Layers of Leadership - from the archives

My new friend Anthony Coppedge read a post of mine (“Day Camp“) regarding whether it’s ministry or childcare and asked me to write a follow-up post here on his blog as a guest author. I am excited that Anthony’s saw my passion for developing leaders and volunteers and gave me a chance to speak to you, his friends in ministry.

Day camp for my staff is a fun summer of getting paid to play and minister to children. Often times resulting in children being saved and whole families coming to Christ as a result. I have come to the conclusion that day camp is an opportunity to build a ministry of leadership, outreach, mentoring, spiritual growth and development. I was recently asked how I came to that conclusion, which I love to have the opportunity to explain.

One thing I have learned from this program is how to begin to build leaders. In Children's Ministry, Pastoral Leadership, or business management we need people who understand, value, and own our cause or vision and can continue to make it happen. Let's face it leaders, you won't be sitting in that chair forever, and if you truly believe in what you are doing, your ministry should thrive even after your exit.

 If ministry leadership was simply a matter of having tasks completed and lining up people to do them, it would be easy. But a volunteer who sees that at the end of the day, every moment with this child can shape their spiritual growth, will make every moment count. So where are these people located? I need to order more please! Well, they aren't ordered, or even found, they're built. (for the lack of a better word)

Why is something as simple as a 10 week summer program seen as an opportunity to build these leaders?  Our counselors are usually college age students that have a desire to have a future in ministry. These counselors were at one time (most often) campers. I believe every moment is a moment to teach. For example, a camper has several opportunities to learn while in camp and even do service projects. Once in high school they can return as a CIT (counselor in training) where they learn how to teach the stories, lead the music and games, and run things alongside an established mentoring counselor. Once they're 18 they can join staff, these kids have proven to be amazing leaders when they come of age. In children's ministry I get to serve kids that have their whole life ahead of them. Yes, my ultimate goal is to introduce them to Jesus and teach them how to have a relationship with Him. However, serving our saviour is part of our relationship and I believe I would be failing them if I didn't teach and give them opportunities as well.

Part of my passion comes from my own layers, when I was 6 years old I was picked up by the church bus every Sunday. I sang songs and learned verses. Once my parents started attending and I no longer needed to ride the bus, our pastor offered me the role of "bus captain"! I was 10, and my job was to make a list of songs and verses to lead as we picked up kids on the way to church.  At the age of 14 I began teaching little lambs with an elderly woman who knew she didn't have many more years of chasing three year olds. I taught with Miss Evelyn for a year before she stepped down, she taught me every piece of that class from crafts, to preparing a lesson for kids that small, to talking with parents. For this reason, we pair new volunteers with someone who has been at it a while. Lastly, all the mentors I have ever had gave me freedom or ownership. As a natural control person this can be difficult to let projects go, but your workers will usually be more dedicated and passionate if they have creative freedom within the support you provide. Many years of people adding "layers" to me came in handy when I married my husband who was a pastor of a small church. This church could be seen as a small country church with nothing for kids, I saw a fresh canvas!

The opportunity for adults, teens, and kids to learn as they go, and grow as they learn is a necessity. Jesus was constantly on the move as he taught, usually on His way to do something else. Life didn't stop for training. Which don't get me wrong, I love a good conference but give me a mentor who has been at it for fifty years and wants to add some more layers to me day by day and I believe that's a goldmine! So for this reason I pass you the following 5 questions to consider...

1. What are you doing every day that can be a teachable moment for someone willing to learn?
2. Are you giving your ministry kids (or adults) an opportunity and the skills to serve?
3. Do your leaders feel like they have freedom within your support to own their projects?
4. Can you spot your future leaders? That 10 year old tech savvy kid, are you adding layers to him?
5. Who are YOU learning from? There's no limit to your layers.

I hope your mind is buzzing with ideas of how to invest in people who will someday take the reigns and effectively communicate the gospel to future generations.  As always, I love to hear your thoughts and bounce ideas. Join me on twitter or cmconnect!

Blessings for your day,

Heidi M Hensley

Consisent and Balanced Parenting with Sissy Goff and David Thomas

 

 

"too much talk, too much emotion" 

Two consistent mistakes parents make in consistency and balance.

Being a Consistent Parent

Start with a yellow light

Give them a choice....and then accelerate the consequences

• a signal that tells them you better get it under control.

Follow through

Let the consequences (and one liners) do the teaching

Move on and help them to, as well.

Being a Balanced Parent

Balancing support

• Too much support limits growth

• Support through questions

Balancing emotions

• Emotionally charged moments = mistakes 

•  Time outs aren't just for toddlers

Being a Patient Parent

Be aware of time (start 15 minutes earlier)

Be aware of your expectations of your child

• Emotional expectations
• Social expectations

Be aware of your expectations of yourself

Remember that we serve a God who redeems.  All things.  And all mistakes. Even yours. 

