An Important Question to Consider . . .

Please take a minute or so to think about, truly think about this question. Do you know how many grandparents bring their grandchildren to your ministry, and if they did not, nobody would? 

While you likely have more parents than grandparents who bring the children they love to your church, the number of grandparents who are doing this is increasing. And, if the grandparents are the ones bringing the children to church, it is likely the parents are not going to church at all, so if anyone is handing down the faith to these children, it is just the grandparents who are doing it.

Connect the Families at Your Church & God's Word with Generations Quest

The grandparents and parents in your church know God has clearly asked them to hand down the faith. This is their God-given job and great joy. (See Psalm 78:4, 6, 7)

If they could receive anything as a gift this year, at the top of their list would absolutely be to have the ones they love make the choice to know, love and walk with God. Well, they can not make the ones they love choose to do this (and neither are we able to do this), but they also do not have to leave it to chance for them to know, love and walk with God. 

Do Your Actions Match Your Words?

A couple months ago I wrote a post about how God has created children to learn by listening and watching and children to learn by moving and doing, but in Children's Ministry we tend to only present our message to children by having them sit and listen. I said; "Who do we think we are to try and force a child God created and loves into a box in which they do not fit? I am talking about how God created children to learn and how well we obey and follow what God has decided."

Generations Quest - A Gift with Lasting Impact

With Christmas just two weeks away, we and the parents/ grandparents in our churches have been busy selecting gifts for the ones we love - and if you are like me, looking for the best buys. If you are looking for something which you - and they - could give to your families to help them all grow in their walk with God, consider Generations Quest! For just $10 you will receive an entire year of Bible readings, questions to get your family talking and activities to help you all understand the Bible and grow in your walk with God. Talk about a great buy!

Hand Down the Faith with Generations Quest - Try it For Free

One of the most important things we are able to do as people who serve in Children's Ministry is to recommend resources which equip parents and grandparents when it comes to handing down the faith. I have been working on a resource to use with my grandsons to hand down the faith and am happy to let you know about it today. I am not able to make them choose to love, know and walk with God, but I am able to engage them in reading/understanding God's Word and in watching for God's Great Deeds. If I do these two things, then they will be equipped to walk with God.

Throughout the Bible we read where God has promised His Word will accomplish what He has planned for it to do (Isaiah 55:11), is profitable for teaching (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) and is a light to our path (Psalm 119:11); just to mention three things we know are true about the Bible. God promises His words are powerful, so I want my grandsons to know what God's Word says.

Where are You in Your Ministry in Supporting Grandparents?

When you think about the people who bring the children to your Children's Ministry, who do you picture? Most likely you think of and picture the parents. There is a solid reason for this, as most of the people who bring children to your church are the parents; but not all.

New Free Christmas Cards to Connect & Stay in Touch

On my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - I shared a new free snail-mail Christmas card - so I thought I'd share it with you today, too! I said;

In this day of email, facetime and google connect,  there is no shortage of ways to connect with our grandchildren. But, they still tend to love to receive snail mail which is actually for them - especially at Christmas. Yes, old-fashioned snail mail is a wonderful way to stay in touch with our grandchildren - no matter their age or where they live.

What is Your "Job"?

What is the "job" of the person who serves in the Children's Ministry? Is it to teach children about Jesus? Is it to teach children about the Bible? Is it to lead children to Jesus? What is our "job"?

Who/What Influences Kids and How Does This Change Your Ministry?

I'd like to share another George Barna video with you today. (You will find it at this link.) In this video George talks about the seven major influences in our lives - please take a minute to watch it.

Now, consider the following . . .

Hand Down the Faith with "Mystery Bags" - Believe in God Even When We Do Not Understand

One of the most important things we do in Children's Ministry is to equip, encourage and empower the grandparents and parents of the children in our ministry, so they are able to hand down the faith to the children we all love. On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart, I share an idea each Wednesday for "Mystery Bags" - a way to engage grandchildren/children in learning about walking with God. I thought you might also enjoy today's "Mystery Bag" as an idea you could share with the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry - I said . . . 

The Roles of Parents & Grandparents in Handing Down the Faith

I've been talking about Grandparenting Ministry and how our churches need to engage, equip and  encourage grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. Today I want to share something Steve and Valerie Bell shared with us at the Legacy Coalition meeting I attended last year. They said when it comes to raising children, parents focus on peace. They want to get through the day in as peaceful a way possible - a peaceful is a good day. Parents need to provide a peaceful setting for their home; a peaceful place for children to grow up. Peace is the bottom part of a "triangle" - and gives a firm base or foundation for their family.

