In kidmin

authentic KidMin connection

October 11, 2011 9 Comments

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!

In faith

the goal

October 4, 2011 2 Comments

my life-long sport was soccer and my position was goalie. i love the unique role of the keeper of the goal. wearing a different color shirt, i was set apart. my mission was simple really – protect the goal.

many see this position as easy. (yes, i was thankful i didn’t have to do all that running.) the fact is, i was always working. no matter where the action was on the field i was constantly repositioning myself to be in the best spot to protect the goal. then, when a shot was taken, i would literally throw my body in any direction or height to stop the opponent from scoring. the goal was always my focus and it was when my attention was divided that the shots started to pass by me.

i have been pondering my goalie position quite a bit today, as i also think through my role as a believer and a minister to children. my goal in life and ministry is really quite simple, too. i have been set-apart, crucified with Christ, and my goal is Jesus. He, alone, should have my focus and attention. i wish i could say i was a great keeper of this goal. i am afraid my focus has been blurred by programs, the praise of men, numbers, problems, serving half-halfheartedly, and more. it is time to realign myself with the One and Only goal – Jesus.

the kids deserve my best goal keeping. more importantly, my Savior deserves an undivided mind seeking Him with all my strength.

help me Lord, for i am prone to be distracted. realign my focus on You!

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:12-14

In kidmin

my high five for KidMin ’11

September 20, 2011 1 Comment

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!

In kidmin

eternal words

September 7, 2011 6 Comments

like the rest of the country i read “the help” and flocked to the theater to see it with a group of girlfriends. now before you think i am going to diss the book or movie, you have to know i loved them both. i devoured the book in less than a week and can’t wait to see the movie a second, third, or fourth time. 🙂

but if i am totally honest, there we three lines in that movie that challenged me to examine my words when interacting with children. oh you know them. you have seen them on tweets and facebook statuses for weeks.

“You is smart, You is kind. You is important.”

the scenes where these lines were being delivered to a chubby, young face cupped in tired, loving hands brought tears to my eyes. i know this was fiction, but i loved the intentionality of abilene to pause from the chaos to invest into a child’s heart and future. (she was purposeful to bend down and get eye-to-eye as she gently delivered them. i long to communicate like that.) her intentions were great, but i still find myself asking what eternal weight do those words really carry?

again, i understand it was a movie. i also admit that often times i would rather live in movies than in real life, but these lines provided a challenge and some examination into the words i impart to children.

these words were powerful and encouraging to a timid heart that was seeking affirmation and love. these words filled a void that this child wasn’t receiving from her parents. here’s the question i have asked myself – are these words really what this child needed to make it through life? would these three lines deliver the true hope, strength, joy, and courage she would need as she faced life and all its unknowns?

these words were good, but in my opinion they weren’t great! i am just not sure they were eternal words. as i have replayed these words in my mind for a month now, i have to ask what would my three lines be? my biggest conclusion is that they would be Christ-centered not child-centered. i would take out the you’s and add God and try to convey life-changing truths that would not only point children to Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him, but would offer the real comfort they would need in the future. He is all wisdom. He is the author of kindness, and He is above all things. that makes Him most important.

i encounter children daily and often times deliver words far less effective and profound as these movie lines. i waste opportunities to plant eternal truths and replace them with casual, trite, fading, and empty words. so even though i haven’t completely decided how it could best be said, here is my attempt at three lines.

“God created you and has a plan for you. God loves you just like you are and gave you Jesus. God will never leave you.”

i would love to hear your three lines!

In faith

a perfect fit

September 6, 2011 16 Comments

in the last 15 years in ministry i have often felt like a square peg trying to cram into a round hole. i just don’t fit. in many situations i find myself being the object of the child’s song, “one of these things is not like the other.” here are just a few:

– as someone that ministers to parents of children, i’m not a fit because i am not a parent. i try my hardest and pray that God would grant me wisdom to think like a parent, but the fact
is i’m not. so how can i really fit?
– in my great, sweet circle of friends i stick out as the only unmarried one. (always
completing the group as the 3rd, 5th, or 7th wheel.)
– in the kidmin ministry world that is constantly changing, evolving, and providing much
conversation, i would rather discuss what God is doing personally in the lives of those involved and avoid “shop” talk.
– the place i call home and lay my head just doesn’t fit as where my heart is.
– on a staff and in a ministry world of the seminary trained, i’m uneducated and carry a degree in mass communications. quite a far cry from theology.
– not to mention, i am surrounded by crimson wearing, tide cheering people, (oh and those orange fans of east tennessee) when my rally cry is “war eagle.” 🙂

today on a drive home after a much needed roadtrip, i pondered the above list (not really the last point). i even cried out to God for understanding and direction and He sweetly spoke to my heart. while i often don’t “feel” like i fit in many groups or situations He places me in, He gently reminded me i fit perfectly in the palm of His hand. that was enough for me. that Truth doesn’t dismiss my feelings, but brings comfort that while i wait and press on He never lets go.

anyone else ever feel like they just don’t fit?

About Me

Danielle has over 25 years of kidmin experience and she possesses a great fervor for sharing, discipling, and shepherding children and families with the message of Jesus Christ. Danielle is a well-respected leader and trainer in the area of Children's Ministry and has spoken regionally at local churches and nationally at children’s ministry conferences. She is a curriculum writer for Gospel Project Kids. and Awana brite. She has also written the following resources: “God’s Brave Girl” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), “The Gospel God’s Plan for Me” Leader and Student Guides (Lifeway), and the Younger KidMin chapter for “Children’s Ministry Volunteer Handbook” (Outreach). Danielle is the lead instructor for the Children's Ministry Certificate at beadisciple.com. In 2010, Danielle was named by “Children’s Ministry Magazine” as one of the top 20 Children’s Ministry Leaders to watch. Danielle’s blog, dandibell.com, is one of the top 100 kid’s ministry blogs.
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The posts on this site are my own personal opinions. These posts do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the companies I write for or my church.