David Jennings

More Examples That Show How We Feel

Fri, 17 May 2013 08:28:00

A few weeks ago, we tried to explain what it's like to be a children's minister. Because a picture's worth a thousand words, everyone seemed to comprehend our feelings when we used images. If you still have a few friends out there who don't "get" you, here are even more ways to explain to them what it's like to be a children's minister.

This is how we feel…

…when we try to serve a healthy snack:

…when we try to cheer on a focused volunteer:

…when we try to play with our kids' stuff:

…when we hear someone say youth ministry is better than children's ministry:

…kids look like when we ask if they did something wrong:

…when the kids clean up after themselves:

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If you missed it, make sure to check out our first installment of How We Feel as well. And if you want your friends to understand how it feels to be a children's minister, share this article! Just click on the Google Plus, Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest buttons below.
We want you to get in on the fun! Check out the image below, and then come up with your own caption that describes "How We Feel."

Share with us in the comment section below!

7 Quotes for Memorial Day

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:29:00

According to military.com, "The simplest thing you can do to explain and honor this holiday with your children is to spend time talking to them about what Memorial Day means to you. Take the day to talk & reflect on the subject of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice." With Memorial Day around the corner, we thought it would be nice to share some quotes with you about the day of remembrance.

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1. "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell

2. "These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor-and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror." - Michael N. Castle

3. "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - General George S. Patton

4. "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis

5."We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers but to praise them." - Francis A. Walker

6. "Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored." - Daniel Webster

7. "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) -Jesus

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Also, make sure to check out Group's Seasonal Specials for Children's Ministry for even more great Memorial Day ideas. Containing devotions, crafts, games, snacks, skits, songs, and outreach-this resource will equip you with everything you need for a meaningful Memorial Day service. The activities in this book will help kids reflect on and honor those who've dies to protect them-including Jesus.

What are you planning to do for Memorial Day? Share with us using the comment section below.

3 Tips for an Age-Appropriate Ministry

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:55:00

We recently came across a new poll that showed 35 percent of American parents allow their daughters to wear make-up before they reach age 10. Lip balm was the most frequent type of make-up allowed. After a lengthy discussion with my co-workers as to whether or not lip balm should qualify as make-up, we got on the topic of age-appropriateness in this and other areas of kids' lives.

Parents are constantly dealing with this issue: When to let their kids wear make-up, have their own cell phone, go out with friends, and the list goes on. Children's ministers must deal with this issue as well. Making sure our material and strategies are age-appropriate is key if we want to successfully reach kids of any age. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you make your ministry effective for all age ranges.***

The Bible Uncensored. This fantastic article by Lauren Hunter is a great read, especially for times when you are creating your own lessons. Events in the Bible are not always G-rated, but they all hold truths that kids need to hear. We need to cover the Bible without using language that will confuse or distract from the point. Check out this chart that shows how to tell the account of David and Bathsheba in ways to best suit several different age levels.
Prayer for the Ages. Preschoolers and preteens don't communicate in the same way, so it would make sense that they would pray in a way that suits them best. This article gives you ideas to help kids of any age talk to God, even kids as young as toddlers.
The Preteen Zone. Having worked with all ages, preteens are my favorite age-group to lead. They can also be the hardest. Because there's so much changing in their world, it can be hard to connect with them. If you're leading this age group, make sure to check out this article. It will help you understand what makes preteens tick and what they need out of a ministry that's just for them.

*** If you are looking for age-appropriate material for today's families, you have to check out Group's FaithWeaver Now curriculum. Each week, family members (and their guests) will all learn the same Bible point, but in completely age-appropriate ways with discussions and activities that relate to life today. Request a sample today!

How do you keep your ministry age-appropriate? Do you separate kids by age level? How do you handle touchy subjects with young kids? Share your opinion in the comment section below.

5-Point Checklist for Your Upcoming Mother’s Day Service

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:32:00

Mother's Day is right around the corner and now is the time to make sure you are ready for the big day. This five-point checklist will help you cover all your bases so this Mother's Day is memorable for all the right reasons.

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1. Amplified Attendance. Be prepared for an above average attendance. Surveys show that Mother's Day is the third largest day for church attendance, behind only Christmas and Easter. Have extra chairs, snacks, and handouts ready for a bump in your turnout.

2. Meaningful Message. If you're still looking for a way to tie Mother's Day into your service, here are a couple of simple devotions you can use or modify to fit your needs. First, is Thanks, Mom that brings Proverbs 1:8-9 to life. Give Mom A Hand was included in a list of uncomplicated Mother's Day activities. If you are looking for an easy, quick devotion, this is for you!

3. Give Gifts. One of the Mother's Day highlights at the church where I worked was handing out small devotional books or other small gifts to all the mothers in the room. We also gave out special prizes recognizing special mothers such as the one with the most kids or the newest mother. Giving out small tokens of appreciation is a great way to show mothers that you care. Also, remember that sometimes the perfect gift isn't tangible.

4. Creative Crafts. In case you missed it, make sure to check out 5 Mother's Day Ideas for Children's Ministry. You'll find five super-fun crafts your kids will love to make and give to their moms.

5. Other's Day. I intended for the "M" to be missing. Nearly 5 million children live in a household without their mother. Chances are you have a child who may have recently lost his or her mother, or is living in an arrangement without their mother. Be aware of these different situations. Help kids who have lost their mothers to remember and honor their mother. You can also recognize those people God puts in our lives to act as a mother figure. This day can be for them too!

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What are you planning on doing for Mother's Day? Share with us using the comment section below!

This Is How We Feel

Fri, 03 May 2013 10:06:00

The bonds we share in children's ministy are strong. We share the same goals and challenges. And sometimes it's hard to describe the feelings you get while working in children's ministry. The next time someone asks you what it's like to serve in children's ministry, just show them this.

This is how we feel…

…when our object lesson doesn't work as it should:

…when we simplify overcomplicated curriculum instructions:

…when we give kids take-home pages and they're not paying attention:

…when the senior pastor asks for more volunteers for children's ministry:

…after everyone leaves a big event:

…when we fail at playtime:

…when a kid in the nursery has had too much sugar:

…when volunteers email you Sunday morning to tell you they can't make it:

…inside, when a kid finally gets the Bible point:

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Help your friends understand how we feel as children's ministers by sharing this article. Just click on the Google Plus, Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest buttons below!

5 More Ways to Help Parents Pass on Faith

Wed, 01 May 2013 15:53:00

Who is the most influential person in your children's faith journey? Who is the one kids turn to with questions about God, faith, the Bible, and Jesus? Many times parents would like to be the ones who lead their kids to living for God, but they don't really know how. They feel like they're not equipped, they don't have all the answers, or they simply don't have enough time in the day.

Part of our jobs as children's ministers is to equip parents to be spiritual leaders for their kids. Last year I covered this topic, and since then I have discovered more great ways to team up with parents. Here are five additional ways to help parents pass on faith.

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1. Remind parents that they matter.So who really influences your children's faith the most? It's not you, their children's minister (although you do have a major influence). It's not the friends they hang out with. In a Hope for Women article by Kristen Hamilton, she points to research by the Search Institute that shows moms are the most influential person in their children's faith journey, followed by dads and grandparents. Parents need to know that what they do and say matters. Remind them that their kids look up to them in many ways, including as their spiritual guides. Help them find ways to nurture their children's faith at home. Kristen's article shares many different ways to help parents connect with their kids in this way.

2. Partner with parents.Connie Neal, author of "Walking Tall in Babylon: Raising Children to Be Godly and Wise in a Perilous World" (WaterBrook Press), quotes the Barna Research Group as saying 85 percent of parents who have kids under age 13 believe they have the primary responsibility for teaching their children about religious beliefs and spiritual matters. But the majority of parents"do not spend any time during a typical week discussing religious matters or studying religious materials with their children." Connie surveyed many churches to find out what they do to collaborate with parents. Their answers may surprise you.

3. Host a parent meeting. Still don't know what to say to your parents? We've got you covered. Try this Parent Meeting Plan by Christine Yount Jones. This mini-message is interactive enough to hold parents' attention and short enough to keep it. Plan for child care, order some pizza, and invite parents over for some faith and fun.

4. Make it easy.Over at the Family Matters Blog, they offer 10 ways for parents to teach their children about faith. These simple ideas are great to share with parents, as they don't take much time or energy. It takes the huge task of growing their children's faith and breaks it down into simple, bite-sized steps they can take daily. I love the quote they share by Dr. Tim Kimmel: "A child will not accept a life plan to which his parents only give mental assent. If a child is going to accept your faith as his own, he must see it lived out. Alive and breathing and functioning. In YOU!"

5. Start a new deal.Only one out of five parents has ever been personally contacted or spoken to by a church leader to discuss the parent's involvement in the spiritual life and development of their children. Karl Bastian wrote in article called "The New Deal" in which he takes a look at negotiation with parents. It's an interesting article and worth a look.

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How do you partner with parents? Do your handouts make it home? What tips would you share with children's ministers who are looking to connect with parents? Share your thoughts using the comment section below.

5 Super Messy Games for Your Ministry

Fri, 26 April 2013 11:43:00

If you're in children's ministry, you can't be afraid to get messy. From slime fights to shaving cream wars, I've seen my fair share of mess in the name of ministry. With the nice spring weather, plan a day for your kids to get outside, have some messy fun, and learn about God in the process. Have parents bring old clothes they don't mind getting dirty, because here are five messy games for your ministry.

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1. Paint Twister-Grab a few Twister games from a thrift shop (or make your own by drawing dots on a tarp) and buy some washable paint to put on the dots. This colorful version of the classic body-twisting game is loads of fun. I love the idea of connecting the paint to sin. When it's time to wash off with a hose and some soap, remind kids the water represents Jesus' forgiveness for us. Use 1 Corinthians 6:11 or Psalm 51:2 as the Bible verse.

2. "Snowball" Toss Game-This fun game by Mari Hernandez-Tuten looks like a blast. With simple materials: shaving cream, Styrofoam balls, and shower caps, players try to get "snowballs" to stick on top of other players' heads. I can see many applications with this. If you first have kids try to play without the shaving cream, the "snowballs" will roll right off their heads. Adding the shaving cream will help the "snowballs" stick. Then you can tie it into how we need to stick close to God, or how we can do things with God that we couldn't before, or even how we should keep God's word in our minds.

3. Messy Play-How fun does this look!? Make, Do, and Friend created this messy concoction out of waterbeads and goop (starch and water). In our field tests, kids absolutely love waterbeads (we call them Silly Spheres around here). Mixing them with goop apparently creates a brittle material. Let kids play with it, then after it solidifies compare it to a real, hard rock. You can show that what the world has to offer breaks under pressure, but what God offers us last forever.

4. Slip and Slide-I've always wished for a birthday party like this kid had. I'm not even talking about when I was a kid, I mean I hope someone plans this for my next birthday! This mom pulled out all the stops and had one messy party. At one point, all she needed was a trampoline and shaving cream to create a slippery floor kids loves to try to stand on. Try it out yourself (with a tarp if you don't have a trampoline). You can have a discussion with older kids about how we can stand strong for God and talk about what things makes us slip in fall in our faith.

5. Anger Bubbles-This bubble-blowing contest is a game younger kids will love. Refer to James 1:19 as the Scripture to help kids will learn how blowing bubbles relates to how we control our anger.

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Do you have any messy games you want to share? Tell us all about it using the comment section below!

3 Ways to Use the Power of Touch with Babies

Wed, 24 April 2013 09:09:00

Just because communication with babies isn't easy doesn't mean it's impossible. Babies can take in way more than we give them credit for being. I read a study the other day by French neuroscientists that claimed "babies at age 5 months have the ability to perceive objects in adult-like ways, even though they cannot tell us."

I encourage ministries to look at infant/nursery age level as more than childcare, but an amazing time of growth for a child's first steps in understanding God's love. Think about it this way-what's the earliest memory you have? In that memory were you walking? talking? doing something on your own?

You learned certain skills and concepts before you could even remember specific events. Although you didn't form long-term memories, you never forgot certain lessons you learned at such a young age. That's how transformational the stage from birth to 2 years is. And that'show important your ministry is.

One of the best ways to communicate God's love is through touch. Here are a few ways to use the power of touch with the babies in your ministry.

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1.Comfort Babies. Pop quiz: What's the better way to calm a fussy baby-simply holding them while sitting or carrying them while walking around the room? The research is in and experts say walking while carrying fussy babies is the way to go. Next time you need to help a child relax, pick them up and walk together. Why not set up fun and colorful picture windows to walk to around your room? Babies will love the ride while looking at different pictures of God's creation.

2. Let Them Touch. It's key to allow babies to explore on their own and experience things in tactile ways. For your youngest kids, come up with some one- or two-line simple sentences to use with their toys as they touch them. ("The toy sheep is soft. God made sheep!" for example.) For toddlers, as you tell them about the Bible, use sensory items to help reinforce the lesson-a spray bottle for Jonah, feathers for the birds around Noah's Ark, or a piece of furry fabric when talking about how God made all the animals. Hands-On Bible Curriculum does an incredible job with this for the Toddlers and 2-Year-Olds by using Bible Storyboards to help Scripture come to life.

3. Speak Their Language.While we are on the topic of using our hands, remember that kids can start to learn sign language at a very young age. Why not take the time to start them teaching signs that relate to important spiritual concepts? Gently guide babies' hands to help them get the hang of doing the motions. Here are a few to get you started:

• Jesus -touch middle finger to opposite palm; repeat with other hand.

• Bible- hold your palms a couple inches apart, with fingers spread and your middle fingers slightly inward. Rotate your palms in a staggered circle, then close fingers together and align your pinkies to make a book shape.

• God- hold your palm straight vertical, fingers together, thumb towards you. Bring your palm from above your head down the center of your face.

• Love -hug your chest.

• Church -Cup your left hand upside down in front of your chest. Make a C shape with your right hand, and set it on top of your left hand.

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Remember that April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month. It goes without saying that there are harmful touches that should never happen. Nursery workers must be gentle with young ones and you must always take precautions when finding volunteers to work with them.

If you're interested in background checks and screenings, I recommend Shepherd's Watch from Group. Screenings are affordable and accurate, and they will help keep your families safe.

How do you make your nursery and baby ministry more than childcare? Do you use sign language in your ministry? What tips and tricks do you have when working with babies? Let us know in the comment section below!

5 Ways Technology Can Boost Your Ministry

Fri, 19 April 2013 09:27:00

A Swedish study has shown that kids' reading and writing skills are improved when they read and write on iPads. It could be due to any number of factors, but you have to wonder if kids today learn better using technology. With that in mind, here are five articles that can help you "plug in" to kids' wired world and give your ministry a boost.

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1. Involve Everyone. In his article, From Goo-Goo to Google, Matt Guevara takes a look at the trends in technology and shows how we can use that info to better our ministries. His tips are simple, yet very effective. Today's tech is all about allowing everyone to participate. Do your lessons get everyone involved and sharing their input? If not, look for ways to involve the whole group as individuals.

2. Give Options. Echoing what Matt says, Teaching Digital Natives agrees that kids live and breathe technology. One point the article argues is that kids have the freedom of choice at almost all hours of the day. If they don't like a game, they can download a new one. They can start conversations with whomever, whenever. So to help kids feel "powered down" when they walk into your room, allow them to have different options to express themselves. Not only will it keep kids' interest, it will help your message stick with them.

3. Equip Yourself. In this article, we talked to children's ministry experts to see how they use technology in their ministry. I love how Heidi Hensley explains how she uses technology in her ministry-connecting with parents at home and using technology to keep kids safe.

4. Special Needs. This is one area of your ministry that may benefit the most from technology. Check out this article that tells you all about how you can digitize your special needs ministry. Inside, we give you tips on how to fund a technology budget as well as some of the best apps to download as soon as you can.

5. Other Upgrades. Give your whole ministry an upgrade to awesome using Ann Diaz's Wired Ministry article. From animatronic puppets to large scale printers, you may find ways to reboot your ministry into the 21^st century.

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How do you use technology in your ministry? Do you allow kids to bring and use smartphones and iPads at church? Let us know in the comment section below!

5 Mother’s Day Ideas for Children’s Ministry

Wed, 17 April 2013 09:50:00

Mother's Day is approaching (May 12), and it's time to start planning what kind of crafts you want to help your kids do. We've found some of the best Mother's Day craft ideas out there, and we're going to share them with you now. Hopefully you will find these crafts useful, either by your actually doing them or at least by getting you to brainstorm about other ideas. Here are five Mother's Day crafts your kids will love to make and give.

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1. Flowerpot Cards-Your preschoolers will love making these adorable flowerpot cards. They take 5 minutes to make, but will be kept for years.

2. Handprint Bouquets-This flower-powered craft from Mrs. Stanford's Class is hands-on…literally. Some paint, ribbon, and paper, and your older kids will be ready to make these cute cards for mothers.

3. Handprint Craft-This craft, by An Interesting Mix, is perfect for kids not too old and not too young. Again, the theme of moms helping their children grow is used in this craft that will end up being a keepsake.

4. Mums for Moms-If you have a little more time for crafts, this is an amazing one to try out. These flowers come to life with color, thanks to coffee filters and spray bottles.

5. Personalized Puzzles-If flowers aren't your thing, here's a fun puzzle that lets kids tell parents that they would "go to pieces" without them.

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We have a ton more ideas on the website, including this feature of Mother's Day crafts, songs, games, and more. Also, make sure to check out Group's Seasonal Specials for Children's Ministry for even more great ideas.

What do you have planned for your ministry's mothers (or for those who take care of kids like mothers)? Share with us your plans and craft ideas in the comment section below.

3 Tips for Dealing with Spring Sports

Fri, 12 April 2013 10:19:00

I read an interesting response to a question many of us have been asking for a while-why is church attendance declining? Well, according to a new study published in theReview of Religious Research, many pastors place most of the blame on children's sports activities.

While I can't say I personally have noticed a large number of kids sitting out Sundays because of sports, I have wrestled with athletics in my weekday ministry as well as whenever I've tried to plan special events. It seemed someone always had practice or a big game they couldn't miss.

If you find yourself with half-empty rooms while your kids are in the playoffs, here are three tips and tricks for you!

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1. Recruit a Team- In his article, Sick and Tired of Competing With Sports, Greg Baird shares the do's and don'ts when dealing with sports. In one point, Greg suggests that we should collaborate with parents concerning sports. "Our top goal must be spiritual growth-whether kids are in the church building or on the sports field," says Greg. "What if our positive perspective led to a genuine partnership with parents? What if, when families choose sports, we equip them to be ambassadors for Jesus in that environment?"

Show families the benefits of being in church. But when parents choose sports over Sunday school, equip them to be missionaries on the field.

2. Get in the Game-In his article, A Sporting Chance, Keith Johnson argues that churches are winning in the sports vs. church battle. "They simply have recognized that competition is healthy; sports are part of American life and for many subcultures, sports is actually a way to stay out of trouble and focus on appropriate social maturity," says Keith.

He points out many churches have found ways to connect with kids through sports outreach programs, or even by simply teaming up with the local parks and recreation department. Make connections with league organizers and even volunteer to coach or host a training camp. Look at sports as an opportunity, not the enemy.

3. Be a Cheerleader- So you don't have the time or resources to do some of the ideas above? Then adopt a sports team. Find a local team that none of your kids are on, and be a cheerleader for them. Be a blessing to their team by bringing them water and after-practice snacks. Have your kids paint banners to hang up. If you find a high school team to support, take your kids to watch them. It makes for a fun and simple event.

By supporting local teams, you're not only reaching out into your community for new kids, you're also reaching the families and friends of the kids your supporting.

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How do you handle sports in your ministry? Where do you put the blame for declining church attendance? Share your thoughts below with us.

5 Earth Day Crafts Using Recycled Material

Wed, 10 April 2013 11:54:00

While Earth Day (April 22) isn't based in Christianity, its focus is something we can get behind. When God created Earth, he said that we should take part in caring for it.

The following Earth Day crafts- found on Pinterest-all use recycled material. Not only will your kids be helping care for the earth by repurposing things instead of sending them to the trash, you can also use the idea of recycling to talk about Jesus' transforming powers.

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1. Cardboard Bouquet - On her blog, Lindsey shares this amazing cardboard flower craft. Using paper tubes, pipe cleaners, and some paint, this is a beautiful way to stop cardboard from entering the trash dump.

2. Cardboard Butterflies - If you have leftover paper rolls from the previous craft, why not make some fancy butterflies to fly around the flowers? You can purchase recycled paper rolls, but you could ask parents to bring in paper towel rolls and just cut them in half.

3. Robot Pencil Holder - Just looking at this craft has me coming up with tons of ways to decorate a can. Originally designed to be a pencil holder, I can see this easily becoming a coin bank or candy cup.

4. Egg Crate Worms - I remember making these silly worms when I was a child. Let kids' imaginations run wild with all sorts of craft supplies and see what wacky worms they can create.

5. Giraffe Puppet - Inspired by a book about a giraffe who learns we are all good at something, Red Ted Art shows us how to make a giraffe marionette using toilet paper rolls and paper. Younger kids will need some adult help, but the challenge will be just right for older kids.

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Don't forget to check out our own Children's Ministry Magazine Pinterest board. We're constantly updating it with amazing ideas that will work in your ministry.

Still looking for more Earth Day crafts? Make sure to check out Group's Seasonal Specials for Children's Ministry. If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I love this book! Not only does it include great Earth Day crafts with meaning, it also equips you with an Earth Day skit, game, song, snack, devotion, and Earth Day-themed outreach. The book features ideas for 12 additional holidays, so grab it for Earth Day and you'll be set for the rest of the year!

What do you have planned for Earth Day? How do you tie Earth Day back to Jesus? Share with us using the comment section below!

9 Children’s Ministry People to Follow on Twitter

Fri, 05 April 2013 09:20:00

I find myself using Twitter more and more over other social networking sites like Facebook. It's an amazing tool that I can use to keep up with thousands of people without being in a state of information overload (thanks to the character limit on tweets). If you're not using Twitter in your ministry, you're missing out on a huge connection opportunity. I would suggest heading over there now and starting two accounts-one for your ministry and one for yourself.

But if you use Twitter just to send tweets, you're also missing out on the great content ministry leaders are putting out there. After reading tons of tweets, here are nine of the best ministry Twitter tweeters to follow.

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1. @PTMinistry- PreteenMinistry.net is a wonderful site with lots of great material. You might remember that the site's creator, Nick Diliberto, wrote a blog for us once. Their Twitter account will keep you up to date on their website and other happenings.

2. @youthculturerep-The Youth Culture Report always has the latest news, trends, and studies when it comes to preteen and teen culture. Although it has a lot of material for youth ministries, there's still enough preteen news to make this a worthy follow.

3. @bigvox-Rick Burgess is a Christian speaker, radio show host, and an incredible father. Rick lost his youngest son Bronner in an accident. His speech at the memorial service has over half a million views. His tweets will encourage you and make you think.

4. @KidMin360- Greg Baird's KidMin360 wants to work with churches to help them create healthy children's and family ministries through staffing, coaching, consulting, and training services. These tweets will not only give you great articles but fun contests as well.

5. @dalehudsoncm-If you've never paid Dale Hudson's Relevant Children's Ministry a visit, go now. Dale's tweets are always full of inspiration. His positive outlook on life and ministry will give you a daily boost.

6. @samluce-Over at his website, Sam Luce talks about children's ministry issues in a way no one else does. His unique take on ministry makes him a must-follow.

7. @anthony_prince-Don't let the name of his blog (West Coast CM) fool you; Anthony has great advice for children's ministers all over. You can keep up with him, his family, and his ministry over on Twitter.

8. @dandibell- Despite being an Auburn fan (roll tide), Danielle Bell is an amazing woman of God and you should follow her right now. Currently a children's minister in Alabama, she has spent many years working with kids.

9. @kennyconley- Kenny Conley (childrensministryonline.com) was called into children's ministry at age 14. Since then, he has spent his life working to help kids know God. The wisdom he's gained over the years is invaluable. Go follow him for great insights.

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Of course, we would love for you to follow us on Twitter as well. Our KidMin conference has a Twitter account that will keep you up to date on all the conference happenings, and fellow blogger Christine Yount Jones tweets as well. If you check us out, that would be #amazing!

Who do you follow? Does your ministry use Twitter? What's your favorite social networking site? How do you stay connected to your volunteers? Share with us using the comment section below.

National Child Abuse Awareness Month: Protect Your Ministry From Child Abuse

Wed, 03 April 2013 07:58:00

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We've talked before about the four types of abuse and how to spot them. Today I want to share with you ways to become informed about the issue, stay alert to the signs, and what to do if you suspect abuse.

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Get Informed
There are tons of sites with valuable information to share with your team. One of the best is the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Administration for Children & Families' Child Welfare Information Gateway. Find more information about the definitions of child abuse and neglect, risk and protective factors for child abuse, how many children are abused, and the consequences of child abuse and neglect.
Stay Alert
Red flags usually appear when abuse occurs. Make sure your team understands the warning signs of abuse. Also make sure to read Sue Brage's the four do's and don'ts for safety awareness. She explains the importance of having a secure check-in/check-out system in place and why volunteer training is a must.
Be Prepared
If a member of your team suspects a child is being abused, be ready to help them report the issue. Again, the Child Welfare Information Gateway gives advice on responding to child abuse and neglect. If a case of abuse occurs within a family in your ministry, make sure to read this PDF on helping children heal from trauma.

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As ministry leaders, it's so important to take steps to safeguard our kids. I would encourage all of you to do a background screening on every one of your volunteers, present and future. Check out this interview I did with Melissa Towers, who is the Adult and Church Leadership Product Manager for Group. She explains that screening your volunteers is absolutely necessary.

If you're interested in background checks and screenings, I'd recommend Shepherd's Watch from Group. Screenings are affordable and accurate, and they will help keep your families safe.

Is your ministry doing anything for Child Abuse Awareness Month? What steps have you taken to keep your kids safe? Let us know in the comment section below!

Easter Songs: What’s the Best Easter Song or Hymn?

Wed, 27 March 2013 08:00:00

With Easter this weekend, I know we are all excited for what God has in store. It's a wonderful time of outreach to families and those who might not attend church on a regular basis. It's a time to thank God for Jesus and the amazing gift of salvation. And it's a time to worship with music.

Last year, I asked my co-workers to tell me about their favorite Christmas music, and for Easter I asked them to share with me some of their favorite Easter songs or hymns.

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"He's Alive" by Don Francisco - Suzi J. chose this oldie but goodie, saying it's very powerful.

"Watch the Lamb" by Ray Boltz - Pam C. says, "Makes me cry every time, just envisioning that father trying to carry the cross for Jesus. Very moving!"

Keith Green's "Easter Song" - Lee S. says, "The song itself feels alive in its melody, harmonies, and instrumentation. One of the few Easter songs that feels like Easter to me."

"In Christ Alone" by Newsboys - Keith K. chose this version of the contemporary worship song (along with the classic hymn "Up from the Grave He Arose").

"Christ the Lord is Risen Today" - Jean B. chose this classic hymn. She said, "I suppose tradition weighs into why it's my favorite: In my church tradition, I've probably sung it on most Easter Sundays throughout my life. I also think it captures and conveys in words and music the exultant, triumphant, joyful spirit of the day."

"I Know That My Redeemer Lives" - Deb H. enjoys this song saying, "the tune soars, and the words can't be beat."

