Many of you have probably heard of Flamingo Road Church in Cooper City (plus other campuses around SoFla). One of our network members, Scott Mankin, serves as the Production Director there! They have a great resource that I have just tapped into in the last 2 months or so. They do a podcast for leaders in the church. There are a couple of episodes that really inspired me, mostly about church marketing and creativity.

Check it out here. And here are my faves:

“The One About the Creative Process”

“The One About Marketing that Sucks” – with guest Brad Abare, from ChurchMarketingSucks.com

“The One About Tribes” — with author Seth Godin

“The One With Nancy Beach”

Anyone read Collide magazine? I came across this article from the Creative Director at Newspring Church in South Carolina. Check it out, it’s definitely challenging!

What are your thoughts on church copying culture? What should we do about it?

Hey everyone! Hope you are having a great week!

Here are the details for next month’s meeting:

• Date: Thursday, Nov 20 from 9 – 11 a.m. (light breakfast will be served)
• Location: IBB Church (see address & directions below)
• Topic: “God-stories: How do we get them and how can we share them?”
• Brenda Ulloa, Creative Director at IBB Church, will host the meeting. In the short time I’ve known Brenda, I have seen how she gracefully handles all that she has on her plate (she does it ALL!). She is a very driven individual; she knows how to get stuff done! She also has awesome creative ideas and a passion for excellence in all she does. I know you will enjoy hearing from her and visiting a church you may or may not have heard of before!
• Bring a website, magazine, CD, blog, whatever – something that inspires creativity for you and would encourage others.
• Nov 20 is my predicted due date, so I may or may not be at the meeting. I want to be there SO BADLY! But, just in case I can’t, Brenda will be the contact person for this meeting:
  • brenda@ibbmiami.org
  • Cell phone: (see email)
  • Church phone: 305-620-5111 x225

IBB Church Address:
17701 NW 57 Avenue (Red Road)
Miami, FL 33055
(across the street from Super WalMart and Starbucks)

From the North:
I-95:   

Turnpike:

I-75:

From the South:
I-95:   

Turnpike:

826-Palmetto Expressway:

P.S. I know it’s hard for some of you that work north of Miami to get down here. Next year, i want to try and alternate meetings from north & south locations to make it easier on everyone. On that note, if you work up north and would like to host a meeting next year, please let me know so I can plan accordingly. Thanks!

Jenn

Hey all-

Our meeting on the 16th was great! We had 10 people and 6 churches represented at the host location, Oasis Church. I presented on the topic of The Communicator/Senior Pastor relationship. I think this is a very important topic and I’m pretty passionate about it right now. Check out this article that my pastor and I did for Fishhook’s e-newsletter, Fresh Catch. Make sure you also read the article by our own Janie Mehaffey called “Do People See You as a Ministry Partner?” It is a MUST-READ!

You can also download the outline I gave out, which includes a short activity for you to do. I hope you find it useful. Feel free to link to it, print it out, pass it out, whatever!

Details about our next meeting TBA. Please pray for me, as I only have 1 month of pregnancy left! I’ll send pictures when the blessed event happens!

Don’t forget to check out our Flickr site and post your stuff for feedback!

Have a great week!
Jenn

Hey all- 

I hope to see you guys at our next meeting THIS Thursday, 10/16 from 9 – 11 a.m. at Oasis Church in the Community Café. 

A couple of quick details: 

• Topic: “The Relationship between the Creative Professional and the Senior Pastor”  
• This will be an interactive session with real-life situational problem-solving and role playing.  
• To get a head start, read this article that my Pastor and I did for Fishhook’s “Fresh Catch” E-newsletter. This will be the catalyst for our session on Thursday!  
• Sign up to receive “Fresh Catch” – a bimonthly e-newsletter which offers stories, guidance and practical advice for those who are pursuing more effective church communications.  
• Come ready to share frustrations, get helpful advice and tips and share some laughs!  
• A light breakfast and coffee will be provided.  
• Please RSVP and let me know if you are able to come. Directions are below.  

