Kids Just Get It!

“I want the white one!” These were the words of a a preschooler in our ministry. As one of the creative communication team members shared the message of the gospel using the Wordless Book and long after we had moved on to another part of our time with the kids, these words were shared.

Snack was done. The lesson was complete. And still she exclaimed: “I want the white one.” To what was she referring – to the message that she heard moments earlier. The white page simple referred to the forgiveness that God makes available to us in Christ! As we began involving kids in the process of a connecting activity of making “wordless” bracelets, she began crying because of what she didn’t think she could do. She sat in the corner to have what may have been a tantrum, and when asked if she was ready to join the group again, it was then that she exclaimed “I want the white one” – meaning she wanted the white part of the wordless bracelet. Still she wouldn’t rejoin the group, and it was then that another member of the team approached her, sat down beside her and as she expressed uncertainty about whether she was welcome back into the group, the leader then talked to her about the color “white” from the wordless book and reminded her of the meaning we applied to that color in the book and then went on to mention to her of what white stood for in the gospel message and that God forgives her and still loves her no matter what she does – she stopped crying and started asking questions and making statements like “you mean God’s not mad at me? But what if I do something really bad….” She was then told that we forgive her too, just like God does. As these words were shared, her face brightened with a huge smile and she reached up for a hug! This was a significant WOW moment for me as God reminded me of the significance and power of the Gospel to transform young lives – even the lives of very young children!! They can receive the gospel, intentionality is the key and refusing to let teachable moments slip us by because of how children are acting out at the moment. What a difference it would make if we look beyond their behavior and see their souls.

Aim Lower: Does The Church Get It?

Chris Brooks shared this and I thought I would share it here also. Many churches have a great grasp on this, yet many more don’t seem to have a handle on this. What is the evidence that you get it? Here are some questions:

Does your adult ministry space look great, while your children’s ministry spaces are in shambles?
What percentage of your church’s overall budget is allocated for Children’s Ministry?
Is children’s ministry at your church optional or a nonnegotiable factor?

Just questions to think about as we aim to impact!

A Child’s View of God

 “But God is mad at me.” As I was getting ready to begin a Bible message in Kids Church, before I could even get started good, these words flowed from the lips of a 5 year old boy. His words stayed with me. His words caused me to wonder. His words caused me to pray. His words caused me to feel compelled to give this child and perhaps other children like Him a correct view of God. Did he get this thought and belief from home? From church? From Somewhere else? I’m not sure. But my mind reflected on some of the words I have in the past heard adults utter to children when trying to help them behave. Statements such as “You better be good, because God is watching you” came to mind. Could this child’s view of God have come from statements such as this that promote fear, i.e. be good or else. Well, I’m not sure, but it was a reminder to me of just how significant my role as a Children’s Pastor really is. It is an opportunity to help children understand who God really is, and to shape their views of Him and of themselves as it relates to Him. Ironically, the message the next week was on the love of God, with the big idea being “God loves me even when I do something wrong.” I viewed the contents of the message with this child and other children like him in mind!

Reflections on the Pastoral Call

This time change thing doesn’t actually work for me. I normally wake up around 6am whether I have to or not – no alarm clock, just eyes open, so the clocks going back an hour causes me to wake up way too early. This morning I woke up at an outrageous hour – around 2am I think, and of course I could not go back to sleep no matter how hard I tried.

While I lay down trying to go back to sleep I thought I would do something productive with me time, so I justs started praying, and I wasn’t the only one with something to say, God had some things He too wanted to impress upon my heart as I consider my next ministry position in a local church.

Last weekend as I considered this next phase of my ministry, I began thinking more deeply about my role as a pastor – what does it really mean? Is it just a title? Is it…?

As I picked up a catalog for a christian book store – a catalog that I had looked at before by the way, God quickly defined the role for me. On the front cover of the catalog was a verse from Ephesians – “Prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:12).

I know, a no brainer right? I have read the verse before. I have probably quoted the verse before. But never has it resonated with my heart as much as it did last weekend and as I woke up this morning.

As I move into this next phase of ministry in my role as a Children’s Pastor, this verse will be kept central in my heart and ministry practice. I love children, I love preaching and teaching God’s word to them, I love giving them a different view of church - one filled with excitement and enthusiastic worship. And a significant aspect of my call to a pastoral ministry to children is that of equipping others to impact children’s lives with the Gospel, and ALSO preparing kids for ministry as members of the body of Christ – one thing they do NOT have to wait to grow up to do is be used by God in ministry. Many of the people I know don’t fully embrace this fact, but for me it’s a settled isssue. Contrary to the opinion of some, it goes so much deeper than hanging out and having a fun blast with kids – it’s fun with a deep purpose – to introduce kids and others to Jesus, help them grow in that relationship and then prepare them to serve the Savior they’ve embraced!

So I will follow Biblical instruction and “prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” With His help I will prepare not only God’s people who are adults, but also God’s people who are children – Children’s Pastor Randy Christensen refers to them as “the younger saints.”

What an awesome call. I have some fears, but God is greater than those, so because of His call and promise to be with me as I lead, I embrace the challenge in the new place of ministry He is calling me to – a church that is multi-ethnic and intentional about being and maintaining this focus. A church that is passionate about Jesus, enthusiastic in corporate worship, aiming to grow as a ministry rather than simply maintain the ministry. New Community  is all of these things and more and I am excited about growing in my personal walk with God and in my role as a leader with them. Only God could have done it like He did it, and I celebrate His call on my life and His choice to use me – I stand in awe of Him!

