grandscape - mopsvolume 13, number four, march 2011 mopsguide.org grandscape the broad view new...

Volume 13, Number Four, March 2011

MOPSGuide.org

GrandscapeThe Broad View

New theme and special section with essentials for next MOPS year!

Inside!

See pages 7-11

Connections March 20112

HELPInterim CEOShelly Radic

Executive EditorCarla Foote

EditorBeth K. Vogt

Editorial CoordinatorJackie Alvarez

Graphic DesignerHeather Swanson

Contact MOPS International at:2370 South Trenton WayDenver, CO 80231-3822

MOPS.org

Office Phone: 303.733.5353 Fax: 303.733.5770

E-mail: [email protected]

Services Representatives: 888.910.MOPS (6677)or 303.695.1930 (in the Denver metro area)

E-mail: [email protected]

To start a MOPS group, [email protected] or go to

MOPS.org/getstarted

To place a MOPShop order:MOPShop.org

© Copyright 2011, MOPS International, Inc. All rights reserved. MOPS is a federally registered

trademark of MOPS International, Inc. 1998. All rights reserved.

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was:“If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”

But … the good Samaritan reversed the question:“If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Like the priest and the Levite, my life can be “me” centered. As I read the articles for this issue my vision expanded beyond the limited scope of me, myself and I. What about my neighbors? The women in my church? The nameless women I pass in the grocery store — even the women I interact with on Facebook? They all fall within my sphere of influence. How have I helped them lately?

If life as a mom feels confining, read “MOPS: A Cure for Claustrophobia” by Shelly Radic, MOPS International’s Interim CEO. Shelly helps moms realize how God uses MOPS to help women discover his plan and purpose for their lives, including reaching women with the Gospel. Why not share the article with your MOPS group?

Imagine you’re the unnamed MOPS leader in Andrea Jones’ article, “Grandscape: A Compelling Call.” How has God prepared you to answer his call to minister to moms who need encouragement, helping them become better moms who make a better world?

This issue also includes a special section packed with information about Charter Renewal and Membership. We’ve provided all the details you’ll need to renew your Charter and register moms for spring membership.

As you finish the 2010-11 MOPS year, take time to celebrate what you’ve accom-plished as a Steering Team — even as you pray and plan for the 2011-12 year. Turn to page 11 to find out next year’s theme and the foundational Scripture verse to guide you.

Beth K. Vogt, Editor Thanks! MOPS International appreciates the support provided by our sponsors for the 2010-11 MOPS year. Find out more about these fine organizations at MOPS.org/sponsors.l Antiquitiesl Back to the Biblel Big Ideal Compassion Internationall Family Movie Nightl Focus on the Familyl Inspired Media Entertainmentl Mama Saver Cardl Operation Christmas Childl Stonyfield Farmsl Women of Faithl World Vision Micro

Letter from the Editor

of Your MOPS GroupGrandscape and the Spiritual Life

Principles:n MOPS is open to all moms, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. The mom furthest from Jesus should feel welcome in your MOPS group.

n Content in MOPS meetings is based on parenting topics from a biblical perspective. MOPS is distinct from a Bible study, offering a relational way to introduce women to Jesus.

n Many moms are interested in more spiritual content. Off-week Bible studies or book studies are a great way to provide opportunities for spiritual growth for interested moms.

n MOPS leadership is for Christian moms who understand the vision and purpose of the ministry.

Grandscape is the understanding that, in the broadest view of life, God is present

and we are not alone. We engage with God and understand that he is with us and has

a purpose for our lives. How does Grandscape work itself out in your MOPS group?

Visit MOPSGuide.orgregularly for practical and inspirational ideas.

Share ideas and questions on the forums. You are part of a worldwide network of leaders.

