Children's Ministry Talk

Episode 33 – Ministry to Children with Disabilities: Interview with Caleb Fletcher, Steve Ekholm, and Charlie Chivers

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:58:50 +0000

Dick Gruber and interviews children’s pastors Caleb Fletcher and Steve Ekholm as well as Special Touch Ministry Executive Director Charlie Chivers at the 2010 North American Children’s Ministry Conference in St. Louis, MO. Caleb shares tips for new children’s pastors, while Steve & Charlie share with Dick helpful tips and resources for ministry to children with disabilities.

The following resources were mentioned:

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Keep the feedback coming! Send your questions, comments, or ideas to childrensministrytalk@gmail.com. You can now give us a call! Leave us your question or comment by calling (484) 442-0322. As always, you can find complete details about this podcast at childrensministrytalk.com.

Episode 32 – Kids Under Attack

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:26:25 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss kids under attack and share some recommendations for protecting children from attack, whether it be physical, verbal, or even online dangers.

They mentioned the following links during the show:

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 31 – Signs of a Healthy Children’s Ministry

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:11:57 +0000

Dick Gruber shares signs of a healthy children’s ministry compiled by veteran children’s pastor Bob Hahn.

Below is the complete email from Bob that Dick referenced:

I had a meeting with a District guy last week who told me, “The Children’s Pastor is the most difficult portfolio in the church next to the Senior Pastor.” While I was impressed with his insight, it made me question, “Why?”
I remember how hard it was, years ago, to justify this position when it seemed many were questioning the need. In my ministry I had to be a little defensive for the sake of the kids and for my own job security too, or so I thought. Unfortunately, some Senior Pastors don’t seem to know what Children’s Pastors do because they have so much on their own plate.

It is fair to take the time, once in a while, to let the Senior Pastor know how good his Children’s Department is and why. I jotted down a few notes to myself and want to pass them along, for what it’s worth.

A HEALTHY CHILDREN’S DEPARTMENT

In a church of 500 there will be, on-average, at least 100 children (with at least 200 on the roster) and at least 50 trained and screened volunteers.

The nursery is usually open for all services 3 or 4 times a week or 12 to 16 times a month.

With rotating mom’s cooperating with the regular staff it can involve at least 20 caregivers.

A clean well-staffed nursery will attract families who usually have very high standards for their infant children.

Many congregations add to the demand for infant care with church events expecting high-quality babysitter services as well.

A well-managed Preschool Ministry during church services can usually draw numbers that will almost rival any other department outside the Sanctuary.

Security systems require vigilant administration to communicate to the parents how very safe their children are in their church environment.

Safe student-worker ratios, age-appropriate rooms and background checks for all volunteers are all very high maintenance necessities.

Assuming two rooms per-service, three services per-week, a good ration of rotating volunteers and greeters; there should be 30 volunteers in this area.

The flagship of the fleet for the Children’s Department is often the “Junior Church” for the school-age and pre-teen kids of your church.

Here, the Children’s Pastor must be able to present discipleship like Paul, worship like David and be as captivating as Disney World.

The Children’s Pastor also has to draw church people (especially parents) to him/herself to duplicate his/her ministry into other adults.

Assuming a church of 500, there would easily be the need for at least 20 volunteers to minister to all the children in all the services.

The icing on the departmental cake, and an indispensable component, is the extracurricular events and activities that draw new people and energize families.

Outreach rallies and in-house “Crusades” pump spiritual excitement into the congregation and draw new volunteers to the cause.

Camps, trips and outings not only make indelible memories for the children; they are evidence of quality ministry to both parents and pastors.

Public performances and pageants give children both a sense of mission and belonging as well as giving the parents another reason to be proud of their kids.

While we don’t want to get too defensive, it does help the Senior Pastor if we present our ministry to him in a good light so he can clearly see what is happening in our area under his leadership; for there will be times when he will be called upon to represent our ministry to others.

- Bob

Dick also mentioned the following links:

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 30 – Advice for New Children’s Pastors: Interview with Josh & Christina Torres and Jimmy & Lori Lewis

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:11:08 +0000

Dick Gruber has an open discussion about children’s ministry with Josh & Christina Torres and Jimmy & Lori Lewis. They share advice for those getting started in children’s ministry.

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 29 – Leading a Child to Christ

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:54:17 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode answer questions about video resumes and discuss tips for leading a child to Christ. Dick shared the following tips:

Start at a point of mutual understanding
Use kid language & concepts
Avoid abstract ideas and phrases, like "washed in the blood" and "invite Jesus into your heart"
Involve other kids whenever possible

They mentioned the following links during the show:

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 28 – Getting Things Done

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:43:38 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss tips for getting things done as well as answer a question about teaching kids about fasting. Jason shared the following 5 Tips for Mastering Workflow from David Allen’s book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity"

Collect things that command our attention
Process what they mean & what to do about them
Organize the results
Review as options for what we choose to
Do

They mentioned the following links during the show:

Dick also is giving away 13 weeks of kids church lessons on the book of Hebrews! Head over to childrensministrytalk.com/christmas2009.html and download your free copy!

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Merry Christmas from Children’s Ministry Talk: 13 Weeks of FREE Children’s Church Lessons

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:18:10 +0000

Greetings Friends!

Christmas is a busy time with church programs and family gatherings. Remember this year to take some time to relax with your loved ones. The elves here at our workshop have been busy this Christmas season creating more helps for you in your ministry to children. You will find at cmuo.com/resources a series of lessons we’ve prepared for use in children’s church. If you’ve not already done so, subscribe to our podcast in iTunes and have a great holiday. I found a fabulous item at onewaystreet.com called the Bible Story Bag. They have about a dozen to choose from including the Christmas Story and the Wordless Bag. I have used these both and always get good response form children and adult workers.

January is just around the bend. I hope that some of you will find me at CPC in Nashville. I’ll be the tall guy wearing red Chuck Taylors. (Those are shoes). I am also participating in the Assemblies of God Potomac and Penn-Del Districts children’s ministries retreats as well as the North American Children’s Ministries Conference. I look forward to meeting you in my travels.

God bless and quit putting off that continuing education. The cost has never been cheaper nor the information delivered more practical than what we offer at CMUO.com. Take a look and sign up for classes this new year.

Now to close in the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone.”

His servant, your servant,

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 27 – Special Event Childcare, Answering a Call to Children’s Ministry

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:13:10 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode continue a discussion of special event outreaches by discussing special event childcare. They also respond to a listener question regarding how to get started pursuing a call to children’s ministry.

Dick mentioned developing a philosophy of ministry to children as well as a resume. He’s posted samples of his here.

We’ll be taking the next couple of weeks off for the holidays, but will be back again in January!

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 26 – Volunteer Appreciation Ideas

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss volunteer appreciation ideas. They mention the following links during the show:

What ideas volunteer appreciation ideas do you have? Leave a comment here with your idea!

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.

Episode 25 – Kids Musicals

childrensministrytalk@gmail.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:08:51 +0000

Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss kids musicals. Dick shares 3 BIG reasons to do a kids musical:

Body building
Incredible evangelism
Gift development

Here are a few more things to keep in mind about kids musicals:

Involve every kid that is willing
Keep it fun!
Involve parents as much as possible

Drop us an email, leave a comment on the blog, or visit us over on Facebook or Twitter. We’d love to include your comments and questions in our next episode.