Engaging children in worship - Jamie Statema

Kids do not need rockstars; they need people who are passionate about worship.

We need to teach children what worship is!
- it's more than just singing
- you can worship God by praying, reading scripture, etc

Prepare for worship
-engage kids immediately as they enter
-have music in when kids come in
-make sure the leaders are high energy
-brightly lit environment
-pray

A good start
-energetic welcome - expect a response
-give clear directions
-get kids involved
-don't have dead air
-make expectations clear (especially at for slower songs)

A good set
-start your set with a lot of energy / begin with high energy songs
-have your set planned out. How songs lead into each other
-ask questions and encourage responses
-as you move from fun to serious, let them know.
-plan your set with scripture, announcements and prayer in mind

Keep it simple
-more is not always better
-think quality not quantity

Use the right songs
-don't dumb down your music
-pick songs that are theologically sound
-actions are great - use when appropriate
-actions aren't always great! Use your judgement

Instrumentation
-kids don't care if its live or not
-video is a great resource
-is take no instruments over bad instruments
-ask musicians from "big church" to serve where they're needed more.

What about the 5th grade boys?
-be their friends
-mix them up with younger kids
-don't give them too much grief. Involve them in other ways.
-focus on the kids who are into it and eventually they'll come around
-if they don't like to sing that's ok. Just make sure they hear the gospel over and over and over.

Keeping it Fresh - Kurt Goble

Many of us struggle to revise our curriculum, build our volunteer organization, get our teams in place, and create a relevant and exciting program. the. Something unexpected happens. We get bored. What once felt fresh and exciting becomes monotonous.

If you can't get excited about what you're doing, nobody else will.

- is it time for a complete overhaul?
- your system is currently designed to achieve the results you're currently getting.
- lose the bucket method and teach from the heart - we need to be learning and absorbing what we are teaching the kids. Rather than just transferring information.
- shift your priorities and habits - once your good at something it shouldn't consume the same amount of time.
- seek God just for the sake of seeking God, not to prepare for your lesson.
- revisit past failures - figure out what you have learned from them and correct it.
-take some new risks - risk some new failures. Dare to go deeper with what you teach your kids. Find what challenges you.
- listen to or read books by people you don't necessarily agree with
- get back in the leathers chair. Always be learning. Be a lifelong learner
- build something bigger than yourself

"In times of change learners thrive, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to thrive in a world that no longer exists"

-give it away, allow people to grow and assume roles
- learn to do something new that will benefit your ministry
-get in and have fun. Set aside the art of self denial and design something you love.
-find someone you trust and let them critique you. Be wise about how you accept critique. Give them specific questions.
-know if you need to get help. Sometimes with focus, issues, etc. know if you need help via medical, counseling etc. be willing to talk to someone.
-struggles we have should not be attributed to spiritual weakness.

Building a Championship Team

Developing a Championship Team - with Scott Berkey

The challenge of recruiting is not a new one.
Matthew 9:36-38

Hebrews 10:24 "and let us consider how we may SPUR one another on toward love and good deeds"
S. Start thinking like a coach
1. Know what you have (before a coach recruits more players they need to know who they already have)
2. Know what you need 1 Corinthians 10 (be ready for people, know where you have a spot for them)
3. Go out and get it (people are attracted to a compelling vision; they want to be part of a winning team) when you open the doors the fans will come in. The all stars need to be recruited. People want to be challenged.
4. Recruit out of relationship and encourage your team to do the same.

P. Practice, practice, and more practice.
1. Praise publicly and correct privately.
2. People are always more important than programs. (If you will be there for them, they will be there for you)

U. Understand strengths and weaknesses.
1."Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life" -Confucius
2. Living your strengths by Dr Don Clifton

R. Remember the 3 Signs
3 signs of a miserable job - Patrick Lencioni
1. Anonymity (know your volunteers)
2. Irrelevance (say thank you. Say please)
3. Immeasurement (give your leaders measurable success)

CPC 2013

Who's ready for CPC13? I know I am!

Sitting in Sacramento International Airport waiting for my flight, and forming a plan! There is so much information at these conferences we go to, so how do we absorb it all? Or as much as humanly possible, assuming we want to retain it. I am curious to see how different teams function and "do" conferences.

For our team, which includes the following: Elementary Coordinator; Preschool Coordinator; Infants & Toddler Coordinator, a member of our Summer Day Camp team and me (director of children & family ministries), we try to divide and conquer within reason. Earlier in the year, I ask my team to set goals for the year. This is both to keep things fresh, as well as keeping up with currents trends and technology. It also keeps my team (and me) constantly pushing our comfort zones, trying new things and forcing us to learn. More than any of that, we are constantly trusting that God is in control as we venture into new territory.

So with that said, their goals, paired with the regular ministry items are what we use to decide which breakouts to attend. I encourage my team to take a pause, we are all moms, and usually have a very fast paced schedule. I love that they are driven to absorb as much as possible, while also knowing I may catch them poolside for an hour. Rest, and refill is my hope for them.

This year our list of breakouts covers special needs, room design, organization and so much more. I am praying that my team (and yours) come home full of ideas and the faith and courage they need to implement them well.

This week I will be posting notes from the sessions I personally attend as well as the general sessions. I hope those of you who can't join us log into the live stream if possible. (www.incm.org)

If you are headed to CPC, say hello! And hit the reply to share your plan of attack for this conference.