In and Out for Halloween?

This time of the year brings mixed reactions from children's ministries. Some take a very conservative stance and pull back, while others see it as a harmless way to have fun and reach out.

I'm not going to get into the middle of that debate. You'll see below where I land.

For me, whether or not you use Halloween as a time of fun or outreach, is not the point. The point is we are surrounded by boys, girls, dads, moms, grandparents...whole families that need Jesus. I think we get so caught up in proving our point that sometimes we lose focus on what really matters.

People desperately need Jesus. And God has called us to introduce people to Him. Don't get caught up in how other churches are doing this. For every breath of energy we spend debating, we could be sharing the love and message of Jesus Christ with the world.

Let's quick bickering and get busy doing what God has left us here on this earth to do...reaching people with His message of hope. Let's move our pointing finger away from other churches and point them toward the heartbeat of Jesus. He came to seek and to save those who are lost.

There's this thing called the Great Commission. It's supposed to be our top priority as believers and kidmins. Lots of times there's a whole lot more talking going on than fulfilling it.

I don't know how that looks for you and your ministry. That's up to you to figure out as you seek God's face. For us it looks like this during Halloween...

IN - At some of our campuses we are using the event as a time of outreach on campus. We are providing a safe place for our families to come while at the same time encouraging them to bring unchurched neighbors, families, and friends.

OUT - At some of our campuses we are going out in the community and setting up booths at our city events. Getting outside the walls of the church and into the marketplace. Bringing hope and love to those in our community who don't know Jesus. I see the word "Go" alot when Jesus shares His heart.

In...out....sit at home with the lights out...go door to door...host a party at your church or house...whatever works for you...

Just reach people...in the end it won't matter if you won the debate or not...it will only matter how many kids and families we shared the Good News with.


Posted by Dale Hudson

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Meet and Greet Mickey Is Going Interactive Vocal!

If you've been to a Disney park with a preschooler, you've probably waited in line for your child to meet a Disney character. The live characters like Snow White obviously can talk and interact with the kids. But the costumed characters like Mickey or Goofy have no voice or mouth movement, which limits their interaction.

But that's about to change. Disney recently announced that they are testing a groundbreaking Mickey Mouse meet-and-greet character that talks to visitors while posing for photos.

According to Walt Disney Imagineering officials, the talking Mickey Mouse has been greeting visitors during unannounced and intermittent “play tests” in his cartoon-style house in Toontown.

After nearly 55 years of mute costumed characters at the theme park, it’s jaw dropping and off-putting to see Mickey’s eyes blink and mouth move as he greets visitors by name. A cast of eye-blinking, mouth-moving characters, including Goofy and Minnie Mouse, also recently made an appearance during the “Dream Along with Mickey” stage show at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando.

Imagineering officials said if the tests prove successful, the new talking meet-and-greet characters will probably show up in Disney parks in a few years.

As usual, Disney is leading the way by creating new ways to interactively connect with kids. This new breakthrough will take the meet and greet interaction to a whole new level and give kids an experience they will never forget.

Below are videos of the "play tests." As I watched them, I thought about these questions.

• Do I have an interactive "themed character" for our kidmin? Kids love themed characters...especially 3rd grade and down. Every kid in America knows Mickey (unless their family lives in a cave). I may not have the budget of Disney (who does), but I can purchase character costumes fairly cheap online. A themed character can be a connection point for kids to our ministry...a familiar friend that welcomes them.

• How interactive is the experience I provide kids? The era of passive learning and entertainment is quickly fading. Interactive has been proven to be more effective. Kids connect and learn best by doing more than watching, talking more than listening, touching more than sitting, and creating more than following shoved down directions. How can we make our kidsmin experience more interactive? Do we need to change our teaching style...listen more than we talk...ask more questions instead of giving all the answers? Are kids hearing "share what you think" more than "ssssshhhhh?"

• Is our current structure limiting our ability to be more interactive? No one has provided more excellent interaction than Disney. But as you will see in the video...they are never willing to settle into a rut. They continue to analyze, watch kid's reactions, tweak, invent, and change anything and everything necessary to be more effective at connecting with kids. What changes do we need to make to become more interactive?

