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What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started i...
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Baby dedications are the new weddings

I said something in my class a few Sundays ago that generated an overwhelming response of applause.  It sorta surprised me how passionately people agreed with me on this.  

I want to start sending people DVD's of their baby's dedication at random times when I think they need a reminder of the vows they made in front of God and the church.   I said, "baby dedications have become the new weddings."

Weddings got out of control in America with lavish amounts of money and creativity the likes of which our parents and grandparents could have never envisioned in their wildest dreams.  This photo is from a recent wedding that boasts the "longest train in bridal history."  I have to be honest with you I think it looks like a giant roll of toilet paper and isn't the least bit attractive.  But seriously.  I'm not against celebrating marriage. I don't regret one cent we spent for our wedding.   What I take issue with is investing more in a wedding than a marriage.  The divorce rate out there is appalling.  With many of these couples, working on the dynamics of a marriage often takes a back seat to ordering invitations, dress fittings, and reception menus.  They were in love with the idea of love, but not committed to the day to day working on a marriage. 

Baby dedications have become an opportunity for celebration with little thought to true dedication thereafter which is the whole point of the dedication.  One lady we performed a dedication for years ago requested the use of the fellowship hall afterwards and had a full sit down dinner reception after their baby's dedication for friends and family.  So, what's the problem with that?   She never personally brought her children back to our church or any church.  The grandparents brought the child most of the time when they came.  There are some parents who come back on special occasions but that's about it.

The purpose of a baby dedication is not just to show off your child and have a big family sha-bang and then go home and revert to being a casual Christian or church attender.  A baby dedication is performed for the purpose of dedicating your child to God's purposes and agreeing to do your part to to training them for His purpose.   Perhaps one should consider whether they are going to be dedicated before they request a dedication be performed .  A dedication is more for the parents than the children because at the dedication parents promise to raise their children in the ways of the Lord and be faithful in bringing them for Christian instruction.

Spend a million dollars  on your wedding if you want to - but when the reception is over, FULFILL YOUR VOWS that you made.  Likewise with your baby dedication.  Pull out all the stops and do it up big time.  Invite the world.  Then FULFILL YOUR VOWS.  Be a Christian parent. 
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