Bourj Hammoud Stadium
Sanjak Camp in Lebanon
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Jay (USA) and Bedig (Armenia) visit their church and chanitz youth
Haigazian University receives $700,000 US grant
BEIRUT: US Charge d'Affaires Michele Sison presented on Thursday a donation of $700,000 to Dr. Paul Haidastian, the president of Haigazian University, to finance scholarships for deserving students. This funding, provided by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will support 371 students as they pursue their educations. "One of the US core values is education. It is a value that Americans share with Lebanese. Our support for Haigazian University, as well as other Lebanese educational institutions, assists students as they make Lebanon, the region and the world a better place," Sison said.
Armenian Evangelical Trad School's Kermes
On 24 May, 2008, the Trad school organized their annual kermes event.
Junior Youth Group Leaders appreciate their predecessors and their past leaders
On Friday, 23 May 2008, during the night, the present leaders of Emmanuel Junior Youth Group had invited their peers and the past leaders of the youth group and the pastor and his wife, to have together a very nice appreciation dinner. All the leaders were present...
The present leaders: Mrs. J. Ohanian Kozman, Mr. M. Ibitian, Mr. R. Chilingirian, Mr. Mr. Hagopian, Mr. J. Baghboudarian and Mr. H. Gojigian.
The past leaders: Mrs. Kathia Kozman Habib, Mrs. Sirag Karagoezian Basmajian, Mr. M. Chilingirian, Mr. H. Hanneyan and Mr. H. Akbasharian.
Also present were Rev. D. Basmajian, and Mr. S. Ohanian, who helped the Badaniatz team during their recent retreat in Mount Smash. Each leader was awarded with a plaque of servanthood, on which their name and their service years were written. These plaques were from Peter's Brass, that were given by Mr. M. Ibitian. At the end of the appreciation night, the leaders surprised Jimmy, Mano and Raffi by celebrating their birthdays with a delicious cake.
The present leaders: Mrs. J. Ohanian Kozman, Mr. M. Ibitian, Mr. R. Chilingirian, Mr. Mr. Hagopian, Mr. J. Baghboudarian and Mr. H. Gojigian.
The past leaders: Mrs. Kathia Kozman Habib, Mrs. Sirag Karagoezian Basmajian, Mr. M. Chilingirian, Mr. H. Hanneyan and Mr. H. Akbasharian.
Also present were Rev. D. Basmajian, and Mr. S. Ohanian, who helped the Badaniatz team during their recent retreat in Mount Smash. Each leader was awarded with a plaque of servanthood, on which their name and their service years were written. These plaques were from Peter's Brass, that were given by Mr. M. Ibitian. At the end of the appreciation night, the leaders surprised Jimmy, Mano and Raffi by celebrating their birthdays with a delicious cake.
Shoghig Choir performance in Toronto
Mothers’ Day Brunch at Torossian School
In uncertain days, with God’s blessing, our Torossian held its Mothers’ Day Brunch on Tuesday May 6th 2008. This year was a little different since the brunch was not held in Torossian campus; we enjoyed it in George Farah Restaurant, Fanar. We were blessed with the presence of 110 ladies, and a joyful program. The opening statement was made by Mrs. Seta Karageozian followed by a prayer lifted up by Mrs. Vera Sevadjian. The guest speaker was Mrs. Yester Kilaghbian and her topic was a grace to the listeners’ ears. She shed a light on the Mother-child relationship. Two poems were recited in Armenian by a Torossian graduate, Mrs. Silva Zobian, and there was the food, lottery and a game. All in all, the mood was fun and jolly. We thank our Lord in Heavens for caring so much for us as to bless us with such times of joy and sharing.
Torossian School
Torossian School
Der Melkonian Theatre in Bourj Hammoud
Leadership Insight: Volunteerism
By Eddy Ekmekji
http://www.servingbread.net/
LA, USA
An element of doing leadership in ministry is that we are often leading people who are volunteering. People are giving their time and energy beyond their other responsibilities. In my case, I am leading people and calling people into leadership who also have to contend with academics, family, and jobs.
Most of the resources and books on leadership tend to focus on the business world, with metrics that measure success along business lines. In business, a supervisor can give financial incentives for people to perform at a higher level. We can’t (or don’t/shouldn’t) do that in ministry.
