Okay so I opened a can of worms last week. I have always had a gift for this. I remember at my first church that what we paid a guest to come in and do a week long Kid’s Crusade was more than my budget for children’s church. When I added up travel costs, hotel, and food. It was way more than my yearly budget for props, puppets, characters, etc. (and you could forget about an a/v equipment.) So I had an idea what If I took the money we would spend for a crusade and buy all new stuff that would be new to the kids but then also I would have it all year long. It made a lot of guests mad at me. I believe in guests, I’m having KidzBlitz, Yancy,and Miss Patty Cake for Easter this year. But some time because of budgets, because of the need to re-think and re-invent what you do you have to come up with an alternitive. What are some of your plans and ideas for VBS, Camp, Crusade and other alternatives for summer programing. Let us hear from you. I’d love to hear what you are doing differently this summer.

I’m not a fan of VBS. I’ve never seen one that brought tons of new families into a church. One of the problems is when you have them, the first week out of school to me it’s just bad timing. In many communities it seems like churches all have them at the same time. I have seen better success moving my VBS alternitive event to a date in late July when nothing is going on. To keep from doing a traditional VBS, I’ve done Kids Crusades, Day Camps, Music or Art Camps.Kid’s Day Out every Tuesday in the Summer, and many others. One goal of mine is to provide a school of rock for kids in the near future (I’ll be Jack Black) I’m really excited about a new product from Kidzblitz called “Fitness Camp” I ordered it at CPC and can’t wait to use it. I think another factor that makes me not a fan of traditional VBS is it’s hard to get workers in the daytime because of families needing multiple incomes. If I was going to do VBS I would do it at night and no matter what I wouldn’t call it VBS. I had great success getting families to and in our church by doing a Summer Sizzling Film Festival the 4 or 5 Sundays in July, We did special stuff the kids weren’t use to, adding huge visitor contests will great prizes for weekends and Wednesdays that month and saw great results. I’ve also done a different special guests every weekend plus the other stuff I mentioned. I also added more chances and points for kids bringing their parents to church. I think it’s time to give VBS a makeover and do something different to get better results than what most churches see from the same ole VBS. I know not everyone’s going to love this post but I for one am willing to take a punch or two to make people re-think new and creative ways to reach today’s kids in a more unique way. Sorry VBS lovers, that’s the way the old guy sees it.

I am so excited about being a part of this year’s Orange Conference! And now that I know Ryan will be there I’m even more excited. Orange is different from most children’s ministry conferences because it’s not another children’s ministry conference. It’s a place to rethink the same ways to do ministry to children and to include the entire family. Orange is an event to celebrate a movement! A movement that includes every single person on staff to be part of a movement to touch the next generation. I loved the worship, evey main speaker understood the purpose and essence of orange. Another thing that makes it different from other conferences is that the workshops are not done by exibitors, or curriculum company employees they are done by people who actually not only do ministry but who are knocking it out of the park in some of America’s most effective churches and ministries. Last year I took one of my youth pastors with me. It was wonderful to be able to go to an event that both children’s and youth ministers can attend together. Many churches had their whole staff there even their senior pastors. There where so many people there and so many folks where wanting to spend time as a team it was a little hard to network. It’s something I will plan ahead to be able to connect with others better. There are not tons of vendors everything I purchased I think I got from the Orange Store. This year I’m bringing more of my team and looking for opportunities for them to connect with others who do the same thing as them in other big churches in smaller towns. I love Reggie and the rethink folks, I appreciate their heart for the family and how they are able to rally and assemble the children, youth, college, and family ministers of forward thinking churches all in one place. Last year I came away with not only new ideas but with a new heart to do more to work together with the family and the other ministries within my church. Yancy has spoken at Orange more times than me! She has been at all three, not all sure what all she’s doing this year but hope to attend one of her sessions. Should you attend Orange? Only if you want your eyes opened to what’s next. I’m going to learn, I’m also going to hear from God. I’m going to listen with an open heart and mind of what I need to rethink. I can’t wait to see what God does in me and in my team. I’ve have attended a ton of conferences in my lifetime. Orange is not predictable it’s not this year’s edition of last years conference, it’s brand new thinking for a brand new way to do church to a new generation. It’s not just yellow and red hanging out in the same space it’s about the two coming together to do something different, something new, something Orange. I hope to see you there!

