Samford University Offers Online Certificate in Worship Leadership

August 15, 2018June 27, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

<em>Vital worship leadership practices and principles are at the core of Samford’s Online Certificate in Worship leadership course. Registration opens July 2018, <a href="http://www.samford.edu/go/cwa">www.samford.edu/go/cwa</a>. Classes begin August 2018.</em> — Vital worship leadership practices and principles are at the core of Samford’s Online Certificate in Worship leadership course. Registration opens July 2018, www.samford.edu/go/cwa. Classes begin August 2018.

Samford University’s Center for Worship and the Arts will launch its third-annual Online Certificate in Worship Leadership August 2018. Created in partnership with Samford University’s Ministry Training Institute, this certificate offers an introduction to the basic principles and practices of worship leadership. Each course presents vital worship leadership practices as well as the principles.

The program is designed for avocational and bivocational worship leaders. It is best fit for high school students, media personnel, children and youth worship leaders, worship team members, and others who need training or want to refresh their skills in a vibrant, conversant, learning community. Taught by prominent voices using testimonies, stories, and exercises, students will have many opportunities to practice skills and gather valuable resources for planning and leading worship in their congregations. Christy Olsen of Colorado Spring, Colorado completed the Online Certificate in Worship Leadership last May.

“Most of us have a sense of what seems right in worship and we all certainly know what we like. What we really need is the ability to approach worship from a Biblical perspective. Relating the Gospel story to the liturgy of our weekly gatherings is the foundation for creating worship that honors God and renews his people. This program has given me a much better understanding of what that means. I have also been greatly blessed by sharing the experiences of fellow worship leaders. They have been a source of strength and learning. Through this excellent program and the wonderful people I’ve met, I believe I am much better equipped to serve our church.” –Christy Olsen

Registration for the 2018-2019 certificate program will open in July 2018 and classes will run from August 2018 to May 2019. For more information visit samford.edu/go/cwa.

–Kara Young, Public Relations Coordinator

Samford University Center for Worship and the Arts

[email protected] | 205-726-4525 | @samfordcwa

August 15, 2018June 27, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Parenting Points

Brought to you by: White Plume Technologies www.whiteplume.com

Sometimes, teenagers take drugs or drink. Maybe even the one in your home. You may be thinking, “That can’t happen to us!” Are you sure? Because 75% of high school students have tried some type of addictive substance, and 40-50% use drugs, drink alcohol, or do both. In fact, 90% of Americans with addiction started before the age of 18. Why do teenagers do it?

To fit in, because they are eager for connection and hanging around friends who do it.
Because they want to have fun, and they don’t see it as a huge risk or that big a deal.
Deep inside, they feel pain or emptiness, and they want to escape from those feelings.
Their lives are disrupted by a family move, divorce, changing schools, or a breakup.
There is a related medical or emotional issue, such as ADHD, depression, or anxiety.
They have developed behavior traits that influence them toward substance abuse.

How Parents Can Help. Is there anything parents can do to help protect their kids against addiction? Yes. STEPS Proactive Parenting is an education program for parents to become intentional about protecting their kids from addictions. This training and coaching will teach parents how to raise kids to be balanced emotionally, spiritually, and personally to lessen the risk of addiction. These proven seminars can help all of us learn from how God parents us with both grace and truth. They are delivered by STEPS Ministries, a Christian nonprofit organization in Birmingham with a vision for all people to find hope, healing, and help and avoid the tragedy of addiction.

What Parents Are Saying

“Great understanding of the pressures my child may be facing, how he may seek relief from pain, and how I can be aware and come alongside if destructive behaviors take over his life.”

“This is the beginning of the spread of a powerful, wonderful message, not just for folks in the middle of dangerous addiction, but even for the parent who does not fear this for their child.”

“This seminar was the best investment of time I have made recently, and I can recommend this session to other parents without hesitation.”

What You Can Do

Sign up for the STEPS Ministries weekly blog, www.lifeimprovementsteps.com
Ask your church or organization to sponsor a STEPS Proactive Parenting seminar. Learn more at www.StepsProactiveParenting.com
Donate to STEPS Ministries so more parents can be trained to protect their kids from addiction, www.lifeimprovementsteps.com/donate

– Steve C. Ward

Executive Director, Steps Ministries

Author of STEPS A Daily Journey to a Better Life

[email protected]

August 15, 2018June 27, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Healthy Living

Long before Jane Fonda donned her first pair of leg warmers, “cardio” has been a major buzz word in the exercise world. According to an article published by Muscle Mag Fitness, both the term and the style of exercise were introduced in 1968 by a team working at San Antonio Air Force Hospital in Texas.

