Family Pick - I'm Giving Away Shake Up game!

I love games which make you think in a fun and different way . . . Shake Up is a game which does exactly this!


Shake Up 
By Jax
For Ages 7+
for 2-4 players


Favorite Features -

• this game makes you think and pay attention
• strategy skills are a must!
• encourages planning ahead and being a good sport
• a game younger and older kids can both enjoy

This is another great game for families and for small groups . . . everyone will be able to play together! Pop up a big bowl of popcorn and play Shake Up together - make a rule, whenever you "bump" someone else's pawn to a lower level, you have to also "build them up" by sharing something you appreciate about them! Have fun with this game!


I'm delighted to say Jax sent me a game for review and another to give away on my blog! If you have "liked" About the Children's Department using the tab in the "find us on facebook box" ON THE BLOG, then you are entered in my give-away which will be on October 7th. If you have not "liked" this blog yet, please take a moment to do so and you will be entered in my drawing! It is this simple! Please share About the Children's Department with the people you know!

I Have Three Winners in Three Give-aways on About the Children's Department!

I'm delighted to announce Kimberly Slawson Tramper won a VeggieTales the Little Drummer Boy DVD, Julie Ammons won a Denver and the Mile High Orchestra Groovy CD and Rick Seibold won a Respond game! Thank you Kimberly, Julie and Rick for reading About the Children's Department and thank you Big Idea, Denver/Go Fish Guys and Jax games for sending these items for my review and an additional of each for me to give-away!

Manners and Children's Ministry

When we serve in children's ministry we are dealing with people all the time . . . young and old. It is essential for us to show good manners in the way we interact with others . . . I'm so thankful for my friend Maralee McKee, the Manners Mentor. She knows how to help us "discover the manners which matter today: simple, savvy, sincere skills which help you become your best self!" I encourage you to check her blog for specific answers to your every day encounters and her facebook page for daily tips to help you as you interact with others. For example, her tip for today - "When an acquaintance or friend says, 'No' to an invitation or request it's a matter of respect to accept their answer without hesitatioin or question. Asking, 'Why not" can make them feel guilty or like they're being interrogated. When someone says, 'No' you can answer, 'Perhaps another time. You're always welcome to join us!' Or, 'Maybe next time. We can always use extra hands!'" Keep this advice in mind when recruiting . . . if a person says "No", accept their answer. It is fine to leave the door open for them to reconsider another time, but graciously accept their answer without trying to "guilt" them into serving!

We Made Ministry-to-Children's Top 100 Blogs for 2011!

THANK YOU!!!! Thank you for reading About the Children's Department! Thank You for sharing this blog with the people you know! Thank you Ministry-to-Children for including About the Children's Department in your Top 100 Blogs for 2011! Check this link for Tony Kummer's post
about how he determined the Top 100.


Thank you so much for making About the Children's Department a place you turn to for information, ideas and resources for children's ministry - please share this blog with the people you know! 

Does the Church "Tolerate" Some Types of Bullying?

I'm certain if I were to ask anyone in children's ministry we would all say we are completely against bullying. But, stop for a moment and think. Do we actually "tolerate" some types of bullying? Are there some types of bullying we "turn a blind eye to"? Consider the following -

• when we play games - typically in our mid-week ministry - do we ignore when the "athletic" kids talk about not wanting the "non-athletic" kids on their team?
• do we accept as just part of "the way it is" when the popular kids are in their "cliques" and they intentionally leave out the "loner" kids?
• do we as teachers/small group leaders give more attention to the popular kids?

What is your policy on bullying? I'm sure you wouldn't allow a child to physically harm another child or even say overt unkind things, but do we hold everyone in our children's ministry to the standard Jesus held up for us in Matthew 22 . . . . ^37-40Jesus said, "'Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them." (the Message)

Do we really make sure the adults and children in our ministries love others as well as they love themselves? Even if the "others" are "different" from us? I've watched as churches turn a blind eye to bullying. When my daughter was in 5th grade there was a girl at the church we attended who was "different". She was somewhat developmentally delayed and quite socially delayed. The other girls in my daughters class didn't want to have anything to do with this girl, but my daughter befriended her . . . and paid a big "price" for doing so. The other girls ostracized my daughter. This is an example of bullying . . . do we do anything about this type of bullying, or do we ignore it? 