Leading “volunteers” is difficult because they have less incentive to stay. If someone did not like our vision or my leadership, she could leave and join another campus ministry or perhaps leave the faith altogether. I have had several experiences in the last ten years where someone in my leadership influence walked away. Some organizations and churches may employ pressure tactics and manipulation to make it more difficult for people to leave, but not only does that violate basic Biblical principles, it rarely works in the long run.
As the church, we do have a rich history of the power of volunteerism. The Church is built on the back of “volunteers.” And though the model of church congregations and leadership shortly after World War 2 tended to focus on a pastor doing all the work while the congregation consumed the product that the pastor produced, the tide is turning with more focus on the congregation doing the ministry of God.
For example, at the church I grew up in, the bulletin cites the various leaders of the church. It begins with “Ministers: The entire church”. I think what’s helpful of the emerging church movement is that (at it’s best) it focuses on a community of people doing the work of God rather than focusing on a paid pastor to do that work.
What I am learning about leading volunteers is that there still needs to be an incentive for a volunteer to lead. And that incentive is not monetary or anything that I can offer, but it is God and the goodness of God. In my leadership, I have to create space for people to hear from God and to be excited for the things of God. The best accountability then comes in their desire to know God deeper rather than in anything I can offer them to do their best.
Second, I am learning to listen to people. It is easier for me to set forth my agenda of how I want people to “step up” than to hear how they want to minister. When I create space to hear what moves people and how they want their lives to matter, it allows me to come alongside them and help them articulate and discern God’s calling on their life.
Third, I am learning to learn more about leadership from the organization that knows how to empower volunteers–the church. A couple years ago, Bill Hybels wrote The Volunteer Revolution. But the revolution has been happening for the last 2000 years. One of my historical mentors has been John Wesley. His ministry is but one example of the ways someone empowered volunteers to ministry and bring transformation to their society.
Praise God for the disciples of past, present and future who love Jesus and the mission of God far more than any incentive that could be offered to them!
http://www.servingbread.net/
LA, USA
An element of doing leadership in ministry is that we are often leading people who are volunteering. People are giving their time and energy beyond their other responsibilities. In my case, I am leading people and calling people into leadership who also have to contend with academics, family, and jobs.Most of the resources and books on leadership tend to focus on the business world, with metrics that measure success along business lines. In business, a supervisor can give financial incentives for people to perform at a higher level. We can’t (or don’t/shouldn’t) do that in ministry.
Leading “volunteers” is difficult because they have less incentive to stay. If someone did not like our vision or my leadership, she could leave and join another campus ministry or perhaps leave the faith altogether. I have had several experiences in the last ten years where someone in my leadership influence walked away. Some organizations and churches may employ pressure tactics and manipulation to make it more difficult for people to leave, but not only does that violate basic Biblical principles, it rarely works in the long run.
As the church, we do have a rich history of the power of volunteerism. The Church is built on the back of “volunteers.” And though the model of church congregations and leadership shortly after World War 2 tended to focus on a pastor doing all the work while the congregation consumed the product that the pastor produced, the tide is turning with more focus on the congregation doing the ministry of God.
For example, at the church I grew up in, the bulletin cites the various leaders of the church. It begins with “Ministers: The entire church”. I think what’s helpful of the emerging church movement is that (at it’s best) it focuses on a community of people doing the work of God rather than focusing on a paid pastor to do that work.
What I am learning about leading volunteers is that there still needs to be an incentive for a volunteer to lead. And that incentive is not monetary or anything that I can offer, but it is God and the goodness of God. In my leadership, I have to create space for people to hear from God and to be excited for the things of God. The best accountability then comes in their desire to know God deeper rather than in anything I can offer them to do their best.
Second, I am learning to listen to people. It is easier for me to set forth my agenda of how I want people to “step up” than to hear how they want to minister. When I create space to hear what moves people and how they want their lives to matter, it allows me to come alongside them and help them articulate and discern God’s calling on their life.
Third, I am learning to learn more about leadership from the organization that knows how to empower volunteers–the church. A couple years ago, Bill Hybels wrote The Volunteer Revolution. But the revolution has been happening for the last 2000 years. One of my historical mentors has been John Wesley. His ministry is but one example of the ways someone empowered volunteers to ministry and bring transformation to their society.
Praise God for the disciples of past, present and future who love Jesus and the mission of God far more than any incentive that could be offered to them!