I love volunteer appreciation . . . what could be more fun than saying "thank you";
especially to people who are volunteering!!! While there are a lot of things to do when starting your school year of ministry, doing so with expressing your appreciation to those who volunteer to serve, is absolutely the best way to start the year!
If you are looking for a simple, and inexpensive, way to say, "thank you" to those who are involved in your children's ministry, check this fun idea I found on Pinterest.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Are you a "Seed Planter" or a "Harvester"?
I was thinking this morning about my grandsons (I have three, ages one, three and almost
six) and remembered when the oldest asked Jesus into his heart; clearly one of the happiest days of my life! It was June 11, 2012 . . . I received a phone call I’ll never forget which let me know about this amazing thing which happened. My three year old grandson, Josiah got on the phone and said, “I’m part of God’s family now, grandma!” I can assure you it was the best news I could ever receive! The angels in Heaven were certainly celebrating, but I can guarantee you they could not have possibly celebrated more than this grandma! :^)
Well, all this got me to thinking . . . what could possibly be a more wonderful thing than for a parent to lead their child to Jesus? I can’t think of anything more wonderful! My daughter-in-law was talking with Josiah and he said he wanted to be part of God’s family, so she had the great privilege and joy of leading her sweet son to Jesus!
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Well, all this got me to thinking . . . what could possibly be a more wonderful thing than for a parent to lead their child to Jesus? I can’t think of anything more wonderful! My daughter-in-law was talking with Josiah and he said he wanted to be part of God’s family, so she had the great privilege and joy of leading her sweet son to Jesus!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Being Found!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Game On! 12 Week . . . and a Give-Away!
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Plus, this new 12 week resource is included free with their Digital VBS! Not only is this an amazing resource, but it is an amazing value, as well!
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Does the Church "Tolerate" Some Types of Bullying?
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Make Your Children's Ministry a "Church Politics Free" Zone
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Friday, July 25, 2014
Minion Inspired Thoughts About Recruiting
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Back-to-Sunday-School-Prayer-Event
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If you are looking for a way to start your new school year of ministry with a focus on supporting and encouraging your volunteers and under-girding your ministry with prayer from the "get-go", hold a "Back-to-Sunday-School-Prayer-Event"! The idea behind this is to provide an opportunity for parents and volunteers to meet and talk together before, or at the beginning of, the new Sunday school year and to involve your entire church in praying for your children's ministry . . . and you do have time to do this as it is really simple to plan the event - all you need to do is . . .
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Plan a Prayer Walk to Start your 2014/15 School Year of Ministry!
Last year my church held a, "Prayer Walk" which gave everyone in the church the
opportunity to walk through the children's and youth areas of our church and pray for all the ministry which would take place in the coming school year. It was wonderful!
This year we are planning another, "Prayer Walk", and if you have not planned to do something similar, you still have time to plan a prayer walk of your own! I'm re-posting my post from last year which explained the prayer walk so you can see how you can plan a walk of your own.
Last night I went on a Prayer Walk at my church. What is a "Prayer Walk", you ask? Well, it is an absolutely amazing opportunity to walk through the classrooms at your church and pray for the volunteers and children who will be serving and learning in those rooms throughout the coming year! Come along with me on my, "Prayer Walk"!
This year we are planning another, "Prayer Walk", and if you have not planned to do something similar, you still have time to plan a prayer walk of your own! I'm re-posting my post from last year which explained the prayer walk so you can see how you can plan a walk of your own.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
What is Your Ministry Really Like?

