RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: #childrensminisry

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New Kids on the Block

8:44 AM Dale Hudson

No...this post is not about a boy band from the 1980's - 90's. It's about the smallest, newest children in your ministry...the babies and toddlers. Many people think you can't do ministry for that age range. But I believe you can.

In fact, I believe ministry to the new kids on the block is one of the most important ministries in the entire church. It's not babysitting. It's not childcare. It's ministry at one of the most important times in a person's life. Research backs this up.

Teaching babies and toddlers is crucial because the first years are a period of rapid brain development. 80% of the brain develops by the age of three. This early learning lays the foundation for all future learning, behavior, and health.

Here are some ways you can minister to the new kids on the block.

Teach them.

Yesterday during services, I went into our nursery and ministered to a baby boy. It was his third visit to our church. I held him and read a Bible story to him. Did he say, "that was an awesome Bible story?" Of course not. But I believe that I planted a seed in his mind. It made a difference.

Yesterday, I also went into our toddler room. I taught a short lesson to our 2-3 year olds. It consisted of short stories about Jesus with pictures. I had the children point to Jesus in each picture and I told them that Jesus loves them. Again, I believe I planted a seed in their mind. It made a difference.

Pray for them and their parents.

Pray over the new kids on the block while you are rocking them. Pray over the new kids on the block while you are playing with them. Put a prayer verse in each room on the wall. Pray that prayer verse over the kids sometime during the class time.

Dedicate them.

Parent and Child Dedication is an awesome way to welcome the new kids on the block and their parents. I have an awesome parent and child dedication class and ceremony that you can get for your ministry. Hundreds of churches across the country use it.

It includes everything you need to host a parent and child dedication class and ceremony. It is available at this link.

Welcome them with a gift.

We have a wonderful group of ladies in our church that make blankets for the new kids on the block. Think of something you can give the new kids on the block. Welcome them. It will mean the world to their parents.

Invest in the parents of the new kids on the block.

What a great opportunity you have to come alongside these new parents and help them grow and flourish.

MomCo is a great program for young mothers. We use this at our church and it is a blessing to those who attend. You can get more info. about MomCo at this link.

Offer parenting seminars.

Twice a year, I teach a parenting seminar here at our church. This is a way I can invest in young parents and encourage them in their parenting journey. I also do parenting seminars at other churches. If you are interested in booking me you can get more info. at this link.

The new kids on the block are the future of your church. I often say, "If there is no crying (from the nursery), your church is dying."

In the next few years, billions of new children will be born. We have an incredible opportunity to reach them for Jesus. Let's go all out for the sake of the new kids on the block. Jesus loves each of them. Let's tell them about that.

Back to School Prayers

7:17 AM Dale Hudson

Time for school to start back. The most important essential for our kids is prayer.

Nothing can take the place of parents covering their children in prayer on a consistent basis.

“The earnest prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available – dynamic in its working.” James 5:16

Here are some prayers you can pray as the new school year begins.

Child's Prayer:

Dear God, You have promised to always be with me. I pray that You would be with me today as I start a new school year. Bless me, my fellow students and our teachers. Bless my learning. Drive away any fear that I may have about the new school year. Please keep me safe. I ask You to bring good friends into my life. Kids who love You and want to serve You as I do. Thank You for loving me. I love You and want to follow You. Make me a shining light for You at my school. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Parent's Prayer:

Dear God, I ask for Your wisdom, understanding and discernment as my child starts a new school year. Give me wisdom and understanding as I lead my child. I ask you to make me brave when I feel afraid, strong when I feel weak and peace when I feel overwhelmed. Bless my child as he/she starts the journey of a new school year. Watch over my child. Guide my child. Bring good friends into my child's life. Give him/her the strength he/she needs to say "no" to temptation and "yes" to Your will for his/her life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Prayer for Teachers and School Leaders:

Dear God, thank You for the teachers and school leaders in our community. We pray for them today. Watch over them, provide for them and sustain them. Give them Your wisdom and understanding as they teach and lead. Give them divine favor with the students. Encourage them when they wonder if they are making a difference. Strengthen them when they are tired. Care for them when they are in need. Bless them as they interact with the students and parents this year. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Time spent with God is never time wasted. Prayer makes the difference. Your children will benefit directly from the time you spend praying for them and with them.

