Latest Blog Posts
01
May
Twitter #kidmin
How hashtags can be helpful We recently conducted a survey and asked various children’s ministry questions. About 67 people responded to our survey. I’m sure we’ll talk more about what we discovered in further detail, but one of the questions and its answers was interesting to me. It didn’t surprise me at all, but it was interesting. We asked the question: “What are you most likely to do when looking for ideas for your Children’s Ministry Program?” The options were: click on a link in an email search the web for ideas click on a link … read more
30
Apr
Atlantic District Huddle
Over fifty leaders and volunteers gathered at Yarmouth Wesleyan Church in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada on April 21, 2012, for The Huddle – a Children’s Ministry training event founded by the Spiritual Formation Department of The Wesleyan Church. Participants attended two rallies, a variety of breakouts, and were given the opportunity to network over lunch. Many thanks are extended to Dawn Wilcox for her direction and the crew of volunteers that made this event possible. The next Atlantic District Huddle is at Presque Isle Wesleyan Church in Presque Isle, ME on September 15, 2012.
04
Apr
The Power Of Summer Bible Camp
The students I work with cannot wait till “Bible Camp” (as they call it). It’s a week of hanging out with their friends, having fun, and learning more about God. To the students, what better way to spend a week of your summer than at “Bible Camp”! I couldn’t agree more, and I’m excited that our students think the way they think about Kids Camp. I’ve written a sort of treatise for the Vision and Structure of Kids Camp on our website, and I’ve also blogged about The Power of Camp in general. I’m quoting myself here: “Kids Camp … read more
08
Mar
Has Easter Gotten Boring?
Traditions are weird for me (at least they used to be). I am a guy who loves variety. Doing the same thing over and over again is boring. Filling the shelf day in and day out, week in and week out got old. Christmas time? Same story, just a different year. Easter holiday? same events, just a different year. … read more
01
Mar
Sonja Burpo Guest Speaker at Indiana Huddle
Approximately two hundred and seventy people from five states (seven districts) gathered at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN to attend The Huddle. The Huddle is a Children’s Ministry training event promoted by the Spiritual Formation Department. This event was sponsored by the Indiana North, Central, and South Districts, along with the Children’s Ministry Department major at IWU. Vocational and volunteer leaders were ministered to through encouragement and motivation by guest speaker, Sonja Burpo, mother of Colton Burpo from the book “Heaven is for Real”. The Huddle event brings children’s leaders together for training, and by … read more
17
Feb
The Need to Resource Families
It’s seems like the predominant mode of church’s children’s ministry is to be the primary disciplers in a child’s life. We’ve accepted this role because parents have let us. Parents have outsourced their child’s spiritual development to the “professionals” rather than the two parents God graced them with. … read more
15
Feb
“The Huddle” A Children’s Ministry Training Event: Success in Central New York District
What a great day for the Huddle and all who came! Two hundred seventy people from the Western New York, Central New York, and Western Pennsylvania districts and surrounding communities came together for a day of training with their Children’s Ministries Team to evaluate programming, network with other churches, and soak in great ideas and strategies that could be applied in their approach to children and families. The day was filled with eighteen breakout options, two rallies, and lots of free resources, refreshments and lunch. Sandwiched in between all of this was some great worship, crazy games, … read more
