Friends,

We believe that Oklahoma City can be transformed by the Son of God, the Spirit of God, and the People of God. We are committed to encourage and challenge the Church to remember its mission to meet the needs of our community. Our role is to network and mobilize the Church to strategically partner together on behalf of the poor and forgotten among us. 

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools will be hosting us for lunch at Capitol Hill High School located at 500 SW 36th Street - OKC, OK 73109 next Tuesday, August 3rd from 11:45am to 1:00pm.  

“In 1983 the National Commission on Excellence in Education released the report A Nation At Risk: The Imperative For Educational Reform. The report stated that “…the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people.” In the aftermath of the report, public school foundations began forming across the nation.

In Oklahoma City a steering committee of 13 citizens was selected by the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration and Board of Education to determine the feasibility of forming a collaboration designed to improve the quality of Oklahoma City Public Schools. As a result, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation was established in 1984.”

Click Here to learn more about The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“At the request of Superintendent Karl Springer, The Foundation organized an 11-member task force, comprised of business, civic and community leaders to complete an independent review of the progress of the Oklahoma City Public School District since MAPS for Kids passed in 2001.

In assessing the progress of the District, several common themes emerged in the task force’s analysis, including the need for community ownership, consistency in leadership, and the need for courageous and creative change.”

Click Here to read the full 2009 Assessment of MAPS for Kids.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to interact with the staff of The Foundation in order to more fully understand the educational realities facing the more than 40,000 boys & girls and young men & women in urban Oklahoma City.

For The Success of Every Child,

Ben Nockels

Parking Info:  The large parking lot is located in between Grand and SW 36th off of Walker.  It is south of the tennis courts and large field house.  Once parked, take the sidewalk between the tennis courts and field house (large round building) straight to the south entrance of the school.  We will have staff on hand to help guide people.  Please note: while parking looks available on the Grand Ave side of the school along the street it is not advised that people park there; the principal says the city has been ticketing and towing.

We believe that Oklahoma City can be transformed by the Son of God, the Spirit of God, and the People of God. We are committed to encourage and challenge the Church to remember its mission to meet the needs of our community. Our role is to network and mobilize the Church to strategically partner together on behalf of the poor and forgotten among us. 

A wonderful relational network is forming.  I am encouraged by your participation and excited by the prospect of strengthening this community of leaders to make Oklahoma City a better place to live for all people in Jesus’ name.  

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools will be hosting us for lunch at Capitol Hill High School located at 500 SW 36th Street - OKC, OK 73109 on Tuesday, August 3rd from 11:45am to 1:00pm.  

“In 1983 the National Commission on Excellence in Education released the report A Nation At Risk: The Imperative For Educational Reform. The report stated that “…the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people.” In the aftermath of the report, public school foundations began forming across the nation.

In Oklahoma City a steering committee of 13 citizens was selected by the Oklahoma City Public Schools administration and Board of Education to determine the feasibility of forming a collaboration designed to improve the quality of Oklahoma City Public Schools. As a result, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation was established in 1984.”

Click Here to learn more about The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools.

“A major move forward by The Foundation this year (2010) has been the onset of strategic planning that resulted in our new mission and strategic goals.  Our mission, creating community ownership in the success of every child, along with our strategic goals provide constant guidance for our staff and trustees as we determine the best ways The Foundation can serve the children and educators in Oklahoma City.

At the request of Superintendent Karl Springer, The Foundation organized an 11-member task force, comprised of business, civic and community leaders to complete an independent review of the progress of the Oklahoma City Public School District since MAPS for Kids passed in 2001.

In assessing the progress of the District, several common themes emerged in the task force’s analysis, including the need for community ownership, consistency in leadership, and the need for courageous and creative change.”

Click Here to read the full 2009 Assessment of MAPS for Kids.

We are gathering at the Capitol Hill High School to engage the issue and explore the opportunities to to serve the children of Oklahoma City Public Schools.    

Through Season of Service (www.ServeOKC.org), several practical opportunities have been identified in order that you and your faith community can take the next step - because awareness must give way to action.

Click Here to get involved on the education front through Season of Service.  

Please take advantage of this opportunity to interact with the staff of The Foundation in order to more fully understand the educational fate facing the more than 40,000 boys & girls and young men & women in urban Oklahoma City.

