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Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership
May 26, 2015

Tips for Traveling with Kids

By Mark Jones

Mark-Casual-cropped-216x300We had a Bible Skills contest through the semester and took the winners to a fun pizza place with lots of entertainment and games to play. The winners were second and fourth graders. We had a terrific time, but I learned a few things for which I had not planned.

  • I am still learning names and should have provided name tags for every child. I think brightly colored tags with first name boldly printed would have helped me. The parents needed the name tags, too. Times outside the classroom and church are important for getting to know each other better. Knowing their names is vital.
  • We planned ahead by calling, reserving, and preparing everything including informing parents with a take-home note. We should have made a site visit and physically seen the room we reserved and considered how 65 people would orderly and safely be dismissed to get their food and drink with minimum spillage. My biggest concern was adults being with kids all the time while we ate and while children went back for seconds alone.
  • While in the game area, it was a frantic race against the clock. Each person had 45 minutes to play all the games you want and gather all the tickets you can for those incredible one-of-a-kind prizes to choose from at the prize counter. Kids were running, dropping coats, game cards, and tickets. It was great but worried me a bit. At least I had enough sense to suggest going to the bathroom before game time began.
  • When time to leave, we gathered in the meeting room to count. Several of us counted heads. Then we called roll to line up and boarded the bus. Recounted before leaving. Honestly, the thought of leaving a child behind scares the bee-gee-bees out of me.
  • Singing on the bus is always a big deal, and I was caught listening to some crazy rap songs and racking my brain to remember those hilarious songs we always sang on the bus. Wish I had written down a few before we left. The drive was short and my memory was shorter.

Fun was had by all. Safety was foremost. Improvement is needed.

What would you suggest when taking outings with kids? Let me know at Mr. Mark’s Classroom.

Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership
March 27, 2015

Common Barriers in Kids Ministry

By Mark Jones

Mark-Casual-cropped-216x300Seems like I often look at my life and ministry and ask, “Why can’t I get off high center?” Seems like nothing is moving forward. I’m not one to be content with clocking in and clocking out meeting status quo.

I like trying new stuff and enjoying new experiences. I recently heard of the “explorer gene” and felt like someone finally diagnosed me (mixed with some ADD– of course). I always thought I just liked to have fun. I wish I could go back and tell all my elementary school teachers. Maybe it would have helped. Maybe not.

Coming to grips with who you are and identifying your strengths and weaknesses is a great sign of maturity as a leader. It shows you are willing to learn and be the best leader you can be. In my reading and observations, I have journaled some common barriers in kid’s ministry. Here is a checklist I have asked myself and now I am asking you. If you are setting goals and trying to improve your leadership, honestly read this list and consider if you need help with anything. I want you to be the Kid’s Ministry Champion that God has designed you to be. Now get your flesh out of the way! (I say that with Christian love.)

Common Barriers Checklist
□ Low Energy
□ Impatience
□ Defensiveness
□ Critical of Others
□ Low Stress Tolerance
□ Moody & Irrational
□ Poor Team Player
□ Inflexible
□ Unfocused
□ Poor Time Management
□ Lack of Trust in Others
□ Lack of Integrity
□ Indecisive
□ Poor Communication Skills
□ Poor Listening Skills
□ Lack of Passion
□ Low Self Confidence
□ Lack of Empathy
□ Overly Dependent
□ Poor Work/ Life Balance
□ Negative/ Pessimistic Thinking

 

Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership
March 18, 2015

5 Steps to Coaching a Winning KidMin Team

By Mark Jones

Mark-Casual-cropped-216x300It can be easy to fall into the mode of being a control freak. You want your ministry to be the very best ministry that you can make it. You have a specific way that you want something done and when others help, it is just not quite right. But is it what is best for your ministry? As a children’s minister, you will exhaust yourself trying to do it all alone.

I know your pain! I get an idea and want to run with it. It’s too hard to communicate and I’m ready to get started anyway. The problem is… you’re the only one doing it. I applaud creativity. I most often cannot sleep all night because I get an idea and have to consider it. Most of the time I get so attached to the idea you would think I fathered it. It’s almost like it’s my baby and I would be terribly offended if someone called my baby “Ugly”. Well, you know what I mean.

