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In kidmin

KidMin ’12 takeaways

October 5, 2012 No Comments

ministry leaders need/long to be ministered to – through interactive, Christ-centered worship experiences; “the shelter” ministry (counseling and prayer center) that was busy everyday; and my “broken, burned-out, and bored in kidmin” workshop, i experienced people in desperate need of ministry. and the best news is, i heard story after story of those who were met “just as they were” and experienced Jesus. isn’t that what it is really all about? after seeing this, i come back to my own ministry and wonder how many of my leaders are in need of a fresh touch, word, or encouragement? how will i make it a priority to minister to them as they faithfully pour out on children and families each week?
you can never have too many friends in kidmin – i love people! i was thrilled going into kidmin with all the familiar faces i would get to see and spend some time with each day. (never enough time, though.) i wasn’t expecting all the new people i would be fortunate enough to meet, share a meal with, laugh with, and hang around on sack chairs and just talk about life with in any spare moment we could find. i leave with deepened friendships and brand news ones that i know will make me a better person and minster. ministry and life are more pleasant and precious in community. may i gave back to them as willingly as they have given to me.
the Holy Spirit empowers me to do what i cannot – one of the greatest blessings i had during the days of KidMin was a group of people (some in alabama and some in tennessee) that had my packed conference schedule and committed to pray me through my days in chicago. my simple request was that i would dare not lean on my own strength or wisdom, but press into the power provided through the Holy Spirit. not only did i receive their prayers, but i was constantly encouraged through their texts. they prayed expectantly and they couldn’t wait to hear about what only God could do. boy, do i have some stories for them. 🙂
i am blessed – after leading a tough ministry conversation and hearing heart-breaking stories from other ministers in the trenches, i left knowing how blessed i am to serve in a church that not only values children’s ministry but supports it through word AND action.
the IT team can party – with just a large stack of deep-dish chicago pizza and soda, the KidMin IT team had so much fun in a luxury suite that hotel security might have been called a couple of times. what a fun group of people that have no idea how to “use their inside voices.”
prayer changes things – as i stood before a group of over 200 in my last workshop of the conference, i was a wee bit stressed. i had optimistically planned for about 20-25. i mean, who wants to hear me when there are so many other choices and what a great last chance for them to sleep in before general session. so i began, not knowing how it would go and i had the tables introduce themselves to one another. that was when my friend gina met me in the middle of the room to pray over me. “i wish you would,” i said. “how can i give all these people what they need? i didn’t prepare for this many.” after she prayed, i started the workshop in His strength and have never had more fun leading. God showed up and taught us all a thing or two about “helping kids have a friendship with Jesus.” gina was my God-sighting for the day!
all about experience and relationship – a few days into KidMin ’12 i marveled at the fact that i just had no time to blog. see, i was either experiencing the conference and the life-changing lessons it brought or i was building relationships! the REAL learning experiences brought me closer in my journey with Jesus and the relationships formed continue to encourage me as i traveled back home. oh there was plenty of meat, but it was so beautifully delivered through transparent speakers and hand-on activities that no single blog post could capture what happened in my heart. i guess i will not only continue to chew on each truth but carry them with me as God uses me to minister to others.
the grand gift of laughter – spending time with my dawson team at KidMin taught me that not only am i working alongside gifted, passionate people, but they are oh so fun!!!! i haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. i am talking side-splitting, tears-streaming laughter. i’ll take two spoonfuls of that daily. so grateful to work with those that see the joy in life and ministry.

is it too early to begin countdown to KidMin ’13 in ohio? okay, if you were at KidMin ’12, what was your greatest takeaway?

In kidmin

transitions article in Children’s Ministry Magazine

October 4, 2012 3 Comments

Here is the link to my latest article in Children’s Ministry Magazine. If you have time, take a look. Honored to be included in the article with Melissa and my good friend Kathie.

