Bill Emeott

November 17, 2009

Habits of Great Kids Ministers – Part Two

#2 Great Kids Ministers Begin with the End in Mind

It’s been said that if you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t know if you get there. Similarly, some kids ministries have no idea where they’re heading and will never know if they’ve been effective.

The second common habit I’ve noticed in great children’s ministers is that they start with the end in mind.

Great Kids ministers see the goal, determine the best way to reach their target, and then keep the course. They’re not easily swayed by what the church “down the street” is doing with attempts to imitate that ministry. They “are” the church down the street and part of the reason is because they’ve sought God’s plan for their ministry and then carefully plot the best way to achieve that goal.

Great children’s ministries are those with a strong ministry philosophy. They choose wisely based on their philosophy and work a plan that will help them reach their goals. If it doesn’t fit the philosophy, they don’t do it. If it doesn’t’ fit the plan they don’t buy it, if it doesn’t help reach the target, it’s not part of their ministry.

Bottom Line: Great Kids ministries know where they’re going. They work a plan that helps them achieve their God given goals.

Working this way is not always easy, but at the end of the day, a strong ministry philosophy really simplifies things. What do you think?

Encouragement

November 16, 2009

Habits of Great Kids Ministers – Part One

By Bill Emeott

Over the next week I’m going to post a series… these posts are some of the things that I’ve noticed as common among GREAT Kids Ministers. I’d love to hear what you think… so feel free to comment each day.

#1 Great Kids Ministers Put First Things First

When asked, Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." (Mark 12:30)

Great children’s ministers get this principle. Their number one priority is always their relationship with Christ. More important than the budget, the big event, even the teacher/child ratio is their personal relationship with God; their personal time with Him in prayer, Bible study, and quiet listening to His leadership for their life.

Kids ministers are good people, compassionate, loving, hard workers who are called to a great ministry… but when we allow our relationship with Christ to be anything less than "priority one" we put everything else at risk. We can not find ourselves so busy working for the Kingdom that we don’t spend time with the King! It’s only when we insist on putting God first in our lives that our ministry becomes all that God wants it to be.

Bottom Line: Great kids ministers always put their relationship with Christ first.

How do you insure that this habit is played out in your life?

Training

November 6, 2009

Scripture Memory with Kids

By Bill Emeott

This weekend I’m in Norman Park, Georgia at the Georgia Baptist Convention Bible Drill retreat. 200+ 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th graders and their leaders will spend Friday and Saturday having a ton of fun while learning Bible verses, books, and key passages. How cool is that?

The Bible tells us that memorization is one of the keys to putting God’s Word in our hearts where God can use it to change us and grow us in His will. (Psalm 119:104 & 105)

We want children to be able to memorize a Bible verse, put it into practice in their daily lives, and recall it many times throughout their lives. Children will “treasure” a verse in their hearts and minds when they learn the meaning of the words in a verse; can see a practical, real application of it to their lives; and are exposed to the verse and its truth over and over.

Memorizing Bible verses is so much more the “saying the words by heart.”

Consider these suggested guidelines:

Learning that will remain with a child involves more than a one-time use and interpretation of a verse.
Children absorb new material gradually. Generally speaking, the younger the child, the fewer the verses he can be expected to learn and relate to his daily life.
Children differ in their abilities. Some children can memorize words and grasp meanings more quickly.
Children are more interested in learning when methods are varied and engaging.
Children’s learning is enhanced when they are involved in activities such as singing a verse, acting out the meaning of the verse, matching verses with present-day pictures, and activities suitable to the age group.

Bottom Line: Teaching Scripture to our children is an important part of their Christian education. What are you doing to promote Scripture memory in your church?

Encouragement, Networking

November 1, 2009

Transitioning to a New Ministry

By Bill Emeott

Today my church extended a call to Shannon Meadors to be our new Preschool and Children’s Minister. I am so excited! We’ve been praying for Shannon for almost 2 year (we didn’t know her name… but we’ve been praying for God to send the right person to First Baptist Nashville and we believe he has).

