Monthly Archive for January, 2008Page 3 of 3

Merry Christmas!

Published
by
Evan Doyle
on January 6, 2008
in Encouragement
. 1 Comment

No, Evan has not lost his mind.  OK, so maybe I have, but that’s beside the point.

Tonight our church had our Christmas program.  On January 6.  Not in December.  What happened, you ask?  Well, we had to cancel church due to a massive pile of snow that fell from the sky to the ground here in Indiana on the week (Dec. 16) we had intended to have it.  So we had a Christmas program in January.

I’ll admit, it was a little weird singing Christmas songs and looking at Christmas decorations in January.  There was just something about it, though, that made it special.  Like our pastor said at the end of the service, “Christmas is not about December 16.  Christmas is not about December 24.  Christmas is not about December 25.  Christmas is about the love of God.” Continue reading ‘Merry Christmas!’

3 things

Published
by
Jim Wideman
on January 5, 2008
in Blog Updates, Conflict, Leadership and Random
. 0 Comments

My cousin Carol Ann sent me a forward email the other day that I thought was cool. It was entitled “Three Things.” It said “Three things in life that, once gone, never come back…
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity
To me we might not get them back but we can do something to make adjustments and manage time better, say and do right things, take our words and thoughts captive to the Word of God, and make the most of God given opportunity. The key is evaluation. This new year put a repeating to do note in your calendar to evaluate all 3 and make the need changes tomorrow. “Tomorrow is a great day to fix the things you have evaluated today!”
That’s the way I see it!
bj

K! Magazine is coming your way!

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on January 4, 2008
in Blog Updates and Events
. 3 Comments

I received word a few minutes ago that the inaugural issue of K! Magazine shipped this morning. Keep your eyes peeled because K! is coming your way! Subscribers should expect to receive your copy sometime next week.

Did you know that you can get a free subscription to K! Magazine with every registration to Children’s Pastors’ Conference? That’s right. Just mention K! Magazine when you register. You’ll be added to the subscriber list and will be notified by mail of your subscription status. If you’re already subscribed, we’ll add a year to your subscription.

Tips for Convincing Your Pastor to Send YOU to Children’s Pastors’ Conference

Published
by
Ryan Frank
on January 3, 2008
in Events
. 1 Comment

I love Children’s Pastors’ Conference. I often tell people that it’s my Bethel. It gives me that shot in the arm for another year of vibrant ministry. Trying to decide how to convince your pastor to let you go? Here are 10 ideas.

1. You’ll spend four days learning everything from how to recruit volunteers to helping parents with their kids. Experts in their field who really know their stuff teach it all.

2. You’ll bring back new ideas for making children’s ministry fun. No more boredom in your church! Offer to hold a training meeting for your volunteers and teachers when you get back.

3. Explore the hottest products in the market in the Resource Center. There’s a lot to see from over 100 companies! You’ll return to the church with tons of free samples, a long list of ideas, plus contact information from a variety of people who can help your church.

4. You’ll get lots of other free stuff, like magazines (humm… I wonder which one), a tote bag, a notebook, great meals…

5. You’ll be inspired by some of the top ministers in the children’s ministry.

6. You’ll receive a beautiful conference notebook, ready to be packed full of ideas you’ll start getting the very first day. If you bring back just one awesome idea, the conference will be worth it.

7. Networking opportunities like you’ve never seen before! You will sit in circles at each general session, will eat together, and will have many opportunities to make long lasting relationships.

8. Host an “everything I learned at Children’s Pastors’ Conference” presentation when you get home. Show your pastor how you will handle some of the problems you are currently facing.

9. Does your church have an open job position? Offer to post the position on the message boards near registration and then scout out potential candidates at the conference. You could even screen possible hires on-site.

10. With over 140 workshops, 100 exhibitors, 6 general sessions, and meals, Children’s Pastors’ Conference is a bargain. It’s stuff you won’t find anywhere else.

So have you convinced him? Sign up already!

How to spoil those you lead

Published
by
Jim Wideman
on January 1, 2008
in Leadership and Volunteers
. 3 Comments

I love being spoiled. My wife has spoiled me for over 29 years. My daughters have spoiled their Dad all their life, my employees spoil me at the office on a regular basis. Because I like it so much I want to spoil others. A great goal for the New Year is to purpose in your heart to spoil your volunteers outside their classrooms as well as in. You’ve heard me say this before, you gain those you serve. It’s a spiritual law. Christ Jesus came to serve not to be served.

Here’s my Top 10 List for you to stand out in your church as a leader who serves their volunteers:

1. Return all phone calls and answer all emails quickly. It’s hard to believe that this one step will single handily set you apart from most busy leaders in America. It’s also the best way I know to communicate you care about those who serve you.

When you are at your desk answer your phone. If you have voice mail change your message to inform people if you are unable to return their message quickly. Also if your phone is not answered by a live person always leave your extention number. When you’re calling others especially their cell phone find out whether your telephone call is welcome or intrusive. Always ask if it’s a good time to talk

2. Remember to say please and thank you. These two words are still magic words to cause volunteers to feel appreciated. Always write a personal thank-you note for special favors within two days. When you can write a personal note when you sign your name on form letters.

3. Never miss a deadline. If it looks like you’re going to be late, negotiate and change it. If you can’t change it, get some help. Never promise performance unless you can deliver. Always under promise, over deliver.

4. When you communicate in person communicate with eye contact. Always look people in the eye. Call your volunteers by name.

5. Solicit criticism and accept it without being defensive. I constantly ask others how can we improve what we do. Smart leaders listen to their volunteers.

6. Repent quick. Never be afraid of saying “I’m sorry” or I apologize”, Admit any error immediately. Report it to the person who can solve or repair it the fastest

7. Before beginning any discussion, clearly state the purpose, the desired outcome, and the key objective. Before entering a serious negotiation, decide what you are willing to give up.

8. Keep up to date on the latest technologies. Learn as much as you can on new developments. Supply your volunteers with whatever resources, equipment and materials that they need to excel.

9. Raise everyone’s educational and interest level by distributing a timely article or clever quotation. Show your volunteers you really care and buy them a copy of my book “Children’s Ministry Leadership”

10. Don’t plan too many meetings. Use other ways to communicate other than meetings. Desire to be a family church that allows for family time.