jameyjohnson.org

Innovative New Business: VALO

 

This is my good homie Simon McConico (aka. Big Dr. Dope...aka THE PHOTO MAN).

Simon just started a new photography company called: Valo.  Simon started this company with his business partner Jake, another great up-in-coming photographer.  I got a chance to spend some time w/ these two fellas, and observe them on a photo shoot they did for our church...they have vision, creativity, great people-skills, innovative, and take some spectacular pictures.  Simon is YIN, and Jake is the Yang...they have a such a great creative chemistry together, it's awesome to watch, and there photos prove it.  

I seriously believe that Valo is going to be one of the up-in-coming, influential/creative photography businesses in the  5 state area.  They are helping me to create overall new branding image for my business/ministry.

I’ve gotten to know Simon personally over the past few years and here’s the bottom line when it comes to Simon: He is willing to take risks, use his innovative/creative gifts, has a passion for what he does, and has such a great vibe with people (that it's ridiculous).

These are just some of the photos they did for me...I had a great time fellas...blessing to you both! 

 

Smile!

There are photographers...and then...THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHERS!  You need to check out this dude's photography site (simonmcconico.com).  Simon was a former intern with us at Christ Church International.  I was privileged to work with him in one of our young adult environments called, AfterHours.  Simon was very innovative and creative in video and photography, therefore, he excelled in both our music and promotions department. 

Simon now works in Wisconsin (dang-nab-it...we need to get him back here).  This dude has taken his photography business to a WHOLE NEW CREATIVE LEVEL...he is a fantastic photographer! 

Simon promotes himself as a child, senior, fashion, commercial, and anything else photographer in the Milwaukee area. If it includes taking photos, he says, "count me in."  Go head' and check his site and let him know what you think! 

Catalysts of change

My homie Scott Hodge recently wrote about The Orchard's journey of transition and change on his blog.  Scott's post struck a nerve!  I started to think about the church I serve at, and pondered our journey, and wondered our we really ready to make a tranistion and embrace change.  Then I started to think about the lack of change and movement in many churches today...Why?

Pastor, leader, and innovator Erwin McManus said, "For too long the church has longed for the good old days, has hoped that the future would simply be a detour to the past...We are not only called to be changed and to embrace change but to  be the catalysts of change."

Pressure to stay relevant

Do you find pressure to keep your ministry or business relevant, engaging and innovative?  I know I have.  However, I have found most of the "real" pressure comes from within.  The fear of failure, making mistakes, and people pleasing is where the real pressure comes for me.  In the process of attempting to be relevant, engaging and innovative we must not be afraid to fail and make mistakes.  In order to stay FRESH in our organization, I believe it is essential to create a culture that is alloted to make mistakes and isn't afraid of trying new things. 

In the current issue of Ministry Today, Ed Young tells about his process to stay relevant, creative, engaging, and innovative within his ministry and leadership, he said, "Every church should be growing because living things grow."  To keep a church healthy, active, creative and maturing, Ed offers up seven keys of encouragement: 

1. Say it and spray it--often.  Ed points out the need to assert what your church is all about and why it does what it does from the pulpit often.  This is a must to discover who is truly on board with the vision.  Ed points out, "I've discovered that people forget why they do what they do after about three weeks."

2. Go gospel.  At the core of every activity within church must have the simple message of the gospel.

3. Pastor your future church.  Young encourages leaders to pastor their churches as if they were three of four times their present size.  This isn't just for pastors' own sake, but to prepare the entire congregation for future growth.

4. Use what you've got.  Use the people in your organization to the fullest - equip, equip, equip.

5. Do only what only you can do.  Leaders are good at taking on burdens, whether we have the ability of gifting to resolve them or not.  Find those things that you are good at, and assign the rest to those who are more qualified.

6. Be your own best critic.  Use people (creative teams) to critique your sermons, meetings, and talks.  release insecurity/defensiveness and be open to critique.

7. Grow with subtraction.  Every time you go to the next level in your church (organization), there's going to be a new devil, and people are going to go by the wayside.  So don't tell me who's coming to your church, tell me who's leaving your church.  Because whenever your talk about VISION, people will bolt--and that's OK, because when they bolt, more will be added.

