Vo l u m e 14 , N u m b e r O n e , J u ly 2 0 11

MOPSGuide.org

MOPS LeadershipBold. Loving. Sensible.

Get in the leadership game

Connections July 20112

Interim CEOShelly Radic

Executive EditorCarla Foote

EditorBeth K. Vogt

Editorial CoordinatorJackie Alvarez

Consulting EditorsAndrea Jones

Alexandra Kuykendall

Graphic DesignerHeather Swanson

Contact MOPS International at:2370 South Trenton WayDenver, CO 80231-3822

MOPS.org

Office Phone: 303.733.5353 Fax: 303.733.5770

Email: Info@MOPS.org

Services Representatives: 888.910.MOPS (6677)or 303.695.1930 (in the Denver metro area)

Email: Service@MOPS.org

To start a MOPS group, emailCharters@MOPS.org or go to

MOPS.org/getstarted

To place a MOPShop order:MOPShop.org

© Copyright 2011, MOPS International, Inc. All rights reserved. MOPS is a federally registered

trademark of MOPS International, Inc. 1998. All rights reserved.

s I worked on this issue of Connections, I looked back on my first issue of the magazine — the October 2007 issue. Hard to believe I’m starting my fifth year as editor.

In my first Editor’s Letter, I said (and I’m quoting myself here): I’m excited to be involved with a ministry that values women.

I’ve experienced MOPS from all angles: as a you’ve-got-to-be-kidding-me late-in-life mom. As a member of my church’s MOPS Leadership Team. As a MOPS speaker. As a writer and editor. No matter what my involvement, this ministry’s commitment to women — to equip-ping and encouraging moms — never wavers.

MOPS values you — the women who lead the hundreds of MOPS groups meeting all over the world. You sacrifice time and talents for other moms. This magazine is our opportunity to pour into you. To cheer you on, to help you accomplish your goals, to see your visions for your groups materialize. As you read the various articles about being bold, loving and sensible, know that those topics weren’t just discussed — they were prayed over. In her article “His Gifts or Our Abilities,” Carla Foote, MOPS Senior Director of Community and Resources, reminds leaders to rely on God’s empowerment to accomplish the tasks set before them. You are not alone in this — practically or spiritually.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by the upcoming year? Take time to read Rachel Oliver’s article “Fear Not.” Go ahead, admit that you’re afraid — and lead your group anyway! And while you’re investing in all those other moms, don’t forget to take some time for yourself. In her article “Investing in Yourself,” Kelli Jordan lists five ways to ensure you don’t get lost in all the busyness.

Beth K. Vogt, Editor

Thanks! MOPS International appreciates the support provided by our sponsors for the 2011-12 MOPS year. Find out more about these fine organizations at MOPS.org/sponsors.l Antiquitiesl Big Ideal Compassion Internationall Family Movie Nightl Focus on the Familyl Operation Christmas Childl Stonyfield Farmsl Women of Faithl World Vision Micro

LeTTer

summer monThsl Stay connected and also meet new moms during the summer months. Utilize casual get-togethers, a weekly blog or monthly e-newsletter.l Plan a day-long or weekend retreat with your leadership team for team building and planning. Determine budget. Contact Chartering Ministry about the upcoming year’s schedule.l Train Discussion Group Leaders. Organize MOPPETS.

Beth K. Vogt

Leaders checkLisT

Octoberl Plan video curriculum (momsense) and speakers for the spring semester.l determine date and theme for moPs & PoPs event.

l Send out a welcome letter to moms.l Ensure newcomers are connecting with veteran MOPS moms.

augusTl Attend COnventiOn! l Preview MomSense video curriculum to use for MOPS meetings and schedule speakers for additional meetings. l Establish Discussion Groups and begin contacting moms. l Finalize registration information.l Train MOPPETS workers.

septemberAugust 4-6, 2011

decemberl encourage moms to attend chartering ministry’s celebrations.l celebrate all you’ve accomplished and look forward to next semester.

novemberl Plan a special christmas meeting to share the gospel — have a leader share her faith story.l Participate in operation christmas child and collect shoeboxes for samaritan’s Purse.