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If you are looking for Easter music to use with your kids, look no further. Group's got you covered with all sorts of great music that you can download today so you'll be ready for this weekend. We have kid-friendly versions of Easter favorites like "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" and "Were You There".

Also, make sure to check out some of my previous blogs: 5 Amazing Easter Crafts, 5 Ways to Boost Your Easter Egg Hunt, 5 Easter Snacks for Your Ministry, and 5 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Jesus' Crucifixion.

What are your favorite Easter songs? What kinds of Easter music do you play for your kids? How is your ministry celebrating Easter? Let us know in the comment section below!

5 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Jesus’ Crucifixion

Fri, 22 March 2013 09:38:00

I have a friend and co-worker who has two wonderful little girls. We were talking about Easter when she told me her girls are always taken aback by the topic of Jesus' crucifixion-when pictures of Jesus' beaten body appear, her girls start to worry.
The crucifixion is an important part of Easter. So how can we effectively share what happened to help kids comprehend the significance without overloading them? Here are five ways to talk to your kids about Jesus' crucifixion.
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Age Appropriate. Here's a simple tip to start with-don't focus on what younger kids can't understand. For younger age levels, focus on the result of Jesus' death rather than the details of it.
Watch Your Words. Lisa Strnad wrote an article about talking with kids about Jesus' crucifixion. In it she says, "Using language that they understand, start talking to your kids about what happened to Jesus on Good Friday. Keep in mind that too much graphic detail isn't necessary to convey His act of love and sacrifice."
Explain Sin. Discussions onJesus' death on the cross should coincide with sin. Laura Kuehn posted an article on Cornerstones for Parents on the subject. She says, "Without an understanding of sin, our children can't appreciate the significance of what Jesus did for us on Good Friday and Easter. You can explain that the word sin simply means all the things we do wrong (including big and little things)." Follow up by reminding them that Jesus was perfect.
Welcome Questions. You may have heard about Easter your whole life and can recall the events with your eyes closed. But your audience may have never heard what Easter is all about. Go slowly and be ready to answer questions…any questions. Questions only kids can come up with. And don't be afraid to explain that you don't know an answer. Just make sure to follow up the next week!
Show Why. Here's a quick but powerful activity Buzz editor Ali Thompson suggested about explaining to kids why Jesus died on the cross. Give kids sticky notepads and ask them to write down things they have done wrong and stick the notes on themselves. As they stick, you should quickly come by, take their papers and stick them on you. This leads the way to a discussion on how Jesus took on our sins.

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Make sure to check out some of my previous blogs: 5 Amazing Easter Crafts, 5 Ways to Boost Your Easter Egg Hunt, and 5 Easter Snacks for Your Ministry.
And for a great discussion on how to talk to your kids about the Bible's tougher parts, check out Lauren Hunter's The Bible Uncensored.

5 Easter Snacks for Your Ministry

Wed, 20 March 2013 09:59:00

It's time to toss your cookies and ditch the carrot sticks. Retire the old refreshments and upgrade your munchies. Take your Easter snacks to the next level with these cool ideas. These snacks are fun to make, fun to eat, and will leave your kids wanting more.

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Pretzel Crosses-I love it when you can incorporate the Bible into snack time and over at Almost Unschoolers there are some great Easter treats that can help kids remember what they discovered about Easter. My favorite are the dipped pretzel crosses. They're so simple to make and can easily be used to start up a discussion about Easter.
Peep Casserole-I love Peeps. I love putting them in a microwave and watching them expand, and then stopping it right before they explode and eating the gooey remains right away. So when I saw this amazing snack over at The Party Animal, I had to share it with you. Warning: It's not the healthiest snack, and your kids will be jumping off the walls...but it's really cool.
Healthy Easter Bunny-OK, that last one may have been a little too extreme for some of you. For those who would rather not give their kids a five-hour sugar rush, try this fruit-face snack from The Prime Pursuit. Here are instructions to make your own bunny or chick with fruit, veggies, and other healthy snacks.
Jesus is Alive-Time and money not on your side? Here is a super-quick and super-cheap Easter snack that focuses on the empty tomb. Brought to us by Decorating by day, all you need is a doughnut, an Oreo, and a graham cracker.
Easter Eggs in Brownie Nests-This fun snack by the people at Babble is a hit with chocolate lovers. Younger kids will love placing the eggs in the nest, and you can talk with your older kids about the connection between eggs, the new life they bring, and how we can be born again.

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Make sure to check out some of my previous blogs: 5 Amazing Easter Crafts and 5 Ways to Boost Your Easter Egg Hunt. And for more great Easter ideas, check out Children's Ministry's own Pinterest page!

As always, feel free to share with us your tips and tricks for Easter in the comment section below.

5 Outside Games and Activities for Your Ministry

Fri, 15 March 2013 09:25:00

I am a recent transplant to Colorado, and my co-workers like to joke with me about my natural aversion to snow and ice. I was born and raised in Alabama, where even the threat of wintery weather shuts everything down. We had our first blizzard warning of the year last week and everyone was excited. I ran to the store to stock up on bread and milk.

I'm really looking forward spring and the nice, warm weather it brings. Now that we are finally able to let kids go back outside in the sun, I thought I would share with you five outdoor games that you can play with your kids. These action-packed, fun-filled games and activities not only are a blast to play, but also can help your kids dig into God's Word. Check them out!

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1.Dribble, Dribble, Splatter-It's amazing what a cup of water can do to a simple game like Duck, Duck, Goose. Combine it with Ephesians 2:10, and you have a wet way to help kids discover that God has called them for his plan.

2. Ice Cold Toes-If your kids really need to cool down, this is the game for you! Based on the parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44-46), kids will find treasures in a kiddy pool full of ice using only their bare feet.

3. The Path-Kids ages 6 to 12 will love this twist on an obstacle course. Partners will have to help their blindfolded teammate traverse the course with simple, nonverbal clues. After the game, guide kids through a discussion of Psalm 121.

4. Anger Bubbles-Kids discover what James 1:19 means in this simple but fun game of bubble blowing. All you need are some bowls of water, straws, and dishwashing liquid and you're ready to play.

5. Explosive Power-This is a new twist on the old science-fair classic volcano. Using some household items and Romans 1:20, you can create an experience that will help kids understand God's power.

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If you are still looking for more fun, check out this blog I did with more outdoor games. So what outdoor games do you love to play with your kids? Do you have big plans for the spring? Share with us using the comment section below!

Also, I want to congratulate Jodi Q. for winning our Easter egg hunt contest. They were the first to find the special golden egg and won a free Rock-n-Roll Easter Event Kit. Make sure to grab a copy for your own ministry's Easter event!

Contest: Win a Rock-n-Roll Easter Event Kit!

Wed, 13 March 2013 12:34:00

Today I thought it would fun to play a game with all of you out there! I recently shared five ways to boost your Easter egg hunt, and with Easter just a couple of weeks away, I wanted to hold an Easter egg hunt of my own. Somewhere on childrensministry.com we've hidden a special Easter egg. Find it first and you could win your very own copy of our Rock-n-Roll Easter Event Kit!

Here's how to play. On one of the many pages of the Children's Ministry Magazine's website we've hidden a special Easter egg (like the one in the picture).

Browse the website in your hunt for the egg, and when you find it, click on the instructions that follow. If you're the first to find the egg, you win!

***UPDATE***

The game is over! Both eggs have been found! It was only a few minutes before we had a winner in the first hunt! Congrats to Jodi Q. for winning the first hunt.

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Childrensministry.com has a wealth of information to inform and inspire you. We have over 3,000 pages of tips and tricks for your ministry to help you make Jesus irresistible to kids! With so much content available at the site, there are tons of hiding spots for the egg. Here are some tips to help you on your hunt:

1. Use the yellow banner on the home page as your guide. All of our pages are arranged by type and age range to help readers easily find what they need on the childrensministry.com home page.

2.The egg may be hidden on another page.Some of our longer articles are broken down into smaller pages. Make sure to check the bottom of each article to see if it continues onto another page-the egg might not be on the first page.

3. Don't forget the blog network! I am privileged to work alongside some of the most talented people with the biggest hearts for kids. Their blogs may hide the egg as well!

The most important thing to do is follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We will be posting clues that will put you on the right track and help you find the egg quicker!

I will update this blog when we have a winner, so make sure to check out this page often to see if the egg has been found!

And now, here is some more information on the fantastic product you're playing for!

Rock-n-Roll Easter Event Kit

No doubt about it, Easter is one of every church's biggest times of the year. It's your chance to reach people who might otherwise not hear about how much God really loves them.

Now you can give your Easter celebration its biggest possible impact with the Rock-n-Roll Easter Event. It's an all-out family affair with booths, games, music, crafts, snacks, and activities that center on the fact that God rolled the rock away. And, of course, there's a full-on high-energy egg hunt!

Everything-and we mean everything-about the Rock-n-Roll Easter Event points people to one thing: celebrating Jesus Christ. We guarantee every visitor will fully engage with the amazing gospel message in a variety of unforgettable ways.

Don't miss your chance to share God's love like never before!

I have a copy of this kit at my desk, and I have to tell you, I'm so excited to hear the feedback from churches that are using it. It's awesome!

Good luck to you, and happy hunting!

5 Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks for Your Children’s Ministry

Fri, 08 March 2013 08:39:00

Spring will be here in a couple of weeks. It's time for a change. It's time for organization. It's time for a good spring cleaning! Whether it's dusting the cobwebs from out of the corners or a complete craft room remodel, we're here to help. Here are five tips and tricks to use to give your ministry a makeover.

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Tip 1: Lifehack your craft room. I always find the neatest tricks over at lifehacker.com. The site features neat "hacks" for life, usually repurposing old items. Even if it's designed for another project, I can always draw inspiration from their ideas. How about gluing clothespins to a wall to allow for a craft drying area? Or organize your toys so kids can easily get to them. Here's a space saver-look to your closet doors for more space. There's no need for new plastic bags when you can reseal the old ones using an iron. And my favorite Lifehacker tip, little tennis ball men who will hold your small items.

Tip 2: Make the most of your space. Who wouldn't love some extra space in their ministry? Deb Vos is a master of transforming spaces, and her tips can help you make the most of what you have. Her article has some great ways to overcome cramped quarters. She will help you get rid of the old and bulky items in your room, give your furniture function, and turn your room into a space that meets your needs.

Tip 3: Clean everything! While you're moving furniture around, make sure to clean your rooms. Martha Stewart has a checklist on her website that you may find useful. If you get volunteers to help you out, give each team a kit stocked with all the cleaning supplies they need so they can do their job and do it fast. Play upbeat music to keep everyone energized. And make sure to check expiration dates and smoke detectors while you're at it.

Tip 4: Give your class "class." Jennifer Hookshelps you say goodbye to a blah classroom with 19 quick and cheap makeover ideas. From do-it-yourself mini-beanbags to glow-in-the-dark paint, these tips will grab your kids' attention. My favorite tip-if you have an old uncarpeted floor and no money for a new rug, paint it!

Tip 5: Get a personal makeover. Once you have clean, fresh rooms in your ministry, it's time to turn to yourself. We recently went to John Rohrbaugh, who, in nine years of leading Sunday school, never had anyone critique him or give him feedback on his teaching. He asked us to give him a ministry makeover. You can read how it went down, and see the tips we gave him (like how to ask great, thought-provoking questions).

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Speaking of makeovers, what's the one thing in your ministry that needs a transformation? Share your thoughts using the comment section below!

5 Amazing Easter Crafts

Wed, 06 March 2013 13:30:00

As Easter draws near, we wanted to continue highlighting what others plan on doing with their kids. Last week we gave you five great ways to boost your Easter egg hunt. This time, we'll focus on Easter crafts. Once again, I dove into the creative melting pot that is Pinterest to discover some of the cutest and coolest crafts around. Here are five of the best craft ideas I found. You can try them out in your ministry-or maybe they will inspire you to create something completely original!

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Coin-Covered Cross - Here's a simple craft that Trish from Mom On Time Out posted. Kids take small change and glue it to a cross. "These coin-covered crosses are a beautiful way to illustrate the price he paid," says Trish, "and the variations are endless." It's a great way to remind kids that the price of our sins is paid in full.
Colorful Crafts - I love the idea of using the many colors of the Easter season to remind kids of Jesus. Stacey from the website A Moment in our World uses the colors of Easter eggs and jellybeans to create crafts that teach the true meaning of Easter.
Easter Bouquet - This Easter flower card made with kids' handprints is a way for young kids to share the message of Jesus. From the website Free Crafty Ideas: "Easter means flowers, rebirth and spreading the message that Jesus has risen." Kids can't wait to give their card to someone and share with them the good news of Jesus.
Colorful Light Ray Cross - This craft by Housing a Forest is perfect for older kids who don't mind getting a little messy. Using their fingers, kids create a cross that glows with the light of Jesus. The original project uses watercolor paints, but one poster on Pinterest said using food coloring works as well, too.
Easter Garden - On her website, Michelle Paige shows you how to create a beautiful Easter garden scene that kids will keep for a long time. Kids plant grass and flower seeds in their garden and take their craft home to water it daily. Every time they water it, they'll be reminded of the true meaning of Easter.

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Still looking for more Easter crafts? Make sure to check out Group's Seasonal Specials for Children's Ministry. I love this book! Not only does it have great Easter crafts with meaning, it also equips you with an Easter skit, Easter game, Easter songs, and Easter-themed outreach. The book features ideas for 12 additional holidays, so grab it for Easter and you will be set for the rest of the year!

What Easter crafts do you have planned for your ministry? Do you have a Pinterest account with ideas to share for Easter? Tell us about it using the comment section below!

5 Ways to Boost Your Easter Egg Hunt

Fri, 01 March 2013 10:10:00

At the time of my writing this, we have only about four weeks until Easter is here. For many of us, that means preparing for the annual Easter egg hunt. The hunt can be one of the greatest community outreach events for your ministry, so it's important to give it to God. Make sure to pray over the event for guidance and impact. That's the best tip I can give you.

If you are looking for ways to give your hunt an extra boost, we've found five cool ideas that you can implement for this year's event.

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1. Egglo Entertainment- Who said Easter egg hunts have to take place in the middle of the day? The night owls over at Egglo Entertainment have created these glow-in-the-dark eggs with crosses on them. The idea? Jesus is the light in this dark world-too cool! Pick up a few dozen eggs for use at night (or to use in a dark room if it rains on your hunt). Egglo also sells curriculum and other fun items to go with the eggs, so check them out!

2. Easter Resurrection Buns- Make these buns the night before your Easter egg hunt to serve as a delicious treat with a special meaning. Children will enjoy biting into these buns to find that they're empty-just as Jesus' tomb was empty on Easter morning. (Hollow chocolate eggs work well for this activity too!)

3. An Easter Journey- How about taking the families that attend your Easter egg hunt on an amazing journey? This is a step-by-step guide to taking your attendees on an adventure they will never forget. From Lazarus' house to the tomb, families will travel back in time and experience Jesus with multisensory activities.

4. Easter Egg Prayers- Here's an idea that I've used with the kids in my ministry. Tell the Easter story using items you've hidden in plastic eggs. You can give God thanks for each part of the Easter story you uncover. Just make sure you label the eggs so you know what order to open them in!

5. Rock-n-Roll Easter Event Kit- Rock-n-Roll Easter Event: Where the Rock Rolled Away From the Tombis simply amazing. Everything-and I mean everything-about the Rock-n-Roll Easter Event points people to one thing: celebrating Jesus Christ. Every visitor will fully engage with the amazing gospel message in a variety of unforgettable ways using games, music, crafts, snacks, and activities. And I love the egg-cellent mascots Eggbert, Shelldun, and Sunny!

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What egg-citing plans do you have for your ministry this Easter? Do you do an annual hunt or do you do something different? How many of you team up with other ministries or organizations to pull off a massive hunt? How much money do you spend on candy? Share with us your plans, and any tips and tricks you want to pass on, in the comment section below!

5 Free Apps for Your Children’s Ministry

Wed, 27 February 2013 08:04:00

Children's ministry? There's an app for that!

Technology is great, but sometimes there's so much to shift though that finding the right tools for the job can be intimidating. We've browsed though the app stores in search of the best downloads for giving your ministry a digital boost. Here are five great apps that you and your volunteers should check out today.

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Is It Contagious? -Not sure what that rash is on Johnny's arm? This app from the experts at KidsHealth can help. The "Is It Contagious?" app has information on more than 85 different conditions. The app provides picture references, guidance about when to seek immediate care, and information about how contagious the condition is. Now you can know when it's safe for Johnny to stay and when the parents need to be called to pick him up. Available on Android and IOS.
Apparent - Apparent is an easy and convenient way to share information with your circle of parents in a secure format. The app was designed for parents who want to create play dates for their kids, but it could also be used by children's ministries to share kids' craft ideas and arrange for fun get-togethers. Available now for IOS; coming soon to Android and Windows Phone.
Max 7 - Built from the free ministry resource website Max 7, this app puts curriculum, videos, music, training materials, and much more right at your fingertips. Whether you're looking for a little something extra to add to your plans―or you're starting from scratch―there's something here for everyone. Available for Android and IOS.
Pinterest - Last week we talked about how Pinterest can be an amazing resource for gathering ideas; but many ministries are also using it as a social media bulletin board. Using the official Pinterest app, you can post pictures of crafts for home devotions and keep parents informed about upcoming lessons. Available on Android and IOS. (Don't forget to check out our own Children's Ministry Magazine Pinterest board.)
Dropbox - A great tool that I personally use, Dropbox helps you share files, photos, and videos among your volunteers. You can get up to 18 GB of space for free, with more space available for a monthly fee. Using Dropbox, your volunteers will always have whatever you need to give them right on their phones. Available for Android and IOS.

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While you're looking around the different app stores, make sure to check out Children's Ministry Magazine ( Android and IOS). We've gone digital, and you'll love the digital-only extras that bring the magazine to life. Check out the subscribe page for more information.

6 Activities for St. Patrick’s Day

Fri, 22 February 2013 11:21:00

I'll admit, I was hesitant at first. But the more I look at Pinterest, the more I'm liking it. There are tons of cool ideas out there! With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I thought I would see what cool crafts and awesome activities people are coming up with and sharing.

One thing I have heard from a lot of people: once you start looking at Pinterest, it's hard to stop. So to save you the hours you would normally spend looking through hundreds of ideas, I've narrowed down the list for you. Here are seven great St. Patrick's Day ideas from Pinterest that you can use in your ministry.

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Bulletin Board Idea: Check out this colorful bulletin board from Happy Home Fairy. The person behind the idea and website is an associate children's ministry director. Using Deuteronomy 7:6, this board will remind all those who walk by that they're God's treasure.
Trinity Talkers: The story goes that St. Patrick taught others about the trinity using the three-leaf shamrocks found all around Ireland. Here are two ideas that I found while searching Pinterest that put a crafty spin on St. Patrick's trinity lesson.
Paper Plate Hats: These holiday hats from alphamom are adorable and affordable. Just some quick snips with a pair of scissors, decorate, and you're done. Plus, the shamrock hat is a perfect addition to the trinity story we just talked about.
Sneaky Service: Leprechauns are sneaky, and so is this cool service project. Kids do something nice in secret for someone and leave behind a token encouraging them to pay it forward. You can also change the text of the poem to reflect more on why God wants us to serve others.
Count Your Blessings: During St. Patrick's Day, there's a lot of talk about luck. Although we try to stay away from the idea of talking about luck, I think we can all agree we are lucky to have such a great God. This craft will get your kids thinking about all the ways they're lucky to be blessed.
Hand Crafted: A four-leaf clover is a rare thing to find. It's very unique, just like the way God made us. This craft will create a special four-leaf clover that parents will want to keep forever, hands-down.

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Don't forget to check out our own Children's Ministry Magazine Pinterest board. We're constantly updating it with amazing ideas that will work in your ministry.

What cool things have you discovered on Pinterest? Do you have a Pinterest board you think others will dig? Share with us using the comment section below.

3 Ways to Praise Kids

Wed, 20 February 2013 10:33:00

It's easy to forget the power our words have, and we need to remember that what we say to our kids matters. And I'm not just talking about the negative things we say. The way we praise our kids--where we do it, why we do it, and how we do it--is important to think about. Here are three things to consider when praising your kids.

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Praise them for what they do. Check out this study from researchers at Stanford and the University of Chicago. Toddlers who were praised for what they do rather than who they are were better equipped to take on challenges when they are older. Instead of giving praise like "Good boy!" or "Good girl!" explain to kids why they're getting praise. Say things like, "You helped me out so much when you helped pass out the treats."
Avoid a hidden message. I've linked to Laycie Costigan's No Shame on You article before, and I would recommend you print a copy out for each one of your volunteers to read and keep. The reason I bring it up this time is because even when we praise, we could be sending the wrong message. From the article: "One of the volunteers had said to the children who were fussing over a toy: 'Jesus loves it when you share.' The message to these sweet little ones who are learning about Jesus for the first time? Then he must not love it--or me--when I don't share!"
Don't overdo it. Kids are smart. They know when you are faking praise and when you really mean it. This article by WebMD explains that too much praise can backfire and have the opposite effect of what you wanted it to do. Some things to keep in mind when you do praise: Don't praise obvious actions, be genuine, and praise the process and not the product.

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Do you praise with candy and prizes? I know of many ministries--including the one I led--that use a treasure chest, fun money, or a prize closet as a way to praise kids. I encourage you to check out another blog post I did on the subject. It may be time to get rid of the rewards.

How do you praise your kids? Let us know in the comment section below.

7 Surprising Stats from the 2013 Children's Ministry Salary Survey

Fri, 15 February 2013 12:16:00

In the newest issue of Children's Ministry Magazine, we've got the results of our 2013 Salary Survey. No one else does a survey like this, so the results are exclusive. We've asked paid children's ministry professionals to tell us how they are compensated for what they do.

The results are up on our website. After reading through the data, I thought I would point out some of the more unexpected findings and talk about them here. Here are seven surprising stats from the 2013 salary survey.

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1.Going Up.According to our exclusive survey results, overall visibility, compensation, and benefits are on the upswing for professional children's ministers everywhere. More people are falling in the median full-time salary range, $40,000 to $44,999, with 22 percent in this pay range. Across the board, more children's ministry professionals are seeing an increase in benefits, including 40 percent receiving pension and retirement contributions.

2. Equip Yourself.Half of you are given a book and magazine allowance, and 44 percent are given an allowance to buy supplies. If you are part of the 56 percent not given a supply allowance, here are some craft supplies you can make from scratch.

3. Rest and Relax.In 2013, the average paid children's ministry staffer has four personal days to use and 12 paid vacation days. We've talked about how important it is to take some time off every now and again. Use that time off!

4.Here and There.According to the survey, 35 percent of you are bivocational, working two jobs to help supplement your income. As someone who served in children's ministry as well as holding a full-time job, I know the challenges that come with bivocational ministry. A huge thank you for all those out there that give two (or more) jobs their all.

5.Gender Equality.In 2008, our survey showed men in full-time children's ministry made about $10,000 more than women. Today, those figures have balanced out. Both men and women make the median salary of $40,000 to $44,999.

6. Raise Rates.A little over half (51 percent) of children's ministers were given a raise this year. That's great news, because only 11 percent asked for one. If you are part of the 89 percent who didn't ask for a raise, and you feel you deserve one, check this article out on how to get a raise without being pushy.

7.Missed Opportunity?We asked survey participants if they would ever turn down a children's ministry position because of salary. In 2008, only 14 percent said they would. Today, 55 percent said yes. Are churches missing out on talent because of their pay range? Are children's ministers missing out on God's calling because of money? What do you think?

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What conclusions do you take from the findings? Again, you can find the full results here. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

We know money isn't the reason you got into this line of work. The work you do, leading kids to Jesus, is priceless. I want to leave you with this story of ministry and money. I hope it touches your heart like it did mine.

12 Children’s Ministry Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Wed, 13 February 2013 10:20:00

Love is in the air! Valentine's Day is here! If you are still searching for ideas to use in your ministry, search no further. We've got you covered. A few weeks ago, we came up with 7 Children's Ministry Ideas for Valentine's Day. Now here are five more ideas to add to the hopper, giving you a dozen delightful, quick, and easy activities for Valentine's Day.

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1. Stick With Love- Using 2 John 1:5-6, this craft/lesson combo will teach that God wants us to love one another. Kids will make friendship stickers and discover ways they can show love to those around them.

2. Spreading Love- This springtime lesson makes for a neat Valentine's Day visualization for younger kids. Let kids step in a baby pool full of talc-free baby powder and make footprints everywhere (don't worry, baby powder vacuums up easily). Then remind kids that we can spread God's love everywhere we go.

3. Have a Heart- Here are a couple of heart-themed surprises you can do and make with your kids. Both are centered around the idea that God is love.

4. A Hearty Snack- Make snack time special with heart-shaped pretzels that your kids can help shape. Running short on time? Go with regular pretzels and show kids how it looks like two arms giving someone hug!

5. Living Valentines- Know those heart-shaped candies with short messages on them? Here is a quick lesson using them and 1 John 3:18. It's a perfect way to wrap up a Valentine-themed lesson.

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Speaking of love, I have to say that we love all of you in children's ministry. It's amazing how much of your time and energy you spend with these little ones.

I also want to let you know that we are having a Sweetheart of a Deal on Valentine's Day at Group. There will be many great items for your ministry on sale for one day only. Make sure you check out the deal on a subscription to Children's Ministry Magazine-it's 50 percent off!

Feel free to share your tips and tricks for Valentine's Day in the comment section below!

7 Ways to Reach Out to Families of Divorce

Fri, 08 February 2013 10:57:00

I don't think anyone would disagree with the fact that we should strive to help families overcome obstacles. But, we should all be prepared in the event that a separation does occur in one or more of our ministry's families. Divorce seems to touch all of us in some way. I've seen church families who had children in my ministry go through a divorce. And being a child of divorced parents myself, I know personally some of the hardships these families face. But what do you say? What steps do you take? Here are some tips and advice to help you deal with divorce in your ministry.

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1. Ditch the Perfect Attendance Prizes - It sounds like a good thing to reward kids who come every week. But what's the message we're sending to kids who only get to attend our church every other weekend? Instead, check out these prize-free ways to encourage kids in your ministry.

2. Support Young Kids - Helping small children understand divorce can be tricky. Sesame Street recently added tools on their webpage to help parents explain to their kids what is happening, as well as tips to help kids feel loved and supported.

3. Bible-based Lessons - Susan Grover has created some simple but insightful Sunday school lessons for kids to help them understand that God is with them during their parents' divorce. Lessons are available for preschool, 1^st to 3^rd grade, and 4^th to 6^th grade.

4. Remember the Single Parent - With family ministry, it's important to remember to reach out to the parents as well as the kids. We have provided some ideas to get you started reaching out to single parents. One idea I never would have thought of would be organizing an old-fashioned co-op where single parents (and other church members) can exchange services without money. People with expertise in sewing, bookkeeping, and mechanical work, to name just a few, can participate.

5. Watch Your Words - In the article A House Divided, Lori Haynes Niles points out how some wrongly believe that supporting single-parent families is approving of divorce. "None of these attitudes could be further from the truth," says Niles. "The richness that comes to our churches through the healing experienced in divorced families is a precious gift of God and speaks volumes about the love of the reconciling God we serve." She adds that churches should be aware of the way they portray families. Are the names of your church events inclusive and welcoming to families of all kinds, or do they bar some families from participating (for example, "Doughnuts with Dad")?

