Perhaps you have been in this scenario before because it happens to me ALL the time...I was at Wal Mart (or Target or the library or the pool) and this nice lady approaches me and starts talking to me about something somewhat relevant to me. Then after about three minutes she says, "Hey, can I ask you a question?" or "You have been so nice to talk to, I'd love to get together and tell you about (named cosmetic company.)" I always know what is coming...always. And it makes me cringe. I'm really sorry if you are one of those cosmetic ladies, but I am just too nice to say no. So I usually get wrangled into some conversation about this make up and the woman is so passionate about how this product can revolutionize your life either by becoming a consultant or by using the product. But I'm not in this conversation because I'm even remotely interested in the product. I'm in the conversation because she approached me and started talking about something that was going on with me right then. She had me at hello.
This kind of had me feeling guilty. I realized that I have something even better than make up, something eternal that I need to be "selling," but often I am too busy doing my shopping or playing that I don't realize who is around me. I don't see the lost people who really do need my Product. I still couldn't figure out the problem with this "Mary Kay Evangelism" as I like to call it. Then it hit me, as I was being attacked by yet another, more clever Make Up Sniper.
They were ungenuine.
They pretended to be my friend, to be interested in me, to find out my needs so that they could sell this product. That was where Christians needed to, and should be, different.
As we live our lives and go about our business, Christ always needs to be on our minds. We need to be understanding that the world around us is lost. He is the product that everyone needs. The thing is, though, we need to be genuine. To really care about those who are around us and realize that we are not benefitting from sharing our faith, in fact it often costs us our time and sometimes resources. These are nothing, however, to the price that Christ has given so that ALL can spend forever with him.
It doesn't have to be difficult, ya know? It should be completely natural. As you meet people and see their needs, go and tell what Jesus has done for you. How has he revolutionized your life? When you have that passion for how he has changed you and loved you, you will find that it is easy to do.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Bullfrogs and Butterflies
| Do you remember that silly song we sometimes sang when we were growing up? "Bullfrogs and butterflies, they've both been born again. Bullfrogs and butterflies, they've both been born again!" |
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| Actually, it was from the '70s so it was a ridiculous song...but that's ok. I was reminded of that song today, but first I have to tell you a story from awhile ago. |
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| Last summer a friend of mine challenged me to chose a symbol that would continue to remind me of God's love. I was very skeptical. In fact, I was having a really rough summer and I was pretty confused about how God was loving me. I did, however, chose a symbol. That symbol was a butterfly. Soon I began to be amazed at how often butterflies came into view. It was very often, at least once a day. Well, it was summer time, and again towards winter I began to be skeptical again. However, God did not cease to show me his love through my chosen symbol. The butterfly continues to be a cherished thing to me for this reason. |
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| Today I was driving home from the library on a road that came between a field and a landscaping business. The fields around me were literally covered in butterflies, similar to what you see above. This thought hit me: God's love for me is abundant! Sometimes I think that it is unfortunate how we take his great love forgranted. The song we sing as children, "Jesus loves me," seems so cliche that we don't realize how it is applied in our lives. The ultimate sign of his love is his forgiveness and his saving work on the cross. Besides that, God loves us so much that he hurts with us when the pains of this life are weighing us down. It might seem that God is distant or doesn't care, but he does and he has the ultimate empathy for us. In addition, one of the greatest ways that Christ shows his love to us is by the changing work that he does inside of us. I think that is why I like the butterfly so much. It has been transformed into something new and beautiful. Without Christ we are ugly creatures! When Christ enters our life and takes control we begin to tranformed. Sometimes that change hurts, but in the end we are even more beautiful than we could have imagined. I want to encourage you to persevere through seemingly difficult times! God's love for you is absolutely abundant! |
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Sunday, July 25, 2010
Check out this video
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a 2 minute video is worth a thousand blogs. Please check out this link, titled "Gumballs."
Dt. 6
http://www.worshiphousekids.com/mini-movies/16482/Gumballs
Dt. 6
http://www.worshiphousekids.com/mini-movies/16482/Gumballs
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Zumba Discipleship
As a mentioned in a previous post, everything we do is spiritual. As parents we are responsible for raising our children to be spiritually well rounded people.