Connections March 2011 3

By Shelly RadicInterim CEO

MOPS International

MOPS: A Cure for Claustrophobia

My world seemed to shrink to an almost claustrophobic size after my third daughter arrived. Home full-time in a new neighbor-

hood with a kindergartner, a preschooler and a new-born, none of the ministry projects I’d been involved in fit my life anymore. Serving on the mission team was out. Mexico with three tiny kids? Nope. Prayer time started too early and choir practice went too late. My neighbors weren’t very responsive to overtures of friendship. I struggled with how to share my faith with the broader world, to “go and make disciples of all nations,” as Jesus commands in Matthew 28.

Enter MOPS. My first discovery? MOPS is the perfect place to make new mom friends — friends who understood my new reality as a woman and mother. Friends who understood my claustrophobia, as well as the challenges of breast infections and never being able to find a matching set of little shoes in the morning.

My second discovery? MOPS is a place to use my leadership abilities in ways that supported other women on their mom journeys. I participated in ensuring MOPS was a welcoming place, a source of commu-nity and encouragement. By organizing a play date, I provided time out for other moms. With one call to a woman at my table, I extended caring to a mom who was in her third week of battling the family flu bug.

One day as I read through a MOPS magazine much like this one, I made a third discovery. One of MOPS’ core competencies is lifestyle evangelism — sharing Jesus through actions and words. I prayerfully sought opportunities to invite moms to my MOPS group.

With other group leaders, I prayed for several moms who didn’t yet have a personal relationship with Jesus. I shared my faith journey in my Discussion Group and then with my entire MOPS group. Moms responded with questions about God. They requested prayer for colicky babies, troubled marriages and struggles with depression. Two women accepted Christ! I knew God was at work in their lives — and he allowed me to be a part of that work.

MOPS became not only my place for mom relation-ships, but a place to “go and make disciples.” My world expanded when I understood that obeying Jesus’ com-mand included sharing life and faith with my MOPS friends. God revealed he had a kingdom plan and pur-pose for my life in the early mothering years, a place of ministry at home and with the moms in my community.

MOPS is still a place where God calls moms into his grandscape. There are still moms in every community, including yours and mine, who need Jesus. As a Chris-tian mom, God calls you to invite those moms into your MOPS group, to encourage, equip and develop them as women, mothers and leaders. To share Jesus’ love and desire to be in relationship with them as friend and savior. Through MOPS, every mom can discover God’s plan and purpose for her life, which includes a call to “go and make disciples” in her home and in her mom community.

LeadershipVIEW

+=

THE FORMULA

claustrophobic-sized world

new mom friends


Grandscape:

“Just what I needed,” she thought as she surrendered

to sleep. “I’ll read more tomorrow. I just wish I would

have known about these articles a year ago. …”

Morning demanded her attention sooner than she was ready, her husband’s

gargling in the bathroom prodding her out of bed. As she made her way to the

kitchen to start her morning pot of inspiration, she noticed the box of magazines

and booklets her Coordinator had dropped by the previous evening.

The article she read the night before was both encouraging and practical.

She’d only been a Christian for 18 months — and the last year had been a

whirlwind. After attending the new believers’ class at church with her husband

and plugging into a small group, they were growing together. Her prayer life was

strengthening and she was gaining insight and knowledge into the Bible and

Jesus’ teachings. But so far, everything she did focused on her.

CallCompellingThe

By Andrea JonesAssociate Director of Groups and Leadership


Her day flowed from task to task. She fed the children, battled bubbles during bath time, knocked laundry off her To Do list and tidied the kitchen before tucking both kiddos in the stroller. On her way out the door, she reached for the Connections magazines and threw them in her “go bag.” The air was cool and sunshine warmed her back as she pushed her stroller up the slight hill to the park.

She enjoyed the squeals of delight erupting from the playground where her children climbed, ran and slid down the plastic mass of stairs, bridges and slides. As they played, she devoured the series on Psalm 139. God knew her. God is with her. God formed her. She read verse after verse of God’s concern, care, tenderness and intimate involvement in every detail in her life. And then … a declaration of sorts. The knowledge of deep intimacy, care and concern outlined in Psalm 139:17-19 left David with nothing else to say except that the thoughts and mind of God were too much for him.