Look at Ephesians 4:11-12. “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service.” I know it says nothing about Children’s Ministers, but it does say pastor (shepherding) and you are an extension of the pastor and represent him to the children’s ministry. Since God has called you to pastor or shepherd these children, you will need an army of volunteers to do it well. You are probably the best children’s teacher and you should be, but your role has changed. You are leading now!

It is your responsibility to your kids, parents, workers, pastor and above all God to understand your role as leader. You will have plenty of times to be the classroom teacher, but now you must become the coach of a winning team. Here are five steps to success:

  1. Take an unspoken inventory of workers’ strengths and weaknesses. Pray for wisdom and begin fitting people into the positions that best match their strengths.
  2. Chart in a notebook all the positions needed currently then write in all the names of volunteers. You might need someone in a place you overlooked and are possibly overstaffed in another area. Having this written down helps me from feeling overwhelmed.
  3. Ask the hard questions like, “Do we need this program?”, “Am I trying to do too much too soon?”, “What are the prime attendance times and are the goals we have being met at those times?”, and “Is there anyone that needs to be trained or moved to another area of leadership (fired)?”
  4. Plan a meeting with key leaders to share your ideas and passion for what you want to accomplish. Include a deacon if possible.   He’ll speak of this among the deacons favorably and they will naturally be informed. Invite your leaders to push back so your idea can be stronger. Don’t be threatened by criticism or questions. Write it down and begin working on solutions. By holding this meeting, you will have invited people to begin to invest in something. It will then be a natural progression for them to want to participate in it. This is an integral part of equipping the people.
  5. Foster relationships with your people. God doesn’t write things in the sky to direct us; He works through relationships. Our relationship with Him as we learn and our relationships with others as we serve. It would make sense that Satan is also working through relationships. Maybe you need to go to lunch with a worker and just talk about your families and things you have in common. Put friendship first because the person is most important.

If you continue on the path you know is wrong, you will soon quit. Don’t let Satan defeat you. Allow people to make mistakes and try things. Coach them, resource their dreams, and celebrate by affirming them in spoken or written words.

 What are two things that you can release and let someone else take over? Remember, it may not be exactly how you would do it, but God will still use their efforts.

Uncategorized
February 20, 2015

Developing Potential Leaders Starts with You

By Mark Jones

In my mad search for directors and teachers for Sunday School, I found a winner and enlisted her right away.  Things didn’t quite go as planned though. Here is a play by play of the decline in morale of the promising teacher.

Beginning of the year:

 Excited and wanting ideas

 Needed more teachers

 Always on time and prepared

 Smiled and radiated joy

 Worked in children’s events and on committees

 Gave it her best shot

Middle of the year:

 Enthusiasm began waning

 Began to have a look of defeat

 Made less time for meetings

 Started dropping hints of quitting

End of the Year

 Lost her joy in serving

 Resigned when she fulfilled the year commitment

She shared some responsibility, but I have full ownership for the outcome of this particular teacher.  We wrestle with keeping volunteers happy and productive as well as motivated and connected.  Leadership Development is about an outcome.  Jesus, through His ministry, showed us an incredible model of investing in and developing leaders. So how can we develop potential leaders?  We have to build the foundation, just like Jesus did.

Make It Mean Something

Churches cannot hire everyone so we are driven to hunt for volunteers.  As a volunteer, I asked myself, “Why am I serving?”  There are many reasons why people volunteer. “I want to serve Jesus.” “I love kids.” “I have so much fun.” “I want them to accept Christ.”  Like most people, I spend my week in meetings, pleasing my employer, helping churches and other employees.  I look forward to being in the classroom with the kids – making a difference in their lives.  The main reason people choose to volunteer is, “It brings meaning to my life.”  People with this as their motivation are potential leaders who are ready to serve.

Volunteers want to do something that is meaningful!  People who are looking for a meaningful experience want you to give a clear and compelling purpose.  Happy volunteers are crystal clear on their ministry’s purpose.  They can tell you not only why their ministry group exists, but also why it is important. For an important cause, leaders will give unselfishly and thank you for it.

Involve Volunteers as Much as Possible

If you miss this, you will drive your volunteers nuts!  On one hand, volunteers are busy and juggling multiple priorities.  On the other hand, they desperately want to have input into the direction and development of the ministry. Simply donating funds or following staff-made plans fail to excite long-term motivation.  Leadership Teams that start with a blank paper and listen to the heart of the minister and then to each other’s hearts will develop a collaborative vision and plan for the future as a team.

