This episode I’d like to share a sermon I did for big church last year. I hope the message ministers to you.

This episode we look at how to build a children’s sermon and service from the ground up. Whether you’re using curriculum or starting from scratch it can be difficult to keep your kid’s attention while preaching a children’s sermon. The tips in this podcast will help you from start to finish.

Resources:

• Ireland Photos
• Work Flowy
• avs4you.com
• Muddy River Media
• FreeCountdowns.net
• Free-Loops.com

How do we respond when a gifted volunteer says goodbye?

We also talk about how to handle reporting suspected child abuse, board members and “stupid good guys”.

Also go listen to my audio journal to hear about my awesome Sunday experience where my daughter acted as my assistant for Sunday service.

Stage presence is one of the most important things a person speaking to children can have. It is equal parts entertainment, education and discipline. This week we look at stage presence and offer practical tips on how to improve your communication skills. We also look at several things not to do while on stage.

Links Mentioned:

• Cheap audio/video editing suite – http://www.avs4you.com
• Countdowns – http://www.muddyrivermedia.org
• Free Countdowns – http://www.freecountdowns.net/main.html

Email us: helpimacp@gmail.com
Call us: 209-5NLCast
Follow James on Twitter
Friend James on Facebook

Since our last show I’ve gotten a few questions on how to create countdowns, how to edit videos and audio clips and sound effects, so I hijacked this episode to share some of the resources I use for animated full-motion backgrounds, animated clip art, game sounds, background tracks and more. I share free software and other resources as well.

Links Mentioned:

• Adobe Audition – Audio editing software.
• Sony Vegas – Video editing software.
• Audacity – Free audio editor for PC. (Tutorial)
• Windows Live Movie Maker – Free video editing software for the PC. (Tutorial)
• Animation Factory – The best and cheapest source for motion backgrounds, animated clip art, PowerPoint backgrounds.
• Free Sound effects – freesound.org
• Great Sound effects, not free – soundsnap.com
• NewGrounds’ Audio Portal – An excellent resource for driving music to go behind a game or countdown.
• High Voltage Kids Ministry – Game music, altar music, video countdowns, curriculum
• Countdown Creator – Quickly and easily merge music, backgrounds and text to create custom video countdowns.

Email us: helpimacp@gmail.com
Call us: 209-5NLCast
Follow James on Twitter
Friend James on Facebook

Games don’t have to be wasted time. This week we discuss the role stage games play in a children’s service, how they can be used to teach, and how to use them effectively.

Practical tips and steps to take when seeking a part or full-time children’s ministry position.

Mentioned Sites and Resources:

My Spanish Missions Trip Experience

CMConnect.org

Kidology.org

The Very Last Room – Christmas Story – If you’d like a copy of the story and the slide show, request it or make a $5 donation to the show.

How to communicate to Parents, Children, Ministry Leaders, Volunteers and your Pastor. We cover bulletins, fliers, newsletters, email lists, Facebook, and more.

The Very Last Room – Christmas Story – If you’d like a copy of the story and the slide show, request it or make a $5 donation to the show.

How do you respond to parents who’s children do nothing wrong?

Show Links:

Rod Puppet Made From Office Supplies

Children’s Ministry Monthly Episode 2 – Discipline

PodcastKid.com – A great podcast for children 3-12 by James Kennison and his daughter.

The Very Last Room – Christmas Story – If you’d like a copy of the story and the slide show, request it or make a $5 donation to the show.

This month we’re clearing out the in-box answering your submitted questions about volunteers, delegation, administration, outreach ideas, moving to a new ministry position and positions for youth to help in kids church.

Links & Resources:

• The Very Last Room – Original Christmas story. Imagine if your family were to take the last room in Bethlehem, just before Jesus’ family came up.
• PodcastKid.com – Podcast for kids. Moral in every show. By Pastor James and his 5 year old daughter, Jenna. Subscribe in iTunes.
• Blog Entry: How Can I Get Volunteers From A Small Congregation
• How To: “Usher” Offering Machines
• What I’ve Learned After Three Weeks In A New Position
• Discipline Mini-Casts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Tips and lessons on improving your children’s church order of service.

This month we’re talking about the importance of children’s praise & worship with Jean Thomason, aka Miss Pattycake. I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I loved recording her.

Visit Miss. Pattycake online at http://www.misspattycake.com

What issues and challenges to PK’s face in church? How does it influence their walk with God? What’s it like when the parent is their children’s pastor? All these questions and more answered as James interviews Christian and Lydia, his own pastor’s kids.