What do you do at your church whey bullying rears it's ugly head? What if the children who are being the bullies are from the families of church "leaders"? What do you do?

Let's commit to be absolutely certain our churches are truly safe places for EVERYONE. With the news from the past week of the boy who took his life, we need to stop and
honestly evaluate what we do in our ministries to be sure we love others as well as we love ourselves and we need to be sure the children in our ministries understand this means not only being kind in word and action, but it involves including others like Jesus would do if He were physically in their class.

Let's have a true zero-tolerance policy when it comes to all types of bullying.

Check Out Kidmin1124 . . . I Wrote About Teaching Kids the True Meaning of Worship - Obedience is Key!

I am delighted and honored to write for kidmin1124 and for the next several weeks I'll be posting about Teaching Kids the True Meaning of Worship . . . this week's post looks at how obedience is key to worship! Please take a moment to check this post out and make kidmin1124 a regular source for information and resources for your children's ministry!

Christmas for an Orphan - Involve the Children and Families in Your Ministry!

Yesterday we took our grandson Josiah shopping to buy the gifts for his Christmas for an Orphan box . . . he wanted to fill a second box for his baby brother Caleb to send to another boy, so of course we agreed! Josiah picked out the toothbrush, toothpaste, bandaids, crayons, candy and of course HotWheel cars for his box! I have a few additional toys for him to include and today he will pack his boxes so Poppa can mail them tomorrow! 


We talked with Josiah about making a "bank" so over the coming year as he does special things to help his Poppa and I we will put money in his bank and then next year he will be able to use his own money to buy the things for his boxes so other children will receive gifts for Christmas! We will remind Josiah to pray for the children who receive his and Caleb's boxes so they will learn about how much Jesus loves them . . . this is the best gift they could ever receive!


This is such a simple project . . . perfect for the children and families in your church to participate in! Consider Putting Feet to Their Faith by involving the families and children in your ministry in filling Christmas for an Orphan boxes. Encourage parents and/or teachers/small group leaders to take their children them shopping for the things to fill their boxes and be sure to involve them in praying for the children who receive their boxes! Christmas is about giving . . . Jesus giving us real life and His amazing love and it's about us giving to others!

I'm Giving Away the Game, Respond!

Do you use games in your children's ministry before classes begin, between classes, during your mid-week ministry or for family game night? If so, Respond! is a fun game to get people talking and laughing!


Respond!
by - Jax Games  
Ages - 8+
for 2-8 players


Favorite Features -

• this game makes you think, pay attention and laugh!
• fun for groups of children, small groups, and families to play together
• generates opportunities for conversations about how do we "win well", "lose well" and how do we treat others when they win or struggle to play a game

Respond! is a game for the entire family and is one small groups could use to build community and generate conversations.  I'm delighted for the opportunity to give one away! Jax Games sent me one for review and another for give-away! If you have "liked" About the Children's Department using the tab in the "find us on facebook" box ON THE BLOG, then you are entered in the drawing which will be on September 30th! If you have not "liked" this blog yet, please take a moment to do so and you will be entered in my give-away! It is this simple! Thank you for reading About the Children's Department . . . please share this blog with the people you know!

I Have a Winner In My VeggieTales Bob Lends a Helping Hand DVD Give-away!

I'm delighted to announce Sharon Nichols Strickland is the winner in my VeggieTales Bob Lends a Helping Hand DVD give-away! Thank you Sharon for reading About the Children's  Department and thank you Big Idea for sending a dvd for my review and another for give-away!

I'm Giving Away a VeggieTales the Little Drummer Boy DVD!

I'm so delighted for the opportunity to share with you the new VeggieTale DVD which releases October 1st - the Little Drummer Boy! Veggies took the classic story of the Little Drummer Boy and added their "Veggie touch" by adding songs, fun and most importantly, a much-needed lesson we all need to hear!


In this story, Junior is hurt when he thinks his friends "ditched" him when they went caroling. He becomes angry, but Grandpa Grape encourages him with the truth, "sometimes people make mistakes and the best thing you can do is to forgive them." He then shares the story of the Little Drummer Boy with Junior, who learns, "every good story has some bumps along the way" and "when our hearts are filled with joy and love we are able to forgive those who hurt us." Veggies re-tells the story of the Little Drummer Boy with a strong emphasis on forgiving others - a message we all need to hear . . .  "Far more powerful than what any person could take away from him was the gift of love and forgiveness given to him the first Christmas morning! Because God forgives us - we can forgive others!" Talk with the children in your ministry about a time when they were hurt by someone. Help them understand when they make the choice to forgive, they are making the choice to show God's love and experience joy! Just as in this story Aaron and Junior made the choice to forgive, we can do the same!