FaLL

The LORD will accomplish what

concerns me; Your loving kindness,

O LORD, is everlasting; Do not

forsake the work of your hands.Psalm 138:8 NASB

“ “

Connections July 2011 3

By Shelly RadicInterim CEO

MOPS International

hile visiting a MOPS group, I asked moms to share how their lives were impacted

in the four essential elements that make better moms who make a better world.

n knowing who we are: building a healthy, resilient mom COREn knowing what we’re capable of: developing FINESSE in the ways we daily interact with our kidsn knowing who we can count on: interacting within a CIRCLE of relationships that support us and our kidsn knowing who god is: engaging with him in his GRANDSCAPESeveral moms shared their stories, but one mom

sitting at the far left front table, caught my attention. Karen* choked back tears while speaking of becom-ing more confident, developing a healthier relationship with her children, finding work and a safe place to live and discovering that God loved her and created her with a purpose.

After the meeting, I asked Karen how she became involved with MOPS and learned another MOPS mom invited her. Abandoned by her husband, with no money, no job and no family, Karen’s MOPS group became the community where she survived and thrived.

In a supportive community like MOPS, moms often find help to cope with life’s chal-lenges. Last year most moms

were welcomed and included in groups, according to a survey of MOPS leaders. As you plan for the upcoming year of ministry, how will you ensure moms like Karen are welcomed and included?

The welcome starts with an invitation into relationship with other moms in the group. At MOPS International, we refer to that as the “three friend connection.” Our membership surveys indicate that when a mom makes at least three friends

at MOPS, she is most likely to feel like she’s part of the group. With a three friend connection, moms overcome the isolation often associated with early motherhood — isolation that hinders the emotional, physical, marital, financial and spiritual growth of young families.

MOPS groups do a great job of addressing topics that are important to moms, such as identity, developing practical skills, building relationships and growing spiritually. These topics cover the four essential elements of our Better Mom Better World metric. Since the purpose of MOPS is to build healthy moms, we want to cover all the areas essential to resilient moms in MOPS meetings and other resources.

However, in a recent survey of MOPS leaders, only 75 percent of MOPS groups addressed the topic of depression. The prevalences of depression in moms means that it is an important topic to discuss in your MOPS group. Ten to 15 percent of mothers experience post partum depression. Thirty percent of mothers will experience some form of depression during their child-rearing years.

This year’s theme is momsense: Bold • Loving • sensible. As a MOPS community, let’s be bold in inviting every mom into community, loving in the way we build relationships with her and sensible in presenting and discussing topics that address the four essential elements we’ve identified that make better moms who make a better world.

*Not her real name

VIEW

resourcesShaRE ThESE RESOURCES wITh MOMS In yOUR GROUP:

n MOPs.org/help for article on depression and more.

n Counselors are available through Focus on the Family. call 800.a.FamiLY or email help@focusonthefamily.com and ask to be connected to the counseling department.

Better MoMs Makea Better World

Connections July 20114

MoPs leadership: Bold. loving. sensible.

old. Loving. Sensible. All admirable traits independently, but combine the three and you have a powerful set of leadership qualities.

As mothers, we’ve grown into these traits, sometimes naturally, but often by stretching ourselves for the sake of our children. We must be bold enough to set boundaries for our kids and make decisions on their behalf, even when it’s out of our comfort zones. We must be loving — a natural extension of our mom role. But in our out-of-patience moments, we push ourselves to new loving frontiers. We must be sensible, drawing on self-control to look at situations from dif-ferent perspectives in order to come up with practical, common sense answers.

MOPS leadership builds on our mothering experiences and challenges us to stretch in new and different direc-tions. Examining bold, loving and sensible through a leadership lens, we discover we can apply these quali-ties in daily MOPS situations. Frequently we are called to demonstrate one of these attributes, but we should always consider how the other two are at play. If we are bold without being loving, we can appear unkind. If we are loving without being sensible, we may seem sentimental and impractical. If we are sensible but lack boldness, our offers of help may go unnoticed. Together, the three characteristics offer a healthy balance in our relationships and leadership decisions, providing a stable tripod of support and perspective.