How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand —

when I awake, I am still with you.She looked out to the

playground where her children played in the sand. She considered her life: the joys, accomplish-ments, marriage and pregnancies, along with the fears and disappoint-ments. Squinting there in the warm sun, an over-whelming comprehension

overcame her: God has known all along. He has been preparing me to reach other moms, allowing me in his love and wisdom to make mistakes, bless-ing me, answering my prayers and leading me back to him. This isn’t all about me, but about how God loves every mom.

Her Coordinator had asked her to be a Discus-sion Group Team Leader. But she hesitated, as life already seemed too busy. She enjoyed leading her Discussion Group, but this would be different. More time, more preparations — more responsibility.

But then the whisper came back: I brought you here for them.

She smiled as she refocused on Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.Love for her MOPS friends swelled in her. Sur-

render and obedience was the only response. She surveyed the playground and noticed four young mothers pushing their children in swings, wiping away toddler-tears and mediating disputes.

They needed MOPS too. They needed to be loved, to experience community and to hear about God’s amazing love, concern and plan for their lives. She could hardly choke back her tears. Her jaw clenched tighter, and she quickly brushed the salty evidences of this compelling call away from her cheeks.

I’m in Lord … I’m yours, here by your plan, directed by your hand and prepared for my entire life for this moment, for this time, for them.

I brought you here for them.“

“


One of the most powerful tools in leadership is self-assessment. It’s not an unhealthy self-bashing, nor is it a glossed over self-comparison to others. This is a mat-ter of the heart as much as it is a matter of the mind and spirit.

In our theme this year, we walked through Psalm 139. In the final verses of Psalm 139, David opens his heart before God, intently awaiting God’s “survey” of his heart, motives, ambitions, hopes and dreams. David wants God to point out any errors, activities, commit-ments or loyalties that have bad motivations or self-seeking agendas.

Being willing to ask the tough questions — What are my mo-tives? Where am I going wrong? — and listening for God’s honest answers gives us freedom. We also obtain insight and wisdom that influences our future choices. Am I doing what I said I’d do? Why not? Am I striving for excellence? Not perfection … Excellence. How am I uniquely equipped to serve in this role? What talents and abilities do I bring to this situation?

Honest assessment equips each leader to serve in her area of gifted-ness and leadership for the purpose of growing the group and reaching more moms. Strategic evaluation equips groups for leadership for the long haul, the marathon of service to a community through a local church-sponsored MOPS group. The alternative is a sprint of passion that might enable a group to survive for a few years, but it will not be equipped for the “Legacy of Longevity.”

Assessing Today in Preparation for Tomorrow

Grandscape: The Compelling Call

of Longevity:LegacyThe

1. How is leadership in your MOPS group preparing for tomorrow? Are you pouring into potential leaders?

2. Are your arms open wide to new moms in your community? Do moms who don’t know Jesus feel welcome in your group?

3. Are you strategically reaching out and sharing the Gospel?

4. Does your leadership know that the purpose of MOPS is to reach out to every mom? Are they seeing the vision of the ministry, beyond the practical logistics of running a MOPS group?

5. Is teaching and discussion time allowing for open, honest, encouraging moments where God can speak to moms?

Your goal? The difference between

touching lives and changing lives. God uses

people. Are you purposeful in reaching out to

your moms and to new leadership? Are you

working today with someone “in the wings,”

perhaps allowing a potential leader to shadow

you? Remember how Jesus invested his time

with 12 “shadows” who watched, learned,

received teaching and were then sent out

among the masses.

Invite a new Christian to walk with you in

the trenches during your day. What about that

mom who has been faithful in attending MOPS

this past year? She may not yet have the confi-

dence or experience to lead, but spending time

walking alongside you might birth a compelling

call to serve in her life.

Assessment Questions for you and your leadership team


$159when you renew by June 1

Get MORE with MOPS!Renew by June 1

Renew your Charter today and get ahead of the game!

Start strategizing for the next year sooner!Receive your Leader’s Library and Marketing Kit this Spring!

A Place for Every Mom ...