How to Get Kids to Read the Bible

10:39 AM Dale Hudson

We know that reading the Bible is a crucial part of kids' spiritual growth.

The Bible says this in 1 Peter 2:2.

"Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment."

If we are going to see children grow up and follow Jesus for a lifetime, then we must instill in them a love for God's Word and a desire to read it daily.

How can we encourage kids to read their Bible?

First, let's establish this...kids love to read certain types of books. Find a format they enjoy.

The format that kids are engaging with the most are graphic novels. Graphic novels are basically written in a cartoon, story format. In other words, they are illustrated with pictures.

Since 2019, sales of graphic novels in the U.S. have doubled to 35 million books a year. Much of the growth is graphic novels for children. Today, graphic novels are often the first books that elementary school students will seek out for themselves and read on their own.

Books like Smile, Roller Girl, and The New Girl - are part of a new genre of graphic novels specifically targeted at eight-to-twelve-year-olds. The books’ illustrations are colorful and fun, but the stories tackle serious issues like mending broken relationships, confronting social anxiety, and dealing with siblings and parents.

Those seeking to get kids excited about reading the Bible should take note of this. The Bible in a story format or visually illustrated format will grab kids' attention and engage them. The more pictures and illustrations a Bible uses, the more engaging it will be for kids. Here are a few examples of Bibles that use this format to get kids engaged with the Word of God.

Parents reading the Bible.

When kids see their parents reading the Bible, it influences them to read their Bible as well. Most kids who grow up to follow Jesus will have memories of seeing their parents reading the Bible.

It can be hard to find the time to read the Bible on a daily basis when there is so much vying for parents' time and attention. It is crucial that parents, in spite of this, make Bible reading a top priority. What you read will show kids what your priorities are. If children see their parents making Bible reading a priority, they will do the same.

Parents reading the Bible with their children.

Parents should read the Bible with their children on a daily basis. They should purposely schedule a time for this. Bedtime is one of the best times.

They should also talk about what they read, how they can apply it to their life, and have a Q & A.

Think about ways you can encourage the parents in your ministry to do this.

Active reading.

Kids love to move. Think of ways you can get kids moving during your reading. Perhaps it is having the child clap each time they hear a word or name in the passage you are reading together.

Use Bible games.

You can find lots of free Bible games online based on what passage you are reading. Do a Google search for this.

Have kids act out what they are reading. An example would be acting out the story of David and Goliath while reading 1 Samuel 17.

Provide them with their own Bible. It is important for a child to have his or her own Bible. A child should be taught that the Word of God is a precious treasure and should be cared for.

Help children establish a Bible reading plan. Provide them with a plan that they can follow for their age level. Consistency is a big part of any effective Bible reading plan. Get them in the Word on a daily basis.

For older kids, the plan can also include using a journal to write down what they learned that day from the reading, how it made them feel, questions they may have, and any action steps they are going to take.

Help kids understand that the Bible is like a text message from God. God wanted to show them how much He loves them and cares for them, so He has sent them a personal text message called the Bible.

The Bible in digital format. Don't forget that today's kids are growing up in a digital world. This means reading the Bible on a phone or tablet or laptop is also a good option. The Bible is the Word of God no matter what format it is in. The Bible on a tablet is just as much the Word of God as a regular book format.

Your turn. How do you get kids to read the Bible? What Bibles do you recommend to parents? Share your thoughts and insights in the comment section below.

Resolving Team Conflict

9:46 AM Dale Hudson

Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya.

You may have sung this song around a campfire before. It is an American spiritual and folk song.

What does Kumbaya mean?

Kumbaya refers to moments of harmony and unity.

That is what we strive for in ministry. We know that God blesses ministries that are unified by a vision to reach the world with the Gospel.

But sometimes there can be conflict on a staff or volunteer team. Team members bring different perspectives and knowledge to the table. And this can lead to conflict. Conflict is going to happen. Conflict between staff members. Conflict between volunteers.

