Start the Fall on a Positive Note - Thank Your Volunteers & Start the Year, "Write"!

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.

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!

Being Found!

My grandson Josiah loves to play hide-and-seek . . . did I say "loves"??? No, it is more like he "LOVES" to play hide-and-seek! He has loved this game since he was able to walk! He loves to hide and then he loves being found, but I think it is the "being found" part he loves the most - when he was two and three he nearly always told us where he was "hiding"! He would say things like, "I'm going to hide under the table and you can count; then you can come and find me!" and when we finished counting and said, "Oh where, oh where could our sweet Josiah be? Is he under the table?" He would always say, "No! I'm hiding in the closet!!!" Plus, if we take too "long" to "find" him, he will make little sounds . . . to "help" us find him! Then when we find him, he laughs, gives us a hug and we do it all over again . . . and again . . . and again! Did I mention he "LOVES" playing hide and seek??!!!

Game On! 12 Week . . . and a Give-Away!

As you may recall, this year my Top Pick for VBS 2014 was Game On from NextGen4Christ! This excellent VBS is definitely worth taking a serious look at for how you can use it in your ministry . . . and because NextGen is giving you one more way to do exactly this! They have put together a 12 week program based on their Game On VBS which you can use on Sundays, Wednesdays, for a special event . . . however and wherever you want!

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! 

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 -

Make Your Children's Ministry a "Church Politics Free" Zone

We need to be resolute in not allowing "politics" to have any place in our children's ministries, because when people start exerting their "political" "power" or start giving in to "politics", ministry is always damaged and people are always hurt. Consider the following ways "politics" might be showing up in your ministry . . .

Minion Inspired Thoughts About Recruiting

I love recruiting . . . yes, I know you may think I'm crazy, but I love it because it means I'm inviting people to experience the amazing joy which comes from serving and besides, children's ministry is great fun! We play games, sing songs, make crafts, do science experiments, have dramas and most importantly, learn how we can know and walk with Jesus! What could possibly be better?

Back-to-Sunday-School-Prayer-Event

Yesterday I wrote about planning a, "Prayer Walk" for your church to involve everyone in praying for the 2014/15 school year of children's ministry. Today I want to give you another idea for a way to begin the school year of ministry with prayer.

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 . . . 

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"!

What is Your Ministry Really Like?

Okay, we all want to believe our church and children's ministries are places where people are affirmed, cared for, supported, encouraged and loved, but are you sure this is really the case? It is oh so easy for us to be so "caught up" in the ministry and all we do each week that we end up missing when there are people who "fall through the cracks". Consider the following . . . 

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'!" 

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!

Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 40 - Good News!

I have been enjoying the opportunity this Summer to spend time in the Book of Isaiah, so today I am sharing one more passage as I encourage you to, "take time to spend time" this summer in reading God's Word and talking with God.

So, today, let's take a look at Isaiah 40 . . .

Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 26, 28 & 30 - Perfect Peace!

This week I've been talking about taking time to spend time talking with God. We might think this is a "no-brainer", but when we get busy in children's ministry, we might let our own personal time with God, "slip". So, this week, I'm encouraging you to, "take time to spend time" talking with God!

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 . . . 

Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 25 - God ALWAYS Does What He Says He Will Do!

For the past two days I've been talking about taking time to spend time with God - even though we are busy this time of year with Summer ministry and getting ready for the Fall. I have also been sharing passages from Isaiah which have been speaking to me over the Summer; so today, I'm happy to share another one; this time it is Isaiah 25 . . . 

Take Time to Spend Time - Isaiah 12 - Find Your Salvation in God!

Yesterday I said, "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."

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 . . . 

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 . . .

Can Manners Help Us Be Real in How We Interact With Children, Volunteers and Parents?

Maralee McKee is the Manners Mentor - she speaks and writes about manners on her blog, the Manners Mentor. On of her many posts is about how to be Real and Polite. In it Maralee said, "Etiquette and manners are two different things. They tend to be lumped together. To be understood, they must be separated. Manners are the language of our truest self. Their foundation is anchored in our heart. They can’t be faked. Kind manners are our regard for the feelings and comfort of others. Manners are the hidden fruit our spirit yields. Hopefully it includes a healthy crop of kindness, gentleness, self-control, patience… the list continues. Don’t be fooled; when expressed properly, manners never cause us to become a doormat. Instead, we’re a beacon in an unsteady world." 

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 Have a Winner!

I'm happy to say Leela is the winner of Get to Know Jesus! (You'll find the review at this link.) Thank you Leela for reading About the Children's Department (please message me your address by July 17, 2014 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for met to give away!

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 . . . 

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 . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #3

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fourth biggest danger to our children's ministry: having too big a view of ourselves, what we know and what we can do. I said, "Having too big a view of ourselves, what we know and what we can do 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 having too big a view of ourselves, what we know and what we can do."

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 . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #4

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fifth biggest danger in your children's ministry: selfishness. I said, "Selfishness 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 selfishness."

Today I'm writing about Danger #4 . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #5

Over the years I've served in children's ministry, (43 to be exact!) I've had the opportunity to serve in churches where the children's ministry - and the church - were effective! Ministries where it was a blessing and joy to serve! Sadly, I've also served in churches where this was not the case. 

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 . . .

Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Valentine's Day!

There are a couple things about Valentine's Day which make it an ideal opportunity to stop and appreciate your volunteers. The first is because it is a day to show your love for others . . . certainly we love our volunteers! The second is because you can easily find lots and lots of heart-shaped items, making it so easy to put together something to thank your volunteers! Check these ideas . . . 

Sneak Peek for VBS 2015 - Camp Kilimanjaro from Answers in Genesis

While you may be focused on VBS 2014, I'm happy for the opportunity today to let you know about Answer in Genesis' VBS for 2015 - Camp Kilimanjaro! I have to say, it looks really interesting!

Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Christmas!

When it comes to volunteer appreciation, Christmas is one of the times in the year when we are most focused on doing something to say, "thank you" to those who serve in our children's ministries. There are so many ways to thank volunteers . . . from big events like open houses to just giving a gift or card; consider some of these possibilities . . . 

Start Planning a Year of Volunteer Appreciation - Think About Holidays . . . Thanksgiving!

As you think about taking time in the coming school year to thank your volunteers, along with starting the school year with a, "thank-you" (as I wrote about yesterday) don't forget to consider how you might thank your volunteers on Holidays! Today let's think about the perfect time to say, "thank-you" . . . 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 . . . 

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 . . . 

What Do I Need to "See"?

In our children's and family ministries "imparting information" is important, but it is infinitely most important for us to pray for "eyes to be opened". In our ministries we "impart" a lot of "information". We teach Bible lessons, we train volunteers, we encourage parents . . . we "impart" a lot of "information". But, do we focus on asking God to "open eyes"? What are some things we need to have our eyes . . . and the eyes of children, parents and volunteers . . . opened so we "see"? Consider the following . . .