Help the Parents & Grandparents Leave a Legacy Which Will Endure Forever

Handing down the faith is one of the most joy-giving things the parents and grandparents of the children in your ministry will ever do. But, there are certainly going to be times when they are tired. Times when they wonder how to hand down the faith. Times when they wonder if what they are doing is making a difference.

It is in these times you are able to come alongside them and encourage them with the truth. Look what I posted this morning on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart -

Be Alert! Watch for What God Does

This morning I posted on one of my other blogs - Grandmas with Heart - about taking time to see what God is doing in our lives and I decided to share it with you. Please read and then share it with the parents and grandparents in your ministry as well.

If you are like me you have many things which fill your days - time spent growing in our walk with God, time with family, things to keep us busy at home, possibly a job, volunteering at church and the list goes on. And, since the Holiday Season is nearly upon us and there are less than two months until Christmas, we are likely to become even more busy. While we may be busy, it is essential for us to make time for those things which matter the most - such as praying, growing in our own walk with God and in handing down the faith.

A Prayer For Your Ministry - Pray For the Most Important Thing!

There are certainly many things for us to pray about when it comes to praying for the children, families and volunteers in our ministry, but I think we can take a cue from Jesus as to the most important thing for us to pray about. In Matthew 22:37-40 someone asked Jesus which command was the most important; He said, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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 -

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 to which we "turn a blind eye"? Consider the following -

Children and Domestic Abuse

Sadly in far, far too many homes around this country and around the world children witness and often experience domestic violence. This is a tragedy which passes from one generation to the next as children who experience this violence often grow to experience it again as an adult, or to go on and become an abuser themselves. Those of us who serve in Children's Ministries need to be aware of what to look for, so we may reach out and help children and adults whose lives are marred with this hideous violence. These children are often in our midst . . . we must help.

Actual and accurate statistics are difficult to find as so many cases of domestic violence go unreported, but on the Shasta Women's Refuge website I found the following information . . . 

Why We are in Children's Ministry

My background is fairly conservative when it comes to church. I grew up in the church when children sat and listened to their teachers, wrote in their student books and memorized Scripture. In High School I participated on a quiz team and loved everything about it. I wanted my children to experience the same "church" as I did, so when they were little I had them involved in a mid-week program with lots of Bible memorizing. 

My children excelled at Bible memory and moved through their books quickly and amassed their pins and badges. I was sure all of this was how it "should" be until something happened during one awards ceremony which began to completely change my opinion. All the little four year olds were waiting to receive their awards for the progress they made in their books . . . all except for one little boy. This boy had great difficulty memorizing. He did not receive an award that evening . . . and went home in tears. When I saw this I wondered what this little boy's "view" of God looked like. Did he see God as Someone Who would only be pleased with him if he were able to memorize Bible verses? Was this the view of God I wanted children to have? Of course it wasn't.

Let's Let Our Actions Speak!!!

The other day I posted about how our actions speak louder than our words . . . today I'd like to consider how just a few actions are able to communicate our love so much better than any amount of words. 

Every church has children who have a difficult time "connecting" with other children. What can we do to help these children feel like they genuinely belong? Consider the following -

Remember: Actions Speak Louder . . .

In most of our churches, we are a month into our Fall ministries and this got me to thinking . . . 

It's Not Too Late . . .

Your new Fall ministries have begun, but did you take time to sit down with the parents/grandparents and share your vision/purpose, the curriculum their children will be learning from and how they will be able to continue the learning all week at home? If not, it isn't too late to do so! Consider the following -

This IS Job One . . .

I watched a video by George Barna today and want to share a few of the main points he makes . . . consider the following -

• Children are THE most important mission field you as an adult will ever encounter!
• Children are THE mission field God sent parents and grandparents to win over for Him!
• Nobody else will have the impact on children a parents and grandparent is able to have!

We all agree, children are the most important mission field in the world - and we agree parents and grandparents have the most influence on their children and who they become, but as Barna said, "The problem is, parents surrender this impact to the world." We surrender children to -

How Can We Be More Effective?

I like video clips with George Barna . . . they give me definite things to think about. Please take a moment to listen to this clip with George Barna as he talks about how the church is able to minister more effectively today . . . 

Anything - Love = Nothing!

Do you ever listen to sermons from pastors at churches you do not attend? I'd like to share a sermon by Dr. Jim Samra on I Corinthians 13 - Think. Love. Live. Love Never Ends with you. Take 33 minutes and seven seconds to listen to this sermon . . . you will be so glad you did!

There! Did you listen to it? If not, please do!

Okay, now, a few thoughts . . . 

Who Do We Think We Are?