2011-12CHARTER RENEWAL

GET IN THE GAME!

from MOPS International. Available this fall at MOPSGuide.org.

with additional Charters all for the SAME PRICE! Only One

Charter Renewal Fee per ministry! Once your Chartering Ministry has chartered one MOPS group (and

renews annually), have as many additional groups

as you want.

REACHMORE MOMS

In addition to the training resources in the Leader’s Library,

your group will also receive a Marketing Kit to reach more moms

and grow your group, including brochures, postcards

and a poster!

MORE RESOURCES

More groups + more moms + more resources + more depth

= more opportunities for moms to discover MOPS — to be welcomed, accepted and challenged to reach their potential and recognize their influence with their families and their world.

+ GO DEEPERwith off-week

resources+ =MORE

EFFECTIVEWAYS TO

REACH OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY


The Game: To Reach More Moms … So No Mom is Alone!

MOPSGuide.org/renewal

OBJECT: Travel through the MOPS game board, collect as many mom members you can hold, feed them, encourage them, love on their kids, tell them Jesus loves them and be their friend.

SET UP YOUR GAME:Renew Your MOPS Charter right away!Renewal Opens April 1st! MOPSGuide.org/renewalIn order to renew your Charter and update group information, go to MOPSGuide.org/renewal for convenient online renewal. Renewal forms are also available to download and mail.

2011-12 Charter Renewal

Move 1 space forward

Go

toM

OPS

Gui

de.o

rg/r

enew

alto

ren

ew

Have a waiting

list?

Move 1 space forward

Check out the

Leader’s Library DVDs.

Watch the videos with your leaders! Disc

over

the

grea

t Mom

Sens

e cu

rric

ulum

!

Add a new MOPS group for

NO extra

charge! Consider a MOMSnext charter

Charter Box arrives in mail! Do the Happy Dance!

M O PS

STAR

T

ON YOUR TURN: Be sure to register ALL of your leaders and mentors for 2011-12 so they receive Connections magazine and Leaders Online articles, updates and information for trainings and events in your area!

HOW TO WIN: Renew now and use all the leadership and marketing resources to reach more moms this spring. Groups chartered after November 30, 2010: No Charter renewal fee is required, but update your group information and order the complete Charter renewal packet for a small shipping and handling fee.

Special Early Renewal Offer:Renew by April 28, get one free Mom Membership to use after July 1, 2011.


CHARTER RENEWAL KIT INCLUDES:

The Game Pieces:

Happy MOPS groups win!

Registered moms get

MomSense magazine!

Registered moms

receive MOPS

goodies in mail!

Register your new moms right away!

Plan

MO

PPET

S

with

Veg

gieT

ales

curr

icul

um!

Hang up

signs at church,

grocery stores.

Check out this

year’s theme book!

Get books

for your

whole group! PR

AY!

Check out the

devotions!

Use postcards

to invite new

moms!

W I N

Multi-group Charters only pay one renewal fee, but can order extra kits for $30 each.

BONUS!VeggieTales Lessons designed exclusively for MOPPETS! n 10 Bible-based short video clips to introduce character topics to MOPPETS. Plus a bonus Christmas lesson! n Access to customized online VeggieTales coloring pages and more.

NEW! MOPS Marketing Kit — Items to help you reach out to more moms and grow your group! n “MOPS Meets Here” posters n “Invite a Mom” postcards and MOPS brochures

n “You’re a great mom” stickers

Theme Book — MomSense: A Common Sense Guide to Confident Mothering by Jean Blackmer (One Copy)

Leader’s Library DVD Set n MomSense Theme DVD – MomSense Introduction: A Strategy for Mothering – Scriptural Foundation of MomSense – MomSense: Get in the Game with Theme Ideas n MomSense Curriculum DVD for MOPS Group – Developing your MomSense – Sensible Decision-Making – Patience: A MomSense Quality – Consistency: A MomSense Quality – Self-Control: A MomSense Quality – God-Sense: Beyond your MomSense n Leadership 411 Training DVD – Renewal on the Run – Cultivating Community – Leadership Essentials – Hot Topics Head On!

n BONUS! VeggieTales DVD

– Practical Tools to Grow your Group– MOPS Promotional video– Why MOPS? Two versions– Pastor to Pastor — MOPS Vision

Discount Coupon — 1/2 off MomSense by the Case!Purchase the theme book for every mom in your group to discuss at your MOPS meeting or for off-week studies. MOPS groups that have renewed their Charter will receive a special discounted price with Revell Books at 1/2 off the retail price ($12.99) when ordered by the case (12 books or more).