Like Ryan I enjoy attending CPC. It’s been fun to watch how it has changed over the years. I was invited to the first one in 1980 but was having Yancy. I attended the second one, and most all of the early years in Denver, in fact that’s where I was when the Challenger blew up. I really enjoyed the format of the early years. The meal times weren’t sponsored they where pure “network and share what you are doing with others” times. I took away as much from those meal times as I did the workshops. Maybe more. In my opinion, it’s the best conference in America to network with others! Some of the best friends I have on this earth I met at CPC. It’s amazing how the different cities that it’s held in also affects the personallity of the conference. I perfer certain cities over others, I can’t help it and the city choices have affected my attending. Also taking a break has made me appreciate the conference more. I’m excited about it being in Nashville again. I always feel like people networked more in Nashville and some of the other cities than they did in Orlando. (It seemed like people were off to Disney rather than hang out) Some years I haven’t been able to attend and I’ve missed it. The addition of the precons were a huge addition. I enjoy teaching those more than anything. (Except the years I’ve been a keynote speaker in an evening session.) This year Ryan and I are teaching a precon together in Nashville. We’re not teaching one in San Diego and I’m going to miss it. Each year I walk away with a new favorite thing about the conference. Most of the time it’s the wonderful people that CPC attracts that’s my favorite part. If you’re going to either one I’d love to meet you come by the exibit area and hang out with us. Yancy and I will be sharing a booth space right next to Ryan and the Kidzmatter & K! gang. If you want to make the most of the conference start now connecting with those you want to spend time with, pick their brain or learn what they are doing. I’ve already started booking my meal times and after hours times with speakers, exibitors and conference attendees. I call it the ultimate CPC experience “The conference within the conference.” CPC is not the only conference I attend but I will forever be grateful for the impact it’s had and still has on my life and ministry! That’s the way I see it.

In 2002, I attended my very first Children’s Pastors’ Conference (CPC) in Cincinnati. It was there that I told the Lord that until He changes my calling, my gifts, or takes me to heaven, I would serve Him in children’s ministry. I also promised myself that I would never miss a year of CPC. I haven’t missed one yet. Here’s why.

1. CPC is not based on a single model or ministry philosophy. You will be exposed to a wide plethora of vendors, publishers, speakers, methods, ideas, etc.

2. CPC is the largest gathering of vocational children’s pastors anywhere. Most of the thousands of CPC attenders are children’s pastors or directors.

3. General sessions are enjoyed around a dinner table providing a great opportunity for networking and fellowship. Continue reading ‘Why I never miss Children’s Pastors’ Conference’

Jim Wideman and I are team-teaching a pre-conference workshop at CPC (Nashville) called “Leadership that Lasts”. This is an all-day session and we’d sure like to see you there. The workshop is January 5, 2009 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Here’s a description of the workshop: The difference between “leadership that lasts” and just “leadership” is the difference between a long-term band and a one-hit wonder. A one-hit wonder is a band that only made one big hit. The success was never repeated and today people wonder, “Where did they go?” In this power-packed seminar, learn how to bag one-hit wonder leadership and develop leadership that lasts for the long haul.

Learn more and get signed up at www.incm.org. We hope to see you there.

Sunday night we had the opportunity to have the One Way Street summer ministry team in my church. These seven young people, led by Dale VonSeggan, did a wonderful job. They ministered to a packed house (and it was on a Sunday night – imagine that). The performance included blacklight puppetry, full-body puppets and lots more! The kids and grown-ups alike loved it.

Are puppets still effective in children’s ministry today? Yes! Sesame Street is still growing and captivating the minds of millions of kids. Here’s the secret: you have to do it right! If your puppet presentations are lame, the kids aren’t going to connect.

As a young children’s pastor, I was blessed to have a lady (Ruth) join the church who had experience in puppet ministry. She immediately volunteered to start a puppet team. For the last ten years we have had what I call an “excellent” puppet ministry. What makes it excellent? Do we have expensive puppets? Not really. Are our puppeteers professionals? No – they are kids. Here’s why I think our puppet team is excellent.

1) The puppet director views her ministry as a divine calling. She’s not filling a slot for the children’s pastor or kid’s church teacher.

2) The puppet team members (most of them are teens) take the weekly rehearsal time seriously. They know that practice starts at 5:00 and that means 5:00 sharp.

3) The puppet teams takes time to have fun together. They know how to work but they also know how to have fun.

4) The puppet team makes it a priority to get training. Click here to learn about the best puppet training you can get.

5) The puppet programs are never predictable. The kids never know what to expect. Maybe the puppets will sing a song, maybe they will teach a Bible verse, maybe they will do a blacklight presentation – it always changes.

6) The puppet team uses props. I believe props are just as important as the puppets themselves. Props will take a puppet show from one thumbs-up to two thumbs-up.

