Home Archive by category "Children’s Ministry" (Page 90)

Category: Children’s Ministry

The Future of Children’s Ministry

Here is the first of 18 articles from Greg Baird’s series from Kidmin360.com In January 2007, I presented ten trends I predicted would characterize children’s ministry in the years ahead. As we approach January 2011 and I review those, it is interesting to consider which of those have trends still resonate as hot trends, which are assumed or fading, and which I wish were of greater emphasis as I scan articles, workshop descriptions of conferences or forum discussions of various websites. Whenever I am asked to write or speak on the “future” I often start with one of my favorite quotes, which always goes off better verbally… “I’m not a prophet, nor the son of prophet. In fact, I work for a non-profit organization.” The reality is, I’m always faced with a very real dilemma. Do I respond with my Predicted Future, or my Preferred Future? Because in many ways, unfortunately, they are very different when I look over the children’s ministry landscape today. I often feel as though I am both fighting against the advance of the kidmin culture as well as contributing to it. On one hand, I’ve been a significant influencer of children’s ministry over the years,…

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I’m Gonna Be a Rat

Yup. It’s official. I’m gonna be a rat in an upcoming animated video from Timbuktoons… that according to their KickStart fundraising site! Todd Hampson and Sean Copley are two of the most creative guys I know. You may not recognize their names – but you see their work all over the Kidology and the Kidmin world. Todd was the artist for my novel Order of the Ancient and Sean designed this blog theme and all my matching stationery, business cards, brochures, etc. Todd is also the guy behind the Kidology Handbook, Leadership Labs and the Kids Church Cookbook design work. And of course, we carry a lot of their shorts and graphics and other products in our store. (4 pages worth!) They are also the creative guys behind a LOT of the stuff you see walking through the exhibit hall at the Children’s Pastor’s Conference. (Though I’m not making the list, as I’m not sure I have permission to disclose all that they are behind?) But if it looks sharp, there is a good chance Todd and Sean are behind it! And I’d like to think I was one of the first to discover Todd. Though I’m sure others may…

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Work Expands to Fill the Time Allowed

This is one of Barney Kinard’s “Coach’s Conundrums,” or what he calls one of his collection of pithy principles that need some explanation. As he often says to his Protégés (as he calls his students), implementing of his conundrums could alter your paradigm for children’s ministry or influence the way you approach kids. I want to share this one with you – because it is one that when he shared it with me years ago, it hit be so hard between the eyes, it about knocked me over! Not only is Barney a long time friend, he is one of our Kidology Coaches, who offers weekly coaching calls to his students as part of Kidology’s personal one-to-one personal curriculum based mentoring program. Every Monday, he faithful sends out his Coach’s Huddle, an e-mail LOADED with updates, insights, encouragements, pithy wisdom, fun puns, updates on his students, and bonus coaching materials exclusively for his students. It is truly a treasure of knowledge his students are blessed to get (and I’m lucky to be CCed on) every Monday. I’m taking the liberty to post his Coach’s Conundrum on “Work expands to fill the time allowed” knowing that Barney will not mind! Here…

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Doctor Poncho

Taking everyday mundane family occurrences and turning them into memories… We had a small tragedy in our home this morning. Charlie’s nose came off. It would only take me 2-3 minutes and some super glue to fix it – but what an opportunity for a memory! I went down to my “children’s ministry closet” that is still stacked full of boxes from nearly 20 years as a children’s pastor and prayed, “Dear God, let one of the first three boxes I pull have my doctor outfit!” The first box looked promising – as it had the doctor table cloth in it! But I struck out with the next few boxes and it looked like my plan of coming back up stairs dressed as a surgeon was not going to happen. Then I remembered something I’ve said more times than I can count in workshops across America, “Kids love to pretend and as adults we are handicapped by our need to be realistic.” So I just grabbed what I did have access to – a poncho and sombrero, that surgeon’s table cloth and walked back upstairs and introduced myself as “Doctor Poncho” and said, “I hear you have a dog whose…

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New Narnia Series on Kidology

Sometimes you meet the goofiest people… …but it’s a God thing. I met Nicki Straza at the Kid Builder conference in Canada this past spring and could quickly tell she shared my passion for writing curriculum. She has collaborated with me now on several projects, the most recent being the ALL NEW NARNIA release, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Perhaps you’ve already used one of our other Narnia series Wardrobe or Caspian – well, we are excited to offer this third one now. And if not, be sure to check out the “add on” option on buying all three at significant savings! Here’s the official scoop on the curriculum: This 10-lesson companion curriculum series for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will help your kids set sail into the 3rd installment of C.S. Lewis’ excursion through The Chronicles of Narnia. Written by children’s pastor Nicki Straza, this downloadable study includes everything you need to plan, organize, and teach the adventures found in this magical book. Experience King Caspian’s voyage through magic waters to the End of the World! Your download includes: 173 pages of teaching materials 10 Take Home Papers for kids Print-friendly PDF and editable Microsoft Word formats Lesson…

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