As a leader, it is important that you help resolve conflict in a Biblical manner. Let's look at some ways you can do this.

Champion unity.

Teach team members the importance of unity. Share verses like these.

"I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. "

1 Corinthians 1:10

"Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."

2 Corinthians 13:11

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

"How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!"

Psalm 133:1

Help resolve conflict. Here are some tips for this.

Listen to both parties. Give those involved in the conflict an opportunity to express their perspective on the situation. It is important that everyone is given time to state their opinion and be heard.

Make sure both parties are heard. Don't let one person dominate the conversation or try to intimidate the other people. Ask them to pause and let others express their opinions uninterrupted. People with domineering personalities will do just that - dominate if you let them. Make sure those who are introverted have the opportunity to express themselves as well.

Articulate what you heard. Repeat the key points of what people said to make sure everyone heard the same thing.

Take steps to bring reconciliation:

1. Bring both parties together. It is vital to talk it out together.

2. Set some ground rules before getting the conversation underway. Encourage team members to listen to one another, respect each other's points of view and not interrupt or make personal comments.

3. Keep the tone of the conversation calm and non-threatening.

4. Encourage both parties to practice active listening. This will help people understand where the other person or party is coming from.

5. If things get heated, pause the conversation and give everyone time to calm down.

6. Encourage people to share ideas. Brainstorm together. What do they need to come to a solution? What will they commit to?

7. Create a reconciliation plan. Get both parties to commit to a plan with detailed, agreed-on actions.

8. Hold both parties accountable to complete the plan.

9. Follow up. Check back to make sure the issues have been properly resolved.

Here are some steps to lessen the amount of conflict:

Meet with team members one-on-one on a regular basis to hear their thoughts about their role and how unity is being lived out. This can help team members not make assumptions.

Set clear goals for each team member. Often conflict arises when team members do not have a clear job description. You can get 26 job descriptions for volunteers at this link. They are editable so you can tweak them to fit your ministry.

When you have unity, it will bring God's blessings upon your ministry. Unity doesn't happen by accident. It has to be something you are committed to as a team.

A Typical Gen Z Week

8:21 AM Dale Hudson

The typical week for a Gen Z kid (currently between ages 9 to 24) looks different than it did for kids in previous generations.

Yes, you have been a child, but not now. Many aspects of childhood have changed.

Let's take a look at what a typical week looks like for a Gen Z kid.

They are spending more time doing homework and sleeping more than kids a decade ago.

Gen Z spends an hour a day doing homework during the school year. This is up from a decade ago by 44 minutes a day vs. 30 minutes in the 90's.

Gen Z is also getting more sleep than they did in the past. They sleep approximately nine and a half hours a night. On weekends, they are sleeping an average of 11 hours.

Gen Z has over five and a half hours of leisure time each day. Here's how they spend that time:

screens (weekdays - 3 hours, 53 minutes): gaming, surfing web, watching videos, watching TV, etc.

screens (weekends - over 4 hours a day)

Gen Z's daily life (in minutes):

errands - 16 min.

volunteering - 25 min.

paid work - 26 min.

housework - 31 min.

grooming - 51 minutes

eating - 1:05 minutes

education - 4:32 minutes

leisure - 5:44 minutes

sleep - 9:44 minutes

socializing, attending parties, sports and other entertainment events - 1:13 minutes

Gen Z girls spend 10 more minutes a day, on average, shopping for items such as clothes or going to the mall (15 minutes vs. 5 minutes).

Gen Z girls spend more time than boys on grooming activities, such as bathing, getting dressed, getting haircuts, and other activities related to their hygiene and appearance. Girls spend an average of about an hour a day on these types of tasks (1 hour, 3 minutes); boys spend 40 minutes on them.

Girls also devote 21 more minutes a day to homework than boys do – 71 minutes vs. 50 minutes, on average, during the school year.

When it comes to the amount of time spent on housework, Gen Z girls spend 38 minutes a day, on average, helping around the house during the school year, compared with 24 minutes a day for boys. Gen Z girls spend more than twice as much time cleaning up and preparing food as Gen Z boys do (29 minutes vs. 12 minutes).

