Showing posts with label focus group. Show all posts
Showing posts with label focus group. Show all posts

10 Ways to Improve Your Children's Ministry in 2013

7:57 AM  Dale Hudson  

#1
Cut some items from your ministry calendar and refocus the time, effort, and resources into a few things that work well.

#2
Go through your facilities and make a list of things that need to be painted, repaired, remodeled, or even thrown out.  Then knock out the list one item at a time.

#3
Ask someone from the outside to come in and be a "mystery shopper."  A new set of eyes will see things that need to be improved that you cannot see.

#4
Confront the few who are not on board with the vision and direction of the ministry.  If they can't get on board, lovingly ask them to step down.  It will breathe new life into your ministry.

#5
Go visit another church that is at the next level you want to be at.  Take notes and implement what will work in your context.

#6
Create a parent focus group and meet with them at least twice a year.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#7
Create a child focus group and meet with them at least twice a year.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#8
Invest heavily in your first-time guest experience.  You can get more information about how to do this at this post.

#9
Enlist, equip, and empower more volunteers.  New volunteers serving in their sweet spot = an improved Children's Ministry.

#10
Improve yourself as a leader.  Read.  Get a mentor.  Stretch yourself.  When you improve...the ministry you lead improves. 

What are some other ways to improve our Children's Ministries in 2013?  Share your ideas and thoughts with us in the comment section below.
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Are You Asking the Right People the Right Questions?

6:25 AM  Unknown  


Last week I led a Parent Focus Group at our church.  I do this twice a year.  I bring in a group of 8-10 parents and ask them questions about their perception, thoughts, ideas, etc. regarding the Children's Ministry.  As usual, I got some eye-opening information, great insight, and valuable feedback.  It reminded me of how vital it is to ask questions if you want to grow personally and as a ministry.

What keeps us from asking questions? 
  • Pride.  We don't want to admit that we have weak areas.  Personally and in the ministry we lead. 
  • Pretending.  It's easier to stick our heads in the sand and pretend everything is perfect.  It's not easy hearing "there's a lot that needs to improve."  It forces us out of our comfort zone.
  • Pace.  We're so busy that we don't take time to slow down and find out how we can improve.  It's like trying to jump off a moving train.  It's easier to just keep hanging on and riding along.
But asking questions is one of the big keys for personal and ministry growth.
  • It helps you identify and overcome personal blind spots.  Ask some people you trust and who will be honest with you, what your blind spots are.  They call them "blind spots" for a reason.  You'll never grow past what you can't see...and you'll never see them until you ask.
  • It helps you get other people's perception of the ministry.  Just because you think everything is excellent, doesn't mean it is.  Find out what others are experiencing and thinking.
  • It gives you great ideas you could never think of by yourself.  At our last parent focus group, a mother shared an idea that we have implemented.  It has made a huge difference in an area of our Children's Ministry.  We would have never thought of it without her input.
  • It helps you slow down and work "on" the ministry.  It's not always easy to work "on" the ministry while you are working "in" in the ministry.  Asking questions forces you to do this.
If you'd like a list of the questions I ask the parents at our parent focus groups, feel feel to contact me at dalehudsoncm2@gmail.com and I'll be glad to send them to you.

What other benefits do you get from asking questions?  Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.

Posted by Dale Hudson
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