MOPS AUSTRALIA GUEST SPEAKER GUIDELINES
CHECKLIST FOR OBTAINING A GUEST SPEAKER
1.
Where possible choose speakers who are believers in Jesus Christ and
who will speak from a biblical base.
2.
Consider inviting another MOPS Mentor from your MOPS Region. This
is a good utilisation of talent and extends value from talks already
developed.
3.
Ask your Regional Coordinator if she is available to speak or can
suggest speakers.
4.
Make it clear to all speakers that MOPS is not a place to promote
products, causes or businesses
5.
Decide with your Team Coordinator and the Leadership Team how
much money, if any, is budgeted to provide guest speakers for the
year.
6.
Contact the speaker:
Share the characteristics of your group, i.e. number of churched and
un-churched women, or any information that will help your speaker to
better relate to your group. If she or he is to speak at a Christmas or
Easter meeting, clarify whether you would like the speaker to give a
complete gospel message.
Determine:
a.
The financial reimbursement, if any *
b.
The title of the presentation
c.
The date and time
d.
The handouts needed
*When considering financial reimbursement for speakers, be aware that some
typically receive payment. Let the speaker know the financial situation of your group,
and whether you are able to pay travel expenses as well. Some groups may choose
to take a love offering rather than agreeing to an honorarium. Some speakers will
request the opportunity to sell their books. Ask about all of these issues up front.
7.
Plan for discussion questions to accompany the speaker's talk. If the
speaker provides questions, the Discussion Group Team Leader
should review them before distribution to Discussion Group Leaders. If
the speaker does not provide questions, the Discussion Group Team
Leader should prepare and review some for use
8.
Ensure the guest speaker has a copy of the MOPS speaker
guidelines. Enclose directions to the church and the date by which you
need to receive handouts. Check to see if any special equipment
(whiteboard, audio, and visual) will be needed.
9.
Greet the speaker upon arrival and introduce her or him to the group.
Have a cheque ready if a fee has been agreed upon. You may like to
give a small gift in appreciation.
10.
Follow up with a thank-you note after the meeting, mentioning
something special about the talk or how it was received.
Financial Reimbursement:
Financial reimbursement should be discussed up-front. Determine if there will
be reimbursement to guest speakers for expenses and/or providing a small
honorarium, this is the responsibility of the local MOPS group.
Thank them for being willing to invest in the lives of young mothers and their
families by speaking to MOPS women.
February 2013
APPENDIX
MOPS GUEST SPEAKER GUIDELINES – SAMPLE HANDOUT
The MOPS ministry provides unique opportunities to meet the needs of the
preschool mother: building friendships, expressing creativity, applying
instruction, and developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our
desire that you share in our enthusiasm and concern for this special group.
Women who attend MOPS bring with them a variety of backgrounds:
educational, spiritual, and life experiences. It is your privilege and
responsibility to present issues relevant to the young mother's roles as a
woman, homemaker, mother, and wife. We’ve provided these guidelines to
help you focus your talk while keeping in mind the uniqueness of this group.
Purpose of MOPS
1.
Christ-centred.
2.
Meet distinct needs of the mother with young children.
3.
Serving all women - unchurched as well as churched.
4.
Instructional and inspiring.
Program (modify to suit your group)
The MOPS meeting consists of four parts:
30 minutes:
Arrival, registration, refreshments, fellowship, and
announcements.
20-25 minutes: Teaching time (unless previous arrangements have been
made with the group)*.
20-30 minutes: Small-group discussion.
45 minutes:
Creative activity.
*It is important to speak only for the allotted time in order that all activities may
take place.
Preparation
Pray that God will prepare you to meet the needs of the women and
that their hearts will be prepared to hear what He speaks through you.
Prepare a clearly-stated goal or learning objective. Develop the
content, balancing biblical principles with life experiences. Include practical,
helpful information applicable to the preschool mother. You may use handouts
such as an outline, discussion questions, bibliography, or others.
Provide questions for small-group discussion if this is desired by the
individual MOPS group. You will then receive additional information and
guidelines from them.
Presentation
Identify with the women in their roles at this time — their desire to
promote the best for their families, to have a healthy home, to deal with their
frustrations as a preschool mother, etc.
Present your teaching from God's perspective. You may wish to
paraphrase Scriptures when used instead of quoting them. Since MOPS is not
a Bible Study, the women will not be bringing Bibles with them.
Be available after speaking to respond to anyone who may have
questions related specifically to your talk or her relationship with Jesus Christ.
(The MOPS Mentor should be notified for follow-up as appropriate.)
Please refrain from:
1. Presenting a Bible study rather than a lesson based on biblical
principles
2. Using Christian clichés and phrases, i.e., "saved," "born again," or
talking about church denominations or organisations, mission groups,
or inter-denominational organisations, etc.
3. Pressuring the mothers to make a decision for Christ — but be willing
to talk to anyone if questioned.
4. Highly controversial or political issues; instead, focus on solutions in a
positive way.
5. Promoting your project, cause, campaign, product or business.