February 26, 2008
Marlene LeFever is Director of Educational Ministries for Cook Communications Ministries. She is the author of ‘Learning Styles’, ‘Creative Teaching Methods’, and her 2002 release, ‘Flowers from God’, is a celebration of what God is doing through children’s ministry workers.
The NCLA Leadership Team is excited to announce that she will be conducting workshops at the FOCUS conference this year. We have tried for several years to get her, but were unable to make it happen. This year, she will be a blessing to all who attend her workshops. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for children’s ministry. Just another great reason YOU need to be at FOCUS this year!
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focus conference | Tagged: children's ministry, focus conference | 
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Posted by phil h
February 24, 2008
We recently closed out a teaching series at GenesisKIDS entitled the BIG Challenge. In the series we talked about getting into spiritual shape. We covered issues with the kids that would help them focus on becoming all that God wanted them to be.
When we closed the series, I remember praying for the kids during that last service. I prayed for them to respond to God’s leading so they could do great things for God. But then, in a moment I will not soon forget, the Lord checked me and I changed my prayer. I prayed that the kids would first allow His Spirit to change them. Then I repented for the times I prayed for God to do great things through me instead of in me. I asked for forgiveness for the times I wanted change the world, but I neglected to allow His Spirit to change my heart.
It seems kids today are more socially aware then my generation. In my experience with them, they are definitely more concerned about issues affecting the world then my friends were in the 80′s, and that is without a doubt a good thing! However, in order to affect real, eternal change, it will take kids (and adults) whose concerns go beyond the social injustices of today. God needs people whose principle concern is how they respond to God’s leading their personal lives with that still small voice. To put it more succinctly, the BIG challenge for us today is to focus on what God wants us to be, before we obsess over what He wants us to do.
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Posted by phil h
February 1, 2008
An invitation is being extended to visionary leaders who desire to be connected and empowered for ministry. Engage 21, February 28 and 29, is the first conference of this type in the Church of God and we are excited about its potential! I long for a re-focus on the mission which Jesus initiated. Perhaps the dialogue and interaction allowed at this gathering will help us to do that. I greatly appreciate the emerging leaders, including church planters, lead pastors, children’s pastors, and student ministry pastors. One of the tensions we all experience is the uniqueness in which God has created us for a specific purpose in the place where He desires to go. We have to allow for differences in style and methodology. While the Word does not change, culture shifts. And in order to be effective in reaching our varied cultures, we must empower individuals to proceed, doing whatever it takes to win their communities for Christ! We have to make a choice to choose to encourage, rather than criticize!
I’m excited about the future, if we can regain our focus on the mission and not on positional movement with selfish agendas. As long as we are willing to deny ourselves and our desires, then God can mold us, shaping us into a vessel fit for His use in today’s world. I’m ready to be propelled into the future! I believe in the new generation of leadership. I choose to stand still, listen for His voice, maintain integrity to the call and character of Christ, and obey. As Erwin McManus, I too want to follow the barbarian way!
Join me on the journey! Take a look at the Engage 21 Conference information which can be seen at www.churchofgod.org. There you will see a promo video, schedule, and registration form. I hope to see some fellow barbarians there!
-tl
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Posted by tony l
Marlene LeFever is Director of Educational Ministries for Cook Communications Ministries. She is the author of ‘Learning Styles’, ‘Creative Teaching Methods’, and her 2002 release, ‘Flowers from God’, is a celebration of what God is doing through children’s ministry workers.
