December 3, 2007
Yesterday in GenesisKIDS we started a new series entitled Wii. We started off with WiiStop, where we discussed how we all need times of rest in our lives. More specifically, we looked to scriptures where there are numerous accounts of Jesus seeking out silence and solitude in His life. Think about that. Jesus, the son of God, often went off to be alone and pray. If He needed to, don’t you think we need to?
This discipline is often overlooked in our culture. I spoke to the kids about finding God’s rhythm of grace. Finding rest in His presence. We talked about making a habit of turning off the noise of this world, and stepping out of the busy traffic of life. We closed with a very meaningful time of silent prayer. It was so sweet to see our kids kneeling in worship to our God.
If we can raise a generation of kids who can get this, oh how their lives would change. They’d have a wealth of wisdom, peace, confidence and courage. They would understand, like Jesus did, that silence and solitude is where they truly begin to “be still and know.”
2 Comments | 
creative ministry, leadership | Tagged: silence, solitude, teaching series, wii | 
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Posted by phil h
November 27, 2007
This is a post from Swerve, Craig Groeschel’s blog, that I thought was worth sharing with everyone.
When you are doing ministry, try to remember:
- What you do is a result of who you are in Christ.
- What you do doesn’t define who you are.
- Don’t confuse the “who” with the “do.”
You are not successful because:
- Your kids’ ministry grew 10% this year.
- Three people got saved last week.
- Your budget increased by 5%.
- The parents of your student ministry like you.
- Your church is bigger this year than this time last year.
You are successful because of who you are in Christ. You please God by obeying him, not performing up to your personal expectations.
Are you doing ministry to get worth, feel successful or to find your identity? Or are you doing ministry to please, to resemble, to delight in Christ and bring people to Him?
Craig Groeschel
Leave a Comment » | encouragement, leadership | Tagged: Craig Groeschel, lifechurch.tv, ministry, success | Permalink
Posted by phil h
November 12, 2007
Today in GenesisKIDS we wrapped up a lesson series entitled “Major Pain” where we talked about suffering. Today’s lesson was entitled “GRADUATION!” and we talked about how perseverance through our pain can bring about wisdom and maturity in our faith.
But more importantly, we talked about how one day we’ll graduate. Similarly to how folks graduate from kindergarten, high school and even military boot camp, one day we’ll graduate from life here on earth. And on that day we’ll leave this place filled with pain, suffering, sickness, wars, hurricanes, and a ton of other stuff we don’t understand. We’ll leave this place where we really don’t belong, and God will welcome us into the place He created for us. He’ll say to us, “Enter in.” And for the first time, we’ll understand what “home” truly means.
On our take home papers we had questions about heaven along with scripture references for the kids to look up with their parents to answer those questions. How have you talked to your kids about heaven?
Leave a Comment » | creative ministry, encouragement, family ministry | Tagged: children's ministry, heaven | Permalink
Posted by phil h
November 7, 2007
During staff meeting yesterday morning we had an extended time of thanksgiving and praise where each member would express their gratitude to God for his gracious acts of kindness over the past year. All that was spoken was great to hear, but there was one that stopped me in my thought tracks.
My pastor said, “I am thankful for the positive memories that my grandchildren are making about God and church.” In a humble way I lowered my head and smiled, because in that moment I realized that I have the awesome opportunity of serving families and their children to help them make positive memories.
Hey guys, that goes for all of us! We are in the positive memory business. Our kids are making memories that will last forever and you are right in the middle of it.
Keep it up! Make positive memories!
Leave a Comment » | encouragement | Permalink
Posted by phil b
November 6, 2007
At least once a week, during our family prayer time, we do a little something we now call “Thankful Fors”. It’s quite simple. Each member of the family takes a turn expressing the things they are thankful for in their life. The name started when we missed a few nights of this ritual and my son asked, “Dad, can we do thankful fors tonight?”
I’m often amazed at my kids’ answers. Their teachers at church. Their house, puppy, and family. The fact that we have not lost power (like we did a few months back during a thunderstorm). Some are funny. Some are encouraging. Some are just plain cute. All are Biblical…
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
- Psalm 9:1, NRSV
What are you Thankful For? Family? Health? Ministry? Be specific, and don’t be shy. Let’s fill this blog up with gratitude and tell of HIS wonderful deeds.