The God of the Universe created each and every child in our Children's Ministries. I'm sure this is a statement with which you have no problem agreeing. Yes, God created each and every child in your Children's Ministry. 

God is the One Who gets to decide the details about each and every child in our Children's Ministries. I'm sure this is also a statement with which you have no problem agreeing. Yes, again, God is the One Who gets to decide the details about each and every child in your Children's Ministry.

God loves each and every child in our Children's Ministries. Once again, I'm sure this is a statement with which you have no problem agreeing. Yes, God absolutely loves each and every child in your Children's Ministry

So, with these three truths, who do we think we are to try and force a child God created and loves into a box in which they do not fit? I am talking about how God created children to learn and how well we obey and follow what God has decided.

How Is Your Children's Ministry Helping Grandparents?

Do you know how many children in your Children's Ministry are brought to church by their grandparents? Do you know how many children in your Children's Ministry are being raised by their grandparents? The numbers of grandparents who are the only people handing faith to children is increasing and the number of custodial grandparents is raising as well.

The Price for Not Engaging Children is Far, Far, Too High

I've been writing about engaging children at church; not boring them, but instead making your Children's Ministry fun, so it accurately reflects God. Today I want to write a bit about the "why".

Put This Into Your Teaching

There is a little three-letter word which is treated as a "dirty word" in far too many churches. This little three-letter word is looked down upon as "fluff" and like something which has no place in church or the Children's Ministry. However; I do not agree.

What Are You Willing to Do?

A school not far from where I live is changing the way children will learn. They are investing a large sum of money to make this change, but the end result is the children will actually learn. 

What are they doing? Well, they are rearranging the classrooms from straight rows of chairs and a model where the children listen to the teacher talk, to round tables where children work in groups to learn together, guided by the teacher.

Why am I writing about this? Because we in the church need to be like this school. We need to stop using a model for "teaching" which was started hundreds of years ago - if not longer.

Jesus was NOT Boring - Your Children's Ministry Should Not Be Either

If you were to take a truly honest survey of the children, parents and grandparents in your Children's Ministry and ask them if they find the classes on Sunday and mid-week to be interesting and engaging, what would they say? I know what you would want them to say, but honestly, what would they say?

This is a survey you should absolutely take, because if they honestly tell you the children find the classes to be boring, then you must make changes. If you continue to do things as you are - boring children - you are giving them the absolutely wrong view of Jesus. He was NOT boring. If Jesus was not boring, and He was NOT, then teaching about Him should not be boring either.

A Free Gift for the Generations

September 9th is National Grandparents' Day - it is the perfect day to focus upon encouraging the grandparents to do the most important thing they are able to do as grandparents - pray for their grandchildren. And, since any time is a great time to encourage parents to do the same, Grandmas with Heart is delighted to give everyone a gift - a Free digital copy of Deeper In 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too - Mini Edition. You are able to download your free copy at this link. Feel free to share the link with the grandparents and parents you know.

Deeper In 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too - Mini Edition will give you 12 weeks of Scripture passages which have been personalized into prayers for you and for the children you love. It makes praying Scripture something you are able to do on a daily basis.

And, check out this link for the Christian Grandparenting Network - they have additional free resources for you to help you make National Grandparents' Day a Grandparents' Day of Prayer!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose 

Reach the Hearts of Their Grandchildren

I originally posted this a couple weeks ago, but the grandparents in your ministry still have time to go to this - it is next week - so I decided to share it again. Please pass the word to the grandparents you know.

One of the things we want to do on the Grandmas with Heart blog is to let you know about resources and opportunities for the grandparents of the children in your ministry which will equip and encourage them to hand down the faith to their grandchildren. So, today I am very happy to let you know about two opportunities for them to hear from John Stonestreet (president - The Colson Center) and Larry Fowler (president - Legacy Coalition). John and Larry will be discussing "Four Big Cultural Shifts and How to Help the Next Generation Navigate Them" and "The Amazing Influence of a Grandparent", respectively, on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT in Petoskey, Michigan and Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT, in Traverse City, Michigan.

Please Share Your Prayer History

I (Lynda) am working on a new book - The DNA of Praying Grandparents & Parents. I hope to complete it the beginning of September, but am asking for your help. I would love, absolutely love to be able to include a chapter which shares accounts from people across the country - and even from around the world - about how God has answered their prayers. 

So, I am asking for your help. If you would be willing to share your, "Prayer History", some of how God has answered your prayers, or the prayers of your family, please email me at lyndagcj@gmail.com  I'm not looking for pages and pages of your "Prayer History", just a few sentences or a paragraph which share about a time when God answered your prayers.

