We have a theme for each Accelerate. (see previous post) Our theme for the last one was "Potential...What's Inside You?" Here is a video we produced for our team members at the experience.
Accelerate Video
Accelerate is our quarterly leadership experience for our team members. Here is a video welcome we used at our last one.
New Children's Building Update
We are in the process of building a new children's building. It is going to be one of the coolest buildings in the country. The hallways will look like main street Disney with a Biblical theme. Below are some pictures of what some of the doors and windows on main street will look like. Phase 1 will open at Easter and phase 2 will open in August.
Why Full-Time Ministry is Not Easy!
Many times people think full-time ministry is all roses. Not by a long shot! One reason is because you are helping people who are away from God. You are constantly in the boat with a Jonah! And that's a rough ride!
Riding the Wave!
God has been sending a wave of new kids and families recently. We are reaching 500 more children on weekends than this time last year! In addition, He is sending a wave of new team members. We are averaging 10-15 new people joining our team each week.
A Wedding!
One of the great joys of Children's Ministry is the wonderful people you get to serve with and invest in. Some of my best friends are people I have served with in Children's Ministry.
Last weekend, I performed the marriage ceremony for my good friend, Jamal, and his fiance Nish. Jamal is a small group leader in our 1-3rd grade environment. He has such a heart for God and the kids in his group love him. He is faithful and is one of the first team members at church every week. Jamal is originally from the Virgin Islands. Nish is from Jamaica. They met here in Palm Beach at the Breaker's Hotel where they are both work as pastry chefs.
Jamal is an awesome chef. He made their wedding cake which you see pictured below. Nish and he are committed to keeping God at the center of their marriage. For part of their wedding ceremony, we did "the cord of three strands." It was awesome. Go to www.godsknot.com if you want to learn more about it.
Children's Ministry not only impacts children, but the adults who serve. What a joy to be a part of it!
Last weekend, I performed the marriage ceremony for my good friend, Jamal, and his fiance Nish. Jamal is a small group leader in our 1-3rd grade environment. He has such a heart for God and the kids in his group love him. He is faithful and is one of the first team members at church every week. Jamal is originally from the Virgin Islands. Nish is from Jamaica. They met here in Palm Beach at the Breaker's Hotel where they are both work as pastry chefs.
Jamal is an awesome chef. He made their wedding cake which you see pictured below. Nish and he are committed to keeping God at the center of their marriage. For part of their wedding ceremony, we did "the cord of three strands." It was awesome. Go to www.godsknot.com if you want to learn more about it.
Children's Ministry not only impacts children, but the adults who serve. What a joy to be a part of it!
Trust God's Heart!
I asked one of our staff members to share a devo at staff meeting a few weeks ago. She talked about trusting God and knowing that He always has our best interests in mind. She shared a great quote...
"When you can't understand what God is doing...trust His heart."
"When you can't understand what God is doing...trust His heart."
The Holy Huddle!
One of our Life Group (small group) staff members shared a great thought a couple of weeks ago. As Christ Followers, we are to be in a huddle. But...the huddle should not be facing inward...it should be facing outward!
How many churches are in a holy huddle that is facing inward? They are only huddled to take care of their needs...forgetting about a world that so desperately needs the Gospel. It's important to be in a holy huddle...to support each other...to pray for each other...to encourage each other...but our huddle should be facing outward...our eyes turned toward those around us who need Jesus.
Let's huddle...with our gaze outward and not inward.
How many churches are in a holy huddle that is facing inward? They are only huddled to take care of their needs...forgetting about a world that so desperately needs the Gospel. It's important to be in a holy huddle...to support each other...to pray for each other...to encourage each other...but our huddle should be facing outward...our eyes turned toward those around us who need Jesus.
Let's huddle...with our gaze outward and not inward.
How2 - Nashville
I went to Nashvile Feb.20-21 to speak at a How2 Conference. It was a blessing to be able to pour into nearly 200 children's workers for the two days. My friend and hero in children's ministry, Jim Wideman, was in attendance. He recently moved to the Nashville area to be the Next Gen Pastor at a church. I always learn when I am around him and this time was no exception. He pours into many children's pastor's across the country. Check out his website at www.jimwideman.com. On a side note...the rental car I received was a Dodge Charger. I decided to open it up and see what it could do. That was a mistake. I came over a hill and blam...ticket time! I'll be watching my speed from now on when I'm in Nashville!
