Monthly Archives: December 2011

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Kidmin Resources you need to know about.

 

I am doing a series at the beginning of the year called the 12 resources you need as a leader in 2012. I came across this blog post and thought that there were lots of good resources linked to in it. As we leave 2011 enjoy following these links with many more to come.

I think after vision and calling the next thing that is important is the resources you choose to use.

I am a huge believer in reading and networking because you become like those you choose to listen to. I know that my philosophy was largely shaped by my time alone with God and the ministries/resources that I allowed to shape my thought process.

I believe it’s Ed Young who says this “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. So with limits on time and budget the resources you pick matter.

(Disclaimer this by no means is a comprehensive list, but is meant to be a starter list to get ya going.)

Curriculum –

252Basics & MyFirstLook– We have used this curriculum for 5 years. I love it is the most flexible curriculum out there main reason Word Documents and PDF’s – Also church plants can get 252Basics free for the first year.
Elevate & Elevate Jr. – We have used this curriculum – Love what they do as far as training small group leaders by video every curriculum should do this.
Big (from Hillsong) – Loved the simplicity and effectiveness of their small group stuff and as you would expect the production quality of the videos stuff they produce can not be touched by anyone out there.
Kidmo & Little K – This is the only one out there that I have not used. But if my good friend Jim Wideman likes it that’s good enough for me.
Lifekids.tv – FREE! Need I say more? I am so impressed by Lifechurche’s desire to serve other churches with the resources they have. I really like this curriculum. We use it in one of our campuses. (Important note the regular series stuff they do is seeker driven Konnects is their deeper discipleship stuff.) It is worth a look see.

Books –

Children’s Ministry Leadership Guide
Transforming Your kids into spiritual champions
The Effective Executive
Raising Great Kids
Think Orange
Volunteers That Stick
The Tipping Point
Outliers
Blink
The Purple Cow
Inside the Magic kingdom
The Starbucks Experience
My First 90 Days in Ministry

Conferences –

Napkin – A new conference with lots of great speakers and different format all based around the idea of leveraging ideas to see change.
Orange – A conference for Youth, Children, and Senior pastors centered around the idea of leveraging the combined power of church and family.
CPC – The original Children’s Pastor’s conference.
C3 – Went to this conference a few years ago the Mike Johnson and his team at fellowship church do an amazing job. If you use elevate curriculum this conference is a must.
Group’s Kidmin Conference – I am very excited about this conference it seems like the creators of it over at group see the need for a relational, social media, conference and I for one agree. I am so looking forward to attending this october.

Twitter Peeps –

@jimwideman
@r_frank
@mikejohnson
@Kennyconley
@Johnathancliff
@mattmckee
@gina_mclain
@funnymandan
@davewakerley
@tmckeever
@henryjz
@jcisonline
@anthony_prince
@SpencerClick
@christiaanv
@thurios
@CindyFiala

Blogs –

ministry-to-children.com – Tons of articles, ideas, and links
justpudge.com
childrensministryonline.com
jonathancliff.com
ginamclain.com
mattmckee.com
Davidwakerly.com
JustynSmith.com
Inside Northpoint kids Kendra and her team rock my face off with every post.
Andy Hayes – Redeemer’s Albany Campus Kids pastor
100 to Kidmin blogs from Ministry to Children.com – Unbelievable that there is well over 100 kidmin blogs. 3 years ago there was only a handful. You got to love the kidmin community and the content that is out there.

Ministry Networks –

Kidology – Resources, ideas and connections with other Children’s Pastors
CMConnect – Facebook for Kids Pastors

Podcasts –

Cmtalk – A general children’s ministry podcast
Ministry-to-Children – Tony Kummer – Interviews leading experts in the area of children’s ministry.
TakeTen – My podcast where I record a ten minute interview with kidspastors and post the ten minute podcast unedited.

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Merry Christmas Everyone.

Just wanted to do a quick post thanking all of you for reading my blog and adding your comments. I really appreciate it. I am looking forward to more conversations in the year to come and hopefully connecting with some of you at a conference or two. As we wrap up 2011 and head to 2012 I am excited to hear and see all the great things God is going to do in the church.

