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Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership

The Third Week of Advent: JOY

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My favorite Christmas carol is “Joy to the World.” I think that hymn sums it all up for me and when we finally sing it at church, I know it’s Christmas time! Growing up someone once said that true joy can be found when one get’s his joy in order. A simple acrostic helps put your priorities in order and can really help you find joy this holiday season.

J – Jesus: I know it’s an old saying but it’s the truth and we should never tire of focusing on Jesus at Christmas. Get this one right and everything else usually falls into place. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the “stuff” that Christmastime brings but our challenge is to make sure that Jesus stays at the center of our Christmas celebrations and fun. For me, that takes some intentional planning and preparation. Scheduling time with friends and family to not only exchange gifts, eat awesome food, and enjoy each other’s fellowship, but to stop and purposefully focus of The Gift we’ve been given through Christ Jesus. The focus can’t stop with His birth but quickly move to His sacrifice, truly the greatest gift ever given.

O – Others: Don’t misunderstand me here. I am very aware that Kids Ministers are most ALWAYS focusing on someone other than themselves, but I’m talking about looking for folks who might not be expecting your kindness and share with them a bit of Christmas joy. Are there people in your community that you and your family could reach out to this season? What about the senior adults in your community who may be alone? What about those who’ve been severely affected by the ongoing recession? Perhaps you know someone who experienced death this year and is doing Christmas for the first time without their loved one. There are people all around us who are in need. Look for ways to express love to others.

Y – You:  Please note that YOU are on this list! Too many times we overlook ourselves and never get around to doing something nice for “me.” After you’ve got the “J” and the “O” straightened out, take some time for the “Y,” you! Carve out some time this season to take care of yourself. Read a book; watch a movie; take a nap. Sometimes, we can’t find our joy because we’re too tired to look. Over the holidays schedule some time to relax and refresh so you’ll be refueled for the New Year.

Joy to the world the Lord has come; Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrow grow, nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love.

 

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry, Leadership

The Second Week of Advent: PEACE

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We’re well into the Advent season and I’m getting more and more excited about celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. I am thankful for the opportunity to be reminded of the Christ child and the gift He is to me.

In March of 2010, my father was given a diagnosis no one wants to hear. My dad was told that he had cancer and that left untreated, he would live about six weeks. Additionally, the doctor shared that because of the kind of cancer he had and because of his age, traditional therapies would not be available to him. It was a pretty tough diagnosis for him and for our family.

I remember visiting dad in the hospital after the diagnosis. I remember that we all had heavy hearts and we were all pretty shook up. I remember my dad telling me that day that he was going to be okay. I remember thinking, “no, dad … you’re really not okay this time.” As we talked he shared with me that for him, it was just a “moving on” from this life to his eternal life with Jesus. He was certain that his life wasn’t going to end; it was going to continue in heaven. He specifically said that he was at peace with God.

As I think about that example of peace I’m even more convinced that the only true peace comes from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Jesus chose to come to earth and ultimately die for us so that we might have eternal life and a real peace.

My pastor shared it well when he said, “If you want to know the peace of God, you need to be AT peace WITH God!” And, the only way to be a peace with God is to know His Son, the Prince of Peace … Jesus, the baby we celebrate this holiday season.

As the weeks and what turned into months passed it wasn’t always good for dad … but I am thankful for the peace that was my dad’s that first day. I am thankful for the example he gave us as he testified to the knowledge that His Savior, Jesus Christ was enough for him.

Take time today to thank God for His gift, The Gift … Jesus … the Prince of Peace!

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Advent, Christmas, Kids Ministry

The First Week of Advent: HOPE

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I didn’t grow up celebrating Advent. We certainly prepared both our home and our hearts through the many traditions and celebrations, but we didn’t call it Advent. It wasn’t until later that I came to appreciate the value of this tradition of expectation and have since acknowledged and practiced the disciplines of Advent every December.

As kids ministers, we are now “knee-deep” in one of the busiest seasons of our ministry year. If we’re not leading various Christmas celebrations and traditions, we’re undergirding other ministries in the church with childcare as they celebrate. It is a very busy time and can quickly turn from a season of celebration to a season of stress and resentment. So, each Monday I’m going to share a quick devotional thought that I hope will help you focus on the true meaning and yes, the “reason for the season” as we approach Christmas day.

This week I want to challenge you to consider the Hope that is ours through the birth of Christ.

As a young child, I remember hoping for various gifts. When the Christmas catalogs began to arrive in our mailboxes my brothers and sister and I would take turns circling the items that we hoped we’d get for Christmas. As I got older those gifts became bigger and bigger.

