I had the privelege of doing something which was, for me, totally new at CPC this year. I brought my team. I highly recommend it for anyone that is able to do it.
Here's why it was worth it:
For years I have been growing personally as a leader and learning about all kinds of ways to better minister to our kids and families. I would come back from the conference and try to communicate things that I was very excited about and that made perfect sense to me. You would have thought I had 4 heads by the responses I would get. Now, we have made progress and slowly worked toward some of these goals over the past few years. However, it has at times seemed like I was the only one pushing for these initiatives (which was probably true).
Taking my team to CPC has totally changed this. I now have 5 staff members who came back, all hearing the same things, and all on the same page. Specifically for our church, they got to hear about the "Orange" concept of family ministry. I have to say I was amazed at their excitement and passion for this. Why, after I've been trying to share this for years, were they so excited about it now?
They heard it from someone else.
Orange calls this concept 'widening the circle'. The thought is that as kids grow older, other voices will become louder and louder and they will listen to those voices more than the voices of their parent. So parents should intentionally choose the voices their kids will get to hear. Taking my team to CPC (and choosing some of their breakouts) was a way of choosing the voices my team would hear. So, letting them hear the same things I'd been saying to them, from somebody else, made a huge difference. No matter how good a leader you might be, there is value in letting other people teach your team. They hear things differently from someone else, much like a teenager hears truth from a small group leader or teacher or coach, than they do from a parent. They have all come back from CPC fired up for ministry and ready to make necessary changes to do things better.
Taking your team to CPC gives you the opportunity to let your team members hear, from 'experts', the concepts you would like to share with them yourself. The difference is when they hear it, they have the opportunity to 'own' the idea and run with it, which helps you accomplish the dreams God has given you for your ministry. Other conferences offer the same potential, but CPC offers so many different options that you can accomplish this with your team, no matter what your focus in ministry might be. Whether you want to develop your special needs ministry, improve your partnership with parents, or run the best VBS every this summer, taking your team to CPC can help you develop the leaders on your team to do it!
Monday, January 28, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
My CPC takeaways
An important part of every conference is "What did you take away?" Well, besides from free t-shirts and a bag full of advertisements (not that there's anything wrong with that!), here are the major things I took away from CPC:
1. Renewed focus on prayer--Larry Fowler asked us "When is the last time you, as a Children's Ministry team, prayed together. I'm not proud to say I had to think about it. Yes, we pray before AWANA on Wednesday nights, and our Large Group team prays each week before we sing and tell the Bible story. But as far as our leadership team, and small group leaders, we committed to praying each Sunday before the kids and volunteers get there, and to make sure we meet weekly for prayer first, then whatever else we need to talk about.
2. Constant recruiting--I knew this, but have recommitted along with our team to recruit every single week, 52 weeks a year, whether we need people or not. Also, one thing I heard that I'm going to implement is holding our staff (including myself) for who they have asked to join the team that week. Everyone needs to be asking at least 3 people a week to join us in ministry.
3. The work is for the seeker--Jonathan Cliff said this in his breakout. "We need to stop getting frustrated when parents don't take home the junk we give them." Sometimes I get frustrated when parents don't buy in immediately, or leave the take-home sheets that we've made for them in the classroom (or garbage), or take their kids home in the middle of our Family Experience (major pet peeve!). We need to keep doing these things to reach the families that are looking for help. The families that don't want or need it aren't going to come (or take the stuff), get over it! Keep doing a great job for those families that the work is going to benefit. The rest will come along eventually, maybe, but you're not doing it for them anyways. You're doing it for the person coming into your church that wants to know that someone cares about them and their kids.
1. Renewed focus on prayer--Larry Fowler asked us "When is the last time you, as a Children's Ministry team, prayed together. I'm not proud to say I had to think about it. Yes, we pray before AWANA on Wednesday nights, and our Large Group team prays each week before we sing and tell the Bible story. But as far as our leadership team, and small group leaders, we committed to praying each Sunday before the kids and volunteers get there, and to make sure we meet weekly for prayer first, then whatever else we need to talk about.
2. Constant recruiting--I knew this, but have recommitted along with our team to recruit every single week, 52 weeks a year, whether we need people or not. Also, one thing I heard that I'm going to implement is holding our staff (including myself) for who they have asked to join the team that week. Everyone needs to be asking at least 3 people a week to join us in ministry.
