2018 is going to be a year of great challenges. Challenges that we didn't face 10 years ago or even 5 years ago.
Isn't it nice to have navigation when you are going somewhere you've never been before? What would we do without GPS? I guess we'd still be using big, bulky maps, wouldn't we?
I personally like an app called Waze. It not only gives me accurate directions, but it also alerts me to hazards, wrecks and other dangers that are ahead. How does it do this? Other drivers who are using the app make an alert when they encounter these things. This enables the drivers who are behind them to know what's coming and prepare accordingly. Because other drivers, who have been farther down the road, let me know what's coming, I am able to drive safer and navigate the road more effectively.
When it comes to ministry, it's great to have help navigating the challenges ahead, isn't it? I'm thankful for friends, leaders, co-workers and mentors who have helped me navigate ministry over the years. They helped me avoid some pitfalls. They challenged me to try new routes. They pushed me out of my comfort zone. They provided insight and wisdom when I didn't know what to do. They helped me grow to places I couldn't have reached alone.
As you enter 2018, do you have someone to help you navigate the challenges you will face? Do you have someone who will help you grow as a leader? Do you have someone who will challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone? Do you have someone you can bounce ideas off of and ask questions? Do you have someone who will ask you the right questions? Do you have someone who can help you take your ministry to a new level...to a place you've never been before?
If not, I'd like to be the person to help you. I recently started a new coaching program for children's ministry leaders. For the first 6 months of 2018, you can journey with me and other kidmin leaders. Here are some of the ways I can help you navigate 2018 in children's ministry.
- Monthly group coaching call. Live, one hour sessions on the important topics listed below. Each session includes teaching and group discussions. You will have the opportunity to discuss these topics with Dale and the other leaders in the group. Sessions are also recorded so you have access to them later.
- January - Self Leadership
- Feburary - Leading Staff & Volunteers
- March - Leading Through Change & Challenges
- April - Keys to Growing a Ministry
- May - Creating a Dynamic Children's Ministry Culture
- June - Staying Relevant in Children's Ministry
- Personalized growth plan. I will help you identify areas of growth development. From this, I will help you create a one-year growth plan in those areas. Includes identifying your personality traits, strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. Also includes developing a personal mission statement, key books to read, guided growth conversations to have with key people in your life, action steps, setting goals and help measuring progress. There is also an one hour follow-up phone session at the end of the program to access and celebrate your growth.
- Copy of my books.
- Online support. Each member of Advance has access to a special online forum and discussions where they can ask questions about children's ministry directly to Dale and other members. You have access to this forum even after your 6 months has ended.
- Access to the notes from the KidMin GIG round table. In 2016, I founded a gathering of the leaders of the 30 largest children's ministries in the country. Each year, we meet for two days to discuss their latest ideas, insights, ministry wins and challenges. As part of the Advance group, you will receive a copy of the latest discussions from this gathering.
You can get more information and apply to be part of the Advance Coaching program at this link. The deadline to get in is December 31. We have leaders from churches that range from 500 in attendance to 10,000 in attendance in the group. There are only a few spots remaining, so check it out today if you'd like to join us.
Yes, 2018 is going to be a year of challenges...but it is also going to be a year of great opportunity. I believe 2018 can be your greatest year of ministry ever. I'd like to partner with you to help you achieve the dreams and goals God has placed in your heart...and even the ones you haven't even discovered or realized yet.
Let's guide our ministries well in 2018 and see God do amazing things.
