Ministry Resource Conference Reflections

October 5th, 2011 | Author : admin

A great day was had by all yesterday at the Ministry Resource Conference at the House of Hope Worship Center in Chicago.

Dale Reiser, PBS Church Visioning Group President reflecting on the conference commented that;  “Conference participants were blessed to be able to participate in a diverse offering of breakout sessions. Pertinent information was exchanged on topics ranging from financing and purchasing, to building maintenance, and expansion. Pastors, ministry leaders, and church staffers left with important information that they were able to take back to their individual churches and implement in their daily work.”

Reiser moderated a pastors roundtable with Jon Ferguson of Community Christian Church Naperville / Chicago and Greg Eilders of Peoples Church / Bourbonnais where these leaders reflected on their journeys through ministry and graciously answering questions from those in attendance. 

Among the topics discussed, PBS’ Church Visioning Group shared principles relating to stewardship of physical resources that churches have been blessed with. Participants were engaged in discussion regarding renovation, expansion, updating, financing and stewardship decisions relating to building use and space planning.

Special thanks to the  National Church Purchasing Group (NCPG), the sponsor of the conference.  Reiser added, “This conference has definite potential for church leaders around the country.”  NCPG announced that their next Ministry Resource Conference will be in Baltimore, MD on October 25^th where Art Monk will deliver the keynote address.  Break out sessions and significant ministry aids will be available at the Baltimore location for those attending this conference.

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Conferences. Do I, or Don’t I?

September 28th, 2011 | Author : admin

These days you can go to conferences for what seems to be for any topic/trade/hobby that you can think of. In a recent google search under the word “conferences” you can click on conferences ranging from academics, automotives, leadership, public relations, mathematics, pharmaceuticals, engineers & scientists and yes, even Christian conferences. There are even major conference/convention planning firms that operate their business solely by putting on a variety of these types of events across the country.  Do you notice a trend here? There must be something that you take home from attending events like these…even if it’s something as small as a phrase noted by a speaker. Those who attend conferences typically go for professional development, continuing education, and a better outlook on their career and goals.

How about attending a conference that will leave you feeling fulfilled spiritually and encouraged by resources available to you in your ministry? PBS will be a part of an upcoming conference coming to the Chicagoland area. Ministry Resource Conferences are events designed to encourage and inspire ministry leaders to excel in spreading the Gospel message.  MRC events have many well known national and local presenters with expertise in all areas of ministry, such as Development, Leadership, Operations, Technology, and many more.  MRC’s will speak to the hearts of ministry leaders, reminding them how important their work is and inspiring them to continue with more fervor and excitement.

Join us at this conference coming soon on Tuesday, October 4! We hope to visit with you while you are there. We would love to get to know you and your ministry or possibly re-visit with you again!

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Filling Others Up!

May 11th, 2011 | Author : admin

Directions: Check the box that best describes you.
How full is your glass when….?
you turn on the news…
__ half empty   __half full

you drive past a gas station…
__ half empty   __half full

you check the stock market…
__ half empty   __half full

you look at your grocery bill…
__ half empty   __half full

you watch a friend struggling to pay their bills…
__ half empty   __half full

Do your results surprise you? Did you average half full or half empty?

Where is your hope? These are the times that those without faith need you most. We need to find JOY in the Lord despite anything and everything surrounding us. Joy, hope, patience, and faithfulness are the prescription for an exemplary life like Jesus lived. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” Romans 12:12.

If you are in God, you have the secret. Jesus says, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you” Mark 4:11. People are dying to know your secret – share it and give an eternal gift of happiness and fulfillment.

Go and share your secret, and fill others glasses FULL of hope in the Lord.

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Educating our team, for you.

April 18th, 2011 | Author : admin

In today’s church you need a solid ministry resource partner who is informed and up to date.  PBS can only deliver solid advice to you when we are seeking answers first. We can only help you be successful when understanding first hand, the challenges that you face.  PBS Church Visioning Group partners with The National Association of Church Design Builders (NACDB) in order to share methods and implement ideas that will help us be significant resources to you, our customers and ministry partners.

 In May, PBS will again be participating in the annual meeting of the National Association of Design Builders in Texas.  This trip will allow us to meet and share with other design builders and ministry partners from around the country. Part of the annual meeting experience includes field survey trips to notable churches. In past years, PBS has participated in field survey trips to many significant churches around the country including; Willow Creek in Barrington, IL, Southeast Christian in Louisville, KY, Grainger Church in Grainger, IN, Saddleback Church in Orange County, CA,  Inspiring Body of Christ / in Dallas, TX, Seacoast Church campuses in South Carolina, and Central Christian Church Phoenix, AZ.   This year, our team is excited to be participating in the visit to Gateway Church in Southlake Texas.