By alexandra KuykendallEditor, Mom & Leader Content

MOPS International

Here are a few real-life illustrations of bold, loving and sensible lived out in MOPS leadership. These stories may sound familiar because they likely reflect the existing efforts of your group. As shown by the highlighted sentences, each story models one of the three traits, but all are certainly present:

andrea’s storyBold in WisconsinSpurred by her meaningful MOPS experience, Andrea joined a group of veteran MOPS moms and started a Teen MOPS group in her community. Together these leaders identified and used their spiritual gifts in ways they never thought possible. The Teen MOPS group now has a dozen moms meeting for both a weekly Bi-ble study and Teen MOPS meetings. Andrea has seen leaders reach out to girls who are very different than the leaders were themselves as teenagers. Not only are Andrea and her team supporting these young moms, they are inspiring and modeling to others in their communities how to reach beyond their comfort zones and love others who fit in the “different” category.

B

BOld. lOving. sensiBle. All admirable traits independently,

but combine the three and you have

a powerful set of leadership qualities.

Boldlovingsensible

look for these three traits in the stories.

Connections July 2011 5

Regardless of the make-up of your MOPS group and leadership team,

use this year’s MOPS theme to intentionally stretch in new directions.

You won’t regret using the bold, loving and sensible tripod of support

and perspective as you love the women in your care.

continued on next page

Bold. loving.

sensible.the three traits:

kerry’s story loving in kentuckyKerry was functioning as a single mom to three kids. Her husband’s job transfer required him to relocate quickly, leaving her alone for months to pack up and sell their home before joining him. One day Kerry hit a wall when she found herself with a toddler with an ear infection, a sudden septic tank problem and an unreachable husband. Kerry reached out to her MOPS friends through texts and Facebook. Within minutes, two women arrived at her house armed with hugs and listening ears. They gave her the support she needed to make it through that moment, and continued offering help by inviting her and her kids over for dinner on a weekly basis.

stacy’s story sensible in ColoradoLast year, Stacy’s MOPS group had an unexpected visitor: a pregnant, first-time mom. Stacy and other members of the group welcomed and included this expectant mom. When the woman’s new baby arrived the group showed her love in very practical ways. They insisted on bringing her dinners and one mem-ber, a lactation consultant, even offered the struggling nursing mom some help. Stacy’s group demonstrated that often the best kind of support is the kind that of-fers help. The new mom and her husband were grate-ful these MOPS leaders had been willing to be bold, loving and sensible.

Connections July 20116

eing bold, loving and sensible leads us to look outside of our MOPS group for women who could benefit from the Christ-centered community MOPS offers. As MOPS leaders we are called to be relationally inclusive, to welcome and accept every mom right where she is. As Christians, we are called to love

those around us in the way we want to be loved. This leads us to consider more than our needs, making MOPS accessible to all mothers of preschoolers.

Here are two concrete steps your leadership team can take this year to ensure your MOPS group has an outreach focus:

1. carve out time with each other outside of moPs meetings. yes, you need to encourage and spur each other on, but that’s not the purpose of MOPS meet-ings. Find other times and places to get together so you can focus on other moms during meetings. you want every mom to feel welcome and accepted. you’ll also be fueled to reach out to others if your own relational needs are already met.

2. Each person on your leadership team should commit to bring at least one new mom to moPs. Invite that neighbor, that mom from music class, that coworker with a new baby into your MOPS circle. By the end of the year, your group will have grown by at least the number of women on your leadership team. If your group is already full, make room for new moms by expanding your MOPPETS program or adding another MOPS group to your Charter. Creating space for a new member could change her life.

Focus on PersonaL inviTaTionResearch indicates that the most effective way to get new moms to your MOPS group is through personal invitation. If you are looking for other ways to connect with moms you don’t yet know, consider the following:

n extend your circles of invites: Make sure your MOPS group members and Chartering Ministry know they are welcome to invite moms to MOPS. Provide them with fliers or invitation cards to help them invite their daughters, neighbors and coworkers.

n hold an event that attracts families: Carnivals, back to school fairs and diaper giveaways can all bring moms to you. Take these opportunities to intentionally connect with attendees in significant ways and make sure they leave with a personal invitation to MOPS. Use the summer months to start building relation-ships. you don’t have to wait until fall to schedule a play date.

n advertise where moms are: your local library, preschool, recreation center or women, Infants, and Children (wIC) office already has moms walking through its doors every day. Make sure those women hear about MOPS.

reaching every Momthe outreach Challenge

Research indicates

that the most

effective way to

get new moms to

your MOPS group

is through personal

invitation. Be BOld

and intentional

about bringing

new moms into

your group.

