Stay Close...Stay Together...Stay Alert

In 2010, I can count on more than one hand Pastors I know that left the ministry. Several were due to moral failure. It seems as if they were devoured by the enemy.

The Bible tells us in I Peter 5:8 that "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

I am currently working on a teaching for some conferences coming up in 2011. The teaching will be entitled "Leaders That Last...How to Go the Distance in Children's Ministry." I will be sharing some keys to longevity in ministry.

One of the keys is not getting devoured by the enemy, Satan. He wants to take you down this year. He wants to destroy your reputation and wreck havoc in your family. How do you withstand his attacks in 2011 and beyond? Three things...

Stay Close.
I was watching the Animal Planet channel the other day and they had a special about lions and how they attack. The lion normally looks for the sheep that is out on the fringes of the herd...away from the shepherd...living dangerously out on the edge. Those are the easiest preys for the lion. It's a lot harder to attack a sheep that is close to the shepherd. The closer you are to the shepherd the safer you are.

• Stay close to the Shepherd...Jesus. Have an intimate, growing relationship with Him.
• Guard your relationship with Him above all else. Let nothing come before it.
• Don't live out on the edge...flirting with sin. Set clear boundaries and principles that keep you close to the Shepherd.

Stay Together.
The farther away a sheep gets from the other sheep, the greater his chance of being attacked becomes. There is safety in the midst of the herd. Together, the flock can drive away attacks.

• Have close friends that hold you accountable and that you can comfortably share with when facing temptation, discouragement, etc.
• Be part of corporate worship on a regular basis. Hang out with other believers. One of the enemies' greatest weapons is to get you alone...away from church...away from other believers. (Hebrews 10:25)
• Don't be too proud to seek the counsel and help of other Pastor's and leaders.

Stay Alert.
I Peter 5:8 tells us to "Stay alert alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil." Lions are very sly hunters. They will spend hours quietly creeping up on a potential victim. The victim will not know they are being stalked until it's too late...with a roar the lion is upon them.

• Ephesians 5:15 tells us to walk "circumspectly." It means to walk carefully...being alert to everything that is going on around you.. Keeping your eyes opening for any signs of an attack.
• Continue to grow. Have a teachable spirit.When you lose your teach ability, the devil can slip in and cause you to grow complacent.
• Know your weak and vulnerable areas. Watch for pending attacks in those areas.

I once heard someone say that "Greatness in ministry is not measured in years...but in decades." If you want to go the distance, then you must stay close, stay together, and stay alert.


Posted by Dale Hudson

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It's Okay to Ask "Why?"

In the last 6 months, I've asked God "Why?" several times.

When a precious 4 year old girl lost her battle with cancer...I asked God "Why?"

When there were four coffins lined across the front of our church...four children murdered by their father...I asked God "Why?"

When I met with a family last week who just lost their 8 year old son...I asked God "Why?"

When one of our teenage volunteers is facing surgery next week for a brain tumor...I asked God "Why?"

When I journey with a family whose son has been battling through cancer...I asked God, "Why?"

Some would say to never question God...but I don't think that is realistic. There are times when we don't understand why something happens. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't seem fair. And when those times come, it's okay to look to God and ask "Why?" Sometimes you may get an answer, but many times you will not.

I am reminded that even Jesus asked "Why?" As He hung on the cross, He uttered the words, "My God, my God, WHY have You forsaken me?"

As I journey with families through the "Why?" times of life...I usually don't try to provide an answer. Any answer I would give would seem superficial. I simply let them know that it's okay to ask "Why?" I remind them that no matter what happens...God is a good God...He loves them...even when things don't make sense.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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Christmas Eve in God's Town

Here are some pictures from our children's area on Christmas Eve.

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Christmas Family Experience Review

We began a shared Christmas Experience for families 3 years ago. The goal is to connect with parents and partner with them in sharing the real meaning of Christmas with their children.

The first year we had 400 kids and parents show up. Last year it grew to over 2,000. This year it blew up on us and we were able to share the message with over 4,300 kids and parents. Our families brought hundreds of their unchurched neighbors, co-workers, etc. We are already hearing many great stories of families that were impacted.

One big reason I believe it has worked for us is we found a niche. Families are looking for Christmas events that will help them create memories with their children. For us it is an even bigger opportunity than a fall festival.

Here is an overview....

5:30 - 6:45 pm - Dinner is available for families to eat together.

7:00 - 8:00 pm - We use a show that includes dance, singing, comedy, games, skits, black light drama, a short talk, and lots of interactive audience participation.

This year our message was "Who's This All About?" It was a Whoville theme. Cindy Lou was able to help the Grinch see that Christmas is about Jesus.

Volunteers and staff spent many hours building "Whoville."