This started me wondering, “What can I do to help Shannon have a successful launch into the ministry of my church? What are some things that would be helpful to her as she and her family move to Nashville, join our fellowship, and begin what we all hope to be a long and fruitful ministry?”

What do you think?

What are some things that have helped you when you’ve transitioned into new a new ministry? What do you wish someone (or the church) would have done for you when you began?

Bottom Line: What are your recommendations for a smooth launch/transition into a new Preschool/Children’s Ministry?

PS: I’ll post a compilation of the responses on a future post.

Networking, Training

October 23, 2009

A Model for Multiplication

By Bill Emeott

Today I’m enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains in east Tennessee. I’m here with some of the greatest ministry multipliers in the Southern Baptist Convention, preschool and children’s ministry associates. These folks have such incredible ministries to churches within the states they live. It’s a model of multiplication.

Multiplying yourself in the lives of others is the example Jesus gave us for reaching the world. He poured Himself into the lives of others with a saving message. He did so in unique and relevant ways. Through His example the gospel was spread throughout the regions, the nations, and ultimately around the world.

Two things come to mind when I think of multiplying your ministry.

First: If multiplication is to be successful you must have a message worth hearing. If what you’re saying isn’t worth hearing, it simply won’t multiply — people won’t get excited, they won’t share the message, and the process will stop!

Second: People today equate the message with its packaging. If it doesn’t seem relevant or interesting or hold their attention, you’ll loose the listener and the multiplication process goes no further.

Kids Ministry has a great message. Sharing the love of Jesus Christ and laying spiritual foundation in the lives of boys and girls is an AWESOME message and it’s worth hearing.

We get a check for point number one; my concern today is point number two. I’m afraid we’re going to need to take this point a little more serious if we are going to reach today’s kids. What that means for you will be different than what it means for me… but it does mean that we need to consider our audience, consider our delivery systems, and consider if people today are hearing our important message.

Bottom Line: How we package the Gospel of Jesus Christ for kids today has more influence on its acceptance than we might want to believe.

What do you think? What are you doing to package/deliver this valuable message and multiply your ministry?

Networking

October 12, 2009

Lifeway Kids Conference – Monday

By Bill Emeott

Lifeway Kids Conference is off to a great start! It’s been great seeing old friends and making new friends! There is something really neat about being around so many folks who have common interests, goals, and passions.

We finished all the set up this morning and started registration. Tommy Keown and his team have that process down pat! It’s amazing to me how few “bumps” there were in registration. All were handled and everyone is accounted for tonight!

John Kramp started us today by inspiring us in the opening general session, “The Big ‘Small Things’ of Ministry to Children.” He shared that “It is a big thing to do a small thing if the small thing is part of a big thing God is doing!” … way cool for childhood leaders to hear!

Great workshops this afternoon like Matt Weston’s workshop on “Revolutionary Spiritual Leadership.” Matt explored the idea of ministry as flowing from being rather than doing!

Tonight the Machen’s raised the roof! It’s so neat to watch preschool and children’s leaders worship. They so appreciate the opportunity to participate in a corporate worship setting. I’m glad we do that at LKC.

And then… Ken Davis… that guy ain’t right! We laughed, we cried, we healed, we recharged. Thank You, God for the gift of humor. It’s so important to laugh!

I’m glad I’m here. I can hardly wait until tomorrow!

Networking

October 11, 2009

Lifeway Kids Conference 2009 – Sunday

By Bill Emeott

This week I’m going to write every night about what’s been going on at Lifeway Kids Conference. So many of you have told me that you were unable to attend this year because of the economy… I want you to feel like (sort of) that you were here. So each day I’ll give you the highlights.

Today was "move in" day. Today we unloaded the truck, set up all the staging, stuffed the give-a-way bags with programs, ear-buds, ink pens, and Worship KidStyle CDs. The CentriKid team were the real champions today. These guys have come to LKC this week to help us in any way they can. They’ve brought with them several interns and camp directors. They have made an incredible difference… AND… they’re really great young men and women. Glad to get to know them.