I remember one Christmas when I learned a valuable lesson. I had asked for a particular gift that year and it was a really big gift. It wasn’t anything that could have been wrapped and it wasn’t anything that would have fit under our Christmas tree and to be honest, I wasn’t even sure if my parents were going to be able to pull this gift off … but I had a lot of hope that my special gift would be there on Christmas morning.

On Christmas morning I always woke up really early. Oftentimes I would wake up, check out the loot “santa” had left, play around a little and then go back to bed. My family would get up later and we’d all go to the living room together and enjoy watching each other see the awesome gifts that had appeared during the night. That particular year was not any different except when I got up in the middle of the night my hopes were dashed. That year my large gift was nowhere in sight. I was devastated. I couldn’t believe it. I went back to bed and cried myself to sleep (okay, as I type this I realize what a spoiled brat I was).

Later (at a more respectable time on Christmas morning) my parents came to wake me so we could all go see what had been delivered. I didn’t want to get up. As a matter of fact, I refused. Finally, my dad came in my room and strongly encouraged me to get up and participate in the family traditions. I remember rudely (I’m really feeling bad about how poorly I acted) sharing that there was really no point in me getting up because what I had hoped for wasn’t there.

Most of the time, my dad was quick to remind me of my sinfulness through various acts of correction. But this time he must have seen the teachable moment that I had presented. I remember him saying to me, “sometimes the gifts we’re looking for aren’t always in the places we expect them.”

With his encouragement I got up and looked in our newly finished basement game room and found my gift, exactly what I had asked for, sitting there waiting for me. I was ecstatic.

I really did learn a lot that Christmas. I learned that my parents would do almost anything to see to it that we got what we wanted (even build a new game room to house those ridiculous requests). I learned that sometimes the best gifts don’t come all wrapped up and found under the tree. But I think the most important thing I learned that year is that “sometime the gifts we’re hoping for aren’t always in the places we expect.”

What do you hope for this Christmas? Jesus, THE HOPE, was not found where most were looking. Shepherds and kings would have to trust the star to lead them to The Hope, the King of the universe, delivered in the most humble means. The HOPE of the world was found in a poor manger stall yet that Gift was then, and still is today, the greatest gift you can ever receive.

This season take time to seek hope in the unexpected places. Challenge yourself to find hope as you acknowledge The Hope, Christ Jesus.

Remember this favorite “hope verse” as you reflect today on those things for which you’re hoping. “For I know the plan I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope!” Jeremiah 29:11

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

Kids Ministry, Leadership, Training

What About Kids Ministry?

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I knew God called me to ministry. I knew He had placed a burden in my heart specifically for kids ministry, and I realized that He had gifted me with talents that would help me in the role I’d just been chosen to fill. But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was doing. I’d had formal education for which I’m thankful, but I needed quick answers to the everyday questions, issues, and ministry struggles that I now faced and for which I didn’t feel equipped.

I was immediately enrolled in the school of hard knocks and began seeking and reading and studying other ministries I thought could give me direction. I was blessed with ministry leaders in my community who had pity on me, perhaps saw potential, and jumped in to give direction and serve as mentors and friends. I will forever be grateful to Margaret Rogers, Susie Webb, Clara Mae Van Brink, Kim Harris, and Bill Young. The first year wasn’t easy. But with my calling secure, my support system in place, and the Holy Spirit empowering me, I made it through.

I’ve often wished there had been a resource that would have quickly answered my questions. I needed a one-stop resource that I could reference and trust. It is in the hopes of offering that resource to others that What About Kids Ministry? was created.

I couldn’t have been the only minister who needed help and answers, and I’m pretty sure there are still many today who are experiencing the same feelings of inadequacy and need for direction and assurance. So, I sat with ministry colleagues here at LifeWay and began to seek practical answers to questions relevant to today’s KidMin leaders.

I am thankful for the answer compiled in this book by ministry experts with vast and varied backgrounds. I’m thankful for their ministry to children and their families. I’m most thankful to God who loves kids, families, and those of us who are trying hard to honor Him as we minister. To God be the glory! Great things He has done and will do through each of you.

Our prayer is that What About Kids Ministry? will help to anchor your ministry, equip you in Kingdom work, empower you to lead kids to spiritual transformation, and encourage you to  disciple boys and girls to become culture shapers in our world today.

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Family Ministry, Kids Ministry, Leadership

ETCH Spotlight: Stephanie Chase

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Meet my friend, Stephanie Chase.

Stephanie Chase has been married to Rick Chase for 25 years and has loved partnering with him as they raised their three children. She is a graduate of Texas Tech University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Stephanie has served in Education and Kids Ministry as a teacher, director, writer, and trainer for over 20 years and currently serves as the Kids Minister at Champion Forest Baptist Church. Stephanie loves the Lord, her family, people, and is passionate about developing leaders and raising up the next generation of believers through writing, speaking and serving!

