Be credible.It all starts with credibility. A long time ago credibility was based on how many degrees you had on your wall and how many letters followed your name. That’s not the case today – Web 2.0 has changed everything and if you want to succeed in reaching more people with your message or THE message you’ll need to know and embrace these 4 steps to creating credibility in the eyes of those you’re called to reach.

 1. Remarkable Results. Work for excellence. Our work should not be half-hearted or bootleg. Credibility’s main foundation is our ability to create and provide excellent products, services and experiences!

2. Create. Credibility is best built through extraordinary experiences. Your ministry is not known (or valued) because of your logo, letterhead, liturgy, landing page, or landscape rather it’s the experience your ministry creates for the audience you serve that matters most.

3. Capture. You’ve created the experience—now what? Capture it! What good is an experience if no one knows it ever occurred? Here are a few ways to capture experiences::

a. Personal testimonials

b. Photos

c. Audios

d. Videos

4. Share. It’s impossible to increase your “credibility factor” or influence more lives without sharing the good news. However, there is a sharing rule—only share the results, experiences, breakthroughs—you know the “good stuff”. You know the “I once was blind now I see” kind of stories. Do not share your degree, pedigree, building size, new ring or new suit. No one cares!

Bringing back the love—or even creating a “like” for the church begins with establishing credibility. Embracing the above principles will help you not only allow you to gain credibility—I let you in on a secret—they will help you expand your reach!

Your expansion next steps:

• What results does your ministry bring to the lives of those you serve?

• How do you currently capture those results?

• What have you been sharing about your ministry?

Do you need help Expanding Your Reach? Download Your F.R.E.E. Ministry Marketing Makeover Kit Today!

Earlier this week we began the “Reboot. Restart. Recalibrate.” series. We discussed rather than restoring (to take back to the riginal state) our ministry marketing systems, we may need to just simply reboot things (start again from where we are) in order to achieve optimal performance. By pressing CTRL+ ALT+ DELETE on our computers we are able to stop all systems that are currently running, allow them to quickly refresh, and manually start only the ones that we need now again. Have you noticed that when you pressed CTRL + ALT+ DELETE that not all the programs remain hidden? Some of them pop up like magic! You don’t have to double-click, drag and drop, or touch anything and whoop there it is! It just starts running all by itself.

Ok, I will level with you, it’s not magic J you nor do you need a “super” machine. Rather these programs are set to “launch upon start-up”. Someone you, the manufacturer, or your teenager indicated upon installation of the software that these programs should simultaneously start when your computer starts. How efficient, huh? Similarly, your ministry or organization should have a few processes that automatically launch upon start-up (or some other action…but we will get to that in a sec). For example, when a new person visits your church (online or off-line) what happens? Is there a set pattern/sequence of events that take place EVERY time? Is this process implemented automatically or it is an after-thought? Take some time this month and evaluate your current systems:

1.      Is there anything in your current mode of operation that flows automatically?

2.      What triggers this process? (in the above example it was the indication that a person is a “visitor”)

3.      Is this sequence documented?

4.      When performed correctly, what results do you expect to receive?

5.      *BONUS* If you currently have no systems which start automatically, look for ways to begin implementing at least ONE by January 31^st. I am eager to hear of your progress. Post your results below or email with your questions at info@moruwa.com.

Between the interviews with the locals and the footage of damaged areas, I was like a jack in the box yelling out random emotions. “Oh my, Lord, please help them!” “Wow!” “Now that was funny. They play too much.” (That last one was in response to those on-site interviews. You know they only interview those who are not ‘made-for TV’!) However, the most pressing part of the entire day was when the announcer made this statement, “For those of you who want to know when you will get to see your favorite shows: The Ellen Show and Dr. Oz, we will air those later this evening…well early in the morning respectively at 2:00am and 3:00am eastern.”

What? Did he just interrupt the live on-air reporting of a natural disaster to announce the rescheduling of a “non-life essential” change in television programming? Yes he did! Okay, mainstream media has officially gone wild in my book!  Do you know what this means? Finally, it is all about the people! We have heard claims for years about television programming being based on the “people’s choice” or “we created this with YOU in mind”.  But this is the epitome of “made-for-you-TV”. I remember the times when national disasters, Presidential addresses, or historic moments airing on TV meant a pre-recorded voiceover saying “We now interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for this special announcement.”  And that was all you got. No Cosby show today. Now, we reschedule and announce it on air LIVE within moments of the “special report”.