Thanks again
Sam

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See you at CPC!

Here are the breakouts I am doing. I would love for you to come to CPC this year. Michael Chanley has done an amazing job of keeping the things about CPC that have made it great and fixing some of the things that have kept some people away from CPC. There is a great mix of fresh faces and well established voices at CPC this year. If you are considering a conference please consider CPC if you are on the fence get off the fence and register today. 

First Impressions – Environments Matter – Leadership/Administration, Volunteers, Advanced Topics
Samuel Luce
Creating intentional environments for kids comes from a realization that environments matter. How clean, safe, friendly and engaging our environments are gives us the ability to preach the gospel with clarity. We will talk about the power of a smile and the need for a background check.

Leading for the Long Haul – Personal Growth, Leadership/Administration, Advanced Topics
Samuel Luce
There are certain things we can only learn through longevity. Our health as a leader determines how long we last. We will talk about the five things that every leader must do in order for them to last in ministry.

Never Serve Alone – Creating a Culture of Team – Large Church, Volunteers, For Beginners
Samuel Luce
If you have been in children’s ministry for more than a day or two you know you cannot do it alone. To be successful in kid’s ministry you have to build great teams. We will discuss the practical aspects of creating a ministry that attracts volunteers.

Hope to see you at either Orlando or San Diego.

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Jesus is Everything!

Here is a guest blog post I did over at life way’s blog.

Do well meaning folks focus on the wrong things? I would say yes. I love Christmas not so much in the lights and decorate the tree way but more because it forces me to evaluate the things that matter most in my life. In the past few years it seems like the battle grounds have been drawn between the Happy Holiday Secularist and the Merry Christmas Christians. I have found my self getting caught up saying Merry Christmas in a very emphatic way to well meaning well wishers who wish me Happy Holidays.

This is the wrong battle. The biggest battle the church needs to wage is over a faith founded on Jesus alone and a faith that is founded in rules and traditions. Because the implications reach beyond Christmas, with an astounding number of our kids walking away from their faith we need to change something, we need to change everything. I grew up having my faith defined by what I did and didn’t do. I had many friends who grew up with me and when we hit college they walked away from their faith. While there is not one easy answer I have come to believe that one of the biggest reasons they walked away is because they were never taught a gospel centered faith.

This is not a new problem we see Paul address this very issue to the Galatians and the Philippians. We like being able to plainly define what pleases God and what does not. I am convinced now more than ever we need to teach kids that the Bible is not about laws to be followed or heroes to be emulated rather that the Bible is about Jesus Christ.

As children’s workers and parents I can think of no better time than Christmas, to elevate Christ and the rescue plan he has for us. I have taught kids many lessons over the years many of them talking about Jesus‘ birth, life, death and resurrection. We need to teach kids the Gospel. Kids learn many timeless truths from us but if we fail to teach them that everything is about Jesus we have failed to pass on a faith that lasts. This is only possible by elevating Christ and recognizing and dealing with our own inner pharisees.

Our kids need to hear this Christmas season and every week of the year the simple truth Mother Teresa based her whole life on. A reporter once asked Mother Teresa why she did what she did? How was she able to give so much up for people who were so poor. She answered so simply and so powerfully “Jesus is Everything”.  Every time I hear that quote I tear up because of the simple profundity of the statement. I want my kids to understand at Christmas and everyday “Jesus Is Everything”.

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Something exciting coming soon!

I won’t leaving you guessing for months. I’ll just tell you. I am really excited to be in the last stages of releasing a book that I had a part in writing. It was a book project a few other great kids pastors from around the country came together to write a leadership book. It should be available in a few months. Here is why I’m excited.

1. I love collaboration projects that produce something meaningful.
2. I love doing stuff that unique. This book is very different from most kidmin books you will read.
3. I love learning new stuff – I have learned tons about how to write and publish a book
4. I think the leadership principles in this book transcend children‘s ministry.
5. I think the principles we discuss will really help people grow.

More to come the closer we get.