Sunday, July 20, 2014
Are Your Volunteers "Invisible"? Make them "Visible" - Check these posts on CM Buzz!
In addition to writing About the Children's Department I also am one of the writers for CM Buzz. A couple years ago I wrote about invisible and visible volunteers. You can still find these posts - just follow these links . . . Make Your Children's Ministry Volunteers "Visible"! and . . . 'Are your children’s ministry volunteers "invisible”?
"Catchy" titles? Well, in these posts, I ask, in the eyes of the rest of your church, are your volunteers invisible? Do the people in your church know who they are? In far too many churches the children’s ministry volunteers are 'invisible'. People do not know who they are or what they do.' I then shared some of the problems we experience when our volunteers are 'invisible' and a few ideas of ways to help your children’s ministry volunteers be 'visible'!"
"Catchy" titles? Well, in these posts, I ask, in the eyes of the rest of your church, are your volunteers invisible? Do the people in your church know who they are? In far too many churches the children’s ministry volunteers are 'invisible'. People do not know who they are or what they do.' I then shared some of the problems we experience when our volunteers are 'invisible' and a few ideas of ways to help your children’s ministry volunteers be 'visible'!"
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Surf's Up - A Must-Read Resource from the Web - Soul Crossing
For a number of years Bruce Kalish was the senior pastor at the church I belonged to.
Bruce has a definite gift for making Scripture clear and understandable and I appreciated how he taught with a quiet grace which made learning from him a true gift!
Bruce is now the chaplain at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, but I still get the opportunity from time to time to learn from him through his blog, Soul Crossing. Bruce had this to say about it; "I have debated for a long time about blogging. Writing, any writing, is difficult for me. It is excruciatingly personal and often painful. Yet, I am compelled to write. Not because I have something novel or even important to express. But, because writing requires me to slow down and give attention to being instead of doing and I need that regular exercise of my soul. I have chosen to explore themes of soul development, spiritual formation & following Jesus. I have been following Jesus for more than a half-century now. I am weary of labels and programs and media-drunk slick (does that word require the “l”?) Christianity. I long to become simply, basically, merely Christian (Yes, source those adverbs and you will find my mentors). I want to let the shadow of Christ’s love displayed at Golgotha fall across my soul, and thereby my world. This soul crossing is what I will write about. Not every day. But I will commit to blogging every week. I pledge reflective, contemplative, raw honesty as best I am able. I hope my soul crossing will help you simply follow Jesus; merely cross your soul."
Take time to visit Soul Crossing as you, "simply follow Jesus" as well; you'll be so glad you did!
Bruce has a definite gift for making Scripture clear and understandable and I appreciated how he taught with a quiet grace which made learning from him a true gift!
Bruce is now the chaplain at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, but I still get the opportunity from time to time to learn from him through his blog, Soul Crossing. Bruce had this to say about it; "I have debated for a long time about blogging. Writing, any writing, is difficult for me. It is excruciatingly personal and often painful. Yet, I am compelled to write. Not because I have something novel or even important to express. But, because writing requires me to slow down and give attention to being instead of doing and I need that regular exercise of my soul. I have chosen to explore themes of soul development, spiritual formation & following Jesus. I have been following Jesus for more than a half-century now. I am weary of labels and programs and media-drunk slick (does that word require the “l”?) Christianity. I long to become simply, basically, merely Christian (Yes, source those adverbs and you will find my mentors). I want to let the shadow of Christ’s love displayed at Golgotha fall across my soul, and thereby my world. This soul crossing is what I will write about. Not every day. But I will commit to blogging every week. I pledge reflective, contemplative, raw honesty as best I am able. I hope my soul crossing will help you simply follow Jesus; merely cross your soul."
Take time to visit Soul Crossing as you, "simply follow Jesus" as well; you'll be so glad you did!
Friday, July 18, 2014
Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 40 - Good News!
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 26, 28 & 30 - Perfect Peace!
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I've been sharing passages with you from Isaiah this week because I've found them to be so encouraging! Today I'd like to encourage you to read some verses from Isaiah 26, 28 and 30 . . .
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 25 - God ALWAYS Does What He Says He Will Do!
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 12 - Find Your Salvation in God!
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Then I shared a passage from Isaiah 57 and a scripture prayer with you. Today I want to share another passage with you; this time from Isaiah 12 . . .
Monday, July 14, 2014
Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 57 - Find Your Refuge in God!
As we move through the Summer, we can become extremely focused on getting ready for
the Fall ministries to begin. While there is good reason for this, it is also important for us to stay focused on God and how our ministries are really His. Yes, we have work to do, but it is God who moves people's hearts to get involved and serve; not us!
So, in all your busyness, do not forget to spend time with God each day. I have been spending time in Isaiah this Summer and have been encouraged with a number of things. I thought I'd share some of these with you this week. Consider a few things I'm learning from Isaiah 57 . . .
the Fall ministries to begin. While there is good reason for this, it is also important for us to stay focused on God and how our ministries are really His. Yes, we have work to do, but it is God who moves people's hearts to get involved and serve; not us!
So, in all your busyness, do not forget to spend time with God each day. I have been spending time in Isaiah this Summer and have been encouraged with a number of things. I thought I'd share some of these with you this week. Consider a few things I'm learning from Isaiah 57 . . .
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Can Manners Help Us Be Real in How We Interact With Children, Volunteers and Parents?
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Saturday, July 12, 2014
Manners and Children's Ministry
Friday, July 11, 2014
I Have a Winner!

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #1
Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the second biggest danger to our children's
ministry: the trap of "gossip". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "gossip" will stop your children's ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray because there is no room in any children's ministry for gossip when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry and causes real harm to others."
Today I'm writing about what I consider to be the #1 Danger to our children's ministries . . .
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Today I'm writing about what I consider to be the #1 Danger to our children's ministries . . .
Thursday, July 10, 2014
The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #2
Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the third biggest danger to our children's
ministry: the trap of "comfort". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "comfort" will stop your children's ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray because there is no room in any children's ministry for comfort when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry."
Today I'm writing about Danger #2 . . .
ministry: the trap of "comfort". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "comfort" will stop your children's ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray because there is no room in any children's ministry for comfort when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry."
Today I'm writing about Danger #2 . . .
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #3
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Today I'm writing about Danger #3 . . .
. . . comfort. This is also an easy trap to fall into . . . in fact, it is one we might not even realize we have fallen into. So, how can we know if we have fallen into the trap of, "comfort"? Consider the following . . .
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #4
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Today I'm writing about Danger #4 . . .
Monday, July 7, 2014
The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #5
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As I look back on the years of ministry and the churches where I've served, there are five things which stand out to me as the, "Biggest Dangers to Our Children's Ministry"; today I'll write about Danger #5 . . .
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Valentine's Day!

Saturday, July 5, 2014
Sneak Peek for VBS 2015 - Camp Kilimanjaro from Answers in Genesis
Friday, July 4, 2014
Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Christmas!


Thursday, July 3, 2014
Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Thanksgiving!

On a day when we take time to say, "Thank-you", thanking our volunteers is definitely appropriate! Consider the following ways to do exactly this . . .
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Kick it Off With a Thank-You!
Summer is a busy time of year for families; which means it is often a busy time of year for

volunteers. Some churches are busy with ministry in the summer while others have a less busy schedule. However; regardless of your schedule and how busy you are, Summer is the perfect time to think about what you will do throughout the new school year to show appreciation to your volunteers!
Since most of our volunteers serve throughout the school year - some all year, it is appropriate to think about how we can show our appreciation all year! Consider some of the following ideas for thanking volunteers as the new school year begins . . .

Since most of our volunteers serve throughout the school year - some all year, it is appropriate to think about how we can show our appreciation all year! Consider some of the following ideas for thanking volunteers as the new school year begins . . .
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
What Do I Need to "See"?

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