Don’t Waste Their Time

Our volunteers develop a sensitive nose for the hopelessly under-resourced project.  Nothing leads to starving projects like the failure to prune the ministry project list.

We can become leaders who are trying to staff and support too many ministry projects.  Some of these sub-ministries simply need to be eliminated.  Call it good church hygiene.  Regularly take a look at each project and decide if it can be resourced or reshaped or discontinued.  When all sub-ministries run dangerously close to the bone, volunteers become less motivated.  Maybe you need a “Stop Doing” list as much as you need a “To Do” list.

Celebrate With Meaningful Moments

I have celebrated my volunteers with a meal where I told them how I felt about the ministry and about their sacrifice to make a difference.  I have hosted many meetings in my home, never forgetting to appreciate each person and share my heart for the ministry being done.  I have recognized people from the pulpit, during deacon’s meetings, at finance meetings, and especially during meetings where children were present and could love on them. It is easy to brag about people to their family and friends.  Take the time to do it!

Stop Hogging the Ball

Any ball player knows how fun it is to play with a “ball hog” (sarcasm implied).  That player is silently communicating he doesn’t trust you to do something good with the ball.  Eventually, you just want to sit down.  How often do you really entrust your volunteers with doing the most important part of ministry?

I can remember wanting to take a part of a ministry that I was well equipped to do and in which I had many years of experience. I volunteered only to hear, “No, I would rather you not be responsible for it but you can do most of the work. Just clear everything through me before you do anything.”  I was very disappointed, unmotivated, disliked the project, disliked the leader, felt second rate or not good enough, and desperately wanted to quit.  All of these feelings surfaced because the leader chose to be a “Ball Hog!”  Are you being a “Ball Hog” with anything?  Try being the coach and a cheerleader.

Using these five methods will empower your volunteers and give them the staying power so that they can have satisfaction in their respective roles. Your satisfaction, your journey has come from pouring your life into your ministry.  Our volunteers can’t see that far down the road. We have to support and assist them until they too begin to see the fruition of their efforts.

What are some specific ways that you can begin to celebrate meaningful moments with your volunteers?

Are you being a “Ball Hog?” What tasks do you need to entrust to your volunteers now?

Kids Ministry, kids101, Leadership, Preschool, Small Groups, Sunday School, Training
January 21, 2015

You Teach Even When You Aren’t

By Mark Jones

Are you and your teachers practicing intentional leadership? We all want to have an effective ministry. We take the time to look at curriculum, enlist teachers, pray for those in our ministry, and prepare for the lesson that we are about to present – all of which are so very important. But do you remember that you can be sending messages without saying a word? Do realize that you can affect the relationships you have with children without speaking? God works through relationships, so we need to be building relationships, not creating distance between children and ourselves.

Here are five points to help us teach to our full potential and keep truly invested in our calling.

1. We Teach Through the Environment. Many teachers forget that cluttered rooms, tattered curtains and messy walls send a message that teaching kids is not important.  Is your ministry space inviting to children? Does your classroom show that you care about the children by its neat and clean environment? Take an honest look at your classrooms to determine if the setup is conducive to your teaching, age appropriate, and inviting to those who enter. If you share the space with others throughout the week, call a “roommates” meeting. Work together to make your room speak to children of your love for them. Clean up clutter. Replace tattered bulletin boards and place toys in bins. Store extra materials and curriculum inside the cabinets and not strewn about on the counter. Take pride in your room! Cleanliness will speak volumes to the children that enter your door.

 

2. We Teach Through Our Facial Expressions. Your eyes are called the windows of the soul for a reason. Do your eyes speak love or do they speak distance and disapproval? Use your eyes to communicate to the children that you care, you are invested in the conversation with them, and you simply enjoy spending time with them. Wink across the table to reassure a child who is uncertain about their presence in your room. Smile and say “I love you” and let those words shine through your eyes. Your eyes are a great tool of affirmation – use them!

 

3. We Teach Through Our Body Language. What kind of vibe do kids get from you? Are you walking calmly around the room, taking the time to greet the children at eye level? Or are you towering around the room with your hands on your hips? Our body language can communicate positive or negative feelings to those around us. If you stand with your arms crossed the entire time, what is the message you are sending to children? If you sit slumped over in your chair while the other teacher is telling the Bible story, do children understand that the Bible is the living, breathing Word of God? Use your body language to communicate to the children in the room how excited you are to spend the time with them and how important it is to learn from the Bible.