B

Connections July 2011 7

By Carla FooteSenior Director

Community & ResourcesMOPS International

HIs GIFts or oUr aBIlItIes

s I watch MOPS leaders in action, I am amazed at the abilities I see. As both moms and leaders, you can soothe an upset child while listening intently to a mom who needs encouragement.

You consult your schedule for the MOPS meeting while corralling the kids into the car and mulling over the main points for your message to the MOPS group. Yes, MOPS leaders have amazing abilities that they use to provide community and relationship to moms who need what MOPS groups offers.

What sets MOPS apart from other groups for moms or women? MOPS is all about pointing moms toward a relationship with Jesus and equipping leaders to purpose- fully use the gifts God has given them to reach moms. The ministry of MOPS doesn’t depend just on the innate abilities of the women leading groups. MOPS is a ministry powered by God. So MOPS leaders need more than their natural abilities — they need to tap into the gifts that God has placed in them to maximize their ministry impact.

Our theme verse for this year reminds us that it isn’t all about our abilities as moms, women and leaders, but about God’s gifts. In 2 Timothy 1:7 we see that God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

In the verse that comes before our theme verse, Paul reminds Timothy that his abilities to minister came from God. Paul laid his hands on Timothy and prayed for him to have God’s power to minister. 2 Timothy 1:6 says: And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed — keep that ablaze!

Our confidence as leaders comes from God’s gifting and power, not from what we can accomplish on our own. This is a humble stance of realizing that we offer up our natural abilities and we exercise the spiritual gifts that God placed in us, all for his glory. Some-times we can get tangled up and confused as we try to understand how he has gifted us and how we are naturally inclined. Yet since God is the one who knit us together in our mother’s womb (Ps. 139), and his Spirit has endowed us with spiritual gifts, everything we are and do originates from God.

So we can confidently lead in MOPS, knowing that God created us and gifted us — and that truth gives us confidence, an open-handed, humble, but not shy, con-fidence. He who created us, gifted us and called us will use us to reach more moms. It’s all for his glory and to point more women toward a relationship with Jesus.

VERSE

sPiriTuaL giFTs

understand your spiritual gifts and how to

use them in leading your moPs group. ask

your chartering ministry for their preferred

spiritual gifts assessment tools or use an

online assessment at gifttest.org.

Throughout this year we will include teaching on the theme verse. Be sure to watch the spiritual Foundation of the Theme segment on the Leader’s Library.

moPs leaders have amazing abilities that they use to provide community and relationship to moms who need what moPs groups offers.

Connections July 20118

establish clear vision.Remind your team of the ultimate vision — why you’re planning, preparing and serving. Discuss what this statement means to your team. Start each of your leadership meetings by saying, “This MOPS group exists to reach more moms to effectively encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader in the name of Jesus Christ.” Post the MOPS vision statement at the top of your leadership team meeting agenda, personalizing it for your group. Filter your plans through the vision statement.

Build trust.You can cast vision and set goals, but if your team members are suspicious or uncommunicative, you’re in for a challenging year. Be willing to be open — and be willing to go first. Ask God to unite your hearts and minds, deepening your relationships. Share stories of both wins and losses. Don’t forget to enjoy some “get-to-know-you” time — and don’t talk about the next meeting.

RESOURCES

an Invested teaM! By andrea Jonesassociate Director

Groups and LeadershipMOPS International

o you want the women attending your first leadership team

meeting to stay fully engaged through the end of the year?

