Meltdown Management Meeting is this Friday!
How should your mission respond to the current financial crisis? What should you tell your donors? Can your staff and board members effectively answer questions about the fiscal management of your ministry? The federal government and Wall Street are doing what they can to curb economic fears. Nonprofit leaders must be prepared to share how they are making mid-course corrections for the financial good of their organizations, especially during the height of the fund-raising season when it will likely not be "business as usual" on the donor front. Join your AGRM colleagues for an online Meltdown Management Meeting this Friday, October 3, starting at 1 p.m. Eastern Time (10 a.m. Pacific Time). The approximately one hour meeting will feature special guests Larry Yonker from The Elevation Group and Bruce Bruinsma from Envoy Financial Services. Ron Mattocks, author of Zone of Insolvency (John Wiley & Sons, 2008), will be the moderator. To sign up, go to http://www.agrm.org/webinar.html. We highly recommend this valuable meeting for executive directors, financial officers, business managers, and directors of development.

New salary survey is here!
The AGRM’s new salary survey is ready. The fully confidential survey will be completed and compiled by Mattocks & Associates, a Virginia firm. With your quick response to the survey, we hope to have the final report by the end of the year. Participating members—those missions that complete the survey in its entirety—will receive a free copy of the report. Non-participating members can purchase a copy for $149. For consistency sake, we’re asking that mission executive directors or primary on-site decision makers are the only ones to fill out the survey. Thanks for your participation. Get the survey at http://tinyurl.com/3fmz9m.

Fall fellowships in full swing
We’ve encouraged the AGRM districts to move their fellowship and training meetings to the fall, and many have responded. Last week, the Pacific Northwest district met in Spokane, Washington, and John Ashmen spoke at the Pacific district meeting in Long Beach, California. This month, the Northeast district gathers in Albany, New York; the North Central district gets together in Lincoln, Nebraska; and the Midwest district meets in Holland, Michigan. For more information about these meetings, go to http://www.agrm.org/events.html

Member missions affected by Ike
Although America is on to other news, Hurricane Ike is still the big story in Southeast Texas, where the storm affected some of your peers:

Kathy Tabor from Star of Hope (Houston, Tex.) reports that two mission buildings had significant roof damage, but all were functional after the storm. “Right now, we need…non-perishable food items, sheets, baby wipes, and toiletries,” Kathy says. “Pray for us; our community will recover slowly.” Contact Kathy at (713) 748-0700, extension 241, or email ktabor@sohmission.org.
At Open Door Mission (Houston, Tex.), God used the hurricane to establish the mission as a resource for the entire community. Executive Director Rick Hill says the organization was one of the first in the area to have power restored. “We took advantage of the opportunity to reach out to the neighborhood,” Rick says. “We bought some chainsaws and sent our guys out to clean up trees. God sent us nine pallets of ice, and we were giving ice to anyone who needed it. We were able to win back many neighbors who had negative feelings toward us.” The mission says they could use teams of workers to help rebuild homes in the neighborhood. To help, call Rick at (713) 921-7520, extension 224, or email rhill@opendoorhouston.org.
Hardest hit by the storm was Port Cities Rescue Mission (Port Arthur, Tex.). Executive Director Ken Hill says the mission lost roofs on three buildings. The resulting water damage destroyed four mission apartments less than a year old (they had been rebuilt after Katrina). The mission has an immediate and extreme need for cleaning supplies. To complete renovations, staff members also need electrical connections, sheetrock, tape, joint compound, bathroom fixtures, plywood, and carpet. Finally they could use teams of workers to get everything back in order. If you can help, call Ken at (409) 720-9046 or email ken@rescue.org.
If a team from your mission can assist, please do so. We need to work together to help these members, enabling them to continue to serve effectively.

Three chances offered to investigate HR tools online
The association is partnering with CRI to bring AGRM members a variety of resources that can assist you as you select the best possible talent. CRI has proven products and services that will help ministries ensure job fit, streamline applicant management, and conduct background verifications. During October, there will be three more one-hour teleconferences focusing on what CRI provides. To find out more about the sessions, click http://www.agrm.org/pdf/CRI-AGRM_Flyer.pdf.

D.C. mission still facing obstacles
A proposed land swap that would give Central Union Mission (Washington, D.C.) a city-owned shelter not far from the Capitol and $7 million for renovations has been placed on hold by a group that filed a lawsuit. The group, supported by the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, is opposed to the deal because the mission makes hiring decisions based on faith and encourages those served to attend religious services. The land swap, which was announced last month, would resolve many years of wrangling as the mission seeks to expand services to people in need. Read the full story at http://tinyurl.com/4mtx4e.

Magdalena film team compiles study series
Many of you picked up copies of Magdalena: Released from Shame at our Dallas convention. The project team recently completed an eight-week Bible study course to complement the film. Find out how to get leader’s guides and participant’s guides at http://www.magdalenatoday.com/resources/.