Membership ... It Just Makes Sense!

In addition to the group experience, moms who are registered for the MOMSnext Membership will receive:

n MOMSnext E-zinen Weekly Mom-E-Mailn MOMSnext Reusable Shopping Bagn MOMSnext Iron On Appliquésn MOPS Stickers featuring VeggieTales

The MOMSnext Mentor Membership will include all of the items listed above plus Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet by Lorilee Craker.

MOMSnext Membershipis growing and expanding!

The MOPS International Membership is an exciting program from MOPS International that gives women even more resources to be better moms and go deeper into their spiritual journey. Membership makes it easier for you to run the group with tools in Group Management. MOPS and MOMSnext groups in the United States are required to register all attendees for membership.

We heard you! We’ve made this year’s membership bag bigger, stronger and brighter and have added additional benefits that your moms are going to love! In addition to the group experience, moms who are registered for the MOPS International Membership will receive:

n MomSense Magazine

n Weekly Mom-E-Mail

n MOPS Reusable Shopping Bag

n MOPS Iron On Appliqués* Have a T-shirt craft day!

n MOPS Stickers featuring VeggieTales

Register early to save on membership!

Registration opens April 1, 2011

MOPSGuide.org/membershipRegister at:

Outsideof the U.S.?

Register for our electronic International Membership!

Mentor MembershipIn addition to what is listed above for the MOPS International Membership, we are excited to include this year’s MOPS devotional, Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet by Lorilee Craker in this year’s Mentor Membership! Not a Mentor, but still want this membership? Any MOPS leader can register for the Mentor Membership.

Early registrationn $2195 for momsn $2695 for mentorsn Buy 20, get 1 free

Regular registrationAfter June 1n $2395 for momsn $2895 for mentors

*T-shirt not included


MOPS International’s theme for 2011-12 – MomSense: Bold • Loving • Sensible – equips moms to embrace their mothering

instincts and develop their own parenting style while navigating through the myriad of daily mom decisions.

Most women wonder: n How do I decide what to do when I really don’t know what to do?n Should I trust my intuition? n With so much available information, how do I discern what’s best?n What are the most important family values?

Developing a mothering strategy is somewhat like playing a game — and this year’s theme is appropriately game related. Have fun being a mom! Playing games involves being bold and taking risks, loving those in the game with us and being sensible while figuring out what works and what doesn’t.

Just as in real-life, sometimes in games, unex-pected, “chance” events occur, abruptly changing our paths. We regroup and determine our next steps. We may follow the instructions of “experts.” Or the advice of trusted friends. Or our “house rules” may work best for our family. Teaming together with other moms is a great strategy. Relying on a spouse or mentor can help us play more effectively. And, most of all, developing a strong God-Sense is essen-

tial for mothering.Growing as a mom through the analogy

of game playing assures every mom gains confidence in her abilities. Combining mom intuition and common sense helps us discover our unique MomSense. (Mom Intuition + Common Sense = MomSense)

This year’s theme book, MomSense: A Common Sense Guide to Confident Mothering, delves further into the topic of finesse, one of the elements intro-duced in last year’s theme book. Finesse involves being the mom God intended you to be while intentionally loving

your children and nurturing their growth.Topics addressed in the book include decision-

making, mom’s intuition and working through specific parenting dilemmas (“Mama Dramas”).MomSense reminds us that we are the best mom for our kids and that we can develop contentment and confidence in our roles.