For The Success of Every Child,

Ben Nockels

Oh, church signs. You always keep us laughing. Sometimes AT you.

We believe that Oklahoma City can be transformed by the Son of God, the Spirit of God, and the People of God. We are committed to encourage and challenge the Church to remember its mission to meet the needs of our community. Our role is to network and mobilize the Church to strategically partner together on behalf of the poor and forgotten among us. 

A wonderful relational network is forming.  I am encouraged by your participation and excited by the prospect of strengthening this community of leaders to make Oklahoma City a better place to live for all people in Jesus’ name.  

We will be gathering for lunch at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma located at 3355 S. Purdue - OKC, OK 73137 on Tuesday, July 6th from 11:45am to 1:00pm.  

One in five children in Oklahoma is at risk for hunger every day. Unfortunately, for many children, hunger isn’t just an occasional missed meal, it is a way of life. Children who live with hunger develop physically and socially at a slower pace than their peers. Chronically hungry children experience higher levels of anxiety, hyperactivity, irritability and aggression. Chronic hunger results in students with lower attendance rates at school and lower academic performance. Even relatively short-term nutritional deficiencies can negatively impact a child’s health, causing cognitive and developmental damage that prevents them from performing at their full potential.

Click Here to learn more about Childhood Hunger in our State and get involved.

Ed Kelley, Editor of The Oklahoman, in his video series  “Oklahoma Matters” recently said that “This is the summer of hunger in Oklahoma.”

Click Here to learn more about the “State of Food” in Oklahoma.

We are gathering at the Regional Food Bank to engage the issue and serve the children in our City who are being effected by hunger.  

Through Season of Service (www.ServeOKC.org), several practical opportunities have been identified in order that you and your faith community can take the next step - because awareness must give way to action.

Click Here to learn more about Season of Service and get involved.  

Have a great week and an enjoyable 4th of July weekend.  I look forward to gathering together again next Tuesday, July 6th at the Regional Food Bank.

For I Was Hungry and You Gave Me Something To Eat,

Ben Nockels

Two great quotes from the post linked in the heading. What are your thoughts on leadership?

Some think being a leader is a glamorous thing. Lots of fame, fortune, and access to “hidden secrets”. The reality of leadership is much different and lacks the excitement that many seek.

Leadership is no different than any other role within a team. It requires executing on common, everyday tasks.

♥

Instant classic in my book! It’s all about the doing. Hit the link for the full post.

When I was a kid I wanted to be a fireman when I grew up…or a superhero. But I like my sleep, and not even close to being in shape to fight fires…or villains.

Later in life I thought I might want to be a teacher. Then I realized I really just wanted the summers off.

♥

Obviously, I LOVE it when churches partner with one another for the GOOD of the city. I also love the concept of canceling church to BE the church. It rattles the religious and leaves people without excuse to get out there and sweat a bit. :P

West Ridge Church along with 77 other churches in the Atlanta area are canceling Sunday services the weekend of July 23-25 in order to do community service (something we’ve seen before). It’s called Community Makeover, and it’s an event that creates an opportunity for the church to get outside of their walls and do some good.

♥

There are many FREE solutions out there to problems we face in the administration of ministry everyday. Vendors are contacting us all the time, trying to get us to sign up and PAY for some specialized service that can actually be taken care of for free!

How about using Google Docs for sign-up forms? (remember, the full link IS the title)

• When a person completes the form, their info is automatically stored in a Google Docs online spreadsheet.
• When a person completes the form, it automatically logs the date and time.
• Access to the spreadsheet can be shared with other people on staff if you choose.
• You can opt to receive email notification when someone completes the form.
• Unlimited number of fields.

♥

Greg Atkinson goes into churches and takes notes on all the details you might be overlooking on a typical Sunday. I’d like to know your thoughts on the practice. In your opinion, should churches spend money on this? Is this a service you’d be willing to employ? Below is a quote from his site. (remember, the title of the post IS the link to the other site)

I’m confident that I will notice things you would never notice and positive that I can help YOUR church make several strategic changes. Like Ray, I want YOU to say, “We will use him again.” So, I encourage you to make the investment and bring me in to help your church make guests feel loved and welcomed.