One of my favoritest (ya, I just said favoritest) things to do is worship God with kids. Specifically, I mean worshiping with music. Honestly, I would rather worship God with them than adults. Often I find that in adult worship we sing about dancing or clapping our hands, or bending our knees in worship but we are standing (or sitting) stiff as boards. Seriously? Ugh...with the kids there is no holding back. We worship God with our entire bodies (and often get a work out in the process.)
One time David danced so crazy (with all his might) that his underwear was showing and his wife got pretty mad. David responded, "I will become even more undignified than this." (Check it in 2 Samuel 6) The Israelites were bringing the Ark of the Lord back and this caused David to celebrate. Um, excuse me...but I think we have something bigger to celebrate! Jesus is alive! We are forgiven! Our sin has been wiped away! Don't just stand there! Dance and celebrate with all of your might!
By the way...Michal (David's wife) didn't have any children after that little escapade and that's the biggest disgrace a woman could have at that time.
I was recently introduced to Zumba. Holy moley! That is fun AND a great workout. It might be kind of disgraceful when you are swinging your fanny in the air, but I think God will make an exception for this like he did for David. The great thing is that Zumba can totally be kid friendly. I learned like 4 moves and realized that it fits in really well with some of the new worship songs for kids...like "Oh Happy Day." This is so much fun to do with your kids.
In lieu of a video, here are a few of the Zumba moves I know:
Beto: This is kind of like the "Egyptian" move. One hand is up, palm facing in, other hand is hand is down, palm facing out. You step and move your hips, "pushing" your hands out while alternating them. She does it in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbDcnhb3DwQ
Sleepy lay: This one has both hands up, each arm in a "v" shape (like saying "I don't know?"), and palms toward the ceiling. While you are moving your hands up and down, you swing your hip way up. Take a few steps and then change hips and directions.
I don't know what this one is called, maybe Morraccas: Pretend like you have morraccas in your fists. Shake your fists above your head as you jump forward. Then jump back and shake your fists down low. Repeat. (It's a fun one)
Of course there is always "shaking" (shaking your hips back and forth) and free style.
This might not make sense, you might just go to a Zumba class.
Anyway, here is a link to some videos you can watch on your computer with some great kids songs. My four year old loves them.
http://www.worshiphousekids.com/song-tracks/18623/Happy-Day
Regardless of how silly or "disgraceful" you look (or feel)...you are teaching your kids two things. 1- It is important to take care of your body. 2- You can use your body to glorify and praise Jesus too.
HAVE FUN! :)
One of my favoritest (ya, I just said favoritest) things to do is worship God with kids. Specifically, I mean worshiping with music. Honestly, I would rather worship God with them than adults. Often I find that in adult worship we sing about dancing or clapping our hands, or bending our knees in worship but we are standing (or sitting) stiff as boards. Seriously? Ugh...with the kids there is no holding back. We worship God with our entire bodies (and often get a work out in the process.)
One time David danced so crazy (with all his might) that his underwear was showing and his wife got pretty mad. David responded, "I will become even more undignified than this." (Check it in 2 Samuel 6) The Israelites were bringing the Ark of the Lord back and this caused David to celebrate. Um, excuse me...but I think we have something bigger to celebrate! Jesus is alive! We are forgiven! Our sin has been wiped away! Don't just stand there! Dance and celebrate with all of your might!
By the way...Michal (David's wife) didn't have any children after that little escapade and that's the biggest disgrace a woman could have at that time.
I was recently introduced to Zumba. Holy moley! That is fun AND a great workout. It might be kind of disgraceful when you are swinging your fanny in the air, but I think God will make an exception for this like he did for David. The great thing is that Zumba can totally be kid friendly. I learned like 4 moves and realized that it fits in really well with some of the new worship songs for kids...like "Oh Happy Day." This is so much fun to do with your kids.