I'm Giving Away a Denver and the Mile High Orchestra Groovy CD!

I'm extremely happy for the opportunity to share a new CD for your children's ministry and for the families in your church . . . Denver and the Mile High Orchestra - Groovy! I first saw this group on Go Fish Guy's 2010 VBS and am delighted to learn of their continued collaboration - they signed with gfk Records to make this CD. It is as Denver says, “'a really cool marriage,'” noting each group benefited from the other. 'They’re vocally driven; we’re instrumentally driven.' Plus they had more fun than grown men should be allowed to have, choosing songs from their own childhoods and writing new cuts for their new—if slightly shorter—audience." 

I Have a Winner in My Give-away for "Furious" CD from Jeremy Riddle!

I'm happy to announce Tanya MacLeod is the winner in my Furious CD give-away! Thank you Tanya for reading About the Children's Department! (Please message me your address by Oct. 19th so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) Thank you Jeremy Riddle for sending a cd for my review and for making another available for give-away on my blog!

kidmin1124!!!!

I'm honored and delighted to say in addition to writing this blog and grandma's cookie jar, I'm now also writing for kidmin1124! My first article posted today - you'll find it at this link. I encourage you to add kidmin1124 to your list of favorite children's ministry sites - you will find - as they say on the kidmin1124 site, "information related to and relevant to the target audience - the kidmin community and to volunteers and bi-vocational children’s ministers. We hope to edify, instruct, teach, share and commiserate on issues important to those who work in children’s ministry and particularly issues relevant to volunteers and volunteering.  Ultimately though, as with all we do, are goal is to bring glory to God and assist in any way we can in reaching kids with the Gospel the Christ." 


If you are not familiar with kidmin1124, it was started by Wayne Stocks. He had "a hunch there were others like himself who felt torn between his “day job” and his passion for children’s ministry, Wayne started a facebook page for children’s ministry volunteers and bi-vocational children’s ministers.  Based on the success of this page, and discussions with others, they decided a blog such as Kidmin1124 would be a benefit to the kidmin community in general and to volunteers and bi-vocational ministers in particular."


"The name of this site is based on Proverbs 11:24 which says:

'One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.'

As volunteers and bi-vocational ministers, we give freely to God’s children, and we find  we are immeasurably blessed through this work far beyond whatever we give.  Even those who are in full-time vocational positions recognize the time devoted to children’s ministry far exceeds even other ministries.  Which is what this site is all about.  We aspire to give back to those who give so freely to God’s kids."


Thank you Wayne for allowing me to join your team of writers! Check kidmin1124 out - you'll be so glad you did! 

Put Feet to Their Faith and Help Your Kids Give Other Christmas Memories!

Christmas memories! We all have wonderful Christmas memories from when we were children . . . it is part of the "wonderfulness" of Christmas! Each year in our children's ministries we spend considerable time deciding how to share the Good News of Jesus and give new Christmas memories to the children in our ministries.This year, take some time to talk with the children in your ministry and share some of your best memories with them. Ask them what they remember from previous Christmases and then remind them there are children around the world who will have their own Christmas memories because they, and others, are filling boxes with gifts to send for these children. Ask your kids if they have been thinking about the things they want to put in their Christmas for an Orphan boxes and have their Small Group Leaders/Teachers make plans to go shopping with them to get the items they need for their boxes.

I'm Giving Away "Bob Lends a Helping Hand" DVD - Family Pick!

 If you have a series of lessons or a focus on helping in your children's ministry, consider this new DVD from Big Idea - "Bob Lends a Helping Hand" as a resource for your classrooms and to recommend to families in your church! This DVD has over 70 minutes of Veggie fun with their classic "Tomato Sawyer & Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue", "Lyle the Friendly Viking" and "Bob Lends a Helping Hand Sing-Along" all on one DVD!

I love it when Big Idea/VeggieTales 
combines stories on one DVD - not only is it a great value for churches and families, but it allows you to better find lessons which fit a theme or point you are trying to make with the children in your ministry/family! The stories on this DVD have a strong focus on helping others as Larry/Huck and Junior/Lyle are happy to help and Bob/Tom and the other Veggie Vikings learn to be generous in helping others! 


