RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: creative

Showing posts with label creative. Show all posts

Why We Must Capture Kids' Attention If We Want to Reach Them

8:05 AM Dale Hudson

If you want to reach kids, you must capture their attention.

Studies show that what we pay attention to and focus on actually wires our neurons.

What captures kids' attention shapes their world view. What captures kids' attention lays the foundation for their life. What captures kids' attention controls their life. What captures kids' attention shapes their future.

Your ministry is one of many entities competing for kids' attention...vying for an inroad to wire their neurons. One disadvantage...your window of time is limited. One hour a week...if their parents bring them consistently. Stats show that for most kids it's more like one hour every 3-4 weeks.

Bottom line...we've got to capture kids' attention! Every hour...every minute...every second counts! We can't afford to present boring lessons. We can't afford to come unprepared. We can't afford to use methods that no longer work. We can't afford to operate in monotone. We can't afford not to be creative. We can't afford not to be relevant.

If we can get kids to pay attention to what God's Word says, we can see them develop "the same mindset as Christ" (Philippians 2:5).

Needs some proven ways to capture kids' attention? Check out these articles.
6 Reasons Why Kids Should Not Be in Adult Worship
Think Like a Child...Grow Your Children's Ministry
10 Reasons Why Your Lessons Are Boring Kids to Death
5 Tips for Telling Compelling Bible Stories
7 Proven Ways to Get Kids Engaged With Your Lesson

Volunteer Enlistment Ideas

8:52 AM Dale Hudson

Looking for some creative ideas to enlist new volunteers?

The people who attended one of the workshops I taught at the recent KidMin conference created the posters below.

These posters represent creative ideas you can use to invite people to join your team. Notice some of the strategies these posters reflect that are critical components of successfully enlisting new volunteers.

Use vision to invite instead of need.
People want to make a difference...an impact. Invite them to something bigger than themselves.
Invite people to the why instead of the what. The why is the purpose behind serving.

Whether you're creating a bulletin board, poster, or placing an announcement in the worship bulletin, these are great ideas to use. Special thanks to my friends who created them.

Exciting New Book Giveaway

7:48 AM Dale Hudson

Love Letters from God is an exciting new children's book from my friend, Glenys Nellist.

The book, published by Zonderkidz, is one of the most creative children's books I have ever read. It takes children through 18 key Bible stories.

There are lots of children's Bible story books, but what makes this book so unique and engaging for kids are the letters...literally. Each story comes with a letter from God to the child. And the letters brings a promise straight from the heart of God that speaks life, encouragement, and hope.

The book is beautifully done with amazing, creative artwork. It is an interactive guide that connects kids' hearts to the heart of a God who loves them and wants to be their best friend.

I am putting this book in a special place and look forward to sharing it with my grandkids one day. (I have one married son...patiently waiting - ha)

Glenys has graciously offered to give away a free, signed copy to one of our readers. All you have to do to enter the drawing is email me at dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com. I will announce the winner next Friday right here.

If you'd like to purchase the book you can do so at this link.

A Disney Legend Shares Great Ideas for Your Children's Ministry (Pt.5)

6:57 AM Dale Hudson

I just finished Marty Sklar's book "Dream It! Do It!" Marty spent over 50 years as a creative director for Disney.

His book is filled with great insights and ideas you can use in your Children's Ministry. This week I'm sharing them with you. Welcome to Day 5.

Followership - How to be a great team player and help your leaders succeed
1. Speak up! Great teammates raise issues before decisions are made.

2. Never be afraid to ask questions. That's how we learn our parts - onstage and backstage.

3. Make your experience count (that's why you're on the team).

4. Help the rookies succeed - you were "new" once, too.

5. Understand your role - everyone has a job to do.

6. Never fear failure - winners sometimes fail, too.

7. But - know when to take a chance (and always let your leaders know you're doing it).

8. Play by the rules. If you disagree, work to change them after the game.

9. Share the joy of success - you didn't do it by yourself.

10. Support your teammates - at Disney, there's only one name on the door.

The Best Size for Your Planning Team

5:45 AM Dale Hudson

Planning is an important part of children's ministry. Whether you're preparing for an event, talking over existing programs, or creating something new...it's a vital part of the process.

When you plan, it's important to have the right number of people in the room. Which leads us to the question, "What is the best size for a planning team?"

Most leadership experts agree the best size is 3 to 10 people. This is the optimal size if you want to stay focused and accomplish your objective.

The scale of the team should also be based on the importance of the topic. If it is a minor topic, 3 people can probably take care of it. If it is a major topic, then bring in up to 10 people.