I would be honored to include in my book how God has answered your prayers - please email me and feel free to share this with others who you know have experienced the way God answered their prayers as well.

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Reaching the Hearts of Their Grandchildren

One of the things we want to do on the Grandmas with Heart blog is to let you know about resources and opportunities for the grandparents of the children in your ministry which will equip and encourage them to hand down the faith to their grandchildren. So, today I am very happy to let you know about two opportunities for them to hear from John Stonestreet (president - The Colson Center) and Larry Fowler (president - Legacy Coalition). John and Larry will be discussing "Four Big Cultural Shifts and How to Help the Next Generation Navigate Them" and "The Amazing Influence of a Grandparent", respectively, on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT in Petoskey, Michigan and Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT, in Traverse City, Michigan.

Make a Significant Difference in the Children - Engage the Generations

Did you know Children's Ministry is a great fit for equipping grandparents? Did you know studies show most children go to church every other week? This means out of 336 hours (the number of hours in two weeks) children are at church for just one to three hours (depending on if they also go to the mid-week Children's Ministry - read the book, The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children for more info on this.). 

Even in a best case scenario where a child is at church every time the doors are open, they are only there for six out of 336 hours. How is a Children's Ministry possibly able to hand down faith if a child is only at church for one to six hours out of 336? Which also leaves us with the question; "Is it the 'job' of the Children's Ministry to hand down the faith? And, "If it is not the Children's Ministry's 'job', then whose job is it?"

Bullying . . . Our Words & Attitudes Matter

Children typically do not have trouble seeing physically harming others
and saying unkind things as unacceptable acts of bullying, but they
may not consider having an unkind attitude as an equally
unacceptable type of bullying. We need to help them understand it is
NEVER acceptable for them to be unkind to others. Consider the
following from Ephesians 4 -

Bullying and Children’s Ministry

With the news of children taking their lives because of being
bullied, I want to talk about how we in Children’s Ministry can take a
stand against bullying. If these children had been my children,
grandchildren or a part of my church, my heart would be broken.

Two Free Resources for Parents & Grandparents

If we are serious about equipping parents so they are able to be the primary teachers, leaders and disciplers of their children, then we need to be "sharers of resources"! Let your parents - and grandparents - know of resources which provide information, ideas and tools which they might take advantage of as they strive to lead their children. So, today I have two free resources you could let the parents and grandparents in your ministry know about!

It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren is FREE This Week Only - June 4, 2018 - June 8, 2018

Yes! The day has arrived and it is downloading the complete book now . . . so, you are able to download your free Kindle e-Book of It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren! If you have been thinking about the books you would like to read this summer, this is a great book to add to your list . . . especially since you are able to get a FREE Kindle e-Book today!

Do NOT Order Your Free Book . . . Yet . . .

Okay - I expected to let you know to go ahead and download your free copy of It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren, but please do NOT. Apparently Kindle is only sending the cover and not the text of the book - I have them working on it, but it is not currently available. 

As soon as this is corrected I will let you know. So very sorry for the delay.

Get Your Own Free e-Book of It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren, Tomorrow

Tomorrow on Monday, June 4, 2018, you, and the grandparents, parents at your church, will be able to download your free Kindle e-Book of my new book; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren! This book is filled with my own stories about my grandsons as well as with Scripture and ideas to use with the children you all love as well as you hand down the faith; such as this one from Chapter Four - We All Want to Be Found . . .

Get Your Own Free Copy of It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren in Just Three Days

Yes! In just three days you - and the grandparents and parents in your church - will be able to download to your Kindle or computer a free e-Book of my new book - It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren! Look what people who have read it are saying about it . . . 

Rebuild the Foundations

Almost three years ago, in a town not far from where I live, a tornado hit; three churches in this small community were damaged, seriously. One was a church which was 160 years old. The members of this church were understandably quite dismayed and disheartened to see the significant damage to their church. However; their sadness turned to rejoicing when the builders who began the work to rebuild brought them shocking news. As these builders surveyed the damage and began the work, they discovered nothing was holding up the floor of this old church building. The years had taken their toll and unbeknownst to the church members, their church floor was unsupported and about to collapse. The tornado actually saved them.

Bibles for Children Moving Out of Children's Ministry

My oldest grandson is approaching a "milestone" in his life; he will be leaving the Children's Ministry at our church and entering the Student/Middle School Ministry. A big moment for sure! 

As I thought about this the other day, I realized he has a Children's Bible. An actual Bible, yes, but a Bible designed for children with illustrations on the covers and features inside to help children read and understand the Bible. I especially like two of the Children's Bibles he has - the Investigator's Bible and the Children's Quest Bible, but they are Bibles for children and what new Middle Schooler wants to bring a Children's Bible to church with them?

