Home Archive by category "Kidmin" (Page 41)

Category: Kidmin

An Open Letter to Discouraged Children’s Workers

Sometimes you wonder if you are making a difference. You know who you are. You labor quietly and gently. You show tenderness to the meek; kind firmness to the rebellious. You extend grace where possible and longsuffering with kids, parents and even fellow children’s workers who try to get under your skin. You pray secretly for those who are hurting, especially those who mistreat you. You display a cheerful countenance, always trying to greet and encourage newcomers. Whether they are into goth, punk, the latest techno gadget, or self-absorbed behavior, you treat them all with the same level of respect. You may not know it just yet, but they notice the difference. And it matters to them. Even if they do not admit it. Sometimes you wonder if you are making a difference. You wonder if the hours and minutes you spend preparing lessons and interacting with the children has kingdom impact. You wonder if the words you speak are finding fertile soil in which to blossom. You wonder if that hurting child, over whom you have cried tears in prayer and travail, will ever experience the breakthrough you know that God desires to provide. It is happening already. God…

Continue reading

The Pastor of Sandwich

It is always a fun and unpredictable time when those who work with children get together! And the highlights of a Children’s Pastors Conference are often from around a table sharing a meal, rather than a workshop or general session – as wonderful and inspiring as they may, in fact, be for helping with one’s ministry. But I’ve long made by Mission one of “Equipping and Encouraging” because I know that laughter is often as needed as another great idea or resource. In that spirit, one of the highlights of CPC this year, happened not at the conference at all, but as Tom and John and I, joined by some new friends from the shuttle, Darcie and Rebecca, where hanging out at my favorite restaurant in Downtown Disney, The Earl of Sandwhich. When I suggested this location for our pre-conference meal I explained that it was named after the inventor of the sandwich! Which is explained the cups you get your drinks out of: As a bit of fun, I invited each person at the table to read the cup in their own dramatic fashion, as they would if it were a movie trailer, or as they might for a…

Continue reading

Are YOU at CPC Orlando?

If you are at CPC Orlando this week – look for me! I often wear a BRIGHT YELLOW pull over with the Kidology Logo to help people spot me! And I never mind people saying, “Hello!” Sometimes people e-mail me later and say, “I saw you, but I didn’t want to bother you.” Nonsense. Bother me! I want to meet you! HOW TO FIND KARL: RESOURCE CENTER: He’ll be hanging out at the DiscipleLand booth during the Resource Center times to answer questions and tell folks all about DiscipleTown! THE KIDOLOGY GATHERING! Don’t miss this annual casual and intimate late night gathering that we’ve been doing for years! This year it will be on Thursday evening, January 17th, during and after the Phil Vischer Show at the Rix’s, which is right across from the Pepper Grill, which is the main eating cafe down by the lake. (The Pepper Grill will be closed.) We will be inside over near the Rix Cafe where you’ll be filling those giant free refill cups, but in the seating area! Come enjoy some relaxed fellowship, fun and conversation about life, ministry and whatever comes up. It is always a great time. WORKSHOPS: Karl is teaching…

Continue reading

The Power of a Mother’s Vision

When I was ten years old, a children’s evangelist came to our church for five days of meetings. I loved everything I saw. (I even figured out a few of his magic tricks and built them at home in our work shed.) At the end of the week, I told my mom, “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” My mother’s response: “What’s growing up got to do with anything? You start next Wednesday.” And she put me in front of the kids at our Awana club and coached me through planning my first lesson. I’ve been teaching kids ever since. Literally thousands. All over the world. And I’ve been equipping and encouraging those who minister to children through Kidology.org – all because of a mother who didn’t think I had to “grow up first” to get started. My mom went to be with the Lord on Christmas Day in 1996. On her deathbed, she shared with me that in Bible College God had given her a vision for a worldwide ministry to children. Like David, who had a vision to build a temple that he would not get to build but that would be built by Solomon…

Continue reading

The KidHelper in Town

It’s been a great weekend! Barney Kinard, aka, The Kidhelper. The designer of Kidology Coaching has been in town for several days for some fun and strategic planning. If you’re my friend on facebook, then you’ve seen some of the fun we’ve had from Buffalo Burgers to Casa Bonita – but we’ve also been working on some pretty exciting changes and enhancements to Kidology Coaching as over seven students have graduated in the past several months between both coaches and preparing for adding some new coaches. (If that interests you, let me know.) If you have never considered a coaching relationship, you really should look into Kidology Coaching. It is incredibly unique. There are a lot of programs out there that use the term “coaching” that actually provide good training in children’s ministry, but that aren’t truly coaching. They may provide good exposure to ideas and resources through videos, MP3’s, group calls and other training opportunities, but only Kidology Coaching provides a genuine coaching experience that is curriculum based, with a customized experience to your unique needs and with personal one on one calls, usually via video conferencing with Skype. With Kidology Coaching are getting a personal coach to walk…

Continue reading