Lessons From Jon

What an emotionally draining day…! The only thing I could do once I arrived home was cry a little and take a nap. I made it through because of who God is, and not in my own strength – that I am sure of….

God has so many ways of shining light in the midst of dark days, helping us to see the good in the bad. When others conduct themselves in ungodly and uncaring ways, God sends people along like Jon. Who is Jon? Jon is a young adult guy with heart, determination, commitment, love for kids, love for people, love for God, and so much more!

Jon is also a young man who has served faithfully on the Children’s Ministry Team I have been leading over the last year or so. He is also the creator of the picure you see above. What’s his story? Part of his story is that he has a condition known as Autism. Because of his autism, Jon sees the world through a different lense, he learns differently, responds differently. But he never lets autism stop him from being used by God to make a difference in the lives of kids and adults.

Today was one of those days. Last Sunday I announced that I had resigned my position at the church, and today as we were preparing for Kids Church he walked in and handed me the picture you see above and said “this is for you.” After giving him a huge hug, I asked him to tell me about his picture. He explained that is was “a goldfish with sunglasses, your favorite animal.”

Like I said, Jon is an adult who pays attention to little details that many other adults overlook. He remembered that earlier in the year, many months ago by the way, I said that I do NOT like pets of any kind, I only like goldfish, because they stay in the water and don’t bother me. Well, Jon remembered.

And as I prepare to leave my current position, he simply wanted to find a way to express how much he cared about me and would miss me when I leave. This simply act of kindness made waking up to face this day worth it.

What will I do with the picture? I am going to the store to pick up a frame so that I can hang it on my wall at home and eventually in my new office.

Kidology Handbook – Get It TODAY!

You need this Handbook! If you are involved in Children’s Ministry in any way – pastor, director, volunteer, whatever! Pick up your copy today at http://www.kidology.org/. This full color, updated and expanded edition also includes a 143 page pdf for personal self study as well as an audio version for you to listen to on your ipod, while driving in the car, or some other time consuming activity. You need the book! Your team needs the book, so what are you waiting on – get the book! You won’t regret it!

Children’s Ministry Podcast!

I stumbled upon a children’s ministry podcast today, and it’s well worth listening to.
http://www.cmmonthly.com/ 

Podcasts are produced monthly. So far the topics covered are: Discipline, and Releasing Volunteers Into Ministry

Toybox Tales: Children’s Pastors Edition

Rated CPO (Children’s Pastors Only)

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist and creator of Toybox Tales for kids has created a Toybox Tale exclusive for Children’s Ministry Leaders.

Tools that Work

 

Well, it finally happened – the thing that’s sometimes in the back of my mind when I go to places such as the hair salon the doctor or the dentist.

I journeyed to the dentist on Monday, praying as I went because I hate to go (yes I handle this worse than kids do). I arrived to discover that once again they did not have me down for an appointment, even though they scheduled me for it over two weeks prior. And I prepared myself to not take no for an answer and my disposition displayed this.

Finally, I sat in the dentist chair and as the dentist began drilling, etc, in the middle of the procedure she discovered that her tools were not working due to a loss of power. I did my best not to panic or worry only to discover that though the dentist had the right equipment, the equipment had completely stopped working due to a loss of power.

I wondered what her plan was going to be. Would she send me out of the office with the work incomplete or something else. It turns out, she had a back-up plan – a plan that was not very effective or efficient and a plan that produced a huge amount of anxiety.

As I was preparing to leave the office, the administrative assistant mentioned that she had contacted someone to come and fix the equipment. He arrived not long after and repaird the problem within 5 minutes and back into the chair I went. The dentist was now able to use the same tools as before, but the difference this time is that they worked properly.

Of course I left the dentist wondering about how this applies to Children’s Ministry. I wondered how often we have all of the right equipment and creative tools at our disposal to do children’s ministry, but due to lack of power or unexpected malfunctions we find ourselves not as effective as we could be.

So, do you have what you need to help children get to know Jesus? Do you have the right tools? And if you do, are they working properly or do they need to be repaired so that they work properly for you and the kids you minister to?

Balance

Craig Jutila, former Children’s Pastor of Saddleback Church shares his heart on leadership and his jorney to a more balanced ministry life. View the video for a limited time only. http://empoweringkids.net/downloads/Houston_320×240.mov

The insight he shares are worth taking to heart now – before hitting the bottom in ministry.

Don’t Forget What Really Matters

I figured it out! Figured what out you might ask. I figured out what’s bugging me. I just figured out part of why I have been feeling discouraged and ineffective.

More than likely it won’t be a big deal to you, but keep reading anyway. I was reading a book by Aaron Reynolds www.creative-arts-ministry.com entitled the Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School and I didn’t get any further than page 31 before I discovered my problem.

I am in a ministry position where I seem to have to give the bulk of my time to things like “childcare” (I hate that word by the way), all sorts of administrative stuff, planning/organizing events, and of course ‘putting out fires,’ – which by the way are all good things and significant elements of my ministry occupation. But I am afraid these things have been allowed to zap my energy and time to devote the amount of time and energy I need to to the ministry of teaching and preaching God’s Word!

Teaching and preaching God’s Word is where my real passion is. It’s the call that got me involved in ministry in the first place. This call is why I went to seminary in the first place, etc. In Children’s Ministry it is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the lesser things and forget the most important part – teaching/preaching the Bible – God’s Message to kids in a way that captivates, motivates and rejuvenates kids in their walk with God and helps them become all that He’s called them to be for Him.

It took me a while to get what’s been happening with me, but I think I have it now. What about you? Are you focused on what really matters or are you lost in the less important things?