We just ordered a new, interactive tool for our kidmin. Little Mountain Productions has just introduced new, interactive, digital puppets. You can see them here. When kids walk in they will be greeted by a puppet on screen. It will interact with them on a personal level. Even engage them in real time conversation. We are excited to see how kids will respond.

So back to the new Disney meet and greet talking characters. Watch the videos below. Be inspired. Dream about new ways you can provide an interactive experience. The new interaction doesn't have to have a Disney budget to be effective. It might be as simple as a costume that leaves room for a person's face or a hand held puppet.

Let's take a cue from Disney...let's go vocal...let's go more interactive.

 

 

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Responding Instead of Reacting

Here's an area I gotta keep working on. I've gained some ground in recent years, but still gotta ways to go. If you're in ministry...eventually you will be faced with someone who is ticked off. You will become the object of their anger, complaining, disagreement, or criticism.

If you're like me, your natural tendency is to react. React by defending yourself, your ministry, or your motivation. Whether you are right or not, is not the point. The point is not to react...but to respond.

When you react, you are answering in the flesh and can lose control...clash your anger into theirs, say things you shouldn't...lose your composure...even hurt your leadership. My hand is up...I have been guilty of this.

The best thing to do is respond instead of reacting. When you respond you slow down...don't let your emotions get out of control...pray and seek God's face before you speak...even postpone answering if necessary to ensure this happens...speak out of love and grace.

Remember...a gentle answer turns away wrath. Speak the truth in love. When we do this, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to come in and take control. We are stepping out of the way and allowing His authority to guide the situation. When that happens, God will work even in the most difficult of situations.

I want to be a responder instead of a reactor.







Posted by Dale Hudson

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Parents Who Pray

Last night I had the joy of celebrating baptism with two families. The kids had all been through our Journey Class and made a solid commitment to Christ. As we were upstairs waiting to go out for baptism, I asked these two fathers to pray over their children who were about to be baptized.

As I listened to these fathers pray, I was reminded of the power of a parent's prayer. I need to encourage our parents to pray for their children more. I need to give them opportunities to pray over their children. I need to encourage them to...

• Pray God's armor of protection around their child each day.
• Pray that their child will love God with all his/her heart.
• Pray for their child's future spouse.
• Pray that their child will discover and follow God's will for his/her life.
• Pray that their child will make wise decisions.
• Pray that God will bring good friends into their life who will be a good influence on them.

What are some other powerful prayers parents can pray over their children? What are some opportunities you give for parents to pray over their children? Love to hear your prayer thoughts and ideas.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Creativity...Where Does It Come From?

This is one of the funniest, most creative commercials I have ever seen.
My wife and I laugh every time we see it.

How did someone come up with this? Probably the same way most creative ideas are birthed...

• A group of people got in a room to brainstorm.
• They agreed that no idea is a bad idea.
• They agreed that once you lay an idea on the table, it is no longer attached to you. It is simply an idea that everyone can look at, make better, or even push back against. And the person who laid it down will not get upset because of this line of thinking.
• An idea sparked in someone's head and he/she said, "I've got an idea...what if....?" The idea had something to do with an animal or even a pig.
• That idea sparked another idea in someone else's head and they said, "That reminds me of the story of the little pig who...."
• Everyone's eyes brightened...they knew they were on to something.
• Someone said, "What if the pig was in a car going home from school?"
• An idea sparked in someone else's head and they said "Yeah....and you know what would be funny? If he was annoying the people he was with because of his constant squealing."
• Everyone started smiling. They knew they had found it. It sounded good. It fit. It flowed well. It resonated with everyone. It was clear they had a great idea.
• In the ensuing weeks, they continued to tweak and make it better until it was ready to become reality.

You may not think you or your team is very creative. Yes you are. There is creativity in every person on your team. All you need to do is get in a room, follow the above pattern, and you will be amazed at the creative ideas that will be birthed. Try it. If you do, I'd love to hear some of the great ideas that were birthed from it.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Don't Blink or You'll Miss It!

I remember when I left for college. My mother was standing in the driveway crying. I asked her why she was crying and she said, "One day you will understand." Now that I am a dad and have a son in college and another son in 10th grade, I understand.

