SCRIPTURE MEMORY AND KIDS

SCRIPTURE MEMORY - WE KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT, BUT HOW DO WE MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL AND LIFE CHANGING FOR OUR KIDS?  When you are involved in Children's Ministry for several decades (like me) you've seen every type of Scripture memory plan or idea for kids under the sun.

In most of the churches I've talked to, and in most of the Sunday School curriculum choices out there, there has been a WEEKLY memory verse for each child, but that verse is different if you are a three year old, compared to being a fourth grader. And if you also have a Wednesday night program, like Awana, GA's, RA's, Pioneer Club, or TEAMkid, you probably have additional memory verses (again, different verses for each age level).  Not to mention if your children attend Christian school!  More verses!

Wouldn't it be amazing if we all could memorize 3-5 verses every week!  And wouldn't it be even more amazing if we could RETAIN those verses and KEEP them in our hearts and minds ??  But since I can barely remember where my phone is, or why I walked into the kitchen a few minutes ago, I realize that isn't very practical.  Between soccer, gymnastics, violin, swim practice and homework, parents are not able to help their children spend 30-45 minutes per day working on memory verses.

My heart longed for a better way and kept dreaming of an integrated approach that was actually ACHIEVABLE. Most of all my heart longed for an approach that parents could get behind, support and participate in!

After wrestling with this idea for YEARS, my team and I at First Presbyterian Bakersfield finally made it happen.  We decided to simplify Scripture memory for our families and organize it in the following way:

1.  All children age 3 - 6th Grade memorize the SAME VERSE at the SAME TIME.

2.  Children age 3 - Kinder receive a portion of the verse, but many of them memorize the whole thing.

3.  Sunday morning and Wednesday night use the SAME VERSE to help create SUCCESS.  Some of our kids come only on Sundays, some of our kids come only on Wednesdays, and some of our kids come both.  We needed something that would create success!

4.  Each memory verse lasts ALL MONTH.  We review it over and over and over during that month!  We sing it, act it out, discuss it, explain it, chant it, etc.

5.  We make our own posters (for the classrooms) and take home items (called Table Toppers) to reinforce each verse, each month.


6.  One key to success:  we find MUSIC to match each verse 90% of the time.  We've used
*JumpStart3
*Seeds Family Worship
*Mary Rice Hopkins
*Steve Green
*Rob Biagi
and more.

Since parents play the music at home and in their cars, we are finding that whole families are learning these precious words of God!

7.  And finally... review, review, review.  Kids love rewards and stickers, so we often take the time to go back and review all the verses for that year.  When you build that in to your program time, and make it fun (I'm talking Pizza Party fun!) kids don't even realize they are working hard at hiding God's word in their hearts and minds!

What secrets have you discovered to make Scripture memory successful for the kids at YOUR CHURCH? I'd love to hear them!

Preparing Kids for Worship

As I prepare to teach a communion class (in partnership with our Pastor of Young Families and Discipleship), to both parents and children, it has lead me to a parallel path of study of what parents can do to prepare their children to attend "Big Church."  I've served at churches with every type of scenario when it comes to keeping kids in church....

• kids never in big church unless their parents keep them
• kids in big church once a month or for holidays
• kids in big church for the first 15 minutes each Sunday before leaving for Sunday School
• kids above a certain age staying in church every Sunday

This is not a discussion of the pros and cons of keeping kids in BIG CHURCH... that discussion will never be settled in my opinion!  I even waffle back and forth myself from week to week!  I long for 90 minutes of interactive creative Bible teaching time with my kids each week AND I long for kids growing up as intergenerational partners in our worship services where they are seeing saints young and old sing, give offerings, give testimonies, and offer their own gifts to the body of Christ.  

This discussion is for the sake of those parents and leaders who ARE keeping their children in "big church" and want to make it profitable, meaningful and actually WORSHIPFUL!  If your house is anything like mine when my kids were little, shoes ALWAYS get lost on Sunday mornings, you never have any change or small bills smaller than a $20 bill for your kids' offering on Sunday mornings, the dog throws up on your way out the door, and oh yeah, the car won't start.  Don't even get me started on the fact that the kids are fighting with each other, or you and your SPOUSE are fighting with each other!  Any or all of those things are bound to happen each and every Sunday, am I right?  