As if having three stories on one DVD isn't a big enough bonus, Veggies also included a family activity, how to draw Tom and Huck and "Bob Lends a Helping Hand" interactive book for a DVD full of extras! Plus, it is a unique opportunity to see a Veggie - Larry - with hands! Great fun! As you enjoy all these features with the children in your ministry and/or family, be sure to talk with them about how they can help others. Give them opportunity to share their experiences with helping others as well as their experiences when someone helped them. Consider involving them in a project to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and provide gifts for orphans with WorldHelp's Christmas for an Orphan!


I'm delighted to say VeggieTales sent me one DVD for review and another for give-away! if you have "liked" About the Children's Department using the tab in the "find us on facebook" box ON THE BLOG, then you are entered in the drawing which will be on September 23rd! If you have not "liked" this blog yet, please take a moment to do so and you will be entered in my drawing! Please share About the Children's Department with the people you know!

I Have a Winner in My Ginny Owens "Get In, I'm Driving" CD Give-Away!

I'm happy to announce Kayo Kunimatsu is the winner in my Ginny Owens "Get In, I'm Driving" CD give-away! (You will find my review of this CD at this link) Thank you Kayo for reading About the Children's Department and thank you Ginny for sending a CD for my review and another for give-away!

I Have a Winner In My Theo Presents DVD Give-away!

I'm happy to announce Rhoda Burrill is the winner in my Theo Presents DVD give-away! (You will find my review of Theo Presents at this link) Rhoda, please message me your address so I can have the DVD sent to you (lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) Thank you Rhoda for reading About the Children's Department and thank you Whitestone Media for sending a Theo Presents for my review and for making another available for give-away on my blog!

I'm Giving Away - "Furious" CD from Jeremy Riddle! - Family Pick!

September 20th Jeremy Riddle releases his new CD - Furious. He says, "It’s hard to come up with words which depict the magnitude of Christ’s love – the depth and width of it. Furious doesn't work outside of the context of love; we tend to translate the word as angry, but I see it as a super-powerful force; stronger, deeper, broader than our vocabulary can fully describe."  In January 2011, the former jr. high youth pastor came on staff as worship community pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, California - the most beautiful place on the face of the earth (I lived in Redding for a few years) - where Jeremy facilitates a worship community of over 200 people within the church.

Put Feet to Their Faith With Christmas for an Orphan through WorldHelp!

If you are looking for a service project your kids can really understand and participate in whole heartedly, consider Christmas for an Orphan! 

• Talk with your kids about the things they look forward to at Christmas - certainly receiving gifts will be one of the things they look forward to. 
• Talk with them about how there are children around the world who will not receive gifts, unless others send them gifts. 
• Ask them what they can do to earn money to buy gift items to send other children and organize your classes/small groups so they can earn money and then go shopping to purchase the items they need to fill their boxes.
• Plan a box-filling party and be sure to spend time praying for the children who will receive the boxes - pray they will learn about the best Gift they could ever receive . . . Jesus!

Christmas for an Orphan is a wonderful opportunity for your kids to focus on what really matters at Christmas . . . sharing Jesus' love with others!

Calling All Parents, Grandparents and Other Interested People! (re-run)

I've had a lot to say about children's ministry and if it matters, really matters in our churches. We may think it matters - and certainly want it to matter - but in far too many churches children's ministry is at "the bottom of the totem pole". Take a few minutes and watch this video clip from www.2fish5bread.com - be patient and watch all of it!

Children's ministry matters . . . for your child, grandchild and for all the other children in your church and community. When we just assume the leaders in our churches give children's ministry the vision, passion and priority it needs we may end up finding out they really didn't and we missed a key opportunity to reach children.

Watch this clip again and then ask your friends and family to do the same. Take out your pastors, elders and church leaders for a cup of coffee and ask them if they can tell you the vision, passion and plan your church has for the children's ministry. Ask them how they are measuring whether or not they are realizing their vision in the children's ministry. Ask them what their plan is to come alongside the parents and teach them to disciple their children. If you are a parent, do you feel like your church has equipped you to disciple your children? Talk to parents in your church and ask them if they have been equipped by the church. Go visit the children's classes and talk to volunteers. Talk to the children. Ask them what they learned and how they plan to live it in their lives. These are important questions. Don't assume you know the answers - be sure you do!