It is important to keep up with Gen Z and how they are spending their time. This gives us good insight into how we can better minister to them.

Invest in Yourself (why you need a ministry coach)

11:00 AM Dale Hudson

Do you feel like you've hit a leadership lid in your ministry?

Do you feel stuck as a leader?

Do you want to improve as a leader?

Do you want to take your ministry to a new level?

Have you been so busy investing in other people that you haven't been able to invest in yourself?

Do you feel the need for a coach who can help you navigate the challenges and struggles you are facing?

Are you looking for someone who can help you get to the next level as a children's ministry leader?

Do you want someone who will personally invest in you and your ministry?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, then the ADVANCE CHILDREN'S MINISTRY LEADERSHIP COACHING EXPERIENCE is just what you are looking for.

Dale Hudson is one of the leading voices and leaders in children's ministry. He can help you grow as a children's ministry leader. Whether it's your first year or thirty year in ministry, he can help you and your ministry get to the next level.

Much, if not most of ministry wisdom and knowledge cannot be learned in a college classroom. Dale's coaching is grounded not in theory alone, but in proven, hands-on leadership experience. For the past 30 years, he has helped build and lead some of the largest and fastest growing children's ministries in the nation.

Dale works with all sizes of churches. Whether your church is 200 or 20,000, he can add great value to you and your ministry.

Advance Children's Ministry Coaching includes...

6 months of coaching.

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 ask questions and discuss the topics with Dale and other leaders in the group.

All sessions are recorded so you have access to them on demand in case you can't attend a live session.

Self Leadership

Leading Staff and Volunteers

Leading Through Change and Challenges

Keys to a Growing Ministry

Creating a Dynamic Children's Ministry Culture in your Church

Staying Relevant in Ministry

Dale will personally invest in you and your leadership. You will have a personal one hour phone session with Dale to help you identify areas of growth and development. From this, he will work with you to create a growth plan in those areas.

Includes identifying your personality traits, strengths, weaknesses and blind spots. Plan includes developing a personal mission statement, key books to read, guided growth conversations, action steps, setting goals and measuring progress.

There is also the opportunity to set goals and measure your progress.

You also get a copy of Dale's books: ($46 value)

If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry
The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams
Lead Well in Children's Ministry

FAQ's:

Next session runs from July to December, 2020. Registration ends on June 30.

How much does the Advance Coaching Experience cost? For a limited time, the cost is only $499. Upon acceptance into the program, a non-refundable deposit of $99 is due to hold your spot. Then $100 is due on the first of each month until your remaining balance is paid in full. If you pay the entire amount before the program begins, you receive a $50 discount.

How can I be selected to be a part of Advance?

Complete an application (click here to access).

Upon acceptance, make your deposit or complete payment at this link .

Dale will connect with you to set up an initial one hour, personal phone call to access your need.

Over 50 children's ministry leaders have already been through the coaching program. Here is some of the feedback from those who have completed the experience.

"I am so thankful for the coaching experience I was able to have with Dale Hudson. I have learned tools that will help with leadership, growth and structure. I know that this information will help me today, tomorrow and many years to come. I would highly recommend anyone in Children's Ministry to take part in this amazing coaching experience."

Michelle Carly - 5 Points Church

"I found the Advance program very helpful! I’m convinced everyone would get something out of it- both those with formal training and those without. Dale was affirming of the role of children’s ministry in the church, as well as provided encouragement to us as participants. Having been in children’s ministry he can relate to the challenges, but also shares his expertise and gives practical insight into building an awesome kids ministry! If you’re a children’s minister, you’ll be glad you were a part. If you’re a senior pastor, you should have your kids pastor participate."

Eric Gayer - Life Gate Church

So what you are you waiting for? Now's the time to invest in yourself. Let's go on this leadership journey together. I promise you that you will come out the other side fired up and ready to do ministry at a new level.

p.s. If you have any questions about the program, feel free to call me at 561-222-9903.

Why Kids Are Saying Your Ministry is Boring

11:59 AM Dale Hudson

Recently, I was talking with a children's ministry leader and she told me the kids were saying the lessons are boring.