In lieu of a video, here are a few of the Zumba moves I know:
Beto: This is kind of like the "Egyptian" move. One hand is up, palm facing in, other hand is hand is down, palm facing out. You step and move your hips, "pushing" your hands out while alternating them. She does it in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbDcnhb3DwQ
Sleepy lay: This one has both hands up, each arm in a "v" shape (like saying "I don't know?"), and palms toward the ceiling. While you are moving your hands up and down, you swing your hip way up. Take a few steps and then change hips and directions.
I don't know what this one is called, maybe Morraccas: Pretend like you have morraccas in your fists. Shake your fists above your head as you jump forward. Then jump back and shake your fists down low. Repeat. (It's a fun one)
Of course there is always "shaking" (shaking your hips back and forth) and free style.
This might not make sense, you might just go to a Zumba class.
Anyway, here is a link to some videos you can watch on your computer with some great kids songs. My four year old loves them.
http://www.worshiphousekids.com/song-tracks/18623/Happy-Day
Regardless of how silly or "disgraceful" you look (or feel)...you are teaching your kids two things. 1- It is important to take care of your body. 2- You can use your body to glorify and praise Jesus too.
HAVE FUN! :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
How do you know when your child is ready to be baptized?
In the church in which I was raised, the big salvation message was to repeat a prayer and you would be saved. I remember being pretty confused when I was little...like that if I wasn't saved I would die on the cross like Jesus did. I also remember praying that prayer maybe a couple of dozen times at different points, just to be sure. I'm pretty sure that I said it when I was old enough to say a complete sentence. Now that I have a child at this age, I completely understand that she would have no idea what she was doing, and I definitely didn't either.
She is however, asking good questions. She watches me take communion and wants to be a part of that tradition. She knows she can't until she is baptized, so about every week she asks to be baptized. When I ask her why, she responds that she wants to eat too.
Obviously...she isn't ready. I'm happy she's communicating with me about it though. That brings up the question...how do you know when your child is ready?
A good indicator that they are ready to begin thinking about salvation is when they stop believing in Santa. At this point they can begin to differentiate between real and fantasy and they will begin to understand the difference between faith in something you can't see and a fairy tale. This is typically around age 8, sometimes earlier and sometimes later.
If your child is in a situation where they have the opportunity to take communion in a children's setting, and an adult doesn't regulate who does/does not take communion--one way to tell is that they will stop taking communion, if they have been. The child begins to recognize the significance of it and will skip it, realizing they are not in a proper place to take it.
Your child will also recognize specific sins they have committed (beyond "I disobey my parents" and other generalities) and be remorseful about their sin, not just the consequences.
Finally, your child will be urgent about being baptized and will routinely bring it up on his own. Often by asking the child to wait, and watching to see how they respond and how frequently they ask, you can decipher their urgency.
Of course you know your child the best and will know when they are spiritually ready. It's important not to delay too long when they are ready, but you need to be sure that they understand that this is a commitment of giving up their rights as boss of their life. Jesus becomes boss, not me! Talk with the leader of the children's ministry if you think your child might be ready. They might have some indicators to consider as well.
If you feel comfortable, you might also consider asking your children's ministry leader at your church if you can baptize your own child. What an excellent opportunity to bond and to begin the discipleship process with your child!
She is however, asking good questions. She watches me take communion and wants to be a part of that tradition. She knows she can't until she is baptized, so about every week she asks to be baptized. When I ask her why, she responds that she wants to eat too.
Obviously...she isn't ready. I'm happy she's communicating with me about it though. That brings up the question...how do you know when your child is ready?
A good indicator that they are ready to begin thinking about salvation is when they stop believing in Santa. At this point they can begin to differentiate between real and fantasy and they will begin to understand the difference between faith in something you can't see and a fairy tale. This is typically around age 8, sometimes earlier and sometimes later.
If your child is in a situation where they have the opportunity to take communion in a children's setting, and an adult doesn't regulate who does/does not take communion--one way to tell is that they will stop taking communion, if they have been. The child begins to recognize the significance of it and will skip it, realizing they are not in a proper place to take it.