A church in transition, a dad who tragically died, a son in grief, and a pastor who stood tall…

Are you in need of change?  Is your church in need of change?  Are you afraid of transitioning your church to a new tomorrow? 

Scott Hodge's story will answer these questions and so much more.  This pastor's remarkable journey tells a story of joy, pain, grief and hope, it will impact you and your church community!!!  What did you do with what God has given you?  

When you hit the link you need to get through the funny/goofy church folks skit at the beginning.

Catalyst, HomeBoyz, and Ribs @ Fat Matt's Rib Shack

I just came back from Atlanta with one of good friends and homeboy, Scott Hodge.  Our purpose for traveling to Hot(lanta), was to attend the Catalyst Leadership Conference.  The conference was good, leaders such as Andy Stanley, John Maxwell, Erwin McManus spoke on various leadership topics.  However, though I enjoyed the leadership training aspect of the Catalyst conference, I really enjoyed hangin' with Scott, meeting new people, and eating at Fat Matt's Rib Shack (this Rib Shack is highly recommended as you can see...we threw down!!!).

I also met a new homeboy and friend, his name is Carlos Whittaker.  I first was exposed to Los (Carlos) from his blog--Ragamuffin Soul.  It was great meeting Los in person (good guy, great musician, leader, and family man).  Carlos just got INKED on the T.V. show L.A. Ink - really cool - nice TAT LOS!!!    

Nothin' like a HOMIE!

I know we look confused, but were not! (Well, maybe).  This is my good HOMIE Stephen Crawford.  There is nothing like having a "GOOD BUDDY" - you know...a homeboy, friend, coo-mo-D, a brotha, teammate, a solider in arms who has your back.  I've known Stephen since our college days at North Central University (back when the earth's crust was still hardening), it took us 8 years to get through college together (Steve thinks it was 7), but we made it.  We went on to get our Master's Degree together at Bethel Seminary, and we've even won football championships together (I was Defensive line--Steve was Defensive back).  Stephen and I have also worked together for over 6 years(Urban Leadership Academy & Christ Church International).  And lastly, we are both Starbucks junkies-we talk about life/leadership, drink mocha's, encourage each other, and keep each other accountable.  Thanks for your friendship Steve---Oh, by the way...I'm gonna kick your butt in our Church league fantasy hoops playoffs again- Peace!

Innovative Cat!

I dig this cat-Tony Morgan (left side), his blog-site is informative, and has a great vibe to it (his posts on the "TOP 10" - i laughed my BUTT off).  Tony sounds like one of those "INNOVATIVE leaders" who is trying to challenge the process of traditional church culture and thinks outside the box to complex problems facing the church today.  Tony's site reads, "Tony is a pastor on the senior management team at NewSpring Church where he develops creative solutions for communications, volunteer connections, guest services and other areas. Prior to joining the team at NewSpring, he served on the senior leadership team at Granger Community Church for over eight years, he also leads WiredChurches.com, an empowerment arm of GCC that equips church leaders across the country, through innovative resources, workshops and other tools to enhance and facilitate their ministries.  With Tim Stevens, Tony has co-authored Simply Strategic Stuff, Simply Strategic Volunteers and Simply Strategic Growth – each of which offers valuable, practical solutions for different aspects of church ministry."

Example (of Tony's Stuff):

10 Advantages of Doing Ministry Without a Ministry Strategy

1. You give the loudest person the opportunity to decide what happens at your church.
2. Sharp leaders who are accustomed to serving in organizations with clearly defined plans for future growth won’t stick around your church. That means more ministry for you!
3. You’ll get to hone your debating skills as people argue about what to do next.
4. More meetings! Where there's no strategy, the meetings flourish.
5. Some people call them church splits. We like to call them church plants. More mother churches!
6. You don’t have to worry about celebrating success, because no one even knows what success looks like. It’s just better to keep that a secret.
7. Rather than trying to discern God’s will for your ministry, you can just rely on dumb luck.
8. You don’t have to pray as much, because there's nothing to pray for. As an added bonus, that means you don’t have to develop as much faith either—whatever happens…happens.
9. You can count your offerings a lot faster, because people will save their financial gifts for organizations that actually have a plan for the money they receive.

10. Your lack of ministry strategy, which is a ministry strategy, will do just fine in Nothing, Arizona