RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I'm enrolled in Children's Ministry School this fall.  After 25 years of serving in children's ministry, I still have a ton to learn.

Here are the classes I am taking to grow as a children's ministry leader.

Books 101
I will be reading several books this fall.  They will vary from books that help me grow spiritually to books that help me learn more about ministering to kids and their parents.

Questions 101
I'll be asking lots of questions.  If you want to grow as a leader, start asking more questions than you give answers.                   

Online 101
I'll be reading blogs, websites, articles, watching videos and more.  This will help me stay current with what's happening in the world of children and families.

Connecting 101
I'll connect with other children's leaders and learn from them.

Are you enrolled in children's ministry school this fall?  Remember, growing leaders are always in school.

Summer used to be my busiest time in children's ministry.

VBS...Camps...Day Trips...Outreach Events...Preschool Events...the list went on and on.

And then Fall would come.  And we would enter Fall...exhausted.  At a time when we should have been hitting on all cylinders, we were running on fumes.  Why?  We had burned most of our tank during the summer.

We've learned that we should put most of our time, energy, resources, and events where we get the most return.  For us, that's the weekend service.  Week in and week out, we keep that our main focus...even during the summer.  When people ask if we do VBS, I say, "Yes...every weekend."

We still do a few things during the summer...but not much.  Why?  Because we want to go into the Fall with a full tank. 

How busy is your summer?  If it's causing you to go into the Fall riding on fumes, you may want to consider cutting some things.

Busyness doesn't always equal effectiveness.

Families love taking pictures together.  Spend a few minutes at the entrance of Disney World and you will see hundreds of families posing for pictures.

Recently, I had an idea of creating a photo spot for families in our children's ministry hallway.  We put up a simple backdrop with a sign that says "Family Photo Spot."  We also have props they can put on or hold for the picture.

We will have this available year round and change it up for each holiday and season. (examples: red backdrop and hearts for valentines, beach chairs and beach balls for summer, hay bails and pumpkins for fall, etc.)  It's currently a winter scene.

It has been a huge hit.  Families love it.  Create opportunities for families to make memories together and they will be drawn to your church.

Below are some pictures.