we do not have a VBS yet, but I am sure we will one day. I look forward to the day to put theses techniques back to work.

I took these techniques and tweaked them over the years and saw a great increase in attendance and performance, but most of all the gospel being spread each year.

Remember — Start Early! and NEVER MICRO-MANAGE! (The micro-managing point will come in a few days!)

Just some thoughts…

Chris

Monday Morning Blues

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 23, 2009 in Uncategorized | 1 comment

A new “program” on Disney has caught the eye of everyone in my family.  I use the word “program” but the show which has caught our eye is not a show at all. It is a short clip show, under three minutes, called “Brian O’Brian”. I have included an episode this morning on “Brian O’Brian Goes to Work".”

Enjoy!

Hope you enjoyed!

Chris

Friday’s Five

Posted by Chris Gallagher on Feb 20, 2009 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

I cannot believe today is Friday! – That means a couple more days until SUNDAY!!! Anyway, I had planned on posting a couple different things today, but I am going to save those for next week. Here is a break-up of the plans for next week:

• Monday – The Monday Morning Blues in the morning plus a Bonus Post in the afternoon
• Tuesday – Enhancing Church Communication Overview plus the Preacher’s Pen Podcast Page
• Wednesday – Enhancing Church Communication with God
• Thursday – Enhancing Your Communication with Your Family
• Friday – Leadership Podcast plus Leadership Goal

That is what is lined up for next week, but for today, take a moment and enjoy my Friday’s Five Things which Made this Week enjoyable.

Friday’s Five Things Which Made This Week Enjoyable:

(5) Tucker will get sued! (Click here to see why)

(4) The visits to the website increased to over 1,000 a day! Even though the numbers were good, the discussions were better. Check them out by scrolling down.

(3) I found this video on Brad Palmore’s Facebook. (Click here to see the video)

(2) The Brian Regan tickets came in the mail!

(1) Looking and goofing off with the kids on this page.

What did you enjoy this week?

Just my thoughts,

Chris