Your Most Important Family Ministry!
“…they made me keeper of the vineyards; But mine own vineyard have I not kept.”
Song of Solomon 1:6
A young bride is given the responsibility of taking care of the vineyards. She becomes so busy taking care of other people’s vineyards, that she neglects her own vineyard.
While she busily weeds other people’s vineyards…the weeds take over her own vineyard. While she waters other vineyards…her own vineyard grows drier and more parched with each passing day. While she sees fruit coming forth from the vineyards she is investing her time in…there is little fruit being produced in her own vineyard.
This is a great reminder for all of us who are ministering to families. The most important family we minister to is our own family! We’ve all seen or heard of people who were so busy ministering to other families that they neglected their own family…and paid the price.
I grew up in a pastor’s home. I’ve been around ministry all my life. Over the years, here are some important tips I’ve picked up to help keep YOUR family as your top ministry priority. Some of these I’ve learned through mistakes I or others have made. Some are things I’ve seen produce fruit in the family.
Spiritually invest in your family. Are you so busy preparing devotions for everyone else’s families that you’re not taking the time to do devotions with your own family? Are you so busy praying for the children in your ministry that you’re not taking time to pray for your own children?
Don’t turn your family into church mice. Just because you are at the church for every event or service, doesn’t mean your family has to be.
Have a day each week where you disengage from ministry. Don’t check church related emails…don’t answer calls unless it’s an emergency. Don’t stop by the church to “check” on things.
Take family vacations. Spend time together…just your family.
Learn to say “no.” Jesus didn’t heal everyone. Cut back on the “yes’s” if it’s cutting into your time together as a family.
Be home a minimum of three weeknights each week.
Go to your children’s activities. If you have to choose between a ministry event and attending your son’s baseball game…choose the game!
Save some for home. Family Ministry can be draining. So draining that you can come home with nothing left to give to your most important family ministry. If that’s the case…then rearrange, change, or even drop some things. Come home ready to pour into your family.
Matthew 16:26 is a wakeup call for all of us.
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”
Each time I read it, I am reminded….
“And what do you benefit if you reach all the families in the whole world…but lose your own family? Is anything worth more than your own family?
Let’s keep our priorities in order when it comes to Family Ministry!
Time with Caleb!
My youngest son, Caleb, loves basketball. A couple of weeks ago, I took him to another Miami Heat game. I spent the extra money to get seats that were very close to the bench. We had a great time. Caleb likes the Detroit Pistons. He was one of only about 20 people in the whole arena who had Pistons attire on. Miami won and we took some "heat" on the way out of the arena from several Miami fans. Below are some pics. In one picture, you will see a well known Heat fan...Little Wayne. He was sitting right below us and was wearing some major bling. I guess that's why he had several "bodyguards" around him.
How2 Conference - Tampa
I spoke at the How2 Conference in Tampa on Feb.6-7. Met lots of new friends and enjoyed the time with them. I went a day early and spent some time with my friends Bruce and Vivian Barry.
Bruce and I met 10 years ago when I found him on the internet and asked him to come and theme out a new children's area for me. God had special plans for Bruce and the rest as they say...is history. If you've never met Bruce or heard of his amazing faith journey then check it out at http://www.wackyworld.tv/. Bruce and I are partnering to produce a new believer's class for kids. I am hoping it will be out this fall. It will be a great resource to lead kids/families to Christ and see them get off to a good start on their faith journey. I will announce when it is ready for preview and shipping.
Bruce and I met 10 years ago when I found him on the internet and asked him to come and theme out a new children's area for me. God had special plans for Bruce and the rest as they say...is history. If you've never met Bruce or heard of his amazing faith journey then check it out at http://www.wackyworld.tv/. Bruce and I are partnering to produce a new believer's class for kids. I am hoping it will be out this fall. It will be a great resource to lead kids/families to Christ and see them get off to a good start on their faith journey. I will announce when it is ready for preview and shipping.