Okay, your turn. What have you found is the best size for a planning team? Share your feedback below.

What You Need to Know About the Rise of Tablets for Kids

6:11 AM Unknown

The number of kids using tablets is on the rise. A study shows that 44% of children wanted an iPad this past Christmas compared to 31% in 2010.

Sales are forecast to be nearly 250% higher this year than the 18 million tablets sold last year. PC sales, meanwhile, will increase by an anemic 3%. A new survey from the nonprofit group, Common Sense Media, finds nearly half of 2 to 4 year olds, and 10 percent of children younger than that, have used a smartphone, tablet or video iPod.

Tablets have become a communal item among families. One-third of parents share their tablet with their kids. 65% of mothers regularly let their children use their tablet. In many instances, parents are handing the tablet to their child to keep them occupied while they are shopping, waiting in line, in the car, or at a sibling's soccer game.

Educational leaders are recognizing the potential of tablets being used in education. Apple recently announced that it is targeting its products for classrooms. Many teachers are already using tablets to engage students and make learning more fun. Valerie Nash, the Director of the Peoria Unified School Distict says,"the power of having that in the classroom is that it’s a tool for learning." A tablet called the Nabi is linked to 33,000 educational and kid-friendly websites. Here's a couple of examples.

Online safety is a concern. With most tablets comes direct access to the internet. Not the most ideal place for a child to hang out if it is not filtered. Companies such as Fuhu, Fooz, and Playrific have developed apps that parents can install to protect their children while they are using tablets.

So what does this mean for Children's Ministry?

Should we be developing apps for tablets that teach kids God's Word?
How can we equip parents to use tablets as a discipleship tool for their children?
Do you think the Bible on tablet will eventually replace the Bible on paper?
How can we make tablets a creative, interactive teaching element in our classrooms at church?

Would enjoy seeing your thoughts in the comment section below.

Posted by Dale Hudson

10 Excuses That Are Preventing You From Building a Prevailing Children's Ministry

6:35 AM Unknown

Excuses are something we hide behind when we're not moving forward. It's easy to rest in the quagmire of excuses and convince ourselves that it can't be done. But the more we make excuses, the more we become susceptible to failure in life. We place ourselves in a defensive stand of powerlessness. Here's 10 common excuses you'll hear in Children's Ministry when things aren't going well.

1. "I'm not creative."
Everyone has creativity. You simply have to know how to draw it out. Get in a room with 5-6 people. Decide up front there are no bad ideas. Start throwing ideas out there. You'll be amazed at how creative you really are.

2. "I don't have a big enough budget."
You will never have a big enough budget. There will always be more needs, ideas, and positions than there is money. It's not what you don't have...it's what you do with what you do have.

3. "I can't get volunteers."
People want to make a difference. People want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Many times it's how we are asking.

4. "We can't change. We've always done it this way and people don't want to change."
Remember change should be a process instead of a surprise. Start the change with one person and gradually let it grow out from there.

5. "I am not talented enough."
Yes you are...as a team. It's not what you can do individually...it's what you can do together. Prevailing Children's Ministries are built on teamwork not individual talent. Teamwork will make the dream work.

6. "Children's ministry is not a priority at our church."
Be the squeaky wheel. Share with people the importance of Children's Ministry. Tell the stories of what God is doing. I guarantee you when people see and hear about the fruit of your Children's Ministry, it will quickly become a priority.

7. "Our calling is to take people deeper. We focus on believers instead of outsiders."
We are all called to help believers grow closer to Jesus. But...you can't disciple empty seats. Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. His heart beats for those who don't know Him. If your "holy huddle" is not concerned for the lost around you, then it's not "holy."

8. "We've tried before and failed."
Don't let the past prevent you from what God has for you now. Forget past failures and press forward for the prize of the high calling of God. The front windshield is a lot bigger than the rear view mirror for a reason.

9. "We're not in a big city."
No matter what size city you are in...there are plenty of people around you who need Jesus. Reach out to them.

10. "We don't have a nice children's building."
Take the facility He has provided and make sure it's clean. Use kid-friendly colors. Use what you have to make it creative as you can. But remember...buildings don't change people's lives. God uses people to change people's lives.

Remember the story of the servant in Matthew 25? He didn't prevail with the talents the Master had given him because he was full of excuses that were rooted in fear. Let's lay aside our excuses and pursue what God has called us to do.

What are some other excuses we make in Children's Ministry? How can we overcome them? Would enjoy seeing your thoughts in the comment section below.

Posted by Dale Hudson