We are very excited that Stephanie is returning to our faculty again this year for ETCH 2018. Stephanie will be leading these sessions at this year’s event:

Burn Out? What do I do When I Can’t Go Anymore?

Nobody wants to admit when it happens but it does. Every leader experiences burn out at some point in ministry. Learn the signs, steps to move to a new start, and ways to prevent it.

You + Parents = Eternal Impact

Where do children go when they leave your ministry each week? HOME! What’s happening there? Discover how to connect, encourage, and equip parents to continue at home what you start in your small group or ministry!

Technology is Taking Over the Families I’m Leading – What do I Do?

Families spend far more time on technology than in God’s word, at church, or with each other? Frustrated by this fact? Discover ways to help families put technology in its proper place and move from screens to faces, keyboards to conversations, and pics to people they love.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Stephanie and many other great breakout presentations. Check out ETCHConference.com and register HERE.

(Register NOW to avoid the price increase on Sept. 1)

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Kids Ministry, Leadership

ETCH Spotlight: Kevin Jones

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Meet Kevin Jones.

Kevin is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. He is the Co-Editor of Removing the Stain of Racism from the Southern Baptist Convention: Diverse African American and White Perspective and contributor in Perspectives on Family Ministry. Jones’s longing is to see fathers build resilient sons and to see Christian teachers and leaders influence the lives of students nationally and internationally, both teaching and leading to the glory of God. He and his high school sweetheart, Demica have three children.

Kevin will be presenting these important breakouts during ETCH 2018:

Solid Faith in Broken Classrooms:

Many teachers and students in Christian and secular context have a firm understanding of the Gospel, but struggle to implement evangelism in the public square. During this session, I will encourage and share essentials on having solid faith in the classroom.

Methods of Family Ministry:

During this session, Kevin will share lessons learned while serving in diverse ministry approach context. Participants will be given a snapshot of social, contextual, and spiritual indicators specific to each (Family-Integrated Ministry, Family-Based Ministry, and Family- Equipping Ministry) context and hear how to appreciate a hybrid of these approaches.

The Church’s Responsibility in Culture Shaping:

During this session, Kevin will share things vital on how to prepare the next generation on cultural sensitivity. Learn to identify and understand opportunities and challenges that affect the home and churches response to continued growth in ethnic diversity.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Kevin share from his heart this year at ETCH 2018. If you still need to register, CLICK HERE!  

Encouragement, Kids Ministry, Leadership

Dealing with Difficult People

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People are flawed. And because people are people, and because ministry is to, for, with, and by people, you’re probably dealing with some people you consider to be flawed and difficult. And the truth is, there are likely other people who consider you to be part of their “difficult” people group.

The first thing we need to realize is that there’s not much you can do to change anyone. You aren’t able to make those “difficult” people act any less difficult. The only person you can change is you. We can’t control how people respond, but we can control how we respond to others.

Let’s call on scripture to help us know what we can do to work more effectively with the difficult people in our lives. Let’s see what James 1 says:

TAKE A DEEP BREATH (verse 2-4):

“Consider it a great joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

What? Consider these difficult people GREAT JOY? Yep, that’s what it says. Maybe, just maybe, this difficult person has been placed in your life to mature and grow you. See the situation as an opportunity, not a punishment.

PRAY (verse 5):

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him.”

Pray and ask for wisdom. Seek wisdom on how to deal with the difficult situation, person, and behavior. Pray for the person with whom you are struggling. Ask God to show you the way He sees them.

2 Corinthians 5:16 tells us, “From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way.”

So, when you look at difficult people around you, don’t see them in a human way; see them as Jesus would see them. Think of people how Jesus thinks of people. Learn to see what Jesus sees in people.

  • Man saw a lunatic; God saw a righteous man — Noah.
  • Man saw a possible attempted murderer; God saw a father of a nation in Abraham.
  • His brothers saw an arrogant brat; In Joseph, God saw a way for His people to survive.
  • Man may have seen a murdering bush-talker; God saw a leader for deliverance named Moses.
  • Man saw a stuck-up elitist; God saw a missionary named Jonah.
  • Man saw a lying, cheating, tax collector; Jesus saw a forgiven man named Zacchaeus.
  • Man saw a homeless, radical troublemaker; God saw the Savior of the world —  Jesus.

HANG IN THERE (verse 12):

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life He has promised to those who love him.”

If you’re angry, find a healthy way to diffuse your anger. Endure the trial. Know that there’s a reward coming!

CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF THE DIFFICULTY (verse 13-14):

“No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God’ … But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires.”

