RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

If you're in Children's Ministry, you probably depend on your smartphone to help you be more efficient in your work.  Smartphones have definitely become a staple in our day-by-day tasks.

If your smartphone is your tool belt, then apps are the tools you place in it to work with.  Here are 30 of the best tools (apps) you can place in your smartphone. 

SHARE YOUR FAITH
This app gives you an easy, visual way to share the plan of salvation with kids and parents.  It is interactive, compelling and easy to use.  It comes in 17 languages which also makes it a great tool to use on a mission trip.

THE BIBLE APP FOR KIDS
The Bible App for Kids is an animated Bible storybook.  It has vivid illustrations with touch-activated animations.  It also features games and activities that help kids remember God's Word.

INSTAGRAM
Instagram is a simple way to feature and promote your children's ministry to parents, volunteers and families.   It's also a great way to personally connect with volunteers, families in your ministry and other children's ministry leaders.  There are over 500 million people on Instagram.

CHARADES
Charades is a fun game to play with kids and volunteers.  It takes the time-honored game further with many hilarious bells and whistles, from impersonating celebrities to name that tune.  It's the #1 Word & Card game in the USA.

EVERNOTE
Evernote allows you to create notes.  And a note can be anything - a do-list, a reminder, a picture, a sketch, document, etc.  And once you make a note, it's accessible wherever you go.  You can also share your notes with others.  It's great for shared projects, meeting agendas and more.

FACEBOOK
There are many ways to use Facebook for your children's ministry.  A parent group, a volunteer group, a page that highlights your ministry, etc. 

BUFFER
This app lets you post to multiple popular social networks at scheduled times throughout the day, and has built-in analytics so you can see how your updates are faring.

TWITTER
Twitter is another major way to connect with parents and volunteers and promote your children's ministry.  It's also a great tool to stay connected with other children's ministry leaders.

YOUVERSION BIBLE
Best free digital Bible available in my opinion.

FILE MANAGER
Great app to organize and view your files. 

PAPER by 53
Paper is a great way to capture and connect your notes, photos and sketches.  Create checklists, spotlight details in photos and sketch diagrams with unbeatable speed and ease.  Paper is like a wall of sticky notes for everything that inspires you.

30/30
This app will guide you task by task, counting down until it’s time to move on to the next one.  You  can adjust the timer in five-minute increments in either direction if you need more or less than 30 minutes for a task.

SEND ANYWHERE
Send Anywhere enables you to easily send large files.  Your recipient uses a six-digit code to download the file you send.  There are no file-size limits!

SLACK
This app is a great way to keep in touch with your team.  It provides chat and file sharing along with third-party productivity services.

MINUTE
The Minute app helps you make the most of your meetings by combining pre-meeting agendas and necessary files, along with in-meeting notes and post-meeting action items.

SIMPLENOTE
Simplenote is an easy, no-nonsense note-keeper, with the added bonus of cross-platform support and notes that sync in real-time to all of your other devices.

YOUTUBE
YouTube is a great way to put the ministry videos you create online and share them with parents and volunteers. 

PANDORA
Pandora is a free, personalized radio that plays music you love.  Great for when you need music for pre-service, post-service, events, etc.

SPOTIFY
Another great app that gives you access to millions of songs.  Another great option when you need music for pre-service, post-service, events. etc.

PINTEREST
Great place to get ideas for all aspects of children's ministry.

WAZE
A community based traffic and navigation app.  Gives you real-time traffic and road info.

DROPBOX
Great tool for saving and sharing files.

GOOGLE DRIVE
Another great way to save and share files.

DOCS TO GO
Allows you to view, edit, and create Microsoft® Office files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint*) & view Adobe PDF® files.

MINT
Can help you manage your personal and ministry budget.

MAGISTO
Use this editing tool to turn your ministry photos and video clips into music videos.  Great way to promote and highlight your ministry. 

OVERCAST
A powerful yet simple audio podcast player, with features such as Smart Speed, Voice Boost, and Smarter Playlists to help you listen to more podcasts in more places, try new shows and completely control your experience.

PRISMA
Turn your ministry photos into awesome artworks with these modern art filters.  Stunning features and fast sharing. 

SKYPE
Use this app for video meetings and connecting with other children's ministry leaders. 

WHATSAPP
This free messaging app uses your phone's Internet connection to message and call volunteers, family and friends.

Your turn.  What other apps do you recommend for Children's Ministry?  Share them with everyone in the comment section below.

Earlier this week, I talked about Generation Z, which are today's kids.  A big part of their lives is the internet.  They are growing up online and they've never known anything else.  Using a laptop, mobile device or smartphone to access the internet is as natural as breathing for them. 

Here are some of the latest findings from kidsay.com about how kids are using the internet.

• 52% of kids say they go online many times a day.

• 48% of boys and 34% of boys play games online.

• 25% of boys and girls watch videos online.

• 12% of boys and 17% of girls do schoolwork online.

• 53% of kids listen to music online.

I am praying for more digital pioneers who will create online content that will engage and reach kids and families with the Gospel.  There have been a few successes like the Bible App for Kids and Jelly Telly, but we are just scratching the surface of what can be done.  Will you join me in praying for God to infuse many more people with the creativity, resources and wisdom needed to reach kids and families with the Gospel?

The floor is yours.  Who are some other people, churches or organizations that are reaching kids and families through the internet?  What fresh ideas do you have to reach kids and families through the internet?  Share with us in the comment section below.

Congratulations to Lisa Whisnand.  She is the winner of the New Storybook Bible for Kids.  Lisa is the Children's Ministry Coordinator at Bethel World Outreach Church in Olney, Maryland.