3. The work is for the seeker--Jonathan Cliff said this in his breakout. "We need to stop getting frustrated when parents don't take home the junk we give them." Sometimes I get frustrated when parents don't buy in immediately, or leave the take-home sheets that we've made for them in the classroom (or garbage), or take their kids home in the middle of our Family Experience (major pet peeve!). We need to keep doing these things to reach the families that are looking for help. The families that don't want or need it aren't going to come (or take the stuff), get over it! Keep doing a great job for those families that the work is going to benefit. The rest will come along eventually, maybe, but you're not doing it for them anyways. You're doing it for the person coming into your church that wants to know that someone cares about them and their kids.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Why should I go to CPC?
If you are in Children's Ministry, hopefully you have the opportunity to go to a conference yearly, or even every couple years. There are a lot of conferences out there, and they all cost quite a bit to attend and travel. I'm going to give you just 3 reasons (I could give more, and may later) why I think your money is well spent at CPC.
1) Unmatched training opportunities. I have never seen a conference with the sheer number of breakouts that are offered. This year there were 8 breakout sessions and many different options offered at each. Whether you are looking for how to do puppets better or how to connect with families, or how to lead more effectively, there will be something every breakout session that will help you. I took a team this year, and they all came back excited with fresh tools to use in our church. I could never have afforded to bring that type of training, from such highly qualified presenters, into our church.
2)Networking--I have been to a lot of conferences, and Michael Chanley and crew have taken a conference that I felt was always a good place to network, and made it even better. From the Networking Launch party (which is especially good if you don't already know anybody) to the Networking lunches, and even the cool bracelets that helped you identify people who have a similar calling as you, this is one of the best things about CPC.
3)Resource Center--The resource center at CPC is the largest and most diverse I have seen at a Children's Ministry conference (other than maybe Roger Fields' CMX) and you can get lost in the place. It is worth spending hours talking to all the different vendors and seeing all the cool things people are coming up with to help you in your ministry.
If you have not signed up for CPC San Diego and can do it, it is well worth it. If not, start planning to attend CPC in Orlando or Orange County next year!
1) Unmatched training opportunities. I have never seen a conference with the sheer number of breakouts that are offered. This year there were 8 breakout sessions and many different options offered at each. Whether you are looking for how to do puppets better or how to connect with families, or how to lead more effectively, there will be something every breakout session that will help you. I took a team this year, and they all came back excited with fresh tools to use in our church. I could never have afforded to bring that type of training, from such highly qualified presenters, into our church.
2)Networking--I have been to a lot of conferences, and Michael Chanley and crew have taken a conference that I felt was always a good place to network, and made it even better. From the Networking Launch party (which is especially good if you don't already know anybody) to the Networking lunches, and even the cool bracelets that helped you identify people who have a similar calling as you, this is one of the best things about CPC.
3)Resource Center--The resource center at CPC is the largest and most diverse I have seen at a Children's Ministry conference (other than maybe Roger Fields' CMX) and you can get lost in the place. It is worth spending hours talking to all the different vendors and seeing all the cool things people are coming up with to help you in your ministry.
If you have not signed up for CPC San Diego and can do it, it is well worth it. If not, start planning to attend CPC in Orlando or Orange County next year!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Making the most of #CPC13
I'm one that believes large conferences are worth the money. I enjoy the general sessions, the speakers, the worship, and all the fun stuff, but here are some tips and how I make the most of my time at conferences.
Plan ahead--figure out which breakouts/sessions/activities you can't miss. Pay attention to who is leading the breakout, not just what the title is, and go to the ones that will help you grow as a leader.
Don't do everything--It is tempting to try and do everything. Don't. Schedule downtime. Skip a breakout if you need to. Use that time to refresh yourself spiritually, sneak in a workout, or have a cup of coffee with a fellow #kidmin leader.
If you're taking a team, set up their schedule for them--Especially if you are paying for them, send them to the breakouts that you want them to go to. Split up and go to different ones, then talk about what you learned.
Skip the main session--This is a tough one to do sometimes, but you'd be surprised who might be able to meet with you or who you may run into in the hallway if you are willing to miss one or part of the main sessions.
Stay on-property if possible--Even if you live near the conference! Networking and relationship building are such an important part of almost any conference and these opportunities are enhanced when you don't have to drive home after the session or try to get there on time in the morning.
Wear your nametag and smile--It's amazing how friendly people can be when given the opportunity. Wear your conference nametag and be friendly, you just might meet someone that becomes a lifelong friend!
These are just a few of the things I do that help me grow and learn at conferences. I've found these tips are especially true at CPC and I'm excited to see what Michael Chanley and crew have got planned for us this year. I'll be at #CPC13 in Orlando, Preschool/Children's Metro, and possibly Orange (which I have different tips for!) and hope to run into some of you there!
How do you make the most of the conferences you attend?