Cardio, or aerobic exercise, refers specifically to exercise that helps improve our bodies’ consumption of oxygen. Improving our oxygen efficiency increases our metabolic (energy generation) process. Common examples of aerobic exercise include running, walking, swimming, cycling, and any number of aerobic-style classes. As long as the physical activity involves prolonged, continuous movement that keeps your heart rate elevated at an ideal level, it qualifies as “aerobic.”

Like any other muscle, your heart becomes stronger with regular exercise. Regular aerobic/cardiovascular activities help your lungs, heart, and blood supply operate more efficiently, and with less effort. The physiological benefits of cardio exercise are vast and many. Regular cardio training:

Increases stamina & reduces fatigue
Helps control blood sugar
Improves the muscles’ ability to use fat
Strengthens the immune system
Increases red blood cell count
Improves circulation
Reduces blood pressure
Decreases body fat
Tones muscles
Increases bone density
Reduces stress & improves sleep
Eases joint impact for arthritis patients

In addition to all the great ways cardio helps your body, it does brilliant things for your mind. In a study published by US News & World Report, cardio exercise increases your brain’s output of “calming” chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. It’s also possible that regular cardio can counter the effects that stress would otherwise have on the aging process. Aerobic activity also helps our brains produce more new brain cells, and new connections between these cells, thereby improving our learning skills. The more complex the activity, the bigger boost your brain gets. Activities that require intense concentration to follow, or to learn specific steps, are the best. Furthermore, aerobic exercises help keep your brain active, which defends against memory loss and supports your long-term vocabulary retention. Studies suggest that exercise, in particular, helps protect the hippocampus, the part of the brain where Alzheimer’s first manifests itself.

Now if you’re ready to give your heart and mind a good workout (with or without the leg warmers), check out our schedule of awesome aerobic Group X classes at the YMCA branch closest to you: www.ymcabham.org/class-finder. We look forward to seeing you there!

-Jean Bowick

YMCA of Greater Birmingham, www.ymcabham.org

August 15, 2018June 27, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Healthy Living

Worry is often my default emotion—tromping a well-worn path in my mind. I feel like I am being proactive when I worry, yet Matthew 6:27 (NIV) proves otherwise, “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

Worry is a backbiting friend, isn’t she? She promises comfort yet delivers anxiety and unrest. So why do we worry? It could be due to past hurts, present circumstances, or future fears. Often worry is rooted in a lack of trust.

I worry because I don’t like to be blindsided, in case the what ifs happen. I feel like if I worry, somehow, I’ll be more prepared for what might transpire. But more than that, I wonder if I can trust God, because He might not do what I want Him to…or He might allow something to happen that I don’t want to happen.

Worry is often fueled by these questions:

What if I don’t have enough for what is required?

What if I am not enough?

What if God isn’t enough?

We had a health scare with one of our children. Per usual, worry beckoned me to entertain cyclical thoughts that led to nowhere but fear. During this time, my friend Niki prayed for me: “Where fear and worry are appetizing, may she grow sick of that. May worship and Your Word be more fulfilling and appetizing than worry.”

Niki’s prayer made me realize that worry does not have to be our go-to. In the past, I fed worry scraps under the table and as I did, she grew until she was an unruly beast. But we can starve worry when we feast on worship. Worshiping God is a better alternative than worry—much more satisfying.

God is more powerful than any giant worry we face. We can trust Him to do what’s best, even when it looks different than expected. Instead of focusing on the cares of the world, let’s remember our Giant God who cares more for us than we can imagine. When we face worrisome situations, let’s choose to worship instead.

-Katie M. Reid

Author of Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done

July 6, 2018June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Legal Matters

Presented by: Bradford & Holliman, Estate Planning, www.bradfordholliman.com

You made the decision that you need an estate plan or you need to update your current plan. You also scheduled an appointment with the lawyer. Now, what do you need to do to prepare for the meeting?

