Be Aware of the Impact You Make

As a leader in your church's Children's Ministry, you matter. What you do matters. The decisions you make matter. You and these things matter, because you, the things you do and the decisions you make impact the lives of the children and families in your church. For this reason before you do something or make a decision, please consider the following thing you may not think to consider . . .

Spend Your Time in the Wisest & Most Effective Way

As someone who serves - whether part-time, full-time or as a volunteer - in Children's Ministry, we only have a set amount of time which we are able to invest in the Children's Ministry each week. Clearly we want to make the most of the time we are able to spend; we also want to get the most out of this time. Obviously there is a certain amount of time which must be spent on recruiting, retaining, training, encouraging volunteers. There is a certain amount of time which must be spent on writing/choosing curriculum and resources. There is a certain amount of time which must be spent in classes/ministries/activities with children. There is a certain amount of time which must be spent connecting with parents/grandparents/families. There is a certain amount of time which must be spent on planning. Most importantly there is a certain amount of time which must be spent in prayer and study of God's Word.

In Our Post-Christian Culture, Provide Reasons, Relationships & Rhythms

Certainly the grandparents and parents of the children in your ministry want them to make the choice to believe in God, trust His Word and follow Jesus. This is why they hand down the faith - or why we need to equip them to learn how to hand down the faith. We know as they look at their lives and the scope of things where they are able to spend their time, handing down the faith is what truly matters - and equipping the parents and grandparents to hand down the faith is absolutely one of the best uses of our time as people who serve in Children's Ministries.

Today I am sharing an article with research by Barna on building lasting faith in Gen Z (you will find the full post at this link.) Look at some of what Jonathan Morrow has to say . . . 

VBS 2020 - Mystery Island from Answers in Genesis

Mystery Island is the VBS from Answers in Genesis this year, so today we will take a close look at to see if it is a good "fit" for your ministry.

VBS 2020 - Big Fish Bay from Regular Baptist Press

Today, as we continue my 2020 VBS reviews, we are looking at Big Fish Bay from Regular Baptist Press! 

RBP did a great job with the content and substance of this VBS resource - if  you are not familiar with their materials and have never taken a close look at them in the past, this year is a great year to consider if Big Fish Bay is a good "fit" for your Children's Ministry!

Help Them Make the Faith Their Own

Unless parents and grandparents hide the children they love away in some remote location where there is no internet and the only people they see, talk with and know are them, it is certain at one point or another they will meet someone who tells them things which go against what their parents and grandparents have taught them from God's Word. It is inevitable. 

We all may be careful to do all we are able to do to teach the children we love the truth of God's Word and how they are able to talk with, love, know and walk with Him, but at some point in time, someone will say or do something which will cause them to question the things we taught them. It is inevitable.

For example, think of Adam and Eve. They actually talked and walked with God in the garden every evening. Just imagine! They were surrounded by God's glory and lived in a world untouched by sin, yet even there, even then, Satan got to them and caused them to question what they knew to be true with the lies; "Does God really love me? Is He keeping something amazing from me?" Which led them to the questions we all face at some point; "Should I obey what God asked, or do what I want?"

VBS 2020 - Concrete & Cranes from LifeWay

Today I'm happy to share another of my VBS resources for 2020; this time it is, Concrete & Cranes from LifeWay. Take a look and consider if Concrete & Cranes is a good "fit" for your Children's Ministry!

VBS 2020 - Wilderness Escape from Group Publishing

Today we are going to look at Group's Bible-times resource for this year; Wilderness Escape Where God Guides & Provides—an exciting journey with God’s people, the Israelites, which brings God’s Word to life for kids and adults. I love the Bible-times VBS resources Group puts out each year as they are designed as a resource you will easily be able to use with the whole family! 

VBS 2020 - Rocky Railway by Group Publishing

Today I am happy to share with you Group Publishing's 2020 VBS - Rocky Railway! I always enjoy VBS settings with a fun, unique, not-seen-before environment; Rocky Railway  looks like it is great fun which will engage the children, but most importantly, it has solid Bible teaching and  learning!

How Will You Use VBS in 2020?

Next week I will be sharing five VBS resources with you, so today I want to ask you, how do you plan to use your VBS?