Archive for May, 2010

Practicing Prayer

By | May 20, 2010 | Elementary Age, Prayer, Preschoolers, Resources, Spiritual Milestones | 1 Comment

Flickr by Garrett Crawford

I saw a clever idea about prayer cards a few weeks back and have been looking for an opportunity to try it out in our own Children’s Ministry. I made up some cards with pictures of things to pray for. Some had words and some didn’t, so even non-readers could participate. Get your prayer cards here.  I just printed them out, taped them to index cards, and then laminated with those self-adhesvie laminating sheets. We were learning about prayer during mid-week group, so it was the perfect time to introduce the cards.

We all sat in a circle and everyone got a card. Normally, in prayer circle, if you don’t want to pray, you tap the person next to you and the prayer moves on, but this night, I said everyone needs to try since you have something in your hand to pray about. There is one little boy (age 4) who never prays (he’s a serial tapper), but this night, he did! Out of 25 kids, we only had one that insisted on tapping their turn away. I was excited that kids were beginning to pray outloud and pretty easily too. I think having something to pray about took the pressure off a bit.

It’s important that we get our kids praying outloud at a young age, so it becomes a normal part of worship for them. Of course, all the leaders pray outloud in order to model for them, but I’m finding the more we practice public prayer in our prayer circle (especially now with the cards), the more kids are feeling comfortable in their conversation with God.

Speaking of which, check out the post about kid’s prayer. I wonder if the kids in your ministry are the same!

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Free E-Book!

By | May 18, 2010 | Resources, Reviews, Volunteers | 3 Comments

Back in December, Seth Godin released a free eBook entitled What Matters Now. Filled with short chapters/ideas about the essentials of Children’s Minstry. Several authors contributed with topics such as collaboration, community, empowerment, imagination, and more. With simple graphics and straight to the point summaries, this e-book is a great read and an even better reminder system about what really matters in ministry.

Click here for your own copy!

Eyes Wide Open

By | May 17, 2010 | Elementary Age, My Thoughts, Prayer | 1 Comment

You remember how it was in the good old days of Children’s Ministry (hardy har har). Kids bowed their heads, folded their hands, and CLOSED THEIR EYES when they prayed. Not so anymore. :) And you know what, I’m kind of glad about this whole development.

I’m amazed at the focus power some of these kids have when they are praying. We have one girl who last week was praying outloud, flipping through her Bible, tying her shoe, looking at the walls, and never missed a beat. It sounded like an actual conversation. It looked like an actual conversation. With God. Isn’t that what we want? Isn’t that what we are trying to communicate to kids week in and week out — “God is your friend. Talk to Him like your friend.” Well, friends usually talk to each other with their eyes open. And apparently, kids nowadays pray the same way.

It certainly doesn’t look like the way were were taught to pray, but I think in a way, it’s more authentic. It’s more relatable. And I like it.

Check-In System (An Update)

By | May 14, 2010 | Safety and Security | 2 Comments

We’ve been using the check in system for about four weeks now, and I have to admit, I am very surprised at the response on the part of the parents. We had one girl come in last night and one immediately explained to me, “My dad is running late for an appointment, so he said he couldn’t come in to check me in, but my older sister can do it”. Frankly, I hadn’t even thought about it. These are regular church kids. But I was so touched that these parents respected the system enough to make provisions even when they couldn’t come in. Thanks parents!!

Also, last week, we had a girl bring a few friends with her. The girl’s mom (regular church member) couldn’t pick the little gaggle of girls up, so the guest’s mother came to do so. When she arrived, she said that she was there to pick up the girls, and we checked the sign in sheet where it was all written out and explained by the mom who dropped off. I was so grateful that I didn’t have to send these three little gigglers off with someone I didn’t know, hoping everything was okay. The check in system does have a purpose! :)

So in conclusion, keep it up, small churches. Even if it seems silly right now, there is a purpose, and that purpose is safety! I know I’ll be glad we have it in place when the crowd grows bigger.

Original Blog Post about Check In System

Christianity Today article: Who’s Got Johnny?

Choosing the Right Check-in Software (when you get to that point!)

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Our Home Is Like a Little Church (Official Review)

By | May 11, 2010 | Elementary Age, Preschoolers, Reviews | 5 Comments

Sojourn Community Church has recently put out a great little book to help dads become the spiritual leaders in their house. Published by Christian Focus, the book does a great job drawing parallels between things that happen in church and things that happen at home, spiritually. The quirky drawings (did you see how flexible dad is on page 6?!) and rhyming words will keep kids interested while the overall message is one of encouragement and inspiration to parents. I love that so many elements of the Christian faith are included such as prayer, fellowship, worship, salvation, and the idea that God is always with us. Even with all this content, the book moves quickly and keeps audiences interested.

I was just commenting to my husband the other day about the lack of Christian board books for kids. The only thing that would make this book better is if it were a board book!

It is available for purchase at Amazon and WTS Bookstore.

It’s official page is here.

Be sure to check it out — it’s a great resource for a great price. I know many churches are considering giving them out for Father’s Day. A great idea, especially with the 20% discount currently being offered at WTS Bookstore.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Sojourn Community church as part of the book blog tour. I was not required to give a positive review.

Spy Guy (Part Three)

By | May 9, 2010 | Elementary Age | 1 Comment

This the last installment of our three part series. Be sure to check out the bloopers at the end. Joe (Spy Guy) had a blast coming up with all of those!

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