While in the Dallas area we will also be participating in the Ministry Resource Conference where we will hear firsthand from many church leaders and interface with them about worship and arts, cultural diversity in ministry, church funding/budgeting, ministry administration…and the list will go on. We are excited for this opportunity to share with and learn from this cross section of leaders.  

Through this process of continually educating our team and significant investment of time, we learn to better serve our customer and meet their ministry needs. 

Later this year, PBS Church Visioning Group will be taking a leadership role in the Ministry Resource Conference in Chicago at Salem Baptist Church on October 4. Mark your calendars, we hope to see you there!

We know with the seemingly endless list of campaigns, various aged based ministries, church budgeting, worship, etc. that it can be tedious and sometimes hard to focus on how best to bring effective implementation.  At PBS, we realize these challenges and continue to educate our team with the help of organizations like NACDB in order to be an all-around resource for your church’s building and ministry needs.

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The 5-Step Delivery Process

January 26th, 2011 | Author : admin

Whatever good things we build end up building us.” — Jim Rohn

We mean it, the 5-Step process to building with PBS Church Visioning Group is…easy!  Let’s further define how we can take you easily from Step 1 to Step 5!

Step 1 Scope:
Project Conception: Where ministry vision is defined.
Where does your ministry fit?  The geography of where your ministry calls “home” might be an extension off of an existing building or maybe an entirely new property, city, or state. We’ll help take you from here to step 2.

Step 2 Design / Development / Financial Feasibility:
Creativity: Where budget and vision come together.
You see the bottom line; PBS sees where they can take you with it. PBS will guide you through the process of how to properly plan for the financial means to complete your project.

Step 3 Construction Documents:
Construction Timeline: Where plans are confirmed and permitting is completed.
This might be the most exciting part for the church and PBS. The light has turned GREEN to GO! Once all documents are signed and completed the plan is in action, permitting begins.

.Step 4 Construction:
Safety, Quality and Service: When the project is built.
Simply put, visions become reality and quality is assured throughout step 4 to step 5.

Step 5 Occupancy:
Follow-up and Details: A celebration of the completed project.
All final touches and plans are completed.  Let’s celebrate the opening of your new ministry home! 

 

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Imagine the Possibilities…

January 10th, 2011 | Author : admin

Happy New Year! 2011 marks another year to be thankful and hopeful for.

As another year turns, it’s hard not to stop and recognize how thankful we are at, PBS Church Visioning Group, for the opportunity to be able to serve through kingdom expansion. It is an honor to watch a church be built or expanded for God’s purpose. God has entrusted PBS the honor of creating and building a place for His people to worship and experience LIFE.  We are humbled at this opportunity.

As this year progresses, we hope to meet you! Our excitement builds just as much as yours while discussing your dreams of where God is taking your ministry. Please contact us no matter what step in the process you may be. We want to be involved to help you take the next steps.

Looking ahead, a year from today – begin to imagine the possibilities of where your ministry might be. Seek God first and the rest will follow.

Blessings on your 2011.

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Urgency.

November 18th, 2010 | Author : admin

 

As early as October 31, beautifully decorated Christmas trees line the entrances of the Macys® department stores. The hustle and bustle of a holiday nearly two months away begins so early that society begins to question which decorations they should be pulling out of their closets or more importantly, which day should be celebrated?

As humans, we tackle everything as if it is fleeing away from us in a second.
…Answer that email
…Text that person back
…Catch the latest T.V. show
…Check the weekend weather
…Buy your Christmas gifts right away!

It’s hard not to step back for a second and ask, “WHY?” Why is everything SO urgent? We barely breathe in the crisp morning air before our minds move on to what the day holds and which tasks are to be accomplished.

When was the last time we were urgent about our relationship with God? When was the last time that HE was your first and last thought of a day? Why do we distract ourselves with the temporary when the eternal father is waiting at our fingertips?

This Thanksgiving holiday, put aside the craziness that our society places on the holiday season. Make the resolution that you will take in every moment, every blessing, and every person that you experience. Take the time to feel His spirit in the season. He’s there and He’s waiting…for you.

PBS wishes you a very Happy Thanksgiving – a holiday full of time spent with friends and family. More importantly, we want to join you in spending time with our Father for the many blessings he has granted to all of us.