Beyond Background Checks

If you attended this session at CPC, thank you! You made it so much fun.

Below you will find the slide show as promised. If you didn't attend the session, you can get a copy of it on the incm website and use these notes as tips.

Remember, what we do requires us keeping kids safe. A safe loving, well thought out atmosphere allows families to go to church together and grow without worrying about safety.

Here is the link to my volunteer application as well.

Kids That Pray

This month the focus is prayer. If you haven't read last week's post "Families that Pray" I encourage you to do so. Last week's post was designed to use at home with families. This week we will discuss it from a leadership perspective.

Like most Children's Ministry Leaders, we all hope that every child goes home to a place that during the week they are ministered to. Families that invest in one another and parents that are highly involved in the spiritual development of our ministry kids. But when reality sets in, we realize they don't all have that atmosphere. In fact I have some kids (as I am sure every other leader does too) that show up alone on Sundays and walk blocks to return home. For some of these kids I question whether or not their physical necessities are being provided as they tell me there was no breakfast and we do what we can to meet their physical and spiritual needs as well. 

We all have these heart wrenching cases that arrive weekly, so what about these kids? Who is teaching them that church and a relationship with Jesus is more than Sunday? Who is encouraging them to be in the word and to pray? I once had a friend tell me "Teaching them the books of the Bible seems irrelevant when all they want is something to eat". I understand the statement, but I disagree, we don't have to choose between physical and spiritual investment. These kids need an extra touch, at least in my opinion. In this blog I will attempt to provide leaders with tips to create a strategic plan that assists kids with or without at home support to begin to "own" their faith, something I am very passionate about.

The first step is to not assume anything. As we all know, kids are not books we can judge by a cover.  They may or may not have spiritual support in the home regardless of their appearance or church involvement. In kids church we set the stage by announcing to kids, "If you need help with a reading plan or a praying plan, come talk to us". While them having a solid home foundation is our desire, at the end of the day, our relationship with Jesus is up to us individually.  So whether you have a child with a strong support system or a child with no system at all, these tips can be used, and most by the child alone. 

1. Jesus and Me. Do your kids realize that their relationship with Jesus is theirs? It's not contingent on their parents involvement. When kids understand this, they are more inclined to invest in their own relationship. The understanding that Jesus is THIER savior, and not simply a family friend that you creates a relationship they were born into can be an iconic moment for how kids respond to the gospel. 

2. Prayer is anytime. Challenge your kids church kids to call on Jesus on their own. A simple short "Jesus please help me do my best on this test" or "in this game" teaches them opportunities to call on Him. Creating a list of four or five situational prayers gets this into their DNA and habit and creates an active prayer life for kids. Here is the list I use, kids are encouraged add to it but it is a great simple starting point. 

• Jesus, please help me do my best on this test. 
• Jesus, help me to be a good friend and make right choices. (recess bell)
• Jesus, please keep our family safe as we start our week. (Monday prayer)
• Jesus, thank you for a day of school and friends. (when the dismissal bell rings)
• Jesus, please help me do my best today. (when the starting bell rings at school)

The mind works in amazing ways. Using triggers like school bells as prayer reminders will be something that stays with them for years. I know it has for me. This was something I was taught to do as a kid at Northside Christian Academy in the first grade, and to this day a school bell prompts me to whisper a prayer. Only now it's for my kids as they run onto campus.

For the child without at home support, we need to remember that nobody is really teaching them the elements of prayer other than what they get on Sunday. A simple paper that says ACTS, helps them learn. One of my favorite things is when kids return to church and show me their ACTS prayer paper. It is simply a piece of paper, folded into 4 (creating 4 boxes) placing A,C,T,S, in each box. They stand for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication. For the kids I use: Adore, Confess, Thanks, Supply. They can write new things in each box as they pray during the week. A super simple template can be made with little explanations of each word for them to take. 

Prayer is communication, and as a kid for whatever reason I thought that I needed to be qualified to do the communicating. Public prayer was actually a long time fear for me because of this misconception, so creating ways for kids to understand that it is simply how we connect and communicate with our heavenly Father is very important to me. 

I would love to hear other approaches and ideas out there. 

Rob Morgan Notes at D62013

Rob Morgan is the senior pastor of The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, TN. 

Luke 15

Five steps in the grace cycle. 

Instead of being in a cycle of grief, live in a cycle of grace

The appropriate response for any christian when another person makes a change for Christ in their life is joy!

1. Pain

• In the Gospels, Jesus always intervened on behalf of distressed parents

2. Prayer

• The prayers of a righteous [parent] is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

3. Patience

• time is on our side 

4. Peace

• Prodigals have a way of coming home

5. Praise

• Give God the praise 

Notes for Todd Wagner @ D62013

Three institutions that God values...