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Posted by phil h
October 31, 2007
Once again, children’s ministry leaders and children’s pastors need to be on the watch and educate their parents and children. In December, a film with the title The Golden Compass is being released. It is my understanding that Phillip Pullman, the author, is an atheist and desires to pull kids and families in so he can get them to buy his triology of books where in the end the children kill God and everyone can do as they please. The fact that this movie is coming out in December is a ploy to entice parents into purchasing the set of books for their children for Christmas. Upon reading the books, they will encounter a strong anti-God theme. I have read that part of the story in the book includes a referral to castration and female circumcision. And, it’s supposed to be a kids book!
If you go to the website for The Golden Compass, you will encounter all sorts of things from the dark side, including a tab for daemons. In essence Pullman is endeavoring to sell atheism to children.
While I haven’t read the books, nor do I intend to, I think it would be wise for children’s ministry leaders to ‘wise up’ on this one so they can speak and respond intelligently.
What have you heard about this movie? Anyone read the book who would like to comment about it? In what ways could children’s pastors and leaders go about helping parents and children alike respond to this?
19 Comments | culture, family ministry | Permalink
Posted by tony l
October 30, 2007
This past Sunday we started a three week series on Job. For our game this week, we decided to go back to an ol’ favorite… Lemonade. In this ‘relay race’ game each kid has to:
1. take a big bite of a lemon wedge
2. down a packet of sugar
3. drink a small cup of water
4. jump up and down 5 times to mix it all up
This game is an old favorite, but also perfect for the day’s lesson where we talked about taking our ‘lemons of life’ and making… you know the rest.
What game is an ol’ favorite for your kids?
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Posted by phil h
October 30, 2007
In my devotional time yesterday (I’ve been using the new Men’s Devotional Bible by Zondervan), I read the story of Solomon in 1 Kings 3. It’s when God appeared to Solomon in a dream saying he could ask for whatever he wanted.
Imagine such an offer from God. What would you ask for? Long life? Health for your family? A beautiful wife? A godly husband? Musical or athletic ability? You name it. Solomon could have had it. And as a young, inexperienced 20 year old king, Solomon chose wisely and asked for a discerning heart.
So imagine. What if God showed up in your dreams tonight? If you knew you could take one prayer request to God, and He’d answer you, what would you ask for? I mean, what do you REALLY want for Christmas?
Leave a Comment » | encouragement, leadership | Tagged: Christmas list, prayer | Permalink
Posted by phil h
October 29, 2007
If you are like me you probably receive tons of junk e-mail every day. Even from Christian-based companies, publishers, etc. But I will say that there is one resource that does provide a plethora of articles that will be a blessing to you and your children’s ministry team. It’s at Today’s Children’s Ministry and is sponsored by Promiseland.
This weekly e-newsletter direct links you to the website and does have some valuable tools you can use. I know that having resources readily available in our line of work is important. And even more importantly, I know how much junk wastes my time. I hope you find this resource to be a blessing to you. I would love to know what resources other’s have used that are effective. Hopefully we can establish a good archive of resources tried and true on this blog site so that we can filter out all the other stuff. If you have something that works, we would love to hear all about what it is and how it has worked for you.
Leave a Comment » | leadership, misc, resources | Tagged: children's ministry resource, newsletter | Permalink
Posted by steve b
October 29, 2007
Can you believe it? Portland, Maine. King Middle School. Birth control pills available for girls as young as 11 years of age! And, after the parents sign a waiver for medical care at the school, they are excluded from knowing about the care, including the dispensing of birth control pills to their children! The whole rationale behind this is the assumption that kids will have sex. The kids we are reaching and teaching are part of a generation who believes that children’s rights are more important than parental rights. As teachers and children’s pastors, we better stand up and take notice of what is happening in the culture around us. Fashion, music, media, and all the other cultural indicators are impacting the next generation in a powerful way! It is our responsibility to help parents train up their kids in the way they should go. We better not hide our heads in the sand. We need to pray like we have never prayed before. We need to support and encourage parents and families. We need to provide opportunities for exposing parents to what is happening in our communities. We need to stay informed about the issues that our families are being confronted with. Let’s talk about those issues. Let’s stand up and be counted for what is right!
What do you think about this issue? What can children’s pastors and children’s ministry leaders and workers do to combat the enemy when he attempts to deceive and destroy the moral barometer of our community and country? What have you found to be effective? How do you discuss these issues with your families and with the kids in your ministry?
Leave a Comment » | culture, family ministry, misc | Permalink
Posted by tony l
Yesterday in GenesisKIDS we started a new series entitled Wii. We started off with WiiStop, where we discussed how we all need times of rest in our lives. More specifically, we looked to scriptures where there are numerous accounts of Jesus seeking out silence and solitude in His life. Think about that. Jesus, the son of God, often went off to be alone and pray. If He needed to, don’t you think we need to?