In kidmin

i stood silent and still in my hallway the other night as the wind began to blow. as each gust grew a bit stronger, so did the sound of my chimes. they didn’t buckle or break as the wind battered them. as they beat together, they rang louder and louder with their sweet song of grace. see, they are “amazing grace” chimes. each metal rod is tuned to a different note that together create this classic hymn.

this analogy captivated me in its simple truth. the harder the winds of life begin to blow, the louder His grace, mercy and peace seem to ring. even in the middle of the storm, He is present with exactly what we need. (i blogged about this very truth in my first post on this blog.) we just need to remain still enough to hear His song.

as i prepare to teach a workshop next week entitled “broken, burned-out, and bored in kidmin,” we will talk about the rest, grace, mercy, and peace that are present in the storms of ministry life. and of course, i will have to mention the lesson of my chimes. (i just love it when He teaches me like that.) may we all leave with our ears a bit more tuned to the song in our storms.

what song do you hear Him playing?

In kidmin

KidMin – like going home

September 19, 2012 1 Comment

one week from today i will have landed in chicago for the second ever KidMin conference. while face-timing with a friend today (that i met at KidMin last year) i said to her, “KidMin is like going home.” to say i am looking forward to it would be an understatement. actually, i am a wee bit giddy. here are just some of the reasons i am so excited about KidMin ’12.

chrisme

chris yount jones, the heart behind KidMin, is probably one of my favorite people. she is the real deal and it has been a blessing to know her and see her live out authentic faith and a servant’s heart for 15 years. with her leadership, Jesus and prayer remain central and celebrated!

my KidMin friends – the thing is, i would love these people even they didn’t serve in KidMin. they truly inspire me to seek harder, love unconditionally, and serve with the strength only God provides. i can’t go five feet in the conference halls without seeing one of these people that feel like a part of ministry family.

those at “home” usually seem to know you best and speak honestly to you whether you are ready to hear it or not. the keynotes at KidMin do just that. last year i was challenged, convicted, inspired, and ministered to by truths God spoke through each speaker. this year will be no exception. i can’t wait to hear beth moore speak from the perspective of a children’ s ministry volunteer. i already feel like she is a friend after getting to know her so well through so many of her studies and conferences.

as they say in steel magnolias, “laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” well, the skit guys have practically perfected such an emotional paradox. their powerful messages can have your sides cramping from laughing one minute, then have you reaching for kleenex the next. just like life, i love that.

next to God’s Word, nothing ministers to my soul quite like music. gungor will be there. “beautiful things”– enough said.

the KidMin inside track team are oh so dear to me! we are all different, with varying opinions and styles, but with one common goal. even as i type these words about them, a smile breaks out across my face. i can’t wait to hug their necks.

oh, i could go on and probably will on here, on facebook and twitter all next week. all i know is, i have never looked forward to a conference with more expectancy. may Jesus have His way with us in chicago and may it all be for His glory!

In kidmin

sermon notes & school lunches

September 13, 2012 3 Comments

i believe children can participate, contribute, and learn in corporate worship. i also hate sitting behind the desk in my office all day. how do these things go together? i call it the sermon note school lunch tour.

each week children can pick up special worship bulletins just for them. the folded bulletin addresses the same topic as the pastor’s message for the day. then, inside is a half sheet (front/back) to guide the child’s participation in worship. here are some of the things it includes:

a picture of the previous week’s winner.
a worship challenge. (i.e. go introduce yourself to someone you don’t know in the greeting time, as you sing the worship song think about what that song is saying about or to God, practice the church’s monthly memory verse, etc.)
the scripture passage for the day so they can look it up and follow along.
three to four questions, activities, opportunities to draw, apply, and share what they are learning through the sermon that day. (i get the pastor’s sermon points ahead of time so i know what questions or activities to provide.)

what does this have to do with school lunch? well, i love to meet kids on their turf during the week, but i want to be careful about “picking” kids to eat with to avoid showing any favoritism. so, each week the names of children that turn in sermon notes are put in a pile and i pick one. i make arrangements for my assistant and me to meet them at school for lunch and the rest is an adventure. the lunch table is always interesting and i enjoy meeting other children and then having some focused time with one of my church kids. these brief visits begin to foster a relationship that carries back into the church walls. honestly, it is like my favorite part of the week!!!

as children become consistent with their sermon notes we give them a celebration tag and recognize them in a church publication when they reach 25, 50, 75, and 100 completed notes. truth is, it isn’t about the number of sermons they take notes in during church. my goal is to build stronger relationships with them outside the church walls and for them, after hearing God’s Word, respond to it and apply it to their daily lives.