• Family - God's gift to pass on the means to which we can go on

• Marriage - the building block of society

• Government - is a divine institution that is designed to punish evil and preserve justice

The bond which forms the family is marriage

Marriage is a big deal because God loves people
Marriage is to mirror God's character

equality, unity, diversity all must be present to properly define the trinity.

The perfect example of the structure of the trinity is displayed in God's design of marriage

4 ways to improve marriages in your church

1. You have got to be authentic

• look at your own marriage
• if every marriage in your church looked like yours, what would your church look like?
• How are you doing at setting the example, are you able to say "imitate me"?

2. Be committed

• The purpose of marriage is that there would be unity
• The purpose of marriage is not that you would be un-divorced; there's more
• When you define love with anything less than the cross, it loses it's power

3. Be connected

• be connected to others that love you
• Have accountability

4. Be aware

• Know that there is an enemy - Ephesians 5:22
• Be strong in the grace of the Lord
• Marriage takes place on a spiritual battlefield; not a romantic balcony

D6mini with Mark Holmen

Mark Holmen

Deuteronomy 6:1-2

Are we in love with God? Or are we just doing church?

Deuteronomy 6:3-7

What leaves an impression on our kids? Who and what we love.

The first things that will impress our kids is what we love.


Dueteronomy 6:7-9

The home is to be the primary place where faith is taught, expressed, lived and nurtured

In the land of plenty theres plenty to do more, see more, have more... Be careful that we do not leave God out of it.


It's about parents loving God, and teaching their kids before they ever arrive at church. 

The church should have a heartbeat to ensure that our people are taught how to make this happen.
What is your strategy for this?

D6 2013 - Main Event Info

@heidimhensley  -  #d62013  -  livestream

I am in Louisville for the D6 Conference and having a ball with the social media team. 

 Join me for notes, questions, and watch via live stream with the links above.

We have a correction, all sessions are according to Eastern Time. 

Family Ministry Fun for the Holidays

our 2013 flyer

In what ways are you engaging your families this year? In our crazy busy world families are looking for ways to build memories with their children more than ever. This year as you plan to engage families here are a few design ideas for the things you may offer. This list has come together over the 8 years I have been on staff with Quail as I have polled parents. While the Christmas concerts and services are awesome, and should be attended, I do not think they substitute a place for families to engage one another, laugh together and fellowship with other families. I know what you're thinking, Christmas is less than three months away and you want me to design something new?! No, even I am not that crazy. My goal is to spark ideas that can accent your existing activities or formats to engage families and provide a platform to invite extended family members as well.

Here's what we do.

1. Halloween - we have the carnival like most. But we also give our congregation tracts to hand out at home to Trick' or' treaters. On the backside of the tract is a label that has our service times and upcoming Christmas programs. We encourage our families to engage neighbors and hand these out. Some even set up a game in their drive-ways as a family for passers by. (our carnival is intentionally not on Halloween so our families can be in their communities on that night.)

2. Thanksgiving - By far my favorite! Think pie! I love opportunities for kids to be hands on and learn something from older generations and parents. Personally, I believe baking is one of the coolest things that can serve in that role. Both a recipe is shared, but personal style and tips coming from an older generation, handed down to a younger makes a great memory! For example, this year we will have a pie crust making class, kids and parents can come and learn how to make a homemade crust from some of our baking geniuses at church. Everyone will leave with a ready to bake crust.

We will also be having a pie potluck, homemade pies, coffee and board games will make for a Friday night of fun. Families will make memories as well as engage with other families from church. In a large congregation, families long for this kind of interaction.

3. Christmas - Happy Birthday Jesus Party. This is a party at center for at risk kids. Families will go down to the Center and interact with at risk kids as they lead games, songs, and a gift exchange. This almost serves as a mission trip in our city. This is the only Christmas some of the kids we minister to that day get. Awesome opportunity for families!

While these may not fit you, here is how we have arrived to some of them. The following questions help design great family experiences.

1. Does it engage the whole family? (all ages and stages)
2. Can families invite other families to join in?
3. Is there a cost (we try to keep this minimal if any)
4. Are you engaging multiple generations?
5. Is there fellowship opportunities that allow relationships to be built with other church families?
6. What does it lead to next?
7. Can it be placed at or during an existing event? (like adding cookies and cocoa fellowship after the christmas concert?)
8. Does it engage families with special needs children?
9. Does it engage single parents?
10. What is the spiritual goal? (entry point, seed planting, gospel shared)

Hoping your holidays are full of many memories!

Why object lessons are awesome

Object lessons and kids, they just go together. I will even venture to say that they work well with adults too. We could go into all the mathematical and scientific reasons why, but I would need you to be in the  room with a live object lesson to make that interesting.