Helpful Hints to make Sundays the best day of the week: 

1. Begin with an ATTITUDE OF ANTICIPATION & HEART PREP.... Just like we know a child can't wait to get to their best friend's Birthday party on Saturday morning, we should be talking about going to church on Sunday mornings with just as much excitement and anticipation.  Parents, YOU set the tone for Sunday mornings with your attitude, and even your Saturday schedule!  Picking out special clothes for Sunday morning just like you would be picking out a special outfit for a date!  Talking about how wonderful it will be to sing worship songs together!  Reading the Scripture passage together that either the pastor or the Sunday School teacher will be teaching the next day!  

2.  PREPARE for Sundays the day/ night before... Yeah, no brainer, right?  But what we often fail to remember is that the ENEMY will be standing in your way to prevent that from happening!  

Specifically...

*Get the diaper bag ready

*Get your child's Bible, Sunday School Book, offering money, clothes, shoes and everything READY... in a church bag by the front door! (even the hair bows are picked out.... 

 *Turn on Christian music on Sunday mornings instead of your normal news or cartoons.  Perhaps have a favorite CD or playlist that you ONLY play on Sunday mornings!  

*Talk about OFFERING together... obviously, if your child has earned any allowance or money that past week, you have a great opportunity to talk about the joy of giving the tithe.  I even recommend that each child have their own set up offering envelopes.  If your child doesn't have their own money to give, perhaps he/ she can draw a picture to give Jesus.  Think about the difference between THAT and mom or dad finding spare change in their car cup holder or under the couch cushions.  Think about the difference in what that communicates.  Our OFFERING to the Lord is to be cheerful and generous, not "spare change" so mom and dad's rushed attempt to find a quarter or a dollar on Sunday morning is probably not the best way to communicate that. 

*Choose a SIMPLE but FUN breakfast for Sunday mornings.  It's probably not the time for quiche or eggs benedict... maybe donuts and juice is reserved for Sunday mornings, especially if it's not something your children are normally allowed to eat!  Because Sundays are SPECIAL!  

*I suggest either the CROCK POT or lunch OUT after church on Sundays --- but that's just my personal preference!  As a children's director, I am completely spent after church on Sundays, and there's no way I can function enough to fix anyone lunch! The couch/ naptime calls my name loudly on Sundays!  

3.  GUIDE the CONVERSATION on the way to church. 

*Who will we see today at church that might need to be encouraged?  Let's see if we can find someone to BLESS today! Who should we pray for?  

*I wonder what God will say to us through the sermon/ lesson today?  Let's try to write the pastor a note about what we learned from his sermon today!  (Maybe try to write a note to a different staff person each week!) 

*Remind your children that each song, each word spoken, and each element of the service is a GIFT to the Lord from US.  He is the audience... not us! 

4.  REMEMBER that attending CHURCH on Sundays is not just another thing on your family's "to do" list like Soccer, Ballet, Gymnastics or Piano lessons.  It cannot be relegated to just a slot on the weekend calendar.  Parents, be intentional about modeling the LORDSHIP of Christ in your life, and model to your children that the time you spend at church as a family is just a way to celebrate that Lordship.  Attending church is not the goal. Knowing Christ, Loving One Another and Blessing the World is the goal.  Don't let ANYTHING take priority over attending church together on Sundays as you train your children to follow after Christ the way you hope and pray they will.  

So what are your thoughts??? What are some ways you prepare your family for Sunday mornings???  I sure would love to hear your ideas! 

Bible Sunday Unwrapped and Revisited

I'm sure many of you give Bibles to children at your church.  It's a great way to say "This is what we value... children and the Word of God."  At my various places of ministry, I have been giving Bibles out to children for 30 years.  Sometimes to Kindergarteners, sometimes 1st graders, and sometimes 3rd graders.  In most cases, the children lined up in front of the church during a morning service, and as their names were called, they were handed their new Bibles.  Sometimes it looked a little different than that (like the year that the Sr. Pastor wanted to ask each child what his/ her favorite Bible story was... GREAT answers, and very funny, but much more time consuming than some churches have available to them.)

So here are some thoughts and some QUESTIONS for you to ask when planning Bible Sunday at your church.

1.  Who is the Bible from?  The church or the parents?

• you might want to choose the Bible so that each child has the same Bible during Sunday School, which makes it easy to find Scripture passages together.
• you might want to have each parent purchase their own Bible for their child, especially if you are trying to communicate that each parent is the spiritual leader in the home.