Dramatically increase the likelihood of this with an early-in-the-year

investment in three key team-building principles:

set measurable goals.Can your team verbalize three goals for this next MOPS year? They should be measurable and clear and link directly back to your vision! Consider goals like:

n every leader will invite at least one new mom to the group.n every leader will share her personal faith story to moms in the group on an individual or small group basis.n Leaders will encourage each other at leadership meetings and at group.

Building an invested team is a long-term process. even after your leadership team has met several times, enjoyed a weekend retreat together, planned for the first half of the moPs year and is enthus-iastic about the future, you need to stay focused on team-building.

Connections July 2011 9

LeadershiP essenTiaLs:Leading your groupsomeone needs to share the vision of moPs and call the rest of the leadership team to work together toward the vision. This person leads and coordinates the efforts of the team. (coordinator)

growing your groupYou need to be adding new energy to your group as you reach out to moms in your community. everyone in the moPs group can participate in growing the group, but a person who handles publicity for the group is key.

Building relationships in your groupThe vital ministry of moPs happens as women develop relation-ships. moms share their lives and become vulnerable in discussion groups or through the process of doing creative activities or service projects together. hospitality in the moPs meeting fosters relationships. moPs mentors also provide relational support for both moms and leaders.

supporting your groupThere are some behind the scenes leadership functions to support and administer the group, such as moPPeTs or someone to handle finances.

When you focus on these four leadership essentials, you can reach a whole town and develop better moms who make a better world.

tHe essentIals oF ... leadersHIP essentIals

moPs is aLL aBouT equiPPing leaders to reach the moms in their com-munity. a leadership team focused on this mission is much more effective in reaching moms in their community for Jesus and in making sure that the distinctives of MOPS are present in the group.

In years past, MOPS emphasized eight to nine leadership positions to effectively cov-er the leadership needs of a MOPS group. however, often groups don’t have this many leaders. an emphasis on a particular number of leaders caused groups to feel like they couldn’t have a thriving ministry with fewer leaders. Or leaders were stressed, feeling like they were doing too many jobs.

we will continue to encourage groups to develop leadership teams so responsibilities can be divided into manageable chunks and so potential leaders can be identified. But the language around what types of leader-ship are needed is more flexible. These essentials all focus around reaching moms and bringing them to Jesus through a relational model.

as long as the essential functions for an effective group are handled, MOPS groups can be effective with just a few leaders or many leaders.

the questiOn then is: WhAt Are the essentiAls OF leAdershiP?

Connections July 201110

why MOPS

YOUR QUESTIONSBy Melodi Leih

MOPS InternationalRegional Developer

The MOPS International Membership offers resources and a connection to moms around the world, in addition to their local group experience. Moms tell us that they are encouraged by receiving Mom-E-Mail and MomSense magazine, in addition to their MOPS group experience. “This last issue of MomSense was so down to earth! I was inspired to be a better mom. My son and I have been at odds this week because my husband just left for a deploy-ment.” (Miriam)

Membership provides exciting opportunities for both MOPS International and local groups to reach more moms. Membership provides women more resources to be better moms and go deeper into their spiritual journey — meeting them outside of their local group experience with resources that connect them with other moms and encourage and inspire them. Membership resources also present Jesus to moms in real and practical ways, including the MOMSNext e-zine for moms of school-age children.

Membership also helps local groups. By registering moms for membership and utilizing the Group Management tools, leaders can better plan out their year — including Discus-sion Groups, financial records, MOPPETS and more. The membership benefits each mom receives (a logo bag and iron-on appliqués) also help promote the group to the com-munity and get the word out about your ministry.

The ultimate goal of MOPS and membership is to make better moms who make a better world. To best attain this goal, and in accordance with your Charter Renewal, every mom and MOPS Mentor in your group needs to be regis-tered for membership.* Visit moPs.org/membership to download forms and fliers and to register your moms!

*Groups outside of the US and military groups are exempt. Teen

MOPS groups are required to register their moms, but all teen mom

membership fees are waived due to special funding for this program.