When I first saw this commercial, it reminded me of how quickly time goes by. Our lives are just a vapor. Before you blink, your child will be pulling out of the driveway. Don't blink or you'll miss it.

The same things applies in children's ministry. That little preschooler in your class will be in elementary school before you know it. That 5th grader who is in your small group will be receiving his high school diploma before you know it.  Don't blink or you'll miss it.

So...make every day count with your children.
So...make every weekend count with the kids at church.
So...slow down and take time to build relationships with the kids in your class at church.

Don't blink...or you'll miss it!

Posted by Dale Hudson

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How to Reach the World!

It was after service last week. The voices, giggles, and laughter of hundreds of children had faded away as the building gave way to the silence that follows weekend services. I was walking around checking to make sure everything was turned off.

Suddenly, something caught my attention. It jumped out at me from the glass doors that lead outside. It was a single hand print...left by a child. God's Spirit spoke to me through the still small voice within.

You see....as I knelt down to look at the hand print...behind it was our world globe in the background.  As I took this picture, the Holy Spirit reminded me that you reach the world one child at a time.

As I've reflected on this, here are some things God's been teaching me...

• I need to look beyond the crowd and see the person. 

• I'm asking God to lead me to one child each weekend that I can connect with and make a difference in his/her life individually. It may be the child with the first time family, the girl who's had a rough week due to her parents going through a divorce, or a child who just needs to know that someone cares.

• I must remember that God loves the world...one person at a time. If that child had been the only person who ever sinned...Jesus would have died just for him/her.

• I need to start intentionally sending an encouraging card or note to at least one child each week. That card will mean the world to him/her.

• Help me to remember that one child reached can be used of God to change the world. Incredible potential lies within that one child I reach.

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this picture?

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Our Pastor and His Wife Love KidsMin!

One of the greatest blessings of serving at our church is having a Pastor and his wife who love children's ministry. It truly is a high priority at our church. In this video, Julie (Pastor Todd's wife), shares with the kids some of our church history.


Julie Shares About Our KidMin from Dale Hudson on Vimeo.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Healing For Our Blind Spots

Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" 

Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent Me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over. For as long as I am in the world, there is plenty of light. I am the world's Light."

He said this and then spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man's eyes, and said, "Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "Sent"). The man went and washed—and saw.

Soon the town was buzzing. His relatives and those who year after year had seen him as a blind man begging were saying, "Why, isn't this the man we knew, who sat here and begged?"

Others said, "It's him all right!" But others objected, "It's not the same man at all. It just looks like him." He said, "It's me, the very one."

They said, "How did your eyes get opened?" "A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' I did what he said. When I washed, I saw." 

-John 9

Yesterday, one of our children's staff members shared a devo that was truly an "eye opener" for me. She shared about blind spots.

We all have blind spots. Areas of weakness or faults that keep us from becoming all God wants us to become as followers of Him and leaders. We are blind to them...we can't see them. That's why they are called blind spots.

But Jesus wants to bring healing to our blind spots. He wants us to see them and bring healing so we can grow in these areas. How does that happen?

• Have a humble and teachable spirit. If we ever become prideful....if we ever become unteachable...we stop growing. I have blind spots. You have blind spots. The question is when they are exposed, do we have the humility and teachability to listen and let God bring healing? When I was younger (and more stupid) in ministry, I had a few friends that tried to point out some of my blind spots. But I didn't have a teachable spirit. They said one day I would see it. Now I look back and realize they were right. They were weak areas but I was too prideful to see it...and it kept me from growing in those areas. Now I see that they are weaknesses. I have sent some apologies to the people who were trying to help me. I now see those areas and am asking God to heal those areas so I can become the leader He wants me to be.

• Have close friends who love you enough to tell you the truth. Do you have friends whom you have given permission to watch for your blind spots and help you see them? It can be painful, but is a must if you want to be healed. Yes...it's sometimes easier to walk around blind to our weaknesses, but we are limiting ourselves when we do so.

• Ask God to reveal your blind spots. Your blind spots are holding you back. Ask God to reveal them to others so that you can deal with them and grow in those areas.

• Ask Jesus to heal your blind spots when they are revealed. Our blind spots are areas of our life that do not conform to the mind and character of Jesus. He can bring healing to those areas. When they are revealed, ask Jesus to help you grow in those areas. Develop an intentional plan that will help you grow in those areas.