There are many ways to illustrate a Bible lesson to kids, many churches use felt, or puppets or even skits. While these are common illustrations that can be effective, I have personally always favored the object lesson. Here are a few reasons they work, and how and when to use them.

Why does it work: (Jesus used object lessons, but here are a few reasons anyway)

1. Kids are natural bayesian logic thinkers. This means they have the natural ability to take past events and formulate a probable outcome. For some things in life, like math and basic decision making this is a good thing.  So if you put an object lesson in front of them, they're hooked. Most kids have minds that start working over time to reason out what you are doing in front of them, and they are captured until the end of the lesson.

2. It's interactive, whether or not you call on a volunteer, most object lessons require asking questions. Personally, having a child up holding something and a couple peers actually performing the lesson with my guidance is my preference. My friend Roger Fields often says the words "can I get a volunteer" are golden in children's ministry, and I totally agree. Kids learn when they can get their hands on it.

3. It can be inexpensive. I will be honest, the first church I led children's ministry at didn't have a kidmin budget. I wrote my own lessons and had the option of a color page that could line the floor board of the car, or an object lesson. So throughout the week I thought of different ways I could illustrate the lesson using things in my house. Everything from teaching the trinity with steam, ice, and water to a lamp and an egg to illustrate faith.  It can be a very inexpensive, effective, and sometimes edible tool!

How to make sure your object lessons don't stink.
1. Practice! Don't lie there in bed on Saturday night and think through your object lesson and assume it will work. Let's face it, you're asking for disaster! Practice your object lesson a couple times, even use it on your own kids to see if it connects.

2. Prepare! There is nothing worse than showing up on Sunday with the assumption that there is oil in the church kitchen for your lesson and learning that it's gone. Make sure you have all your pieces and they are measured to your needs. This also speaks to the excitement, when kids enter the room, have it ready and they will be excited to see what is coming.

3. Use verses, make sure you start and end with the Biblical tie in. An awesome object lesson can become just a cool piece of entertainment if you don't connect it. My favorite thing to do is use them to connect Biblical principals to life application. Otherwise, kids go home and the "what did you learn" conversation becomes "I learned how to boil water" instead of "I learned all about the trinity...".

Object lessons are great, there are several sites that offer ideas including Pinterest (which is a kidmin must). Be prepared and know that it may change as you go, maybe even plan a couple alternate endings. Use new people in your ministry too, this is a great time to get those volunteers who are being mentored a chance to get comfortable in front of the kids in a more comfortable setting. Even send an outline home with the parents! Object lessons are a great tool in the home to get families talking.

Book Review: Limited Church: Unlimited Kingdom

Limited Church: Unlimited Kingdom 

 Uniting church and family in the great commission

 by Rob Rienow. 

As I sat down, tea in hand, I was prepared to read and absorb, or so I thought. I will honestly say after reading, once isn't enough. I plan to do it again! The amount of information in this book is amazing. In review, the design of this book is well done. It puts a significant amount of thought provoking information in a bite sized section, and then pauses for reflective questions. I appreciate this, so many times an author will twist and turn through a verbal journey and when you arrive, there is no sense of how you got there. The book flows nicely and builds on itself from one section to the next, while constantly referring to scripture.

Content!  Rienow begins with what most would consider to be obvious information, the Bible is sufficient. Then moves to challenge with the reflective question "To what degree does your church use the Bible as a sufficient guide for making ministry and programming decisions? How often is the Bible referred to when making ministry strategy decisions?" Not only does the beginning of the book speak to general ministry, I personally believe every young adults pastor needs a copy on hand. 

Rienow suggests that the biblical doctrine of jurisdiction has been largely lost in today's church.  Dr. Rienow consistently reminds us that God has given us the information in the Bible to carry out His mission, everything from what He wants done, how He wants it done, and who He wants to do it. Reinow does well to lay out the four foundational realms of authority, areas of jurisdiction in society. They are; the individual, the family, the local church, and the government.  He focuses on the local church and the family while covering each area based upon the sufficiency of Scripture and repeating the framework God has given each one according to His Word. Those committed to loving God and others advances God’s mission through a godly marriage, godly children, a godly local church.  

Limited Church: Unlimited Kingdom is definitely a tool to be used by family ministry leaders, children's ministry leaders, and young adult leaders as well. The first read through is great, but I plan on digesting it with my team in a section by section format. 

Spiritual Gifts of Children

I once had someone tell me that "kids need to have Jesus in their atmosphere so that when they grow up they can choose to follow Him,  but they weren't really capable of relationship or serving at a young age".  My heart sank when I heard this, and quite honestly, if you have ever served in your church's nursery you know that statement is incorrect.

I have watched for years as children not only absorb information, they display solid faith and exude pure worship. It's no coincidence that Jesus tells us that we need that "child-like faith" to receive Him. (Matthew 18:2-4)

I have also for years watched children display their spiritual gifts. Look closely this Sunday, children as young as two years old will show compassion, leadership, and mercy. As parents we can easily identify them in our children, and often times as ministry leaders we can see them as well.

