Faith, Fear, and the Impala

…Fear of doing things my way, and not God’s way
…..Fear of failure and misdirection
…….Fear of rejection and sometimes even acceptance
……….Fear of being challenged to do more
………….Fear of what is uncertain
…………….Fear of what we can’t figure out on our own
………………..Fear of being anything other than self reliant and functioning off of what we think we know
…………………….Fear of taking a leap, because of what we can’t clearly see

Sometimes God speaks what I am not 100% sure I want to hear all the time. Yesterday was one of those moments. I heard a sermon yesterday lifted from Joshua chapter 3 and one of the illustrations given was that of the Impala – an animal that can high jump as high as 10 feet, and broad jump 36 feet, yet is able to be contained in a zoo that is only 3 ft high. The speaker lead us into wondering with her about this, and mentioned that though an impala has the ability to jump high and fast, it will only jump if it can see where its feet will land. I suppose focus is a good thing – knowing where we are headed, and what we’re aiming for – this is especially true in children’s ministry. And could it also be true that sometimes God calls us to jump into some of what is unknown.

Could this be where I am at this moment in ministry? Might this be where others are in ministry or in life in general – having the ability to go further, and do much more, but allowing fear of the unknown to sometimes grip us and prevent us from doing all that God has uniquely gifted us to do – in children’s ministry or otherwise.

How many more kids can you really reach? How many more leaders can you really develop? How much more can God really do through you if only we were willing to take the next jump, even though we may not be certain of where our feet will land.

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!

Kidology Leadership Lab

The 3rd installment of the Kidology Leadership Lab is now available from Kidology, Inc. Great training, at a great price to produce great Children’s Ministry leaders! Check out Kid-Focused Ministry today!!

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!

Still on Sabbatical!

Still on sabbatical from Children’s Ministry, so I headed to Shedd Aquarium yesterday with a plan to stay for a couple of hours – well four hours later I was STILL there. I even had a chance to watch Spongebob Squarepants in “4-D!” I got much more than I expected, top notch sound effects, the smell of pickles as Spongebob made krabby patty, real splashes of water (which I could have lived without), seat motions and air effects! WOW! I was thrilled! Oh to make kids church such a memorable experience – to help kids feel like they are “there” as I teach the Bible to them! I believe we can teach the Bible to kids in a way that causes them to “re-live” it and leave lasting God impressions on their lives – to teach kids in a way that causes them to never forget what they’ve heard and experienced…
Anyway, as I walked around the Aquarium (indoors and outdoors) I think I discovered what’s missing for me as I do ministry. I need to learn how to walk away from it regularly, i.e. let a day off really be a day off, explore the city, get outdoors (although Chicago in the Winter is a little crazy, so I might have to find an alternative plan), enjoy time alone – just relax so that I have the strength needed to jump back into ministry when it’s time.

 

I am sure I am not alone in this though, there are other Children’s Pastors who struggle in the area of balance as well. As of yesterday I have commited to keep working on this area, more than likely it will help me to be even more effective in ministry. Taking time to “re-create” is something we all need to do – especially those of us involved in ministry.
 

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