The spiritual foundation of the theme is from 2 Timothy 1:7. As you read the whole chapter, you see that Timothy had a strong mother and grand-mother who nurtured his faith. Paul exhorts Timothy to use the gifts God has given him in a bold, loving and sensible way. We have chosen to use The Message paraphrase to use words that are accessible to moms who may not be familiar with the Bible. We encourage leaders to study the passage in their preferred translation as well.

MomSense: Bold • Loving • Sensible

Theme Verse:

“God doesn’t want

us to be shy with his

gifts but bold and

loving and sensible.”

(2 Timothy 1:7,

The Message)

Share ideas for implementing the 2011-12

theme and download theme graphics at

MOPSGuide.org/theme. Visit the leader’s

website regularly throughout the spring

and summer for updated information on

implementing the theme in your MOPS group.

LeadershipRESOURCES

MOPS International Theme for 2011-12

By Jean BlackmerPublishing Manager


Chartering Ministries have varied levels of aware-ness of and involvement in MOPS. Some pastors have been involved with their church’s MOPS group since the beginning. Others know the cost of the Charter fee but nothing else. After assessing how well your Chartering Ministry understands MOPS, Coordinators need to assess the level of involvement of their Chartering Ministry and then keep MOPS in front of staff and laypeople in the church.

n Share the MOPS Awareness DVD from this year’s Leader’s Library. After showing

video clips created to share with your pastor, highlight the MOPS purpose statement. Discuss how MOPS comple-ments the church’s purpose. (Find the Chartering Ministry’s purpose state-ment on the church website, in a church

publication or ask someone.)

n Keep track of statistics. Share how many of your MOPS members don’t attend church and

how MOPS is reaching them. When young families start attending the church because of their involve-ment in MOPS, let the staff know. Share informa-tion about community service, outreach projects and leadership training events you participate in.

n Plan an annual MOPSunday event. Use our tips and videos to highlight MOPS during a church service. Hand out thank you notes to church mem-bers as they walk in, share a video and talk briefly about your ministry needs. Involve MOPPETS and husbands of MOPS members to emphasize how MOPS influences both moms and their families. See MOPSGuide.org for MOPSunday resources.

Leadership Challenge

By Kelli JordanMOPS InternationalRegional Developer

MOPS leaders know every Steering Team

member plays an important part in the

success of the group. Your Chartering

Ministry is also an important part of your

team. How do you share the vision of

MOPS with your Chartering Ministry so

they understand they are an influential

part of the MOPS team?

YOUR QUESTIONSAnswers to

n Keep the Chartering Ministry informed. Share your newsletters and prayer calendars with the entire staff, including the receptionist. Ask to have a column in the church newsletter and space on the church web-site. Regularly submit something to your church blog.

n Invite your church staff to be involved with MOPS. Invite the pastor, staff and their spouses to attend a special meeting when you have a few of your moms share their stories of following Jesus. A pastor could also lead a devotion at a Steering Team meeting or be a judge at your MOPS & POPS game night.

n Go ahead and brag! Share your MOPS story and stories of moms in your group. Set up a video booth at a meeting and ask moms to tell their stories. Show-ing the video to staff lets them hear from moms how the church has impacted them through MOPS.

n Remember: What goes around, comes around. Encourage and support other church ministries by publicizing their events in your group.

Encouragement through the Chartering Ministry

Recently, a Coordinator shared how encouraged and supported she was by her Chartering Ministry. Several months of hardship had taken a toll on her MOPS group’s thinly-spread Leadership Team. Illnesses and economic hardships had hit this MOPS group hard. One Sunday morning, her pastor and church invited all the moms and their children and husbands to the front of their church. He said a few words of appreciation for the group’s continued outreach, heart and energy. He then asked the entire congregation to surround and pray over the Leadership Team and MOPS moms and families. The impact on this team is unforget-table. They know firsthand the enjoyment and encourage-ment that come from a supportive Chartering Ministry. PR

