04Apr 2011 by Nigel Ring

Ministry Health Check Part 2 – Getting started

Christian ministry, Equipping, Evaluation, Good Practice
In the first post of this new series I introduced the concept of a Ministry Health Check using the Key Indicators of Good Practice which have been discussed previously. What is the purpose? The Key Indicators have application in two areas: 1) Planning and 2) Evaluation. For planning they underpin more formal planning practices, as described in the previous Series (Jan-March). This provides a useful reference list. Planning should not be completed without intentionally going through this list and comparing it with your proposed protocols and activities to ensure nothing has been omitted. For evaluation a colleague and I have worked these Indicators into a battery of material that is designed to help you carry out the Check, to record the results and discussions, and to agree any actions. The…
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31Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya drought – Interview with Edward Buria

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The drought and resulting severe shortage of food and water in Kenya continues to be extremely serious. Edward Buria and his team are going several times each week to Samburu with water and to bring encouragement to those who are suffering. Recently I was able to interview Edward about the situation. I hope that this video will help you pray more effectively. Perhaps you would consider showing it in your church? Kenya Drought Crisis 2011 from Newfrontiers on Vimeo. If you wish to make a donation to the Appeal fund you can do this on line or by sending a cheque payable to Newfrontiers and designated 'Kenya Crisis Fund' to: The Finance Team ‘Newfrontiers’ The Matrix Complex 91 Peterborough Road London SW6 3BU Please let us know if you are…
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29Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Ministry Health Check pt 1 – Introduction

Christian ministry, Equipping, Evaluation, Good Practice
A visit to the Doctor Recently I had a health check with my doctor. I had no reason to think there was anything wrong and I am glad to say his questioning demonstrated that to be the case. Nevertheless, as he asked me questions about my life-style, sleep patterns and so on it caused me to think about things I had never considered. Further, I have a close friend who is involved in Human Resources. Occasionally I spend time with him and encourage him to ask me difficult questions! As he enquires about my work/life balance, about my marriage and so on, issues are raised that are well worth considering. I benefit from both exercises. Ministry in the church can be like that. We can become so deeply involved in…
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23Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Planning for Ministry Pt 10 – Monitoring the Logframe

Administrative Skills, Christian ministry, Equipping, Good Practice, Planning, Poor
[caption id="attachment_1854" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Equipping Oaks of Righteousness"][/caption] So far we have seen the importance of clearly defining goals at different levels and the associated assumptions we are making if they are to be achieved. These columns are the first and fourth columns in a 4x4 matrix. To complete the matrix we must separate these two columns and insert two more. These additional columns allow us to specify how we shall monitor performance. How and What? When planning a ministry it is important to put in place 'good practice' for carrying it out. Frequently, good protocols are in place for handling such issues as client confidentiality, finances and so on. However, less attention may be given to how performance will be monitored. From time to time a qualitative assessment may…
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18Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Memory boxes/books

Ministry Report, News, Poor
Recently I had the privilege of staying with Ray and Jo Partridge in Zimbabwe. Jo shared with me about the powerful benefits Memory Boxes can provide for a child after his or her parent has died. She and Ray kindly agreed to write about this for my blog. We all love to look back on our lives, remembering moments that made an impression on us, experiences that we went through that helped us form ideas, opinions, even where we feel God is leading us in the future. Our lives are like a jigsaw puzzle, made up of many pieces that form the whole. For children who grow up with missing pieces (positive or negative) the feeling of some things missing feels like gaping holes in their lives. Coming alongside an…
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11Mar 2011 by Nigel Ring

Kenya Crisis – update

Kenya, News, Poor, Relief and Development
The Crisis Fund has now topped £40,000! Thank you so much. Yesterday and today these encouraging text messages were received from Edward Buria. March 10th My heart leaps with unspeakable joy as I see the joy displayed by our friends from receiving water. We brought around 5000 litres. I admire the order as they all know that they will go home with around 10 litres of water and 2kg of sugar. It is awesome and so fulfilling. March 11th Hi Nigel. We returned back to Meru late last night with such a great feeling of touching and giving hope to a people 4goten and trapped by many things that are against them. We have 2 more trips next week in different places in Samburu. Then from next week we will begin to issue families…
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