So what are we doing with this vital information? Do you ever dream and wonder, what are my kids capable of? Am I challenging them spiritually? We as leaders offer up "challenges" of memory verses and other information, but do we really challenge them in their spiritual capability? Are we sharpening their "spiritual gift sword" for use in the kingdom?

As I have been personally reflecting on this question I realized in 2 Chronicles 24:1it is mentioned that Joash was SIX YEARS OLD when he became king! Six! First Grade! I think you get it, he continued his reign for 40 years. What this exactly looked like, well I can't even begin to fathom, but I can tell you that he was a leader. He had older generations around him not only training him up, but entrusting him to lead on his own.  This is where I stopped, while we are embracing family ministry as a culture and investing in our younger generations, I had to ask "are we entrusting them?"

As I sat there looking at the take home pages of family devotions, the memory verse cards, and the curriculum, I came to the realization that we are pouring in (and rightfully so) but are we teaching them what to do with all that input? Are we teaching them that the holy spirit will guide, and stepping back and letting that happen?

So with that in mind, we decided to start with spiritual gifts! In kids church we did a three week series on identifying, using, and sharing spiritual gifts. But it won't just be a lesson! Kids will be given the option to assume ministry tasks based on their spiritual gifts. The desire is to show them hands on that they can have a relationship with Jesus that is full (like adults). To show them that they have something to give, and God has designed them with a purpose.  Giving and serving is a huge part of our spiritual life, and we would be off balance without those elements.

I am an advocate of good material, and quite honestly I found a free online printable curriculum for this series.  I landed on the page with a search and while the page isn't all bright and hi-tech, the content is wonderful! The best part is the fact that all the supplies called for, you probably already have. There were a few changes like milk cartons used for a game, I used cups and cotton balls.

While we may not have a six year old leading our nation any time soon, which may be a better option (well that's another blog post in itself) we can let them lead in places that will equip them to carry the gospel to future generations we will never see. The best part is letting the parents get involved by teaching them what we see in their kids and letting that be nurtured in the home as well.

The Action Bible: Review

I recently received my copies of the Action Bible; the Action Bible New Testament; and the Action Bible Handbook. While the Action Bible itself is not a new product to me (my son has one), I had not had a chance to look at the other two.

If you are entirely unfamiliar with the Action Bible series, some basics on it are: It is an illustrated novel form of some of the major stories of the Bible. The books are illustrated by christian artist Sergio Cariello, who started as a very young artist and eventually worked for Marvel and DC Comics.  As I sit here and flip through the book and sip coffee from my wonder woman mug, that's quite exciting for me!

While some kids bring this to church with them, parents need to recognize they won't be able to follow along. The Action Bible is in chronological order and is outlined in story title format. There are no books, chapters and verses. With that said, I see it as a supplemental reading. A child who has read or heard most of these stories in the Bible would truly appreciate the kid friendly chronological layout. Often a concept they find hard to learn. The art and visuals are well done, I appreciate the fact that it is age appropriate yet not so softened it loses the message. For example, we all know Jesus suffered an was in physical pain during the crucifixion. While the illustrations are not gory, there is blood shown when the crucifixion is illustrated. This is almost always edited out for sensitivity, but the fact that the kids get a visual that this was not a "pretty" or "pleasant" experience is so important. The Action Bible itself covers over 200 stories from Genesis to Revelation.

There is also a New Testament only version. This is basically the same content, just in new testament range.

The last piece here is the Action Bible Handbook. While I love supplemental reading for kids that supports Biblical learning, it saddens me when it just ends there. However, this one doesn't. The handbook (at least for me) pushed this series into another level. Supplemental learning is great; but kids need to know how it relates to God's word and that the Bible itself is the truth that we refer back to. The handbook does just that! Kids can look up names, places and things they see in either the Action Bible or their Bible and it gives a brief description as well as the page numbers in the Action Bible AND book chapter and verse to refer to God's word! As a kid's ministry leader, this book is my favorite part of this series.

If you haven't looked through them, do it! You can take a virtual tour here.

Easter is on it's way and parents are always looking for something to treat their kids to. Pair the handbook with either a full Action Bible or the New Testament version, and you have a great gift.

Gifts of Christmas

Christmas time! My favorite time of year. A season that we can surround everything we  do with the birth of our savior. The opportunities for teaching kids this time of year is never-ending. I love pulling out the lights and handmade crafts by my kids to put on display, the fire department would cringe at the level of candles and lights throughout my home. After all the decorations have been hung and the traditions are in place, that leaves the gifts. In a season of giving, I absolutely love to get gifts for others. As I talk to parents every year during this time I am asked for recommendations. By tradition we do a family gift, something we can do together. So here is a list of ideas, gifts that are unusual and possibly irreplaceable that you can do as parents or even pass to the grand kids.

