Honest feedback?

[Pastor Gary]

I'd like some real, honest feedback from my J2 family.

I am doing a lot of leadership training now, and am reading pretty much nothing but leadership books as part of my degree program. Some of it is okay, and some mediocre I suspect, but there are gems and nuggets in there.

Since we have the local resources and talent, I am being urged by some to video some of this training, edit it down to DVD and provide handouts as editable Word docs on a CD; I am being told that if they are priced right, other pastors/local churches would be interested in picking them up to aid them in their leadership training.

Honest truth time:
(1) Is there a 'market' for such training material? (...or, more specifically, would you/your church consider purchasing something like that?)

(2) If so, let's make up an example, and you tell me what the value would be: "First Impressions" training - a 90 minute DVD designed to be used to train a "First Impressions Team" (Ushers/Greeters/Hospitality) in the ministry aspects and practical aspects of being the very first impression first-timers have when they arrive at your church. There would be some role playing (reenactments) and some lecture, and some humorous examples of what NOT to do. An enclosed CD would have some M/S Word documents such as a First Impressions Weekly Checklist, class handout, and other pertinent items, all customizable so the local church could add logo(s)/local identity and "own" them. Realistically, what would be the $$$ value of such training to YOUR local church?

[RamboPreacher]

there is a market. it is huge. it falls in the category (in my opinion), generally speaking of church growth. there are a bazillion websites with that kind of information. I haven't bought any of those packages.

Personally, I would buy something like that from you. Depending on the volume of information would depend on the cost. personally, I believe that the price is about the written materiel. the video is expected as "free" part of the package (though not available on it's own otherwise, though is available on a website in a reduced resolution version, assuming this video is an hour or less dvd-type video). to me, it's the written materiel (copyrighted) that is the information/idea's purchased/licensed.

[PastorDaniel]

Well...my church definitly needs this type of training. For example...a visiting family walked in...I got up, walked over, shook hands, and welcomed them to our church...a little later...the Pastor asked me to introduce MY guests...

In other words...because I greeted the family...he thought I knew them...So...I have made it my mission to make sure that I greet EVERYONE in the church EVERY Sunday...Not a problem...it's in my nature...

However, I believe that we should have people that are giving the "First Impressions"....and I could probably get my church to purchase material that was from a COGOP Overseer...

Affordability would be the key...

This is definitly a ministry that I am interested in and have been putting a little thought into already.

[Pastor Gary]

However, I believe that we should have people that are giving the "First Impressions"....and I could probably get my church to purchase material that was from a COGOP Overseer...

Affordability would be the key...

This is definitly a ministry that I am interested in and have been putting a little thought into already.

So, and I know this is all conjecture at this point, what is "affordable"? Are we talking "under $50" or WalMart bargain bin $4.99?

There are some base costs involved in the production and distribution of the materials, and I am trying to determine whether the cost/benefit ratio makes it feasible.

[RamboPreacher]

for first impressions/greeters, etc, yea, about $50 would be acceptable for me (again depending on the "volume" of information). if there was further letter examples, follow up docs, closing the door stuff, that would be part of this. further if it was a leadership-direction, and not just this is what works for us, follow this, then it's worth more to me.

[PastorDaniel]

Realistically...a 90 minute CD w/docs would be reasonable somewhere around $19.95 - $29.95. Depends on Quality.

[pastorables]

Affordability would be the key...

So, and I know this is all conjecture at this point, what is "affordable"? Are we talking "under $50" or WalMart bargain bin $4.99?

With all due respect, I probably wouldn't give $50 if John Maxwell produced it (yes, I really like John).

By the same, I would likely gage my giving based upon how much I needed the particular subject matter for any given church. I would say around $20 across the board would be fair, but I would give more for exceptional subject matter.

pa

[RamboPreacher]

i guess, I feel just the opposite, that if JM made it and it was $50, I wouldn't even consider it. it probably isn't going to have any understanding of our church, organization, or historical reference to grow from.

whereas, there is some underpinnings that something PG could put together that would almost instantly be applicable, though set in a way that could be extrapolated for various congregations and groups. I have already seen that kind of paradigm in many of his posts and youtubes.

I do understand that everyone has differing opinions of what something should cost, though. personally, I try to make the information at the level of the need. In other words, if this is something that will directly affect folks attending the church more regularly, or staying after a visit, those are people that are now having more impact in the kingdom of God (whether they are "saved" or not) and that is something that if applies to the cost of the process and procedures applied, is worth something more than the cost to produce the information.

[paul]

I'd like some real, honest feedback from my J2 family.

I am doing a lot of leadership training now, and am reading pretty much nothing but leadership books as part of my degree program. Some of it is okay, and some mediocre I suspect, but there are gems and nuggets in there.

