Ministry Idea Studios

The lyrics are haunting me. “I’m gonna swan dive baby, right into the irresistible future.”   I think about lyrics through the eyes of ministry.  Kinda weird, but I do!  In 2010 I am confident churches that will take steps to become more engaged in strategy rather than just offering a childrens ministry.  Kudos for even baby steps!     BUT,  the churches that swan dives, with undying passion to see kids and families reconnect with a plan in place? Wow!  Those who are emphasizing shared experiences in spiritual growth?  Look out!   Those churches will grow.  More than that, they will abound!  Why? Because God has a plan.  And that plan has never been random.  It has been well thought out- with an end in mind, (and a real good one,  I might add.) If you teach in silo’d uncreative methods in your ministry area in 2010, you will get what you have always gotten.

An alternative  idea?   Swan dive.  Swan dive with me  into the future of 2010 with a new strategy of engaging kids and families.  Start by reading Think Orange by Reggie Joiner.  Better yet, swan dive and have your church staff read!   Happy New Year!

So I received a Christmas card today.  Not an unusual  occurrence  for this time of year.  When I opened it there was a stuck on return address label where the signature goes.   Really? I felt someone had “checked me off on the list”  of cards to get out. Didn’t really “feel the love”  from the sender.  I know- intentions were good.  Seems like a convenient way to crank ’em out and count it as done.   But strange, it makes me think about ministry!?!   How many things in Children’s  Ministry do you check off to “get r done?”    I hope that programming and curriculum decisions are never made that way.  I’ve been there.  Check it off the list of to do’s.  Never mind it’s just not life giving to kids- its the Bible, right?  Wrong.  That’s why I love the curriculum I represent.  It is an entire month centered around ONE virtue that comes from so many creative angles to present it in a life giving way. It’s part of the strategy of ORANGE.  No “get r done” mentality, but targeted programming that sets everyone up for a win.  Kids, volunteers, parents  ALL “feel the love”   It feels sincere to teach less for more.   Think BIG in 2010!

( Great Christmas read for you…   THINK ORANGE by Reggie Joiner.  Carve out some time,curl up by the fire and read!)

There is nothing like watching the light of service come on in a  volunteer.  Sometimes is happens fast.  They realize that this “serve” thing really isn’t such a big deal to actually do after all. Other instances it can take some time.  But, when you see it come on- you know it.    They have entered the place of connection.  God, ministry opportunity and me serving equals some t great potential to rock this planet.

I remember a volunteer dad and friend named Bob, who came to serve. As a father he  just wanted to contribute and do his part to partner in weekend ministry with his kids by serving once a month… then offering prayers, then twice a month…then lead teaching.   His prepping started on Mondays for the next weekend.  He researched and came up with THE best creative lessons to keep elementary kids engaged. He connected with kids. It is a cherished memory  of how his gifts bloomed.  He found and felt the connection with the gifts God obviously put in him before his birth. The guy would light up when he taught kids.  It all started with an ask, an invitation to join us in serving.

Who knows what treasure is in the heart of volunteers.  As a leader you need to unlock it. Help it come out.  Challenge them.  Don’t ever make an apologetic ask for volunteers. The NEED  is in people connect and make room to serve and find all that God has put in them.  It may not be teaching, but greeting, or a small group leader, or worship or many other venues to connect in ministry to kids.  I have enjoyed the vantage point of front row watching  many awesome volunteers from nursery on up making the CONNECTION.  Thanks God.

As a seasoned (sounds ever so much better than older) leader of ministry I have noticed a life anchor in Psalm 105.    I looked at it from the standpoint of  what fuels me.  In this Psalm is a life strategy with points of action for me to stay alive in Him.  It fills my cup. These five action points keeps  what I do in perspective.   Christ follower first before anything else.  He is our identity…not ministry or position or anything else.   There are 45 verses in this Psalm, but the first five verses are SO full of actions that I can’t pass up!  #1  Give thanks to Him.  #2  Sing praise to Him.  #3 Rejoice in Him  #4  Look to Him  #5  Remember Him.   Funny, but no matter what stage of life I am in, I just keep coming back to checking on how I’m doing with the five action points.  As I practice these points of action, I notice that I am more peaceful, more hopeful and excited about what’s ahead.

Change happens.  It can come fast. It can come slowwww.   A ministry endeavoring to be on target is going to embrace the change possibilities.  While it’s happening it can be a painful, but  wow– what a worthy trek to find the finish line.   I’ve learned to take a look in the  rear view mirror to see how far ministry to both kids and families has come.  It helps spur me on in reach kids and families.

My gauge for review of a ministry week:

(1) Kids came and were taught in a fresh, insightful age appropriate way.

(2) We partnered with parents for the coming week  to reinforce and create their own ministry moments with their kids.

(3) Volunteers were connected, engaged and valued like crazy!

(4) God was honored and lifted up.

To be healthy, vibrant and growing you’ve got to keep it fresh.  If you think you’ve got the plan in place…think again. It will change.   Balance the unchangeable Message with what’s on the horizon in your ministry area. Open the doors to new ideas.   Our path ahead grows brighter and brighter! ( Proverbs 4:18 )  Just take a look in the rear view mirror and see.