1. A Family Year Book
 (This falls under that irreplaceable type gift)
Take your favorite pictures from throughout the year and send in for a book. Best of all, the photos are printed onto the hardcover bound book, so they won't age. You can get as creative or simple as you like, and as small or large as you like. I make one for our family and someday my kids will take them, we also make a copy for the grandparents. This can even be a great gift for those hard to buy for teenagers or for homesick college students.

2. Families that play together
 Yes! I love anything that gets the family moving as a unit! And after the holidays we all usually say we need more exercise. What about a family gift of new bikes? New basketball hoop and everyone gets their own ball? Our family has a new pool table, so personalized cue sticks are something I am hunting for.

3. The gift of sports

 Did you know that most stadiums, arenas and locations where pro-teams play offer private tours? Not quite the economy to spend hundreds of dollars on pro game tickets, but maybe your kids are sports fans. On average tours are about $15 a person and kids get to discover every nook and cranny of these places including their favorite athlete's locker!

4. Game night
 Our kids love to play board games. But as they have gotten older our games have become outdated. So a wicker chest full of updated games is a great gift! If you don't have a "no TV" family game night, then a basket of games, and popcorn would be an easy way to add it to your new year!

5. The gift of giving
 A family I know will adopt a child from compassion international this year. This is actually something they choose to do at Christmas as a family. Their plan is to have the kids write letters and celebrate this child all year. I love this idea! In our home we adopt a child from the local children's home, but there are many ways that this could be done. Down to wrapping up a sum of money and the gift being letting the children how to decide to use it in a giving sense. Children who are actively involved in the decision making tend to have an ownership of this process.

Hopefully these give you a few ideas. In a world that we as Americans have so much, it's become a love to find things we can give to our children that will create lasting memories and moments that strengthen our family rather than items that will never make it out of a toy box. My children are 10 and 16 this year. They still find crazy joy in picking their yearly ornament for the tree that will someday become the starter collection for their own family. It's amazing to watch them shop for our "adopted" Christmas child and seeing them want to get everything on their list out of love. I truly believe that the investments made, when based on the knowledge that God gave us Jesus who then gave everything (His life) as an example for how we give of ourselves, make times like Christmas pure joy in giving.

Book Review : 52 Creative Family Time Experiences

52 Creative Family Time Experiences

Author: Timothy Smith

As a family ministry leader, I am more than happy to review this book! I am consistently looking for effective tools for my families to use in the home. As a parent, well same story! We have a ten year old and a 16 year old, both boys and have learned that creativity is the key.

As I read through the book, I loved the format. The simple box at the top of each activity that states the Main point, and materials needed, I thought was great. As I read into the activity and discussion pieces I could see how families could really make these into a weekly time that is fun and bonding.

In the beginning of the book, Smith lays out a few tips to get started. Things like, investing time, protection from distractions and flexibility. Sometimes I think it is all to easy to take for granted that these steps will be put into place without prompting, so I appreciate his directions to prepare.  I think parents who take the time to do all the steps will love this book. The book is intended for families with kids of all ages, and does do a great job of adapting for small children.  This is a very hard task as we all know that kids interests change so drastically as they exit that elementary phase. As a mom of two boys that are soon exiting and have exited that elementary age, some of the activities seemed young for my kids. I found myself adapting activities quite a bit; however I could see families with children through about 5th grade taking it as it is written and loving every minute. The book does do what it states "fun ways to bring faith home" and depending on the age and spiritual maturity of your children can be used as is, or modified to go more in depth if needed. I will say the teenage discussion questions were a great conversation starter in our home. More than anything it gives parents a place to start, a set time and a user friendly tool to start discipling their own children.

I would highly recommend to my preschool and elementary families. Available through Amazon, this book would make a great gift to families you may know this Christmas.

Review of The Preschooler's Bible

The Preschooler's Bible
by : V. Gilbert Beers

I recently had the privilege of being able to review the Preschooler's Bible. As a ministry leader, preschoolers are one of my largest areas to oversee, so having great tools for my teachers and parents is definitely a plus!

V. Gilbert Beers is also the author of the Toddler Bible, he has been developing biblical reference books for more than 50 years. Beers has authored more than 160 books with 125 of them being for children.

As I read the intro of the Preschooler's Bible, I enjoyed the "To Parent and Teacher" message from Beers. While some may not see this as a key page, I do. In ministry I am constantly faced with new parents looking for answers about how to disciple their own children. Not only do I feel it's a good tool, Beers takes a brief moment to explain three ways to assist your children in learning God's word. He then goes on to say that "The Preschooler's Bible introduces your child to just the right amount of Bible for that age level" much like the Toddler's Bible.