Eight Expectations for Ministry Interns

If you are fortunate in your ministry to have summer or year-round interns, what are some intentional ways to design the intern program so that it is a "win-win" for all involved.  First Pres Bakersfield has a great tradition and is committed to passing the baton to young adults headed toward ministry through a great summer intern program (in Children's Ministries, Jr. High Ministries, and High School Ministries.)  Beginning in February of each year, we begin the search and begin planning our summers.   I have been deep in thought and prayer about what I wanted the summer to look like for the 3 college students that would be joining me this summer. I try to be very intentional about designing a summer that is both “give” and “take” for them. In other words, they GIVE, serve, teach, and work hard at our ministry events throughout the summer, but they also TAKE (or receive) a lot of training, motivation, practical hands on experience, mentorship, and a lot of MY TIME.  Our intern program does not make my summer easier. In fact, it adds at least 6 hours of extra time to my week as I meet with them as a group and as individuals to see how they’re doing, help direct their next steps, etc.  In addition to a “job description” about office hours, Vacation Bible School, dates, and stuff like that, here are some additional EXPECTATIONS that I have laid out for the 3 young ladies that God has brought to serve here with me this summer. I hope these will help you, my fellow Children’s Pastors, in defining and designing any similar training you are doing for High Schoolers or College Students who serve alongside you.

v 1.   We expect you to be in the Word of God often, consistently, and deeply. Even if you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time, He still wants to speak to you today!

v  2. We expect you to be above reproach regarding your behavior and character.  Things to stay away from include:

o   Alcohol, Drugs, Sexual relationships and inappropriate behavior with the opposite sex, Gossip, some Movies (if you are watching movies with kids or students, you’d better have permission from each parent)

o   You are representing Jesus Christ, our Church, and our Ministry.

o   Students, Children and parents are watching you!

v  3. We expect you NOT to do everything yourself, but to invite others to share the responsibilities that have been given to you.  ASK FOR HELP!

v  4. We expect that you will be on time!  Most of the time, this means that you are EARLY so that you are ready to begin.  (Meetings, Office hours, Church services, Bible Studies, Teaching times, etc.)

v  5. We expect that your attitude will be full of grace, joy, enthusiasm, and energy.  It’s infectious for children and parents! Complaining publically about your job, your boss, your church, your pay, your hours, or a parent or student is not allowed in any circumstance.  Follow Matthew 18 guidelines if there is a problem!

v  6. We expect you to be open to constructive criticism about your work.  We know you are here to learn, and one of the ways that happens is to observe others in ministry, learn from trial and error and by evaluating the work you are doing.  

v  7. We expect you to be great communicators with parents through emails, flyers, post cards and phone calls.  This is one of the most crucial parts of any ministry… communication!

v  8. We expect that you will be uncomfortable sometimes & that you will be taken out of your comfort zone.  If you are doing your ministry without feeling stretched, then you are not experiencing a true internship.

What a rich and rewarding summer we hope you will have! We believe it will be life changing for YOU as well as the CHILDREN you serve!

Hey Children’s Leaders… do you have an intern program you’d like to tell us about?  Please leave us a comment and tell us about your intern or training program! How exciting to have the opportunity to “pass the baton” to the next generation of Children’s Ministry leaders!

Why We Don't Delegate!

Please check out this article I wrote for the KidMin360 Blog this week!  Delegating is something I continue to work on and probably will for the rest of my ministry days!!!   Here are some things I am still learning!

http://kidmin360.com/why-we-dont-delegate/

As always, I sure would love to hear from you and hear about your struggles, your victories, and your questions in ministry.  "We're All In This Together!"

Blessings Today!
Carol

Party Plans for Volunteer Appreciation

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to plan a party!  As embarrassing as it is to say, I even spent 5 or 6 months planning my own 50th birthday party just because I love the process of picking a theme and figuring out all kinds of activities, decorations, invitations, and food that fit that theme.  One of the ways this "hobby" of mine exhibits itself in my ministry is planning a Teacher Appreciation Event.  Before one is over, I'm already working on the next one.  That's the funny thing about ideas.... they feed off of each other and create synergy. 

I've also been amazed at what happens when a team of people get together to brainstorm that theme.  Wow, it's so fun to watch the ideas develop and explode as they feed off each other! 

This post is not to give you in depth details about one particular theme, but little snippets of themes that might get YOUR creative juices flowing.

1.  Football theme:  Kicking off the new year.  Great for the beginning of a ministry year in the fall.  Just imagine that you're throwing a super bowl party... football finger foods, sandwiches, etc.  Put the teachers in TEAMS and have them create CHEERS to yell at each other.  Have your staff stand in 2 rows at the door with pom poms and CHEER when the volunteers come through the door. 

