I just went to Group's Simply Youth Ministry Conference, and it was...amazing! While there, I got to think a lot about the difference between youth ministers (2,500 of them) and the children's ministers I'm privileged to serve.

To keep this from being a big comparison thing, let me just tell you what I love about the amazing people who serve in children's ministry (some of it is different and some of it is the same--I'll let you guess which is which).

I love children's ministers' maturity. And, no, I'm not talking about age. Hey, I've seen some pretty immature old folks. What I mean by maturity is a seasoned approach to faith development, family and child issues, ministry challenges, and more that surpasses how old or young a kidmin is. This maturity is a well-worn mantle of experience that engenders trust.

I love children's ministers' hunger for Jesus. At the very core of their being is an undying love for our Savior. I love that! And I love how that love propels them forward through discouragement and victories. I love how kidmins don't get distracted by "success" or "failure"; rather, they keep serving week in and week out because of faithfulness to the one they love.

I love children's ministers' noble attitude about learning. While I regard children's ministry leaders as some of the most educated and professional people around, I rarely find an "I know it all" attitude among them. I love how they're always eager to learn more and evaluate what they already know. Kidmins are always on the prowl for new and better ways to reach kids for Jesus. I love that!

Going to SYMC made me even more excited about our KidMin Conference in Chicago Sept 28--Oct. 1. I can't wait to gather with hundreds of amazing kidmins who love kids and families and most of all--Jesus. We're going to have a rockin' time--and learn tons--and grow closer to our Savior. Sign up today! Check it out at http://group.com/childrens-ministry/kidmin-conference I'll see you there!!

I love the small church where I grew up in Dougherty, Oklahoma! It was there that my first touch with a children's ministry (even though they didn't call it that back then) changed my life forever.

I'm grateful for the small congregation that loved me, taught me, and prayed for me. I'm grateful for the little ragamuffin choir that would assemble by the songleader telling us to just come up front. And I'm grateful for the ways this church embraced me when I came back from college as an onfire Christian who ministered to our youth group from ages 3 to 16!

I guess I'm thinking about this because I just read an article from the May/June issue about Small Church Challenges from Rick Chromey (on newstands in mid-April). And I'm thinking how grateful I am that my small church met all those challenges--and more!

If you're part of a small church and sometimes get discouraged that you're not Big Church on the corner, I hope you'll be encouraged today. Someone--like me--will sing your praises throughout eternity because of your faithful love and service.

What you do matters--in big ways!

We're so excited about Beth Moore speaking at our KidMin Conference September 28--Oct. 1 in Chicago this year! This is such a God thing that she’s joining us!

We tried to get Beth to come through the regular channels and it wasn't working out. But God introduced us to a sweet man named Steve Seelig who just happened to be Beth’s lifetime friend. Steve explained what this unconventional conference is all about—renewed passion, deeper learning, and authentic conversation for children's and family ministers. He painted a beautiful picture of who our guests are--the most passionate, visionary, compassionate, creative, fun-loving ministers around!

And, basically, Beth said, "You had me at 'children.' " She's a grandma now and said she's so grateful for people who are investing in her grandkids in her church. And she wants to be able to speak that to you--if you’re there!

I know, Beth Moore is a big women's ministry speaker, but at KidMin, she's coming to speak to the heart of children's and family ministers--whether you're male or female!

Don't miss out! Every week, we're adding new, amazing people to our speaker and trainer lineup. And we're creating new surprises to bless you.

It's the truth when I tell you that seats are filling up fast. Register today! (and bring your team because there's so much to experience, you'll want to divide and conquer!)

Valentine's Day isn't that far away. Plan ahead and use one of these ideas to let your volunteers know how much you appreciate them.

• Give a gift certificate from a local restaurant.
• Have children use a permanent marker to sign a thank-you T-shirt.
• Give 2 movie tickets.
• Give a small plant.
• Personalize a tote bag.
• Clean a teacher's classroom.
• Fill a coffee mug with a bag of ground flavored coffee.
• Create a bulletin board that features volunteers serving children.
• Have Psalm 71:18 printed in calligraphy and framed for a volunteer: "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."
• Give Whoppers candies with this note: "Thanks for your whopper ideas!"

For more ideas, go to http://www.childrensministry.com/articles/thanks-a-million!

What do we do with snacktime in children's ministry when there are so many food allergies with kids?

It's a real issue and one we need to grapple with. I remember one of my fondest memories as a kid at church was eating an orange pushup at a VBS--regardless of the fact that we were standing on hot pavement for snack time. And now, it makes me sad in my 2-year-old class when little ones say to me "I hungy" and I have to say that we're not allowed to give them snacks anymore. Is this what we've come to?

We asked children's ministers on our poll at www.childrensministry.com how they handle allergy policies. Here are the top three ways they do it:

1. We rely on parents to inform us if there are any allergies we need to know about (79%).

2. We provide food but post the ingredients and make sure parents alert us to allergies (16%).

3. We don't allow any food in our programs (5%).

The fourth option was "We allow kids to bring their own food, but don't provide any." (This is actually what our church does.)

So how does your church handle food allergies in your children's ministry? Post to help us all grapple with this issue.