Have the mainstream media conglomerates finally realized they MUST give the people what they want? What about you? How do you offer your media to the masses? Is it random or scheduled? If there is an interruption or a deviation from the plan, do you bother informing your audience? Do you have a back-up plan in place for such occasions? You don’t have to be a nationally syndicated television or radio show to have a content strategy. Consider your blog posts, daily devotionals, motivational moments, and podcasts.  When you break the normal pattern of delivering content to your audience, do you bother to let them know why and offer ways for them to consume it later?

If we can reschedule entertainment TV, surely your ministry should have a plan to for getting the Word out.  Please share with me and others what content management plans you currently have in place (or intend to real soon).

An even bigger surprise was the overwhelming sense of calmness that came over me as I thought about the confidence she exuded. How impressive to see a child so self-aware that without hesitation she asks for exactly what she wants. AND expects to get it (she was already reaching for the knob!). Grace, (that is her name) was in no way rude or disrespectful. Rather, her behavior was bold, courageous, and expectant. I thought about myself and how cautious and careful I am when asking for what I want (and sometimes what I need), often rationalizing things in my mind and usually ending up talking myself out of receiving what rightfully belongs to me. I try to predict God’s response to my plea, and rather than boldly stating my request with “earnest expectation,” I say it and wish for a “yes”. Has that ever happened to you?
Do you know that even the slightest bit of reluctance renders you unstable and causes a delay in your progress? James 1:6-8 teaches us to “ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (NKJV).

Your journey makes no room for uncertainty and hesitation. Your mission is critical. As continue in life and ministry, be bold! Approach every endeavor with earnest expectation for God’s BEST! Remember little Miss Grace, and ask for what you want in faith, nothing wavering. You just might get it!

Protecting Your Ministry from Brand Damage from Janice Johnson on Vimeo.

While for many this time of year commences an influx of road trips, summer camps, and much needed family get-a-ways, for most churches it often represents a season of stark decline. Decreased attendance, sporadic giving and lack of participation in church activities are on an all-time rise now that summer is almost here.

It doesn’t have to be this way! Your ministry CAN have different results. How? It’s simple. Change the game! Here are 5 game changing ways to soar into this summer season:

1. Take stock – Evaluate what’s going on in your church or ministry today. What is the current participation level? What’s the mood of your current parishioners? Are you seeing consistent number of visitors? Before you look to “change the game” you need to assess what you are already doing.
2. Include everyone – Ask, seek, knock. You can find out a lot about people if you take time to talk to them. What exactly are the summer plans of your current members?   What does your ministry offer during the summer months that are of interest and relevance to your current audience?
3. Be proactive – You know summer is quickly approaching; actually it comes every year around this same time. Why sit back and wait for things to decrease and decline? Launch out! Begin seeking ways NOW to engage your current audience and attract new people BEFORE you get deep into the summer months.
4. Take Action – Once you have heard back from your loyal, local church members, – take action. If necessary, change things, do something different, use what you learn from your members to make your church the place to be this summer.
5. Have FUN! – Did you know that “summer” is defined as a period of greatest happiness, success, or fulfillment?  Does what you offer in the form of activities, programs, and ministry contribute to one’s happiness? Do your ministry’s programs or activities include a strong “fun-factor”? If, not do something different! If happiness is the order of the day, be sure to include it in your ministry efforts.

Summer is swiftly approaching, what will you do differently? Will your ministry soar or will it settle?

It takes a brave man or woman to sacrifice their life for that of someone else. Even if it is someone you know, love, and trust. OK, be honest, would you without hesitation, willingly throw yourself in front of a moving train for your old nagging auntie? What about your cousin who always wants to borrow $20? Now imagine, giving up your life for a complete stranger? Or someone that openly disrespects you, your profession and your beliefs? Well, that’s what our soldiers do each time they engage in combat for our freedoms and liberties. They put their lives on the line for our rights. Today as you enjoy your time with family, friends, or just sheer relaxation take a moment and thank God for our soldiers.