Your child will also recognize specific sins they have committed (beyond "I disobey my parents" and other generalities) and be remorseful about their sin, not just the consequences.
Finally, your child will be urgent about being baptized and will routinely bring it up on his own. Often by asking the child to wait, and watching to see how they respond and how frequently they ask, you can decipher their urgency.
Of course you know your child the best and will know when they are spiritually ready. It's important not to delay too long when they are ready, but you need to be sure that they understand that this is a commitment of giving up their rights as boss of their life. Jesus becomes boss, not me! Talk with the leader of the children's ministry if you think your child might be ready. They might have some indicators to consider as well.
If you feel comfortable, you might also consider asking your children's ministry leader at your church if you can baptize your own child. What an excellent opportunity to bond and to begin the discipleship process with your child!
Monday, July 19, 2010
It's getting a little bit personal
As you know, or should know...I am a single mom. Sometimes I feel like being a single mom makes me a constant sinner. I actually get that perception most often from Christians. The fact is, I have been forgiven. The choices I made in the past are not the choices I am making today. They are not the choices I want to make in the future. It is not fair that because I have a visual reminder of my sin, that I have to constantly live in the guilt of that sin.
The only reason I am bringing this up is because I am looking for ministry opportunities and this seems to be the "make it or break it" question--both for me and the church. I will be the first one to say that I believe that ministers really need to be held to a higher standard. We want them to lead their lives by example, and to be pure and full of integrity. Honestly, that is what I want for my life too, and those are the people that I want my daughter to look up to as well.
At the same time, I know a lot of people who have committed the same sin, but they didn't get pregnant, or caught, and have gone on to ministries with out having to spill their guts about a difficult time in their life. Even the people who have kept themselves pure, they are not without sin. No one is perfect, and God tells us that not one sin is worse than another. Definitely different sins have different consequences, some bigger than others, but all are worthy of sending you to hell, to be blunt about it.
What makes me worse than you? What makes me a worse candidate than someone else? I have a most wonderful child, who is a blessing and certainly is a joy to everyone she is around. She does not have a father who is present in her life and that is not my fault. I am not continuing to sin by his absence or by my choice to raise this child in a godly way.
In 1 Samuel 12, the Israelites had begged for a king. This was essentially idolatry because God told them, I am your leader and your King. They did not need one if they would only follow him wholeheartedly. However, they asked Samuel for a king, and God appointed Saul. During wheat harvest, Samuel called on God to send a magnificent storm. He did, and the people were terrified and realized how great their sin was. They begged Samuel, what can we do about this, we have sinned!
"Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart...For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own...But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."
Do you see that? Samuel commanded them to turn back to God and serve him with all of their heart. God had not rejected them.
I have done evil, but I have repented and turned back to God. I have been called to children's ministry. Anyone who has seen me "in action" will certainly say it is so. God has not rejected me, and he is commanding me to serve faithfully with all of my heart. I have been faithful by volunteering in my local church. I am not sure how the parents in the churches I have volunteered with have approached the subject with the children, but I have been dearly loved and accepted in each church by the children and the families. What an excellent opportunity for the children to learn about forgiveness and grace first hand!
This story in 1 Samuel is a great example of God's grace, which we usually see displayed more prominently in the New Testament. Isn't grace what this is all about? Before committing my sin, I honestly had difficulty understanding and distributing grace to others. I was very much a rule-oriented person. Today, I believe that God has given me so much grace so that I can really give grace to others. I have a very unique perspective on forgiveness that affords me empathy for others who are struggling. I can really say, "Yeah, I know, I've been there." I can also identify others who are starting to slip, and have the mercy and compassion to talk with them and bring them back to Christ in love which was not done for me.
Now it is my responsibility to stand in the gap for others and say, "Please don't go there" to some and "It is safe, you can come here because you are most certainly loved" to others.
To be a full time minister is the profession that I have chosen and is also the place where I will most successfully be able to provide for my family and I would like the opportunity to do that.