6. Be a Team Player - Brian Dykes shared with us some helpful tips to show children's ministers how to reach out to children of divorce. The two I feel are most important are opening up a dialogue with each parent and speaking kindly about both parents. Make sure both parents know you are there to help. Keep them both informed about upcoming events and about their child's successes.

7. What To Say? - One of the first things that come to mind when we learn a child in our ministry is dealing with divorce is, what exactly should we say to the child? Linda Ranson Jacobs wrote an amazing article that you must check out. In it, she shares "bridge builders" to help you connect with kids. She explains that we don't need to ask kids painful questions. "Refrain from asking probing questions about the divorce," says Linda, "Instead, say, 'I'm sorry this is happening to you. How can I help?' and 'I'm always here for you. I'm thinking about you and praying for you.'"

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Although I pray your ministry never has to deal with divorce, we should all be prepared to show God's grace and help families share their burden. I recommend having a copy of Group's Emergency Response Handbooklet: Divorceon hand to be ready to deal with these situations. It will help you find powerful ways to share God's love and comfort with a hurting friend.

3 Things Super Bowl Ads Teach Us About Christian Education

Wed, 06 February 2013 12:11:00

Another Super Bowl is in the books. Congratulations to Baltimore and all the Ravens fans out there. I was glad to see a team with a couple of University of Alabama alumni win the big game.

I will admit that I'm more of a college football fan (Roll Tide) than a pro football fan. But I always tune in to the Super Bowl, mainly to see the commercials. You can catch most of them here. Although I wouldn't go as far as saying that this year was the best ever for the ads, there were definitely a few that stuck with me. I don't think I laughed harder than when I saw Wonderful Pistachios' ad. My wife cried at Budweiser's ad this year, showing that not all memorable Super Bowl ads have to be funny.

As we were discussing our favorite ads back at work on Monday, something started to interest me. Just like the advertisers, children's ministers put their time, energy, and money into programs to try to get a message to stick in the minds of their audience in just a short amount of time.

What makes certain ads better than others? Why are we still talking about some ads? And what can we learn from Super Bowl ads that we can apply to Christian education?

Rita J. King wrote an interesting article for LinkedIn that really broke down the way people watch, respond, and remember advertisements. I thought it would be interesting to see how we could use a few of her principles of memory in children's ministry.

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1. Weight and Engagement- According to King, "abstract ideas that cannot be directly sensed carry little value. Instead, tangible weight must be given to an idea." For an example, she uses this GoDaddy commercial (no, it's not the nerd and the model kissing). She says it makes people feel the urgency of making the first move.

Anytime we can evoke emotion, the message will be more likely to stick. In your messages, allow your kids to really discover the meaning behind the message. Do activities that allow them to have an experience. Remember, we learn by doing. When you make the message come alive, your kids will be more likely to apply it to their daily lives.

2. Harmony- King explains, "Like a crew rowing in unison, the elements of an ad should operate toward a single key message." She uses this Best Buy ad as an example of a single key message : in this case, being knowledgeable and ready to help.

Here are two things I take from this memory principle. First, we need to focus our message. At Group, we use a one-lesson, one-point strategy. Instead of flooding kids' minds with an overflow of info that they will soon forget, we focus on a single Bible point. The second thing I would like to point out is how amazing it is when every member of a family is hearing the same Bible point. That is one of the cool things about the new FaithWeaver NOW Sunday School. Learning the same Bible point in age-appropriate ways helps families to carry on their faith discussion throughout the week.

3. Entanglement- King warns, "A commercial may be memorable without being valuable, if what ends up being remembered is the content rather than the product or brand." She uses the example of Toyota's RAV4 commercial. Instead of the car, you end up remembering the star, Kaley Cuoco.

What do we want our kids to remember when they come to us? Putting on big events and providing flashy effects is cool, but if these things overshadow Jesus in kids' minds, we are missing the mark. I'm not saying there's not a place for those things; it's actually the opposite. We should do more to grab kids' attention. But we must remember to entangle Jesus in everything we do. Kids should walk away wowed by God's love.

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What did you do for Super Bowl Sunday? I read that one church in South Carolina moved their Sunday night services to Saturday so their crew wouldn't have to miss the big game. Smart move or disrespectful? What do you think? Share with us your thoughts (and favorite commercials) in the comment section below.

5 Blogs for Homeschooling Families

Fri, 01 February 2013 14:40:00

If you look at the numbers, more and more families are choosing to homeschool their children. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, as of 2007, there were 1.5 million students in homeschool. Religion seems to be a major factor for parents choosing to homeschool their kids, as more than a third of homeschooling parents say they do so to provide religious or moral instruction. It seems to be working. According to Exploring Homeschooling, 94 percent of students who graduate from homeschool keep their faith, and 93 percent continue to attend church after their high school years.

Because of this growing trend, we wanted to hear from those who homeschool, and we asked them why they've chosen this method of education for their kids. On our Facebook page we posed the question "I homeschool because I…" and asked our friends to fill in the blank. Tifaine Hash says, "I am scared what kind of damage public schools will do to my children." Emily Griffith Anderson says, "I believe it's part of God's plan for my children, me, and those around us." Monica Letoto Merrifield fills in the blank, "(I)…believe God has that as part of our Deuteronomy 6 mandate right now." Feel free to keep the conversation going on Facebook.

Top of Form

Whether you homeschool, have homeschooled kids, or want to learn a little more about how to minister to homeschool families, there are resources out there to help you. Here are five cool homeschooling blogs.

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7 Sisters Homeschool- This site was started by six homeschooling moms who encouraged each other all the way through their kids' high school graduations. Offering "curriculum, coaching, and other resources, building a community of homeschool families together…and influencing the culture for the glory of God," these women want to share what they've learned through their years of homeschooling.

The Homeschool Village- Hear from a team of more than 20 different homeschooling mothers at this website that strives to connect homeschool families through God's Word.

The Unlikely Homeschool- Read the story of Jamie and her husband ("the Hubs") and how they made the decision to homeschool their kids, lovingly nicknamed "Sweetie Pea," "Super Boy," "Blonde Warrior," "Greased Lightening," and "The Newbie," who was born last April.

Homeschool Share- Homeschooling parents can share educational material on this cool site.

Kids 4 Truth- This is a site that is used by homeschoolers and public school parents together. According to its website, Kids 4 Truth "exists to inspire and equip God's people to reach boys and girls worldwide with the memorable, creative, leading-edge teaching of God-focused truth."

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Do you have any homeschooled students in your ministry? Do you homeschool your own kids? How do you minister to homeschooling families? Weigh in on the subject using the comment section below.

5 Birth- to Preschool-Age Activities That Teach the Bible

Wed, 30 January 2013 10:45:00

There's much more going on in the brains of your youngest kids than meets the eye. According to the National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies, 80 percent of the brain develops by age 3! The social, intellectual, and spiritual ways you're pouring into young kids sets an incredibly important foundation. Now's the time to start helping these kids cultivate a relationship with God. Here are a few ideas aimed at kids between the ages of birth and preschool that will help them learn more about the Bible and God.

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1. Animal Songs - Kids love animals. Kids love music. Here's a simple activity that combines both. This song and movement activity helps your youngest ones start to understand that God created all the animals.

2. God Rocks!- For 2- and 3-year-olds, this simple lesson uses rocks to help kids discover that God can do all things. What incredible things our kids can do if they know right from their start that their God can do anything!

3. Looking for Jesus- Here's a simple game that you can play with your kids soon after they begin walking. Place pictures of Jesus in low areas around a room and ask kids to find him. Then explain that Jesus is everywhere. The added bonus of this game is that it helps them build leg muscles.

4. Bible Babies- This is a cute way to help your kids remember that God loves every single baby. By using pictures from old books and magazines, you'll create a Bible Baby Book complete with songs to sing about each one.

5. Lambs of God- Using John 10:27, this craft is a lot of fun for your preschoolers. Simple lamb-shaped masks will help kids understand that Jesus takes care of us, just like a shepherd cares for his sheep.

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Looking to start or upgrade your ministry's nursery and preschool? We've got lots of tricks and tips in our archives. Make sure to check out this article by Lynda Freeman on essentials that every nursery and preschool needs. Also, this article by Tim Cox shows you eight characteristics every good nursery needs to have.

If you are looking for Sunday school material for your youngest ages, check out the Play-n-Worship series. Designed for how young minds develop, these Sunday school resources will help you lay a foundation for kids that will be with them for the rest of their lives.

What does your nursery and preschool ministry look like? What advice do you have to new volunteers joining this unique area of ministry? Share with us your tips and tricks using the comment section below.

7 Children’s Ministry Ideas for Valentine’s Day

Fri, 25 January 2013 09:58:00

Valentine's Day 2013 falls on Thursday, February 14. According to information I found at the U.S. Census Bureau's website, there are many different theories on the origin of Valentine's Day. Many believe that Valentine was an ancient Roman clergyman who was executed for secretly marrying couples in defiance of the emperor. Several hundred years later, in 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine's Day. I'm not sure why candy hearts with messages written on them entered the picture, but I'm glad they did.

It will be an exciting Valentine's Day for me, as now I live in what's known as "The Sweetheart City"-Loveland, CO. For those of you who didn't know (I didn't know until I moved here), for more than 67 years, people from around the country have sent their valentines through Loveland so they can get the official "love" stamp from our post office. More than 160,000 people will be sending letters through my new city to their loved ones. I think that's pretty neat.

I love Valentine's Day, mainly because of all the extra candy out there, but also because it serves as a great opportunity to talk about God's love and how we should love one another. Here're some nifty and neat ideas you can use in your ministry this Valentine's Day.

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1. Preschool Valentine's Day Lesson - This batch of ideas by Mike Gillespie focuses on Mark 10:13-16 and will help your youngest ones understand that God loves them very much.

2. Kindergarten Valentine's Day Lesson - For your kindergarten kids, this activity-packed lesson by Pat Montgomery is perfect. Using 1 Corinthians 13:4, your kids will discover what love really is.

3. Valentine's Day Lesson for Grades 1 to 3 - Loving others can be a hard concept at times. This fun lesson plan uses Leviticus 19:18 and John 15:17 (as well as fun activities) to help kids discover the importance of loving each other.

4. Valentine's Day Lesson for Grades 4 to 6 - You oldest kids will think about what it means to have a heart for Jesus in this lesson based on Ephesians 3:14-17.

5. Peekaboo Heart Craft - This cute craft is a quick and easy reminder of Jesus' love for us. Kids make candy-filled valentines to give to others.

6. Heart Placemat Craft - Great for younger kids, this paint craft lets kids decorate a placemat with heart stamps. Preschoolers love giving these to their parents, and you can connect the craft to John 13:34.

7. Valentine's Day Activities - Wrapping up my top ideas, here is a three-in-one bonus. These activities get everyone involved, including adults.

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For more great Valentine's Day ideas, check out Seasonal Specials for Children's Ministry. For Valentine's Day alone, it has a devotion, craft, game, snack, skit, song, and outreach opportunity. Get it today and you'll be set for the rest of the year with new ideas for 12 other holidays.

Share with us how your ministry celebrates (or doesn't celebrate) Valentine's Day. Do you give out candy? Do you decorate your area? Have a party? Let us know what you do in the comment section below!

3 Ways to Keep the Flu Bug Away

Wed, 23 January 2013 11:40:00

You can hear it up and down the hallways of your ministry. A chorus of coughs. A symphony of sniffles. You can tell flu season is here and taking its toll on both your kids and your parents. It's not too late to take steps to avoid catching and spreading germs. Here are three tips to help keep your ministry a healthy one.

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1. Mesh bags- If you work with preschoolers, try this tip out. Invest in a few mesh bags. Not only do they keep all your kids' favorite plush toys together in one place, they make it a breeze to take the toys home and toss in the washer. Of course, as with all cleaning supplies, be aware of ingredients in the detergent that could act as allergens.

2. Teach healthy habits- A simple step, but one you need to take, is helping kids and volunteers know flu-busting habits. The Centers for Disease Control website gives plenty of tips and hand-outs. My favorite is that when you wash your hands, you should do so for 20 seconds. Encourage your kids and volunteers to wash their hands while singing "Jesus Loves Me." When they're done with the song, they should be about done with the hand washing.

3. Don't look for perfection- In an article for Children's Ministry Magazine, Brad Hennessy shared ways to keep your ministry healthy during flu season. I love how Brad mentions that the quest for perfection may lead some parents to bring their kids even if they're sick. "Some kids (and parents) try so hard for perfect attendance that it can be tempting to go to church simply to avoid being counted as 'absent.' Be thoughtful if and how you reward attendance, especially during the cold and flu season, and consider making an exception for sick days."

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What steps do you take to keep your ministry healthy? Do you have a sick child/sick volunteer policy in your handbook? Do you have a plan in case you yourself get sick? Let us know in the comment section below.

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Cell Phones in Your Ministry

Fri, 11 January 2013 12:25:00

I remember when I was a kid and my grandmother showed us her new car phone. It came in a big black bag and took up the entire space between the front two seats of her van! So much has changed since then. Those car phones of yesteryear have given way to cell phones, and thankfully, we no longer need cars to carry our phones around!

For many, cell phones have become a necessity. And more and more parents are buying them for their kids. According to research collected by Elizabeth Englander from Bridgewater State University, 40 percent of kids have their own cell phone by fifth grade. That number jumps to around 83 percent by the time kids reach middle school (theatlantic.com).

With cell phones now the norm for many families, let's take a look at some do's and don'ts for handling cell phones in your ministry.

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Do Connect With Parents- It's not just kids who love their cell phones. According to a Harris Interactive Study, 63 percent of women and 73 percent of men who own smartphones check them hourly. If you aren't connecting with parents in this way, you are missing out on a quick and easy mode of communication. Ask parents to share their contact information so you can replace the take-home flier with a quick text.
Don't Share Contact Info With Kids- Others may disagree with this one, but personally, I say don't share your contact information-or that of your volunteers-with kids. Why? For the same reason ministries should never allow a child and an adult to be together behind closed doors. By giving parents your number, you let your kids know that you're there for them whenever they need you-but by first asking their parents' permission to call.
Do Have a Plan- If your ministry's handbook doesn't include a section on cell phones, it may be time to review and update it. Many parents want their kids to have a cell phone on them at all times in case of an emergency, so a total ban on cell phones might not be the way to go. But I have seen situations where kids use their phones in the middle of a lesson to listen to inappropriate music or send mean texts to other students. This issue should be made known to volunteers and addressed with kids. Some children's ministries make an announcement similar to those made in movie theaters asking for kids to silence their phones before the lesson, while others collect students' phones before the kids enter the building. What do you do? Share with us in the comment section below.
Don't Check It-Remember that fact I shared about 63- to 73 percent of adults checking their phones hourly? Chances are you are part of that group! If so, make sure to follow your own rules of cell phone etiquette. Silence your phone and don't take calls or texts while with your kids, even if it means hanging a wall clock so you don't have to check the time on your phone. The less your phone is out, the less your kids will think about their own phones.
Do Warn Parents- 66 percent of parents say kids should be at least 13 before they go online by themselves. Even so, 29 percent of 9- to 12-year-olds have a personal device that's Wi-Fi enabled (livescience.com). Parents need to know that giving kids a smartphone is like handing them a computer. While it has many good uses, it can easily become dangerous. Websites such as Common Sense, which helps to determine the appropriateness of movies, games, and apps, and apps such as Norton Family, which helps you monitor your kids' online activities, will give you tools to equip parents to help them safeguard their kids.

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Cell phones are here to stay, it seems, at least in some form-my wife and I don't even own a landline anymore! And by taking the right steps, you can help make this new technology a blessing rather than a headache for your ministry. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!

3 Messages for MLK Day

Wed, 09 January 2013 12:35:00

We serve a God who looks at our hearts, not our skin. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is on January 21^st. It's a day to reflect, remember, and rejoice that God made and loves us all.

King taught us three things that we should pass on to our kids: God made you special, God loves everyone, and with God we can keep our dreams and hopes alive. Here are some fun and fast ways you can share King's message with your kids this weekend.

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1. God Made You Special- Celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. by reminding your kids that God told us that what makes us special is what's on the inside, not how we look on the outside. Using mirrors and 1 Samuel 16:7, this devotion can help your kids discover that God made each of us special and unique.

2. God Loves Everyone- It can be hard for kids to comprehend what our nation was like and how segregated it was at one point. This Sunday school lesson on MLK Day gives kids a taste of how being treated unfairly feels. Adults will get comfortable seats while kids are forced to squeeze into a small, taped-off area that keeps getting smaller as more adults enter. Using Galatians 3:28, your kids will discover how we're all the same in Jesus and how we should treat others with fairness and respect.

3. Keep on Dreaming- King stood up for what was right and kept fighting for his dream. This devotion for kids 6- to 9 years old will get them thinking about their own dreams as well as what God has planned for their lives. In addition, Jolene L. Roehlkpartain shares her own Sunday school lesson for preschoolers on dreams and wishes.

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By teaching our kids about God's love today, we can hope that they won't repeat the past mistakes of our nation in the future.

If you are looking for some more MLK Day fun for your kids, check out these 15-minute lessons on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day for every age group in your ministry. Designed by Joclyn Wampler (a church volunteer from Oregon), these lesson plans also include snacks and crafts your kids will love.

So how does your church celebrate MLK Day? Let us know what your plans are using the comment section below!

5 Resolutions for Your Children’s Ministries New Year

Thu, 27 December 2012 10:08:00

With 2012 coming to a close, now is a great time to reflect on the highs and lows of the past year with your ministry team. I encourage you to debrief the year that was 2012 with your team to get a better idea of what to do and whatnotto do in 2013. And while you have your team gathered, consider making a list of resolutions for your ministry-a wish list of goals for the New Year. Here are five ideas to get you started.

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Develop a Handbook - First and foremost, a ministry hand book should be at the top of your list. If you already have one, you should take another look at it and see if it needs reworking. If you haven't developed one, the New Year is a great time to start. Anita Weldon has a fantastic eight-step process to help you create a handbook that will help guide your ministry throughout 2013.
Get Organized - Organizing your ministry means more than cleaning out the supply closet. Jolene L. Roehlkepartain has created a list of 18 tips and tricks to help get your ministry geared up for years to come. My favorite tip from Jolene? Write a mission statement. "Hang it where you can see it. Periodically ask yourself whether the work you're doing fits your mission statement," she says.
Start a Daycare - While this may not be an option for all ministries, starting up a daycare may be an undertaking worth considering and just the thing your community is looking for. Carla Williams wrote a fantastic article about the pros and cons of creating a church daycare from your ministry. It may be a great way to reach out to families in your area.
Connect with the Pastor - Encouraging your senior pastor to connect with your kids is a great way to build bonds in your church. We've come up with 17 suggestions to get you started, like giving your pastor's office a mini-makeover (simply filling a file drawer with balloons, candy, puzzles, etc.), or asking him or her write a short note to your kids.
De-stress Yourself - We've said it time and time again-you've got to take care of yourself so you can help others. We asked children's ministry veterans how they stay stress free through the year, and their answers may surprise you (drink plenty of water!).

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What does your ministry do to roll in the New Year? What goals have you set for 2013? What are some of your highlights from 2012? Share with us using the comment section below!

7 Last-Minute Christmas Ideas

Fri, 21 December 2012 08:36:00

Christmas is finally here! With so many things going on, you might still be preparing your Christmas services or looking for one or two more ideas to make it perfect. No matter where you are in your Christmas planning, it's not too late! We've pulled together seven terrific last-minute ideas you can use to make Christmas in children's church the best it can be.

Snack

Tree-Mendous Treats - Part craft, part snack, kids will love decorating their very own Christmas tree before gobbling it up.

Devotion

Baby Jesus Finger Play - Having devotions for your youngest kids (toddlers and 2-year-olds) is just as important as for any other age group. Try this fun and simple devotion that comes with hand motions to help children learn and remember Jesus' life.

Crafts

Manger Puppets - Perfect for kids ages 3 to 9, this craft brings Luke 2:13-18 to life. Using small pudding boxes for mouths, children will make puppets like the animals that may have been around baby Jesus when he was born.
My Manger - Here's an idea I found from our archive. Give each child an envelope with the flap cut off, some modeling dough, and a small gingerbread cookie cutter. Help kids cut out gingerbread figures from their dough. Next, let kids color their envelopes (which will become mangers). When they're finished, fold and tape each lower envelope corner so it lies flat on the bottom fold of the envelope. This will enable the "manger" to stand up on its own. Finally, to make the hay-bed, let kids crumble up a piece of shredded-wheat cereal. To complete the scene, have children place their dough figure on top of their straw while you read from Luke 2:1-20.

Lesson

Small packages - Looking for a full lesson for your first- to third-grade kids? Cindy Nelson has an amazing but simple lesson involving presents and God's greatest gift.

Outreach

Mitten Angels - Here's a fun outreach idea. Have families bring in pairs of mittens and let kids turn them into angels. Afterward, donate the mittens to a local shelter so the angels can help keep those in need warm.

Activities for Families

Census Questions - Help the families in your ministry get closer together by taking this "census" like Mary and Joseph did in Luke 2:1-5.

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Still looking for inspiration? Make sure to check out our previous blogs involving Christmas music, Christmas games, Christmas snacks, Christmas programs, Christmas traditions, how to help preteens understand Christmas, as well as how to keep your focus on what matters this Christmas. And if you need some help finding volunteers to work during your Christmas services, make sure to check out this article on filling the Christmas void.

Let us know what you're doing for Christmas in our comment section below! Merry Christmas to you and your ministry!

3 Tips on Helping Kids Deal With Fear

Wed, 19 December 2012 08:28:00

It's amazing the things people believe, and there are times when we can be downright gullible. For example, several weeks ago, many Facebook users bought into the rumor that suggested you could simply post a legal notice on your account in order to protect your copyright or privacy rights. And how many of you avoided drinking Coke and eating Pop Rocks at the same time because you didn't want to die like the LIFE cereal kid?

This week, you may hear your kids (or even some confused adults) talk about the end-of-the-world doomsday that some believe will occur this Friday, December 21. The story in a nutshell is that because the Mayan calendar comes to an end on that day, so will the world.

The thing is, we're not called to a spirit of fear. If your kids are scared because of the so-called Mayan doomsday or tell you they're afraid of some other situation, here are three tips you can use to help them deal with their fears.

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1. Take them seriously. Kids.govhas a fantastic article which explains to kids the falsehood of the Mayan doomsday, as well as some great tips for parents and leaders on helping kids deal with any kind of fear. The first tip is to take their fears seriously. Instead of telling kids that they are being silly and dismissing their fears, help them educate themselves so they can overcome their fears.

2. Identify their fear. Sometimes you just know when something is bothering a child, even if the child doesn't straight-out tell you. Wes Fleming, an expert on ministering to families, encourages children's ministers to help kids identify their fears. In an article he wrote on the subject, he suggests asking open-ended questions like, "What's going on? What are you feeling?" rather than questions like, "Why did you say that?" or "Why are you acting this way?" which can make kids hide their feelings. After the child has opened up some, speculate about what the child is feeling to encourage even more sharing. For example, ask, "Are you afraid? A lot of children feel afraid when they see scary pictures or hear scary things on TV."

3. God is our shield. Kids can have legitimate fears that cause them to worry. Here is a fun game to play that can help kids understand that God protects us. Originally intended as a game to be played before Halloween, this idea can be used anytime. Ask kids to name things that people fear. Then explain that God is our shelter, using Psalm 91:1-10. Have a child dealing with fear be "It." Half the children will use their bodies to make a shelter to protect "It," and the other half will try to hit "It" with paper wads. After two minutes of play, stop the action.

Ask kids the following questions: How do you think "It" felt in the shelter? How easy or difficult was your job of protecting "It"? How did your shelter compare with God's shelter that Psalm 91 tells us about?

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We have all fallen for scams or rumors. Luckily, we serve a God who is the truth. How do you help kids overcome their fears? Have any of your kids talked about the so-called Mayan doomsday? What do you do when a parent has fears? Share with us in the comment section below!

3 Christmas Snacks That Will Wow

Fri, 14 December 2012 09:46:00

The past few weeks we have covered Christmas music, Christmas games, Christmas programs, Christmas traditions, how to help preteens understand Christmas, and even how to keep your focus on what matters this Christmas. This week, I wanted to take a look at Christmas snacks. Our experts have cooked up some of the most delicious seasonal snacks that are both fun to make and to eat. Here are three of my favorites.

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1. Snack to Share. Your preschoolers will love this snack that teaches how fun it can be to share. Follow the link for instructions. Kids will stir up a batch of Christmas snacks and fill bags to enjoy and share with others. After praying for someone, they will deliver the ribbon-wrapped bag of goodies to them.

2. Nativity Snack. I've heard of gingerbread houses and gingerbread Nativity scenes, but this snack puts a whole new twist on that idea. Kids try to build a Nativity scene with graham crackers, pretzel rods, and a Tootsie Roll baby Jesus. They'll find it next to impossible, until you provide them frosting for glue. Then you can guide your kids into discovering that just as they need the frosting for their snack, we all need Jesus to hold our lives together.

3. Gingersnap Stars. Here is a snack celebrating Jesus' birth that you can make in a snap. These spicy stars made with peanut butter and gingersnap cookies are a great treat that can go along with Matthew 2:10-11. Bonus-Younger kids will love singing this simple song set to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" while enjoying the treat:

Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
What a super sign you are.
Up above the world so high,
Announcing Jesus in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
You helped the wise men travel far.

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Still hungry for more? Want a second helping of Christmas snacks? Here are two quick treats: candy cane-inspired ice cream and fun Christmas sugar cookies.

I want to know your favorite snacks to make for your kids. Do you have any special snacks you do for Christmas? And seasonal treats you personally absolutely love? (I'm a sucker for those Christmas tree cakes.) Share with us your thoughts in our comment section below!

5 Christmas Games for Your Ministry

Wed, 12 December 2012 11:31:00

Where is the love for Christmas games? Looking around, I'm finding Christmas musicals and carols, Christmas-themed snacks, and Christmas crafts. Don't get me wrong, I love all of that. But I think it's time we talk about some festive Christmas games to play with your kids. I found some great games for kids of all ages that not only are a ton of fun, but also come with debriefing questions to help kids pick up on the message behind the activity. Here are five Christmas games for kids of all ages in your ministry.

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1. Christmas Bingo- For your younger kids who aren't ready to read yet, try out this fun Christmas version of bingo. Instead of letters and numbers, kids get a card of Christmas-related pictures like an angel, Mary, and a star. Kids use Christmas candies to mark off the images that you describe. Your children will have a blast playing Christmas bingo.

2. Treasure Seekers- A game for your 6- to 9-year-old kids, Treasure Seekers gets kids thinking about why Jesus came to earth. Blindfolded kids will rely on their teammates, who aren't allowed to speak, to find candy canes hidden in the room. Afterwards, kids make the connection that just as the teammates helped guide the blindfolded kids, Jesus helps guide us to God.

3. Snowball Wreath Toss- With all the distractions around us, it can be hard to focus on what really matters this season. The Snowball Wreath Toss is a fun game for 6- to 9-year-olds that will help them prepare their hearts for Christmas. Kids toss "snowballs" that look a lot like ping pong balls into a "wreath" that just happens to look like a swimming pool noodle. After the challenging game, kids learn that it can also be challenging to focus our hearts for Christmas. That's when they learn about giving, thanking, and celebrating Jesus.