Assets – Make a list of your assets and income. List everything, even things you do not think are important. Your lawyer can make the determination if the assets are important or not for your goals; but, only if the lawyer knows about all assets.
Incapacity – Who do you want to be in charge of YOU if you become incapacitated. People often think estate planning equals “death planning.” However, you may be incapacitated for months or years before you die. Who will handle things for you? The attorney can make suggestions; but, you need to have a list of trustworthy candidates.
Distributions at Death – Give thought to who you want to receive your assets when you die. The attorney cannot help you answer this question.
Business Issues – If you own a business, give serious thought to who will take over the business at your death. Will a spouse or a child that works in the business take over? Have you established a value or a method for valuing the business so beneficiaries not working in the business can sell their interest in the business?
Blended Family Issues – If you are part of a blended family, you must consider if you will give all assets to your spouse at your death; or, if you will give some assets to your spouse and some assets to your children. If you plan to give all assets to your spouse, do you want to make sure any remaining assets at the surviving spouse’s death pass to your children? If you want to leave assets to your children at your death, do you have a plan for providing for your surviving spouse?
Long Term Care Issues – Your attorney may help you create the perfect estate plan; but, you still need to think about how you will pay for long term care. Remember, the best estate plan is worthless if you spend everything on long term care before you die.

These tips will help you to be prepared for a productive initial meeting with your estate planning attorney.

-Melanie Bradford Holliman

Partner, Bradford & Holliman, LLC

Practice focuses on estate planning, elder law and special needs trust.

2491 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Ala. 35124

205-663-0281, www.bradfordholliman.com

This article is for educational purposes and is not intended for specific legal advice.

July 12, 2018June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Brought to you by: Community Partner Convene, www.ConveneNow.com

A Simple Plan for Doing Ministry through Business: Reach the Many by Helping the One

Do you ever get overwhelmed at the millions of people who need help in the world? With all the news channels broadcasting the hurt and pain around the world, with all of our friends posting their needs on social media, and with all the hyper-connection we experience today, it’s easier than ever to become overwhelmed by the needs of others. As pastor and leader-developer Andy Stanley points out in a sermon, the question should not be, “How can I help everyone?” but, “How can I help one?” Here’s the main takeaway of Andy Stanley’s message: “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.”

Here are three ways that you can live this out:

Go Deep Rather Than Wide. Rather than spread your resources, time and attention thinly, go deep with one person and invest greatly in them. This takes more time and intentionality, but in the end, will yield much more impact.
Go Long Term Rather Than Short Term. Andy Stanley shared the story of Jane, a homeless woman who ended up in their church, listening to a sermon from Andy. After the sermon, she went up and asked to talk to Andy about some problems she was having. That began a 20-year relationship of Andy and his family helping Jane in her various problems with family, drugs, abuse and life on the street. Andy described how you can only take on one of these in your life at a time.
Go Time, Not Just Money. Money is all too easy to give for many of us. It’s largely hands-off, and sometimes doesn’t take much energy or thought to give it. The measure of love you have for someone is more accurately determined by how much time you spend with them. So yes, support them with your money, but more important than that, support them with your time and talent.

What about in your workplace? This week, instead of worrying about how to reach your entire team, what if you focused in on one team member who you could invest in? Instead of fretting about how to please every one of your customers, what could you do for one of them? When you focus on trying to please the crowd, you end up pleasing no one. But when you focus on making one person’s life better, the news spreads to the crowd and your message grows.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 NIV

Find more resources for leaders seeking to do ministry through their businesses at www.convenenow.com/resources. To learn more about Convene, contact your local convene chair.

-Harris Wheeler

2017 National Convene Chair of the Year

(205) 936-7038

[email protected]

July 6, 2018June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Encouraging Word

You will notice from creation that God is very orderly, organized and has a plan. In Jeremiah 29:11-13, God mentions to Jeremiah the plan He has established. God says, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” A plan is defined as a method of action or procedure; design or blue print; a definite purpose. As Christ-followers we are to seek God’s plan (Proverbs 16:9) and follow God’s path (Proverbs 3:6).

God’s plan is personal (Jeremiah 1:5). God created us; He knows us; and He has a plan with our name on it.