 

4. We Teach Through Our Voice Inflections and Volume. Your voice can be used to draw children into a story or be a warm, welcoming presence at the door. Remember that while some children may be accustomed to a higher noise volume, a child not used to loud noises all of the time can be frightened by a big, booming voice or overwhelming classroom noise. When trying to get children’s attention in a classroom, don’t try to talk above the crowd. Instead, try to whisper to get their attention and see what happens. Another great tool is asking children to clap if they can hear your voice. Continue until all children are clapping when you ask the question. It’s a great way to get the volume in your classroom back to a manageable level and help the children to regain their focus. When teaching, speak clearly and distinctively. No one can understand when someone is mumbling or trying to win an award for being the Fastest Voice in the West! When you are giving instructions, it can be very beneficial to only give one step at a time. Kids are the priority in your room so don’t spend your time conversing with the other adults in the room. There is plenty of time to catch up with friends once the teaching session is over. Instead, use the time to show the children in the room that they are the priority and engage in conversation with them. God will use your efforts to provide teachable moments. Use your voice as a tool in
your classroom; it’s a great one!

 

5. We Teach Through Our Dress.  Do you wear colorful clothes or are you straight out of the Adam’s Family (always in black)?  Remember that your appearance reflects your priorities. Be well groomed, not disheveled. Teaching with kids requires that your clothes be comfortable. This is not the time to wear that “super cute, so in style” new pencil skirt or that “tight across the shoulders” jacket. Your clothes need to be flexible so that you are able to get down on the children’s level and interact with them.

Which area do you need to improve?

 

For more ideas from Lifeway Kids Ministry Field Specialist Mark Jones, check out Mr. Mark’s Classroom.

Kids Ministry, Leadership
January 12, 2015

Ten Lessons in Leadership

By Mark Jones

Being on church staff for 20 years has rewarded me with beautiful friendships and divine moments of personal and spiritual growth.  I have worked with children, teachers, and pastors who taught me valuable lessons.  Each lesson has become a story that has shaped my view of leadership today.  Here are 10 principles I’ve learned:

1. Recognize that inflexible leadership fails when it is time to make needed changes.

2. If you are still doing the same thing, you are stunting your growth.  You need people to take your place in ministry tasks.  “I” am a limited resource.  Multiply yourself in others.

3. Move up to a new level of leadership. Seek to go ahead of your followers and begin laying bricks on the road that your ministry will go down.

4. Identify the men and women under you and the strengths they possess. Begin delegating roles of service and build an army of capable and reliable workers.

5. Don’t criticize people or ministries who follow a different course.  God may be using them in unique ways to reach and minister to others.

6. Be honest and recognize what you don’t know.  Identify resources and people to help you learn.

7. Allow room to be wrong and grow from your mistakes.  Image-management has no room for kingdom work.

8. Anticipate problems and help create solutions.

9. Don’t let murmurings control your leadership.  Don’t listen to picking and critical unconstructive comments. You cannot make everyone happy.

10. Be a risk taker!  Try new things.  They won’t all work but some of them will.  You will discover what is usable and effective in working with your people.

Begin praying for a vision for what God wants to do in and through you.  Gather people together and allow them to dream with you.  Show them your heart and passion for the work.  Prioritize and organize yourself to move forward and make a big impact on those you lead and teach.  Soon, your followers will have stories, too.

Which one of these is the hardest for you to put into action? Why is this area so difficult for you?

For more posts from Lifeway Field Specialist Mark Jones, check out Mr. Mark’s Classroom.

Kids Ministry, Sunday School
September 24, 2014

How Welcoming Is Your Kids Ministry?

By Mark Jones

Mark-Casual-cropped-216x300It is often a good idea to take a step back and evaluate your ministry through the lens of someone who is visiting your church. Volunteers, teachers, and staff can all become focused on getting their specific tasks done or just get a little stuck in the rut of “This is how our ministry has always looked.”  Taking the time to look through the eyes of a visitor often helps us to know where our ministry needs to adapt and where our ministry is excelling.

Take the survey below to closely analyze the different aspects of your ministry. If some of your answers are not where you want them to be, don’t fret. We have to acknowledge where we’re missing the goal in order to make improvements.

