RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

A recent US study from researchers at the University of Wisconsin and University of Michigan reveals that young children understand advertising and branding concepts. The children's recognition rates were as high as 92% for some of the brands. The most commonly recognized brand was McDonald's, followed by other fast food, soda and toy companies. And the study showed children use brand cues to determine what food products will be exciting or which toys will be the most enjoyable.

Did you catch that last sentence? Brand cues play a big part in children connecting with what you are promoting.

If your children's ministry is in desperate need of a fresh touch, then one of the best places to start is with your branding. A new branding logo can immediately create a buzz among children and parents.

Take a look at your current branding logo. What does it communicate? What would children say if asked what emotions or feelings it evokes? Happiness? Fun? Love? Acceptance? Laughter? or Boredom? Shhhhh? Rules? Solemness?

If are not satisfied with the answers and are ready for a new branding logo, then keep these tips in mind...

• Have it created professionally. If you need outside help, then Google "logo design" and you will have a host of companies and freelancers to choose from. It's worth the few extra dollars to have it done by a professional instead of whipping up something cheesy in Microsoft Publisher.
• Make it kid-friendly. Look through the eyes of a child...not an adult. Get several options and bring kids in to pick which one they like the best.
• Design it to appeal to older kids. Cool rolls downhill. If a 5th grade boy thinks it's a cool branding logo, then the younger kids will like it as well.
• Get it out there. T-shirts, backpacks, wrist bands, bags, hats, key chains, and more. Put it on items that children will take to school and to their neighborhood.

You obviously must have substance, community, excellence, and quality to back up what the logo portrays. Just make sure your logo is a reflection of that and doesn't downplay what happens behind it.

When I came to the church I serve in, we had a logo that had been around for a long time. It was okay, but it was definitely time for a fresh look. I spent many hours working with a professional designer to create a new branding logo that would be a brand new reflection of our commitment to excellence in children's ministry. After a lot of tweaks and input from others, we finally got just the logo we were looking for. It immediately created a buzz among our children, families, and volunteers.

It's a new year...do you need a new branding logo?


 Posted by Dale Hudson

If you are attending the Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando next week, I'd like to connect with you. I will be leading a breakout session about Multi-Campus Children's Ministry on Friday, Jan.14 at1:30 pm. We'll meet in Coronado D room.

This will be an open forum discussion as we share and learn together. So if you're attending CPC, stop by and see me. Let's grow together.

Posted by Dale Hudson

We are finishing up the remodeling of our church nursery. It has been such a fun project for me. I love the nursery. There is nothing more precious to me than walking through our nursery on the weekends.

What are some of the keys to an excellent nursery? Here are my top ten tips for creating a loving and nurturing environment for the little ones.

1. Sanitary. 

• It should look, smell, and sparkle with cleanliness. 
• This means weekly cleaning, disinfecting toys after every service, washing sheets, etc.

2. Sane.

• This starts with your nursery director. This person will set the tone for your nursery. The director should be someone with a pleasant personality. Someone who stays calm and collected even when children are crying at their highest decibels. Someone who connects well with parents and has experience as the parent of small children.
• There will be crying. There will be times when a child is not having a good day. There will be days when a child is having separation anxiety. But sanity can still be attained. Bubble blowers, an aquarium, and other techniques can be used to keep things sane.
• Have proper adult to child ratios. This is vital. We strive for 1 adult for every child. It's a lot easier for a volunteer to keep things sane when they are placed in a proper ratio.

3. Secure.

• Create an environment where parents feel comfortable leaving their most precious possession.
• Security tags. Children are only released to the person who checked them in and has the matching security tag.
• Only people who have been through an interview and background check process are allowed to serve.
• Only females are allowed to change diapers.
• Have security cameras in every room.
• Never allow a volunteer to be alone with a child. No exceptions. If you don't have two volunteers, then don't open the room.
• We have a police officer stationed in the nursery hallway. You can never be too secure. Parents will notice and appreciate it.

4. Sick-free. 

• Have a child wellness policy posted at each room and hold to it.

5.  Soggy-free. (just made that word up I think)

• Make 1 Corinthians 15:51 your theme verse. It says "We will not all sleep...but we will all be changed."
• Put a sticker on the fresh diaper that says "I was changed."

6. Scheduled.

• Seeds of faith can be planted in children's hearts and minds even in their early months.
• Have a scheduled time during the hour to sing to the children, tell them a Bible story, pray over them, and tell them, "Jesus loves you."
• We have a key Bible verse promise on the wall in each room. Our volunteers pray these Bible promises over the children. We partner with parents as they pray the verse over their child during the week as well.

7. Servant Filled.

• The people serving in the nursery should be people who want to be there. I'm not a proponent of "requiring" parents to serve in the nursery. Some will want to, but for others the best thing for them is to be worshiping and serving in another area.
• Look for people who have the heart of a servant. People who are willing to change diapers, get down on the floor, hold a crying child, and rock a baby to sleep.

8. Soothing.

• Families should walk into a soothing environment. 
• Play soft lullabies in your hallways. 
• Use relaxing colors.
• Pick people to be your greeters who are full of smiles and a gentle spirit.

9. Safe.

• Wall outlets and cabinets should be childproof.
• Know the allergies and special dietary needs of children.
• Regularly check toys and equipment for safety.

10. Supplied.

• Sunday morning is not the time to run out of wet wipes. Keep inventory of your supplies. 
• Use the church's diapers instead of parent's diapers. Parents will appreciate it and you never know...you may bless a family that is in financial hardship. Diapers are expensive for a family on a limited budget.

The nursery is one of the most important areas of a church. It is where the earliest foundations are laid for a lifetime of following Christ. A growing nursery also means you are reaching young families which reflects a healthy church.

What are some tips you have for an excellent nursery? Share them with us. Especially if they start with the letter "S."

"Joseph had a dream..."  Genesis 37:5

What dream has God placed in your heart for 2011? What is burning inside that captivates your thoughts? What mountain is He asking you to climb? What has He planted deep within your soul that needs to be birthed?

What will it take to see the dream fulfilled? Early mornings? Late nights? Making a contact you've been hesitant to make? Stepping out in faith? Taking a risk? Investing money? Prayer and fasting? Persistence? Determination? Courage?

What will stop you from seeing the dream fulfilled? Finances? Lack of time? Opposition from others? Health? Not enough support? Anytime you have a dream you can expect opposition. Joseph had plenty of it...even from his family. But a pit, slavery, betrayal, temptation, trials, and prison couldn't stop him.

When will you see the dream fulfilled? After you let people know about it...after you start planning for it...after you take your first step toward it. It will be a journey. It certainly was for Joseph. But when God is the originator of a dream, it will become reality. Perhaps 2011 is the year for your dream. Dream....dream...dream.

Posted by Dale Hudson