Plan ahead--figure out which breakouts/sessions/activities you can't miss. Pay attention to who is leading the breakout, not just what the title is, and go to the ones that will help you grow as a leader.
Don't do everything--It is tempting to try and do everything. Don't. Schedule downtime. Skip a breakout if you need to. Use that time to refresh yourself spiritually, sneak in a workout, or have a cup of coffee with a fellow #kidmin leader.
If you're taking a team, set up their schedule for them--Especially if you are paying for them, send them to the breakouts that you want them to go to. Split up and go to different ones, then talk about what you learned.
Skip the main session--This is a tough one to do sometimes, but you'd be surprised who might be able to meet with you or who you may run into in the hallway if you are willing to miss one or part of the main sessions.
Stay on-property if possible--Even if you live near the conference! Networking and relationship building are such an important part of almost any conference and these opportunities are enhanced when you don't have to drive home after the session or try to get there on time in the morning.
Wear your nametag and smile--It's amazing how friendly people can be when given the opportunity. Wear your conference nametag and be friendly, you just might meet someone that becomes a lifelong friend!
These are just a few of the things I do that help me grow and learn at conferences. I've found these tips are especially true at CPC and I'm excited to see what Michael Chanley and crew have got planned for us this year. I'll be at #CPC13 in Orlando, Preschool/Children's Metro, and possibly Orange (which I have different tips for!) and hope to run into some of you there!
How do you make the most of the conferences you attend?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Resolution
Wow...nine months since my last post! I guess that won't do much to build my blogging resume. Rather than list reasons I haven't posted (if you follow me on Twitter, my tweets probably more than make up for a lack of blog posts, in number if not helpful content!) I'll just start with where I'm at.
I had the opportunity to listen to a couple podcasts yesterday (both free), the always helpful Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast and Steven Furtick's latest message from Elevation Church. Both of these seemed to hit me at just the right time for the season I am in.
The main points from each of these seemed to tie together perfectly for me.
Many times, we focus on a "New Year's resolution" and immediately go to goals we have for the year or things we want to DO in the coming year. Goals are not bad, but the game-changing thought was what if we focused not on what we want to do, but who we want to BE. This has so many implications. We all have things we want to do this year, in our life or our ministry. Many times, my frustrations, attitude, and even how I relate to friends and family all depend on how much I am accomplishing, or whether I feel I am moving closer or further away from the goals I have prayerfully set for myself (or my church). But none of us are going to look back in 30 years at all the stuff we did, if we weren't the people that God wanted us to be. Who do you want to be this year? This is going to be my focus in 2013. Who am I becoming in Christ?
Furtick spoke powerfully about how we are always in process. God does not look at us as a project that he finishes and is done with. We are naturally 'project people' and want to accomplish something, check it off the list, and move on to something else. He suggested that we can't take that approach to our lives. God is not finished with us. We can't expect to be complete. We are always growing, struggling, learning, and need to depend on Him to do His work to keep moving us along in the process.
In 2013, I want to accept that I am continually in the process of becoming the person God wants me to be. I have some things I've written down that I would like to 'BE'. I'm praying that God continues to move me toward BEing those things. I may not get there this year, or next, or the year after. But I will be closer...
Who do you want to BE this year?
How does who you want to BE affect the things you want to DO?
How can remembering that we are in process, not a finished work, encourage us with our daily struggles?
How can you encourage others to focus more on who the are BEcoming than what they are DOing?
Many times, we focus on a "New Year's resolution" and immediately go to goals we have for the year or things we want to DO in the coming year. Goals are not bad, but the game-changing thought was what if we focused not on what we want to do, but who we want to BE. This has so many implications. We all have things we want to do this year, in our life or our ministry. Many times, my frustrations, attitude, and even how I relate to friends and family all depend on how much I am accomplishing, or whether I feel I am moving closer or further away from the goals I have prayerfully set for myself (or my church). But none of us are going to look back in 30 years at all the stuff we did, if we weren't the people that God wanted us to be. Who do you want to be this year? This is going to be my focus in 2013. Who am I becoming in Christ?
Furtick spoke powerfully about how we are always in process. God does not look at us as a project that he finishes and is done with. We are naturally 'project people' and want to accomplish something, check it off the list, and move on to something else. He suggested that we can't take that approach to our lives. God is not finished with us. We can't expect to be complete. We are always growing, struggling, learning, and need to depend on Him to do His work to keep moving us along in the process.
In 2013, I want to accept that I am continually in the process of becoming the person God wants me to be. I have some things I've written down that I would like to 'BE'. I'm praying that God continues to move me toward BEing those things. I may not get there this year, or next, or the year after. But I will be closer...