1. Greeters know how to lead guests to our children’s ministry area.

Great Greeters……….Need Some Help……….What Greeters?

2. The children’s ministry area is easy to find.
Yes!……….Some Signs Would Help……….Have Time for a Tour?

3. Childhood greeters are energetic and knowledgeable—enthusiastically helping children andtheir families find the right places to be.
Bouncing Off the Walls……….Need a Little Boost………..Power Outage

4. Children’s rooms are clean and fresh.
Sparkling……….Could Use Some TLC………..Two Words: Paint and Flooring

5. Children’s rooms are inviting and safe.
Welcome Home!……….Let’s Straighten Up……….Time to Remodel

6. Children’s teachers arrive early and are willing to stay late.
Great Attitudes……….Need Reminders……….Time for Attitude Adjustments

7. Children’s teachers actively teach children.
Always on the Move……….Need to Shape up………..What Activity?

8. Children’s teachers contact children and their families during the week.
All the Time……….Sometimes……….Other Than Sunday?

9. Our pastor and other leaders take time to be with children.
Love to Be a Part……..Occasionally……….That’s What the Children’s Director Is For

10. Our church realizes the importance of the children’s ministry.
Champions It……….Needs Occasional Reminders……….What Children’s Ministry?

More questions to ponder:

What area is your ministry excelling at?  Why do you think your church is doing so well at this?

What area is your church struggling with?  What are three steps that you can take to improve this area?

Which areas are in the middle of the road?  How can you step it up a notch to make those areas ones that your ministry is outstanding at?

Mark Jones is a Lifeway Kid’s Ministry Field Specialist. More helps are available at Mr. Marks Classroom.

Evangelism, Kids Ministry, Leadership
July 23, 2014

3 Pillars of Children’s Ministry

By Mark Jones

Is your church committed to the spiritual development of children? It’s important to provide a clear commitment of spiritual development for kids. What do you want kids to know and do by the time they move into the youth ministry? Children’s leaders and teachers need a commitment to these three objectives and to see themselves as a part of a team that is impacting the lives of children.

1. Know Jesus.

Children are so impressionable and want to please adults. We never have to be pushy with the gospel, but we must pray for our kids and faithfully tell them about Jesus. Parents are not impressed with the crafts their kids make in class. They are impressed when they hear a teacher ask about the child’s salvation experience, read how the teacher is praying for their child and see the teacher building a relationship of love with their child. Teachers must take advantage of sharing the plan of salvation each month during class. This will help focus children to know the gift of salvation God is offering them. Share Christ!

2. Learn Bible skills.

Children must obtain Bible skills. Parents do not typically have this on their radar. Whenever I insist that children’s workers and parents must help kids obtain their Bible Skills, no one pushes back. If kids do not know how to use their Bibles, they will become handicapped Christians unable to feed themselves spiritually.

Bible skills are not taught in the youth or adult departments and the responsibility lies squarely on our shoulders. Teachers and parents can easily teach and reinforce learning the books of the Bible, how to use the Bible, and memorize verses. These are lifelong skills that will make a huge difference for loving the word of God and hiding it in your heart. Parents that hear their child reciting verses or finding verses in their Bible are amazed and grateful for the investment the church is making in their child. Teach Bible skills!

3. Show children how to serve.

Children are some of the most selfish people. Many adults are selfish, too. Children must be shown how to give. It is important to hear about missions, but doing the work of serving others is of much greater value. Kids enjoy opportunities to do for others. They are hands-on learners. The beauty of serving others is not what the child can receive. The focus is on the one being served. When the child walks away from that opportunity of serving they experience the joy Jesus gives when you serve others. Parents take notice when their children are lead to do for others. They appreciate the investment of expanding the child’s world from a “me” focus and they see attitudes change.

These characteristics of a Preschool and Children’s ministry must be intentionally put in place. When young parents see the clear plans you have for kids, they will feel comfortable with church and making the choice to be involved. Gather children’s teachers and evaluate your present situation. Would a young family coming in the door this Sunday feel comfortable with your church?

Mark Jones is a Lifeway Childhood Field Specialist.

Kids Ministry
June 26, 2014

3 Tips for Speaking to an Audience of Kids

By Mark Jones

Whether you’re a kids volunteer or a kids minister, communicating with a group of children is vital to effectively sharing bible stories, biblical truth, and the gospel. Great children’s messages focus on making just one point and helping kids understand how it applies to their life. Here are three tips for doing that well.

