RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

From electronic check-in to magic erasers to parent pagers to HD TV's, there have been a lot of inventions that have benefited those in children's ministry.

But...there are still some tools that we're waiting for someone to invent.

Here are 20 of them...

A copier that never jams at the worst possible time. (to be more specific - that doesn't jam when you need 20 more copies right before service is starting and you're desperate)

A memory enhancing pill that enables parents to never forget their pick-up tag.

A baptistery that automatically adjusts the water level down when a child steps in.

An additive you can put in coffee that causes all the choir members to switch to serving in children's ministry.

Self-cleaning nursery toys.

An express lane at Wal-Mart for children's ministry purchases. (especially when you're buying 50 bags of cotton balls)

A worship song that causes all 5th grade boys to sing.

An alarm clock that causes all volunteers to arrive 30 minutes before service begins.

Crayons that never break.

An alarm that notifies the adult service that the kids' service has ended and it is time to say the closing prayer.

A portable campus that sets itself up and puts itself away.

A drone that goes to Costco and picks up the items you need and returns with them.

Baby food that ends up with pleasant smells.

Music that instantly causes babies in the nursery to stop crying and start smiling.

A follow-up email that causes all first-time guests to return.

Helium tanks that refill themselves.

A cookie that immediately relaxes kids who are homesick at summer camp and helps them enjoy the experience.

A time machine that allows you to bring Bible characters back to tell their own stories to the kids.

Glasses that decipher the scribbling called handwriting on some registration forms.

A machine that clones amazing volunteers.

Hope this brought a smile to your face today.  Have a great weekend and thank you for your heart for the next generation.  You matter and what you do matters.

You will have stress in children's ministry.  The weekend always returns and you have to be ready.  Add on top of that big events like VBS, Fall Festival, Summer Camp, Chirstmas, Easter...the list goes on and on.

If you're going to go the distance, you have to learn to deal with the stress.  Here's some tips...

Identify what your major stress factors are.  Which situations create the most stress for you?  How do you respond to these situations?  

Take steps to adjust or reduce your major stress factors.  Are there some things you can delegate to someone else?  Are there some changes you can make that will relieve some of the stress?  What can you stop doing?

Establish boundaries.  Most of us in ministry are people pleasers.  We are wired to help others.  We are shepherds with a heart to care for the sheep.  But you have to set boundaries or the ministry will take over your whole life and bury you.  Learn to say "no."  Have times you don't answer calls.  Don't let the ministry infringe on your time with your family.

Take time to recharge.  You and I are like rechargeable batteries.  If we don't make time to recharge, we run out of energy.  Spend time with God.  Take your day off.  Use your vacation time.  Be home in the evening with your family.

Learn how to relax.  This is hard for me.  My brain is wired to always be on the move.  I have a hard time just sitting still.  I have to force myself to do this.  But we have to have things that take our mind off the ministry.  It may be watching TV or a movie, a hobby, reading a book, or working out.  Whatever it is that can take your mind off all your responsibilities, do it.

Have someone to talk to.  Have a friend who knows when you are getting stressed out and holds you accountable.  Have someone you can share with.  You weren't meant to do life and ministry alone.

Your turn.  What causes you stress?  How do you deal with stress?  Share with us in the comment section below.                                                                                 

Easter is a great time to place key communication pieces in parents' hands.  Here are some of the pieces we are giving parents who attend Easter services.

Children's Ministry brochure

Special piece for those who only come Christmas & Easter

Lesson Take Home page

Small Group info.

Text and Facebook sign-up

Summer Camp info.

Faith Commitment / Baptism class info. (side 1)

Faith Commitment / Baptism class info. (side 2)

Parent Partnership info.