4. Christmas Gift Wrap Race- Want your kids to understand it's better to give than receive? Help your older kids understand the giving spirit of Christmas with this Gift Wrap Race game. Kids are given everything they need to wrap a present for the world…the only thing is, they have to come up with the gift. Will they choose peace? An end to hunger? It's up to them!

5. Bethlehem or Bust- This silly, fun icebreaker game is perfect for older kids around 10 to 12 years old. Teams will run a relay race while reenacting the first Christmas using cleaning supplies. For example, kids will grab a mop and say "Nobroom at the inn!" Not only is it a great way to do a quick review of the first Christmas, kids will be laughing the entire time. The game works even better if you can get the adults to join in as well.

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What games do you and your kids play at Christmastime? Do you have any special Christmas traditions that make the season special? Share your thoughts with us in our comment section below!

5 Things to Remember When Dealing With Death of Infants

Fri, 07 December 2012 09:14:00

I write this blog with a heavy heart. Yesterday I found out that a good friend of mine had lost his nephew. Delivered at just 18 weeks, the little one lived only 20 minutes before he passed. My friend posted his thoughts on Facebook, and his tribute to his nephew touched my heart. I wanted to share some of his words with you so that you too might be touched and so that you all could pray for his family.

In moments like these, it's so easy to get lost in what might have been. What kind of personality would he have had? What color hair? What sorts of things would he have liked? It's easy to think about the experiences he and we would never have, like riding a bike, having a birthday party, and enjoying the precious season we're currently in: Christmas.

But, [he] lived for 20 minutes. For a lot of people this may not seem like a lot. In fact, most would argue that it is not nearly enough for someone so innocent and pure. However, in those 20 minutes I know his mom and dad were right there with him, loving him for every single second of those few precious minutes. In 20 minutes, they gave him more than a lifetime of love. In 20 minutes he lived a life where he never for a minute had to be alone. In 20 minutes he must have lived a lifetime....

Though I never got to hold you, see you, or tell you that I love you, know that I do. I love you, little nephew, more than you will ever know."

My heart goes out to all of those who have lost children. Please be in prayer for my friend and his family.

I hope that your ministry never has to deal with a situation like this. It can be so hard to find the right words to say and the right steps to take. Every situation is different, but here are a few things that might come in handy to remember if parents in your ministry find themselves in this horrible position.

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1. Pray. It's so important not to forget to pray with and for these families. Also pray that you would know the right steps to take. Parents will be experiencing different forms of grief. Asking God for guidance is a must.

2. Help. You don't know how much a helping hand will mean. "Let me know if I can do anything" (no matter how genuine the sentiment) is an offer rarely taken up by grieving families. Offer to do some housework or run a few errands. A useful website is Take Them a Meal. Here you can create a meal schedule where people can sign up to take meals on particular days-this way everyone is working together and not inundating families with too much food.

3. No Rush. The grieving process takes time, and it's different for everyone. Know that it may be a while before the parents return to church, and that this loss is something that you are going to help them cope with for the rest of their life.

4. Privacy. If you are among the first to find out, respect the family's privacy. Asking others to join in praying is great, but only if the family wants their situation to be made public.

5. Children. Don't forget that children grieve as well. Victor Parachin gave some great tips in a recent article. Avoid euphemisms when talking with children. Allow kids to express themselves in different ways (through drawings, music, words), and be a role model for them during this time. The best thing you can do for them is emphasize God's love.

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Do you have any suggestions for children's ministers who may be dealing with this situation? How do you find the right words to say? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Also, if you ever find yourself needing to make a trip to the hospital to see a parent or child, make sure you check you the current issue of Children's Ministry Magazine. In it we have an article by Danielle Christy that gives you the do's and don'ts of hospital visits.

3 Reasons You Need to Take Vacation Time

Wed, 05 December 2012 08:41:00

Do you remember when McDonald's used the "You deserve a break today!" slogan? You would think most people would relate to that, but apparently that's not the case. A new survey by Harris Interactive shows that most working Americans had unused vacation time at the end of 2011 (the average being 11 days worth of time unused).

My question for you is, do you get any vacation time and if so, do you use it? I know for some of you, it goes against what you think. You feel as if your kids depend on you; and they do-but you must first take care of yourself.

I looked into what some of our experts had to say about the subject and pulled out some interesting thoughts. Here are three takes on why you need to use your time off.

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1. Don't be afraid, it can help. In the current issue of Children's Ministry Magazine, Bernadette O'Shea writes an article about how we can easily fall victim to burnout. Bernadette, a Christian- and private- school educator as well as a public speaker for more than 15 years, says she has been there. One of the indicators that you're on a path to flaming out, she says, is that you're afraid to take a break.

She explains that some people have too much pride to take a day off from work. "People who are immature in a position can worry if their subordinates are a potential risk for them to lose their job. They fear that if they leave, someone will outshine them."

Sometimes people are afraid to take time off because they honestly believe their ministry would fall apart without them there. "Remember that if you put people in positions who are qualified enough to do the job, you don't need to come to their rescue," said Bernadette. "Your absence could actually help your team grow."

Just like driving a car, in order to get better, you have to have experience. Your team will never get a chance to help lead if you don't allow them to take your ministry on a drive from time to time. Give them instructions, and let them use their God-given talents while you recharge your batteries. It will make you a better leader and give your team experience they can use later.

2. It's recommended by psychiatrists. An article by Judi Bailey, a licensed professional counselor, asks us to reinterpret our concept of rest. Talking with psychiatrist Dr. Victoria Codispoti, we find that rest is a biological need."A great number of people think they're wasting time when they rest…people don't realize that their bodies need some period of rest every day," Dr. Codispoti says.

Judi also brings up a biblical point. "Study the Scriptures to get God's perspective on rest. Proverbs and Psalms are especially ripe with the lessons of letting go and trusting God. In Mark 6:31, Jesus told his disciples to go to a 'lonely place and rest a while (RSV).' "

Even if it's not a full-fledged vacation, setting aside some time for rest is beneficial to you and your ministry in the end.

3. You want to be your best. If you were at KidMin 2012, you know the ball of energy that is Kevin Carroll. During a recent interview, we talked about being honest with yourself and knowing what you need. "You have to be honest about where you're at because you do no one any good if you don't bring your best self on a daily basis," said Kevin. "… I think first and foremost, you need to be paying attention to your energy and be aware of when you're starting to flatline."

Like Bernadette, Kevin says to make sure to surround yourself with a qualified team of workers and volunteers, and then equip them to lead at times when you need to recharge your batteries. Find things you love to do and ways of worship that you connect with best, and soon you will be back to 100 percent and better able to lead your ministry.

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When I was working at my previous church, I had an amazing team that filled in the gaps any time I couldn't make it or needed to take a vacation. There are times you might only need to ask someone to take the helm for a day while you go and worship; other times, it might take a full week off to get you back in tip-top shape. Whatever it is, trust your team and use those vacation days.

How do you handle vacation time? When is the last time you used it? Does your team have a plan if you are away? Let us know in the comment section below!

5 Christmas Traditions to Remember

Fri, 30 November 2012 09:00:00

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone and all the leftovers have been gobbled down, we can set our eyes on Christmas. What a wonderful time of year! Everyone is full of cheer and goodwill toward others! No wonder it's America's favorite holiday according to CNN.

I love the different traditions families and churches have during this time. The tradition I share with my kids every year around this time is our Old-Fashioned Christmas Party. We go outside at night and roast hot dogs over a campfire, families decorate Christmas ornaments, and kids hear about Jesus' birth while on a hayride. In honor of all our Christmas customs, here are some news and notes about five classic Christmas traditions I found interesting.

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1. Charlie Brown. You have to be a blockhead not to love the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials. This year It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving won their timeslots. I love the fact that an almost 40-year-old cartoon beat out shows like Survivor and The X-Factor in the ratings. This week, ABC aired A Charlie Brown Christmas and I hope it did as well as the others. I actually showed it to my kids last year so they could see Linus explaining the meaning of Christmas while quoting the Bible. Consider grabbing the DVD and showing it to your kids as well! Fun fact: the show almost never made it to air. Not only did the CBS executives not like it, a cartoon character quoting the Bible seemed sacrilegious.

2. Candy Canes. A classic Christmas tale about the Christian origin of candy canes has been around for a while now. We actually have a modified version of the story on our website that you can use to tell the story to your kids. In case you haven't heard it, the story says an Indiana candymaker invented the J-shaped candy in order to teach kids about Jesus. It's a fun story that I think is great to tell, but it's also completely made up. The researchers at Snopes busted the myth a while back. So use the story and candy canes as a sweet reminder of the real gift of Jesus--just remember to call the candy cane story a legend.

3. Elf on the Shelf. A new tradition for many families is the Elf on the Shelf. It's become so popular that the elf had his own balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year! If you haven't heard of it, the nutshell explanation is parents move around an elf doll who watches for naughty and nice boys and girls every day. Kids hear a story about how the elf moves around at night and reports to Santa at the North Pole. I bet you could turn this idea into a ministry activity by having a pretend elf bring in different items that represent Jesus' birth. For example, your toy elf, who is on a mission from Santa to tell others about Jesus, could hide candy canes for kids, and then you could tell the candy cane story previously mentioned.

4. Santa. In the last issue of Children's Ministry Magazine, we reported that about 66 percent of parents say Santa is important to their Christmas celebrations. And 75 percent of parents report their kids believe in Santa. (Source: Fox News; ivillage.com) We have a poll out now on the front page of our website that asks people "What do you tell kids who ask if Santa is real?" As I am writing this, 25 percent say they tell kids Santa is real, while 38 percent tell kids to ask their parents. My first year of children's ministry, we had Santa stop by. We had our kids go see "Mrs. Claus" for cookies and milk while she told them about Jesus' birth. Afterwards, kids met Santa and we took pictures for their families. No one seemed to mind, but we never did it again. How do you handle Santa in your ministry? Let us know in the comment section below!

5. Nativity Scenes. 'Tis the season for lawsuits and fights. It's amazing how many news stories are coming out with cities under fire for having a nativity display. One town stopped their 60-year Christmas tradition of putting up a nativity scene because last year an atheist put up an anti-God scene nearby, resulting in debates and argument. Now that city is being sued for not allowing the Nativity scene on the city's property. Search "Nativity lawsuits" in Google, and over a million other similar stories will appear. Now, I am extremely interested in hearing your thoughts on this. Is this a sign of the times? Is it no big deal? Has your city dealt with religious side of Christmas becoming taboo? Let us know in the comment section below.

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While you are planning your Christmas celebrations, make sure to check these fun, child-approved traditions from around the world. Whatever you do this Christmas season, may God bless you and your ministry!

5 Things U Need to Know about the Wii U

Wed, 28 November 2012 08:07:00

In the November/December issue of Children's Ministry Magazine, I reviewed Nintendo's newest video game console, the Wii U. Nintendo declared it the first next-generation console to hit the market. It released publicly on November 18, and it's reported that more than 400,000 were sold in the first week.

Your may have heard your kids talking about the system. According to research by Nielsen, 39 percent of U.S. kids between the ages of 6 and 12 have it on their wish list (second only to Apple's iPad).

I grew up on the original Super Mario Bros., and Nintendo has always been a favorite of mine. On the 17^th, I dragged my wife with me to the local electronics store and we waited outside for hours until the midnight release of the new system. I called it a date night, but I think she disagrees with me.

If you haven't yet seen it, the big twist is that the Wii U's controllers feature a touch-sensitive screen. Nintendo hopes this extra twist will provide new experiences for gamers, including "asymmetrical game play," where friends can play the same game in different ways.

Here are five things you-and parents-need to know about the Wii U:

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1. Price: I know many ministries love having a cool place where the kids can hang out before and after church. If you were thinking about picking up a Wii U for your game room, keep in mind the price. The basic Wii U costs $299.99, and the deluxe set is $349.99. You can see the differences between the two sets here. The deluxe set comes with Nintendo Land, a game that shows off what the Wii U system can do. The game is great and costs about the difference in price between the two sets.

2. Controllers: Going along with price, keep in mind that the system uses the original Wii controllers as well as the game pad included with the Wii U. The good news, if you are a Wii owner, is that the same controllers can be used. The bad news, if you aren't, is that you will need to buy additional controllers to get the full effect.

3. Parental Locks: Nintendo included a built-in social network called the "Miiverse" where players around the world can communicate. Nintendo reps say that the chat and messaging will be safe and secure for gamers of all ages, but if you don't use the parental controls included on the system, you may find some questionable content from time to time. As with any new tech item, learn to use the parental controls and keep an eye on your kids as they play.

4. Lessons Learned: I love the "asymmetrical game play" the system provides and the lessons that can be learned from it. Take Nintendo Land, included in the deluxe package, for example. Players work together and against each other in different games. In the game "Pikmin Adventure," everyone works together and must share resources, come up with a plan, and communicate clearly-or else fail their mission. After playing "Mario Chase," (which is another Nintendo Land game in which one player runs away from the other players chasing him), you can compare that with what it feels like when temptation is chasing us down. It never gives up, and you have to keep running the race to not get trapped.

5. Other Options: With the release of a new system, prices are going to drop on other systems. In fact, reports say Nintendo will re-release a mini version of the original Wii for $99 in Canada. So even if the Wii U doesn't fall within your price range, it might have made other options that were previously out of your budget available to you.

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My wife and I have been playing the Wii U for a couple of weeks now, and we love it. I can see families coming together around the system and playing together in new ways.

What do you think? Do you have a game room for your kids? Do you let them bring in video games? When is the last time you played a game with your kids outside of Sunday school? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

3 Ways to Make the Christmas Message Stick with Preteens

Tue, 20 November 2012 09:35:00

Want your preteens to know the true meaning of Christmas? Do you wish you could get the Christmas message to stick in your preteens' hearts and minds? Look no further. Today I'm excited to share with you a guest blog written by Nick Diliberto, creator of PreteenMinistry.net.

If you haven't heard of Nick or visited his website, go bookmark it right now. Nick has more than 13 years of experience working in preteen ministry, and his website contains relevant resources and cool ideas for those of us working with preteens.

Here, Nick shares steps you can take to make the Christmas message stick with preteens!

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The story of Christmas is a familiar one to preteens. Knowing the story of Jesus' birth is life-changing--so how do we make the Christmas message "stick" in their hearts and minds? Here are some ideas:

1. Make It Real. When sharing the Christmas message, talk about how Jesus' birth and life impacts students' lives in the here and now. The core message of Christmas and Jesus' birth is summed up in the word Immanuel, which means God is with us. How many preteens have sung songs and heard that word repeated but missed the meaning?God is with us means that we have access to a relationship with Jesus now. God is present here on earth. Because of Jesus, we can have a real relationship with the creator of the universe! Use Christmas as an opportunity to talk about what that looks like in the life of a preteen.

2. Be Experiential. Preteens disengage when we "preach" to them. They don't want to sit for 20 minutes and listen to you communicate information. They learn best when you use a hands-on, experiential approach to learning. With that in mind, here are some experiential, fun activities that work with a Christmas related lesson.

Balloon Race--Give each preteen a balloon with their name on it. Have the kids stand in a straight line, shoulder to shoulder, on one side of a room. Invite all the kids to blow up their balloons and then release them at the same time. The player's balloon that lands closest to the opposite wall wins.The point: God is with us and within us. He is as close to us as our very breath. Just as we breathed air into our balloons, God breathes His spirit into us.

Shepherds, Angels, and You--Open your Bible to Luke 2:8. Read the story of the shepherds and the angels, and then divide your group into Shepherds and Angels and act it out!

Always think of ways to add fun, hands-on activities to help drive home the point. Preteens will be more engaged, making the message "stick."

3. Reach Out. Preteens can get caught up in the consumerism of Christmas, which creates an "all about me" attitude. Fourth- through sixth- graders learn best by doing, and jump at the chance to make a difference. So give them the opportunity to reach out to those in your community.

Some ideas:

Operation Christmas Child
Give up a gift they receive this Christmas and instead give it to a child in need.
Volunteer at a local food shelter.
Volunteer to wrap gifts at the mall during the busy shopping season.

Allow preteens to be a part of the planning process, and ask them for ideas of how to serve the community. The more they are involved in the planning, the more of an impact the experience will have on them.

Nick Diliberto is creator of preteenministry.net, which provides creative curriculum and resources for preteen ministry. He is also the preteen columnist for Children's Ministry Magazine.

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Looking for some more great Christmas ideas? We've got you covered! We have heart angel Christmas ornaments for little ones to make, 12 Advent activities, a Christmas snack that looks like a manger scene, free Christmas music downloads, and even a Christmas game to get everyone in the spirit of the season!

What do you have planned for your kids this Christmas? How do you get the Christmas story to stick in their hearts? Do you talk to your kids about Santa? Let us know in the comment section below!

3 Ways to Pray

Fri, 16 November 2012 13:35:00

Earlier this year, Missouri voters approved an amendment that requires all public schools to display the Bill of Rights, in addition to reaffirming kids' right to pray and acknowledge God while in school. It's called the "Right to Pray" amendment, and it seems to be causing quite a stir.

According to USA Today, "The language on [the] ballot stressed the rights of citizens to express their religious beliefs and the rights of children to pray and acknowledge God in schools. It also stated that students could be exempted from classroom activities that violate their religious beliefs."

I'm interested in hearing what you all think about this. Is this a positive thing? Does this overstep any boundaries? How would you vote on this issue, and why? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Personally, I'm thankful Jesus gives us the right to pray. It's important for us to help our kids stretch their spiritual muscles and help them become prayer warriors. Here are three tips and tricks to help get kids praying for a lifetime.

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1. Start. If you're looking for a place to start teaching kids about prayer, there's no better place to start than seeing how the master does it. In the Kids' Travel Guide to the Lord's Prayer, kids not only dig into each line of the Lord's Prayer, they also find out the answers to two big questions: What is prayer, and how should I pray? One of my favorite activities involves temptation. Ask kids to stand up, and then give them some fun noisemakers-but instruct them not to make any noises. As you go around the room and have kids name some things or situations that tempt them, have kids who make any noise with their noisemakers sit down.

After the activity, ask kids what made it hard or easy for them to resist the temptation to use their noisemaker. Ask them if they are usually good at resisting temptation, and why or why not. Finally, ask why is it sometimes hard to say no to things that we know are wrong.

Remind kids that God can give us the strength to do what is right.

2. Styles.Just as different kids enjoy learning different ways, kids will enjoy trying out different styles of prayer time. Change up your prayer time by having kids listen to the words of a worship song while praying. Or have kids start a prayer journal where they can write down their thoughts. You can even incorporate prayer into a active game using the Throw and Tell® Prayer Ball. Shake up your prayer time and let kids pray in a way that they connect most with.

3. Seasonal.Here is a great craft/prayer experience you can do that is perfect for the holidays. Get out your craft supplies as well as some newsprint, or tear off long sheets of paper if you happen to have access to a roll of paper. Have kids think of things they are thankful for, and allow them to draw and decorate their paper with those things. As they decorate, have them say "Thanks, God, for the gift of…" Explain to kids that Jesus is a special gift that God gave us. When kids are done with the prayer craft, roll each child's paper up in a tube and put a rubber band around it. Now it can be used during Christmas as thankfulness gift wrap. This idea came from the Pray & Play Bible for Young Children. Make sure to check it out! If you have older kids, check out the Pray & Play Bible 2.

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Of course, it's important for you to pray, too! Make sure that you set aside some time in your busy schedule to have some personal time with God. Click here for some ideas to get you started.

13 Most Popular Christmas Songs (and 3 Free Downloads!)

Wed, 14 November 2012 13:09:00

In a blog post last week about Christmas programs, I told you how I'm already hearing Christmas songs on the radio. Well, since then, a blanket of snow covered our area, and maybe I'm just dreaming of a white Christmas, but that has really put me in the Christmas music mood.

For fun, I asked some of my co-workers here in Group's children's ministry department what some of their favorite Christmas songs are. Fair warning, the survey was totally unscientific, so don't use the results in a term paper or anything. Here are some of the honorable mentions:

A Holly Jolly Christmas
12 Days of Christmas-My good friend Keith points out that the Muppets' version of this song is best.
Blue Christmas
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer-I'm actually banned from singing this in front of my grandparents.
White Christmas
Mary, Did You Know-Written by one of my favorite funny guys, Mark Lowry. I mentioned him in a previous blog.
O Come, All Ye Faithful
Relient K's "I Celebrate the Day"-The lyrics kind of speak for the song and why I love it. It's so honest. This one goes on repeat for me a lot during the Christmas season.
Winter Wonderland

And now our winners. Here are the most popular Christmas songs (at least according to my co-workers):

4^th place: Carol of the Bells
3^rd place: The Little Drummer Boy-"I just remember listening to this song throughout my childhood and it's now a favorite in my family home. We get so wrapped up in what to give for Christmas and this little boy somehow knew he wanted to give the best of himself. What a great message." Marci S.
2^nd place: Silent Night-"This is one of my favorite Christmas songs because it brings back such fond memories of the many Christmas days I've had in life." Donna L.
1^st place: O Holy Night-"I like it because it's so beautifully written and talks about our dear Savior's birth. The reason we celebrate Christmas!" Rochelle D.

I love the wide variety of Christmas music that's out there. You have the classics, the carols, the ones just for fun, and the ones that share the good news of Jesus. Hearing my kids sing their favorite Christmas classics is one of my favorite things about the holiday season.

If you happen to be looking for some Christmas music for your kids, check this out: Here are three free classic Christmas songs that you can download right now. They come in the MP3 format, so you can play them anywhere using an MP3 player or easily burn them to CDs.

If you like what you hear, check out where they came from- Group's Christmas Songbook, a downloadable MP3 album made up of 12 of the most memorable Christmas songs, both classic and contemporary, set to music kids will dig!

I want to know what your favorite Christmas songs are. What songs do your kids enjoy singing? Share with us using the comment section below!

5 Ways to Keep Your Focus on God and Jesus During the Holidays

Fri, 09 November 2012 09:46:00

Thanksgiving is just a couple of weeks away, and Christmas will be here before you know it. And if you are anything like me, between church and home it feels like you have 100 million things on your to-do list that need to be checked off. It's the busiest time of year and our schedules are packed. But it is important for us to constantly keep our focus on God and Jesus.

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1. Give Thanks- There's a trend on Facebook that comes back around this time of year. People update their status every day with reasons why they are thankful. Putting a twist on that, carry around a small notebook every day and write down thank-you notes to God-anything that comes to mind. At first you may have to look around closely, but like cardio, this exercise will train your heart and being thankful will soon come naturally. At the end of each day, go back to your notebook and once again give thanks to God for the things he's given and thanks to Jesus for the freedom we have to enjoy it. ( Here's a game you can play with your kids leading up to Thanksgiving to help them be thankful as well!)

2. Find a Friend- I recently heard someone described as a "Jesus anchor," because he always brings the focus back on Jesus. Accountability partners are a great way to help keep you focused during this busy season. Find a friend or church member to be your Jesus anchor, and you can help them keep their focus on Jesus as well.

3. Use Daily Reminders- Leave notes with Bible verses all around you: on your bathroom mirror, car visor, and even the TV remote control. The holiday season can be a brain drain. Simple notes throughout the day can help you remember what's truly important.

4. Recharge Your Batteries- In the months leading up to this year's KidMin, I had the privilege of talking to author and speaker Kevin Carroll. During our conversations, one thing that he mentioned was that we all should keep our batteries charged. "Your neural energy…How are you taking care of that? How are you replacing that? How are you physically refueling yourself? You need to be doing that on a regular basis…find some things that are sources of joy that make you laugh and tickle your brain and make you giggle. Those things that you do because they feed you." Take some time for yourself and let God recharge you. Go enjoy nature on a walk. Play some worship music. Do whatever it is you enjoy to relax, spend some alone time with God, and rejuvenate.

5. Review Some Biblical Examples- Read Matthew 14:22-33. Peter was walking on water until he moved his focus off Jesus and on to all the problems around him. Or check out Luke 10, and read about Mary and Martha when Jesus visited their house. Martha was busy rushing around and serving. But Mary understood the importance of keeping her focus on Jesus. As you prepare your church and your home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, remember who the guest of honor is and where your focus should be.

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Looking for more tips for focusing on God? Check out the article, "Go Deeper With God." And if you want to help your kids learn to focus on what's really important, try playing a game of Focus.

How do you stay focused on Jesus during the holidays? Do you do something special to recharge your batteries? Let us know in the comment section below!

5 Tips for Your Next Christmas Program

Wed, 07 November 2012 09:36:00

I was driving around town yesterday and scanning the radio when I heard it-Christmas music. It seems to start earlier and earlier each year. And despite the fact that the Thanksgiving turkey isn't even on the table, it's already time to start preparing for the annual Christmas program. Whether it's a Christmas play, a Christmas pageant, or a Christmas musical, the work starts now.

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Free Ticket- Here is an idea a children's ministry volunteer shared with me, and I thought it was a great one! For a Christmas craft, have your younger kids make tickets for the play to give away for free. As kids color and decorate their tickets-along with writing the time and date of the Christmas program- explain to the kids that Jesus is our ticket to heaven. And it's completely free!
Group Effort- Make sure to include other people besides parents when you're looking for volunteers. For example, members of the youth group can help with lighting and sound, or the senior Sunday school class can help with costumes. This helps build connections between your kids and others in your church, and also gives you extra hands to help out.
Tech Tools - The holidays can be a busy time for families, and you know that not everyone will make every meeting or rehearsal. Consider starting a Facebook group or sharing a Google Calendar just for the event to help remind parents when you will be holding specially timed meetings. Keeping parents informed is half the battle.
Video Extras- Something I have used in the past with great success is prerecorded video segments. Because I know we will have some people who will run late or trickle in after we start because they couldn't find a parking spot, we put together a short film with the kids explaining the real meaning of Christmas. Not only was it a fun diversion while the late arrivals found their seats, but it bought us some time to wrap up any loose ends. Consider borrowing a digital camera and shooting commercials to promote your upcoming program during church services, or use it to record funny bloopers or kids explaining what Christmas means to them. The best part is that you can burn multiple copies of the DVD to hand out to parents for gifts.
Let Kids Shine- Kids all have different talents and areas where they can excel. Some really love to sing while others are deathly afraid of the spotlight. Prepare to accommodate kids with stage fright by giving them the option to contribute in a way they enjoy. Let artistic ones make posters or backdrops. Let ones who like to serve help usher in guests. The idea is to let every child use their God-given talents for God.

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There are six weeks left until Christmas. If you're still not sure what to do for Christmas, make sure to check out Chris Yount Jones' new blog for a couple of great ideas. Leave a comment below to let us know what you have done for a Christmas program in the past!

5 Ways to Calm High-Energy Kids

Thu, 01 November 2012 11:11:00

I thought this was an interesting tidbit. According to experts, sugar doesn't necessarily make kids hyperactive, contrary to popular belief. Many studies have been done on the subject. In one, researchers split the parents of kids ages 5 to 7 into two groups. One group was told that their kids had been given a sugary drink, and the other group was told that their kids had enjoyed a sugar-free drink. In reality, all the kids were given sugar-free beverages, but the parents who were told their kids would be experiencing a sugar rush reported higher levels of hyperactive behavior.