AYER


Springtime in MOPS LeadershipPractical tips on what to do now

Administration:n As you select new leaders, update leadership roles in Group Management. Keep addresses and e-mails current so all leaders receive helpful leadership information from MOPS International. Connections magazine and the Leaders Online e-newsletter go to all leaders. Don’t miss these resources!n Renew your Charter with MOPS so that you receive the Leader’s Library and other support as soon as possible. See the enclosed information for more details. The sooner you renew, the sooner you receive your packet.n Register moms who are returning to your group during spring membership to get the best price. Turn to pages 7-10 to read about special incentives.n Transition responsibility and processes for Group Management and MOPS Guide resources, especially if your group is changing Coordinator and/or Finance leader. Your Field Leader and/or MOPS Service Team can also help in the transition.

Mom Relationships:n Invest in deepening current relationships. By this time of year, moms should be sharing more intimately in their MOPS group, as well as getting together informally outside of MOPS.n Plan a special meeting around Easter to share the truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Ask a mom to share the story of her spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus.n Offer an off-week Bible study or book discussion to provide a tangible way for moms to experience spiritual growth.n Engage new moms in activities over the summer that help them continue their relationships or provide opportunities for spiritual growth.n Identify moms who have the ability to step up into leadership roles and encourage their development.

Leadership Team:n Discuss plans for next year and pray through decisions about continuing in current roles and extending into new roles.n Engage Discussion Group Leaders and MOPS Mentors in the process of calling leaders for the group for next year. They know who has been faithful and who has a vision for MOPS.n Respect your Chartering Ministry’s leadership selection guidelines and ask for prayer in the process.n Plan time for smooth transitions and transfer of information between new and outgoing leaders.n Embrace different ways to organize the leader-ship team, focusing on leadership essentials and the core elements of the MOPS experience.

Relationship with Chartering Ministry:n Share the impact of your MOPS group with your Chartering Ministry: How many moms have you reached? How are women growing in their mothering ability and spiritual journey?n Involve your church leadership in prayer regarding moms’ spiritual growth and selection of new leaders.n Raise awareness about Charter Renewal timing and requirements with your church staff liaison.n Prepare for any special activities in the spring, summer and fall and make necessary room reservations.n Tell the moms in your group about your church’s special Easter services and activities.

Take this list to your next leadership meeting and divide the tasks so you are supporting each other and no one is taking on too much.

LeadershipRESOURCES


H ow did you first get involved in MOPS leadership?

Sixty-five percent of current MOPS leaders said they were asked by a Steering Team leader to consider praying about serving in leadership, in response to a recent Leaders Online survey.

Selecting leadership can be exciting, fun and a great opportunity to move your group forward. The more personalities and gifts represented on your Steering Team, the better. Various leadership styles keep your team from being lopsided. Acknowledge differences as potential strengths!

As you develop leaders, use the acronym TEAM:

n Talent — Each leader should represent a different talent or skill set. This helps keep your leadership from being one-dimensional. 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT) says: God has given gifts to each of you from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.

n Enthusiasm — Each leader should be enthu-siastic and passionate about reaching more moms for Christ. When others see your excitement, they will want what you have. Ephesians 6:7 (NLT) says: Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

n Attitude — Each leader needs to have a positive, can-do attitude. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) says: For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need.

n Mission — Each leader needs to agree and believe in the MOPS Mission Statement: MOPS International exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.

Selecting Your Steering Team Leaders

By Terri KearneyLeadership Development

Project Manager

RESOURCESLeadership

As you organize and develop your game plan for the 2011-12 year, utilize leaders with different gifts and skills who are focused on the same result. It’s crucial that we all believe in the same mission and work toward the same vision of reaching every mom so no mom is alone, because better moms make a better world.

To help you discover your team’s personality, you can find an excerpt from John Trent’s The Treasure Tree personality test on the MOPS Guide.

Consider these questionsas you review this past year:

n How many of your leaders have the same gifts and/or skills?

n Does each leader have a unique skill that she brings to the team?

n Do Steering Team meetings include idea-sharing and dialogue, or are they “rubber-stamp” meetings, where everyone agrees on everything?