2.  Gardening Theme:  So many passages of Scripture to draw from.  (Psalm 1; Fruit of the Spirit;  Parable of the Sower and the Seeds, etc.)  Watering cans, shovels, gloves, packets of seeds, etc. Have a gardening expert come in and talk about weeds, pests, soil, etc., then you can relate that back to Children's Ministry.  Drawings or giveaways such as Gardening supplies, bird feeders, pampering products for AFTER  you've been gardening, or even a gift card to OLIVE GARDEN, get it?  And how about DIRT CUPS for dessert!

3.  Lighthouse Theme:  Look for unfinished wooden lighthouses to use as centerpieces.  This theme can be expanded to include seashells, sand, fishnets, and other nautical goodies.  How about serving shrimp scampi or crab salad? I love this theme because it reminds me that we are not the light (Jesus is), but we are just the conduits for that light. 

4.  Hollywood/ "You're A Star" Theme:  Roll out the red carpet and line the carpet with paparazzi to show your volunteers how celebrated they are! Dim the lights, shine an image of the Hollywood Sign or the Hollywood skyline up on the screen, and eat Cobb Salad, which originated in the mid 1930's at the famous "Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant."  Present your volunteers with miniature "oscars" for various rolls they have played, such as "Best Supporting Teacher"  "Most Diapers Changed,"  etc.  Line the floor with each teacher's name on their own STAR! Give every volunteer a Movie Theater Ticket as a thank you gift!



 

5.  "Sundae on Friday"  Spoil your volunteers with a decadent evening of fun and sweets.  Not just another luncheon, but an evening with their spouses and children included (after all... they are already giving your church many hours of their free time away from their family, so how about including those special people in their lives at your gathering).  Set up a colorful candy and sugar filled ice cream sundae bar, and add some coffee or hot tea and just relax together and laugh.  Add a few table games that help build team camaraderie and you'll have an easy but memorable night!



6.  Pampering Party:  If you have a relatively small number of volunteers that you want to honor and recognize, a spa/ pampering day would be the ultimate "thank you!"  Line up mini chair-massages, manicures, makeup consultants, etc.  You can often find beauty school students who will come to your event for free because they need the practice hours.  Be sure to contact them early. 




7.  Superhero Theme!  Especially if you have a lot of men volunteers in your ministry (which I hope all of you do!) it's a good idea to try to find a theme that isn't too "girly."   This one fits that requirement quite well!  Have your staff dress up like superheros (or at least capes and masks!) and decorate your entry way and walls with bright colors and the words "Bam"  "Pow"  "Wham!"  Centerpieces of sparkly stars or neon lights remind your team that they are "out of this world!" Remind your team that every superhero had a sidekick/ partner and the importance of building on and celebrating each others' strengths as you defeat the enemy for the cause of winning children to Christ!  POW!!  

Some overall reminders for planning something special for your volunteers

• Don't try to do everything yourself. If you don't have a staff, or some type of steering committee, then ask parents to help you.  Afterall, these volunteers are ministering to THEIR CHILDREN, so they will be more than happy to help you!

• Plan great food including a yummy dessert!
• Make it SHORT!  These volunteers already give you a lot of their time, and don't need another long meeting at church.
• Make it FUN!  No business or training!
• Do it regularly!  Make it a regular part of your budget and calendar.  (Once or twice a year)
• Provide childcare.  It doesn't feel like you are appreciating them if they have to arrange for their own babysitting!
• Don't forget your behind the scene helpers.... like your check in team, those who help clean or organize your resource room, or prepare your curriculum. 
• Plan for some time of interactive game or icebreaker to get your volunteers interacting with each other.  Each volunteer serves in an individual class or area of your ministry and usually don't get to visit and fellowship with each other, so this is a great time for them to mingle and let their hair down with each other!

20 ways to put LOVE into a SHOEBOX

Last Sunday, our church passed out approximately 200 unfilled Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes and when they are returned on November 11, they will multiply into over 350 shoeboxes (we anticipate!) Last year First Presbyterian Bakersfield we sent about 325 boxes to Asia and sent about a dozen people to the Packing Center in Santa Ana to help sort and organize boxes. What a blessing this ministry is, and now, thanks to amazing communication tools like Facebook, smart phones, twitter, etc, you can hear and see stories from around the world and see where your shoebox goes, see videos of children opening their boxes, and even get letters back from the child who receives your box if you enclose your photo, name, and address (and perhaps a self-addressed stamped envelope!)

