ResonateOrDie

7 Ways to Get Unstuck

Kerry Bural — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:47:57 +0000

Sometimes you just feel stuck. Stuck in a loop of fear or panic. Stuck in the past . . . or the future. Stuck in the now. Here are a few ways you can break out:

1. Lock yourself in a cabin in the woods and work through it – Pray. Listen. Plan.

2. Have a focused conversation with a key person – This could be your spouse, a friend, leader or mentor. Have a clear head on what’s in your heart and share it. Be open and real.

3. Develop and write a vision/mission document – Let the vision in your heart flow onto paper. If you had zero obstacles, what would you build? Why would you build it?

4. Develop and write a strategy document – At the very least, include a conceptual framework, strategic objectives, deliverables, tactics and timelines. A great strategy will drill down on details.

5. Talk with your team and really listen – Your team sees things you can’t. Cultivate an environment where they are encouraged to be gut honest. It hurts, but you will grow. Growth is good.

6. Bring in outside help – Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. Call on experienced pros to help you move forward. New eyes bring fresh perspective to the table.

7. Start all over – Blow up what doesn’t seem to be working. Evaluate what you need to let go. Then, let it go.

5 Ways to Keep your Meetings from Wasting Everyone’s Time

Kerry Bural — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:20:24 +0000

Here’s a “motivational” poster that makes me laugh each time it comes across my feed.

That’s because we all know that there is a grain of truth to it.

Some meetings truly are a waste of time and creative energy (ok, lots of meetings). And we’ve probably all attended meetings that felt like they accomplished nothing but effectively pooling group ignorance.

But your meetings don’t have to be so unproductive! Here’s a few suggestions – from my team to yours – to help you talk about the right stuff, to yield the right stuff at your next meeting:

1. Determine your objectives before the meeting starts!

Having clearly identified goals for your meeting increases the probability of achieving your intended outcomes. You don’t need 100% clarity on which path to take to meet your goals, but you do need to have your destination in sight.

For example, what questions need to be answered during this session? Do you expect actionable items to be identified? What action items must be assigned to move objectives down the field?

2. State your objectives right out of the gate.

Good leaders are good communicators.

As the team leader, you’re responsible for ensuring everyone is on the same page in order to achieve your meeting goals. That means directing the conversation, jumpstarting dialogue and even tabling certain discussions for follow-up meetings.

3. Set a time limit and hold yourself to it.

This one is tough but it can really help with team effectiveness! By disciplining yourself to set and keep time limits, you are helping team members come to meetings better prepared and ready to work.

Once you reach your time limit, state that your time is up and either shut down the meeting or poll team members for the best time to reconvene. I’m not saying be inflexible; I’m saying make it a habit to be realistic about everyone’s schedule.

4. Designate some “what-if” time.

I find it helpful to invite the team to think and speak freely, even if their ideas seem “off-beat.”

Not only is this important for cultivating an environment where innovation is respected and affirmed, but “what-if” time can help you reap the benefits of higher level thinking. When your team is brainstorming new ways to meet team goals, you are pushing them toward good analytical, application and creative skills.

Plus, the “what-if’s” often become your most viable “how-to’s.”

5. Be ready to call a “time-out”.

Stay ahead of your team by recognizing where you are in the conversation. Be ready to call a “time-out” on an idea if the discussion seems to be moving away from your meeting goals. When the team gets distracted, you can also re-summarize the day’s objectives or nudge the team forward to the next point.

Team meetings don’t have to be a snooze…or make for a really bad “motivational” poster.

If you talk about the right stuff in your meetings, it will yield the right results.

A Free Custom Font for You!

Audrey Jackson — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 11:30:48 +0000

As we begin a new year, we are reminded of the overwhelming grace and mercy we receive with the start of each new day. A new day. A new opportunity. A clean slate.

“Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lamentations 3:23

As the New Year takes off, we encourage you to let it be filled with new beginnings for your ministry!

In the spirit of new beginnings, here’s a small token of our appreciation for you—a new font! Download font

This was a font we designed for the Josiah Road project. While designing it, Kerry pretty much broke every typeface rule (sorry to all you typeface aficionados) on the planet. Our apologies, but you will also find some kerning glitches. We think it’s still a fun font that we hope you will find helpful!

Peace!

Ministry Communication Commandment: Thou Shalt Know Thyself

Kerry Bural — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 14:56:41 +0000

A few years ago I made a really silly mistake. Well, it was probably more like a stupid mistake.

I decided to try and fix a broken water pipe under our house and chose to opt-out of seeking professional assistance. At least initially.

To say the least, it didn’t turn out too well. What in the world was I thinking?

What male-dominated testosterone-laden blackout convinced me to think for even 5 seconds that I could do this—especially in near freezing temperatures?

I’m not sure, but whatever it was, it clouded good, sound judgment.

