End of 2007 Thoughts
One of the disciplines that I’ve had over the past several years is to take some time in late December to reflect on the past year. Like many people, I try to keep a journal, but I must admit I’m pretty sporadic. My journal entries this past year mostly surround my trip to England in April and the conversion of our minsitry software database in June.
This has been my first full year on the leadership team at FamilyLife. It’s been a year of growth in so many areas. I’ve been challenged in my leadership skills to lead a larger group of people than ever in my life as well as leading an organization through one of biggest changes in many years. The software change has gone pretty well, but migrating the full complexity of all major ministry functions in an organization the size of FamilyLife is pretty overwhelming. It has impacted the daily work-lives of over 200 people and that creates a lot of stress for people. It has definitely been a stretching experience.
As I look forward to 2008, I am most excited about the expected launch this year of our new eMentoring outreach. I’ve been asked to lead this overall project and there’s a lot of work to do. We’ve got to help lead the development of the software, but also chart a clear course for how to train and equip lay people to offer sound biblical advice through email. There are many other waters to negotiate as well. Please continue to pray for this.
Finally, this has been a year of growing faith. I’ve grown in my love for God and his glory and in my understanding of my own sinfulness. We’ve also been asked to exercise faith around our support as we’ve seen our reserves drained this year and enter 2008 with a significant monthly gap. However, we’ve also seen God close that gap late this year and we’re trusting that He will continue to provide for the work that He’s called us to. We’d ask for your prayers on this as well.
So, there’s my thoughts on 2007. We want to thank our friends for all your support and, ultimately, proclaim ‘Soli Deo Gloria’.
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We’re Live!
Well, gang. After two years of work to get to this point, FamilyLife went live on our new software platform on Monday, June 18 and full production began on Wednesday, June 20th. Ironically, I was in Vancouver BC when it happened visiting with the leadership of Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada about some possible joint ventures. It was an important milestone, but much more work is left to be accomplished. Please continue to pray for us as we learn how to serve our constituents well with this new tool.
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Nearing Prototype
It’s a project that has been foremost on my plate for nearly all of my time at FamilyLife. The migration of our ministry software foundation from a 10 year-old custom solution to an industry-leading platform from DonorDirect has been both the most challenging and rewarding project of my professional career. I was handed responsibility for it when I arrived in June 2005 and now oversee it as Project Executive.
On April 9, we will be spending 4 days in Prototype Testing to put the work that has been done through the paces. The idea is to work through real-life situations in the new software and determine where it still needs to be refined and what is working well. We will be flipping the switch to the new systems for real on June 18th.
Please continue to pray as there is so much work left to be done and many of our staff are working under very demanding conditions.
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A Month of Training
Every weekday beginning October 9th and continuing through October 25th, key personnel at FamilyLife will be engaged in all-day training on the new DonorDirect system. This grueling schedule is a key part of the implementation process. While most of the users will only be present for the parts of training that are relevant to their jobs, my team and I will be present for all 13 days! Please pray for focus, retention and endurance for all involved and for the heart of the work that will begin shortly after training.
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2006 Staff Conference
On August 17 and 18, the entire FamilyLife staff gathered at a local church for our annual staff conference. During the summer of odd-numbered years we travel to Ft. Collins, CO for a week to join all other Campus Crusade staff for US Staff conference. During the even-numbered years, FamilyLife has its own conference for 2 days.
The theme of the conference was “What’s Next?†During the two days we celebrated the first 30 years of ministry and how God had blessed the work of FamilyLife. Dennis and Barbara Rainey joined Dr. and Mrs Howard Hendricks, who were instrumental in the formation of FamilyLife, in reminiscing about the events leading up to the creation of the family ministry by Campus Crusade.On Friday, I got the opportunity to share with the staff the reasons for why we’re investing in so much technology right now. It was a great chance for me to share my heart and the vision that is behind these technology initiatives. If you’d like to listen to my presentation, you can click here to play the 10 minute MP3.
Watch for more information about the direction of the ministry to come in the blog and/or in the newsletter.
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