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Putting our personal and business agenda aside…

October 19th, 2010 | Author : admin

 

 Think about the circumstances where you were left thinking, “that was such a GOD thing” or after meeting someone where you think that it’s “such a small world” because of the special connection you felt.  There are many interactions with people where the impact cannot be measured, sometimes even for a couple years after God brings people together for a certain cause, often his cause.  Sometimes it is just a few meaningful words that are spoken by a friend or business associate that may bring someone to a better place emotionally. Could it be that God interweaves our lives to be in touch with each other in order to meet each other’s needs?  Yes, I would have to believe so. In fact, this is how each of us are supposed to function. We were meant to live together in an intimate way with God and serve him and each other.

How do we get back to the basics?  God shows himself through the work of others and in particular through his son whom he sent for us. Can we take the attitude where we live out the example that Jesus left for us with purpose? Where there’s a need, find a way to fulfill it. Where there’s hurt, find a way to fix it. When someone is crumbling, stand them back up. Admittedly, it is a challenge to put our agenda aside and put the agenda of those God places in our lives first.  Isn’t it less about re-organizing our lives, and more about re-prioritizing our lives?

What might happen or change if we determined where God envisions us to be– as exactly where we wanted to be?

It is an honor to serve, support and encourage our friends in ministry.

The PBS Church Visioning Group

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Re-Charge, Re-Commit

September 16th, 2010 | Author : admin

The summer slumber is fading and routine has begun to sink back into our daily “to do’s”.  This is a time that is split for many people between reluctance to re-charge our efforts after a summer of R&R or excitement to re-commit and stretch ourselves to become something or someone better than when we left off. Where are you in this scenario?

Regardless of where you are, it is only logical to consider re-charging and re-committing yourself to your job, your church, your family and your personal ministry. PBS has taken the necessary steps toward this idea of renewal through inputting a better model to fit your needs. Remember, before summer slumber set in, you noticed that building or maintenance upgrades were needed in your church? Or maybe you had a vision for your church that was so big but it slowly faded as much as the sun setting on the horizon on your summer evenings. Could it be that you were once on fire for God’s purpose in your church and life but now you’re sitting back wondering where that person went?

We believe that wherever you’re at, you’re being called to something bigger, something better, than who and what you were before the warm, long days of summer. When you hear that calling to re-charge and explore possibilities – call us! We genuinely want to be a part of this process with you. We believe that we can help fulfill your church’s vision for growth and opportunity in His Kingdom. Don’t let the season of Fall make you fall back into routine – re-charge yourself for what God has in store!

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Move.

August 11th, 2010 | Author : admin

Churches spend a good portion of their time focused on the here and the now. Why not? We know our Savior can come at any time, right? Sarcasm aside, ask yourself this question, have we forgotten to move and are we stuck in preservation mode? Preserving seems to be the key word today. This happens when we become so caught up in the history, the people and the “expected” order that we have forgotten how to move.

What do we mean by moving? It’s right here in the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20, ¹⁹Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus told us to move. He told us to GO and make disciples of ALL nations. When you hear about church movements do you ever focus on the word, movement? This word encompasses everything but the word “preserve”. In fact, the dictionary’s meaning for preserve is to, “keep-up or maintain”. Is that what we’ve been called to do? Maintain the church that God has given us? No, we’ve been told to be on the move introducing others to Christ. Many churches have maintained the norm for far too long and its’ people are exhausted and losing hope. Why?  Well maybe, the church is stalled and it is not moving.

How can we move? First and foremost, ask God to lead you and your church to GO where He wants you. Here’s a guarantee, you ask for His leading and He will move you in ways and to places that you would have never even imagined.  PBS wants to hear about your movement. It is an encouragement to our team when we have the opportunity to partner with Christ followers in churches that are reaching into new and different places, and who have designs to do so in creative and exciting ways.  

If you decide to continue in preservation mode, make sure you are only preserving God’s command to move.

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NACC Experience

July 26th, 2010 | Author : admin

PBS strives to be accessible to those who are interested in sharing their vision for building or expanding their church or ministry space. We had the opportunity to be accessible in this way to many this month at the North American Christian Convention (NACC) in Indianapolis, IN. This four-day convention featured multiple exhibits from organizations such as, Bible colleges, Christian publishers, church planters, as well as many other mission organizations.

We asked some of the staff who represented the PBS Church Visioning Group to share their comments and experiences from the NACC;

Vice President of Project Development, Chad Charon:
“The NACC was an opportunity for many within the Christian Church to reunite, refuel their enthusiasm for their respective ministries and discover resources for their ministries. PBS had the opportunity to interact with many church leaders who were looking to advance their ministries as they sought council for the often times exhaustive task of finding the appropriate tools to accommodate their ministry’s growth.  PBS considers it a humble honor to be a resource for the design, renovation and construction needs of these ministries.”