As I looked to review, I thought I would take it to the true critics! Yes, I went and read to some of the preschoolers. Children being able to understand vocabulary, as well as relate what they are hearing to a visual and be able to explain it back to me is important. I read "David Fights a Giant" to the kids. The stories are written in storybook format, with language that a preschooler can grasp. As I read, there were no questions of what certain words meant (which is a good sign to me and I do quiz as I go). I asked the kids at the end to tell me the story again as I pointed to the pictures, they did so and one even offered up a little more detail. Their teacher liked the book and said she would like to use it as a supplemental tool as well. "Sometimes you just don't know how to state it at their level, and this does just  that", she said.

As a tool for new parents and teachers I think it's great. It is beautifully illustrated and the pictures make sense. The only thing that as a leader I noticed, was that I could have handled a little more information. The stories are perfect for the length of their attention span, but as that four year old pointed out "There were five stones", preschoolers are sponges and sometimes I think we underestimate what they can retain. This age group likes the details, and hopefully the goal is that the parents will fill some of those in as they go. The desire Beers has, is that these tools create a craving for the word, and I do feel that is accomplished.

I will be adding this to my "Christmas Recommendations List" that I am making for parents for our family ministry and will happily be adding a few to my teacher resource center.

If you would like to win a free copy; enter your name below on the comments or in a direct message on twitter.  I will be drawing a name on November 10th and will post here as well as on Twitter!

Blessings,

Heidi M Hensley

My #D62012 Review

After a great first time at D6, I would like to share a little of what I experienced. This was my first year attending this conference, and truly had no idea what to expect. I have been to several kids ministry conferences, but nothing that specifically was designed for ministry to the family. Currently as a ministry leader I have spent the last year trying to develop an organized family ministry. Families need tools; sadly they have no idea where to start. Realizing this, as well as realizing the generation that is now beginning to have kids have little to no church background is why I feel a calling to develop a structured ministry to help with this.

My goal at D6 was to go and be a part of the social media team, (which was a blast) as well as come away with a clearer vision of what today's family needs from the church and how to equip them for ministry in their home. Church should be the accent to the in home ministry, not the centerpiece. But how can we as ministry leaders expect parents to pray with and disciple their children if we have not taught them to? So I wanted tools to teach.

I came away with several ideas, books, and a fire that I believe will be putting the meat on this ministry skeleton I have been working on. I wasn't just tossed into a session and given a list of "how to's", which I appreciate! I was challenged within my own spiritual walk, asked to look into myself as a leader before I even attempt to do anything outward. Such a refreshing reminder, as leaders we are always teaching, directing, and well....leading. It was nice to sit back, crack open my Bible and be challenged to assess things within my own life before being taught to apply it outward.

The conference gave a sense of friendly community, I went alone and felt more than welcome and even invited to sit on the grass for lunch at the trucks with a group of leaders from California. During the event, I was able to ask questions and have answers almost immediately from the D6 crew (which was great as part of the social media team). There were interactive activities and fun things as well as time to chat with fellow leaders and debrief some of the sessions. The speakers were great and I felt covered a multitude of areas of ministry that are so relevant for today's church. (dads, blended families, marriage, and so many more) Logistically the setup was great, I am a fan of a clean sleek look and it definitely had that and was very user friendly.

I will definitely be attending again and plan on taking a few more people with me next year. I was unable to attend the pre conference labs, but will not make that mistake again! They're already on my calendar for 2013!

A conversation with Beth Guckenberger

Beth Guckenberger

Orphan Care and Adoption Advocate - Executive Director of Back2Back Ministries

May I start by saying Beth is one of my favorites, and has been since I first met her at CPC San Diego. As a woman in ministry I love the example Beth sets as a strong, well spoken woman of God. I appreciate that Beth is not a "book leader", while she has books out, she is hands on and clearly displays that she is active in everything she asks others to do. When I hear her speak, she seems like a person who could cast a vision and work alongside those who share it. I was happy to sit down and chat a little with Beth, here is a brief summary of our interview:

I asked Beth; "What is the one thing you desire to share most"? Which she quickly smiled and answered by telling me "That the star of the show is the word of God" and quoted Joshua 1:8. If you have ever heard her speak, this is something you'll hear her quote just about the time she explains the "consumption" of the word of God. 

As a fellow mom, and knowing Beth and Todd have 9 children, naturally I had questions here! Release! What do you do for release? Beth shared that the ability to abide in Christ is her greatest release. Having the willingness to go where God leads her and praying He will equip her with the right tools gives her a sense of peace as God directs her path. 