Snapshot Survey next week
The annual Snapshot Survey of the Homeless will take place October 6–12. This demographic study is the one most requested by media and researchers interested in the latest data about homelessness. Your mission’s participation in the survey helps make this one of the largest demographic studies on homelessness in North America. Send in your numbers by the due date, and we’ll get them analyzed and returned to you in time to share with local media for Thanksgiving. If you have misplaced the survey form sent to you last month, you can download one at http://www.agrm.org/member/index.shtml.

Asheville mission helps fill employment void
When immigration officials raided parachute maker Mills Manufacturing looking for illegal workers, more than 75 employees at a nearby CD manufacturing firm left their jobs. Western Carolina Rescue Mission (Asheville, N.C.) stepped in to provide temporary workers. Thirty-eight mission clients applied for jobs and 27 passed entry requirements. Three of the men have been promoted to more responsible positions. The mission received great coverage. Read the whole story at http://tinyurl.com/3j49eo.

Looking down the street...
The San Diego Rescue Mission (San Diego, Calif.) has a new children’s playground for the kids staying at the mission. The grand opening was last week. Jerry Trecek of Peoria Rescue Mission (Peoria, Ill.) can get used shopping carts for $15 each (you’re responsible for the shipping). If you need to replace some carts at your thrift store, contact Jerry at (309) 208-2676. Seeds of Grace (Allegan, Mich.) has partnered with local businesses to open a free medical clinic for the poor of the community. The gesture has reversed negative public opinion and led to expanded ministry for this start-up mission. Lee Alderman has been named executive director of Emporia Rescue Mission (Emporia, Kan.). Welcome. Lee!

Officials consider new definition of homeless
Federal officials are asking: Just who is homeless? The answer: Probably more people than they have counted as such in the past two decades. During that time, U.S. housing law has defined the homeless as those living in shelters or on the streets. With the current housing crisis and high energy costs, some in government want to expand the definition to include people such as those living doubled up with friends or relatives, those living day to day in hotels, and children and their families who desperately need stable housing. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/4r5q47.

Film explores homosexuality and evangelical influence
A new movie, Save Me, is scheduled for nationwide release this week. It’s the story of a homosexual drug addict whose mother sends him to an ex-gay ministry to help him deal with both issues. Some of your mission guests may view the film in theaters, or when it is released soon on DVD. Reviewers from within both the evangelical and gay communities say the movie is worth viewing to discover common ground between the two “normally at-odds” groups. Please be aware that some of the scenes in the film are explicit. Find about more about the movie at http://tinyurl.com/3qabrs.

Congress passes mental health parity law
Thanks to a decision last week by the U.S. House, legislation that requires health insurers to provide the same level of coverage for mental illness and drug and alcohol abuse treatments as for other covered illnesses moved one step closer to becoming law. Known as mental health parity, the legislation seeks to overturn the insurance practice of limiting coverage for conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. The potential law wouldn’t force insurance plans to offer mental health benefits. Rather, it would require those health plans that do to provide the same level of coverage—such as the same co-pays and deductibles—as they offer for other medical conditions. Read more at http://tinyurl.com/4tkyyz.

People still giving in tough economy
Charitable donations tend to drop by about one percent during recession years, and climb about 4 percent in years of economic growth, according to a report published last month by Reuters. In 2007, people gave more than $306 billion to charities in the United States; one-third of that amount was donated to religious organizations. More than 75 percent of the funds came from individuals. Giving in your local community may vary from these national averages. Read more related facts at http://tinyurl.com/3g9r7b.

Taller people report greater happiness
People who are taller than average are more content with their lives, according to a Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index study. Researchers found that tall individuals are more likely to experience positive emotions such as happiness, and are less likely to report negative emotions—such as anger, sadness, and worry—than people who are shorter than average. The survey results suggest that moving from a below-average to above-average height would affect men’s life satisfaction in the same way a 29 percent income increase would. View the full report at http://tinyurl.com/5ey4gp.

Email communications may be least truthful medium
People are more likely to lie in email messages than they are in other forms of written communication, including pen-and-paper messages, according to two recent studies conducted by university researchers. In addition, the studies revealed participants actually felt justified in their lying. In one study in which 48 MBA students were required to split a pot of money with an anonymous (fictional) partner, participants lied about the amount 92 percent of the time in email messages, as compared to 64 percent of the time in the pen-and-paper communications. See a complete report, published by ScienceDaily.com, at http://tinyurl.com/3pvvno. Make sure your own communications are truthful. Don’t exaggerate. Whenever possible, speak face-to-face. Commit yourself and your ministry team to reversing this trend.