Let me let you in on a little secret. When a kid says a lesson is boring...it probably is.

If you want to know if your lessons are boring...ask the kids.

You can do this by having a round table discussion with a group of 6-8 kids. Ask them about the parts of your service and which ones they are bored with. Make it anonymous, so the kids won't feel pressure to answer a certain way because they want to please you. You need to hear the truth, whether it's positive or negative.

Here are some proven ways you can make sure you won't hear kids saying the lessons are boring...

Stop talking so much. When it comes to boring lessons, this is the #1 culprit. If you are trying to use talking to keep kids' engaged for 15-20 minutes, you are setting yourself up for failure. Talking should not last more than 5 minutes at a time.

Involve kids in the lesson. When kids have to sit still, they get bored and easily distracted. Get them up and moving during the lesson. Have them be the Bible characters. Have the rest of the kids be sound effects. Get every one involved.

Honor kids' attention spans. So here is the biggie. Honor kids' attention spans which is 5 minutes max. For preschoolers it can be even less, like 2-3 minutes. Look at your entire classroom time not as 60 minutes. Rather look at your classroom time as being 12 x 5 minute sessions.

Play games that have a purpose. A quick way to wake a child up from boredom, is to play a fun and engaging game. Play several games each week. Make sure to involve as many kids as possible and have the game tie into the lesson.

Sing worship songs that are age-appropriate and fun to sing. I'm not sure why...but from what I have observed in my travels...we are trying to make kids sing adult worship songs. Watch the kids during your worship time. How many are actually singing? How many are distracted because there are too many motions to try to copy? How many are being asked to sing words that are over their head?

In my opinion, we need to bring back some of the old school songs that kids sang 10 years or so ago.

These are songs that are written for kids and that engage kids and gets them singing. Songs like...

Come and Go With Me to My Father's House
I Get Down and He Lifts Me Up
Every Move I Make
Jesus, Be the Center of My Life

Use video...but not too much. It's okay to have a 5 to 8 minute at a time video segment but I recommend not going over that. Kids have video messaging and ads coming at them non-stop now. A full lesson on video can be too much of a good thing and kids get bored with it . Especially when the video is of someone just talking.

Watch the kids' reactions. When kids get bored, they look away. Watch and make a note of when kids start looking away. Go back and tweak that part(s) of the service.

We have the most exciting, engaging lesson ever presented to mankind - Jesus and His plan of salvation.

The best lesson deserves the best presentation.

I have often heard people say, "I'm not going to church, because I was made to go as a child." Think about this - you don't have to make someone go where they want to be. Their memory of church is that it was not relevant, not fun and boring.

I've never heard anyone say, "I'm not going to Disney World because I was made to go as a child." Why not? Because it was an exciting, fun place to go.

My prayer is that we will give our very best to creating environments where kids will walk out with a smile on their face and God's Word placed in their thoughts.

Your turn. What do you think causes kids to say a ministry is boring? What insight or advice can you give to someone to make the experience at their church one that causes kids to drag their parents to services? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

How to Help Kids Who Can't See Their Friends and Family Due to the Pandemic

9:59 AM Dale Hudson

I miss being able to see my grandmother. She is in a nursing home and it is locked down due to the pandemic. No outside guests. Haven't been able to see her for over 3 months now.

I don't think I am alone. Many, many people are feeling sadness and loss from not being able to see some of their family members and close friends.

This can especially be true with kids when they can't see their grandparents, cousins, close friends, etc.

Let's look at some practical ways that we can help kids who are dealing with this.

Connect virtually.

Zoom. Skype. Facetime. Messenger. These are just a few of the platforms you can use to connect with family and friends.

During this time, we have been playing an online game with our adult kids called House Party. It allows you to not only see each other on your smart phones, but also has fun games you can play together online. Be intentional and schedule times to connect with each other online.

Talk about fun times you've had together. This is a great time to look through old photographs and watch those wonderful family videos you have stashed away. This can deepen your relationships even when you are apart.

Our family started a memories box many years ago. We put important things in the box that will remind us of events and memories that we have shared over the years. A ticket to a show you saw together. A flower from a graduation ceremony. An airplane ticket to a great place you went on summer vacation. A sea shell you picked up on family vacation to the beach.

