one of the things i learned at a conference early in ministry, is the children i minister to are a reach up generation. i believe the same is true for this next generation of “digital natives.” the children that make up these generations demand more, desire deeper, and seek harder than is typically true of previous generations.

those two words, reach up, have always been present in my mind as i pick curriculum, prepare material and choose topics for special events. children are being overloaded with heavy, false information from the world. am i then delivering deep, solid promises and truths from God’s Word to their searching hearts? or do i settle with the simple, easy, and constantly repeated stories?

this has an adverse effect, because sometimes i feel i am trying to give them drinks from a fire hydrant. this was true of our 3rd-6th grade fall retreat last weekend. i so desired for them to grasp the rarely talked about fear of God. i longed for them to understand that while He is a loving, gentle God, He is also a Holy and Righteous Judge. He is to be feared in a healthy way!

so, for our children’s fall retreat i used youth curriculum that included three (out of five) lessons on the fear of God. for the first time i did multi-age groups, hoping the older children could help their younger peers grasp these truths. (the mixed groups were at hit with my volunteers.) while the curriculum was maybe a bit more of a bite than some were ready to chew, i am confident that many were challenged and stretched in their faith journey. but, did i overwhelm others?

so i struggle and question myself often. where is the balance of filling hands that are reaching up without weighing them down with confusing, abstract truths?  (i also find myself thankful for the Holy Spirit, who speaks truths into hearts way better than i can.)  how do you find this balance in KidMin?

for over a year i have had the privilege of talking to children’s ministry leaders from around the country that form our inside track team. so many i have never met in person, but felt like i had known forever. many i had met, but began to get to know on a deeper level through social media. we were this unique, scattered family that held Jesus and KidMin in common. then, the first ever Group KidMin conference happened.

as we began to gather in chicago, hug each other’s necks, and meet face to face; the inside track team took on a whole new form. no longer did our relationships consist of statuses, family pictures, tiny avatars, or tweets. surface conversations turned to deep, heartfelt talks. conference suggestions were found in concrete elements throughout KidMin. and what was once individuals serving separately across the country became a group passionately serving KidMin11. it was as if the inside track family was finally all home together for a KidMin holiday.

as i come to grips with the fact that we are a year away from KidMin 2012, i know for sure that the sweet friendships formed through the inside track team will only grow richer. i also look forward to the many other friends that will be added to this group and all the gifts, ideas, and encouragement they bring. countdown to KidMin 2012 begins now!

there are just four more days to register for Group’s KidMin conference!  i can’t believe it is almost here.  as i look forward to what all God will do at and through the conference, here are my high five reasons for being excited.

1.  Jesus will be the star.  i heard this from the very beginning from the top leaders of the KidMin conference, and i am pleased to say i have seen it woven into each step of our planning.   i love the fact that the One we serve has remained the goal in conference calls, brainstorming sessions, and prayers.  we long to make much of HIM!  i am blown away that christine yount jones has prayed for each person/group attending and is writing them each an encouraging, handwritten note! read her latest blog here.

2.  No show – instead of general sessions where i  play the part of recipient instead of participant,  KidMin will get you involved in what is going on in each general session.  these sessions will definitely be unique!

3.  Connect Groups – the greatest gift i leave any conference with is new friends that understand ministry and assure me i haven’t lost my mind.  (ok, there has possibly been a time or two when i did lose my mind, but i needed them to give me unbiased perspective.)  i am praying expectantly and asking God to do big things in our connect groups and make this time one of encouragement, support, prayer, information, and understanding.  i love the way children’s ministry folks share so transparently and i have seen this happening already here at the discussion page of  Group’s  KidMin Conference facebook page.  check out the connect group options here.

4.  IT Team (Inside Track Team) – i have had the privilege of working with 80+ in-the-trenches KidMin leaders that have helped speak ideas into this conference.  i so look forward to meeting many for the first time (face-to-face) and experiencing this first ever KidMin conference with them.

5.  Ministry Conversations – so i like to talk, i believe that’s obvious through my top five reasons. 🙂   i look forward to these hour long, specific topics that will be moderated by a seasoned expert, but will also have many in-the-trenches KidMin folks in the room to aid in the conversation.  as with so many aspects of the conference, it will be a two way conversation.  click here to see the topics that will be discussed.

have you registered for the KidMin conference yet?  i would love to have a cup of coffee with you and hear your story!