A strong MOPPETS program is a central part of your MOPS group. Ensuring children are well cared for puts your moms at ease, allowing them to fully engage in their MOPS experience. MOPPETS is more than providing child care. How can you equip your MOPPETS leaders for ministry?

n PraY For The minisTrY. Encourage your MOPPETS workers to embrace lifestyle evangelism, building relation-ships with both moms and children.

n recruiT chrisTian Workers. Help workers see the unique opportunity to be Jesus to the children. If they see themselves as a “life changer” and not just a babysitter, they may commit to serve longer.

n Provide reguLar Training. Schedule a training day for workers. Share the purpose of being a MOPPETS worker and equip them with necessary information, including church policies and procedures.

n honor Your Workers. Be sure to plan a time for appreciating MOPPETS workers. Thank them for their commitment with lunch or dinner and a small gift.

When moms know their children are being cared for by loving and committed workers, they will enjoy the meeting time more. Making sure your workers feel valued, equipped and have a ministry mindset is the key to a strong MOPPETS program and a great way to facilitate growth in your group.

Membership?

2011-12 moPs inTernaTionaL

memBershiP BeneFiTs

how do you grow your MOPS group by equipping your MOPPETS program?

go To moPsguide.org/ veggieTaLes For moPPeTs resources.

Connections July 2011 11

By Rachel Oliverassociate Director of

Mom Community and ResourcesMOPS International

s I arrived at the auditorium, I quickly grabbed my T-shirt and badge and found my friend Kim and her husband.

“I’m so nervous,” Kim told me, “but you’ve probably done this lots of times.”

I laughed at her assumption and quickly assured her that this was my first time helping with an altar call. I was afraid too.

I’ve been involved in ministry for years, but still allow myself to create comfort-zone-boundaries. I’ve helped with toddler Sunday school where parents brought their children to me. I’ve guided a college mentorship program where girls were assigned to me. I lead a women’s Bible study where women call to inquire about participation. I’m happy to lead and serve — as long as I’ m serving those who come to me.

This night was different. I would be approaching people from the community — people I didn’t know — and be offering to pray with them. Not only that, but these people weren’t coming down to be prayed for. They were coming to pin a piece of paper on the cross as a symbol of giving their concerns to God.

As I made my way to the front of the church, I could feel my brow growing moist and my lips dry. Could I do this?

I’m not alone in feeling afraid. Throughout the Bible, we see stories of fearful people — and the consequences of how they respond to their fear. In John 18, we see Peter, fearful of persecution and arrest, repeatedly deny Christ. It’s easy to judge

RESOURCES

Peter’s actions — but the truth is, he was afraid of very real consequences.

And so are you and I. When I step out of my comfort zone and approach

someone, I might be rejected. I might be labeled a religious nut. I might damage a relationship I’ve already formed. I might be hurt. I might be hurt again. I might fail. I might be asked to commit to more than I can handle.

But ... what if I don’t do anything? What if you don’t?

We are encouraged in Isaiah 41:10: Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. (NLT)

Fears are normal. But we don’t have to let those fears paralyze us. God is with us and it’s only in him and through him that we can accomplish anything. He has called us to love our neighbors – and it’s in that love that we reach the world around us.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18.) When I let my fears win, they hold me back from allowing others to experience the God I have to share.

That night, I made my way to front of the auditori-um and I offered to pray with Sophia, who graciously accepted my awkward invitation. I didn’t know what to pray for, but it didn’t matter. As I spoke the meager words I had, God moved in my heart and, I hope and pray, in hers.

TaLk aBouT WiTh Your LeadershiP Team ...what fears keep you from taking steps you know deep down you should?

Can you think of a personal victory over fears in your life? are you willing to share those with others so they can be encouraged to step out and trust God’s plan and the help only he provides?

what can you do to combat the very real fears that poke at the dreams and visions God has given you?

fear nOt

Connections July 201112

investing in yourself

leader is an investor. Invest means to “devote our time, effort or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Every MOPS leader invests in both people she supports

and people she wants to reach. We believe in the ministry, that’s why we lead.

And while others are important, so are you. What are you doing to invest in yourself?

Find a menTor.No matter what ministry you are involved in, there’s always someone more experienced. Find a mentor to encourage you and keep you accountable. Talk about your projects and ministries. You will be surprised at the net-work you can build to accomplish your goals and to help another woman achieve her goals.

recruiT a PraYer Team.What a blessing to know someone is praying for us. Enlist a few people to pray for your ministry, providing them specific requests at least once a month. Allow others to come alongside in the strongest way possible — by praying for you.