Remind them that it's only temporary. Yes, it has been months...long months since we were told not to get out. And it may be several more months before we can engage in a "normal" or "new normal" life. But remind your kids that it won't last forever. For kids, time appears to move slower. Remember how long it seemed until Christmas or a birthday finally came when you were a kid? Let kids know that this is not a permanent way of life.

Let them know they will be able to get out and see their friends and family before long. If you have specific dates when they say we can get out and about, share that date with them.

Model how to manage your emotions in a situation like this. Kids pick up on our emotions and will imitate us. Make sure you keep a good, positive attitude during these times of separation. Show a spirit of gratitude for the blessings you do have. When you increase your gratitude, you will find that it helps decrease anxiety. Rather than spending the time talking about the pandemic, focus on the fun things that will happen when you are able to be together again and good memories you have from the past.

Initiate contact. Reach out to friends. Contact family members. Don't sit back and wonder if anyone is going to contact you to talk and catch up. Take the initiative to connect kids to the people they miss seeing.

Help them see why this is happening.

A big question kids may ask is "Why is God allowing this to happen?" That's a question you need to be ready to answer because not addressing it could hinder their faith in God if not answered correctly. In this previous post, I share what to tell kids when they ask this question.

And if kids don't ask the question, then take the initiative and talk with them about it. You want kids to have the right answers to critical questions. And the right answers need to come from you.

Your turn. What else is helpful for kids during this time? We'd love to see your thoughts, ideas and insight in the comment section below.

Kids' Choice Awards 2020 Winners

8:44 AM Dale Hudson

If you want to see what today's kids like and who is popular with them, the Kids' Choice Awards is worth the watch.

The annual show features actors and singers who were voted the most popular by a nation-wide survey of kids.

Here are the results of the 2020 vote. This is a great way to get an inside look at who and what today's kids like.

As you read these, think about what draws kids to the winners. What can you learn from it? What are some ideas you can incorporate from these?

When a missionary goes to a foreign land, he or she learns as much as they can about the culture they are going to be ministering in. You are a missionary to kids. To be effective, learn as much as you can about their culture. This list is a good start. If there are any winners that you are not familiar with, take some time to look them up and learn about who they are and what they do.

Favorite Music Group - BTS

Favorite Male Artist - Shawn Mendes

Favorite Female Artist - Ariana Grande

Favorite Song - Billie Eilish "Bad Guy"

Favorite Breakout New Artist - Lil Nas X

Favorite Music Collaboration - Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello "Senorita"

Favorite Social Music Star - JoJo Siwa

Favorite Global Music Star - Taylor Swift

Favorite Movie - Avengers: End Game

Favorite Movie Actor - Dwayne Johnson

Favorite Movie Actress - Dove Cameron

Favorite Super Hero - Tom Holland

Favorite Animated Movie - Frozen II

Favorite Male Voice from Animated Movie - Josh Gad

Favorite Female Voice from Animated Movie - Beyonce

Favorite Kids' TV Show - Henry Danger

Favorite Kids' Family TV Show - Stranger Things

Favorite Female TV Star - Millie Bobby Brown'

Favorite Male TV Star - Jace Norman

Favorite Reality Show - America's Got Talent

Favorite TV Host - Ellen DeGene

Favorite Animated Series - Spongebob SquarePants

Favorite Female Sports Stars - Alex Morgan

Favorite Male Sports Star - Lebron James

Favorite Video Game - Minecraft

Favorite Gamer - SSSniperwolf

Favorite Female Social Star - Annie LeBlanc

Favorite Male Social Star - David Dobrik

You can get more information about these artists at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZgBs5H-EH8.

20 Funny Parent Tweets

8:31 AM Dale Hudson

It's Friday so thought you might enjoy some humor as you prepare to head into a weekend of ministry.

My kid can tell me all about a 24 minute episode of Paw Patrol in 56 minutes.

Have kids so you can watch all of your personality flaws manifest in human form.

Welcome to homeschooling. Your house has 847 pencils in it, yet your child can never find one.