On the flip side, in another experiment kids were given sugary snacks, and parents were told that the kids had enjoyed sugar-free snacks. Despite the sugar rush, parents didn't seem to notice a change in their kids' behavior because they hadn't been told about the sugar. In a nutshell, the parents convinced themselves to believe that their kids were energetic due to the sugar. The researchers called it a "self-fulfilling prophecy."

The experts say the science backs them up. Sugar does lead to an increase in blood glucose levels, but most normal, healthy people wouldn't notice a boost.

That may be good news for parents who took their kids to church trunk-or-treats and fall fests last night!

No matter what kind of snacks we give our kids, sometimes they are just wild. It seems kids share energy, and it only takes one to start fidgeting before the whole class follows suit. Even when sessions are filled with active learning experiences, sometimes you just have to stop and drain some of that extra energy. Here are five quick and easy activities to use when your class needs a timeout to let loose, and then get back to being focused.

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When your students are too antsy to pay attention to the lesson and are difficult to control, get the wiggles out with this seasonal activity. Form two groups: the Flowers and the Butterflies. Have all the children scatter around the room. Have the children crouch down and cover their heads with their arms. The Flowers will pretend they're seeds underground, and the Butterflies will pretend they're in cocoons. When you call out "Spring's here!" have the Flowers pretend to pop up out of the ground and the Butterflies pretend to pop out of their cocoons.

As soon as they pop up, the Butterflies chase the Flowers, flapping their arms like wings. When a Butterfly tags a Flower, the Flower becomes a Butterfly and chases the other Flowers. When all the Flowers have been tagged, call out "Fall's here!" Have the Butterflies crouch down and cover their heads with their arms to get ready for the cold winter.

Then say: Now let's get ready for the rest of our lesson.

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Here's another way to get the wiggles out: with a trip to Jerusalem. Explain to the children that in Bible times, people traveled to Jerusalem several times each year to worship God in the Temple.

Have the children follow your directions as they walk around the room in a large circle.

Say: The worshippers walked quickly because they were excited to go to Jerusalem. (Pause.)

There were many hills and valleys. Walk on your tiptoes to show you're going over a hill. (Pause.) Now squat down as you walk to show you're going into a valley. (Pause.) Here comes another hill-walk on your tiptoes. (Pause.) Here comes another valley-squat while you walk. (Pause.)

Oh no! You have a rock in your sandal. Sit down, take off your sandal, shake it out, and put it back on. (Pause.)

The sun is so hot-wipe the sweat off your forehead. (Pause.)

Wouldn't a cool drink taste good? Look! There's a well. Stop by the well, and drop the bucket inside. (Pause.) Pull up the bucket, and take a long drink out of it. (Pause.)

We'd better get back on the road. (Pause.) Look! I see the gates of Jerusalem up ahead. Let's walk more quickly to the city! (Pause.)

Now I see the Temple! Isn't it beautiful? Let's tiptoe there and get ready to worship quietly. (Pause.)

Now let's go back to our lesson.

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Take a journey to the Promised Land or to Egypt to get rid of some energy!

Designate one end of the room as Egypt and the opposite end as the Promised Land.

Say: When I call out "Egypt," run toward Egypt. When I call out "Promised Land," run toward the Promised Land. When I call out "Gather manna," drop to the floor and pretend you're gathering food into a basket.

Play the game for two or three minutes, calling out the three commands in any order. Then say: Now let's get ready for the rest of our lesson.

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Play a suspenseful listening game to help get out some wiggles!

Say: The leaders of the faith we're learning about had one thing in common: They all listened and obeyed God's directions. Let's play a game about listening.

Have children form two teams, the Beetles and the Beavers. Have the teams line up on starting lines at opposite sides of the room, facing each other.

When you give a signal, the two teams will slowly creep toward each other. Meanwhile, you'll begin to randomly call out a team's name. The members of the team whose name you call will be allowed to instantly turn back and walk to the safety of their starting line as members of the other team try to tag them. Those who are tagged are out of the game. But you will suddenly develop a hesitation in speech and will call out "Bee…Bee…Bee" as often as you choose before deciding to say "Beetles" or "Beavers." If you choose, you can actually let the groups creep very near each other before calling out a name, building suspense and sharpening listening skills all the while.

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Try a game of Prayer Volleyball to let kids move around as they call out places they can pray.

Before this activity, blow up and tie off a balloon. Place a masking tape line across the center of the floor. Have children form two teams, one on either side of the line.

Say: God hears our prayers, no matter where we pray. Let's use this balloon to play Prayer Volleyball. Bop the balloon back and forth across the line. Each time you bop the balloon, call out somewhere you can pray, such as in bed, on the school bus, or at the park.

For extra fun, have children name praying places that begin with certain letters of the alphabet, or have them bop the balloon using only their heads, knees, or elbows.

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Each of these activities-what we call fidget busters-was taken from our Hands-On Bible Curriculum. Fidget busters give leaders a chance to stop the lesson and let kids work out their wiggles before continuing on the day's Bible point.

One final thought: your volunteers like to fidget, too. At your next meeting, bring a box of fidget busters into the room (including small items like stress balls, for example). Adults can work out their wiggles by playing with the small toys, and still listen to what you have to say.

We want to hear from you! Do you give your kids sugar? Ever had kids so energetic you had to stop your lesson completely? What do you do to get kids back on track? Let us know in the comment section below.

7 Cool Ways to Receive Offerings

Fri, 26 October 2012 11:02:00

What would you do with $100,000? What would your kids do?

Baylor Bonham is a remarkable 11-year-old boy I read about this week. Despite his young age, this young man has a large heart. In 2011, he earned $27,000 at a national stock show. When asked what he was going to do with his winnings, Baylor said he was going to set some aside for college and give part of it to the children's ministry at his church in Newcastle, Oklahoma. His parents, who hadn't told him what to say, were moved to tears by his willingness to give back.

In January of this year, Baylor's hard work paid off again when another one of his steers earned him an astonishing $106,000 at the stock show. Once again, Baylor showed that he had a heart for giving when he said that he planned on tithing on his winnings to his church. In fact, his parents said that he would give it all away if they let him.

What an amazing kid! To have giving back to his church be one of the first things that popped into Baylor's mind after winning that much money tells me that he is wise beyond his years. I think a lot of kids have giving hearts, and we should give them an opportunity to give-not only their money, but also their time and talents. Group's Sunday school curriculum KidsOwn Worship gives kids a chance each week to give an offering to God. For those of you who give your kids a time for giving at your church, I want to share some of the cool ways we found to allow kids to give back.

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Say: One way to thank God for meeting our needs is to let him use us to meet the needs of others. We should look for ways to care for others as God cares for us.Give each person a small envelope and a pencil.

Ask: Why does God want to use us to meet needs? (Because we are Christians; because we are supposed to be a light to others.) How can we help meet the needs of others? (Give some of our things to charity; listen to a friend who is sad; share with others.) How does giving our offerings show God we're thankful that he meets our needs? (We are giving back to God; we are giving our extra money to help others.)

Say: On your envelope, list specific ways God has met your needs, or draw a picture of how God takes care of you. Then, if you brought an offering, place it in the envelope and seal it. As you put your envelopes in the bowl, thank God for meeting your needs.

Pass the offering bowl, and have children put their envelopes in it.

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Say: Today we've been talking about responding to God in worship. Our offering is also a way to worship God and to thank him. Second Corinthians 9:7 says, "God loves a cheerful giver." Let's give our offerings joyfully today. But before we bring our offerings, think of the one thing you love most about God. Praise God for that thing when the offering bowl comes to you.

Pass the offering bowls.

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Give each child a tissue. Have children tear the tissues into heart shapes. Tissues generally come in two-ply thicknesses. Have the children separate the layers of the tissues so they have a heart shape that's only one ply thick.

Say: See how easily we can see through these hearts? The Bible tells us that God sees inside our hearts. He knows what we're thinking and feeling. He knows when we're worshipping him with sincere hearts. And he knows when we're just going through the motions. God has done so much for us, and he deserves our honest, sincere worship. As we take the offering this morning, talk to God. Think about promising God that you'll worship him with a sincere heart. If you're ready, you can make that promise to God.

Take the offering. Have the children take their hearts home as reminders to worship God with sincere hearts.

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(This one is used with a lesson on the fruit of the spirit.)

Pass out small pieces of construction paper and pencils or markers to the kids.

Say: We've learned a lot today about God's Spirit living in us. We learned that when his Spirit lives in us, we become his children. We learned that he wants us to grow to be like him. Think about the fruit of his Spirit that we talked about today. Which one do you need more of?

Take the paper I gave you and tear it into the shape of a fruit, such as a banana or an orange. Then write one word or draw a picture that represents what you want God's Spirit to help you with. When the offering bowl comes to you, put your piece of fruit in the bowl along with money if you brought some. Ask God to help you grow this week in that area.

Give kids a few minutes to make their fruit. Then take the offering.

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Say: As Christians, we know that everything we have really belongs to Jesus, our Lord. When we give a portion of what we have back to Jesus, we're telling him we understand that it all belongs to him. We're telling him we'll let him be in charge of what we do and how we spend what we have. Let's give our gifts to Jesus. If you didn't bring money for the offering, you can still tell Jesus that he's Lord of your life. When the offering bowl comes to you, you can pretend to put in your life as an offering to Jesus.

Take the offering.

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Hand each child a slip of paper and something to write with.

Say: Today as we take our offering, I want you to write the name of one person who has not been kind to you on your piece of paper. As the offering bowl comes by you, put the piece of paper in it, and ask God to help you love that person and treat him or her in a way that would honor God. Remember-as you show God's love to that person, you are worshipping God in your everyday life. If you can't think of a name to put on your paper, write the name of a friend who might need God's help in a hard situation. If you have an offering today, put that in the bowl also.

Choose several children to help collect the offering. Encourage older children to assist younger children with the writing if necessary.

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Direct the children to sit in a circle on the floor.

Say: Let's celebrate God's love and care with a balloon offering! First we're going to worship God by giving to him. God has given us so much. Let's thank him with our gifts of money.Pass around the offering bowls.

Pray: Dear God, please accept these gifts. We know that you can do all things, including taking away our fears. In Jesus' name, amen.

Pass around uninflated balloons, and have each child take one. Distribute permanent markers, and have the children carefully write their names on the balloons. Make sure older children help any younger children who need help writing their names.

Direct the children to blow up their balloons and hold on to the ends tightly. Have older children blow up balloons for younger children. Explain that, all together, children will thank God for releasing them from fear and will then release their balloons. Lead the children in thanking God for releasing them from fear, and let children release their balloons.

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Many of these ask kids to make an offering of something besides money. That's important. Some kids don't have money to bring and shouldn't feel left out and like they are not able to give to God. Give kids notecards and allow them to write down something they can give to God besides money, like volunteering their time or making a pledge to show love to someone who needs it. This way everyone can be involved, and kids learn that giving to God involves their whole life, not just their money.

Do you take offering, and if so, how do you encourage kids to give? Let us know in the comments below!

7 Current and Future Trends in Children’s Ministry

Wed, 24 October 2012 08:15:00

It's been an exciting week at Group headquarters. We are wrapping up the Future of the Church Summit (see what everyone had to say on Twitter). It's been an amazing few days, filled with hard issues and great discussion.

I really enjoyed hearing what Jody Brolsma had to say. You can tell she has a heart for kids, which is good seeing as she's a major part of every vacation Bible school program Group puts out. She presented seven ongoing and future trends that she can see in the area of children's ministry, and I thought you would enjoy hearing them as well.

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1. Safety. "We are a culture that values the safety of our kids," said Brolsma. "If parents come in and perceive that this is not a safe place for their children, they will not bring them." Parents are looking for check-in/out systems and for background checks to be made. When planning events and lessons, children's ministries must also keep in mind the 8 percent of kids who have allergies.

2. Shifting Volunteer Base. "It's not the stay-at-home mom who's the volunteer anymore, because so many families are dual-income or working different shifts," said Brolsma. Instead of parents being the volunteers, we see youth and empty nesters. This contrast between the ages can be a challenge when it comes time for training. Youth prefer training by technology, while older adults tend to prefer a more one-on-one setting.

3. Communication With Families. "Kids may come to church different weeks with different parents," said Brolsma. The good news is that parents still want you to provide them with tools to help guide their children spiritually. However, they want these tools to be simple to use. When giving things like handouts to parents, keep in mind the two Q's: quick but quality. Make it short and meaningful.

4. Technology. "Technology is going to be the expectation. More and more churches are incorporating technology. You can't run from it," said Brolsma. Kids learn by doing; this can be seen whenever they pick up a new piece of tech. They start pushing buttons until they figure it out. With the digital age, kids also expect options. Along with technology, this will direct the future of curriculum.

5. Shrinking Budgets. "Churches are having to pay for a lot more…they are getting very creative on how they are spending," said Brolsma. With background checks, allergy-free snacks, and technology, churches and their children's ministries can sometimes be on a shoestring budget. More and more churches are teaming up to help get a bigger bang for their buck.

6. Special Needs. "Special needs kids are here to stay. They are a part of our ministry," said Brolsma. She points out that churches can gain a lot from looking at what is happening in the world of public education. Schools are dealing with many of the same trends as we are in children's ministry, and we can take inspiration from how they are adapting to those changes, especially in the area of special needs.

7. Flexibility. "One size doesn't fit all. Churches are modifying curriculum to fit their needs," said Brolsma. Churches are looking for easily customizable curricula that can fit the needs of their church and community.

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What children's ministry trends are you seeing? What will children's church look like in 10 years? How can children's leaders better prepare for the needs of kids in a world where more and more people aren't coming to a standard church?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

3 Ideas for Raising Leaders

Fri, 19 October 2012 14:12:00

Are you raising leaders in your children's ministry? Most formal leadership training doesn't even begin before the age of 25, when corporations provide staff with assessments, coaching, and training. Helping your kids grow as leaders will help prepare them for the world, give them the tools to help others, and grow stronger as a team. Here are some ideas that you can use to help raise leaders for God today.

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1. Servant Leadership. Years ago, I took a class that looked at the ways Jesus demonstrated leadership, and I still remember it to this day. Every lesson centered on the fact that Jesus was a servant leader. The leaders you raise should be willing to get involved and help others. Encourage team building by giving kids a service project and letting them figure out how to do it. Allow them to come up with a plan and figure out the steps to make a difference. Later, you can start challenging your kids to come up with their own service project ideas. This helps them start looking for ways they can make a difference every day.

2. Talents and Gifts. We want kids to know that they are uniquely made by God. Leadership training can get that point across. Kids learn what their spiritual gifts, hidden talents, and special abilities are in order to think about how they can use them in a team setting. When you teach your kids how to be leaders, they also learn to see other people's skills and abilities. This helps kids work together as a team, not only at church but also at school and in sports. By doing a quick search online, you can find hundreds of self-tests that kids can use to find their leadership styles, but if you spend a lot of time with them, you may already know what talents they have. Give kids responsibilities around the church. Have the artistic ones create signs and flyers for upcoming events. Let the actors come up with a skit to start Sunday school. Let kids lead in areas they enjoy.

3. Tips and Tricks. Little things you do while working with your kids can help develop their leadership skills. Some quick tips: mix age levels and genders. Younger kids will look up to older kids as examples, and the mixed gender group will match what they see in the real world. Also, any time you can step back and let kids take the lead, either by having them lead the discussion or taking an active role in praise, that gives them more time to take ownership of their faith growth.

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Something else I encourage is leadership training for volunteers. I know it can be hard. There are only so many hours in a day, and you already have tons of meetings with your team. But if you haven't held a leadership workshop, you may be missing an opportunity to give your ministry a boost.

Leave a comment below telling us how you help your kids and team grow as leaders!

5 Ways to Redeem Halloween

Wed, 17 October 2012 11:48:00

Halloween can be a scary time of year for children's ministers, with congregations sometimes divided about how to treat it. I have heard some say we shouldn't recognize it in any way. I'm of the mind-set that any outreach we can provide families as a positive alternative to Halloween is something we should do. That's why we always held a fall festival at my church.

It's always a plus when we can take something like Halloween and use it for God. Fall fest preparations are under way at many churches, so I wanted to share with you some tricks and treats to help make this year's celebration the best.

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1. The Skit Guys. If you haven't visited their website yet, do it now. Not only do they have cool skits and scripts, you can also download promotional videos for your fall fests, trunk-or-treats, and even your Holy Ghost Weenie Roasts! The promos are downloadable and easily customizable, letting you put your logo and event information on top of their videos.

2. Allergy-free is the way to be. Halloween candy is the best. But I never considered all the kids out there who have allergies. Group recently held an event for kids and included allergy-free (no nuts, no chocolate) candy bags. The kids lit up when they got their own special bags, and the parents were appreciative. If you are like me and never considered allergy-free candy bags, this is the year to start! (You might also consider providing small toy bags for candy-free families.)

3. Weird Science. Along with a trunk-or-treat, my church hosts a fall fest with games and activities. We have the standard favorites, like a cakewalk, beanbag toss, and pie-eating contest, but we also put on a short "Mad Scientist" show. Kids would gather in a room decorated like a crazy laboratory and do fun science experiment devotions. We did things like sprinkle pepper in a small pan of water and demonstrate how it scatters when a little dish soap is added. Then we compared it with how the pepper is like sin and the soap is like Jesus. A highlight of the fest came at the end when we would do the classic mints and diet soda gusher experiment.

4. Face time. The face-painting booth is always a hit. While you have kids sitting down and (almost) still, have your face painters ready to tell a story or Bible point that goes along with the things they are painting. If a boy wants a jack-o-lantern, remind him that God lights up our lives. If a girl wants a tiara, explain that she is God's princess.

5. Dress-up themes. I love to dress up in costumes for our fall events. At last year's trunk-or-treat, my wife and I dressed as characters from a popular bird vs. pig app. We always specified "no scary costumes" on all of our flyers, but we would usually have a few kids who came dressed up in classic movie killer garb. One way you can cut down on that is to have themed events. For example, have a superhero fest where everyone dresses like a hero.

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Make sure to check out Slime Time, Heroes Unmasked, and The Great Tomb Raid for some easy but incredible fall fest ideas as well.

We want to know what events you put on in the fall! Let us know what your kids love and what didn't work as well! Leave a comment in the box below!

The People Your Ministry Is Missing and 7 Ways to Reach Them

Fri, 12 October 2012 08:16:00

On this blog, we talk a lot about kids: who they are, how to best connect with them, their needs, and their wants. We have also talked about parents: how to equip them, and how to help them during difficult discussions. But there's one group of people your ministry can help that you may be missing- and they are currently in your church!

Who is this group of people, you ask? Before we answer that question, here are some interesting facts about this particular group. According to research by the Search Institute, only 38 percent of the people in this group know and understand the Bible, while 39 percent know how religious faith forms and develops. And only 30 percent understand their denomination's theology and tradition.

Have you figured out who your ministry might be missing?

Believe it or not, these statistics refer to ministry teachers and volunteers. Besides not being equipped spiritually, only "32 percent of children's volunteers express a mature faith characterized by a life-transforming relationship with God and a consistent devotion to serving others," according to the Search Institute.

We talk a lot about outreach, and for good reason- it's very important. But what about "inreach"? How well are you making sure your team is mentally equipped and spiritually fed? Fully 8 out of 10 children's workers said they would be interested in learning more about the Bible. We have people under our care who are craving more spiritual growth.

The good news is that you may already be taking the steps you need to help give your volunteers a spiritual boost. If you need some inspiration, here are seven simple ideas!

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1.Meaningful Meetings-You likely already have regular meetings with your team. Make sure to include time for Bible study.

2.Required Reading-On average, a children's volunteer, when alone, will only open his or her Bible once or twice a month. Ask interested team members if they want to read the Bible together in a year or two.

3.Handy Handouts-If you are anything like me, you have a handout for your volunteers at every meeting to help keep your team aware of upcoming events and schedule changes. Include a short devotion on your handouts!

4.Facebook Fellowship-You may have a Facebook group for your team. Encourage teachers and volunteers to post God sightings, which are times throughout the day when they see God working in their lives.

5.Tag Team-It's easy to rely on the same volunteers repeatedly, but you could be taking them away from the service or class that could recharge and reenergize them. Make sure to swap out your volunteers and give opportunities to be taught rather than to teach.

6.Godly Gifts-We are always looking for ways to thank our volunteers. Finding a good devotional that is personally relevant for each volunteer may take some time, but your team will be more likely to read it. Or, do something creative. Give a calendar with Bible verses you've written down on random days.

7.Prayer Power-Finally, don't forget to pray for your volunteers; not only that they will be able to teach their lessons or remember the schedule, but pray for each of them personally.

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So, don't forget the backbone of your team-your volunteers. Encourage them and make sure you are helping meet their spiritual needs. Remember, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

How do you encourage your volunteers? Do you and your team have a regular Bible study? What are ways you help your teachers grow spiritually? Let us know in the comments below!

Q & A — Expert on Large Group/Small Group Format

Wed, 10 October 2012 11:40:00

Nearly 20 percent of churches currently use a large group/small group format in their children's ministry, according to research conducted by Group Publishing. I fall into that 20 percent as well. For our midweek ministry, we separated the kids by age groups. Later, I would have them come back together for a large-group activity.

One of Group's Sunday school curriculums, Living Inside Out, combines the energy of large-group time with the effectiveness of small-group interaction. They say it has a large-group wow with small-group pow!

I wanted to introduce you to one of the editors for Living Inside Out, Jessica Sausto. Besides being a fellow Groupie, she is also a good friend with a heart for children. I thought it would be interesting to hear from her about how she started working on the curriculum, and why she thinks that the large group/small group format is a great way to go.

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David: How did you end up working at Group?

Jessica:It's interesting how my past experiences have led me to my editing job at Group Publishing-I kind of have a little bit of everything needed for the job. And when I applied at Group, as I looked back over my experiences, it occurred to me that it's all been a part of the path God's had me on. I volunteered a lot in children's and youth ministry in high school and college, and got a minor in Biblical Studies in college, even though I didn't plan to do much with it-I was really just interested in learning about the Bible for my own spiritual growth. After college, I was a Behavioral Therapist for autistic kids-which I absolutely loved-and I also did a lot of academic tutoring. That was only for about 8 months, though.

David: After that you went to Japan, right?

Jessica:Yes, I was an Assistant Language Teacher for the JET Programme. That experience opened my eyes to new things and teaching methods I'd never known about, and it allowed me the opportunity to travel around Asia-I was even able to go to Thailand to help with some curriculum development at an orphanage there, and to create my own summer English club for Japanese kids.

David:Tell us how you ended up being a Japanese celebrity!

Jessica:(laughs) I'm definitely not a famous Japanese celebrity. But I was the face of the Nanao city commercial the year I was living there. They asked me to be in the commercial not long after I'd been there-and I really didn't understand any Japanese at that point-they just told me the sounds to make to form sentences. I'd also been on a game show-like TV program that had aired that commercial nationwide. By the end of my year in Japan, I could speak a little bit of Japanese and as I reviewed that commercial, I was embarrassed to see how evident it was that I couldn't speak Japanese at all. And that commercial had been airing all year in the area. I'm sure my students got a kick out of seeing me butcher Japanese on TV-it probably made them more willing to take a chance at speaking in English class when I was at their schools.

David: You ended up coming back to the U.S. and started teaching here…

Jessica:I missed my family, so I moved back to the St. Louis area and taught 5^th grade as a classroom teacher for 3 years. I still miss my kids and all the fun learning we did. But I kept getting the sense that I wanted to settle back in Colorado-so I finished my 3^rd year of teaching and moved to Colorado at the beginning of the summer of 2008, hoping I'd get a job before my teacher salary ran out. I applied for teaching jobs, but out of the blue, an editing job at an educational publishing house just kind of fell into my lap.

I'd started getting my Masters in creative writing in St. Louis before I'd moved to Colorado, and I'd written for the yearbook and newspaper in high school and some in college…but who knew those experiences, coupled with my different teaching and tutoring experiences, were preparing me for something that combined those skills? At the educational publishing house, I edited and helped revise content in textbooks for struggling students. I also got to do a lot with Smartboards, which made me happy because I'd loved teaching with my Smartboard as a 5^th grade teacher. I learned so much there about the editing process and publishing companies.

David: And the next step led to Group…

Jessica:After 3 ½ years in a bad economy, I was laid off. It came out of nowhere. In my mind, that job had been exactly what I wanted to do, and there wasn't much out there like it-especially in Colorado. As a single girl with a house payment, I didn't know what I was going to do. But the day I was laid off, two unrelated good friends sent me information about the Associate Editor position at Group. As soon as I saw the posting, I thought, "That is exactly what I want to do!" I applied, with the confidence that all my past experience would make me a perfect fit for the job, even though I knew job openings at Group were highly competitive.

I was hired by the time my severance from the layoff ran out. It was perfect timing. And six months into my employment here, I still feel more blessed than I can explain in words. It's an amazing job-more than I could've imagined when I was in college training to be a teacher, when I was learning out-side-the-box as a teacher in Japan, and when I was content at my job at the educational publishing house.

David: You are the editor on Living Inside Out. What about that line makes it unique?

Jessica:Living Inside Out is an awesome curriculum that brings kids of all ages together, yet meets all kids on their level. It's unique because it engages kids-it engages their minds and emotions. It gets them moving and experiencing the truths of God. In Living Inside Out, kids learn Bible lessons in interactive ways. The relational and interactive aspects help kids tie what they learned in the Bible that week to an experience that they'll remember and be able to apply in the future.

David: Why do you think the large group/small group format is so effective? What are some of the benefits of each?

Jessica:The large group/small group format builds community among a larger group and relationship among the smaller group. In the large group, all the kids encounter the Scripture together. It could have anywhere from 20 kids to 300 kids. It's great because kids aren't completely isolated in their age groups. They get to interact with kids of all ages, like they would in their everyday lives. In small group, kids aren't reviewing the information, but instead digging deeper into what the Scripture means to preschoolers, lower elementary school kids, and upper elementary school kids. These groups usually consist of about 5 kids and one adult leader. Small group meets kids directly on their level-a child in upper elementary school won't necessarily have the same application that a preschooler would have. Small group allows the kids to learn what the Scripture means to them right where they are. Then kids from the same family of different age levels can expand on the lesson at home because they're all learning the same thing.

David: Any tips you can share or advice to give for leaders wanting to start the large group/small group format?

Jessica:Keep it R.E.A.L., no matter the size of your group. Kids learn, remember, and are able to apply when they learn in a relational, experiential, applicable, and learner-based way. Living Inside Out applies R.E.A.L. in all of its lessons, as do the other Group curriculums. How many times have you listened to a sermon that you took notes on and learned from, yet an hour after you walked out the door, you forgot what the pastor even said? We learn the most when lessons are R.E.A.L., so when you're planning lessons, try to involve these aspects if you can. Large group/small group is a good way to keep things real because it incorporates kids of different ages to experience the lesson both as a community and as a smaller group at their age level.

David: Finally, one of funniest stories you have shared with me was about a time you were chased by "zombies." Please share that again.

Jessica:Wow. In my dreams, or in real life? Just kidding. I did the Run for Your Lives race this year in Morrison, Colorado. Zombies chased runners like me, trying to grab our flags like in flag football. One of my coworkers at Group was actually a zombie that day. It was scary, even though I knew they were just people dressed up like zombies. At the beginning of the race, when I slipped and tore open my knee on gravel, one of the zombies came and helped me up, inquiring if I was okay. Then another zombie ran up and stole one of my flags. The moral of the story: there are good zombies and bad zombies.