Join a Bible study and fellowship with other believers. Don’t allow your ministry to become your only fellowship or your leadership preparation to become your only Bible study. Protect the time in your schedule set aside for Bible study. Your ministry will benefit more from that time than if you spend that hour responding to email.

aLLoW YourseLF some sPace.Burnout and frustration happen when we don’t set bound-aries for ourselves. We have limited time and energy — and we have to manage those well for the good of the ministry and ourselves. No one else can control how you fill up your calendar. Be intentional and allow yourself space to rest and space to handle the unexpected.

encourage Your oWn deveLoPmenT.A good leader wants to grow so she isn’t the same leader in a year that she is now. What resources are available to you? Videos? Web forums? Articles? Leadership training events? Are you taking advantage of them? MOPS has national training events, local Community Events and training phone calls and webinars. Get to know your Field Leader. She has years of MOPS experience.

MOPS invests in you so you can pour into others, but taking time for your personal growth always brings a worthwhile result. Invest wisely! As you grow and develop, you’ll have more to offer the moms in your group.

By Kelli JordanRegional DeveloperMOPS International

Leaders’resources

soThaT

you register all of your leaders at moPsguide.org/groupmanagement

They have access to all of the following resources:n Connections magazine, MOPSGuide.org and Leaders Online E-zine

n Field Leaders, ready to coach and encourage through all aspects of being a MOPS leadern Training opportunities

Let Field Leaders help you stay in the leadership game.

Connections July 2011 13

Important information to share with your Chartering MinistryGroup Management Tools Leader DevotionsLeaders Online Leadership SkillsMOPS logo filesLeaders Library handouts including complete meeting ideasLeadership EssentialsTheme ideasResource articlesLeader Forums

neW monthly Web-based Training opportunities for group and Field Leaders!

MoPs 101 webinar for new groups and new leaders, or leaders with a new role! This one-hour webinar provides practical tools, encouraging words and an opportunity to connect with the MOPS community of leaders who face the same challenges and opportunities you do!

Monthly leadership training:Offered the 3rd Wednesday of every month!

For more information and to register for this free Web-based training visit MOPsguide.org/webtraining

July 20 ....................................Building an Invested Team a Bold Leaderaugust 17..............................Group Management Tools Making your Job a “Breeze”September 21 .....................TnT! — MOPPETS Full Fields and Few workersOctober 19 ..........................normalizing Fear Embracing Leadership’s wins and Lossesnovember 16 .....................Telling your Story Oral and written CommunicationDecember 14* ....................Balance and Boundaries a Sensible Leader

moPsguide.orgis the place to find:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

MOPs 101: Offered the 2nd Wednesdayof every month, begins August 10, 2011!

*Second wednesday in December after the MOPS 101 webinar as we seek to be considerate of the demands on family time during the holidays.

tnt!dynamite!

exercise caution! These are hot topics that are

relevant and practical!

Connections July 201114

WHy I leFt MoPs and WHy I’M so Glad God BroUGHt Me BaCk

By Jennifer BuellJennifer Buell lives in Rapid City, SD with her husband, Kraig, and her four children ranging from 3-12. She is a

MOPS Hospitality Coordinator at Southside MOPS.

haven’t always loved MOPS. When I moved a few years ago, a new friend

invited me to her MOPS group. I had three kids and only one of them was still in preschool. I

decided to give MOPS a try because I really needed some friends. I attended my first meeting in February. Each month, I sat with my friend and didn’t really bond with anyone. Go figure — I only sat with my friend. The next year, I quit MOPS after two months.

MOPS just wasn’t for me.And then, surprise! Baby #4 was on the way. This

was not what I had planned. I went back to MOPS, surprised by the welcoming reception. Even though I didn’t think I connected with anyone, I had. I never realized those early months at MOPS are the hardest. You’re settling in, getting to know people. I finished the spring, anticipating a summer baby and excited about returning to MOPS in the fall.