Senior Project Manager, Jeff Dekker:
“The importance I see for PBS’ participation in events such as the NACC is providing solutions and opportunity for our partners. We are able to share our interest in ministry and become familiar with current issues and trends”.

We want to be accessible to you too! Let us know if you would like to schedule a time to meet with the PBS Church Visioning Group or to exhibit at your next conference or convention.

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The Function of a Church Building

June 8th, 2010 | Author : admin

An article was recently published in the Chicago Tribune about a Chicago area mega church that served as the facility for a local public high school graduation. Some community members and even students felt outraged that this worship facility was being used as the site for their academic ceremony. They felt that the school district was crossing the boundaries of the separation of church and state.

This article was a reminder that a building is not what makes church or brings God to His people. God meets us wherever we are and however we are.  There is certainly something sacred about a church sanctuary or any place of worship. At PBS, we strive to help meet the needs of the church who desires the multi-functionality of a worship space as much as the church that solely uses the space for worship and religious ceremonies. We want to help create the site where un-believers find community in Christ no matter how the building is built to suit the church.

As a side note, it would be interesting to know if there were any guests who attended this graduation ceremony that decided to visit the church after the fact. Is it through these unordinary opportunities that we can reach those who might not have ever visited our churches? This trend for silent ministry opportunities is on the rise and it might just be the ticket to reaching hearts for Christ.  

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Summer Slumber

May 18th, 2010 | Author : admin

School is out, the sun is out, and the summer slumber is coming into view. The summer offers the R&R that we have looked forward to all year long. Long evenings, weekends away, and plenty of gatherings seem to flood our schedules. Does this sound familiar in your summer plans?

By all means, we should enjoy this wonderful time of year and the activities that it brings. For us Midwesterners, God has granted us only a couple months to enjoy the warm season. For that reason, the summer slumber schedule seems to hit right on time every year.

As our summer schedules take over, maybe we need to step back and think of The Kingdom. Have we thought about how to prioritize some of our own plans and objectives and not lose sight of how we can still influence others for the Lord?  We should use this time to rest our minds from the daily urgencies, but also consider what can be done in our mission to serve  Christ.  So often we use our busy schedules to excuse the lack of attention we put into this area. Summer should bring renewal and rejuvenation to the many commitments to ministry that we have. Maybe though, we can utilize a piece of our summer to re-purpose our ministry efforts when summer wanes and fall sets in.

Whichever category you fall into, take the time to stop and listen to God. Treat this time of year as a gift but do not vacation from your giving no matter what your schedule has in store. Make a habit of thanking God and asking Him where you can make additions and subtractions to your schedule for Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under Heaven.

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Enhance to Engage

April 27th, 2010 | Author : admin

You’ve probably seen it, drank from it, heard about it, wish your church had it, or even considered it. We’re talking about the new solution for bringing community inside church doors – the Church Café. Does your church have a need or perhaps the desire to step outside the “Welcome Center” box? Have you considered the idea of gathering your members in a casual environment where they can find community over a hot cup of coffee or tea? Do you even know where to start?

PBS Church Visioning Group offers a design, renovation and construction approach to taking an existing dated space and turning it into an attractive, functional, gathering space. Maybe you’re considering other renovations such as the addition of a Café or bookstore to your building, a re-facing of the exterior, or maybe a complete renovation of your sanctuary or children’s area. PBS will see your project through from the design to the first day of use.

What is your church personality? Where are you lacking and what can you do to enhance and engage community? Sometimes it takes some new ideas and the implementation of a new look to get members and guests re-energized about the church’s ministries.

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Churching the Un-Churched on Easter

March 31st, 2010 | Author : admin

Have you ever paid attention to the emphasis that your church puts on Easter Sunday Service? Between changes in service times, location changes, breakfast receptions & additional seating  – it’s clear that the church is in search of a new crowd to welcome and share the “Good News” with.  The church does their part in preparing a place and experience that is bound to touch the hearts of the un-churched. The question is, have you done your part? Have you taken the time to invite your neighbor, co-worker or friend at the gym?

According to the Barna Research Group, 31% of active churchgoers said that they would be open to inviting others to church on Easter. David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group, wrote, “Realistically, if all of the people who said they would bring unchurched people with them on Easter were to follow through, America’s churches couldn’t handle the overflow. The statistics project to something like 40 million church regulars who claim they are likely to bring someone as their guest. If each of those people brought just one adult as their guest, that’d be the equivalent of adding 115 new people per Christian congregation. That would more than double the size of the average church!” This is clearly, not a bad problem to have.

The challenge this Holy Week is not to add more bodies and numbers to Easter Sunday Service. The challenge is to extend the invitation to those who need Christ the most.

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