sometimes we simply can’t communicate the gut level honesty of service like a volunteer. that is why when i received a copy of this email at the end of our kidlife (vbs) last summer, i knew i wanted to use it as a recruitment tool for this summer. i don’t think i have ever heard a more beautiful description of serving with children. i took her precious words and added pictures and the video below is the final product. may God use it to stir many to serve, but also to reveal Himself to those that step out in faith.
this week is the week we reveal dawson’s 2017 kidlife theme. while we have been working behind the scenes for months, our vbs leadership team will hear the theme and daily truths for the first time. before coming to dawson i thought i never wanted to write and craft my own vbs. why would i, there are so many great vbs publishers out there? here it is a tradition, as is calling vbs “kidlife”, and while it has challenged and stretched me, i have to say i love formulating a plan and theme for our culture and community.
so before we dive in to this year’s theme (which so excites me because the 1st-5th grade daily themes are based on the Gospel project’s, the gospel God’s plan for me) i thought i would look back to my 3 biggest takeaways from last year’s vbs.
- staff involvement – i serve with an amazing staff and i was blown away by all the ways they made our 2016 kidlife a greater experience for all the kids that came. (i blogged about that here and here.) we want to make sure to build on that concept from last year, so we brainstormed this year’s theme with staff back in december. i am thrilled about some fun things we have up our sleeves for them. (some of them don’t have a clue what is coming for them, but they are amazing servants that jump in and become a part of kidlife.)
- the mascot – we love champ and our friendly lion was a great addition to kidlife 2016. from the very moment the kids
stepped on our property, champ was there with a high five, a hug or some bling. we can’t wait to take champ to the next level this year since he already has so many friends. last year he was an athlete at the kidlife olympics, this year he has another important job.
- intentional Gospel and visitor follow-up – before our kidlife week ever begins we have written, copied and ready to mail letter for guests, kids that want to know more about what it means to become a Christian, and kids that give their life to Christ. we want to build the bridge from the week of vbs to their home. i also love how our ministerial staff are on call each day to be paired up to talk with a child that wants to know what it means to be a Christian. i am a big fan of one-on-one conversation (out in the open of course) with children ready to make this decision. we want to make sure they understand the truth and we are there to guide them through this important time. our ministerial staff also take time to go meet and email the parents of each child that doesn’t mark a church home on their registration form. it excites me to know that new families not only hear from the kidmin staff, but also another minister ready to help them with any questions.
check out our kidlife recap video below:
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i was so excited to be invited back to a great event my friend nate holder puts on for his association each year – the etowah baptist association kidmin and stumin summit. one of my breakouts for this year is on family worship. below are my notes for this workshop.
before you think this post is all about adding another worship service or event to your already busy kidmin calendar, think again. as we explore this topic i am going to ask three things of you:
- think out of the box. family worship doesn’t just have to be a time of worship with families.
- how can you apply these principles to events/program you already have in place in your ministry?
- quality verses quantity – families are busy. make sure the times you plan areprayed through and well crafted. offer less that is better than a whole lot of more.
now i believe in simple steps so i can focus on what is most important – Jesus. so this is my checklist, or recipe if you will, for family worship experience.
after i shared the recipe we experienced this model in six different activities.
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i often say, “the longer i am in ministry, the less i put on the calendar.” i believe the families i minister to are not interested in just another “good” event, but are looking for deeper quality over the church’s tendency to push quantity. our theme for dawson kids this year has proved to be a great tool as we seek to cast a vision filled with more depth than width. this theme works not only as a filter, but as target for all we put on the calendar in dawson kids.
the theme we chose for this year (back in august) is one based on the story of mary and martha in luke 10. let’s face it, churches are professionals at scheduling many good things, but what would we find if we held each program/event under the microscope of the one thing that matters most – sitting at the feet of Jesus? this question not only challenged me in my personal life, but also as i shepherd kids and families.
what freedom, but also guidance, we have found in knowing our one goal for the year – helping kids and families sit at the feet of Jesus. and guess what, they don’t have to be in the church building to do that. (did a minister just say that?) from 1st grade Bibles, to family worship, to investor training and beyond, we are seeking to make each moment about the one thing that matters most – Jesus! it is amazing the distractions that are dissolved when you have one singular focus. the more i think about it, every year should simply be all about one thing – JESUS!
what is your kidmin’s theme for the year? comment below and share how God is shaping your year!
let’s face it, praying can be hard. then, when we are faced with trials, storms, circumstances, and struggles we don’t really know how or what we should pray. if it is hard for us adults, it can be equally hard for kids. that is why when i teach a prayer series to kids, i always end with teaching them how to pray God’s character back to Him in their tough situations. this can be quite an abstract concept so that is why i make it as concrete as possible so they see it in black and white, literally.
we begin with children spread out around black (or dark) butcher paper with colored chalk. i tell them to take some time to think of some struggles in their lives and in other’s lives that need prayer. then i give them time to draw. they are encouraged to use symbols or words, but only enough that they feel conformable sharing and that also gives them a little privacy. i try to encourage them to fill up their space. many are slow to start, but sadly have quite a few drawings when time is up.
as we sit and look at their prayers drawn before them, we talk about how many times it can be hard to know exactly what to pray. that’s when i give them a sheet of the names of God. (my examples below) i tell them to quietly read through these names and allow God reveal which of His names speaks to their situation. we discuss how while praying the names of God doesn’t remind God of who He is, He has not forgotten, praying His name reminds us of who He is.
after they have found some names, i then have them switch their color chalk to white chalk. i instruct them to write the names of God boldly over their symbols and situations. (again, i encourage them to fill up their space.) sometimes i play a song like “praise you in this storm” or “come to Jesus” during this time. after they are finished, we look back at the dark butcher paper. what was once full drawings representing needs is now covered in the names of God. we discuss how sometimes we get so fixated on our situations, we can’t see anything but them. that is when we need to be reminded who our mighty God is and see all our prayers through the mighty lens of who He is.
i know for me it is always a reminder that there is nothing i can carry, draw, mourn or worry about that the God of our universe can’t handle. my hope and prayer is that these kids begin to understand this as well and are constantly encouraged to bring whatever they have, big or small, to His feet in prayer and leave it in His capable hands.
below are downloads to two different names sheets i have used. i found these online many years ago.
100 names of Jesus
names of God – source: christianity.about.com by mary fairchild