The people hardly recognized the man whom Jesus healed. He was changed. When God brings healing to our blind spots, there will be a notable difference in our spirit and character. People will see that you have grown in those areas of your life. People will know that the healing has changed your life.

You will become a more effective leader and Jesus will receive glory for His work in your life.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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A Shining Light for Jesus in Hollywood...and she's 10!

Bailee Madison is a girl who has God's hand upon her life...and she turns 11 on Friday!  If you haven't see her story...you gotta see it. As I listened to her story, here's what I took away...

• The influence a godly parent can have on their child. When you see a child who has the touch of God upon their life...there's a good chance there's a parent(s) who has poured into them. I was reminded again of the importance of partnering with parents and giving them tools to disciple their children.
• Genuineness. There was no teleprompter. It's straight from the heart. You can always recognize genuineness when you see it. We need Christ Followers who are the real deal. So real that it's obvious.
• God can use children in a great way. I was reminded of the many children in the Bible that God used. He's done it in the past and He continues to do it today.
• If we give children the opportunity to serve and discover their gifts at an early age, they can make a huge impact. What opportunities am I giving the children in our ministry to serve and grow as leaders?
• As Christians, we gotta' get out of our bubble and into the culture. Jesus calls us to go to those who need Him...not for them to come to us. Bailee is getting ready to do movies alongside several Hollywood "A" listers. This is opening a huge door for her to share her faith.
• Your greatest enemy when you are successful is pride. You must stay humble. Bailee is learning this at an early age...which will lead to God using her in an ever greater way.
• When given the opportunity, kids can grow deep faith roots that makes them wise beyond their years. Ever seen a 10 year old who has the depth of a 30 year old?

Watch Bailee's story....what does God speak to you about when you listen to her? What can we do in our ministries to see more kids become shining lights?

Posted by Dale Hudson

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What Do You Say?

I learn by watching. I watch great leaders in certain situations. I watch how they act, react, walk with God, and do ministry in critical times of ministry. This past Saturday was one of those days where I learned alot.

You may have seen the story. It was on national news. A father in our area walked into his house, shot and killed his four stepchildren and his wife. Then he turned the gun on himself and ended his own life.
The kids ranged in age from 10 to 15.

I can't imagine how someone could do such a thing to their family. I kept thinking of the verse that says the evil one is come to steal, kill and destroy.

The family did not attend our church, but we opened our church doors for the funeral to help bring comfort and healing to our community. I have never been to a funeral with 5 coffins lined up across the front...4 of them children. The father was obviously not buried with the family due to the situation.

Before the service, I walked around and helped where I could. Opening doors, handing out tissues to people who were crying. There was a large group of people who attended the funeral. It had to be over 1000.

When the funeral started, one question was racing through my mind. What would the Pastors say? How would they approach such a difficult situation? I have done funerals, but never the funeral of a child...must less 4 children.

Pastor Thomas Masters came and spoke to the family.

He said nothing he could say would be sufficient. But he shared how God had led him that week to the story of Job. He shared how Job had lost 10 children all at one time. What was Job's response? He shaved his head, fell on his face, and worshiped God. Even in the darkest of times, when we don't understand why something happened, we know that God will never leave us. He will be there to comfort us.

Pastor Tom Mullins, our Pastor, came and spoke to Ryan.

Ryan was the only child that lived. He was shot in the neck but survived.  Pastor Mullins shared with Ryan that he had been spared for a reason. God has special plans for his life.

So what did I learn?

• There are some situations where our words will not be sufficient. 
• Always seek God and get a truth from Him to bring to people in a difficult situation.
• In times like that, point people to God and let them know though we do not understand the why....we can know that God is there and will walk through it with us.
• Speak hope for the future. The surviving child has many difficult days ahead. But he will always remember that he was spared for a reason. 

Watch....listen...learn from great leaders. One day you will find yourself in a difficult situation and will be able to look back and draw from the wisdom you saw in godly leaders.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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October Spark

Spark is a monthly video I send to all our volunteers. This month I talk about Attitude. Attitude truly does determine your altitude. Watch at the end and you will be blessed by a little boy who has an unstoppable attitude despite severe disabilities. 