Who do you want to BE this year?
How does who you want to BE affect the things you want to DO?
How can remembering that we are in process, not a finished work, encourage us with our daily struggles?
How can you encourage others to focus more on who the are BEcoming than what they are DOing?
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Show me your shirts! Win one while you're at it!
We are currently in the process of renaming/recreating our ministry environments. Once we settle on our names, we will be creating T-shirts for all of the volunteers in those environments. This is one fun way of creating an identity for those volunteering in a particular ministry area.
I want to get our team's creative juices flowing, and I know some of you have some awesome shirts that you are incredibly proud of! I'm asking you to share those shirts with me and the kidmin community. Post the picture or link to it in the comments. Let me know if we can steal it (haha just kidding, or maybe not!)
I will be sending one of our shirts once it is created to at least one random person that responds with a picture of your shirt.
I want to get our team's creative juices flowing, and I know some of you have some awesome shirts that you are incredibly proud of! I'm asking you to share those shirts with me and the kidmin community. Post the picture or link to it in the comments. Let me know if we can steal it (haha just kidding, or maybe not!)
I will be sending one of our shirts once it is created to at least one random person that responds with a picture of your shirt.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Free Getaway for Pastors and Spouses
Hey everyone,
I wanted to take a minute tonight and share this free offer (Click the link on the bottom of the page) with you from my good friends at Cherokee Cove. Cherokee Cove is a great mountaintop retreat about 30 minutes outside of Boone, NC. Sam and Stu, who own and run the camp, have been a huge blessing to me, my family, and my church for the past several years. I went there on a mission trip a few summers ago and fell in love with the place and the people. I've gotten to be a part of building some of the facilities there (don't let that scare you off) and have enjoyed every moment I've spent there.
Sam and Stu Stephens have an incredible heart for families and those who minister to families, here and around the world.
The camp:
The camp itself is nothing fancy, but everything is kept in great condition by Sam, Stu, and the volunteers who run the camp. There are no 'frills' but you won't miss them. It is located on the NC/TN border and is a great place to get away from everything. The facilities include a guest cabin, bunkhouses, 7 small cabins in the 'marriage village', and some other private cabins, as well as rustic campsites.
The food:
One word: Incredible. This is not 'camp food'. Stu makes everything from scratch and is an accomplished chef and has opened several restaraunts. You will be fed well and if you're willing, may learn a thing or two.
What you'll do:
Whatever you want. Nothing. Spend time enjoying God's creativity. Go for a hike. Read. There are no scheduled activities at the camp, and not a lot to do onsite, but that is part of what makes it such a great place.
What you won't do: Won't be pressured to buy anything, bring your church to the camp, or donate anything. Sam and Stu truly have a heart for people in ministry and want to be a blessing. You will be blessed by their heart and passion for the Lord and families. If you are within a day's drive, I'd encourage you to take them up on this free offer for you and your spouse.
Valentine's Special at Cherokee Cove
I wanted to take a minute tonight and share this free offer (Click the link on the bottom of the page) with you from my good friends at Cherokee Cove. Cherokee Cove is a great mountaintop retreat about 30 minutes outside of Boone, NC. Sam and Stu, who own and run the camp, have been a huge blessing to me, my family, and my church for the past several years. I went there on a mission trip a few summers ago and fell in love with the place and the people. I've gotten to be a part of building some of the facilities there (don't let that scare you off) and have enjoyed every moment I've spent there.
Sam and Stu Stephens have an incredible heart for families and those who minister to families, here and around the world.
The camp:
The camp itself is nothing fancy, but everything is kept in great condition by Sam, Stu, and the volunteers who run the camp. There are no 'frills' but you won't miss them. It is located on the NC/TN border and is a great place to get away from everything. The facilities include a guest cabin, bunkhouses, 7 small cabins in the 'marriage village', and some other private cabins, as well as rustic campsites.
The food:
One word: Incredible. This is not 'camp food'. Stu makes everything from scratch and is an accomplished chef and has opened several restaraunts. You will be fed well and if you're willing, may learn a thing or two.
What you'll do:
Whatever you want. Nothing. Spend time enjoying God's creativity. Go for a hike. Read. There are no scheduled activities at the camp, and not a lot to do onsite, but that is part of what makes it such a great place.
What you won't do: Won't be pressured to buy anything, bring your church to the camp, or donate anything. Sam and Stu truly have a heart for people in ministry and want to be a blessing. You will be blessed by their heart and passion for the Lord and families. If you are within a day's drive, I'd encourage you to take them up on this free offer for you and your spouse.
Valentine's Special at Cherokee Cove
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