Dirt is a good thing. Sure, we try to avoid it. We put on clothes that are free of it, and step away from it when we walk by it, and cringe if it gets on us when we don't want to be dirty. We really don't mind dirt being everywhere--except in our homes, our cars, our work, our food, or on us. Other than that, dirt is fine.

Dirt is a measure of effort. When we're working hard, we get dirty. Work and dirt are often synonymous. There's a certain pride, after a long day working the dirt, in being covered with it. It tells others, "I was there. I moved the dirt."

Dirt grows things. It's organic and rich and fertile. It feeds and sustains. Plants don't grow well without lots of good dirt. If they want to be healthy, they've got to find their stalks firmly rooted in the soil. When you really think about it, nothing much would happen without dirt.

Involvement is like the dirt. Communcations is more than ideas and eye candy. It's hard work, in all areas, from brain power to manpower. In Communications Ministry, iInvolvement is about giving away elements in the form of plans and projects to those who God has blessed with the talents, gifts and abilities to be able carry it out. Those folks, at all levels, are working the dirt.

It might not seem like dirt, because it's a computer screen or a telephone or a piece of paper, but it is. Our shovels are just electric these days. No matter how grand the scheme or perfected the plan, it simply won't happen until we are willing to trade in the nice jacket for a pair of overalls and step down into field to work the dirt.

Dirt covers a lot. When you're working in dirt, and it's all over your body, you begin to look like the other folks working with you. DIrt is a great equalizer. Everybody in the dirt knows everybody else working the dirt--they're all dirty, after all. It becomes an identifyer. It's that pride in being covered with it. It lets other know, "I was there. I moved the dirt."

Once your in the dirt, you love it. There's that moment, right before you put your foot in the mud, when you think, "No, I really don't want to get dirty." Then it happens. One foot, then the other, then both hands. And guess what? It's too late--you're dirty. And then it doesn't matter. You're just serving in the dirt. You're helping to grow things. To move ministry forward. To nurture and enrich and sustain.

Funny thing. All of a sudden, it's not such a bad thing to be covered in dirt. Sure, it'll come out in the wash, but now you're thinking, "Does it even matter? Maybe these clothes can just be my work clothes from now on." Because you've already decided you're going to be making regular trips to the dirt.

  See "Serving" section for more on "involvement".

  The next "I": Inspiration...

  The Six "I's": Putting It Together...

  Dream a Little Dream
Take a trip through your imagination. Frolic in the mind and pick up an idea or two. Go ahead and daydream. It's okay. Nobody is looking. Close your eyes.

  Posterpalooza!
The poster is a great idea and theme tool for use in promoting ministries and events. Here are just a few samples.