Archive - February, 2009

Piggybacking off of Pudge’s Post

February 10, 2009 in Family Ministry 0

Sorry for the ridiculous alliteration there but first read this post by Pudge. Then think about this. Number one what is our goal in #kidmin or any ministry for that matter.

My goal as a teacher is 1 Timothy 1:5 “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” [NASB]

  1. So basically, I want to teach kids to love purely out of a result of their overflowing relationship with God
  2. Sound doctrine or (a good conscience)that comes directly from their personal relationship with God and reading and study of the word of God. Very interesting to do a study on the word conscience in this passage check it out;)
  3. And last sincere faith (deeds, works, acts of service, etc.)

Now with these goals in mind we have been pondering how do we push kids to their Bibles? How do we push them closer to Christ? Are there hurdles that we can remove in order for kids to get in the Bible?

We have pondered so many things:

  • Graphic Bibles
  • Sorta a baseball/Yu-Gi-oH (culturally relevant)card to get kids to read passages
  • Bible Hero Action Figures
  • Videos
  • Online readers

I am wondering if the thing Pudge is talking about is doable. Hulu is an incredible tool but more so imagine how much kids are on the computer. Webkins, Dragonball Z reruns, Webisodes, etc.

How can we put something tangible together that will grab kids attention and get them to come back again and again? Can it be done? Should it be done? Is there another way to do something like this?

Let me hear your thoughts.

So I think I am gonna take the plunge.

February 9, 2009 in Tech 0

I have been thinking about it and thinking about it and thinking about it.

And then I thought about it some more and I finally think I am gonna do it.

I am going to buy a domain name!

I am excited and yet nervous because there will definitely be some more work involved. But I guess I really must move forward with this process. I am totally excited and yet nervous for putting a bigger commitment into this thing. But my mom and now my wife read this blog so I will still have some readership after the big move.

;)

So until I figure this thing out keep up right here and I will let you know as soon as you can make the switch!

Thanks for reading. Also I really want to know what you guys are doing for Valentine’s Day. I have something but I know that you are incredibly creative people so I am interested in what you guys are planning on doing.

What are the best things that you’ve seen in a blog?

February 8, 2009 in Tech 0

I really need some feedback on this one… What would you love to see on a blog? What are some things that you find extremely interesting on a blog like mine? Besides my incredible commentary ( :) ) Sarcasm being used there.

All this because I’m looking to upgrade the blog a little and had some ideas but would love some feedback!

My 4 principles for Children’s Production

February 6, 2009 in Family Ministry 0

Well since I do programming for Children’s Ministry thought I would give you the four things that we are always implementing at Brookwood Kids. It’s in a little acronym called FITE.

F-Fun. It’s really simple and yet difficult to achieve across different ages. Kids make a job out of having fun. If they aren’t having fun they aren’t interested in what you are offering to them. Simple yet very hard to achieve on a consistent basis. (fun for 3rd grade girls and 5th grade boys looks a little different!)

I-Interactivity. The kids need to interact with their environment and with the lesson. With the attention spans of children and the need to fit strong Biblical teaching in to your only one hour of connection with the kids during the week, it must be important to allow the kids to participate in what is happening. And when you honestly look at your Christian life, one of the greatest things that you get to do is PARTICIPATE! We don’t want to program into our kids that Jesus, and the life that He calls us to is one where you sit and soak.

T-Timing. This is where for most of you’re programming it could be different. For us at Brookwood Kids, we have about 30 minutes of large group teaching. We use centralized teaching and so it is imperative for us to give our small group leaders as much time to connect with them as possible. This is the part that I struggle with the most because I want the kids to get “it” everytime that I teach and so I embellish a bit ;) Preacher in me I guess. But I understand that while the lesson is extremely important, the connections they make with their SGL’s on a weekly basis is even more important. Do you remember a lesson that taught you more and pushed you further in your walk with Christ or a person that invested in you? Sorry tangent- We make it a priority to time out all of our media elements and make sure that we try as hard as we can to give our SGL’s as much connection time with the kids as possible. And you must consistently work at doing this. (especially me)

E-Excellence. This one might sound very simple to those of you in the programming world, but this is the hardest thing for those of us in CM (or #kidmin ;) ) to get. Why? Because often times you have to battle this “O it’s only kids, attitude”, “They won’t notice, they’re just kids” Those statements kill me. Luckily for us at Brookwood we have incredible support from everyone on our staff. It is unbelievably important to show the kids that you care about what you put in front of them. Be excellent in what you do.

Hope this helps some of you. I’m no expert but thought it would be really beneficial for any of you involved in CM Production!

What would you add to this list?

So I’m pretty excited a few things!

February 5, 2009 in Life 0

  • First day of filming for Adventure Week 2009. It will be incredible!
  • Orange Conference is coming! If you are going let me know what you are most excited about.
  • I’m excited to get to hang out with our CM staff and the SM staff at Brookwood and not be in a work environment (and worship together!)
  • Getting ready to write some stuff for our Easter Curriculum.
  • First Valentine’s Day with my wife as a married man! (Can’t wait Kristen!)

Wednesday Wisdom: Self-Management

February 4, 2009 in Lead 0

I have been reading a book called Practicing Greatness by Reggie McNeal and it is an incredible book. I am urging, pleading, begging, and any other word that might convince you, to go to your bookstore immediately and pick up this book.

It is a book that talks about the 7 disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders. The one that is really hitting home with me right now is the discipline of Self-Management. It’s defined as this:

The discipline of self-management—handling difficult emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy, and physical well-being.

As a spiritual leader you must be able to manage yourself. Far and above managing others you have to be able to effectively manage yourself. And it comes through in all parts of your life. It’s why I spent time today cleaning my desk, it’s why people run to stay in shape, it’s why you don’t overeat. It is the practice of denying yourself. See Christ taught that we must keep ourselves in check. We must do the things that keep us secondary to our maker. All of these things that you can manage your emotions, expectations, temptations, mental vibrancy (gettin enough sleep???), and physical well-being involve an act of denial of yourself.

Most importantly by managing these things it allows you to exponentially increase your effectiveness in ministry. Think about being a healthy, well-rested, Spirit filled, humble, even keeled spiritual leader. That is what the principle of Self-Management will help you to achieve. Incredible stuff.

Organization is something I have to work on. Not my gift or personality. What is something that you have to manage about yourself?

New tool for CM People!!!

February 3, 2009 in Family Ministry 0

Alright if you are in CM you need to do this right now. Go to this link #kidmin this is a hashtags link. Basically the people that subscribe to this link will get updates from people that are doing things in Children’s Ministry. It’s an awesome idea and I can’t wait to what is being shared on this thing.

It works in an RSS feed, Bloglines or anything like that! Check it out right now. You still aren’t there… what’s taking you so long.
:)

Leadership Development

February 2, 2009 in Family Ministry 0

We are knee deep in some leadership development right now:

  • Disciple the Discipler
  • Revolutionizing Recruiting
  • Growth in Groups
  • Investing Volunteers

Needless to say that God is really pushing me in areas right now. For a 22 year old guy, God is really pushing my spiritual leadership learning curve forward at a fast rate. It’s really exciting and really stressful at the same time.

I wanted to know from you guys what is the number one leadership idea that you have learned over your lifetime. Anything I want to know what it is.

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