Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples
I just had to show you a couple clips for this great group of kids… I love being led in worship by kids like these:
Saddle Ridge Ranch: TABC from Bill Emeott on Vimeo.
I am who He says I am from Bill Emeott on Vimeo.
Like Jesus! from Bill Emeott on Vimeo.
Bottom Line: If these kids remember half of what they’ve sang it will have been a job well done.
Does your church use the VBS musical either during VBS or some other time of the year? Share!
Texas was GREAT. I can’t think how Travis Avenue Baptist Church could have possibly been any more hospitable. The folks in Texas are super!
Last week I shared with you 5 of 10 principles for enlisting good workers for VBS. Today, I’m going to give you 6-10.
#6 Use a Job Description. A job description shows that the position you’re enlisting is important and the responsibilities of this position make a difference. People want to be a part of something important, valuable, and that which makes a difference. Using a job description can clarify and help to avoid disappointment.
#7 Don’t forget the men. Don’t forget those "less obvious." Men, senior citizens, those who may have extra vacation or the ability to flex their work hours. I’ve even had teachers who were able to take "community service" hours from there place of employment. Look beyond the obvious!
#8 Consider the "Buddy System!" It’s a lot more fun to work with your buddy than to work alone. Consider asking best friend teams, husband and wife teams, or neighbor teams. Two people who enjoy spending time together already, are more likely to see the request as fun, exciting, and doable. Consider this principle especially for those positions that have a bit more responsibility.
#9 Train and Equip. Some people don’t say, "YES" because they’re afraid they don’t know how! Ensure those you are enlisting that you will train them on how and equip them to do the job.
#10 Provide Support and show Appreciation. Support your newly enlisted leaders. Share your confidence in them and appreciation for them and their ministry to boys and girls. Share regular updates on processes, deadlines, and training opportunities. Let them know that you’re in this together and that you’ll be there for them if they need you. Show them through your actions that you appreciate the work they do.
Bottom Line: The way you enlist and treat your VBS workers this year will impact your enlistment for next year.
People who feel trained, equipped, and appreciated are more inclined to volunteer next year! How do you ensure that your VBS leaders are trained, equipped, and appreciated?
Well… Yee Ha! We made it to Ft. Worth and we’re seeing all kinds of cowboys and cowgirls. Today I took pictures of some of the rotation rooms… I forgot my camera so these are from the iPhone, a bit blurry, but you’ll be able to get a good idea of some of the decorations for Saddle Ridge Ranch.
This is my teaching room (3rd & 4th grade Bunkhouse). I googled "cardboard fireplaces" and found the directions for this idea.
This is another version of the "bunkhouse" that I helped Mary Ann Bradberry create for the Preteen training conference.
Millie Burkett (NW Baptist Convention) has done a wonderful job creating a Mission’s Cavern… I loved what she did witht he cavern "walls."
..and here’s the Music "Campfire Creek."
Bottome Line: Decorating for VBS is an important part of creating an exciting environment for Kids to learn about Jesus.
What are your best Saddle Ridge Ranch decorating ideas? Share them with us here or at Lifeway;s VBS community.
Several have asked about the dates and location for Lifeway Kids Conference. First off, be aware of an official name change to Lifeway’s Kids Ministry Conference and I’m going to start referring to the event as KMC. I think KMC is a better representation of the event… either way, here’s a few details.
KMC will be held in Birmingham, AL on October 11-13, 2010 at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center (BJCC) in downtown Birmingham. The Sheraton Birmingham Hotel will be the convention hotel and is offering a special rate (be sure to ask for the Lifeway rate for this event).
We’re working hard on our program and are lining up some great speakers, worship leaders, and inspirational entertainment like Rick Burgess and Thom Rainer. Know that the event will start Monday afternoon and finish on Wednesday night (as opposed to Thursday morning as in years past).
Registration is now open by calling 1-800-254-2022. There has been no registration fee increase again this year. Current registration is $325.00 per person.
Bottom Line: KMC is a great opportunity to sharpen your skills, network with other leadership, and be encouraged to continue your Kingdom work.
I hope to see you in Birmingham. More information to follow soon!
I can hardly believe that it’s 2010. (BTW is it “Twenty Ten” or “Two Thousand Ten?”
On January 1, I celebrated my 7th anniversary at Lifeway… what a blessing that’s been. I love what I do, I love where I live, and I love where I worship… I’m a blessed man. Time really does fly when you’re having fun! To God be all the glory!
As we look forward to 2010 I’m excited about what God is doing in Kids Ministry.