Thankfully, I was smart enough (surprised aren’t you?) to wear my crystal clear super-duper optically enhanced protective eyewear. God knows I really, really needed it.

While tightly gripping the pipe and staring eye-level directly at the small leak, it exploded in my face and became like a pressurized miniature fire hose. Water went everywhere, and I screamed like a girl. Ok, I admit it. It wasn’t pretty, but I’m guilty. I was drenched, cold and somewhat panicky. Something had to be done, and fast.

Fortunately, we were able (yes, I actually convinced my wife and children that this repair attempt was a great idea) to patch things together enough to get us by until the pros could arrive.

This passionate attempt definitely convinced me that my plumbing skills are limited. It also convinced my wife. She’s now become quite adept at plumbing repairs. ;)

It’s not uncommon for ministry leaders to make similar mistakes.

They often get into things that don’t really fit them. They sometimes react impulsively rather than considering whether or not their personality, style and gifts are a good match for whatever is wooing them. Sure, their motives are good, but their judgment can be clouded.

So, the big takeaway is simple. Know yourself really, really well.

It may just keep you out of a ton of trouble.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year From The Resonate Group

Kerry Bural — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 23:04:41 +0000

We are thankful for the reminder at this time of year that Jesus took on flesh to give us new life. We pray you will step out and do something BIG in your ministry next year!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. -Romans 15:13

Have a safe and blessed celebration with your family and friends!

Christmas Special: $250 off any Resonate Site

Kerry Bural — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 16:22:35 +0000

‘Tis the season of giving, so give your ministry what it deserves—a new and improved web property! Let us help you design a new web property that shows off how you are serving the Lord and impacting your community. (And that’s just one of the services the Resonate Group is here to provide.)

Merry Christmas from The Resonate Group!

Welcome to The New ResonateOrDie

Kerry Bural — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:46:28 +0000

Welcome to the new and improved ResonateOrDie blog!

We are very excited to be back in action! We have so much new content to share with you and you will never know what to expect with the awesome guest bloggers we have lined up. We are here to share our thoughts and insight on how you can engage your ministry and keep it fresh in an ever changing world. Why is social media important? How do I know my website is out of date? How do we begin the conversation of vision for our ministry? We will be diving in to these and many other great topics to help you steward your church or ministry brand.

Stay tuned for more!

Wallpaper Freebie

Emily Evan — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:45:03 +0000

Sick of your same old desktop wallpaper?

Download our free wallpapers and give them a try! They will bring a sleek and clean look to your desktop. We are so proud of our brand and we want you to be too!

Our hope is that these wallpapers will not only make you think of us (your friends at The Resonate Group), but that they will be a reminder for you. A reminder to live your life fully for Christ. A reminder to make your mark in your ministry, in your community and in your family. A reminder to let everything you do RESONATE!

Be part of our team, support our cause and don’t forget ResonateOrDie!

7 Signs It’s Time to Overhaul Your Ministry or Church Website

Kerry Bural — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:39:06 +0000

This is the first post in a series on how to add value to your brand through your website.

Your website is your ministry’s new front door. Think of it as your online curb appeal.

It tells people that you’re either open for business or nobody’s home.

It tells people that you’re either worth checking out or a waste of time.

It tells people ‘welcome’ or ‘get lost.’

Yep. It says all that in about five seconds or less. It doesn’t matter if the interior of your ministry is divinely designed if you can’t get anyone to step inside the front door.

Here are 7 signs that it could be time to enhance your website’s curb appeal:

When you log on to your site, you hear crickets.
You apologize to people when you give them your web address.
Your website is a maintenance money pit.
Even though it’s an inanimate object, you literally hate its guts.
You spend evenings curled up with your dashboard instead of your wife.
You didn’t even know your ministry had a Website. (Now, that burns).
When people around you tell you it’s time to remodel.

If you place little value on your ministry’s web presence, then you might want to think again. First impressions are about more than turning heads, because in ministry you have two options – ResonateOrDie.

If you don’t resonate with those you are trying to reach (and those you’re already reaching), your ministry will die. It may not happen immediately but it will happen.

Your website is a key tool for resonating with your audience – for communicating what you’re about and what you do. So, when you tell people that your site is a “work in progress,” you’re telling them that your ministry is too. Ouch.

Overhauling your site is more than giving your ministry a face lift (although those can be nice too). Just like enhancing a home’s curb appeal, revamping your ministry’s online presence is about adding value to your brand.

What’s the biggest turn-off when you ‘drive by’ someone’s site? What keeps you coming back?

Need assistance with your Website? We can help!

Happy Thanksgiving from Your Friends at The Resonate Group

Kerry Bural — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:17:13 +0000

We encourage you to keep your eyes, ears and hearts open for ways to bless those who are hurting or suffering this Thanksgiving just as Christ continues to show us his mercies every day.

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
-1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

We are most grateful for our relationship with you.

We hope you have a safe and blessed celebration with your family and friends.