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I hope you enjoyed getting to know Jessica! She really has a heart for children and I know she works hard at making Living Inside Out the best it can be.

If you are in the 80 percent of children's ministry who are not using the large group/small group format, give it some consideration. It will help your kids build strong connections with others while keeping them a part of a connected community.

Do you use a large group/small group format? Leave a comment below telling us the pros and cons you have seen using this style of ministry!

5 Ways to Spark Family Conversations

Fri, 05 October 2012 14:07:00

As children's ministers, we know the importance of communication. What we say and how we say it can make a world of difference to our kids. But how do your kids communicate with their parents, and vice versa? I was shocked when I found out just how much time kids and parents spend talking with each other. I believe you will be shocked as well. (Go ahead and take a guess…how much time do parents spend in meaningful conversation with their kids per day? I'll tell you in a little bit.)

Most experts agree that family conversations bring so many benefits. Livestrong.com claims that when kids talk with parents, they have better family bonds, a stronger vocabulary, higher grades, and are at less risk of substance abuse and peer pressure. One of my co-workers can speak to the family bonds part. He recently told me his family's motto is "expectation without communication will lead to frustration." He knows the importance of talking to his kids and letting them know what he expects of them.

OK, have you made your guess yet? Let's see how you did. According to A.C. Nielsen Co., the average parent spends 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children. That is a sad 5.5 minutes per day. That's less than the amount of commercials in a standard television show! The average family couldn't even mute the television during ads to talk about what happened during the day.

Getting families to talk can be a difficult task, but it's definitely a rewarding one. Here are five products and websites I found that you can suggest to your parents that may give them the gift of gab with their kids.

I'm a big gamer. I love board games. And I truly believe that family game nights can bring parents and kids closer together! Check out Rory's Story Cubes. They're small, but they can pack a creative punch. In a nutshell, you roll the picture cubes and then come up with a story using what you rolled. Of course, creativity is the name of the game, and if you find a different way to play, then go for it! Quick and small, this is a great recommendation for families who are looking to talk more with each other.
Take the fun of a beach ball, mix in funky designs and fun, interesting questions, and you have the Throw & Tell Balls. Toss the ball, and whatever question your thumb lands on you have to answer. Different balls have different themes such as "All About Me," "Prayer," and "This…or That?" If families want to play while on the go, there is also Children's Ministry Talk Starters App out now at the Apple App Store and the Google Play store. Also, check out the Gabbit!
Perfect for a game night with families that have kids ages 7 and up, Magic Feather by Wiggity Bang is fun for fun's sake. Players take part in a scenario such as getting to the ice cream store as quickly as possible while doing funny and creative stunts to move their characters around. According to the website, the game "helps develop creativity and imagination; helps build problem-solving, story-telling, counting, reading, and map skills; encourages physical activity; and exercises the sense of humor!"
When I was little, I found a copy of The Ungame in the back of a family member's closet. I didn't understand the non-competitive game; everything else I played always had to have a winner! I'm glad to see it's still going strong. The Ungame is all about getting to really know who you are playing with. It's a simple game; just move and answer a question about yourself. Families will enjoy learning things they never knew about each other, and there's even a Christian Ungame that adds questions to the original pack that deal with faith and beliefs.
An independent nonprofit, Common Sense Media helps to inform and equip parents to make healthy media choices when it comes to their kids. The website posts reviews for new movies, games, websites, TV shows, music, books, and apps. Not only can parents find out what other parents are saying about the different types of entertainment, but many reviews come with questions families can talk about afterwards. The modern family might be glued to the computer and television screen, but now you can help families use them has a tool for talking.

5.5 minutes of talk a day is just not enough. We need to encourage and equip our parents to spend quality time with their kids and open the doors to communication. A little time spent now will mean the world to them later.

I want to hear how you get your families talking! Leave a comment below telling us how you have helped parents connect with their kids.

3 Ways to Help Kids Deal With Cyberbullying

Wed, 03 October 2012 13:41:00

Bullying certainly isn't a new problem, but in today's world the way bullies attack has changed dramatically. Instead of on the playground, kids today can face hurtful comments online as a result of cyberbullying. Out of 100 preteens, 17 say they've had something mean, threatening, or embarrassing said about them online. Sixteen percent of these kids told no one about it. Here are some things you can do to help the kids you work with deal with cyberbullying.

Know the signs. Keep an eye out for signs that point to a child being bullied online. According to education.com, victims of cyberbullying may display a variety of negative emotions such as sadness, frustration, and anger. They may avoid computers and phones and shy away from discussions about them. Other things to watch for include trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, a drop in grades, withdrawal from friends or family, and a reluctance to attend school.
Point out biblical examples. Kids need to know that the Bible is still relevant to their lives. One great way to do that is to point out biblical examples of bullying. We have bullies like Goliath, Delilah, and the Pharisees. We see people who didn't want to make a difference, such as Jonah and those folks who came before the Good Samaritan and didn't offer help. And we also see the people in the Bible who were bullied, such as Joseph, who was tormented his brothers, and even Jesus. Dive into the Bible and find accounts of bullying and how they were handled. Verses like 2 Timothy 1:7, Matthew 5:11, and Deuteronomy 31:6 will help inspire and equip your kids.
Help end the cycle. Bullying is a cycle. If something isn't done, it will just keep coming back. Teach the kids you work with why bullying is wrong. There are many great organizations you can find online to help you equip your kids with the information they need to help stop bullying at their school. For the parents of the kids you work with, be prepared to help them protect their kids. Remind them of the signs to watch for, and inform them of steps to take ( stopbullying.org has some great tips).

Any form of bullying is wrong, and it's important that we take action to protect our kids. Our team just got back from KidMin2012 (sign up today for next year's conference!) and it was a blast. The Skit Guys were one of the keynote speakers for the event, and they blew us out of the water! One of their skits was about emotional baggage, and in one scene we saw a young child getting picked on because of his weight. According to the Skit Guys, the saying "sticks and stones may break your bones but words can never hurt you" is the biggest lie we tell our kids. Wow.

The truth is, words do hurt. But love can heal those wounds. Share God's love with your kids today.

Keeping the Lines of Communication Open

Fri, 21 September 2012 12:11:00

This time next week, we will be at Group's KidMin 2012. I know we are all excited about this unconventional convention for people who work with kids. A core value of KidMin is relationships/conversations. We believe in the importance of connecting with peers and sharing tips, stories, and advice with others.

This is my 30^th blog post for Children's Ministry online. And as much as I enjoy sharing my thoughts and research, I absolutely love hearing from you all. We have a great team here and usually whenever I post a new blog, someone updates our Facebook page as well. Our friends often post insightful comments regarding the blog topic.

So, in honor of the 30^th blog, I wanted to revisit some of our more recent topics and hear what our Facebook friends had to say.

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From 5 Insights for Dealing with Discussions on Death

Christy Sorensen Albright writes - "I think children need to be allowed to attend funerals. And I think their questions about death can be answered in developmentally appropriate ways. For instance, an older gentleman in the church died. He was known to the kids as "the candy man" because he always had candy in his pockets to give to the kids. They asked how he died, and I told them his heart stopped working. They asked if their hearts would stop working and I told them they weren't likely to stop working anytime soon. They seemed ok with those answers so I didn't go into more details. Many of the parents allowed their kids to attend the funeral. The kids decided to bring candy and they put it on top of the older gentleman's casket. It was a powerful example of love. The kids understood enough and they were able to say goodbye. They taught the rest of us a lot that day."

From 5 Tricks to Ease Separation Anxiety

Rebecca Maney writes - "A quick drop-off is the key. We assure parents that we will use our security pagers to notify them if a child does not settle down within a reasonable period of time. And we also have consistent caregivers with our infants and toddlers; that "same face" makes it easier on everyone."

From 5 Sure-Fire Tips for Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers

Alex Douglas writes - "(It's) a combination effort - we first pray for the right people - God knows who they are. Next we show our congregation what is happening in our ministries - people want to be informed about what is happening and will get excited when you share what is happening! Lastly, when people express an interest, we start with a short-term commitment. Our experience with this strategy has people who come for a short time but stay for the long haul!"

From How to Deal With Disinterested Kids

Dani Pennington writes - "I had a boy who was not at all happy with the idea of church. So I gave him a job. He runs our sound on Sunday mornings in our children's ministry and now he tells his parents 'we can't miss church tomorrow.' Helping them realize that the church belongs to them is a great way to get connected with them."

Debbie Dupre writes -"Through the years of doing ministry, we have come across many personalities. (Some) only come to church because their parents make them. My husband and I always sought out those kids that could care less or didn't fit in and try to reach a common ground with them. We inquired about their interest and went from there. We would use them as helpers and make contact during the week with them. Some of our strongest leaders have come from these young people. We have been teaching for 32 years. We as children's pastors need to constantly change with the time. You cannot teach the same way you did last year…your methods and ideas change but you never water down the word. The word never changes. God knows we have these kids and he will show us how to reach them, as we seek him."

From 5 Tips to Help Your Kids Get Mission Ready

Lisa Lumsden Ware writes - "Our kids do a lot of mission-minded activities! We have a once a month missions focus where we learn about a missionary and their ministry, and pray for their needs. Also, during our Day Camp (VBS) in June, we raise financial support for a missions project--sometimes local, if possible, other times through missionaries our congregation supports. We also make encouragement cards/posters/placemats for local jail ministries throughout the year, as needed/requested. Lastly, our kids support a child through a sponsorship program."

From 7 Ways to Teach Morals to Children

We asked our friends to fill in the blank: And the moral of the story is ____.

Mike Allen writes - "God loves you!"

Sonja O'Neal Smalley writes - "Victory in Jesus"

Blue Sunday writes - "Never leave a 3-year-old alone in the same room with scissors."

One of the biggest Facebook discussions came around the time I posted 5 Things You Can Do to Encourage Kids' Motivation in Children's Ministry. We asked our friends if they are for or against using a reward system.

People like Ryan Weyant were for it. "Yes....rewards systems are good for all children...it makes learning a little more fun and I'm sure kids would learn more & strive harder knowing they get rewarded for their efforts! Go for it!"

While others like Tiffany Crawford were totally against it. "Nope! God does not have a reward system with us so we shouldn't teach that to the kids!"

The discussion seemed to continue for days after the post. Check it out and add to the discussion!

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Happy 30^th blog post everybody! Thank you all for reading. As I said before, the whole team loves hearing from you all. Try to keep the lines of communication open between you, your volunteers, and your kids' parents. It will help grow stronger connections throughout your ministry.

5 Insights for Dealing with Discussions on Death

Wed, 19 September 2012 08:58:00

Death. Every year roughly 2.3 million people die in the United States; 16,000 are children. When children are touched by the loss of significant loved ones in their lives-parents, grandparents, teachers, even friends-it can be hard for us as leaders to help them through the grieving process.

During my time as a children's director, the topic of death would come up now and then. It always ended up being a time for grieving, growing, and sometimes even celebrating. We were able to grow closer together as a church family during these sad times, and I hope you can find those silver linings as well.

While there are no easy fixes when it comes to talking to kids about death, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here are five helpful insights to dealing with death.

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Parental Supervision: A simple step, but one not to miss. Make sure to talk with the parents before starting a discussion about a recent death of a loved one. Parents can provide helpful information about how the child is coping and whether or not he or she really understands the situation. When you talk to the parents, make sure to tend to their needs as well, perhaps offering counseling if that is a service your church provides.
Use Simple Terms: Younger kids may struggle with the finality of death. Use simple terms when talking about death. Experts at kidshealth.org suggest avoiding "telling kids that the loved one 'went away' or 'went to sleep' or even that your family 'lost' the person. Because young kids think so literally, such phrases might inadvertently make them afraid to go to sleep or fearful whenever someone goes away."
Emotions are OK: Older kids who can understand the situation better may be struggling with a variety of different emotions. Remember that different people grieve in different ways. Let them know that it's OK to be sad. Remind the child of John 11:35, where Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus. Death is a sad side-effect of sin, and even Jesus cried about it.
Personal Experience: If this is the first time a child is dealing with death, it may be helpful if you tell how you handled a similar situation. Being a role model by being open and honest about your feelings during the experience can help kids better understand that grieving is a normal process.
Look in the Book: The best thing you can do is to remind you kids of God's great love. Here are some great Bible verses to help you communicate that:
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and Matthew 5:4…God comforts us
- Psalm 23:4…God is with us
- John 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 15:55…Death isn't the end
- Isaiah 25:8…It will get better

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Benjamin Franklin once said that nothing is certain but death and taxes. At some point, a discussion of death will come up. Be prepared to help your kids, as well as their parents. And let us know what you do to help kids understand death. Leave your comments in the box below.

5 Tricks to Ease Separation Anxiety

Fri, 14 September 2012 12:01:00

It happens all too often. Parents start to drop off their young kid in your class and even before they leave the room, the waterworks start. Tears start flowing, followed by high-pitched screams of "I want my mommy!" Now instead of focusing on teaching and loving on the rest of your kids, your attention must turn to calming down the child dealing with separation anxiety.

My wife has seen this situation many times. Since college, she has worked as a nanny and daycare worker. When I told her I wanted to write about how to deal with kids and separation anxiety, she shared with me some of her own horror stories.

At times it can feel as if there is nothing you can do, but there are some steps you can take to help make the drop-off an easy one. Here are five tips to help you avoid a bad goodbye:

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Quick and Simple: KidsHealth.org offers some great tips for parents dealing with their kids' separation anxiety. Two things the site says parents should avoid are sneaking out when their kids aren't looking and making too big of a deal out of leaving. A quick, simple goodbye is best for all.
Pick Your Play: One of the best ways to help kids shake the fear of being left by their parents is to quickly get them active and continue to keep them occupied. Most of the time, children will stop crying on their own after a short period. However, if kids are still having trouble warming up to the situation, give them a choice of what to do. Giving kids some simple options helps them feel more in control and able to handle being by themselves.
Policy of Honesty: Let kids be honest with you about how they feel. And be honest in return, telling them when their parents will be back. Instead of saying "Your parents will be back soon," give kids a timeline such as "After we play, eat our snack, and clean, it will be about time for your parents to come back."
Meet and Greet: If you can, meet with parents and kids outside of the classroom. Allowing the children to meet you beforehand can help them feel more comfortable when it's time to say goodbye.
Keepsakes are Key: If kids keep asking for their parents throughout the day, don't give in and let them go. Instead, have them do something special for their parents. Suggest the children make cards or draw pictures to surprise their parents when they come back. If the problem persists, have parents write letters to their kids before class-you can pull these out midway through your session to remind children that their parents love them and will be back soon.

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Keep in mind that at some point separation anxiety turns into a disorder. According to WebMD, "When this fear occurs in a child over age 6 years, is excessive, and lasts longer than four weeks, the child may have separation anxiety disorder." At this point, you may want to consider talking to the parents about getting help for their child to deal with these fears.

Let us know what you have done to help your kids overcome separation anxiety. Leave your stories of successes and failures below!

5 Sure-Fire Tips for Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers

Wed, 12 September 2012 11:13:00

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment was at 8.3 percent as of July 2012. But the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) has provided a silver lining: In 2010, volunteer program managers in Minnesota reported that people hit by unemployment often turn to volunteering to gain skills and references. In their study, "66 percent of those organizations experiencing increased inquiries about volunteering indicated the increase was primarily driven by unemployed people."

Getting and keeping volunteers can be hard, but there are people out there who are looking for a place to serve. Here are tips for finding and keeping new volunteers for your ministry.

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1. Younger volunteers. According to the MAVA, two of the fastest growing volunteer groups are students looking or about to start looking for jobs, as well as "millennials." I fell under both of those categories when I first started looking at a church to work at, and I ended up staying there for six years. This group is eager, energetic, and can provide positive role models for your kids. If you live near a college, find out if it has any Christian organizations, like a Baptist Campus Association, Wesley Foundation, or a Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Contact their leader and ask if you can put up flyers asking for volunteers.

2. Be specific. When asking for volunteers, be specific with your needs. While we all love a volunteer who can be a "wild card" and do anything we ask for, that person is not always easy to find. To get people interested, you need to let them know what they'll be doing and how long they will be doing it.

3. Get personal. I'm a huge fan of skits. I love doing short, funny, attention-grabbing scenes that will let people know what's going on. That kind of marketing for volunteers hits a lot of people, and you will have better luck if afterwards you go and talk to people one-on-one. That personal connection goes a long way in getting people to walk into your ministry. Here's a challenge: Ask each of your current volunteers to talk to two people in the upcoming week. One should be someone they are friends with and they think could be a good fit for your ministry. The other should be someone they don't get to see or sit by too often. This helps build connections and contacts and will give your volunteerism a boost.

4. Stay connected. Communication is key in any relationship, and your volunteers are no different. They need to hear from you and you need to hear from them. Have meetings, but keep them at a reasonable length and try to schedule them when the most can come (a midday meeting will miss anyone working business hours). At your meetings, encourage your team. Let them know that what they do really matters. Share your vision with them and get them excited about it. And let them share their questions and concerns.

5. Expert advice. If you haven't checked out Group's Church Volunteer Central, give it a look. They have all sorts of tools and information to help you find, equip, and keep volunteers. With Volunteer Central, you can get one-on-one consultations, online training for your crew, and pre-made forms and templates to make your leadership role a successful one. They also offer free samples of some of their work, so you can see some of all the cool stuff they have.

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A few weeks ago, I posted a couple of stories on safety. So, as your team grows, make sure to take the time to screen your volunteers, new and old, to keep your kids safe. Keep recruiting and soon you will have a full staff of volunteers ready to help you.

We want to hear what works for you! Tell us how you recruit new volunteers. Share your tips and tricks in the comment section below.

7 Quotes Celebrating Grandparents Day

Fri, 07 September 2012 11:12:00

This Sunday (September 9) is Grandparents Day. According to a 2010 survey by grandparents.com, 66 percent of grandparents have never celebrated their day. The United States Census Bureau's website explains the origins of this often forgotten holiday.

"In 1970, Marian McQuade began a campaign to establish a day to honor grandparents. But such a day was not formally established until 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a federal proclamation, approving the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day."

There are a growing number of kids living with their grandparents, 7.5 million of them according to the 2010 census. Breaking it down, that's 1 in 10 of all children in the U.S.

Grandparents are special people. I was fortunate enough to grow up just a few minutes from my grandparents. They remain two of the strongest examples of God's love that I have seen in my life.

So, in honor of Grandparents Day, here are some quotes about the parents of parents.

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1. "Because [grandparents] are usually free to love and guide and befriend the young without having to take daily responsibility for them, they can often reach out past pride and fear of failure and close the space between generations." -President Jimmy Carter

2. "Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children." -Alex Haley

3. "What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies." -Rudolph Giuliani

4. "If grandmas hadn't existed, kids would have inevitably invented them." -Dr. Arthur Kornhaber

5. "If God had intended us to follow recipes, he wouldn't have given us grandmothers." -Linda Henley

6. "What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say that grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can but see, hear and feel what these people have to give, they can mature at a fast rate." -Bill Cosby

7. "Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child's growth as vitamins." - Joyce Allston

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The Bible says in Proverbs 17:6 that "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged… This Sunday, consider doing something to celebrate Grandparents Day. Invite them to join their grandkids for the kids' service. Help the kids make cards with their own quotes on them. Help kids understand their family better by making a family tree. Of course, whatever you do, always be sensitive to your kids' individual situations (for example, a recent loss of a grandparent). Go celebrate Grandparents Day, then come back and tell us what you did in the comment section below.

3 Mind-Boosting Games for Kids

Wed, 05 September 2012 13:04:00

In a recent study, researchers at Oregon State University found that preschool-aged children who could sit still and focus were more likely to graduate from college. In an article on Wall Street Journal's website, Megan McClelland, early childhood research core director at OSU's Hallie E. Ford Center for Healthy Children and Families and a lead author on the study, talked about the findings:

"We know that early academic skills predict later academic stills," McClelland said. "But the ability to pay attention and focus are foundational skills that help kids persist through difficult tasks when they need to."

What grabbed my attention in the article the most was the suggestion that parents and teachers could help their kids grow stronger in the areas of persistence and self-discipline by playing simple games to challenge concentration and focus. McClelland suggested changing the old playground game of "Red Light, Green Light" to make red mean "go" and green mean "stop."

Any time we can mix play with learning, especially when it can help our kids' persistence and self-discipline, I'm for it! After reading about McClelland's new twist on "Red Light, Green Light," I decided to try making some game changers myself. Here are a few I came up with:

1. Freeze Tag: Instead of one against everyone else, call out rules that change who can tag who. For instance, start the game off with taggers being people who wear glasses. As the game progresses, change the rules so taggers become runners, and vice versa. Kids will have to be ready to listen to instructions while trying to figure out who is friend and who is foe.

2. Memory: Over the years, there have been a lot of memory games that kids play. Games where you find matches or remember a pattern or a long list of items that keep growing are all classic games. What I like to do is ask kids to look at their surroundings. I give them a minute or two to focus on what's around them, and then I ask them to close their eyes. I ask them questions about who is wearing what or how many chairs are in the room. Then I remove or move an item in the room and ask kids what has changed. It's a simple game that doesn't require much but gets all the kids thinking and challenges their focus.

3. Don't Say No: One of my kids' favorite games to play during spare time is the "No" game. I ask kids questions and they must answer. The catch is they can't say any form of the word "no." Then I challenge them by adding words to the taboo list. Try answering "How old are you?" when you can't say any numbers. This game gets kids using their vocabulary skills and makes them stop and think before they answer.

After reading about how simple changes can help change the way kids think, I will never look at play time the same way. See if you can make some game changers of your own! Let us know what you come up with in the comment section below!

Q & A - Church Volunteer Screenings

Fri, 31 August 2012 13:01:00

In a blog post last week, I talked about church safety and the fact that that fewer than half of all churches screen their paid children's ministry workers. Around that same time, I found out about Group's background checking service, Shepherd's Watch, which has been revamped and improved. As I looked into the service, I found Melissa Towers, who is the Adult and Church Leadership Product Manager for Group, and I spoke to her about why it's so important for churches to screen their volunteers.

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David Jennings (DJ): Why is it more important than ever to screen your ministry volunteers and workers?

Melissa Towers (MT): In this day in age, it seems that we hear about more and more cases of child abuse and sexual predators taking advantage of minors. This is probably the number one reason that churches do background checks-to keep their children and youth safe. Predators look for places that would be easy for them to gain access to children and youth. In the past, churches have been seen as places for easy access. However, because having a background check policy in place has become more commonplace in the church, predators are learning to stay away from them. When churches are consistent about requiring background checks for anyone working with minors, then it deters predators from volunteering or obtaining a position at their church. Of course, this isn't the only reason a church needs to run background checks. They would also want to be sure to screen those who are working with vulnerable adults, driving church vehicles, and those handling church money such as ushers and treasurers, to name a few.

It's important to note that background checks aren't the only way to keep the church and the people within the church safe, but they are an essential piece of the puzzle. Background checks only warn you of someone if they've been caught and have a record. So it's also very important to get personal references and do other things to ensure the people coming to your church are safe. Because we understand this, Shepherd's Watch not only helps with getting affordable and accurate background checks, but we also help you to understand the other things to do to ensure your church is a safe place to be.

DJ: What is unique/better about Shepherd's Watch?

MT: Shepherd's Watch is a service offered by Group Publishing. Group has been in the business of working with churches since 1974. Because of our history with churches, we understand the needs of the church. We understand their unique risks, we understand how the church operates, we understand a church's budget, and we understand who the church serves. Plus, we're trustworthy and we've negotiated low-cost background checks for our members. It's just a one-time fee to become a member and there are no minimum orders or hidden fees.

DJ: Any testimonials or a story of someone who screened potential volunteers that our readers should hear?

MT: When we talk to churches who don't run background checks, we like to ask them why. One misconception we hear is that they're just too expensive. With Shepherd's Watch, we have background check packages starting at just $9. When you consider the possible risks associated with not running background checks, this is actually a very small price to pay. We also commonly hear "our church is small and we know everyone" or "our church has been around for so long, everyone knows each other." But think about the last person you saw in the news who was convicted of a terrible crime. Often- times when their neighbors or friends are interviewed, they express surprise about how they never would have expected it from that person. The fact is, people aren't going to tell you they're a bad seed. So it's the church's responsibility to make sure that they keep their church and the people in their church safe. Background checks are a crucial part of that.

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One out of every 10 people who try to work with children has a criminal conviction. As Melissa said, background checks are one piece of a puzzle to keep your ministry and kids safe. I want to hear what other steps you take for security. Let us know what you do in the comment section below!

How to Deal With Disinterested Kids

Wed, 29 August 2012 08:51:00

When I moved to Colorado to start working at Group, I left behind a church I had worked at for almost six years. Recently I was able to make a trip back to visit and I brought with me some goodies from Group for everyone. My replacement, Skylar, is an amazing young man of God. I worked with his family at the church before, and he had always stepped up whenever we needed volunteers. I left Skylar a few things, including "The Quick Guide to Discipline for Children's Ministry: 101 Good Ideas for Bad Behavior." Not that my kids were troublemakers, but I remembered how hard it could be when I first started to change a situation from distracting to a learning moment.

A few weeks ago, Skylar messaged me to tell about how the book helped him connect with a child in his class. The boy was having a hard time paying attention. When it came time to talk or work with other kids, he was very stand-offish. He was a great kid, but seemed disconnected from the lesson and class.

Skylar looked into the book I had given him

"I found information on kids who don't pay attention or are uninterested," said Skylar. "It said to ask them about things they like and try to incorporate that into a lesson. So, I pulled the boy aside and asked him if he liked the games we played or the lessons. He just shook his head no. I asked what he liked to do. And he mumbled 'Play with my turtles.'"

Skylar took that one piece of information and was able to make a change. He told the boy that he should bring a turtle to show the class at their next meeting (if it was okay with his mom).

"He brought it that Wednesday! He was so excited and came as soon as he could," said Skylar. "He only came on Sundays normally but then he came and ever since then, he has been making new friends."

Now that little boy is responding to his teachers and taking more of an active role in class, all because Skylar chose to make a connection rather than assuming the boy was a "bad kid."

It is amazing how a little love and understanding can change a kid's life. This week, I want to encourage you to reach out to those in your ministry that might be like that little boy, like those who are having trouble making friends, paying attention in class, or not wanting to participate.

Do you have a story like this? How do you connect with kids who might not seem interested in what you have to say? Let us know your thoughts-leave a comment below!

The 4 Do’s and Don’ts for Safety Awareness

Fri, 24 August 2012 10:40:00

Did you know that less than half of all churches screen their paid children's ministry workers? The church I worked at screened their new workers, but my first week there, I found out they had another way of weeding out the troublemakers. I was asked to hop in the car with two of the moms to help hand out flyers for our upcoming VBS. That's when they took me down a road in the middle of nowhere and pulled over to the side.

The mom in the passenger seat said in a sweet voice, "You know, we're glad you are here and look forward to seeing what you can do…" She then turned slowly around to look me square in the eye. "But if you hurt any of our kids, I will kill you." She turned back around, the car started rolling again, and off we went.

Six years later, we still joke about that day. They remember how long I sat in silence looking for the right words to say.