And I am no different! I absolutely LOVE this time of year! Between-the-legs…pump  fake...SLAM! Yep, my adrenaline starts flowing just thinking about the thrill of the Cinderella   comeback stories and the last second buzzer beaters. March Madness stirs the heart and soul   of all the real “B-ball” players. Ok, and the fake ones too! LOL! It’s the one time of year where   the rookies are highlighted and the pro prospects are recognized.

My husband and I printed our brackets out last night; we are anxiously awaiting 6:00PM for the selection process to officially begin. Who are the bubble teams? Who has the potential to win it all? As I prepare to make my prediction, I can’t help but think of myself, my business, and my clients. Is my organization Final Four material??? Do we have what it takes to go all the way and win BIG? Well, what does it take? How will I know if we deserve a trip to the Final Four? I’ve managed to narrow it down to three key factors:

1. Dream Team – Without a team you can’t play the game. Without the right team, you will never win a game. What makes up the right team? Skill + passion + singular focus = right team. When the stakes are high, you need to know that you have the right people by your side. Is your team well trained, committed, and all focused on the same goal? If not…um..well…this may not be your year.
2. Strategy – Will it be your pressure defense? Or fast-paced offense? For the West Virginia Mountaineers, it’s the same play they’ve run all season…set the corner screen and get the ball in the hands of Da’Sean Butler. If he doesn’t see it, he’ll create it. What about you? What is your game-winning strategy? How will you win BIG? What steps will your organization take to ensure you are on the Road to the Final Four? Without a strategy or a plan, you have no chance of winning. Winning must be intentional!
3. Momentum – By the time you reach the tournament…the playing fields are pretty much even. The real contenders have strong teams with good to great players, they have a set of game winning plays that they have mastered. There even exists a cohesiveness that is not easily rattled or broken. So what separates the winners from the losers? The champions from the runner-ups? I believe it is momentum. Have you ever tried to stop someone who’s on a winning streak? You can’t. They’re unstoppable. Think about it. If you are used to winning all the time you think like a winner, you see yourself as a winner, you do what winners do. There is no wondering “hmmm can we win this?” or “we might just win this”. Rather, the attitude is “we have no choice BUT to win because we ARE winners.” Now this attitude can be achieved a number of ways, but the most effective way is to have a series of wins under your belt. Tournament time is reserved for the winners. And it is much easier to win, if you have had practice doing it.

Well, I must go and prepare my brackets; my NCAA bracket and my life bracket. But before I go, I want to know 'will you make the cut'? Are you and your team Final Four material? Share your thoughts and happy picking!

Jasmine had just written and recorded her I AM statements a couple of nights before we received this disheartening news. As a mom, it was especially hard to share with her this news. We were studying faith and I was teaching her about the power of her words. After sharing with her what her coach shared with me, I told her to pray. "God can change everything!" She prayed and we made a snow baby (never in my life had I made a snowman so…a "baby" is what became of our efforts! LOL!). Feeling a little better, she went on her merry way. This was Saturday.

On Monday, her coach called. "Great news! The league reversed their decision. We play Saturday at 9:00AM. See ya at 8:30." Thank you Lord! I was excited to share this news with Jasmine. Elated by the news, she pranced around all week confidently with her head held high. As a matter of fact, she said, "Mom, when we win the championship can I get a new iPod?"

"Well, baby, let's just play our best in the semi-finals first." To my surprise, she said with such certainty in her voice "ok, but you know we are going to win the championship. Remember, my I AM statements?"

A week later, without having met with her team, Jasmine was facing game day. She woke up at 4:00AM. She was ready! "Have a great game baby! Be aggressive. Think like a champion. Play hard!"

"Ok, mom!"

"Remember your I AM statements."

As my husband and I entered the gym, I thought to myself, "Lord, please let her have a good game." The team they were playing had beat them twice. The whistle blew. The game had begun.

Four quarters later, Jasmine and her team advanced to the finals. But, there was one catch. The championship game was at 12 Noon TODAY. It was now 10:15AM.

Well folks, all I can say is this. There is power in what you say. If God can speak the world into existence, why can't we who are made in His image, speak to our own situations? We CAN!

My 10-year old daughter brought home today the Henry County Recreational Division 10 and Under Girls Championship trophy! Yes, they won! And you know what she said to me?

"Mom, I TOLD you... I AM a champion!"