10 Keys to Making 2016 a Great Year in Children's Ministry

Tomorrow a new year is unveiled.  With it, a host of opportunities lies before you.  You have the potential to make a huge impact in 2016.  Couple your potential with a plan and you'll see God do more than you could have dreamed possible.

Here's 10 keys that can help you cultivate a great plan for the coming year.

KEY #1 - DEPEND ON GOD MORE THAN EVER.  Anything great that happens in 2016 will be accomplished through God's power, not your own.  Start every day by yielding yourself to God and asking Him to fill you with His power.  When you walk in His anointing, great things happen.

KEY #2 - TAKE CARE OF BACKSTAGE.  The front stage is your public life.  The backstage is your private life.  Determine to be bigger backstage than you are front stage.  Walk with God and maintain your integrity.  When you take care of the backstage, God will take care of the front stage.  Check out this verse.

"But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you."
  Matthew 6:6

KEY #3 - FOCUS ON A FEW THINGS.  Don't fall into the trap of being busy, but not productive.  Focus on doing a few things really well.  Focus brings results.

KEY #4 - STAY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT GOD IS PASSIONATE ABOUT.  God is passionate about those who don't know Him.

"The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness.  Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9

When you make God's passion your passion, He will provide the resources and opportunities you need to reach people who are far from Him. 

KEY #5 - SET MEASURABLE GOALS.  If you want to accomplish something, you must identify what it is.  Set a few, clear goals.  They should be measurable and attainable.

KEY #6 - SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE YOU WANT TO BE LIKE.  You will become who you spend time with.  Find people who will challenge you and help you grow.

KEY #7 - INVEST IN PEOPLE.  You can only accomplish so much by yourself.  It will take a team to see great things happen.  Invest in volunteers.  Invest in co-workers.  Invest in those around you.

KEY #8 - INVEST IN YOURSELF.  Read.  Go to a conference.  Network with other leaders.  Listen to podcasts.  Grow you and your ministry will grow.

KEY #9 - HONOR THE SABBATH.  Get plenty of rest.  Eat healthy.  Take your day off.  Exercise.  Plan a vacation.  Sabbath days help you recharge and go the distance.

KEY #10 - STAY CONSISTENT.  You won't accomplish great things in a week or in a month.  It will happen as you consistently execute over the course of the entire year.  When you are consistent over the long haul, the compound effect comes into play and the small steps add up to great results.

Here's a simple tool you can use to implement the above:

3 Ways I Will Depend on God More in 2016
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3 Ways I Will Take Care of the Backstage in 2016
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3 Things I Will Focus On in 2016
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3 Ways I Will Reach Those Far From God in 2016
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3 Goals I Want to Accomplish in 2016
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3 People I Want to Spend Time With in 2016
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3 Ways I Will Invest in Myself in 2016
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3 Ways I Will Honor the Sabbath in 2016
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3 Things I Will Do to Stay Consistent in 2016
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