I'm glad our church is into safety, and I hope your church is as well. Today, I want to share with you a blog post from Group's Church Volunteer Central. Sue Brage is the editor for the Church Volunteer Daily blog. She posted a great piece on the Do's and Don'ts for Safety Awareness, and I'd like to share it with you.

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"I'm going to tell my daughter! She thinks I'm too overprotective!"

This was a friend's response when I told her about an e-mail I had just gotten about an attempted kidnapping just a few miles from where we live. A 14-year-old girl was walking home from the pool and was approached by a strange man she did not recognize. When the man tried to grab her arm, she punched him in the stomach and ran home. Thankfully, she was only frightened, and suffered no serious harm.

It gives you pause, though! Here she was in her own neighborhood, a few blocks from home where she should feel safe and protected. Instead, an intruder threatened her sense of security-and her actual well-being! I can only imagine what her mother must have thought when she received that phone call from her frantic daughter…

As parents, volunteers, church and ministry leaders, we cannot afford to ignore the times in which we live. I'm not talking about living in fear, or an out-of-balance distrust of people. I am talking about being aware of certain realities and the responsibility we have to protect those who need protecting.

I think there are some basic DO's and DON'Ts to be sure we are doing our "due diligence" and protecting those on our watch.

DO's:

1. Communicate with others about any real or perceived threats.

Talk to parents, teens, children, and volunteers. Ask on a regular basis if anyone has seen or heard anything out of the ordinary that could become a potential risk. Open the lines of communication so that everyone knows this is important to you and the church and that their input is valuable. Like my neighborhood e-mail system, have a way to share information with the parties who need to know.

2. Implement a secure check-in/check-out system.

While this may seem like it only matters in large churches, I can assure you, the risk of a child being picked up by a non-custodial parent or estranged relative is the same in every church.

3. Train ALL volunteers on safety measures.

It happens to all of us. At the last minute a volunteer doesn't show up, and we grab any "body" to run the check-in table or supervise the toddlers. Unfortunately, this is a prime area where mistakes happen and safety policies can get overlooked.

4. Share articles and updates with parents.

Take the time to share helpful articles and tips on safety, not just as they relate to church participation, but in other areas, too. This will remind parents to be extra diligent and also let them know that you take the safety of their kids seriously.

DON'Ts:

1. Don't overlook other vulnerable ministries in your church.

I read an article recently about a pastor who threw a special needs adult in the dumpster for doing a poor job cleaning the church bathroom. Anyone who works with special needs or the elderly must have proper training and supervision.

2. Don't think church background checks are for other churches.

Develop a background check program that screens volunteers who will be working directly with these vulnerable people, especially children, youth, the elderly, and special needs. It may be a delicate issue in the beginning; remind people that you are mainly concerned with protecting those who need it.

3. Don't ignore common sense, intuition, or the Holy Spirit.

These are ways God warns us and helps us avoid danger. Stop and listen, and train your volunteers to do the same!

4. Don't underestimate the power of prayer.

Make a point of praying for protection before every service or activity involving these vulnerable groups. This will help raise awareness in your volunteers and bring the wisdom necessary to protect those in your church.

Just like my friend, we may be accused of being overprotective or even of having a lack of faith, but that should not deter us from following the Lord's leading and making safety a priority.

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As always, we want to hear from you. Do you have a check-in system for kids? How do you keep your kids safe? Do you screen your volunteers? Do you re-screen them at all? Share with us your tips and tricks! Leave a comment in the box below!

5 Tips to Help Your Kids Get Mission Ready

Fri, 17 August 2012 14:37:00

Some of my favorite memories come from the mission trips I went on as a teen. Every summer, my youth group would go out-of-state and meet up with complete strangers to show them God's love. Looking back, I remember going to some so-called "low-end" neighborhoods and meeting people who had next to nothing. The people of these neighborhoods would come out, spend time with us, and show us hospitality. On the flip side, when we went to neighborhoods that looked better off, we found it was harder to get the people living there to come join us.

In college, I was blessed with the opportunity to go on an international mission trip to Romania. We stayed in a beautiful downtown area, but during the day, we would travel to the gypsy villages to play with the families who live there. I remember blowing up balloons for the kids on the last day we were there. I would blow one up, hand it off, and tell them how much Jesus loved them. I was light-headed blowing up balloon after balloon, but I didn't want to stop. I knew I might not ever see these kids again, and I wanted to leave them with a reminder of God. I still have pictures of those kids; I keep them at my desk to remind me of what we are working for.

Most recently, I returned to my home state of Alabama to help out at a Group Workcamp. This time, I was on the other side as an "adult leader," making sure the team of teens had everything they needed to go out and accomplish their mission. It made me look back with a greater appreciation on all the adult chaperones who took me on trips.

I believe mission trips are a great way to get kids growing spiritually. Research shows that kids who have a strong sense of mission outperform those who don't. I know I wish I had had more missions opportunities when I was a kid. Now that I work with kids, I try to provide them with as much missions experience as I can, and I try to encourage them to develop servants' hearts as they show God's love to others.

If you are looking for some ways to start forming mission-minded kids, here are some quick tips to get you started!

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1. Go international.Your kids may not be able to take a trip across the world, but they can still make a difference to kids in need. Find a service project, like Group's Operation Kid-to-Kid, to get your kids excited about missions. Then, take your kids on a "trip" to that country by sharing food and music unique to that area. They will begin to realize that no matter how different our cultures are, God loves everyone the same.

2.Think small.Teach your kids that no service project is too small by having your group perform simple acts of kindness. Have younger kids make cards for seniors in assisted living. Have older kids put on a free carwash; no donations needed. Simple, one-day service projects are a great way to make a difference in your community.

3.Make it personal. Ask kids how they think they can make a difference. Find out what your kids have a heart for, and help them come up with projects they can do that follow their interests. Let them take ownership of their missions.

4.Go the extra mile.Whenever you ask kids to collect items like school supplies for needy children- have them come with you when you deliver the items. Let kids see the local mission center, and if possible, let them volunteer to stock shelves or do some basic cleaning.

5.Meet missionaries.If you know someone who has served or is serving in the mission field, introduce them to your kids. If they can stop by, great- if not, ask them to write letters to your group. Kids will be encouraged by hearing from people who give of their time to serve others. Plus, they'll have a name and face they can pray for, making them part of the missions team.

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What have you done to help your kids learn the importance of missions? We want to hear your stories! Leave us a note below about what your ministry has done.

5 Ways to Keep Kids Active and Healthy

Wed, 15 August 2012 13:22:00

It's a weighty issue. One out of every three kids in America is overweight. A lack of healthy eating habits combined with lower activity levels has left many of our kids with extra pounds. How can we make a difference in our kids' health when we only see them a few times a week? Nutritional consultant Cassi Freed shared some tips and tricks to getting and keeping kids active and healthy.

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Snack-Time Switches-Eating well is a major part of healthy living, but when it comes to snack time, it's far too easy to grab some soda and cheap, sugary munchies and have it quickly all ready to go. Check what kind of snacks you're giving the kids, and see if they contain any fruits or veggies. Freed suggests "sneaking" the good stuff in. A side salad might not excite kids, but you could consider adding a vegetable or two in a sauce that you're preparing.

Lose the Labels-Another trick is to stop calling healthy food "good" and junk food "bad." Freed explains that many kids enter a rebellious phase, and during that time, they may turn to "bad" foods. Instead of saying what's good or bad, explain to kids the benefits of eating certain types of food. By explaining why what they eat is good instead of just saying it, you'll help keep kids on the right track.

Table Talk-Freed explains that one of the most important things to do to help kids get active and healthy is to reach their parents. If the parents demonstrate healthy habits, kids are more likely to do so as well. One major, but simple, way to equip your parents is to give them something to talk about at dinner. Supply a list of discussion questions that will help build conversations, and ask parents to use them during dinner with their kids.. Not only will families be eating healthier, but they will be growing closer together.

Participate in Play-What better way to get kids active than playtime? Consider joining or starting a church league sport for your kids to participate in. If you have unstructured playtime before or after class, make sure to join in. Not only will you be a role model, but you can help get kids sitting on the wall up and active. Here are 10 active indoor games to get you started.

New Class-Freed also suggests that those leaders who have time consider starting a new class on healthy habits or integrating it into their current curriculum. One program Freed recommends is The Food Friends. With fun characters that teach kids about new foods and ways to get active, this material helps kids make changes that will impact their health for life.

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Let us know what you think! Should children's leaders and volunteers be worried about kids' health, or are we stepping into the parents' territory? What are some ways you encourage a healthy and active lifestyle for kids? Do any of your kids worry about body image? We want to hear from you-leave us a comment below.

7 Ways to Teach Morals to Children

Fri, 10 August 2012 13:51:00

Earlier this week, I heard the story of a Texas high school lacrosse player who jumped the line to get a better seat during the boarding of his team's flight. When his coach found out about his player's cut in front of others, he asked flight officials if he could use the moment to teach his player a lesson. The coach had flight attendants call the line jumper to the front of the plane to issue a formal apology. The teen took the embarrassing punishment well, saying, "My coaches taught me a valuable lesson in life in a very creative way. Just be patient."

Coaches and parents have a responsibility to help kids grow morally as well as physically. And that goes double for us as leaders and volunteers in children's ministry. According to the Barna Institute, the moral development of children is complete by age 9. Kids have already set in their minds what's right and wrong, and the majority of their spiritual identity has been set. So how can we best mold our kids' moral mindsets before it's too late? Here are 7 easy things to keep in mind to help you teach morals to children.

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1. Teachable moments. Lessons are OK, but when you can teach kids about morals in real-life situations, the message will stick. When an opportunity presents itself, don't worry about following your lesson plan; go with the flow and talk to your kids about morals.

2. Moral model. Give yourself a moral check-up and see if you are setting a good example for your kids. Then spend time with your kids outside of "lesson time." Let them see you and your good morals in various situations. Have a gym? Play basketball with your kids and let them see you taking turns and cheering on other players.

3. Make guidelines. At my old church we had a gym, and in it we had a sign of rules to obey. In other churches, I have seem similar "classroom rules" posted. Why don't we do that with morals? Make a sign and verbally tell kids what moral rules to live by. Things like: "Always cheer for others, even if they aren't on the same team" or "Always tell the truth, no matter how hard it can be" or "Have the courage to do what's right."

4. Other kids. Make a list of morals or traits that you want your kids to have-things like compassion, citizenship, truthfulness, and accountability. Then go online and find stories of kids that demonstrated those traits. Give your kids examples of others their age that are making a difference and doing good in the world. (You can often find stories of inspirational kids under Today's Headlines at the Children's Ministry Magazine homepage.

5. Change punishments. The coaches of the lacrosse player didn't want to embarrass their player for the fun of it. They wanted to teach the teen a lesson that he wouldn't forget and that would make him a better person. When an opportunity comes, don't punish or shame your kid. Come up with an idea to let the child learn and make amends. Have a child who steals a snack? Don't just get on to them and take their snack away. Let them help make snacks the next week and then serve it to others before they enjoy it. Just remember, don't shame your kids into behaving differently, and always give them chances to change.

6. Story time. In a blog post earlier this month about lying, I talked about Dr. Victoria Talwar's research on kids and why they fib. One part of the research suggests that when kids hear stories where the hero learns to tell the truth (think George Washington and the cherry tree), they are more likely to tell the truth themselves. Other studies agree that kids remember the moral lessons taught in stories. You could point out moral lessons from the newest movie or talk about the classic ethics taught from Aesop's fables. Anything kids read or watch can be used to open the door to a moral conversation.

7. Bible study. Of course, if you're looking for stories to use to teach kids right from wrong, nothing beats the Bible. Try this: tell kids about a time you had a hard decision to make, a moral dilemma. Then explain how you used (or could have used) the Bible to help you out.

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Remember to check our website for more tips on how to help teach your kids morals, including how to help young kids make wise choices. Also, we want to hear from you! We want to know how you teach morals to your kids. Do you have any creative tips to teach right from wrong? If so, let us know! Use the comment section below to share your stories!

5 Things You Can Do to Encourage Kids’ Motivation in Children’s Ministry

Wed, 08 August 2012 11:36:00

I'll admit it. I was a reward junkie. When I taught my kids, I loved giving out prizes and other small goodies. It felt it gave me an advantage--I could encourage good behavior with cheap candy and threaten to take away toys when kids misbehaved. This give-and-take reward system was something I was raised on when I was a kid in church, and naturally, I did it with my own Sunday school kids.

What I didn't realize was that I was basically bribing my kids. Instead of focusing on God and the message he had for them, they were more focused on doing and saying the right things to get their prizes. Teresa Amabile, author of Growing Up Creative (Crown), writes, "Research has abundantly shown that when children become focused on reward as their reason for doing something, their intrinsic motivation and creativity will decline."

At the peak of my reward addiction, we had a small "store" that kids could come to and trade in points for prizes. I remember during lessons when I would ask questions, some kids asked how many points they would get. They didn't care that what they'd just heard was relevant to their lives. There was no life change happening. They just wanted stickers and suckers.

Eventually, the "store" room became a storage room full of VBS materials and craft supplies. When the kids realized that the point was learning and living God's message--not getting points for listening to and repeating God's message--we started to see real growth. From time to time, I slipped back into my old ways; rewards can be fun, but we started to turn the corner on how we were using rewards. If you, too, are looking to get out of the reward rut, here are five simple things to do instead.

1. Give instead of get. Find a service project or a charity that's relevant to your kids. Collect stuffed animals to give to a kids' hospital. Have kids write letters to seniors at an assisted living facility, and then take them on a field trip to deliver them. Turn the focus off of getting, and on to giving.

2. Clean out the reward closet. If you are ready to get rid of the small stockpile of rewards, here's a tip. You can still give them out, but encourage kids give them to a friend or family member. Kids will have the opportunity for growth when they receive candy or a toy that they chose for the purpose of making someone else happy.

3. Exceptions to the rule. Giving a small toy to kids to keep them behaving is not your goal. But, if you give them a small toy that's used to help teach and reinforce the lesson, then let them keep it, kids will have a reminder of the lesson to keep all week long. Don't just give fun erasers out. Use the erasers in a lesson and have kids write on a piece of paper things we do wrong, and then erase those things. Teach them that Jesus "erases" our sins. That eraser is now a reminder of God's love.

4. Rise to the challenge. I believe that giving kids goals to reach for is a great, reward-free motivation. Give kids challenges such as telling a friend at school what they learned, or helping out around their homes. When you're helping kids determine goals and challenges, be mindful of what some kids can and can't do. A kid's parents might not be able to bring them to church every week. A child might not have a Bible to read at home. They might not have any money to give. Set goals that all your kids can achieve--and that challenge them to grow in their faith.

5. Replace with love. This is the most important one. After you rid your ministry of rewards, spend even more time loving on your kids. Talk to them, listen to them, and let each one of them know that God loves them. Even if they mess up, show love to them and let them know you care.

If you read Children's Ministry Magazine or keep up with its website, you know where we stand on using shame to correct kids. We try our best to stay away from teaching techniques that belittle or disparage kids. However, we must also be careful that we are not doing the opposite, which is rewarding good behavior with treats. It sends the message that the only reason to act properly and to remember verses is to get surprises…and we don't want kids learning for stickers instead of for life-change.

For more information on rewards and the negative effect they can have on kids' ministry, read Rick Chromey's Can the Candy. We also want to hear from you. Do you use a reward system? Are you trying to kick the habit? Let us know what you think by using the comment section below!

3 Truths About Lying

Fri, 03 August 2012 13:31:00

It's true--kids lie. A recent study by the Social Cognitive Development Lab at Brock University shows that lying starts as early as the age of 2 in some kids, and that the amount of lying peaks around the ages of 4 and 10. The study suggested that lying can be a good sign, and that it means a child is thinking deeper and more creatively.

I know we all want smart kids, but a child who understands the difference between right and wrong seems to be more ahead in the game of life to me. This week, we'll shed some truth on lying and give you some tips to help keep your kids' pants from catching fire.

Truth 1- Kids respond better to praise

You never want to shame or threaten a child into doing anything. That should never be the goal. Kids respond better when you praise them for telling the truth instead of punishing them for lying. In the study by Brock University, researchers found that when parents tell their kids stories about people who told the truth and were praised for it (think George Washington and the cherry tree), lying dropped 30 percent. Compare that to a University of Toronto study that found kids who received corporal punishment were better at lying and more likely to do it again.

Truth 2- Kids learn to lie from us

In an article by New York Magazine, Dr. Victoria Talwar, an assistant professor at Montreal's McGill University and a leading expert on children's lying behavior, says that adults unwittingly teach kids how to lie. She writes, "Encouraged to tell so many white lies and hearing so many others, children gradually get comfortable with being disingenuous. Insincerity becomes, literally, a daily occurrence. They learn that honesty only creates conflict, and dishonesty is an easy way to avoid conflict. And while they don't confuse white-lie situations with lying to cover their misdeeds, they bring this emotional groundwork from one circumstance to the other. It becomes easier, psychologically, to lie to a parent."

What can you do? Simply watch what you say and encourage parents to do the same.

Truth 3- Lying can be stopped

Don't think that just because they're young, kids will grow out of lying. If you don't try to correct their behavior, they can continue to lie. The idea is to catch it early. Be firm, fair, and forgiving. Many experts agree that kids should feel free to tell the truth. Create an environment in your ministry that welcomes truthfulness. Let your kids know that they can tell you the truth no matter what. And don't label kids as liars, or they might be more likely to take on that role. By helping them understand why lies are wrong, we can help them see the truth.

I want to know what you think. How tough should you be on lying? Is there such a thing as a little white lie? What are some lies we tell our kids? Share with us some tips and tricks you have on handling lying in your ministry. You can post your comments below!

5 Ways to Help Parents Pass On Faith to Kids

Wed, 01 August 2012 12:12:00

How do your kids' parents view you? Are you the baby sitter they leave their kids with before driving off? Are you the entertainer who's expected to show their kids a fun time or else they will find somewhere else to go? Or are you their kids' spiritual leader, the only source of faith building they receive?

According to the Barna Research Group, a majority of parents "do not spend any time during a typical week discussing religious matters or studying religious materials with their children." Parents who take their children to church with them tend to rely on the church to do the heavy lifting spiritually.

The truth is that you should just be one part of parents' plans to strengthen their kids in the area of God and faith. Many churches are turning their children's ministry into family ministries, and I can see why. We should make it our goal to help parents be strong leaders of faith in their households. With that in mind, here are five steps you can take to help parents take the lead role in their kids' spiritual lives.

1. Engage. The Barna research went on to say that only one out of every five parents of children under 13 has been contacted by a leader in the church to talk about their child's spiritual life. We need to reach out to parents! This doesn't mean signing them up to volunteer. Hold events that parents want to participate in as well, like family movie nights or parent/child days out. Invite parents into your ministry, let them know who you are, and get to know them. By making connections with you and with other parents, adults will feel more comfortable.

2. Explain. Many parents don't realize how to pass their faith and values on to their kids. Focus on the Family and the Heritage Builders provide many great tips for parents. They suggest that parents look for "AROMA" in their households: Affection, Respect, Order, Merriment, and Affirmation. Explain to parents that their household should be a loving place where a discussion about God and faith could happen at any time. Remind parents that they can turn anything, from listening to the radio to talking at dinner, into a time to build kids up spiritually.

3. Equip. Continuing with the Barna research, the study says that, "Parents are not so much unwilling to provide more substantive training to their children as they are ill-equipped to do such work. According to the research, parents typically have no plan for the spiritual development of their children; they do not consider it a priority, have little or no training in how to nurture a child's faith, have no related standards or goals that they are seeking to satisfy, and experience no accountability for their efforts."

Many parents want to make a difference, but aren't sure how to start. We need to provide support to help them build up their kids' faith. Talk with parents and find out their needs. Let parents know what you're teaching, and help them supplement the lesson at home. Give suggestions on where parents can turn to find positive resources.

4. Example. Kids don't just look like their parents; they act like them as well. Kids will often pick up on their parents' habits. A recent study looked at how parents can help overweight kids. Some parents changed their kids' diets, while others took their kids to clinics and camps. But the kids who lost the most weight were those who had parents who lost weight themselves. The kids were inspired by their parents' physical activity.

I believe the same goes for spiritually active parents. It will rub off on children. Remind parents that they are the ultimate role models for kids. You can't live by "do as I say, not as I do." Challenge parents to set an example that they want their kids to live by.

5. Encourage. Always give encouragement to your parents. It can be tough raising kids, and you can be there for parents by praying for them and supporting them. Remind them about Proverbs 22:6, "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it."Also remind them of the message of Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord."

By working with parents, we can make a huge impact on the lives of our kids. I want to know how you partner with parents to help them be their children's spiritual leaders. Share with us your tips, strategies, and stories! Leave your comments below.

5 Reasons Why Laughter Is the Best Medicine

Wed, 25 July 2012 13:58:00

"Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life."- American journalist Hugh Sidey

How many times do you laugh each day? I think we could all use a little more laughter in our lives. Sure, sometimes humor can be distorted. People use it to hurt others and some go dark and perverse with it, but comedy can still be good, clean fun. Sometimes things can get you down. Life is full of stress, grief, and heartache. But oftentimes, it's better to laugh than cry. Laughter really is the best medicine, and here are some reasons why:

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1. God loves it. I believe that God loves to see us laugh. When I was younger, I saw Christian comedian and singer Mark Lowry in concert. I bought one of his books, and in it he talks about God and humor. Something I read has stuck with me to this day. Explaining why he thinks God enjoys seeing us laugh, he said, "What healthy father doesn't love to hear his children laugh?" While there are certainly times to get serious, I believe God enjoys hearing laughter in the middle of fellowship.

2. It keeps us healthy. God made laughing good for us. Research shows that laughter plays an important role in both physical and mental health. According to HelpGuide.org, laughing helps boost immunity, decrease pain, lower stress, relax mood, and ease anxiety.

3. It can help us learn. We all learn and remember more when there is an emotional attachment to a lesson. Think back on your life. The times you recall the quickest are probably times you were laughing or crying. The American Psychological Association also says that laughter can lead to better learning. Although the APA says it's possible to overdo it, your lessons will stick with your kids better if they are having fun.

4. It can bridge gaps. Sometimes the shortest distance between two people is a joke. Members of the Christian Comedy Association know that, and many of their members present faith-based truths in a form that can reach people in a unique, inviting way. They use laughter as a tool, and so can you.

5. It keeps life in perspective. HelpGuide.org also brings up this point. When a problem comes your way, how do you handle it? Don't stress, lighten up! Ask yourself if it is really that bad and worth getting upset over. Breathe, laugh, and look at the problem as an opportunity. A good sense of humor will help you keep going and keep your team from stressing.

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Here are two challenges for you this week. First, help your team grow closer together by doing something to make them laugh. Tell a joke, share a story, play a game, or ask them if something funny has happened recently. Second, when you hear your kids laugh, find out what's so funny. Join them in their laughter and let them put a smile on your face!

The most important thing to do is to smile. Remember where your joy comes from and who is in control. Doing so will help you laugh at anything life throws at you.

7 Do’s and Don’ts to Get Men in Your Ministry

Fri, 20 July 2012 13:53:00

One problem we often hear about is that children's ministries lack male volunteers. Many times, women volunteers are amazing and pick up the slack. According to George Barna, "Women are almost twice as likely as men" to teach Sunday school. Present an opportunity for men to step up to the plate and be positive male role models for kids who might not have one. If your ministry could use a little extra testosterone, here are a few tips and tricks to try, as well as some things to stay away from.

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DO - Encourage any men you already have volunteering to recruit their friends. Volunteer recruiting works best when it's personal, so don't rely on a few announcements to a crowd. When a man can speak one-on-one with another man, the chances of getting new men to come and help increase.

DON'T - Forget to encourage and compliment your male volunteers. This simple but oh-so-important gesture will keep them motivated and let them know they are making a difference in the ministry - and that is huge for them!

DO - Give your ministry a man-friendly makeover. Now we're not saying to make your classrooms look like a man cave, but understand that men will be more attracted to rooms that don't shout out "Girl"! While you're at it, take a look at the handouts and gifts you give to your volunteers. Are they man-friendly as well?

DON'T- Leave out the high school guys. They can often relate better to the problems kids are dealing with, and younger kids look up to their older peers. Work with your youth or student minister on getting volunteers from this age group to help out with your younger kids.

DO - Be mindful of when you schedule meetings. Working men (and women) may not be able to make midday meetings. And while it is usually impossible to find free time when working around various sport schedules, try to get a schedule at the beginning of whatever sport is currently in season so you know when you should avoid scheduling meetings, if possible.

DON'T - Ask for men if you're not going to use them. Give men specific roles that keep them active in your ministry. This helps them feel as if they are making a difference and will encourage them to come back and continue to want to help out.

DO - Encourage couples to volunteer together. You'll get more volunteers, and couples work great together already! Husbands may feel more comfortable working with their wives, and you don't want to go after the just the ones with kids. There are plenty of couples without kids who would still enjoy serving in your ministry.

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As often as we hear about the shortage of men in children's ministry, we're encouraged when we hear stories of men who make time to serve with kids. God made men and women different, and that's a great thing. Your kids will benefit because of your efforts to make your ministry more gender diverse.

How is your ministry doing when it comes to having positive male role models? Do you have any tips to get men into your ministry? Are you a man who has enjoyed serving and has suggestions for leaders? We want to hear from you! Leave your comments below and let us know what you think!

4 Types of Abuse and How to Spot Them

Wed, 18 July 2012 14:26:00

According to Childhelp.org, every year nearly 6 million children in the U.S. experience child abuse, and four children under age 4 die each day due to abuse. As a community of people who work with kids and strive to show them love, this is a sad and shocking statistic. We must all make an effort to help put a stop to this terrible trend.

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What Is Child Abuse?

Although different states have different terms and definitions, child abuse usually falls under four main categories: physical, neglect, sexual, and emotional. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Child Welfare Information Gateway provides some useful information on the subject.

Physical- These are nonaccidental injuries and harm that come from a child's caretaker. It doesn't matter if the adult meant to hurt the child or not. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling, is not considered abuse as long as it is reasonable and causes no bodily injury to the child.

Neglect- When a child's basic needs are not being met, that is also considered abuse. Caretakers must provide physical needs (food and shelter), medical needs, educational needs, and emotional needs (not allowing kids to use alcohol or drugs, giving psychological help when needed).

Sexual- The exploitation of children is a form of abuse. Allowing children to engage in, or expose them to, any form of inappropriate sexual situations falls under this category of abuse.

Emotional- This can be the hardest form of abuse to identify, but if a child is being abused in another way, emotional abuse can usually be found as well. In brief, emotional abuse stunts a child's emotional growth with threats, rejection, or insults.

What Are the Signs?

There are some simple signs you can look for that will help you spot child abuse. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Child Welfare Information Gateway gives these tips to look for:

Does the child seem like he or she is always looking for something bad to happen? Is he passive or overly compliant? Has she had a sudden change in behavior? Does the parent blame the child for most of their problems? Asks for harsh physical discipline when their child misbehaves? When the child and parent are together, are they separated and don't look at each other?

These may be signs that abuse is present. There are also specific red flags to look for when abuse is suspected.

Physical- A child may have unexplained injuries, doesn't want to leave to go home, or is frightened of other parents.