Thanks to everyone who entered the drawing.  We will be giving away more resources soon.  Stay tuned.

Technology is a great tool children's ministries can use to minister to kids, parents and volunteers.

Here's 10 ways your children's ministry can use technology.

Electronic Check-in
Safety and security must be a top priority for children's ministries.  Electronic check-in is the way to go.  Kidcheck.com is a great choice.  Check them out.

Facebook Page for Parents
Facebook is a great way to connect with parents.  If you'd like an example, you can see ours here.

Facebook Page for Volunteers
Facebook is also a great way to connect with volunteers.  If you'd like an example, you can see ours here.

Text Messages for Parents
98% of text messages get read.  This is a great way to connect and communicate with parents.

Online Registration
A great tool for registration for camps, events, classes, dedications, etc.  Here is an example of one of ours if you'd like to see it.

Mobile Apps
Mobile apps can be used to connect with parents and teach kid's God's Word.  Check out the Bible App for Kids. 

Family Information / Database
A database allows you to keep contact information and records for families.  It also helps you track the spiritual growth steps of kids and families.  

Media Presentations
Today's kids are very visual.  Programs like PowerPoint, Pro Presenter, Keynote and Media Shout are all great options for communicating visually with kids.

Online Volunteer Training
Hard to get volunteers to come to training?  Take the training to them.  Grab a camera.  Record your training.  Post it online.  Send the link to your volunteers.  Follow-up with discussion questions when you meet before the weekend service.  Here's an example if you'd like to see it. 

Parenting Tips
Equip parents to be the spiritual leaders of their kids by creating parenting tips videos.  You can then send them the link to watch the video.  Here's an example if you'd like to see it.

What are some other ways you use technology in your children's ministry?  Share with us in the comment section below.

One of the best ways to get ideas for your children's ministry is by studying other children's ministries that are getting the job done.

Conferences are great, but I believe visiting, observing and studying other children's ministries is just as helpful.  Many of the things our children's ministry does were sparked by something we saw other ministries doing successfully.

Below are 10 children's ministries that are doing a great job reaching kids and families.  In other words, they've got it going on!  They're not just talking about impacting kids, they're actually doing it.

North Point Church has been a leader in children and family ministry since it's inception in 1995.  Reggie Joiner is a pioneer in family ministry (I actually call him the godfather of family ministry) and led the team at North Point to reach thousands of kids and families.  Reggie then left to begin The ReThink Group and help other churches reach families.  Kendra Fleming and the North Point team have continued to bring innovation, leadership, and great creativity to children's and family ministry.  If you're serious about reaching families, study what North Point is doing.

Team Kid is the children's ministry of Second Baptist Church of Houston.  They are reaching thousands of kids and families in their city.  From an amazing preschool ministry to their JUMP kids' worship services, they are highly effective in reaching kids.  At Christmas, they do an incredible Christmas family show that reaches thousands of kids and parents.

Kids' Club is the children's ministry of Crossroads Church in the Cincinnati area.  The ministry is led by my friend, Kim Botto.  They are doing an amazing job reaching kids.  They are also producing some amazing resources including songs and videos.

Church on the Move has been a leader in children's ministry since it's beginning days.  Lead Pastor Willie George has always had a heart to reach kids and has used the Gospel Bill TV show to reach kids around the world.  My friend and one of my heroes in children's ministry, Jim Wideman, led the ministry there for years.  Kids on the Move continues to produce incredible worship songs, curriculum, videos and other resources you can access.

Life Church is a leader in multi-site children's ministry and is reaching kids across the country.  Their children's ministry is called Life Kids.  Life Kids produces amazing curriculum that they share with other churches for free.  Check it out here.  They are also a leader in using technology to share God's Word.  The Bible app for kids is helping thousands of kids discover God's Word.

Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas has always made children's ministry a top priority.   This is evident in their programming, facilities and staffing.  The result - they are reaching thousands of kids in the Dallas metro area.  One of my heroes in children's ministry, Sondra Saunders, led Prestonwood Kidz for decades.  Now my friend, Diane Pendley, leads the children's ministry.  She has an amazing staff and team of volunteers who are committed to reaching the next generation.  

Fellowship Church in the Dallas metro area is impacting thousands of kids each week.  My friend, Mike Johnson, leads FC Kids.  He and his team are highly creative and produce incredible resources for other churches.  They are the masterminds behind Elevation Curriculum.  And...Mike has the coolest children's ministry office on the planet.

Gateway Church is another church in the Dallas metro area that is making a huge impact.  Ken Jackson leads their children's ministry called Amazing Kids.  Amazing Kids has exploded with growth.  Not only are they impacting kids in their city, but also churches across the country through their worship songs for kids.  Check out their worship music.

Saddleback Church in California has been a national leader in children's ministries for years.  My friend, Steve Adams, leads Saddleback Kids.  Their commitment to children's ministry is reflected in everything they do.  They produce amazing curriculum and resources that impact kids' lives.  They set the bar for what children's ministry should be in the local church.

eKidz is the children's ministry of Elevation Church in the Charlotte area.  They have exploded with growth and are on the cutting edge of children's ministry.  You can access their amazing, free curriculum and resources at this site.

What are some other churches that we can learn from?  List some more for us in the comment section below.

YouVersion just released The Bible App for Kids.  It's a free app that will help kids fall in love with God's Word.

It contains...

Animated storybook for smartphones and tablets.

Colorful illustrations with touch-activated animations.

Games and activities that help kids remember what they learn.

Kid-friendly navigation.

Here's more info.



You can download it for free at...
iTunes
Google Play
Amazon