This may seem like such a mundane thing, but it's one of those "nuts and bolts" questions. When do you promote (or move kids up to the next class) in your early childhood area?

It seems like it's pretty obvious how that works once kids get to school--when they move up a grade in school, they move up in Sunday school. Now that I serve with 2-year-olds, though, I'm seeing the impact of "promoting on birthdays."

So we have 2-year-olds who don't want to go up to the 3-year-old room. Developmentally, they're not ready. We let them stay and treasure that we're not losing them. We get attached! Then we have 1-year-olds who have a birthday and immediately get moved into our room. This last Sunday we had so many new ones that it was disruptive. I had to hold one little girl who could only tell me "birthday"--meaning "I had a birthday and this is what I got." I had to hold her the entire time!

So the lesson went out the window, the processes we'd established went out the window, and it felt like we were starting all over in the middle of the year.

So, I'd love to know...how do you deal with the promotion issue in your early childhood area?

We just completed our first weekend of regional How2 Conferences in two cities! And it was a Wow! Take a look at what participants said about the first-ever How2 Children's Ministry Conferences...(and go to group.com/how2 to find one in a city near you this spring)

"I have been equipped, connected and motivated to continue to dream and work out a growing children's ministry."--Heidi Rogers, Elmhurst, IL

"The HOW2 Conference has made a lasting impact on our children's ministry. We are implementing some of the ideas right now. God has used this conference to mold our ministry into the one He wants."--Brad Bennett, Kansas City, KS

"Practical - ideas we actually practiced not just heard about."--Lori Cruden, Rockford, IL

"One of the best conferences for small churches and large churches alike. The information presented can be used no matter how large or small."--Evan Sheckler, LaHarpe, IL

"It's a wonderful experience to be able to bond with the children's ministry group. It allowed us to feed off each other and grow together."--Jody Johnston, Sheridan, IL

"Bring as many of your leadership team as possible to make connections and so everyone is on the same page."--Christy Hager, Millington, IL

"HOW2 includes hands-on activities that help participants internalize the message. Whether it is about helping families with special needs or helping volunteers feel valued, we all walk away with a better compass to guide our children and volunteers with."--Jody Spicer, Cedarburg, WI

"A must for all struggling Children's Ministries for encouragement and how-tos. A must for thriving ministries to keep you on your toes."--Stephanie Whittenhall, Medinah, IL

Don't miss out on this revolutionary training conference--there's nothing else like it for your leadership team!

I was struck by something Steven Spielberg said while receving the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes ceremony.

In talking about his very first movie (at 6, I think), he said he had a sense of "am I going to be able to get away with this?" And that feeling has followed him through every movie he's ever made. In fact, he said if the movie didn't make him wonder, "Am I going to be able to get away with this?" then he would pass on the project.

I'm grateful that I work for Group which has a culture of risk and innovation. And we've learned that when we do "play it safe" instead of pushing the envelope, we don't serve our customers as well.

I think greatness requires a big element of risk. Are you doing anything that makes you wonder "Am I going to get away with this?"

I just have to say that I was really struck by what parents go through to get their little ones to church yesterday. After serving with the 2 year olds (they're so wonderful!), I walked through our children's area to get to big church. I had to wade through parents with babies bundled up in car seats, diaper bags on shoulders, toddlers crying sometimes, and more. It just struck me that these parents maintain a strong commitment to their families being in the presence of God in our church--and that made me grateful for the efforts they put forth to let us love and teach their children.

Ahhh, Santa...never quite sure what to do with the jolly old guy this time of year. As a child, Christmas was all about Santa for our family--no Jesus. So as parents, we went the other way with our children and had all Jesus, very little Santa. Now, my adolescents refer to that decision begrudgingly. Oh well, they get to do what they want with their children. I guess it's a Santa pendulum.

So what is the allure of Santa? This weekend as I finished up my shopping at the mall, I saw a loooong line of parents and small children waiting to see Santa. It stopped me in my tracks! Why would parents (who people often say are unmotivated to do anything that benefits their children) stand in that line? Children decked out in their finest Christmas wear wiggled impatiently. That couldn't have been fun for parents! Why would they do it?

I'd love to hear other insights (because I think we can learn from this for the kingdom of God). But here are a few things I think...

1. Parents want their kids to believe in something. And even though it's magical to believe in a man who delivers Christmas gifts to every single house in one night, it is something to believe in. (And parents will go to great lengths to continue the charade--and even dread the day that the children discover the truth and stop believing.) Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And, yet, we have the living, unchanging, never-disappointing truth about Christmas.

2. Children want it. Parents today are highly motivated to deliver what their kids want. So how do we create things (programs, take-home papers, training, etc.) that kids ask for--and parents say yes to? That's our challenge.

3. There's a benefit at the end. Parents get a memorable and cute photo of their dressed-up child sitting with Santa that they'll remember forever. It's one more milestone in life that parents want to mark. So, would parents do whatever it took to mark their children's faith milestones--if they felt there was great enough benefit at the end? I think so. And that challenges us to consider how to maximize milestones in a family's faith journey--so parents value the trip.

So, it made me think. And whether you're an elf or a grinch when it comes to Santa, here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas!