Chapter 7
Field Trips & More!
- Enjoying Staff Events
- Staff Retreats
- Party Time!
- Birthdays and BBQs
- After Hours
Staff are often called upon to make events happen, such as
the church picnic, the business expo, or the ministry conference. That is part
of the job requirements, and understood by all. But serving others makes one
desire, and need, a break once in awhile, to just relax and “hang out”. Just as
in families, once a big event has come and gone, the staff needs some down
time, apart from the “regular job duties”, to enjoy one another and continue to
build good relationships.
Coming from a large family, I appreciate the
opportunities we had, and have, to be with one another, where one is not expected
to have to “perform”.
Louis & Lila Martin family
- plus the almost full tribe of eight!
(One yet to come...) 1968 in Cedar Falls, Iowa
Being one who enjoys having a good time, and wanting to see
others involved as much as they desire, I saw to it that each staff I was
blessed with had times of being together apart from the daily routine or the
big event. I realized the importance of having a good time, when the pressures
of the daily work or weekend schedule for church weren’t pushing hard.
For the monthly birthdays, we made it a point to celebrate
these special days in the life of the accountant, the shipping supervisor, the
custodian, the editor, or the receptionist. Having all the employees gather in
the lunch room, my assistant and I had a birthday cake, ice cream, and
sometimes balloons and other decorations ready to bless those whose birthday it
was that month.
This makes each individual know that they are indeed special
and important, and not just someone sitting in the chair getting the job done.
Vision for Israel - partial staff - birthday party 2009
(L-R) Steve, Jodie Goodman, Indira & Edgar Persad
A specially made #24 birthday cake
at the office for #55! (2009)
Once a year, we would try to schedule a staff retreat, out
of town, for two days and nights. Usually this was after the annual conference,
or some other event that had required extra effort and time. Going to a
mountain retreat lodge, or a resort where all the food and recreation
coordination was done by someone other than our own, was always a much
appreciated time together.
Whether the expense is covered by the business, church or ministry, or each pays separately, the staff see this extra care shown by the administrator and other leaders that the whole person is important, in addition to being the one on staff who gets the job done. It is interesting to hear what people say and do when “not on the job”. It can be a very positive addition to the ongoing relationships that are important to maintaining good relationships in the office.
Kevin Grafton, co-worker
- Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation (Mendota, IL 1977-1980)
and Vision for Israel (Charlotte, NC 2001-2004)
Grill-Master on both jobs!
Another bonding time that is fun to do is to have summer
cookouts during the work week day. It seems that each staff has a “grill master”
on board, who likes to show off his home crafted skills on the gas grill. Give
him or her that opportunity!
Buying either store prepared food, or having each one bring
a dish from home, helps create an “at ease” break during the work day. And it
makes a good lunch too!
I know the Lord knew the importance of getting His team away
from the daily routine, as He would take them apart from time to time. A time
to be refreshed, to “recharge the batteries” is important in the business life
as well. Just having time to stop doing the normal routine will help keep
people desiring to give their best throughout the year.
Planning staff events ahead of time gives people the
opportunity to look ahead, to anticipate the time out with the others. As we
all like adventure and to get “of the beaten path” sometimes, give the staff
these opportunities throughout the year.
Ahava ("love" in Hebrew) and shalom!
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
You can bless this ministry work now, through: Online PayPal gifts
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
Love For His People, Inc. truly appreciates your generous support. Please consider sending a monthly charitable gift of $5-$25 each month to help us bless Messianic Jews in Israel.
You can bless this ministry work now, through: Online PayPal gifts
You can also send checks to the address below. Todah rabah! (Hebrew - Thank you very much.)
©2013 Steve Martin Love For His People, Inc. 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, NC 28134
E-mail: loveforhispeople@gmail.com martinlighthouse@gmail.com
Facebook pages: Steve Martin and Love For His People
Twitter: martinlighthous, LovingHisPeople and ahavaloveletter
YouTube: Steve Martin (loveforhispeopleinc)
Love For His People, Inc. is a charitable, not-for-profit USA organization. Fed. ID#27-1633858. Tax deductible contributions receive a receipt for each donation.
Note: To read the Intro, Chapter Listings and first six chapters, please use the Search Box in the top right hand corner of this Blog, and enter "Leadership Through Love." Be blessed in your reading!
Leadership Through Love
Chapter Listings
1. A Gift for His Purposes
- The Early Years
- On the job training
2. Use the Tools You Have, But Not the Staff
- Treasure the people, while digging the foundations
- Do unto them as you would…
- Bless and curse not: honor those who serve with you
3. Right Man (or Woman!) for the Job
- All are created equal – make the most of this!
- If the Shoe Fits, Have Them Wear It
4. Train and Let Loose
- It IS Who You Know and Are Known By
- Hire To Complement Your Strengths
- if you are weak, then they are strong
- Outsource as needed
5. Burn Candles At Both Ends? – NOT!
- Rest and Sabbath Days
- Mornings with the Lord
- Trust in Him at all times
- We all are given 24 hours each day
6. The Visionaries Need You!
- They dream it - you make it happen
- It takes a team
- Head Won’t Get Far without the Neck
(or heads will roll)
7. Field Trips and More!
- Staff Retreats
- Party Time!
- Birthdays and BBQs
- After Hours
8. It Doesn’t All Depend On You
- The Lord is the Rock – Not You
- Whose strength - yours or His?
- Key Staff to Lean On
- Trustworthy managers and assistants
9. Practically Speaking…and Walking
- Handle each piece of paper once
- File so you can find it!
- Early morning – before the others come
- Take a Break
10. Meetings – Time-manger or Time-waster?
- Do you really need all those meetings?
- Group or One-On-One?
- Why Morning and Mid-Week?
- Prov. 24:6 “By wise counsel…multitude of counselors
11. Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways
- Heart of Thankfulness
- Heart of Worship
- Heart of Service
12. Another Man’s Vineyard
- Follow & help fulfill their vision
- Faithful with another’s
- Learn and growth until your time
- The proper way of moving on