OCTOBER SPARK from Dale Hudson on Vimeo.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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What Would Your KidMin's Tip Be?

My wife and I had lunch today at Olive Garden. It was a great experience.

Why? Because of the incredible service of our waitress. Brooke greeted us with a smile and cheerful spirit. She was prompt to keep our glasses filled (I drink a lot of peach tea). But more importantly, she was was genuinely interested in serving us and meeting our needs.

Her people skills and customer service were off the charts. At the end, she brought us the infamous black book. When I opened it, the bill was $19 and some change. And...there was this card.


















We asked her if all the waiters/waitresses took the time to write a personal note? She smiled and said, "No, there's a stack of the cards available, but no one else uses them. I just like to do it to add a personal touch." She thanked us for coming and it wasn't rote, it was from the heart. How did we know? It's something you can't fake.

We usually tip the 15-18% norm. But not this time. The tip was 100%. We gave her a $20 tip on a $19 bill. Why? Because her spirit and service made our day. I wrote a note to the manager that said, "Our lunch was a great experience because of Brooke. It's people like her that make a company great."

As we were driving home, I thought to myself, "If our kidsmin was a restaurant, I wonder if our service and care for people would warrant a 100% tip?" Sometimes I think our kidmin hits the mark in this area and other times we don't. Every week we strive to improve. We've got a ways to go, but we're gaining ground.

This weekend a new family will walk into my church and your church. What will their experience be? Brooke taught me a lesson about caring for people. I'll be sharing the card with our team. We'll discuss how we can make people feel more loved and valued when they come.

We'll talk about how the payoff is much more than a $20. It's knowing God used you to reach out and impact a kid...a family...with the love and message of Jesus Christ.

Thanks Brooke. Our team will be better because of your example!

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Podcast with Children's Ministry Live About Volunteers

Last week I did a podcast with Children's Ministry Live. I talked about how to effectively build a volunteer team. You can listen to it here.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Never Fly Solo!

"Where there is no counsel, plans fail; but in a multitude of counselors they are established."
Proverbs 15:22

Most of the things I share on this blog are things I am learning on my kidmin journey. This is one area I have tried to improve in the last few years. Still got a ways to go...but making strides.

The bottom line is the wisdom that flows from the verse above. NEVER FLY SOLO! In other words, don't make decisions alone. Have a group of people around you that help you make decisions.

• Never counsel alone. Have someone else in the room with you.

• When you feel you need to dismiss a volunteer or staff member, get the advice and confirmation of exec. leadership that it's the right decision before you pull the trigger. Then if it turns ugly, you know they've got your back. And make sure you have someone else in the room with you when you meet with the person.
 
• When you are facing a major ministry decision, turn to friends who are much older and wiser than you for advice. I have several men on our staff team who are older and much wiser than I am. Anytime I need to make an important ministry decision, I run it by them. I've saved myself a lot of mistakes by doing this.

• Don't plan or create alone. Bring your team into the process. Now matter how creative or gifted you are, your idea or plan will be much better if you let other people help you develop it.

•  If you run a background check on a potential volunteer and something pops, have a team of at least three people who make the decision if the person will be allowed to serve.

Remember, you can go faster alone...but you can go further together. Who are your counselors? Who are the people who help you make important decisions? Don't fly solo! 

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Kid Culture Connection Ideas

Jesus set the example for us. He used everyday objects from His culture as a bridge to connect people to Biblical truth. Some examples He used were birds of air, fish, flowers, coins, sheep, and more.

So...what are some ideas you have to use today's kid culture to connect kids to Biblical truth? I'm going to post a few I've been thinking about this morning. Then I'm inviting you to share some that you've thought about or used. By the end of this thread, we can have lots of culturally relevant ideas in our kidmin tool belts.

• The Bible - It's like a great big, TEXT MESSAGE from God to you. 

• Following God's plan for your life - it's like SYNCING UP YOUR IPOD WITH YOUR COMPUTER.

• Growing spiritually - It's like GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN YOUR VIDEO GAME.

There's three to start...keep the thread going...love to hear your ideas!