After the show, families had the opportunity to experience family activities such as a photo session, making Christmas cards for others, decorating an ornament together, eating cookies and drinking hot chocolate, watching snow fall (yes, in Florida), face painting, and more.

In early January, I will post some video footage from the event. We will also have the entire show available for purchase on DVD. We have the scripts, tech notes, and planning sheets available now free of charge if you'd like a copy. Email me at daleh@cftoday.org and I will be glad to send it to you.

There are windows of opportunity during the year when you can reach out and impact families. Seize the opportunities and God can do far more than you could ever dream or pray for.

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Lori's Leadership Tips

I am blessed to serve with a great children's ministry team. They are my family...we do life together...laugh together...cry together...celebrate together..and grow together. Each person on our team brings so much to the table. I learn a lot more from them than they do from me. 

Lori is our Nursery Coordinator. (below on right) Everything rises and falls on leadership. Our nursery is a safe and inviting place for parents to bring their babies because of her leadership. Calm...positive...loving...qualities that make a great Nursery Coordinator.

One of the things Lori does best is leading her team of volunteers. She connects with them so well. You can tell by the way they interact with her that they feel valued and supported.

Today I asked Lori to share in staff meeting some of the things she does to connect with and support her volunteers. She shared some great stuff. Stuff that is not just talked about but lived out. Here are some of the things she shared...

• Be strategic in your communication. Your volunteers have alot of info. coming at them.
• Call your volunteers just to see how they are doing.
• Thank each volunteer for serving every week.
• Be aware that your volunteer have very busy lives. Things are going to happen. When they can't make it to serve be understanding. People respond better to grace than to pressure.
• All her volunteers have her cell phone number. 
• Keep a fun, light-hearted atmosphere.
• Be there to serve your volunteers on weekends. She sees herself as a flight attendant. Going from room to room and meeting the needs of her team.
• Get to know your volunteers personally. Know what is going on in their lives.
• Show you care. She bakes cookies, treats, etc. and brings them on weekends for her team.
• Listen alot more than you talk.
• Connect your volunteers with each other. Help them build relationships with the people they serve with.
• Make love a priority on your team. One of Lori's volunteers recently said she loves serving because it's the only place where she feels people love her for who she is. 

Thanks Lori for sharing. Your insight and leadership is an encouragement to us all.

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Multi-Site KidMin Discussion at CPC

If you are attending the Children's Pastor's conference in Orlando in January, I'd like to invite you to join me on Friday the 14th for a breakout discussion about multi-site kidmin. We will be meeting at 1:30 pm in the Coronado D room.

We will be discussing what's working, what's not working, sharing ideas, dreaming, and brainstorming to help find answers to the challenges and issues we are facing.

This will be a discussion, not a download. I look forward to learning from those who join the session. If you would like to attend, feel free to email me any topics or ideas you'd like to discuss. You can connect with me at daleh@cftoday.org.
 
Posted by Dale Hudson

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You've Got Personality!

Everyone has a personality. Your personality manifests itself through your interaction with others, your temperament, your leadership style, your reactions, your relationships, and your interests.

Your team is made up of personalities as well. When you recognize this and know how to interact and lead different personalities, it leads to team unity and strength. Here are some steps to make this happen with your team.

• Know your own personality. One of the greatest leadership tools you can have is self-awareness. Do you know your strengths and weaknesses? Do you know how you are wired? I am just now starting to figure this out. I wish I had discovered this earlier in my ministry. It would have saved me a lot of mistakes I have made with people and I could have been a lot farther down the road as a leader..

• Know the personalities of your team. Chances are you have a diversity of personalities on your team...and that's a great thing. It reflects the diversity of the body of Christ. Each person on your team has a personality that can make unique contributions to the ministry. It's important to not just have people on your team with your same personality. It will limit your team's ability to minister.

• Know how to connect with different personalities. When you learn a person's personality, you then know what they respond to best. You can learn how they want to be talked to, led, and treated. You can learn what motivates them and what discourages them.

• Know what personality traits are the best fit for each role on your team. If you have a potential hire or volunteer role to fill, knowing what personality type the role requires will put you way ahead in finding the right person. When someone's personality type matches the best personality traits for a job or role, you will have team members that are happy, in their sweet spot, and productive.

• Have everyone on your team take a personality test. Map out the results to determine if people are in the right seats on the bus. If someone is having a hard time being effective in their role, chances are they are in a role that doesn't match their personality type.  Knowing each other's personalities will help your team avoid unnecessary conflicts, power struggles, and offenses.

Our team recently took a personality test together. It has really helped us get to a new level of unity and functionality. It has helped me connect with my teammates more proficiently.

If you'd like a copy of the personality test we took, feel free to email me at daleh@cftoday.org and I'll be glad to send it to you. 

You and your team have personality....know it and you will grow from it.

Posted by Dale Hudson

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