7) The puppet family never stops growing. I bought two new puppets for our puppet team Sunday night. You don’t have to have a mammoth budget to pull this off. Commit to buying at least two new puppets every year.

In this media-driven age of children’s ministry, let’s not forget the impact that an excellent puppet ministry can have in the hearts of kids.

Hey, this is Evan! Something very exciting happened yesterday: Ryan celebrated 10 years of full time ministry at our home church, Liberty Baptist. All along, his wife Beth has been serving with him in ministry. To show him the church’s appreciation, we threw a surprise party for Ryan and Beth yesterday during the evening service. It was an exciting night as we looked back over the 10 years Ryan has been at Liberty full time. And even more exciting, we were reminded of how thankful we are that the fashion from the late 90s is over!

Ryan means a lot to our church, as well as to many of you. So if you have a funny story, thank you, or anything else you would like us to share with Ryan, just leave a comment on below! This is our little way of showing Ryan how much his church family and his online family care!

Now, what Ryan didn’t know was that behind his back I sent an email to several of our Way We See It subscribers and asked for their comments to share with him. Here a just a few of them I’ve received:

“As children’s pastors, in networks of children’s pastors, we are learning, sharing, growing, and spreading God’s love in new and creative ways because kidz matter. You may never see or meet all the lives impacted this side of heaven, but heaven will be different because of your investment in the lives of leaders in the here and now. Your investment in the kids you minister to each week has ripple effects as you challenge, grow and stretch each of us. Thanks for allowing God to use you to make a difference in the Kingdom for kids, families, teachers, and leaders.” Susan Hoak

“Thank you, Ryan, for allowing God to use you to touch the lives of so many kids and those who minister to kids. It is easy to see that kids really do matter to you. I have been blessed through your ministry. Keep pressing on!” Melinda Autry

“Please add me to the count of Children’s Pastors that is so appreciative of Ryan and Beth for the support they provide through their friendship, Kidzmatter.com, the Blog, as well as the workshops Ryan leads. May God continue to use Ryan for the advancement of His kingdom at Liberty Baptist and throughout the world!” Deana Hayes

“I’ve always appreciated Pastor Ryan and Beth’s drive for the Lord. Whenever I think of Pastor Ryan and Beth I think of hard work, enthusiasm for God’s work, and most of all, integrity. Both Ryan and Beth are vital members of our congregation and the body of Christ as a whole. We, at Liberty, are so blessed to call them family!” Briana Pickering

This morning in Kid’s Church I started a 2-week Kidmo series called Smackdown. I picked it up last week when I saw the Kidmo guys in Seattle. It was a hit. Here’s what made it great:

1) This is a short two-week series perfect for plugging into your program. My kids hadn’t seen Johnny Rogers since the summer when we did Fetch.

2) The media elements are excellent. The Kidmo team is getting better and better and have set the standard high for media-driven curriculum.

3) Smackdown is a funny story about Los Hermaños Stinkos (the three Stinky Brothers) as they search for the mighty El Salvador. The videos centers around the wrestling ring which the boys in my church loved.

4) Today’s episode was about communion. For the first time ever, I served communion to the kids. Was I nervous? Yes. I was second guessing it all the way until 8:00 this morning. How would I serve 150 kids communion without staining the carpet and having a mess on my hands? Well, it worked great. The video set the stage, I followed up with a five-minute talk about communion and what it means, and during some worship songs, I took the kids in groups of 10 to the back of the room where they were given a cracker and small cup of juice. It worked beautifully.

5) “It was funny but serious.” This is what one of my leaders told me after church about the Johnny Rogers video.

I think communion on Palm Sunday might be a new tradition in my kids church. It was very meaningful and the kids really took it seriously.

I am wired right now. Why? Have I been drinking too much Pepsi? Probably, but that’s not why. It’s because Children’s Pastors’ Conference is next week. I always get this way a few days before it’s time to go.

Last night we packed the box truck at midnight for Orlando. I stopped counting boxes at 120! I was waiting for the inevitable to happen and it did. A cop showed up. Someone called 911 because three guys in sock hats and gloves (it’s cold here in Indiana right now!) had a box truck backed up to our KidzMatter offices and were loading up! We must have looked somewhat honest because it didn’t take too much convincing before he got back in his warm car and took off.

CPC is my Bethel. It’s my favorite week of the year. To be with over 2,000 other people who love and serve kids in the church is amazing. If you’re going to be in Orlando next week (or San Diego in March) please be sure and say hi! CPC here we come!