God’s plan has purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). His plan is to bless us and give us a future and hope. Our responsibility is “to get plugged into God’s plan (Jeremiah 29:12-13).” We are to call on the Lord; pray to Him; and seek and discover His way.

God’s plan for us begins with salvation (John 3:16). Salvation involves a new life (II Cor 5:17); a fulfilled life (John 10:10); and eternal life (I John 5:11-13). Following salvation, we must learn to be Spirit-led. Galatians 5:18 says we are to be led by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 says we are to be filled with the Spirit. As we learn to follow God’s leading, we are called to be His witness (Acts 1:8); and to be His representative (II Cor 5:20).

God has a plan for you! Let me encourage you to seek God’s plan and submit to it.

-Tony Cooper

Celebrating 27 Years of Service as Exec. Director, Jimmie Hale Mission

www.jimmiehalemission.com

May 6, 2020June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Best Books

In the summer of 1932, Germany held a national election. After years of economic depression, the people wanted prosperity again. Suffering defeat in the first World War, they wanted to make their nation great again. Tired of political battles and government ineptitude, they desired strength and stability. Suspicious of those who worshiped God differently, and afraid of the rising ideology of godless Marxism, they went to the polls. In July of that fateful year, the German people, including many professing Christians, voted the Nazi party into parliamentary power. Ten years later their cities were in flames, their sons were dying all over Europe, and their neighbors were being murdered in death camps. The land of Luther and Bach became the domain of a demoniac, and the whole world paid a price in death and destruction.

In the recently published book, Because of Whose I Am: A Nazi’s Daughter ($18.99), we encounter a true story of what it was like to live in Hitler’s Germany. Helga Lades’ childhood was overshadowed by Nazi ideology and the war. Her father, an atheist, was a Nazi official who forced Helga’s mother to keep her faith a secret. When the war was over, her father was disgraced and imprisoned. Helga met an American soldier who fell in love with her on their first night together. She married him, moved to America, and started a family. Years later, Helga found the faith of her mother, became a follower of Jesus, and attended a church here in Birmingham. Her life is a testament of the redemptive and transformative grace of God.

<em>Birmingham’s Kathleen Jones along with the late Helga Lades Allison, authored Allison’s personal story of living in Hitler’s Germany.</em> — *Birmingham’s Kathleen Jones along with the late Helga Lades Allison, authored Allison’s personal story of living in Hitler’s Germany.*

Helga’s story is a powerful reminder of two important truths. First, God’s Spirit cannot be contained. He moves whenever and wherever He wishes. Second, no nation, regardless of how “Christian” it appears to be, is safe from falling into barbarity and wickedness. The ascent of Hitler and the horrors that followed occurred for numerous reasons, but the saddest reason may be that many German churches and clergymen were complicit in the rise of fascism. When a nation places an ungodly person into power, they should expect ungodly things to happen. God’s people should be ever vigilant in resisting ethnic hostility, bigotry, nationalism, and warmongering. Too many churches tried to baptize Nazi ideology, and God will hold them responsible. Their betrayal of the Gospel should serve as a warning. If it happened in Helga’s childhood Germany, it can happen anywhere.

–Darrel Holcombe, Owner
Sanctuary Christian Books and Gifts
Colonial Promenade, Alabaster 205-663-2370

August 15, 2018June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

<em>"Joy I just want to tell you how much fun the girls and I had! You did an amazing job…This is great for Birmingham and I wish you much success.” Vanessa Lewis, Girl’s Night Out Food Tour Guest</em> — *“Joy I just want to tell you how much fun the girls and I had! You did an amazing job…This is great for Birmingham and I wish you much success.” Vanessa Lewis, Girl’s Night Out Food Tour Guest*

Joy King, hostess of the Bham Eat Drink Ride Food Tour, has a number one rule for her tour groups: “You must have fun!” The bus tour experience takes guests to a variety of local eateries for a five-course meal, including foods like burgers, tacos, cheesecakes, and chicken and greens. For those who prefer to have their chicken served with waffles, there is also a brunch tour, which encounters foods like shrimp, grits, and pancakes. Guests also enjoy entertainment provided by King herself, the “Queen of Clean Comedy.”

