VBS + FPC = Life-change for everyone who experienced it!

To say that PandaMania was a success is the ultimate understatement.  If you’re confused, PandaMania was our Vacation Bible School event that was conducted at Forest Park Church last week.  We knew that we were going to have a great group of kids because of the record number of pre-registered kids but we were completely blown away by an attendance of more than 350 people each night with kids and volunteers.  Our Auditorium only seats 200 – do the math :o)

So, as I’m a dedicated student of leadership, here are my “take-aways” from leading this type of event:

1. Any event will only be as successful as volunteer buy-in.  If you want any project or event to be produced with passion and excellence, you – as leader – must understand how to empower your volunteer team to be as passionate and committed to pulling it off with excellence, as you are!  PandaMania was incredible because the volunteers believed it was an incredible.
2. There can NEVER be enough emphasis placed on organization.  I sometimes feel that my commitment to organizing everything can be over the top.  However, when you have almost 400 people crammed into a building that is not nearly large enough and you have children, ages 2 – 18, in every square inch of that space, you better be organized in order to keep everyone safe and your volunteers from losing their minds!
3. My leadership mantra has always been, “I’ll never ask you to do something that I haven’t done or that I’m not willing to do.”  It may seem simple to say something like this but if you’re not willing to live it, don’t even bother trying to lead.  Seriously, don’t do it to yourself or those that you’re asking to follow you.  Integrity is key and volunteers will only give you one chance to blow it.  If they see that they can’t trust you to jump in and serve alongside of them then why should they bother?  I will never lead from an “ivory tower” – I want to be exactly where YOU are, if you’re serving with me!

As many of you have seen on Facebook or on the Forest Park Church website (www.fplive.org) we are recruiting for a Director of Children’s Ministries.  As I walked away from this year’s VBS experience I was keenly aware that this would most likely be the last year for me and I’m okay with that!  I’m certain that God is preparing the perfect person to support the vision and passion of Forest Park Church and take our Children’s Ministries to the next level.  That person must ready to learn, teach, pray and LEAD!

Until next time,

Lana Neal

What are you up to this Summer?!?!

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve even had time to blog so I decided that it was time to jump back in since I’m entering my favorite season of the year:  Leading Forest Park Church’s Vacation Bible School experience and our 10^th trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador!

Just saying those two events in the same sentence is representative of HOURS of preparation and prayer.  My mind is always moving but today I’m feeling so in awe of what God has accomplished over the past 10 years of pastoring FPC and wanted to share some of what I’m thinking…

·         I’m so thankful that God has sent hundreds of volunteers to support our VBS experience and help us to build the faith of kids!  This year we have an all time high number of VBS volunteers – more than 150!  Scott and I were talking about the numerous families that have found us as a result of this one FPC ministry – was it yours?

·         Lisa Meads is one of my all-time heroes!  Lisa leads our Community and Global Outreach Team at FPC and is the person who handles all of the “behind the scenes” stuff that makes Ecuador happen each year.  Over the past 10 years you would not believe all of the ideas I have thrown her way about what I’d like to do and bring to Ecuador and she has done her very best to support my “madness” – including getting more than 500 pairs of shoes there this Summer!  I would never want to do ministry without Lisa.

·         Teri Phthisic is the most creative person I know!  With each new VBS curriculum I only send her an email detailing the theme and she turns FPC into a paradise for children that says, “You are valued!”  They are so important that for one Sunday of every year – it’s all about them – and Teri makes that happen, not me.

·         I love my boss!  Lois has supported my ministry at FPC over the past 7 years while also allowing me to thrive, professionally.  I couldn’t do it without her!

·         Ecuador has been forever impacted by Forest Park Church.  When you take a team into the same city each year, relationships are built that are lasting, effective and can change the course of a community.  I’m so thankful that our AMAZING Pastor, my sweet Scott, shared the vision 10 years ago for this local church to do just that:  create relationships that create change. 

·         I won’t be able to do Ecuador this Summer without acknowledging that our precious Charlie White will not be with us.  Ecuador changed him – made him aware of humanity in a new way.  I challenge each of my 108 missionaries to allow God to change you as it did our Charlie.  Let’s celebrate Ecuador in a new way as we remember that sweet man and love his sweet Holly because she will be right in the middle of Guayaquil with us!

Over the next 6 weeks I hope to blog weekly to keep you informed of what God is doing throughout FPC, throughout Ecuador and throughout the Neal family!  Te quiero :o)

Until next time,

Lana