When the children's ministry fails to have the priority it needs, we will end up failing to reach our children and will not equip them to know how to live their faith in their every day lives. This is too great a price to pay. If you are a parent or grandparent you know this is too great a price to pay. Be sure your church leaders know the same.

I Have a Winner in My The Story: Teen Edition Give-Away!

I'm happy to say Heather Henry is the winner in my The Story: Teen Edition give-away! (You will find the review for the Story: Teen Edition at this link) Thank you Tony for reading About the Children's Department and thank you Zondervan for sending the Story: Teen Edition for my review and for making another available for give-away!

I'm Giving Away Ginny Owens' New CD "Get In, I'm Driving"!

I'm delighted to share with you a new CD from Ginny Owens - "Get In, I'm Driving" which releases on September 13th! Ginny is a, "three-time Dove Award winner, including the Gospel Music Association’s 2000 New Artist of the Year recipient, and multiple ASCAP Award winner."


"Get In, I'm Driving" has eleven songs on it - each one has a powerful message and when it is combined with Ginny's bluesy-soulful, rich voice they become songs which are sure to end up on your personal "favorites" list! Just look at the chorus of one song, "Lay It Down" - Lay it down, - Everyone’s got a burden; - That’s just part of livin, - So take the one you’re given - And lay it down; - Don’t let it define you, - You’re not strong enough to - Carry that around - Go ahead and lay it down. Or, consider the lyrics to "Get In, I'm Driving" - I use to be afraid I’d never figure out - Who I was meant to be; what I should be about; - Guess you could say I was the square peg in a round hole - Seemed everyone else had a secret I didn’t know;- But as the time has passed I’ve come to understand, - God made them who they are - And He made me who I am - - So now I march to the beat of my own drum - Sing out the words to my own song, - Give thanks to the One Who gives me life; - Every day is like a new adventure, - I can almost hear Him whisper, - "If you wanna take the ride of your life then - C'mon, get in, I'm drivin." Powerful lyrics with messages we all need to hear! 

I'm Giving Away a Theo Presents DVD!

I'm happy to share with you a new video series, Theo Presents from Whitestone Media which releases September 13th and "is centered around the adventures and teachings of the main character, Theo, a student of Godʼs Word. Theo lives in a cozy corner of a quaint English village and entertains many guests, including two mice, Belfry and Luther. The animation series of Theo guides children and adults through a careful study of systematic theology where Theo discusses doctrines about sin, Godʼs character, the Bible, salvation and godly living with easy-to-understand illustrations which make children want to learn more about the Christian faith."

Top Ten Reasons for Involving Your Children in Christmas for an Orphan!

Yesterday I posted about WorldHelp's Christmas for an Orphan and encouraged you to "Put Feet to Their Faith" by involving the children in your ministry in this project to share Jesus' love with children around the world. Today I'm going to post the top ten reasons for involving your children in Christmas for an Orphan -

• it gives them the opportunity to share Jesus' love with others
• it motivates children to pray diligently for other children
• it gives them the opportunity to grow and become more "Christ-like"
• it allows children to think about and focus on others at a time of year when they tend to think about and focus on themselves
• it gives children something tangible and "do-able" they can do to help children in need
• it challenges children to live what they learn
• it gives children an opportunity to follow Jesus' example and do something tangible to care for others
• it motivates children to learn about other children in need
• it gives them an opportunity to earn something they can give to others
• it gives them the opportunity to work with others to accomplish an important goal

There are many more reasons for you to involve the children in your ministry in Christmas for an Orphan, but whatever reason you choose, please make the commitment to involve your kids in earning money to buy gifts for their boxes, gathering items for their boxes and most importantly, in praying for these children so they will not only have a box of gifts, but will choose to accept the best Gift they could ever receive, Jesus!

Put Feet to Their Faith With Christmas for an Orphan Through WorldHelp!

Most of the children in our ministries look forward to Christmas and if the truth is told, we in Children's Ministry also look forward to Christmas! It is such an exciting and wonderful time of year as we share with children the Good News of Jesus! We plan Christmas programs, Christmas concerts, Christmas lessons and even Christmas parties . . . there are many things for us to do, but as you make your plans for this year, please consider "Putting Feet to Their Faith" by involving your children in WorldHelp's Christmas for an Orphan!