During the last decade Preschool and Children’s ministry was thrust to the forefront in many churches. Thanks to friends like George Barna, (in his book, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions) Senior Pastors began to realize the critical need for more emphasis, energies, and yes… even monies… to be earmarked toward our work with children and young families. This has been exciting times for those of us who’ve served for years on “beans and rice.” Dr. Barna’s research found that for most children there is a window (somewhere between age 4 and 14) when they are most open to spiritual things. He also shared the shocking truth that once that window is past, the likelihood of a person becoming a Christian drastically declines.
I’m often amazed as I stand at the end of one year and look toward the next. This year I reflected over a decade… What have I done with the years that are gone… what will I do with the years that are ahead? What “windows” have I unknowingly passed by, left unopened, or simply ignored?
Bottom Line: Opportunities to serve God in Kids ministry have never been better!
What great visions, plans, and ideas do you have for 2010?
Has the Christmas season torn you and your family apart? Are you ALWAYS at church during December wondering what your family is doing to celebrate Christmas without you?
Perhaps it’s time to consider a Family Fellowship for your next Christmas celebration. Vicki Hulsey, Childhood Education Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention shares these guidelines for a fantastic family fun night:
Bottom Line: Churches need to discover ways to reconnect families by helping them grow closer together and closer to God. One way to do that is by offering family-friendly events in which family members learn, worship, serve, and laugh together.
What kind of Family Friendly Fellowships have you used?
Well, it’s here… the Christmas season. Carols are being sung, trees are being trimmed, and your calendar is experiencing stretch pains!
Christmas is possibly the busiest season in the life of a church. Parties, parades, musical presentations, and special seasonal services and ministries stretch our time and resources to the max. As a children’s minister we can sometime find ourselves overwhelmed at the added responsibilities that come with the season (How many extra child-care requests do you have to fill this year?)
In the midst of all the business I want to encourage you to take time to celebrate. Find the time, make the time, and insist of celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Bottom Line: The Christmas season is the celebration of our Savior’s birth not a 25 day assault!
What do you do to make sure you celebrate the true meaning of the season?
#5 Great Kids Ministers Never Stop Learning
If you think you know everything, you’ve just shown you don’t!
The last habit that I’ve observed in great Kids ministers is that they are life-long learners. They are always looking for books to read, conferences to attend, websites to visit, and blogs to follow that will help them stay on the cutting edge of Kids ministry.
Great Kids ministers know the way we did Kids ministry in the 80’s might not work for kids today in 2010. They realize that while kids today have the same basic needs the way you approach those needs has radically changed… and is continuing to change. Great Kids ministers want to minister well and are open to learning new techniques, new approaches, and new ideas to share the “old, old story” with today kids and their families.
Great Kids ministers are open to not only learning, but teaching others the things they’ve learned. You’ll know a great Kids minister by the way they offer themselves as a resource to those around them. They value learning for themselves and others.
Bottom Line: Never stop learning! If you do, you’ll soon become irrelevant.
What are some things you do to stay current? What are some books you would recommend? Some conferences you would recommend? Some websites to visit?
#4 Great Kids Ministers Connect with Kids and Their Families
For years we’ve been adamant about teaching Bible content and making application of that content to the daily lives of kids. I’m all for that! But as I personally look back on my experiences as a child and even as an adult, the thing that stands out most is not the Bible stories taught or event the application given. What stand out the most is the relationships that have been built with those who were teaching me Bible content and life application.
Connecting with Kids and their families will define your ministry. Time spent with people is an investment, to your personal life and to your ministry. Great Kids ministers exercise this habit on a regular basis.
At the end of the day, it really isn’t how much you know, how well you know it, or even how well you execute what you know… It’s true, “they don’t really care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
Bottom Line: Connecting with Kids and their families is a priority for great Kids ministers!
What are some things you’ve done to make connections with the people in your ministry?
#3 Great Kids Ministers are Proactive
Prevention is the preferred strategy of great Kids ministers. They don’t sit around and wait for something to react to; they work to make sure nothing unexpected or unwanted attacks their ministry.
Sadly, predators are looking for opportunities to take advantage of innocent children. Great Kids ministers recognize this sad truth and are pro-actively working to reduce and remove the risk of predators having success in their ministries. Great Kids ministers not only complete criminal background checks on those working with minor children, they set up interviews, follow up on references, and enforce policies and procedures set in place and approved by the church.
Great Kids ministers recognize that many child predators do not have criminal records yet statistics show that in most cases, abusers have multiple victims prior to the occasion that revealed them as an abuser. Great Kids ministers activate training for staff, teachers, and parents to heighten awareness of behaviors common to a sexual predator.
Great Kids ministers know that it doesn’t take one occasion to destroy the reputation of a ministry, it only take one accusation and they work hard to pro-actively prevent not only abuse, but any possibility of accusation.
Bottom Line: It’s sad, but necessary to be proactive and diligent in preventing sexual abuse in our ministries.
What kind of policies does your church have regarding those working with minor children who attend church sponsored functions?
