Keeping up with the times

          I'm sure that most of you can relate, that as a children's pastor there is still a little kid or sometimes a lot in all of us. We can remember what it was like when we were kids too. Who the popular music singers were, the best tv shows, movies, toys. Recently, I came across an article on Facebook about all the different foods that 90's kids knew but were no longer being made today. Man that made me sad. But I learned something through that article. Times change. What was popular even just 5 years ago may not be anymore. But I'm afraid that we often take these memories from our childhood and apply them to kids today. Instead of realizing that today's kids have different sports, music, and movie role models than we did. Even when I go eat lunch at some different schools, kids are amazed that at one time you always got fries or tator tots in the school cafeteria. By placing our memories in their lives this places us, the children's minister, back in time though. Which means we can become outdated and ineffective in reaching today's kids for Christ. So one challenge for myself and for you as well, is to keep up with the times. Find out what is popular currently and what kids go through on a daily basis. As Karl Bastian, the founder of Kidology.org, would probably say we need to become kidiologist. But how can we do that? Here are some ideas I got partly from him and would like to pass on.

1. Never pass a toy store without going into it. This allows us to see what the coolest new gadgets and toys are for kids, not to mention you may find something for yourself too.

2. Read some popular kids books. If there is a popular series coming out that a lot of preteens are reading (like Harry Potter back in the day) then pick it up and read it. This lets you know what kids are being exposed to and gives you something to talk about with them.

3. Watch the Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, or whatever TV channel or movie is popular for kids. Not that this is all you watch but spend some time each day trying to watch a show kids do.

4. Watch the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards. This easily in a few hours allows you to see who the popular music, actors, and sports stars are in kids lives today.

The main thing to remember is that by staying relevant we can more easily and effectively connect and minister to children today. There are many other ways you can find out what is popular with kids today. If you have any ideas please share them in the comment box below.

Speaking Christ through your actions

Today as I was listening to a pastor I was reminded of the saying actions speak louder than words. Now I know this is going to upset you because you have studied for hours preparing the best children's sermon series possible. Perhaps you just came across the coolest object lesson or sermon illustration there is and know the kids will be extremely focused during your lesson time this week. While I hope this is true and that we all (me included) are digging into God's word in preparation for when we get to speak to the kids in our ministry, it is possible we are missing a key aspect to sharing the gospel of Christ. Our actions.

In Acts 20: 18-19 Paul is addressing the Ephesians stating, "When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents." Isn't it interesting that instead of pointing back to some the sermons or teachings Paul had spoke it was his actions that Paul referred to as a teaching point here?

What if instead of just interacting with the kids in our ministry we began to view it as a evangelistic or discipleship time? If there is one thing I know its kids maybe listening but they are definitely watching. This includes in how we treat others, if we are fair and honest, how we act in Walmart, or anywhere we go. The question is are they seeing Christ through your actions or are you harming the message of Christ? I pray they do in mine.

Counseling kids

Counseling kids can be an exciting but nerve racking event. There is the excitement that God is doing something in the child's life. But not only is He moving in their life, God is using you as well in this process. It's always a great feeling to know you are being used by the almighty creator. On the same token, counseling a kid can be a very delicate process. As one presents the gospel, they must be certain the child is answering questions on their own, and that they understand.

This past week I found myself in this very situation. A parent had come to me stating their child was asking questions and wanting to be baptized. I of course agreed to sit down and talk with the child. This is a favorite part of my job after all. As we preceded through what baptism means, what sin is and the gospel it became obvious that while the little girl was asking questions it just hadn't clicked yet. I'm so grateful for the Holy Spirit's discernment in times like this. 

This past week reminded me of the awesome opportunity we have to reach kids with the gospel of Christ. But at the same time that opportunity comes with great responsibility. So next time you get to counsel a child I want to encourage you. Pray for discernment and clear words. Let the child answer even if this creates a long pause. Finally, let the Holy Spirit take over and guide you. 

Training Workers

One thing that every children's ministry needs is equipped, committed, and faithful workers.  After all you can't do everything yourself in the children's ministry or at least you shouldn't. But that is a whole different topic. Now i'm sure you have some people like this is your ministry already. There are some people who just naturally are very gifted, even at being a children's ministry worker. I believe that every worker can become this equipped and committed worker though. It just takes time and effort from you, the children's minister, to help aid and equip them for that purpose.

But in today's world it is a fact that people are ever increasingly busy. This presents a problem when it comes to pouring into today's children's ministry workers. At a Conference I went to several months ago only 1 out of 25-30 children's ministers were having a monthly training, where most if not all their workers attended.  This shows us that today meeting once a month at a set time does not always promise a good turnout. Which means that some of your workers are being equipped while others are missing good training points. The majority of the children's ministers had one meeting every quarter or half a year for training. This doesn't give a lot of time to equip those in the forefront battle ground of your children's ministry.

So in order to equip your workers one is going to have to think outside of the box. How can I equip my workers and manage to not ask of a lot of time from their daily schedules? This is a question I have looked into myself. Here are two ideas I came up with. Perhaps some of ya'll have come up with another solution. I'd love to here how others are equipping their workers, please leave your training strategies in the comments below.