This episode also features an amazing interview with The Lads, an amazing rock group from New Zealand focusing on tweens and family ministry.

Sponsor: DrawYouAPicture.com – for ministry logos as low as $65 bucks!

Resource of the month: Crazy and creative one-minute games from the show Minute To Win It.

This month we address issues that discourage children’s ministers with Children’s Pastor, Mark Turner and Pen/Florida District Children’s Education Director, Grant Foster.

James interviews his wife Jennifer about her recent involvement in the office-side of the children’s ministry he directs at their new ministry position.

This Month’s Resource:

Spiral Wishing Wells for pre-school offering: http://www.spiralwishingwells.com/toy

Call or email in your feedback: cmmonthly@gmail.com or (218)MONTHLY (666-8459).

James shares a inspirational story that shows that God uses everything we submit to him and do as unto him for our good and his glory.

The Flashlight House – From Nasty To Move-in Ready In Just One Month

Nativity Story: The Very Last Room

God has called my family and myself to a Children and Family ministry position in Florida from Kansas City. This month’s CMMonthly is my farewell sermon delivered in just under 10 minutes. Ten things I learned from 10 years of ministry at Sheffield.

How do we deal, as children’s ministers, with a lack of pastoral support?

Resources:

• http://inflateaset.com
• http://kids.woot.com
• My Preaching Video

This month we’re talking about dealing with confronting children, parents and volunteers in potentially confrontational situations.

This month we focus on the reasons Children’s Ministers struggle in ministry and ways to avoid burnout. Plus, a very special interview with Fel Bagunu.

Broght to you by DrawYouAPicture.com and High Voltage Kids Resources.

Think of this show like “Policies and Procedures For Dummies”. We cover the reasons we need policy and the basics of beginning to develop your own.

Resources:

• http://locator.thevision2020.com – Free Sex Offender Search
• http://freecountdowns.net - Free video countdowns (just don’t buy their products)
• http://drawyouapicture.com – Low cost logos.

In this, the last of the mini-series on proper discipline in children’s ministry, we look at different kinds of relationships we try to form with our kids.

This week we focus on several key concepts regarding proper discipline in children’s ministry.

This week we’re covering the rewards of great behavior in children’s ministry.

This week it’s all about the consequences for disobeying the rules. Be sure to check back each week for more.

This week it’s all about enforcing our rules… and making rules that are enforceable. Be sure to check back each week for more.

The third installment of our new weekly mini-casts on discipline in children’s ministry focuses on the concept of “Minimum Requirements” and Rule Making.

Be sure to check back each week for more.

This second installment of our new weekly mini-casts on discipline in children’s ministry. This week focuses on the reasons we don’t discipline.

Be sure to check back each week for more.

This month James and Dave talk through they way they do an average elementary Sunday children’s church service. We share important tips on segments, points, curriculum and more.

Resources mentioned during the show:

• Kidsturn Labs (5am Projections)
• Google Docs
• Kidzonestudio.com (coming soon)
• CMConnect.org
• Save money on your next domain from GoDaddy.com. Use the code “podname121″ at checkout.

This first installment of our new weekly mini-casts focuses on redefining discipline with a God-centered viewpoint.

Be sure to check back each week for more.

This month I interview my wife Jennifer about the transition into ministry, church expectiations and ways we pastors can protect our spouses as they support us.

Resources mentioned in the show:

• Random Student Selector
• The Brick Testament

Get more of James and Jenn on their weekly podcast, Geek Loves Nerd!

James is joined by guest-host Austin who poses the question, “What’s the goal of Children’s Ministry?”

Email cmmonthly@gmail.com for your chance to win 12 cd’s of animated clipart from AnimationFactory.com

Vote for CMMontly at PodcastAwards.com every day!

Resources mentioned on the show:

• http://www.kidzap.com
• http://www.whitsend.org/podcast
• http://www.clubhousemagazine.com
• http://cmconnect.org
• http://www.fiveamproductions.com

This month I’m joined by Thomas, a ‘rookie’ Children’s Pastor from Texas and we’re talking about the dread you can sometimes feel when it’s time to ask your volunteers to take on some of what you’re doing. How much can you ask them to do? Aren’t I getting paid to do this stuff? They have a full-time job already!

These questions answered and more!

Resources mentioned on the show:

• 100 Pushups
• CMConnect.org
• KidsTurn Labs
• Bubbl.us

Be sure to call in or email in your comments! (206) 600-5704 – cmmonthly@gmail.com

And we’re back again! James shares a simple way to take the guesswork out of your volunteer placement, tracking, and needs. Plus a new show format, phone number and more!