Around the world there are children who do not receive even one gift at Christmas. Most importantly, there are children who do not know the reason for Christmas and the most amazing gift they could ever receive . . . Jesus. WorldHelp has been making a difference around the world for 20 years helping children and families in need. They say, "It is our desire to accomplish something each and every day that will outlive us and last for eternity." One of the ways they do this is with Christmas for an Orphan. WorldHelp says, "Christmas for an Orphan provides a way for you to say, 'Jesus loves you and so do I...and I would like to pray for you and give you this small gift.' It is a simple gesture that means more to these children than you can possibly imagine."

The children in your ministry will likely not go without gifts at Christmas. Most importantly, they will know all about the reason we give gifts . . . Jesus! We can involve our children in a project to help them learn to give to and care about others with Christmas for an Orphan from WorldHelp! We can help them develop a heart for others by involving them in opportunities to show their concern and to "Put Feet to Their Faith" and live what they believe by serving others. What better time of year to do this than Christmas? Yes, it is a few months before Christmas, but by involving our children now with this opportunity, they will be able to complete it and send it off so another child has the opportunity to open their gifts this Christmas! What could possibly be a better way for the children in our ministries to begin their celebrating of Christmas than with knowing this year, there will be children who also have a gift to open because they took the time to show their love to another child! Contact WorldHelp through this link or by calling their 800 number - 1-800-541-6691 - and they will send you free Christmas for an Orphan boxes. Then involve the children in your minsitry in projects to raise the money so they will be able to purchase items to fill their boxes for children in need . . . things like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, band-aids, pencils, crayons, paper, matchbox cars, small dolls, and hard candy along with $5 to cover shipping. They could hold cookie sales, rake yards, hold a car wash, make ornaments and sell them, there are many ways to raise the money - I'll talk about some of these more later this month. 


Involve your children in praying for the children who will receive the boxes they send. Pray with them for the WorldHelp staff who will distribute their boxes and who will most importantly, share the Good News of Jesus with children and families around the world!

Every Falling Tear - a Must-Have CD!

I am so happy to share the news of a new CD from multiple Grammy-nominated, Dove Award winning Sanctus Real lead vocalist, Matt Hammitt - Every Falling Tear. To say this CD is one everyone should have is not saying enough . . . it is incredible! The lyrics to the 10 songs are moving, challenging and encouraging and while they were written from the heart cries of a dad, they are the cries we all have at one point or another in our own lives.

Matt and his wife, Sarah, just went through one of the most difficult journeys any parent could go through - learning their baby boy had serious heart problems - half his heart wasn't developing properly. He wasn't even expected to live. Bowen did live, has had heart surgery and his dad, Matt says, “I was struggling to believe that any good could come from that painful moment when I handed my son over for that first surgery,” he says. Matt remembers thinking: “‘If things don’t work out the way that I pray they are going to work out, no matter what we go through, I still know and trust that God is faithful.’ That was really the cry of my heart--to be so invested in the truth that my emotions don’t steal me away from standing on the truth that He’s faithful. ‘I will trust you Lord with all my heart and I won’t forget how good you are.’"

This is an album with real emotions. Real questions. It shows a real person who found real peace in Jesus - even when going through a parent's nightmare. As I listened to the songs I'd think, "This is the most amazing song! It is surely my favorite!" And then I'd hear the next song and think, "I don't know how he did it, but this song has to be my favorite - it is amazing!" There are songs on this CD which left me in tears; "Afraid to love - Something that could break - Could I move on- If you were torn away - And I'm so close - To what I can't control - I can't give you half my heart - And pray He makes you whole - -You're gonna have all of me - You're gonna have all of me - 'Cause you're worth every falling tear - You're worth facing any fear - You're gonna know all my love - Even if it's not enough - Enough to mend our broken hearts - -But giving you all of me - Is where I'll start" and songs which have become the prayer of my heart; "I want to hold on 'cause I'm afraid - And I didn't ask for it to be this way - Somehow I found myself caught in the grey - Reaching out for fear, running out of faith - - You know what I don't - So help me to let go - You're in control - So help me to let go - I want to let go"

Amazing! Real. If you listen to these songs you will see the heart of a dad - a dad who is afraid, but who made the choice to trust, even when he was afraid. Every Falling Tear releases to CD on September 13th - it is absolutely one you will want to add to your collection. I'll be writing more about this cd as it's release date nears!