Mission launches preemptive strike on meal cost hike
Knowing that their cost per meal has increased during the past year, fall appeals for the Rescue Mission of Utica (Utica, N.Y.) will include a boost in the “ask” amount from $1.79 per meal last year to $2.05 in 2008. To help educate the community about the reasons for the increase (fuel prices, food costs, energy increases, and the like), executive director Bill Dodge wrote a guest editorial for the local paper. The mission is hoping the move will help ease the fears of current donors and increase response. Read the editorial at http://tinyurl.com/457qm9.

[Send us a blurb about your unique ideas or simple solutions and we’ll communicate them on Easy Street.]

AGRM's Online Want Ads

POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Portland, OR: Men's Life Change Program Manager - Work on a dynamic staff in a culture that embraces change! Responsible for oversight and implementation of all aspects of the program which include addiction recovery, pastoral care, life skills. Position collaborates with the team to plan, implement, evaluate, modify programs to match the vision and culture of the Portland Rescue Mission. Submit cover letters/résumés to Erin Holcomb - erinh@pdxmission.org. Visit website for more information. Web site: http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/about/employment Date Added: 09/09/2008

Portland, OR: LifeChange Women's Director - Supervise women in recovery program. Build team of resident leaders, staff, volunteers to meet spiritual and recovery needs. Full time position. See website for complete description. Send resume/two references. Union Gospel Mission, 3 NW 3rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97209. Phone: 503-274-4483 Fax: 503-274-0071 To contact via email: cherylw@ugmportland.org Web site: http://www.ugmportland.org/pdf/lifechange_womens_director_job_description.pdf Date Added: 09/23/2008

Redding, CA: Director of Guest Services - Oversee shelter, resource center,
mental health program. Strong leadership/management skills. Requires rescue mission ministries experience. Salary w/benefits. Email or mail resume w/cover letter to Good News Rescue Mission, Attn: Pastor Dave, P.O. Box 991626, Redding, CA 96099-1626. Phone: 530-242-5920 To contact via email: pastordave@gnrm.org Date Added: 09/04/2008

Salem, OR: Community Ministries Director - Responsible for planning, developing and implementing comprehensive strategy for Community Outreach and Support Ministries to support ministry objectives. Excellent organizational, problem solving, interpersonal, written, verbal communication skills required. BA in business/ministry or equivalent exp. Five years supervisory exp. in rescue/related field. Mail cover letter/resume to Jim Lienemann, Union Gospel Mission of Salem, PO Box 341, Salem, OR 97308. Phone: 503-362-3983 To contact via email: jlienenmann@ugmsalem.org Date Added: 09/15/2008

Seattle WA: Multiple Openings - Dental Assistant, Donor Relations Officer, Recovery Counselor & Children's Program Coordinator-Women & Children's Shelter, Operations Coordinator, Aftercare Counselor, Middle School & Children's Ministry Outreach Staff, Athletic Program Coordinator, Community Center Assistant, Computer Lab Assistant. Job Descriptions available upon request. Contact: Roslyn Alake, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission, PO Box 202, Seattle WA 98111. Phone: 206-723-0767 Fax: 206-723-1076 To contact via email: rosalake@ugm.org Web site: http://www.ugm.org Date Added: 09/19/2008

To advertise in future Market Street Classifieds:
Individual or organizational members of the AGRM may place a 30-word classified ad listing one available position in one issue of Street Smart at no charge, and may renew that ad one additional time at no cost. Ads are due the 10th of the month before the ad is to be listed. Ads exceeding 30 words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Non-member ministries, businesses, and individuals may place an ad for $25.00 per issue for a 30-word ad. Additional words will be charged at 50 cents per word. Ads are also placed on the AGRM website. Member ministries may renew ads after the second placement at $15 per issue for a 30-word ad. E-mail desired ad placement to editor@agrm.org (subject line: Market Street Classifieds).

A powerful personal encounter
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:20–21).

I confess I’ve preached things in public that, at times, I doubt in private. I’ve said that God has the power to change lives, while not holding my breath waiting for Him to do so at that particular moment. But unless we have an expectancy of the power of God in our lives, can we call ourselves true followers of Christ?

Christianity is too often defined as following certain beliefs. Say these prayers and adhere to those doctrines, and you’re “in.” But solely ascribing to a set of beliefs isn’t enough to shake certain bondages. We need the supernatural power of God. I’ve seen too many crack addicts who sincerely believe in Jesus to know that mere mental assent to the cardinal doctrines of Christianity will not, in and of itself, deliver from addiction.

Someone struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, abuse, or grief doesn’t need another Bible study curriculum or to be told to merely pray more. While those things are important, what people need is a personal encounter with the Creator of the universe. I need it. You need it. We should pray for it and expect it. Otherwise, we are selling ourselves short.

Contributed by Rex Baker, executive director, Gateway Rescue Mission (Jackson, Miss.)

ATTENTION MEMBERS: Would you like to write an encouraging devotional thought for a future issue of Street Smart? If so, send your submission of 200 words or less (including a related Bible verse) to editor@agrm.org.