Our daughter, Lucy, was born in June — over a month early — and she had a heart defect. She had open-heart surgery and, after a wild ride, came home to us, perfect and whole. During the experience, many of my MOPS friends rallied around me with prayer, support and comfort. Some that I didn’t even know supported me, like my new, close friend, Kottie, who

posted many encouraging words to the blog we created for Lucy.

When MOPS began, I was asked to share Lucy’s amazing story. I found new friends who had similar stories of struggles with their babies. These moms also saw my heart and my passion as a mom.

One such friend is Kellie. She lost a baby after a long stay in the NICU. MOPS helped her meet women she never would have approached on her own. Women like me, who are outgoing, talkative and nothing like her.

After sharing Lucy’s story, I began my first year as a Discussion Group Leader and really found my place in MOPS. This year I’m Hospitality Coordina-tor. I shared with my group at the end of last year that I am so blessed because they accept me for who I am — they aren’t trying to “fix” me. We are diverse at MOPS, and I am grateful for the friendships I have with so many different kinds of women. Women who parent differently. Who attend different churches. Who are quiet — something I most definitely am not. But all of these women love their kids and want to be the best mommies they can be. Most of them love Jesus — and some of them haven’t met him yet. But here we are, moms encouraging moms.

God knew MOPS is exactly what I needed.

i

INFLUENCEMOPS

For Leaders:1. how are you connecting with moms who may not have developed friends yet at moPs?2. have you asked some of your friendlier moms to be on the lookout for women on the fringe during meetings? even introverted moms can write a “we’re glad you came to moPs” letter to a new mom.3. is there one new woman you can connect with during the next meeting? What about calling her after the meeting to tell her you were glad to see her? 4. What do you do if a mom misses a meeting or two? are discussion group Leaders and moPs mentors staying connected with all moms — not just the regular attendees?

share your moPs story

with us at stories@moPs.org

Connections July 2011 15

use all the resources from your charter renewal or charter kit to jumpstart your moPs group:n moPPeTs lessons from veggieTales and

coloring sheet downloads. MOPsguide.org/veggietales.n MomSense video curriculum plus download for all discussion questions

to go with the videos, plus ideas for six more lessons. customized for Teen moPs

and momsnext as well as regular groups.n Leadership training and theme ideas.

aCCess MoPs resoUrCes to sIMPlIFy yoUr leadersHIP!

MomSense: A Common Sense

Guide to Confident Mothering

by Jean Blackmer

available in bulk at half off the retail price! order now to be ready for the fall. only $6.50 for 12 or more. go to revellbooks.com/MOM11 and enter the promotional coupon code MOM11 at the shopping cart for your 50% moPs member discount on 12 or more copies, or call 800.877.2665. Offer expires October 31, 2011.

go to MOPsguide.org/theme for everything you need to implement the theme.

Who is your Field leader?visit your Group Management dashboard

page at MoPsGuide.org/gmt.Click on the green Group Info tab to view your summary page

and locate your Field leader information listed on the bottom right side of this page under “How to Get Help and support.”

Field leaders

are committed

volunteers who

have a passion for

the ministry of MoPs

and want to serve

and represent MoPs

International in their area.

they serve to recruit, train

and encourage group leaders

all across the country so that

more groups can start up and current groups

can be fully equipped to reach more moms!

Get in the Game!Become a MoPs Field leader

Join the MoPs Field leadership Community to ...n embrace your call into leadership.

n encourage and equip MoPs leaders in your community.

n Generate increased awareness about MoPs in your

sphere of influence.

n acquire event planning experience and management.

n network and connect ministries, churches and individuals

to partner in ministry with MoPs International.

n engage in team building and coaching with women across

the country and world as you become the woman, leader

and world-influencer God has called you to be.

learn more about the rewarding leadership opportunities at MoPs!

MOPS International, Inc.2370 S. Trenton WayDenver, CO 80231-3822

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PAIDDenver, CO

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Pass this

along to a

new leader if

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longer in

MOPS!

visit MOPshop.orgCheCk Out the neW Online stOre for moPs logo apparel,

door prizes, themed items and marketing tools!

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grand re-Opening!

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