When I met Beth for the very first time, her husband Todd was with her. I mentioned that they had a sense of joy about them, their love showed but also the fact that they seemed to clearly just enjoy each others company and had a good time. Marriage tip? Dates! Beth shared that her marriage is a refuge for her, and at 9:30 every night she is a wife (that's it). Some have a date day, they have date evenings. I love this idea of a daily portion of time dedicated to your spouse and nothing more. And parenting, with 9 children, what's your secret? Beth shared that having alone time with each child every day was a great contributor. While as parents we all know it's not a programmable effort for a specific 5-10 minutes, taking the small moments and using them wisely makes all the difference.

Finally, we have heard her talk, and  have witnessed the ministry she is called to as an advocate for children. I asked her for a decision she has made in ministry. Beth shared that the decision to go deep and not wide, the constant conscious decision to gain quality over quantity has been a strong point of their ministry, paired with the desire to "be truthful and not impressive" when she speaks of Back to Back ministries. 

I was honored to get to know Beth a little more. I appreciate her willingness to be so transparent and share some of her ministry and home life. Leadership and ministry can be messy, and getting to serve alongside this sister in Christ thrills my soul. 

If you would like to learn more about Back to Back Ministries click here
They also have a newsletter you can subscribe to.

Mike Glenn at D6

Mike Glenn

Senior Pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church and Founder of Kairos Young Adult Ministry

Are You the beginning?

Some great points and statements made.

• Awake, adore, abide
• Could you be an expert at God’s service, but a novice at being His friend?
•  God can accomplish more in your ministry in  5 minutes that you could in 5 years on your own.
• Abiding in God will create and awakening like no other
• There are some things that are only learned in obedience

As you abide and bear more fruit. Your families will see you bearing more fruit and it will create a spark to those around you. Mike spoke about a ministry they have developed called Kairos – a young adult worship experience. In the development days of Kairos he spoke returning to the very old, relearning it and why they did this.

Some facts about today's young adults...
The time between adolescence and full adult hood is much longer now

      First generation born in the digital revolution

      Most marketed generation in history

      Interested in Jesus, but not in the church

      Cynical about institutions

      Driver’s license, debit card, and their phone

      And they’re not coming to church

      They get their news from John Stewart

      You can’t assume their Biblical knowledge

When it comes to what they want from church it is best described as this: “Read it… tell me what it means…tell me how to do it.”

From entertainment to transformation …… we are in the business of spiritual growth not entertainment.

 What does this look like?

Spiritual disciplines need to be taught and displayed in the home as children.

               -Parents are the primary disciplers of their children

-              -Many of our churches are not family friendly with programming sending everyone in opposite directions and being out nearly every night of the week.

               -Our parents weren’t prepared to even share their testimony with their children

               -Parents need to fall in love with Jesus again, as well as prepare their children to do the same as they grow older.

Five ways to do this….

              1. life groups

              2. focus studies

              3. self guided learning

              4. travel for missions trips

              5. community

We want to be a church known for running members off….to the mission field.

Acts 13:1-4

When Jesus saw the faith of the friends of the man who they lowered into the ceiling he forgave and healed the man.

Find a way.

Richard Ross at D62012

Richard Ross

The D6 movement begins with a believer standing alone in an inner circle. The movement invites that believer to experience an awakening to much more of who Christ is. Such an awakening to the majesty of the Son leads to deep adoration, a desire to abide in Christ, and living to display His glory. In the next circle out, the believer joins the Spirit in awakening a spouse to the glory of God in the face of Christ. With hearts intertwined, they begin abiding in Christ in entirely new ways—because of their awakening. In the next circle out, the couple joins the Spirit in awakening their children to the glory of Christ. They guide the entire family to abide in Christ—together and individually—because of this awakening. In the next circle out, the family goes where Christ already is—locally and globally—and they do what He is doing. They invite his Spirit to live through them to bring Christ’s kingdom on earth for the glory of God. 

Four concentric circles

Me – My Spouse - My Family - God’s Kingdom

1.Me

      ·      The king who stands above all things invites you to abide in Him through all things

      ·      If you think walking with God is good, wait till you experience abiding in Him

      ·      He wants us to have absolute intimacy with him.

2.  My Spouse

     ·    In the Bible we consistently see the parallel of the relationship to the church with that of a marital relationship. It’s almost as if God is saying, “I want to be one with you in a way that transcends the physical relationship of a marriage”.

    ·      Spouses sharing an awakening with one another will build a strong relationship

    ·      Sitting side by side with your spouse in prayer and deciding that my branch will be intertwined with my spouse and we will tell the king he is wonderful together

3. My Family

      ·      Faith at home practices led by spiritually lethargic parents lead to spiritually lethargic children

      ·      The transparency of mom and dad. Kids seeing that mom and dad are honoring to Jesus is as valuable as in home spiritual practices.

      ·      Leading your children to adore Jesus

4. God’s Kingdom

      ·      Actions and behavior are important but the spiritual presence is precedent.

      ·      Families go where Christ already is –and does what He is doing locally and globally

      ·      Families willing to do dramatic things for his greatness,