To be clear, God does not use sin to tempt you. Be careful not to look past the mirror to explain the difficult situation. You may be looking at the problem in the eyes.

TAKE A THREE-STEP APPROACH (verse 19)

“My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”

#1 – Be quick to listen. #2 – Be slow to speak. #3 – Be slow to anger! Very good advice. We have two ears and one mouth. Perhaps that’s God’s way of instructing us to speak half as much as we listen. Be careful as you deal with difficult people. Anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

TAKE ACTION (verse 22-25)

“But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works – this person will be blessed in what he does.”

Be a doer. Take action, not to react, but respond. And don’t forget to look in the mirror. We’re all sinners in need of forgiveness. Then, be blessed! Let it go. Give it to God and don’t take it back!

Dealing with difficult people can be difficult. I’m working hard at not being difficult as I deal with those I perceive to be difficult. I’m trying to see these people differently. Not as difficult, but as a blessing. That changes everything.

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Kids. He is a graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Bill has served in Kids Ministry for almost 30 years and currently teaches 3rd Grade Bible study at his home church in Nashville, TN.

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Kids Ministry, Leadership

ETCH Spotlight: Shane Garrison

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Meet Dr. Shane Garrison. Shane will be joining the faculty again this year for ETCH 2018.

For the past 10 years, Shane Garrison has been preparing future ministry leaders in the Campbellsville University School of Theology. He is a frequent conference speaker in the areas of church and generational leaders. Shane lives in Campbellsville, KY with his wife, Dr. Jennifer Garrison, and their two sons.

This year Dr. Garrison will be presenting these sessions:

Understanding the Mind of Millennial Staff Members:

As more and more young leaders enter ministry positions, there can be a disconnect between the vets and the young guns. This session will help the 40 and over crowd better understand the under 40 crew, ensuring stronger ministry communication and effectiveness.

Mission Drift: Preventing Your Ministry from Becoming Blockbuster:

Remember renting a movie at Blockbuster. Been there lately? Over time, ministries stagnant resulting in a replay of the same calendar year after year. This session will ask the hard questions of whether or not your ministry has drifted from its intended mission and is in danger of becoming irrelevant.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Dr. Shane Garrison and many other great breakout presentations. Check out ETCHConference.com and register HERE.

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Family Ministry, Kids Ministry, Leadership

ETCH Spotlight: Meet Shelly Melia

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Meet my friend, Dr. Shelly Melia!

Dr. Melia is the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Children’s Ministry and the Master of Arts in Family Ministry at Dallas Baptist University. Prior to serving at DBU, Shelly served in full-time children’s ministry for over 25 years. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in grief and resilience.

We are very excited that Dr. Melia will be joining our faculty again this year for ETCH 2018. Shelly will be leading these important sessions:

Generation Z: Who are they and how are they different from me?

This break-out will give an overview of the rising generation in our churches: Generation Z. Ministry myths and implications will be discussed in order to best position the church for reaching Gen Z.

Understanding Children and Salvation:

This conference will provide foundational information related to understanding children and salvation. Participants will learn key principles in sharing the gospel with children. In addition, follow-up methods for lifelong discipleship will be outlined.

Trendy or Transformational?

It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the new trends in children’s ministry. How do you know whether a method or curriculum is just trendy or truly transformational? This conference will emphasize three key essentials to creating a transformational children’s ministry.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Dr. Shelly Melia and many other great breakout presentations. Check out ETCHConference.com and register HERE.

 

ETCH Family Ministry Conference, Kids Ministry, Leadership

ETCH Spotlight: Meet Mark Jones!

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Meet my friend, Mark Jones!

Mark is the Children’s Pastor at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he loves and teaches preschoolers, children, and their parents. He enjoys speaking all around the nation to train children’s ministry leaders and parents. He is the founder of Mr. Mark’s Classroom, an online leadership development and teacher resource company. He helps overwhelmed children’s ministry leaders get clarity, confidence, and the resources they need to win at reaching kids for Jesus, equipping kids with Bible skills, and teaching kids to serve others.

We are very excited to welcome Mark back to our faculty for ETCH 2018. Mark will be leading these important sessions:

The Parent Training Blueprint:

What kind of training does Mark offer parents and when? This conference will map out a simple plan your church can use to educate and encourage parents regularly. As a bonus, Mark will throw in some Parent/ Child events that can be a huge success in ministry.

Building an Effective Children’s Ministry:

Do you wonder if your children’s ministry is really effective? Is there something you’re missing? This conference will explore how your teachers can provide for Bible literacy in fun and creative ways while intentionally providing evangelism, discipleship and serving others.

Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Mark and many other great breakout presentations. Check out ETCHConference.com and register HERE.

 

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