Since we have the local resources and talent, I am being urged by some to video some of this training, edit it down to DVD and provide handouts as editable Word docs on a CD; I am being told that if they are priced right, other pastors/local churches would be interested in picking them up to aid them in their leadership training.

Honest truth time:
(1) Is there a 'market' for such training material? (...or, more specifically, would you/your church consider purchasing something like that?)

(2) If so, let's make up an example, and you tell me what the value would be: "First Impressions" training - a 90 minute DVD designed to be used to train a "First Impressions Team" (Ushers/Greeters/Hospitality) in the ministry aspects and practical aspects of being the very first impression first-timers have when they arrive at your church. There would be some role playing (reenactments) and some lecture, and some humorous examples of what NOT to do. An enclosed CD would have some M/S Word documents such as a First Impressions Weekly Checklist, class handout, and other pertinent items, all customizable so the local church could add logo(s)/local identity and "own" them. Realistically, what would be the $$$ value of such training to YOUR local church?

Question?

1. If you do a 90 minute dvd, how many session will it be ?
2. what is the progression ?
3. what type of practical applications are involved and are they easily adapted to the local church and especially the smaller church that are
most in need of training ?
4. what format is the workbook layout?
5. does it come with a facililator quide should the pastor decide to teach it in masse to the congregation or group of workers ?

Three keys that I follow in selecting leadership training material

1. Knowledge
2. Practical Application
3. Personal Growth

[Pastor Gary]

With all due respect, I probably wouldn't give $50 if John Maxwell produced it (yes, I really like John).

What practical experience does Maxwell have with First Impressions ministry? That's way more important to me than his name or reputation.

[Mike Vande]

Gary, there is a guy named Ken Houts who developed training on the kind of "First Impressions" ministry you are talking about some years back. He called it "Care Ministry", and did seminars on it. I don't recall if he had a specified fee for his seminars or did it for a love offering, but I think he made his living with it. You could probably find him on the web.
Speaking professionally(the video company I work for does that sort of thing), it depends on how much you put into it and what you end up selling. An edited video program on DVD can be very elaborate, with slick packaging and graphic design, and include printed materials like workbooks and texts, or it can be pretty basic and just be a DVD or two in plastic thinline cases with handwritten labels.
Figure out how you're gonna proceed and how many hours you intend to put into it. I think a moderate price range for a fairly simple production would be somewhere between $5 & $10. For the more elaborate package, somewhere around $30, with the workbooks and texts as a separate purchase, probably $10-$15 each.

[RamboPreacher]

stuff like this:
http://www.churchtrainer.com/product/1596840978

[pastorables]

With all due respect, I probably wouldn't give $50 if John Maxwell produced it (yes, I really like John).

What practical experience does Maxwell have with First Impressions ministry? That's way more important to me than his name or reputation.

Pastor,

Could you please elaborate on the point of your question? My mind is really tired these days.

If you are asking does JM have the experience to produce similar material? Sure. Having followed JM for years, I find his past experiences in the pastoral ministry invaluable and very similar to many in our own organization concerning any given subject.

By the same, my point was more focused upon $50 than on JM. I could just as easily have used any church help source. Since I really like JM, I used him as a reference. Again, if I'm missing the point of your question, I do apologize and will attempt to clarify better in my next post.

BTW, I do applaud your vision and your mission with this project.

pa

[Pastor Don]

Pastor Gary;
There is such a tremendous NEED for this kind of material in many of our local churches. The value of such material is impossible to value. It is something that could change the course of history for any given local church.

The problem comes in where most of the churches that need that kind of material are the small financially struggling churches. Churches where any kind of training material is usually bought out of the pocked of the pastor.

Personally the fifty dollar price when compared to other training material is priced comparatively. But when you get to considering the pastor that is purchasing this material out of his own pocket it puts it out of reach of some.

The first thing some will say is: well it is all in what you think is important. Not really. Some see things as important for their local church be simply can't afford it.

If it was placed on the table for all to benefit from that would be awesome. If a pastor or church truly could not afford it then provide it with the expectation that when they get to a point where they can afford it they will provide payment for it.

I truly think material coming from some of our own leaders would be welcomed. Coming from you, because you have been there done that, I would love to use it in my leadership training.

If you do proceed with this please keep me informed, I would gladly place a "pre-order"

God bless...
DJ

[Jennifer Smith]

Pastor Gary, I think a lot of CoGoP as well as other churches could benefit from that type of information. Perhaps you could share it as as you felt led and then offset your cost by sharing it with those who are able to pay what you feel is a fair price. I feel that usher/ greeting and first impressions ministries and leadership information are all so crucial, and training is so lacking in this area in many of the churches, that God could use you greatly in this area, and it would be a blessing to you as well.