Neglect- A child steals food or begs for more, isn't wearing appropriate clothing for the weather, or is always dirty and has a strong body odor.

Sexual- A child has difficulty walking or sitting, experiences sudden changes in their appetite, or may demonstrate unusual or sophisticated sexual knowledge.

Emotional- A child demonstrates extreme emotional behaviors (super aggressive or overly passive), acts too mature or too childish, or does not show any attachment to their caretaker.

These signs are not always connected to abuse, but if you see one or more of these in a child, consider the possibility of maltreatment.

What Can I Do?

Prevent Child Abuse America says that one way to help stop child abuse before it starts is to help reduce stress on families. Lend a helping hand and be a friend to parents who need it. Get to know neighbors and families of your kids and show them that you are there for them.

If you suspect abuse has already occurred, make sure to report it. Most states have their own numbers to call, and Childhelp USA has a national Child Abuse Hotline that operates 24/7 (1.800.4.A.CHILD).

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We see in Matthew 18 just how much Jesus loves children. All kids deserve protection. If you suspect something, report it, and be the voice for a child who needs it.

Not too long ago, I read another statistic that made my heart break. A recent article by the New York Times says that children with disabilities are four times more likely to be attacked physically and three times more likely to be attacked sexually. Abuse is more prevalent with these special kids. We have tips on how to help develop ministry to kids with disabilities, so you can give these kids a safe place to come and feel loved.

Bye-Bye to Bullies — 5 Organizations Ready to Equip Your Ministry

Tue, 03 July 2012 12:45:00

Unfortunately, we live in a world that's full of bullies. According to education.com, 1 out of 7 students (from kindergarten to 12^th grade) has been picked on, or has picked on someone else. Perhaps you even have a bully or two in your ministry. It is almost a guarantee that your kids have either been bullied or know of someone who has.

Paul Coughlin knows how those kids feel. As a kid, Coughlin was bullied by a parent. He says some days he felt worthless and didn't want to wake up. Today, Coughlin is an anti-bullying expert who builds on his childhood experience of being picked on. He is now a respected author and speaker who travels around the country talking to groups about bullying.

In May, he spoke to a group at Saddleback Church in Southern California. He challenged the church to start stepping up and help put a stop to bullying.

"Where's the Church? The Church is suspiciously missing and we're looking forward to changing that," said Coughlin. "We need to get in this battle. This is a battle for human dignity. We should have been in this battle a long time ago and so this is a call to action. It's really a mission field for people of faith across the world."

Is your ministry ready to take on this new mission field? If you want to make your ministry a safe place for your kids and empower them to stop the bullying they see around them, check out these 5 great anti-bullying organizations, as well as several resources you can use for ideas and to get you started.

1. The Protectors- We'll start of the list with Coughlin's own organization, The Protectors. Founded in 2005, the organization has school and faith-based programs to help kids learn what they can do when they see others being bullied. The site also has resources to help educate and inform you and your kids.

2. Loving Our Children USA- This organization is the leading non-profit when it comes to helping fight against child violence. Here you will find facts and figures on bullying, as well as steps to take if you suspect your kids are involved with bullying/being bullied.

3. Pacer Center's Kids Against Bullying- As a part of the National Bullying Prevention Center, this website is aimed directly at kids. Here children can watch stories about other kids, play games, take part in polls, and sign a petition to stop bullying at their schools.

4. Stomp Out Bullying- A national anti-bullying/cyber bullying website, this page has tons of material for kids, teens, and parents. Make sure to check out Stomp Out Bullying's Share Page where you can watch videos of kids around the nation show how they stomp out bullying.

5. Bullying.org- Another great resource for leaders and kids. Designed for those who want to share, learn, and help, the main focus of the site is to teach kids that being bullied is not their fault, they are not alone, and that there are positive alternatives to dealing with bullies.

As Christians, we need to show God's love. And, too many times, we're the bullies. Take some time to evaluate your ministry. Do you have kids who are bullies or who have been picked on by bullies? Are the words you use lifting your kids up? Are you equipping your kids to stop bullying when they see it?

I would love to hear what you do in your ministry when it comes to bullying. Please share your tips, stories, successes, and yes, even failures, in the comment section below!

Volunteers Help Others Find God in Crisis

Fri, 29 June 2012 15:47:00

Anyone who keeps up with the news knows that there is always crisis in our world. Power struggles, economic troubles, natural disasters…just go to the Google News website and search for "crisis." Last I checked, there are more than 96 million news stories about what's going wrong in the world.

Hitting close to home, Colorado (where Group's offices are located) is experiencing unprecedented wildfires throughout the state. The High Park Fire was one of the first to make national headlines. It began on June 9^th, the result of a lightning strike, and has since burned more than 87,000 acres, destroyed 259 homes, and killed one resident.

As those who were evacuated begin returning to what remains of their homes, volunteers from Samaritan's Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization, are ready to help. The organization leads a volunteer network that sends people around the world to serve those in the middle of crisis.

Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, is hosting one group of volunteers, giving them a place to eat and regroup before heading out and providing support where it's needed. Those leading the effort say it has been amazing to see how God uses his people to show his love.

Karina Petersen, media relations coordinator for Samaritan's Purse, says that just like those helping in Fort Collins, volunteers around the country are amazed at what they can do with God's help.

"We do it to show others the love of Jesus Christ," said Petersen. "We say a lot of times with our U.S. disaster relief that we want to be the hands and feet of Christ. We need to do what we've been called to do, and that's show the love of Christ. And we don't ask for anything in return."

These volunteers want to show God's love by helping others, and often God opens hearts during the process.

"When victims of crisis see these volunteers doing tough and dirty jobs for a complete stranger, it often opens the door to have that conversation about God," said Petersen.

In the midst of crisis, blessing can be found.

"We don't want these tragedies and disasters to happen; we don't wish that on anybody," said Petersen. "But when they do, we are able to work alongside churches, and we have been able to see blessing after blessing. We have seen so much good come out of something so tragic. We see it in every disaster we respond to."

Those of us who work with children need to know that kids may handle crisis in different ways. Petersen says the best thing kids can do to help out is pray. Teach kids how to pray. Explain the importance of prayer and guide them as they pray for everyone who's been affected by tragedy, especially when it hits close to home.

Although many people wonder where God is in the middle of a crisis, the good news is, he is always there, and his people are there, too, ready to give love when hope has been lost.

"God is in the details in all of it," said Petersen. "We're blessed to see it time and time again."

9 Encouraging Quotes About Worry

Wed, 27 June 2012 13:07:00

Kids live in a much different world than we did growing up; there's a lot more to be worried about! In fact, it is estimated that kids are stressing out 45 percent more now than they did three decades ago.

According to the National Association of Health Education Centers, worrying in children, when not controlled, can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental conditions that may affect their mental and physical health in future years.

You might have kids in your ministry who are struggling with stress or are anguished with anxiety. You, too, might be feeling some pressure from life. If worry is a problem that has wiggled its way into your ministry, here are some inspirational and motivational quotes on worry that may give you a new perspective:

1) "Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." Mary C. Crowley, founder of Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc.

2) "It is of no use to say to men, 'Let not your heart be troubled,' unless you finish the verse and say, 'Believe in God, believe also in Christ.' " Alexander MacLaren (1826-1910)

3) "No one can pray and worry at the same time." Christian author Max Lucado

4) "It is not worrying, but rather trusting and abiding in the peace of God that will crush anything that Satan tries to do to us. If the Lord created the world out of chaos, He can easily deal with any problem that we have." Rick Joyner, head of MorningStar Ministries

5) "Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and His will for us." Billy Graham

6) "Fast from worry; feast on trust." Anonymous

7) "Worry is the sin of distrusting the promise and providence of God, and yet it is a sin that Christians commit perhaps more frequently than any other." Christian author John MacArthur

8) "Anything big enough to occupy our minds is big enough to hang a prayer on." George MacDonald (1824-1905)

9) "With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about?" Henry Ford, inventor of the automobile

Of course, the best advice regarding how we should handle worry comes from Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34. So, when you feel like your life is spinning out of control, just remember God cares about you, and when you see your kids worrying, remind them that God really loves them, too!

Q&A: Single-Parent Ministry From a Dad’s Point of View

Fri, 22 June 2012 15:04:00

One out of every four kids in your church is part of a single-parent family. Whether it is by death or divorce, it's a sad but growing statistic. With that in mind, how well does your ministry meet the needs of these children, as well as their parents?

David Purvis, a single father of four, created the Facebook page "Single Parent and Serving Him," a place that serves up advice and inspiration. So far, the group has over 4,600 "likes," and has served as a virtual water cooler for single parents to share stories and fellowship. I talked to David about his site and to get his take on how churches handle single parent families. Here is what he had to say.

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David Jennings (DJ) - Tell us a little about yourself and why you wanted to create the "Single Parent and Serving Him" Facebook page.

David Purvis (DP) - Seeing as how I was raised in an orphanage, I was lacking a lot of what most kids have: an example of how their parents did what they did. So when I was divorced (my youngest was five months old), I relied on my heavenly father to guide me as to how to know what to do and when with my three boys and one daughter. Parenting doesn't come with a handbook and single parenting doesn't, either, so if I can help someone else to help someone on the learning curve, that's what I want to do.

DJ - How can children's ministers do a better job when it comes to working with children and their single parents? What should they do differently, and is there anything they shouldn't do?

DP - Single parent children need everything that every other kid needs: love, attention, structure, and affirmation. More times than not, children of a single parent have a bit more responsibility than children from a two-parent family. They also tend to have trust issues, (whether) from being hurt by a parent or from the situation. The kids, as well as the parents, need to be told and shown that God doesn't hate divorced people or children, he hates divorce.

(What ministers can do is) tend to the kids' needs and communicate with the parent if there are issues or areas of concern that they can have a one-on-one about. Affirm, affirm, and affirm some more that they are not a less of a person just because they don't have two parents at home.

DJ - How important is it for the church to step up in the area of single-parent ministry?

DP - I think this is a very good question. I am very happy and active in my church and we don't have anything for single parents…I think it's a VERY huge void that needs to be filled. I honestly think that most churches deal primarily with couples' counseling and helping with marital issues, but drop the ball if all that fails. [I think it's] due to the simple fact that divorce is seen as a taboo situation, and most people are afraid that they might "catch it" if they get too close. The church is a hospital for the wounded children of God - married, single, divorced, widowed - it doesn't matter. Four very important words: hurt people, hurt people. And on the flip side: healed people, heal people. Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.

(You can find out more about David Purvis by visiting twitter.com/thatsmyjesus.)

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The make-up of today's modern family is changing constantly, and we have more tips on how to help kids handle divorce, how to set up a single-parent ministry, and how to meet the needs of alternate-weekend kids.

Have some tips of your own? Are you a single-parent? Let us know your thoughts! Share with us in the comment section below.

Keep Your Language Minty-Fresh

Wed, 20 June 2012 13:37:00

I was in another room when I heard what seemed to be Morse code coming from my television. It turns out that it was the censors blocking what seemed to be every other word. At least the objectionable words were bleeped out. More and more, it seems, foul language has been sprinkled throughout movies, video games, and books, many of which are aimed at young kids. One study has found that the more teens hear swearing in television and games, the more likely they are to repeat the taboo words themselves.

If you have kids with vile vocabularies or who use hurtful language with others, here is an activity you can do with them to help them understand the power of their words.

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You'll need: A travel-sized tube of toothpaste for each child, a paper plate for each child, and some hand wipes for each child

Give each kid a paper plate and toothpaste tube and say that you have a challenge. Tell them that they have 10 seconds to squeeze as much toothpaste out of the tube as they can onto the paper plate. After you call time, explain that therealchallenge is that they have 30 seconds to put the toothpaste back in the tube.

Give kids time to try to put back all they squeezed out. Some creative types may get a little back in, but the majority of the toothpaste should still be on the plate.

Distribute the hand wipes and let kids clean up. Afterwards, ask the kids these questions:

How did you feel trying to get the toothpaste back into the tube?
How is getting the toothpaste out and then back into the tube like the words that we say?
(Read Psalm 34:13) Why do you think God wants us to watch what we say?
What are some things you can do instead of using bad or hurtful language?

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It is easy to say to a child who uses bad language "that's bad, don't say that" and let it go, but you would be missing an opportunity. Explain what the Bible says about bad words, and then encourage kids to find other words to say or other outlets for their emotions. Use 1 Thessalonians 5:11 as a starting point to show that God wants us to be helpful with our words, not hurtful. Before long you will be busting putdowns and hearing uplifting, encouraging language coming from your kids.

3 Steps to Go From Religion to Relationship

Fri, 15 June 2012 15:54:00

I was knocked for a loop when I heard the statistic. According to a survey conducted by the U.K.'s Penguin Books, 59 percent of kids said religion has a negative impact on the world. It makes me wonder how the connotation of the word has changed over time, and how kids define the word "religion."

I am also reminded of a bigger problem. Too often we place religion over a relationship with Jesus. Rules, theological differences and disputes, and all other forms of religious red tape can be distractions and hurdles for young minds who are looking for love.

What we need to do is guide our children into a real relationship with Jesus. One where they are know what Jesus would do, not because of a WWJD bracelet, but because they have studied his word, realized its significance, and applied it to their life.

So, how can you change how your kids view God? Here are a few ways to change your ministry's focus from religion to a growing relationship with Jesus.

1. Say goodbye to busywork - I recently read an article by Christian writer Mike Matthews that really stuck with me. In the article, he said that kids were spending less time doing activities in church, and when they were doing activities, far too often they had nothing to do with a lesson or Bible truth. The article went on to say that because of this, we have a younger generation of kids who say they believe in a god but not necessarily God.

Kids learn by doing. Start adding games, dramas, crafts, and more to make your lessons come alive. Make sure to debrief after your activities with questions that will relate fun to the lesson then the lesson to real life.

2. Say hello to questions - Don't be afraid of taking questions or even asking for them. In today's world, kids are bombarded by different views and opinions that can challenge what they hear on Sunday. You will not have all the answers, but that's ok. It shows the kids that you are human and it helps them relate to you. Just make sure to research and get back with them later!

3. Say amen to prayer - Try building a relationship with someone without any conversation. You can't. So why would you expect kids to grow in their relationship with Jesus if they don't pray? Guide them through prayer rather than have them listen to yours. Help them use their own words to thank God. And remember that you can pray anytime, not just at the end of your lesson.

In the end, teaching kids to build a relationship with Jesus is much like helping them build relationships with friends. They have to take time, be interested, and make it part of their daily lives. That means getting your kids' parents equipped to help continue the relationship-building throughout the week. Start helping entire families connect with Jesus, and you will see a change in how people view religion.

Have Your VBS Visitors Coming Back for More

Wed, 13 June 2012 12:13:00

Vacation Bible School season is here, and what an exciting time it is! I hear from children's ministers all the time that VBS is their biggest outreach event of the year. Even if your church doesn't hold a VBS, other summer events can bring a lot of visitors through your church doors. The thing is, how do you get them to come back after VBS is done and summer is over?

In a past issue of Children's Ministry Magazine, according to Pastor Werner Rienas of Christian Life Center in Portland, Oregon, 60 percent of first-time guests to your church need nurture and follow-up if they're to return. Making little changes here and there during your summer events can help you retain your visitors and keep them coming back for more. Here are some easy steps you can take before, during, and after your events to make your church more magnetic.

Start with sign-up―Here's the place to offer your visitors a warm welcome. If you haven't had a registration table at your events, I encourage you to start setting one up. Not only can you collect important medical information in case of an emergency, but this is also your chance to collect follow-up information. Here's a tip: Since people today can be wary of giving out personal information, tell those who are signing up that their information is secure and won't be given out. Explain that they will not be bombarded with junk mail, perhaps only a letter or two. This helps start building trust between the church and parents.

Keep them connected―A lot of churches utilize social media websites to promote their events. Be sure to keep it going during VBS. OnlineSchools.com recently reported that 85 percent of moms visit Facebook daily. Upgrade your daily newsletter and make a Facebook page. Invite parents to visit the page and check out photos and stories of the day's happenings. While they are there, make sure they have access to your church's webpage and information in case they want to come back.

The fun's just begun―Don't let your kids and parents leave without an invitation to the next event you're hosting, and include information about your regular church services. Giving them a "save-the-date" card is a simple way to show that you're an active ministry, and by including your church's basic information, you give them another chance to think about coming back as a regular.

Again, it's all about nurturing and follow-up. Send friendly notes using the contact information you received. Keep parents updated on Facebook about upcoming events. Show them some love as soon as they step inside and right before they leave (and all in between, too). Finally, make sure your church is prepared for the regular Sunday service following your event. Have everything spruced up and looking good, with signs up to help guide new visitors, and greeters ready to hand out the handshakes. It can be intimidating for families to come to your church for the first time. Be warm, friendly, and show God's love and you may just find yourself with some new members!

10 Tips to Manage Kids’ Stress Levels in Your Children’s Ministry

Fri, 08 June 2012 12:01:00

"Ah, summer. I can't think of a more relaxing time."

That quote was said by nobody in Children's Ministry. We work around kid's sport and camp schedules, set up for vacation Bible school, and deal with vacationing volunteers, all while sweating in the summer heat. I would ask for a show of hands from everyone already stressed out, but their hands are probably full with permission slips, leader guides, and an energy drink.

But, as stressful as our lives can be, the kids in our ministry can have it even worse. Growing up has never been easy, and with today's challenges, it is even harder. Stress is all around, and kids who do not know how to deal with it can act up in class or miss the message.

Here are 10 tips to help reduce the stress level of the children in your ministry:

Encourage parents to limit their kid's TV time by giving them family activity ideas.
I know you only have kids for a short time, but give them a chance to transition after activities. Plan your time wisely so you don't rush kids.
Calm yourself before teaching. Stress seems to be contagious, and kids can pick up when your stress level is off the charts.
Get your kids physically active. Have a particularly stressed bunch? Stop the lesson and let them run a few laps in or do some simple, fun exercises. Work the stress out.
Offer healthy food during snack time.
Talk with kids outside of the lesson setting. Let them share their feelings and tell them that some stress is part of normal life.
Admit when you're wrong or make a mistake. You set a good example for the kids and show that we all fall short of perfection.
Games are great, but remember that it doesn't always have to be a competition. Come up with a challenge and let kids work together and use their problem solving skills.
A classic stress reliever, have kids breathe slowly in and out. Consider tying it into the lesson with by using Psalm 150:6 or Genesis 2:7.
If your church is so inclined, start incorporating music with movement. Letting kids sing or do sign language to worship music is a great way to calm stressed minds.

So there you have it. Keep these tips in mind, and pretty soon your class will be stress-free. If you are having a hard time dealing with your own stress, don't worry. We have some great ways for you to de-stress as well!

5 Easy Ways to Strengthen Kids’ Self-Esteem

Wed, 06 June 2012 13:24:00

I saw a news report on a study last week that said girls are starting to worry about their size and appearance as early as age 5. The study continued by saying this leads to kids picking up anxieties and developing low self-esteem.

And it's not just young girls. All of our kids are struggling with messages they hear and see around them, especially in music and on television. As a child grows with low self-esteem, it leads to more problems later on in life, like depression.

It can sometimes be easy to tell when a child is struggling with low self-esteem. While you are teaching, do you have kids who degrade themselves? Do they not want to participate in activities? Do they give up quickly during tasks? According to KidsHealth, these may be signs of kids who are dealing with low-self esteem.

So, what can you do as a leader? Here are five easy ways to strengthen kids' self-esteem.

Pat on the back- It's easy to give your attention to class troublemakers instead of the quiet kids. Far too often, leaders spend a majority of their time on one or two disruptive kids. Giving honest compliments to kids will help improve their self-esteem and give the others examples of what to do.
Know names- It's a simple thing. Just call your kids by their names. I'll admit it, -when I started teaching, it never occurred to me how important it was to call kids by name. But, according to pediatrician Dr. William Sears, calling kids by their names makes them feel special, unique, and important.
Super Service- Give kids a chance to prove to themselves that they can make a difference. Help them take on a service project. Not only does it give them a chance to show God's love to others, but it also builds confidence in their own abilities.
Add Adults- Sad but true, some kids don't get the love they need at home. Give the kids a chance to be around positive adult role models. Let them sit in with the adult choir. Have them pray with the senior class. Encourage bonding and give the groups time to talk together.
Watch your words- The worst thing we can do is hurt a child's self-esteem while they are with us at church. Laycie Costigan, a friend and fellow Group employee, recently wrote an amazing article called No Shame On You. In it, she points out how the way we speak to our kids could embarrass them or lead them in the wrong way. The article changed the way I choose my words and how I speak to kids.

Self-esteem is all about feeling loved and being confident in your own abilities. We can use the Bible to help kids who are struggling in those two areas. Remind kids that they are loved (Psalm 36:5), that they were made special (Isaiah 64:8), and that they can do big things for God (1 Timothy 4:12).

Games for the Great Outdoors

Fri, 01 June 2012 13:37:00

There are two problems. One, kids are not spending enough time outside. 37 percent of 10- to 12-year-olds spend less than 30 minutes a day outside playing. That's according to a 2009 International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity study. The second problem is that kids are not getting enough exercise in their daily lives. A Canadian research team found that less than 10 percent of kids meet the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

The research is clear. When kids get out and play, they are more likely to do better in school, they are less likely to have health problems, and their stress levels fall. In other words, outdoor play helps kids in mind, body, and spirit.

Summer is right around the corner, and there is no better time to combat these two problems. Take your kids outside for some fun in the sun. To help get you going, here are three easy games to play with minimal set-up or equipment required.

GOOOAAALL! Soccer is a game a lot of kids can play without a lot of equipment, just a ball and some goal markers. Now, put a fun twist on the sport to make it more challenging and more fun. Play crab soccer by making everyone crawl on their hands and feet with their backs to the ground. Or, play with three teams and take away a point from the team whose goal was scored on. Have a large crowd? Play human foosball. Mark straight lines on the field where only certain players can go up and down, but not leave.
Capture the flag. Part tag, part hide-and-go seek, capture the flag is a classic game that's great if you're in an outdoor area with lots of trees or playground equipment. Split the play area in half, and then split into two teams and give each team a flag to hide in their half. Team members can tag opponents looking for their flag or sneak to the other team's side and look for their flag to bring back and win the game. When people are tagged out, let them do some physical activity (like 10 sit-ups) before going back to their side and getting back in the game.
Cool down. Games involving water can make a big splash with kids--just make sure you give parents a heads-up. An easy way to introduce water into play time is to have relay races involving transporting a certain amount of water from one bucket to another with small cups. Have older kids? Up the challenge by making them spin and get dizzy before running with the full cup of water, or have them stand in a line and pass the cup over their heads and under their legs to the person behind them. You could even poke some holes in the cups so that they have to hurry before it all leaks out.

After you let your kids burn off all their pent-up energy playing, why not stay outside for a lesson? What better setting to teach kids about God than surrounded by his creation! Outside is a great place to learn about Creation and why we should take care of it. This summer, get some fresh air and introduce your kids to the great outdoors.

A Father’s Sacrifice

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:24:00

Last week, The Star-Ledger reported that a father from New Jersey took his 5-year-old son to a park to feed the ducks. As they approached the parking lot, the son, who had just learned to unbuckle himself, jumped from the car and ran straight toward a 35-foot cliff. When the father realized his son was racing to the edge and wasn't going to stop, he leapt from the car, snagged his speeding son, and saved his life. The car, which was still moving, took the 35-foot dive instead.

A nearby police officer came rushing to the scene, only to give the dad two tickets: one for forgetting to put on his emergency brake, and another for not being able to provide proof of insurance (his information was still in the car, which was now at the bottom of the cliff).

To the police officer, it might have not have been a big deal that the dad protected his son. The officer even said that if the dad hadn't saved his son's life, the dad would have gone to jail for child endangerment. What mattered to the police officer was that he to do his job, which was to give tickets.

Now, say what you want to about the police officer, but how many times do we simply expect fathers to do the right thing without showing them gratitude? Do we sometimes take for granted the men God has placed in our kids' lives? With Father's Day quickly approaching, here are some quick and easy ideas to let these special dads know how much they are appreciated.

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Create an award. Have kids make certificate of appreciation proclaiming some specific things they are good at. Let the kids decorate it, personalize it, and give it to their dad, grandfathers, or special male figures in their life.
Decorate for Dad. Have a bulletin board? Decorate it for Father's Day. Here's a great bulletin board idea in honor of Dad.
Encourage sharing (of feelings). Sometimes all it takes to make the perfect Father's Day is a kid letting their dad know just how they feel. Encourage your kids to voice how awesome they really think their dad is. Consider recording them sharing special memories or fun times and then playing back the responses during the Father's Day service.

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The fines that went along with the New Jersey dad's tickets totaled $110, and I can only guess at the cost of recovering and replacing the car. But, something tells me that the dad would have saved his son's life no matter what the cost.

This Father's Day, let's not only remember the men in our lives who sacrificed for us, but let's also celebrate God who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

7 Creative Ways to Use Water Noodles

Wed, 23 May 2012 19:31:00

With summer right around the corner, water noodles are already going on sale. Now is the perfect time to stock up on the foam floatation devices and put them into unexpected use. Here are seven creative ways to use your water noodles.

Conveyer Belt--Here is a team game that will really get the crowd moving. Beforehand, cut up noodles into pieces around 3-feet long. You'll need around 10 pieces per team. One member from each team will also need a flat thing to sit on (think cheep pizza pan). The object is for team members to build a conveyer belt so the team member who's sitting down can be pushed to the finish line. Make the finish line far away enough that teams must constantly move noodle pieces from the back of the line to the front to keep their sitting down member moving. You could tie this game into a lesson about how we all work together for God.
Race Tracks--This craft is great for little ones. Many water noodles come with holes in the middle. Find a few of them and cut them in half long-ways. Tape them end to end and you have yourself an instant toy car or marble race track. Experiment and see what kind of crazy tracks you can make, or put two side-by-side and have a race.
Noodle Hockey--A great game that can fit most size groups and play areas. Cut your noodles in half, then give each player one to use as a hockey stick. Form two teams and play with a light-weight ball. You can even make a make-shift goal out of a few leftover noodles.
Work of Art--Thinly sliced sections of noodles make quick and easy circle stamps to paint with. Try this activity with different shaped noodles (some come in gear or flower shapes). You could even stick a pencil in the middle of a section and use it as a small paint roller. Let your kids experiment!
Keep Your Balance--A simple one-on-one game that just requires one noodle. Two players grab different ends of the same noodle and bend down in a squatting position. The aim of the game is to get your opponent to let go of the noodle or lose his balance and touch the ground by pushing and pulling the noodle. Considering tying it into a lesson about how when the world tries to shake us, God can keep us on solid ground.
Sock It to Me--A high-energy game great for older kids. Kids each get a noodle (or two for a longer game) tied or taped on their back. Cover the top of each noodle with a sock. Players each try to take the socks off other players' noodles, while keeping an eye on their back. Players cannot touch each other, just the noodles. Play until there's only remaining or until time runs out (in which case, the person with the most socks wins).
Safety First--If you have kids running around there's always a chance of someone getting hurt. While they're on sale, grab a few extra noodles, cut them in half, and place them around sharp corners or edges of furniture. Used with a designer's eye, they can actually brighten up a room for kids.

These are just some ways to use your noodle this summer, and not one used a pool! But if you're looking for some water fun for your kids, we've got you covered! Dive in!