RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: songs

Showing posts with label songs. Show all posts

Is Preschool Ministry Really That Important?

7:30 AM Dale Hudson

How important is the preschool /early childhood ministry in your church?

Many people think preschool ministry is simply "childcare" and not as important as elementary, pre-teen, or student ministry.

This reflects the view of the culture as a whole. A recent poll by Gallup revealed the following.

But I would beg to differ. I believe the early years of a child's life are the most critical.

This period is the foundation that shapes children's life. Research confirms that the first five years are particularly important for the development of a child's brain, and the first three years are the most critical in shaping a child's brain architecture.

Early experiences provide the base for the brain's organizational development and functioning throughout life. They have a direct impact on how children develop learning skills as well as social and emotional abilities.

Children learn more quickly during their early years than at any other time in life.

Each week we spend lots of hours and resources creating preschool classroom and chapel environments that will effectively communicate God's Word to the kids. Even in the nursery, our leaders pray over the kids, sing songs to them, teach them, and get them acquainted with the Bible.

Please...please...please...make your preschool/early childhood ministry a top priority. From the nursery to 5 years old - pour, pour, pour into the lives of children. Remember....

LET'S GET THERE FIRST!

10 Simple but High-Impact Ways to Connect with the Kids You Minister to

8:13 AM Dale Hudson

Do you want to make a lasting impact on the children God has called you to minister to?

For this to happen, you've got to make a heart connection with them. Once the heart connection is made, it opens the door for life impact.

Here's 10 simple, but high-impact ways, you can connect with the kids you minister to.

Get to know them personally. Go out of your way to talk with them.

Listen to them.

Find out what music, TV shows, movies, and video games they like.

Entrust them with a specific responsibility in class.

Let them know who you are. Tell them stories from your childhood.

Talk to their parents. Ask questions. What are their struggles? What areas would they like to see their child grow in? What are their needs?

Ask them what they are passionate about.

Affirm them with your words.

Be kind and loving.

Let them know you care. Tell them with your words and show them with your actions.

Your turn. What are some other simple ways you connect with the kids you minister to? Share your ideas with us in the comment section below.

Are You Making This Big Mistake in Your Children's Ministry?

7:13 AM Unknown

A common mistake I see many Children's Ministries making is not having enough boys on their praise team. This seems to be a struggle for many. There is a natural tendency to fill up your praise team with girls because they are more willing and ready to participate in the elementary years.

But...it is extremely important to have a solid group of boys on your praise team as well. Gene Del Vecchio, in his book Creating Ever Cool...A Markers Guide to a Child's Heart, reminds us that boys are turned off during the elementary years if something appears "girlish." On the other hand, girls will accept something that appears "boyish" during this years. Bottom line...if you appeal to the girls, you will only connect with the girls. If you appeal to the boys, you will connect with the boys and girls.

This is why it is so important to have a good mixture of boys on your praise team. Here are some ways to get more boys involved.

Have a male worship leader. A male leader will draw boys to your praise team. If you can find an older high school or young adult male to lead...that's will be an even bigger draw for boys to get involved.

Reserve at least half the slots on the praise team for boys. The quick, easy route is to just fill up your praise team with girls. But be intentional about enlisting boys for your praise team.

Use songs that appeal to 5th grade boys. Walt Disney taught us that we should always appeal to the oldest kids in the group. Cool runs downhill. Your target should be a 5th grade boy. If he connects with the song, then all the kids will think the song is "cool" and engage.

What are your thoughts on this?
Do you think it is important to have boys on the praise team?
What challenges have you faced with getting boys to join the praise team?
What are some things you have done to get boys to join the praise team?

Would enjoy seeing your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.

Posted by Dale Hudson