Here are a couple pictures I took with my phone on the stage the Lifeway T&E Production Team created for this year’s event. It’s way cool!

I’ll post more pictures tomorrow so you can see the completed work. Our production team has really out done themselves. I remember when we thought a potted plant was decorating the stage! So very thankful for Jason, Josh, and the whole team!

Tommy and Andy thought it was pretty neat, too!

I can hardly wait until tomorow… Lifeway Kids Conference is the highlight of my year. Wish you were here!

Training

October 5, 2009

Protection – A MUST!

By Bill Emeott

Reports of abusive conduct toward children by adults are shocking. Churches cannot expect to remain unaffected by this problem.

So, what is a church to do? Everything possible to screen and monitor those working with minors at church!

Implement safety and security policies. Standard policies, including the “6/2” rule, are a must. This policy states that one must be an active member of your church for at least six months before assuming a position of leadership and that there will be at least two adults in the room with minors at all times. These easy to implement policies will go far in discouraging predators.

Include a volunteer application and follow-up interviews as routine. This will show your church, your community, and possible predators that your church is watching and concerned for the safety of children.

Do official criminal background checks. Many insurance companies are requiring churches to completed checks as a prerequisite to coverage. Completing background checks demonstrates a desire and intent to protect children.

Bottom Line: It is our responsibility to protect minors at church. It may be a difficult transition and sometimes uncomfortable but, protection is not an option.

What are some things you and your church are doing (or not doing) to protect kids?

Encouragement, Training

September 23, 2009

Mentors

By Bill Emeott

Recently I had the opportunity to have dinner with a great friend and mentor. As I reflected on our evening together it reminded me how important it is to build relationships among our colleagues.

Bill Young is a giant among children’s ministry leaders. He served at Lifeway before retirement several years ago. I remember when I first met Bill. He was leading a conference Children and Grief. I was mesmerized by his insights and passion. I later had the privilege of moving from admirer to mentor. He is so passionate about giving to the next generation.

I want to be like that. I want invest my life in those around me who are passionate about kids ministry. I want to give of myself in such a way that it really does make a difference.

Most recently I’ve had the honor of moving from mentor to friend. We’ve taught Sunday school together, shared meals at each other’s home, and have genuinely became friends.

I’m so thankful that Bill Young saw in me what I didn’t see in myself. I’m so thankful that he began giving to me pearls of wisdom and encouragement. I’m better because of Bill Young.

Lord, show me those folks who I need to invest in. Allow me to mentor and encourage and make a difference.

Bottom Line: Who are you mentoring? How are you being successful?

Training

September 19, 2009

Lifeway Kids Conference

By Bill Emeott

Did you know…

that each year Lifeway sponsors an national preschool and children’s ministry conference called Lifeway Kids Conference?
that this year the Lifeway Kids Conference (LKC) will be held at the Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX on October 12-15, 2009?
that Ken Davis will lead LKC on Monday night with humor and inspiration?
that Dr. Michael Lindsay will bring the convention challenge on Tuesday night following the Premeire or Lifeway’s 2010 VBS Saddle Ridge Ranch musical?
that the Skit Guys will be at LKC this year?
that Dr. Gary Chapman will be the closing keynote speaker for LKC 2009?
that there are over 80 breakout workshop opportunities.
that this year LKC will have the largest group of exhibitors/resource providers that it’s ever had?
that we’d really love to see you this year in Arlington?
that you can register for the conference by clicking here?

Bottom Line: I just wanted to make sure you knew!

Habits of Great Kids Ministers – Part Two

Habits of Great Kids Ministers – Part One

Scripture Memory with Kids

Transitioning to a New Ministry

A Model for Multiplication

Lifeway Kids Conference – Monday

Lifeway Kids Conference 2009 – Sunday

Protection – A MUST!

Mentors

Lifeway Kids Conference

All Ministry Sites

Digital Resources

Lifeway Network