I'm Giving Away the Story for Teens - Family Pick!

I'm delighted to share with you a resource for the entire family . . . the Story. As Zondervan says, "God has gone to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what the Story is all about - the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity. I shared the Story NIV with you the end of July and now I'm happy to say I'm giving away the Story: Teen Edition: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God!


the Story: Teen Edition 
Foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee
Publisher - Zondervan
Ages - 13 - 18


Favorite Features -

• NIV for ease of understanding
• 31 chapters - walks reader through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation chronologicaly
• each chapter begins with a time-line
• discussion questions for each chapter with a focus on understanding
• Character listing in the back with a description of each

In the Story: Teen Edition "the text of the Bible is condensed into 31 chapters, each introduced by a quick review of where the Story has been and a hint at where it is going. Fun flipbook animation about the overall characters and elements of the Story is featured in the margins. Side tabs will help you book mark your spot in the stories, poems and teachings. Chronologically moving through events from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible text reads like a novel, sweeping you into the lives of characters. And like any good story, the Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance and redemption."


the Story: Teen Edition is perfect for the teen who has read the Bible through before as it will give them an idea of how it all "fits together". It is also perfect for the teen who has not read the Bible through before, and particularly for the one who is just showing interest in God's Word as it will help them see and understand the "story" God shares with us in His Word!


Zondervan sent me a copy of the Story: Teen Edition for review and have made another available for give-away! If you have "liked" About the Children's Department using the tab in the "find us on facebook" box ON THE BLOG, then you are entered in the drawing which will be on September 9th. If you have not "liked" this blog yet, please take a moment to do so and you will be entered in the drawing. It is this simple! Please share About the Children's Department with your friends and family so they can be in the drawing, too!

First Friday Freebies - Free On-line Cards!

When you are in ministry there are so many opportunities to thank someone, or encourage someone or notice a special day such as a birthday or anniversary. While I'm a huge fan of sending hand-written notes and cards, there are times when it is completely appropriate to send an e-card. I'm happy to share with you DaySpring's website where you are able to access and wide variety of quality e-cards for free! Cards perfect for any occasion! I particularly love the Christian Music Cards, but you will find the perfect card for nearly any card-giving occasion on this site and they are all free! Take a look around and think about who you could send an e-card to, to brighten their day!

Thank You!

As I enter my tenth month of writing About the Children's Department, I want to take a moment to thank you for reading my blog! I sincerely appreciate your feedback and hope to give you lots of reasons to keep coming back to About the Children's Department! Please share this blog with your friends and family - even if they are not serving in children's ministry, they are likely to find something interesting and useful on this blog . . . and I do have great give-aways!

Thank you for reading my blog! You are sincerely appreciated! :^)

Thoughts About Keeping Track of It All . . . Notice the Visitors Who Are There!

When it comes to visitors, you may only have one chance to make them feel as if your church is a place where they are welcome and wanted. The saying, "You have one shot at a first impression" is very true. Consider the following ways to make a great first impression when you have visitors to your children's ministry -

• post "greeters" by each door into your church - staff these booths with parents - have them sign up to be there one Sunday a month. You need a couple people so when you have a visitor, one person is able to GO WITH THEM to show them where the classrooms are and one person is able to stay at the booth to welcome any additional visitors. An added bonus to having couples staff your booth, is they could invite new families to their home for lunch after church, go with the parents to adult classes and SIT WITH THEM as well as introduce them to other "church" people, and make contact with them during the week. Plus, as if this isn't enough, they are able to watch for them to return the following Sunday and sit with them again - this is a wonderful way to make new people feel like they really are a part of your church!
• have classroom "greeters" help visitors fill in all the info you need for each child, explain any security info and introduce new children to their Small Group Shepherds/teachers
• classroom "greeters" would also prepare a card for visitor's small group shepherd and small group mates to sign to welcome them to their group so it can go in the mail on Monday morning.

These ideas just take a little planning and advance preparation - be sure there are welcome cards at your classroom greeter's table, be sure you have parents scheduled to man the welcome booths, etc, but the results are so worth it . . . visitors are made to feel wanted and welcome and you won't have wasted your "one shot" at making a great first impression! What do you do to welcome visitors?