1. Introduce the Point.

The introduction is possibly the most important part of your message, because you want to grab their attention from the start. They will decide in the first seven seconds if they like you. So come up with something clever, shocking, or interesting right at the very beginning. Here are some possible techniques to use:

  • Be dramatic
  • Tell a joke or funny story
  • Tell a story
  • Pose a question

2. Make the Point.

As you prepare, use an outline. Outlining your message will ensure a flow that makes sense and that kids don’t get lost.

When you begin, invite kids to open their Bible (Bible skills reinforced). Read the Scripture. Tell the story in your own words. Explain parts of the story without going deep into biblical backgrounds or history. Explain the life application truth.

When you’re making the point, remember:

  • Children like more action and plot while adults enjoy more humor and interaction between characters.
  • Children like more dynamic gestures than adults. If you are talking about canoeing, climb into the canoe, push off, kneel down and paddle.
  • Visual aids are not always necessary, but they are good to include if they help you get your point across. The key is to make sure that they add to your message or create interest.
  • Provide variety. Object lessons, discussion, an interview, question & answer, games, case studies, a role model, puzzles/codes, art, weird science, biblical characters in costume (monologue) can all help bring the point.

3. Apply the Point.

Clearly communicate the point and its application.

  • Illustrate the application. Use a kid friendly and culturally familiar scenario to illustrate the point. (i.e. school, family, friends, celebrities, music, etc.)
  • Sum up everything for kids in a few concise sentences. Never ask rhetorical questions and avoid sarcasm. Kids don’t get it and when you ask questions you get answers (long answers).
  • Project your voice. A speaker’s voice might get softer when making a point. Children will have listening fatigue near the end. Don’t make it harder to listen.

Mark Jones is a Lifeway Kid’s Ministry Field Specialist. More helps are available at Mr. Marks Classroom.

Sunday School, Training
May 20, 2014

7 Things to Remember When Enlisting Men to Teach Kids

By Mark Jones

Mark-Casual-cropped-216x300Men offer a positive Christian role model that many children are lacking. With many children coming from single-parent homes the need for a positive male role model is greater than ever. Sunday School department directors often say that the mere presence of a man helps in guiding behavior. For the children who have Christian men in their life, having a man teach in the classroom will only reinforce building spiritual foundations and relationships that enable preschoolers to trust Jesus later.

Here are seven tips to consider when enlisting men:

1. Men enjoy a challenge.

Activity without engagement leads to burnout. When enlisting teachers, explain the routine and uniqueness of teaching in a children’s classroom. This way men can correctly engage in the teaching process.

2. Men want to know they make a difference.

There are definitely tangible rewards like a hug, a smile, and “I love you, Mr. Mark.” Be sure to communicate the positive impact they are making in the classroom and with the children. Men are more likely to invite others to “come and see” what is happening.

3. Men accept responsibility.

“Don’t dumb it down!” As you recruit teachers, communicate the responsibilities and expectations. This allows you the opportunity to explain how to teach children and answer questions to clarify any confusion or misunderstanding.

4. Men prefer to hear feedback.

Coaching teachers will reinforce correct teaching among children. Men know they are making a positive contribution when they receive recognition.

5. Men explore risk taking.

Men will take risks in order to explore their talents. Allowing teachers to be responsible for certain tasks will give ownership to the teaching process. Assigning special tasks such as group time activities, greeting or telling the Bible story will allow men to explore new challenges. Respond with feedback anytime a teacher takes a risk outside his routine responsibilities.

6. Men need to feel valued.

When men feel they are valued they will most often reciprocate that feeling. Let your teachers know you appreciate their commitment to teaching children with you and what a positive difference they make.

7. Men listen for future thinking.

Talk about your hopes and dreams. Deacons and other men in leadership who teach children will become advocates for the needs of children’s ministry when considering budgets, buildings and ministry needs.

Men who have served in children’s classrooms for years said they were tremendously grateful that someone asked them to teach children. You could bless the life of a man deeply by inviting him to teach children. Accept the challenge to give Christian male role models to your children, and bless their spiritually formative years.

Mark Jones is Lifeway Kid’s Ministry Field Specialist. For more ideas in Children’s Ministry go to www.mrmarksclassroom.com.

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