Links mentioned in the show:
bubbl.us
cmconnect.org
Kids Camp Games

Download Mp3 | Subscribe in iTunes | Podcast RSS Feed

We’re back! James tackles the topic of discouragement, and it’s sources, solo this month. Get ready for our new co-host, Lead Pastor Jon Beckett next month!

Check out Geek Loves Nerd Podcast.

Download Mp3 | Subscribe in iTunes | Podcast RSS Feed

James and Dave discuss what does and does not work in communicating with families and your congregation plus a few creative ways to get your message out.

What creative communication devices have you concocted? Share won’t you?

http://www.surveymonkey.com – Survey Site

http://drawyouapicture.com - James’ art site.

James and Dave discuss ways to make the most of your storage space and shared classrooms.

Call us: 206-350-4695
Email us: cmmonthly@gmail.com

Thanks to our sponsor Children’s Ministry University Online! They provide fully accredited, quality children’s ministry training, anywhere, anytime. Check them out!

Podcasts mentioned:

• Monkey in the Middle Podcast – http://heymonkey.blogspot.com – RSS
• Children’s Ministry Talk – http://www.childrensministrytalk.com – RSS
• JAM City Family Devotions – http://jamcitykc.com – RSS

It’s all about the things we’ve learned and wish someone had warned us about this episode. We hit on things like conflict, relationship, delegation, preparation, and more. Thanks Drew and Vance for your input! Thanks to our sponsor Children’s Ministry University Online! They provide fully accredited, quality children’s ministry training, anywhere, anytime. Check them out! Podcasts Mentioned:

• Ask JoJo – http://jojothechristianclown.com – RSS
• Monkey in the Middle Podcast – http://heymonkey.blogspot.com – RSS
• Children’s Ministry Talk – http://www.childrensministrytalk.com – RSS

How I Podcast – Folks have been asking how we do what we do. Check the link for an article. Episode 5 will be called “No Storage!!” and will focus on ideas and creativity when it comes to classroom issues and lack of storage. Your input is more than welcome! Email your tips and ideas to cmmonthly@gmail.com or call in at 206-350-4695.

This month we focus on some common and not-so-common teaching methods. We also add some of the how-to’s and why-do’s we’re known for. Listen till the end for some Halloween alternative ideas as well.

We mentioned several online resources on the show:

kidology.org
animationfactory.com
thesource4ym.com

Dave also offered a list of his “Fear Factor” style games: Right click and select Save As – Download. (Word doc)

James referenced a slide show he created. It can be found here. (Powerpoint)

Next month we’re covering the topic “Things I wish someone had told me“. We’d like to get your input! Email or call us!

Listen:

This month we’re looking at the real meaning of Discipline. Most folks hear ‘discipline’ and think a strict, military-style encounter… but God’s view is quite different. Join James & Dave as they cover the what’s, why’s and how’s of Godly discipline in Children’s Ministry.

Your input is always welcome. Email us your questions, tips & suggestions to cmmonthly (at) gmail (dot) com.

**Update** Make sure you check out the 8-part Mini-Cast Series on Proper Discipline in Children’s Ministry.

• Part 1 – Proper Discipline
• Part 2 – Why We Don’t Discipline
• Part 3 – Requirements & Rules
• Part 4 – Enforcement
• Part 5 – Consequences
• Part 6 – Rewards
• Part 7 – Key Concepts
• Part 8 – Proper Relationships

Well hello there! It’s our first ever episode of Children’s Ministry Monthly Podcast and we couldn’t be more surprised that it worked out thrilled! Children’s Ministry Monthly will be a monthly podcast focusing on the needs of normal, everyday children’s ministers. This includes pastors, lay-ministers, and volutneers.

Your hosts are James Kennison & Dave White. James is a children’s pastor in Kansas City, Missouri and David serves as children’s pastor in Macon, Georgia. Check the About Us page for more info.

This month we’re focusing on Releasing Volunteers to do ministry. We can’t do it all ourselves… and God doesn’t want us to. Though delegating is hard work (often harder than just doing it yourself) is is mandatory for us to share the blessings of ministry to children with others in our churches.

This podcast will always emphasis and depend on your input. We’d like to know what topics you’d like to hear discussed. What ideas, resources and input do you have to share? What questions would you like to bounce off your hosts and their audience? You can send such input to our email address: cmmonthly@gmail.com or call the Howl-line at 206-350-HOWL (4695).

We’d also like to keep this blog updated with occasional ideas, articles, websites and other resources. If you have something you’d like to share just email it to us!

Till next month…