 Posted by Dale Hudson

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Humble Acceptance vs. Pious Proclamation

One of the things I strive to do is watch how great leaders react in different situations. One thing I have noticed is that when they are recognized for God's working through their lives, they graciously accept it. They respond with a simple "Thank you" or "It was my pleasure" or "Thanks for your kindness" or "You are very kind." It's what I call humble acceptance. They know that it was God working through them and they would never try to take the glory for what God did.

But they also have the wisdom to know that pointing up to heaven and saying something like, "It's all because of Jesus" or "God did it...not me" or "It is for His glory" though it seems spiritual, can come across as a pious proclamation of your "spirituality."

I've seen this played out so many times over the years. Example: At one church I served at, two men had dug a ditch for a plumbing need at the church.

On Sunday, the Pastor asked them to stand and publicly thanked them for their time and love for the church. Instead of saying "thank you," one of the men responded to the entire congregation in a pious voice and said, "We did it for Jesus." But what he thought would make a spiritual moment had the opposite effect. The answer sounded so cliche and fake. Now I don't know his heart, but that's the way it came across.

Once again, I have watched great Christian leaders. When they are acknowledged or receive a reward, they simply receive it in humility and say thanks. When that happens,they come across as genuine instead of pious. God receives the glory through their humble acceptance.

Bottom line. Don't try to be super spiritual when you are acknowledged for God working through your life to build His kingdom. A simple "thank you" reflects humble acceptance instead of a pious proclamation of your spirituality.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Effectively Talking with Kids

Most of the stuff I post on this blog comes from real time ministry experiences that I learn from. I was reminded this weekend of some key tips that will help you communicate effectively with kids one on one.

A little 5 year old boy was visiting our church for the first time. He was experiencing a lot of anxiety...to the point where he was doing the crying and clinging thing. Mom, who wasn't too concerned about it, handed him off to us.

I watched this little boy and I was empathetic with what he was feeling. I looked through his eyes. I'm a little guy, surrounded by big people that I don't know, in a new place where I don't know anyone, and my mom just walked away.

I tried the "Hey, let's go sit down and join the other kids for chapel time" with a commanding voice. But that wasn't going to work. The tears kept flowing and his anxiety went higher. I realized my mistake.

I got down on my knees and knelt beside him so we could be on the same eye level. I lowered my voice and gently told him how glad I was he was here. Still the tears kept coming.

I redirected his attention to the chapel that was in progress. There was a puppet on stage. It caught his attention, but he still didn't take any steps in that direction.

I told him I was going to get a little closer, so I could see the puppet better. So I crawled a few steps toward the chapel. After a few seconds, he took a few steps my way and the tears became a little less frequent

I continued to crawl a few steps at a time slowly toward the chapel. And each time I moved, he slowly moved closer. After about 5 minutes, we were finally at the back of the chapel and he was starting to wash the tears away.

At that point, I was able to connect him with a loving leader who got him to sit down next to a boy the same age as him. The tears were finally gone and he was engaged with the chapel. My mission was accomplished and I slowly backed away.

We all find ourselves in situations like this where we need to effectively connect with and talk with kids. What are some tips you have for this? Mine are above in bold. I'd love to hear some of yours.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Punch the Back Door Closed!

If you are like me, you are always looking for ways to close the backdoor. Guest families are not our problem. We have dozens every week. The big challenge is closing the back door and getting them to return so we can build relationships with them.

We have been sending a letter to each guest family with coupons they can bring back for a gift at the church (free cafe item, small toy for child, etc.) And it has been working. We have been getting several back each week.

This week we are going to try to close the back door even more. Punch cards. I have several that ice cream stores, restaurants, etc. have given me. You know how it works. Each time you come you get a hole punched. Once you have filled all the spots in, you get a free meal, ice cream, etc. It works for me. I go back and fill those babies up. Especially if it's food I really enjoy.

So this week we are implementing the attached punch cards. Each guest will receive one of these. Once they come five weeks (five punches) and join a small group, they will receive a nice gift such as a t-shirt or backpack with our logo on it. If we can get them to come five times and get them in a small group, we feel we can build a relationship with them and keep them. We believe it's going to close the backdoor even more. I'll post again about this in a few months and let you know how it's working. Love to hear any ideas you have for helping close the back door.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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