Resources, Tips and Content for Children's Ministry and Family Life Leaders

3 Things You Need To Know Before Saying, “YES!”

September 14, 2013 by

(part 2 of 3)

Knowing what you’re getting into is a key part of the interview process. While church leadership focuses on you, you should be focusing on the church leadership to gain an understanding of who they are and who they hope to become.

There are usually three layers of discovery:

  • The general/public statements an organization posts on its website
  • The personal/job description, organizational chart and budgeted line items handed to a potential employee
  • The unwritten/sometimes non-negotiable expectations that are usually unearthed during day-to-day operations

[Read more…]

3 Things You Need To Know Before Saying, “YES!”

September 6, 2013 by

(part 1 of 3)

Every business, including the church, has its own organizational structure, priorities, hopes, dreams and levels of influence—no matter its size.

Your job, as an outsider, is to discover as much as you can in the dating process before committing to the job—even if you’ve been a volunteer within the system for a long time.

Let’s begin by taking a look at the Organizational Chart (aka “Org” chart).

The Org chart may be handed to you during the hiring process. If not, it’s always a good practice to ask for a written copy and check its accuracy with those you encounter.

The purpose of the Org chart is to show you the direct lines of authority and how the organization is structured. It divides ministries into departments and displays levels of responsibility, power and influence.

However…rarely does an Org chart tell you the whole story.

[Read more…]

Most Important Person In The Room

August 31, 2013 by

aka “The Fortholder.”

These are the Protectors, Master Organizers, Hosts and Managers.

They know stuff:

  • Potential hazards
  • Daily schedules
  • Equipment
  • Supplies
  • Emergency procedures
  • Clean up policies

They know people:

  • Volunteers
  • Parents
  • Children
  • Newbies
  • Staff

[Read more…]

Simply Strategic Volunteers

Simply StrategicRecruiting and keeping volunteers is tricky business. It requires planning, honest evaluation, casting vision, equipping, empowering, appreciating and so much more. Two top experts share 99 solutions in 1-3 page bite-sized chunks. You’ll find this book to be an invaluable tool!

 

Tony Morgan & Tim Stevens
Group Publishing, 2005

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Read-Aloud Bible Stories volumes 1-4

Read AloudFavorite all time illustrations! Read-Aloud Bible Stories have published 4 separate volumes. Each book contains 5 easy-to-read stories with pictures that generate great preschool conversations and craft ideas. Stories are followed by a simple “What did you learn?” page which states the main point and asks life application questions.

 

Ella K. Lindvall
Moody Press, Chicago, IL  1985

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Enlisting Volunteers

August 22, 2013 by

Fall is almost here, and once again it’s time to enlist, equip and empower new volunteers.
Share you best practices.
What things have you done to successfully FIND and SIGN-UP new volunteers?

Pastor Greg Sidders
White Pine Community Church, North Yarmouth, Maine

First Serve:  Sunday morning “ministry fair”, coupled with message on spiritual gifts/serving, that allows people to sign up for a one-time serving opportunity.

Announcements in church don’t work; it has to be a personal invitation.

Jenni Huter, Children’s Ministry Director
Rancho Community Church, Temecula, CA

Contacting those who have just taken the summer off is always the easiest. It’s just a matter of getting people plugged back in. A well-deserved break usually regenerates enthusiasm.

Last year our lead pastor invited Daniel Watts, Executive Director from Every Generation Ministries, to speak during our weekend services. He spoke on Matthew 19 and shared Jesus’s heart for children. In conjunction, we promoted a new ministry called “30-Family Challenge.” It encouraged families to serve together in Children’s Ministry. It was very successful. We had an influx of families, as well as individuals who enlisted to serve with us. Many [Read more…]

Keeping Kids Safe

August 9, 2013 by

As a Children’s Ministry Leader, safekeeping is always the one thing expected of you at all times—whether spoken or unspoken—and it requires much more than common sense on your part and the part of others.

Keeping kids safe requires planning, policies, training and continual re-assessment. It demands an intentionality so well done, that hopefully, it will go unnoticed.

If you are going to be ferocious about one area of ministry over all others, this is it. It only takes one child or one parent one incidence for uncertainty to set in and put the reputation of your church at risk. If kids don’t feel safe, they will make it difficult for their parents to leave them; and if parents don’t feel safe, they will choose alternatives. Either way, you will limit your opportunities to share the gospel and impact families for eternity.

[Read more…]

Pray & Play Bible

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Looking for a quick and easy Preschool Lesson? Pray & Play Bible and Pray & Play Bible 2 each hold 14 Bible story favorites in a ready-to-show-and-read format. Each story is written with little ones in mind and provides colorful illustrations. In addition, you get 3 full pages of teaching ideas per story: songs to sing, prayer ideas, related play activities, crafts, snacks and more!

By the time you finish these two lesson books, it’ll be time to start over!

 

Published by Group
Group Publishing, Inc. 1997

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Think Before You ASK

July 19, 2013 by

When inviting someone in to play a role in ministry there are a few key elements you should think through first.

1. Know what you’re inviting people into.

If it’s all foggy and undefined, tell them. If it requires a lot of time and is complicated, be straightforward. If it’s mapped out, but has limitations, restrictions and deadlines, let them know upfront. Honesty is always the best policy and it helps others make good decisions. When possible, offer a clearly defined job description as well.

2. Cast vision. Explain the eternal impact of each job.

Whether it’s a core team member or one of the many others who will hold a specific position or serve on the front line, state the kingdom impact clearly and repeat it often.

Volunteers who care for little ones in the nursery subliminally teach children that God cares for their needs, loves them and is trustworthy. They also grant each child one of the best gifts possible—designated weekly time for their parents to focus on their own relationship with God. Remind volunteers that the best thing you can give a child is a parent who is learning to fully depend upon God for wisdom, direction and strength.

[Read more…]

7 Practices of Effective Ministry

7 PracticesIf you are ready to rethink your ministry, evaluate it’s practices and re-establish a clear pathway, then you are ready for the 7 Practices of Effective Ministry.

Stanley, Joiner and Jones, three members of the North Point Ministry team, unpack the practices of their ministry success using both a baseball analogy and by pulling pages from their own staff play-book. Information shared will inspire and benefit your entire team.

Andy Stanley, Reggie Joiner, Lane Jones
Multnomah Publishers, Inc. 2004 North Point Ministries, Inc.

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