Directions to Oasis Church:

We are located on Flamingo Road, 1 block North of Pembroke Road.  

12201 SW 14^th Street
Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 

From the north: Take the Turnpike South (to Miami) to the Homestead exit where you’ll continue to go South. Get off at Red Road and turn right. Red Road becomes Flamingo Road. Oasis Church is just 1 block North of Pembroke Road, past the plaza, on your right hand side. Enter through the doors with the “Community Café” logo on them. 

From the south: Take the Turnpike North and then get off at the Homestead exit to go South (I know, it’s weird…you’re going to go North just to go South). Get off at Red Road and turn right. Red Road becomes Flamingo Road. Oasis Church is just 1 block North of Pembroke Road, past the plaza, on your right hand side. Enter through the doors with the “Community Café” logo on them.

Hey guys! I encourage you to check out our Flickr page and see what’s new! We’ve had some postings recently in the pool and some discussion topics. Check it out!

If you haven’t joined yet, come on in!

Hey all- 

I just wanted to give you a heads-up on some changes coming your way! 

• Our meetings will no longer be held on Saturday mornings; I hate for everyone to have to give up your day off for one more thing! Enjoy your free day!  
• We will now meet temporarily (depending on what everyone likes), once a month, the third Thursday of every month from 9 – 11 a.m.  
  • The reason: Again, I want Saturday to remain open for everyone. I figured Thursday could be kind of “dead day” for everyone and our meeting would be the first thing you do that morning so it’s easier to come in the AM than at lunch time, when you’re already into your work.  
• Our sessions will be structured differently. Each month on the third Thursday, we will meet in a different host church/location. I will work with each host to come up with one topic that they will present that will appeal to creative professionals in ministry. Each host will be responsible for presenting that topic, hosting the meeting at their place and providing light refreshments (make it easy on yourself…get bagels or donuts and coffee…don’t go crazy!).  
• Our next meeting on Oct 16 will be hosted by Oasis Church (see directions below) from 9 – 11 a.m. Topic is TBA. After the meeting we will have a sign-up sheet available for anyone who wants to volunteer their church for upcoming meetings. Start thinking about what you’d like to share with us!  
• The meeting after that will be Nov 20. I may not be there since that is my expected due date. However, I will still work with the host that will be responsible for that meeting and make sure everything is good to go, so please try to come!  
• Please RSVP so I can get an accurate count of who is coming for food, etc.  
• Last thing: what are some topics that you would like to see discussed at future meetings? Branding, printing, bulletins, creative process, etc.? Please write back with some ideas of what you’d like to hear!!  

Directions to Oasis Church: We are located on Flamingo Road, 1 block North of Pembroke Road. 

12201 SW 14^th Street
Pembroke Pines, FL 33025 

From the north: Take the Turnpike South (to Miami) to the Homestead exit where you’ll continue to go South. Get off at Red Road and turn right. Red Road becomes Flamingo Road. Oasis Church is just 1 block North of Pembroke Road, past the plaza, on your right hand side. 

From the south: Take the Turnpike North and then get off at the Homestead exit to go South (I know, it’s weird…you’re going to go North just to go South). Get off at Red Road and turn right. Red Road becomes Flamingo Road. Oasis Church is just 1 block North of Pembroke Road, past the plaza, on your right hand side. 

Feel free to Mapquest us if those directions are confusing! Thanks for your flexibility! I look forward to seeing you at our new meetings!

Alright, so this is just for fun. Someone from the Church Marketing Sucks Lab created this poster from a discussion we have going on in there. I downloaded it, printed it out on 11 x 17 paper and hung it in my office! It’s nice to read a couple here and there and laugh a little! Enjoy!

Hey all-

Hope your creative minds are buzzing right now with Christmas just around the corner!

I was wondering if any of your churches/organizations have any job openings? I know of someone who is moving to the south Florida area soon and would like to work in graphic design/communications. I can pass on more details and contact info to anyone who is interested.

Shoot me an email at jennc@visitoasis.org.

Thanks! More blogs to come next week!