So, I found some Bibles for teens and Zondervan kindly sent them to me for review - today I'm very happy to let you know about them, so you could share the information with the grandparents and parents in your ministry.

Why Should the Children's Ministry Also Focus Upon Equipping Generations?

Last week I wrote about the statistics regarding how often children go to church. You will find my full post at this link, which if you did not read it, please take a moment to do so now.

If the average child in your church is only at church for one to three hours out of every 336 hours (two weeks), and in the best-case scenario they are there for six hours in the same time period, how are you best able to use the time you have to make the most impact on these children, so they choose to love and follow Jesus for all of their lives?

Excellent question. Fair question. Most importantly, a question you really do need to think and pray about. And one which should call upon you to act.

Which brings up another excellent, fair and needed question . . . how should you "act" based upon this information?

Free Gift for You, the Parents & Grandparents at Your Church - a Kindle e-book

I'm very happy to share with you a simple tool which you may use to help you pray for yourself, your walk with God and for your daughters, sons, in-laws and grandchildren and their walks with God as well. What is this tool? The book - Deeper In 4 Grandparents & Parents, Too! Praying the Scriptures for the Children You Love - Mini Edition!

And, from tomorrow, May 11th at 12am through May 15, 2018 you are able to download the Kindle edition at this link for FREE! Yes, it is our gift to you, so please check it out, download a copy for yourself and share the link with the people you know so they are able to do the same!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Who Are the Grandparents of the Children in Your Ministry?

When you think about the families of the children in your  Children's Ministry you of course think of the children; we know who they are. They are the people between the ages of birth and nine, ten or eleven - depending on where your church ends Children's Ministry and begins Student Ministries. 

We know who the children are - this one is obvious. But who else makes up the "family"? This may also seem obvious - clearly parents are part of the family, but there are more people you may miss when you think about the "family" of the children in your ministry. These "more" people are the grandparents.

Change the Lives of Children & Families!

Did you know Children's Ministry is a great fit for equipping grandparents? Did you know studies show most children go to church every other week? This means out of 336 hours (the number of hours in two weeks) children are at church for just one to three hours (depending on if they also go to the mid-week Children's Ministry - read the book, The Question Nobody Asks About Our Children for more info on this.). 

Even in a best case scenario where a child is at church every time the doors are open, they are only there for six out of 336 hours. How is a Children's Ministry possibly able to hand down faith if a child is only at church for one to three hours out of 336? Which also leaves us with the question; "Is it the 'job' of the Children's Ministry to hand down the faith? And, "If it is not the Children's Ministry's 'job', then whose job is it?"

CM Conference - North America

Yesterday (May 3rd) I was blessed to teach two breakouts at the 2019 CM Conference - North America. First I want to thank Michael Chanley for all the work he put into this conference - it was excellent! (And I'm so happy to finally meet in person after all these years!) 

And, thank you to everyone who came to my two breakouts - Engaging the Invisible Army (recruiting grandparents) and Equipping Grandparents to Hand Down the Faith to the Children in your Ministry. You all were wonderful and I'm so blessed to have had you each in my breakouts!

And if you (whether you were at the conference or not) have any questions about involving grandparents in your Children's Ministry and/or equipping grandparents to hand down faith to their grandchildren, contact me any time - lyndagcj@gmail.com (and if you want a free resource to engage families - just email and ask for Bible Journey Trusting God Event - I'll be happy to give it to you.)

Finally, if you missed the conference this year - CM-Conference - North America, plan to be there next year - you will be so glad you do!

Hand Down the Faith with Generations Quest!

One of the things we want to do here on Grandmas with Heart is let you know about resources which will help you hand down the faith to your grandchildren. Today I want to let you know about a new resource you could share with the parents and grandparents in your ministry, so they could use it to hand down the faith by getting their grandchildren to read the Bible with them - no matter their age or location. Consider this your invite to try it for a month!

Generations Quest will be launching in a few weeks, but I do have one month available for you to try for free. The idea is simple. Each day parents/grandparents and their children and grandchildren all read a few verses and think about a question or two. Once or twice a month they connect - in person, over the phone, on-line - however works for them - to talk about what they all are learning.

A Free Resource to Help Parents & Grandparents Hand Down the Faith

One of the things we need to do in Children's Ministry is to provide resources for the parents and grandparents to use to hand down faith to the children they love. Grandma's with Heart blog and facebook page has a fun, free resource which you could share with the parents and grandparents in your church. Get all the details and the free download at this link and show them just how easy - and fun it can be to hand down faith to the children they love.