1) Training Online

There are several different online training tools available today. My children's ministry is actually in the process of getting all our workers signed up for this as we speak. One benefit of training online is that you can track each workers progress, allowing you to provide different trainings for more seasoned children's ministry workers. These also give you a database of training videos so you don't always have to make your own.

2) CD/DVD

Another thing you could try is making a CD/DVD each month for every worker with videos or audio on it. This takes a bit more work as you have to make and/or compile the videos. But it allows them to carry the training with them anywhere they may go.

Ultimately I believe that a key to equipping today's kidmin workers is making training conveniently available. Whether this is online, through a CD or DVD, people will be more willing to listen or watch a short 5-10 min training if they can listen while driving to work or pull up a video on their Ipad during commercial breaks. The question is how will you equip your kidmin workers?

Starting Conversations with Kids

It is Sunday morning. Your running around trying to get everything together last minute for the kids programs that are beginning. Got to get glue for this craft or some supplies for a game that was found this morning. But you have missed one important thing. . . . meeting and having a conversation with the kids. Instead of worrying about getting everything together that could have been done days in advance, you could be meeting with kids, especially visitors. Establishing a relationship or connection with the kids in your ministry is more important than you think. Starting a conversation with them doesn't have to be tough either, especially if you know some key topics kids pay attention to today. Here are some topics you might want to become familiar with to help you get on their level.

1) Disney. . . .

One of the easiest things you can do to relate to kids is get hooked on Disney. This could be the latest and classic Disney movies, watching the Disney channel, play Disney video games. The list goes on but if you want to talk to kids asking them who their favorite Disney character is an easy way to get started.

2) The latest music

Who is the most popular kids music sensation right now? Not sure. Watch the Nickelodeon kids choice awards each year. Also you could start by asking what a kids favorite song is and then go back and learn about them later for next time.

3) Sports

This is a big one with boys especially. But knowing the hottest sports athletes is a big deal. These kids are watching them constantly. And if your in the south you better know how the state college football teams are doing!

4) Pets

A lot of kids have pets. Of course for many people pets have a special place in one's life, but this is even more evident in kids lives. After all they are the only ones I've ever had request for me to pray for their pet.

5) School

I know what your thinking. Did he just list school? Yep, while some kids may not enjoy school the most it is where they spend a big chunk of their week. Everyone has a favorite period (even if it is lunch). Why not ask about where they spend most of their time?

These are just some conversation starters to think about. But making an effort to converse and meet with the kids in your ministry is important. It shows them you care, are a human just like them, and can establish a foundation for a opportunity to discuss the gospel and God's love for them.

Feeding Yourself

Are you taking time to feed yourself? Now I know this sounds like an odd question. I mean of course your taking your lunch break and maybe hitting up the closest fast food joint from the church. And every morning you wake up and grab that bowl of cereal or eggs. Then at night you know supper is a great meal. Of course your feeding yourself right? We all make sure we take time out of our day to eat because our bodies need fuel to keep going. Without food we will become sluggish, tired, and lethargic. So to keep going and hopefully fulfill our jobs and relationships to the best of our ability we eat right.

But are you taking the same stance in your spiritual life? Are you, as a minister of the gospel, taking time to feed yourself God's word? Now don't get me wrong I know it is easy to get caught up in whatever ministry your focused on and there is always someone you can help and serve. But the fact is your still a person like everyone else. You still must have a relationship with the God you serve, like everyone else. One thing that requires is purposefully spending quality time with Him daily.

Notice, I said quality time not quantity time. Because the length of time can vary from day to day. And I believe it can be different for every person. But quality time, that is needed no matter who you are. Time where you get alone with God and personally meet with Him. This is vital for all ministers, after all its hard to tells others about someone you never meet, spend time, or talk with. So maybe you've been in a rut and neglecting your time with God, maybe you need to make it a meeting time where you set aside a specific time daily. But make sure your connected to the vine.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" John 15:5

Conferences. . .a great opportunity

One thing that is a great resource for ministers are conferences. This is a time where maybe you get to take a road trip or even fly and be around a lot of other ministers too. In a conference setting, as a minister you get to go somewhere and hear from others about things happening in ministry and hopefully catch onto some great ideas of things that could help boost your ministry at home. Obviously it is a great time for one to gain a greater knowledge and understand. It is a training opportunity for ministers today.

But by going to a conference one can gain so much more than just realizing new ideas and trends in ministry. During the course of a conference, a minister can network and develop relationships. I would say that at no other time can you as a minister so easily and effectively meet other like-minded people face to face. Not to mention that the other ministers you meet will probably be from all over the region, country, or at times maybe even world. This allows you to see what’s going on in ministry in so many different situations. Developing these relationships can be a great opportunity, as you can later go back and see how each other is doing in ministry, bounce ideas off each other, and just simply share in life together.

Conferences can also be a time of rest and renewal for ministers. Perhaps you have been super busy lately and just had no time to get away. Conferences can be that opportunity, where you can relax a bit and rest. Sure you are going from session to session, but you can relax in knowing you just get to listen. This could also be a time where maybe you get to focus more on your own relationship with Christ, instead of planning and studying all the time.

I have been to several great conferences over the years and have some already scheduled for the upcoming year. I hope that you will consider going to a conference this year as well. Whether you need to gain some insight and knowledge, rest, or network with other ministers. Perhaps, you even need all three. It seems there are so many conferences readily available today, I hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity set before us.