King’s relationship with Birmingham’s local chefs began with her work as the hostess of a show called “Dining Out with Comedienne Joy,” which airs at 11 a.m. on Saturdays on WABM/Channel 68. On the show, King explores local restaurants of Birmingham that the audience probably would not have otherwise discovered. She was inspired by the feedback she received from her viewers, which was often that they wanted to eat like King eats. The message was clear: she needed to start a food tour.

Tours are open to many types of groups like office staffs, ministry groups, bridal parties, and ladies’ night out tours, her specialty. “We ladies to like to get together and have fun over a good meal and in a safe environment,” says King. “We typically have things in common such as kids and crazy coworkers, so the tours are a great way to get a mini-break from our family and bond with our girlfriends or meet new friends.”

<em>"Mrs. Joy came through with flying colors. My family’s first experience with the tour was phenomenal. The best time ever." Edna Ryans Weaber, Mother’s Day Event Food Tour Guest</em>. — *“Mrs. Joy came through with flying colors. My family’s first experience with the tour was phenomenal. The best time ever.” Edna Ryans Weaber, Mother’s Day Event Food Tour Guest*.

King is driven by her passion to keep local restaurants’ doors open. She knows that many of these restaurant owners work long hours over the grill, making food for our families so that they can provide food for their own. The food tour gives guests an opportunity to meet the chefs and owners personally, putting a face to the food and forming a relationship between chef and patron. Because of the personal connections (and the good eats, of course), guests often return to dine again at the restaurants they explored with King.

One of King’s guests, Cynthia Welborn, describes her food tour experience as such: “My coworkers and I experienced a wonderful and fun time on the Bham Eat Drink Ride Food Tour. Lots of excitement and good tasting at Swamp Monster, Indigo Hotel, Corbin Farm Winery, Preservery Bham, Michael’s Sea Food and God Father’s Pizza. We didn’t have to drive and were picked up in Montgomery! What a good way to start the weekend.” For more information on King’s Bham Eat Drink Ride Food Tour, you can call 205-482-6999 or visit her website at www.DiningOutWithComedienneJoy.com.

-Regan Green

July 16, 2018June 26, 2018 by Laurie Stroud

Special Feature

Picture this – you’re outside on a hot day; you go inside and pour a tall glass of water. Did it spill all over the counter? The floor? Into the garage? Of course not – you knew when to turn off the faucet. You knew the capacity of your glass and stopped before you exceeded the level.

Now picture going to see a movie. The theater holds 250 people but 500 tickets were sold, so everyone packs in, two in a seat. There’s people everywhere! Your comfort and enjoyment has been compromised, not to mention your safety.

For public facilities, signs are posted with the capacity and these limits are enforced with good reason.

How does this relate to organizing? It has to do with equilibrium. Essentially, being organized equates to achieving equilibrium; the balance of matching the contents to the capacity of a container. However, those struggling with clutter and disorganization must first begin to view their homes, offices, calendars, purses, garages, closets, even junk drawers as a container with a limited capacity.

Our society makes it too easy to tip the balance and exceed the capacity. With shopping centers on every street tempting us, it’s just way too easy. Ask any teenager to list their hobbies and shopping will make the list. It has become a favorite pastime of many Americans.

Occasionally I’ll hear, “I’ll get rid of this now and go buy another one.” How does that help?

Once equilibrium is achieved, a system is needed to maintain it, either with (1) no additions or (2) addition = subtraction. The first option is not likely but the second option of one in – one out is more realistic. However, we add one, add another and another and so on. Every now and then, yard sales and donation trucks restore our equilibrium, but is only temporary and needed again months later.

You knew when to stop pouring the water – before it spills. Purchases brought home will become clutter spilled out if the capacity is not considered.

Evaluate your container – look at it in a new way. What would the capacity sign read? Mentally post a limit for yourself and adhere to it.

In my small closet, I have had to limit myself to 24 shoes. That’s how many shoe cubbies I could fit without compromising the comfort (think movie theater). If I find a pair of shoes I just “have to have”, I determine IN THE STORE which pair I’m donating. If I don’t want to lose any, I pass on the purchase.

This really works! We set a closet for a client with a specific number of hangers (determined capacity). Years later, she still says it saves her money because she has to decide if she likes the new outfit better than her current wardrobe because she can’t add any hangers. She shops less and smarter.

Giving away more will certainly reduce the clutter, but what about purchasing less?

-Kim McBrayer