5-year-old: I'm pretending to do grown-up things.

Me: Like what?

5-year-old: Being tired all the time.

Me: Nailed it.

My son complained that he didn’t like the breakfast I made so I told him to be sure to leave his Yelp review & also, I don’t care

I’m not saying our healthy lifestyle has deteriorated under quarantine, but I just asked our 5yo what his favorite fruit is and he answered “sausage.”

I told my son I was looking for a picture of myself at 20 and he got all wide-eyed and asked if they had cameras in the olden days so I’ve cancelled his next three birthdays.

Why use a coloring book when this ENTIRE house can be my canvas?!

Turns out if you’re playing hide and seek and crawl into a super king size double duvet cover and lay still, spread out like a starfish, they won’t find you and you can basically live there.

We've been quarantined for 4 weeks now and my son hasn't stopped talking. I thought for sure he would run out of things to talk about, but apparently my son is super resilient and can adapt pretty quick. Help me.

I’m not sure who coined the phrase “you’ll miss these days,” but it definitely wasn’t a parent who spent a month quarantined with 3 kids.

My 6 y/o takes, on average, 14 years to finish his dinner.

Great news I got a 100 on my son's geometry test.

Moms everywhere want to know "WHO OPENED THIS BAG OF FOOD THE WRONG WAY?!"

Took my kids for a drive today so they could play their iPads and argue with each other in a smaller space that’s also moving.

Me pre-quarantine: Encourages my son to play piano

Me in quarantine: Please. Stop.

What a crazy world— my 5year just requested me to please not be loud or crazy because she has a call at 10 with her class.

Whoever said, "the days are long but the years are short" did not know about 2020.

Thoughts & prayers for my son who thought his phone was charging overnight only to find he must go to school on 6%.

Pre-teen boys spend approximately 40% of their day jumping up to touch ceilings or the tops of door frames.

Let Them Run With It

10:38 PM Dale Hudson

I found out rather quickly that children's ministry is not about what you can do. Rather it's about what you can empower others to do.

To be successful, you have to empower other people and then give them parts of the ministry.

Short and sweet - hand it to them and let them run with it.

I love this quote by Lao Tzu.

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, we did it ourselves.

But often leaders will not pass off these things so they never get time to work on the ministry instead of just working in the ministry.

This can stem from...

pride - I am a supper hero and I can get it all done by myself
poor me - no one wants to help me
it will be quicker if I just do it myself
I'm afraid I will be left out of the loop
they won't do it the right way
they can't do it as well as I can
it's my baby - I'm not giving it up

Here are some steps you can take to see volunteers own the ministry and run with it.

1. Identify what only you can do. This would be things like setting the vision, pouring into key leaders, keeping things aligned, holding people accountable to your ministry's core values, etc.

2. Identify and mentor key people that you see leadership potential in. And when it comes to this - don't just pick anybody. Be selective. Love everyone equally, but invest selectively. Start by choosing 2-3 people that are all in. These people will be your "inner circle" just as Jesus had "Peter, James and John."

3. Begin to pass off the things you shouldn't be doing. Cutting out papers for lessons, running to the store to pick up supplies, preparing the preschool activities, checking in new families, teaching a class every service, organizing camp, etc.

4. Let them run with it. Tell them what needs to be done, but then let them decide how it will be done.

5. Empower through feedback. Feedback should be given privately. It should be ongoing. To be well received it should be based on relationship. Feedback points the person to the future. Feedback is a huge part of helping leaders run more effectively.

Here are a few quotes to remind us of how important this is...

"A good leader is a star.

A great leader produces stars."

"A good leader is powerful.

A great leader is empowering."

As a leader there are a lot of things you can focus on. But none are more impactful than enlisting and empowering volunteers. The success of your ministry rises and falls on the strength of your volunteer team.

If you are doing your job well, then you should be able to step back into the shadows and nothing misses a beat. Or you should be able to be out of town and everything runs great.

That can only happen when you begin landing off the baton and let your volunteers run with it.

You can get more leadership principles like this in my new book "Lead Well in Children's Ministry." It is available at this link.