Here are 20 awesome ideas for unique ways to fill your shoebox with love !

For toddlers and preschoolers:
1. a knit cap, floppy sun hat, or baseball cap
2. flip flops or small tennis shoes (for ANY AGE)
3. tie some ribbon around other items such as crayons or a hairbrush, so little girls can use the ribbon for their hair and other things!
4. Happy Meal Toys that your children have saved after eating at fast food places.  What a great way to teach "putting others before yourself."  Yes, all kids love "Happy Meal Toys" but really, how many does one child need?  Help your son or daughter think about the child on the other side of the world who has never seen a McDonalds or Wendy's and perhaps has never owned one single toy!
5.  Plastic sippy cup or drinking cup.. there are SO MANY cute cups out there... and these cups can serve multiple purposes for a child.

For elementary girls:
6.  A travel size sewing kit... just think about the fact that you might be helping that young girl develop the skills or means to help provide for her family and take care of her own children in the future.
7. Mittens..... You can find very inexpensive mittens at the Dollar Store, the 99 c Store, etc.  I used to think mittens were an unnecessary item for most shoeboxes,  since many of the children receiving the boxes lived in hot, tropical climates, BUT then I read stories of children using their mittens as oven mitts to help their families prepare food over open fires, or gardening gloves when they were working in the fields or growing food for their family!
8. A pillow case dress! (see youtube or google) Let your own children help create the dress and be as creative as they'd like.  A little girl on the other side of the world will be so blessed to have something unique and pretty to wear! Here's the best youtube source I've found... a video that will show you what to do step by step! Pillow Case Dress Instructions
9.  A pillow case tote bag. Oh so easy, and what a great way to help boys and girls carry items to and from the "market." Pillow Case Tote Bag Instructions
10. Hair ties, clips, bows, or handmade flowers.  Another way to get your own children involved..... pick out some silk or fabric flowers at the craft store and hot glue them to some hair clips.  These take up very little space in a shoebox!
11. Another great PURSE idea.... a no-sew bag from a BANDANA!  Bandanas come in so many pretty colors these days!  Bandana Purse Instructions
For elementary Boys:
12. A set of camping dishes (you know, the little metal plate, bowl, cup, and silverware all combined into one set for backpacking!)  Can you imagine all the things a little family in a remote village can do with this one compact set?
13.  a Garden shovel... again... this could become many things for a little boy who is trying to help his family!
14. Extra VBS Shirts leftover from your church!  How about passing these out at church in October so everyone can put one in their box!  Perhaps a whole village would end up with matching shirts... just like the kids at your church in the summer!  BONUS IDEA!  Include a picture in every box  your church sends of the VBS children wearing their matching shirts, with a note on the back telling those children that your church is praying for them!
15. A crank up flashlight!  No batteries needed!
16. An un-inflated soccer ball, with a pump and needle!  This will provide months and months of fun for a whole village playing together!

For Every Shoebox!
17. Candy!  A very special treat that most children never receive.  Be sure to include non-melting (non-chocolate) candy such as "Runts" or "Sweeties."  (And don't forget the toothbrush and toothpaste)
18.  Gallon size zip-lock bags... pack your candy, toiletries, or hair supplies into separate freezer bags... These can be used by children in remote villages for food storage, washing clothes, and many other helpful uses.
19. A personal letter and photo of your family (see above for an idea to include a photo of the kids from your church!).... Several people have received letters back from children who have received their shoeboxes by including their address and a self-addressed stamped envelope! OCC also provides a child's coloring sheet for your children at home to draw and write a little about themselves to add to each shoebox.  Help your children make a personal connection with the children receiving these boxes.  Begin praying at home NOW for the child who will receive your box!
20. MORE GREAT IDEAS:  Check out this PINTEREST page for more amazing ideas!
Shoe Box Ideas on Pinterest
 or "LIKE" the Operation Christmas Child" page on Facebook for inspirational stories, videos, and tips!  Operation Christmas Child Facebook Page

Mix and match these ideas to create a one of a kind gift for a very special child.  Include your $7.00 shipping fee if possible, label the outside of the box "Boy" or "Girl" with the AGE of the child indicated, and take your box to your church or pick up location .

Our collection date at First Pres is Sunday, November 11.  On that day, the children at FP present our shoeboxes during our 10:00 morning worship service (each child marching in carrying a shoebox) and then we pray and dedicate the boxes to the Lord for His glory.  Pictures to follow for sure!