George Barna says a team can be “too safe” if there isn’t some irritability or agitation. Barna also says trust is a key factor. You may not be best friends with everyone on your team, but as long as you have trust and the same vision, together you can accomplish great ministry.


A re you a mom like me: mothering, serving, blogging (sort of), Facebooking? Are you a busy mom who finds herself alone in terms

of close friendships? At MOPS, we want to see moms connected in

community so no mom is alone. This includes those moms who currently attend your group, and espe-cially those who attend but stop short of being involved or connected. As summer approaches, you’re planning activities to help your group stay connected while MOPS is on hiatus. Your intentions are great and your moms appreciate the opportunities to get together.

But have you noticed? It’s often the same moms showing up. A mom on the fringe of your MOPS group may be less likely to come to your summer activities, even if she’s been coming to MOPS all year. She may be a mom like me — who regularly attends the meetings but rarely attends additional events like play dates and moms’ nights out because she doesn’t really know anyone.

You plan, you pray, you publicize. How else can you reach a mom like me?

PERSONALIZE! Remember, MOPS is a relational ministry and relationships via e-mail, Facebook and Twitter only grow so deep. The personal invitation — one mom reaching out to one other mom — is essential to developing deeper friendships and helping women connect further with MOPS. We want MOPS to be relevant so every mom know MOPS is for her. Without any personal connection, moms will never know or feel this.

Your challenge: Make MOPS Practically Personal!

n Challenge your Steering Team to go the extra mile over the summer. Remind them of the impor-tance of relationships and encourage them to call a mom on the fringe of the group.

n Create a buddy system. Before the MOPS year wraps up, help women stay connected by pairing them up. Do this on a voluntary basis and have veteran MOPS moms connect with newbies. The “veteran” can extend a personal invitation to her buddy to join her at an event. This creates an opportunity for both new, deeper relationships

and helps an unplugged mom feel comfortable attending summer activities.

n Utilize what you already have. Encourage your Discussion Groups to meet regularly — maybe once or twice a month. Don’t neglect relationships that were developed during the MOPS year.

n Offer a variety of activities at different times. Summer schedules can get harried, so mixing it up is important. Don’t get discouraged by low attendance, instead take time to get to know the moms who attend.

n Be personal, but utilize other ways to inform moms about summer activities. Follow-up a face-to-face invitation or phone call with reminders on Facebook, your MOPS group’s website, e-mail blasts, postcard mailings or by activating a phone tree.

Plugging into MOPS is a choice every mom must make. As a leader, remember why you’re doing what you’re doing. Plan events and activities to connect with moms, to support moms and to encourage moms. Your efforts to get to know another woman impacts her, making a difference in her mothering. Relational and relevant — be the MOPS brand to the moms in your group so moms are not alone.

By Peggy BrinkmannArea Developer

Plugging InBuilding Relationships with Fringe Moms

LeadershipRESOURCES

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See Special

Charter Renewal

and Membership

section inside —

along with

new MOPS

theme!

MOPS Events for 2011!

CONV

ENTIO

N

Leadership Summit 2011SaraGroves

MandisaTravisCottrell Lisa

HarperLaurenDungyAlso Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman and MORE!

SUM

MIT Saturday, April 2

Register and get more information at MOPS.org/eventsRegistration for MOPS events is transferable but not refundable. Artists and speakers final at time of printing but subject to change.

MOPS International 2011 ConventionEarly Registration

is OPEN! $34 less than 2010!Only $195

Aug. 5 – Aug. 6, 2011 /// Gaylord Opryland Nashville, TN

Aug. 4Storyboard

with Max Lucado, Kathi Lipp & Sara Groves

Ticket price $25(included in Convention)

MaxLucado

KathiLipp

Online Registration through

March 17 at MOPS.org/events

Walk-ups welcome!

ConventionSpecial!

Free Women of Faith ticketto the first 950 registrants!*

*The first 950 registrants will receive a complimentary ticket to a Women of

Faith conference in your area. A $99 value.

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