RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Had a great time last week at CPC sharing a session about "Attracting Millennial Volunteers."

If you'd like the notes from the session, they are available as a free download at my site. You can access it at this link.

Last week at the Children's Pastor's conference in Orlando, I taught a session about multi-site children's ministry.  I have lead children's ministries in multi-site churches for over 20 years and shared many of the insights I have learned during this time.

Here are the notes from the session.  

I taught 2 sessions last week at CPC in Orlando.  Here are the notes.

This past week, I hosted the church tour at Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando.  We toured three churches.  Below are some pictures.

One of the best ways to learn and grow is by visiting other churches.  If you have never visited another church for ideas and inspiration (or if it's been awhile), then here's some tips.

1. Contact a church that's where you want your ministry to be one day.
2. If possible, go during a weekend service.  You'll get more ideas seeing it in action.
3. If you can't go on a weekend, then ask if you can come on a weekday when they are having staff meeting.  Observe their staff meeting as part of your visit.
4. Come with a list of questions.  Here's a few examples.

• What's working well right now?
• What has helped you grow?
• What are some challenges you are facing right now?
• If you were re-building or re-modeling your children's area again, what are a few things you would change?

5. Take some of your staff / key volunteers with you.
6. Send the church a thank you note when you get back.

CHURCH IN THE SON



NORTHLAND CHURCH



CALVARY ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Yesterday I hosted the church tour at the Children's Pastor's Conference in San Diego.  We visited three area churches for an inside look at their facilities and ministries.  We got lots of great ideas.  Here's some pictures I took on the tour.  Enjoy a sneak peak inside these three wonderful children's ministries.

Church #1 -  The Rock Church (therocksandiego.org)
The church was founded in February 2000 by Pastor Miles McPherson.  Currently over 15,000 people attend the Rock every Sunday in-person or online.  They have 2 campuses, with another campus launching this summer.

At the Point Loma campus, "Rock Kids" ministers to an average of 1,100 children each week ranging from infants-5th grade.  The Point Loma campus also serves as the home for their weekday preschool and academy.



Church #2 - First Christian Church (ffchb.com) 
Their Children’s Ministry facility is called The Pier, and houses a five-day-a-week preschool and four, themed, large group gathering areas:  the Lighthouse, the Tree House, the Beach House and the TEK house.  Each venue hosts a different age group and employs a unique set of teaching methods.



Church #3 - Shadow Mountain Community Church (shadowmountain.org)
Shadow Mountain is a church of 8,000 in attendance each weekend with Mountain High Kid's Ministry ministering to 900-1000 children.  Their mountain-themed building and classrooms instantly attract children, making coming to church a fun experience.

They focus on building relationships with children and parents, so that learning and sharing about Jesus is through life conversations.  Shadow Mountain Preschool is housed in the Mountain High Kid’s Building and offers weekday enrichment classes for ages two through pre-kindergarten.

Here are the notes from the "10 Simple Secrets for Building a Great Volunteer Team" session at Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando and San Diego.

Here are the notes and resources from my "Multi-Site Children's Ministry" session at Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando and San Diego.

I led the Children's Pastor's Conference church tour this past week in Orlando.  Three great churches opened their doors for an inside look at their facilities and ministries.

The first church was First Baptist of Orlando.  Their Children’s Ministry exists to honor God by partnering with parents to transform kids into spiritual champions.

Over 500 kids engage in programs that are Bible-focused, kid-friendly, fun, and relevant.  Their Special Needs ministry is a large, multi-faceted, family-empowered ministry that serves children, teens, and adults.

Here are the pictures.



The next church we visited was First United Methodist of Orlando.  They recently moved into a new 82,000 sq ft. award winning ministry building of contemporary design.

The children's area is known as The Light House.  Here are the pictures.