The only reason I am bringing this up is because I am looking for ministry opportunities and this seems to be the "make it or break it" question--both for me and the church. I will be the first one to say that I believe that ministers really need to be held to a higher standard. We want them to lead their lives by example, and to be pure and full of integrity. Honestly, that is what I want for my life too, and those are the people that I want my daughter to look up to as well.
At the same time, I know a lot of people who have committed the same sin, but they didn't get pregnant, or caught, and have gone on to ministries with out having to spill their guts about a difficult time in their life. Even the people who have kept themselves pure, they are not without sin. No one is perfect, and God tells us that not one sin is worse than another. Definitely different sins have different consequences, some bigger than others, but all are worthy of sending you to hell, to be blunt about it.
What makes me worse than you? What makes me a worse candidate than someone else? I have a most wonderful child, who is a blessing and certainly is a joy to everyone she is around. She does not have a father who is present in her life and that is not my fault. I am not continuing to sin by his absence or by my choice to raise this child in a godly way.
In 1 Samuel 12, the Israelites had begged for a king. This was essentially idolatry because God told them, I am your leader and your King. They did not need one if they would only follow him wholeheartedly. However, they asked Samuel for a king, and God appointed Saul. During wheat harvest, Samuel called on God to send a magnificent storm. He did, and the people were terrified and realized how great their sin was. They begged Samuel, what can we do about this, we have sinned!
"Samuel replied. "You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart...For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own...But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you."
Do you see that? Samuel commanded them to turn back to God and serve him with all of their heart. God had not rejected them.
I have done evil, but I have repented and turned back to God. I have been called to children's ministry. Anyone who has seen me "in action" will certainly say it is so. God has not rejected me, and he is commanding me to serve faithfully with all of my heart. I have been faithful by volunteering in my local church. I am not sure how the parents in the churches I have volunteered with have approached the subject with the children, but I have been dearly loved and accepted in each church by the children and the families. What an excellent opportunity for the children to learn about forgiveness and grace first hand!
This story in 1 Samuel is a great example of God's grace, which we usually see displayed more prominently in the New Testament. Isn't grace what this is all about? Before committing my sin, I honestly had difficulty understanding and distributing grace to others. I was very much a rule-oriented person. Today, I believe that God has given me so much grace so that I can really give grace to others. I have a very unique perspective on forgiveness that affords me empathy for others who are struggling. I can really say, "Yeah, I know, I've been there." I can also identify others who are starting to slip, and have the mercy and compassion to talk with them and bring them back to Christ in love which was not done for me.
Now it is my responsibility to stand in the gap for others and say, "Please don't go there" to some and "It is safe, you can come here because you are most certainly loved" to others.
To be a full time minister is the profession that I have chosen and is also the place where I will most successfully be able to provide for my family and I would like the opportunity to do that.
Can ministry be an idol?
Note: This was a note I posted on Facebook in March 2009. As I am sending out applications for children's ministry positions, I wanted to repost it as a reminder to myself, and my friends of what ministry is really all about.
So I am sitting here in chapel, led by my good friend Stephen Walton, who always leads thought provoking worship. I am confronted with the idea that ministry is so glamorous, and I just want that office, that little cubicle with my desk and the walls that I can decorate, and the people that can come in and be impressed by my creativity and my skill and my knowledge and my love for the children, and to impress the classmates, and all the people who see how much I have overcome for this "great thing." Who or what am I worshiping? Am I worshiping God or am I worshiping myself, or dare I say, am I worshiping the title or office? How many ministers are like that? So I am wondering…what if there were no people? What if no one was here to serve but God himself? I have been a people servant my entire life. God knows that and created me that way, but He wants so much more for me. So what if there were no people to serve? Who would I be serving?
I lay my face before the King. I weep at his feet and wash his feet with my hair. I bless HIM. I serve HIM. It’s just My King and me, and there is no one to serve but Him.
So who am I really serving? Am I really serving my daughter? Am I really serving these people of the church that I love? Am I really serving the children? Or am I serving myself? Am I feeding my desires to have this “glamorous” position of authority and decision making?
Somehow we have made this position of lowly servant hood into a thing of pride. Where was Jesus’ office? Where did he stack his books and hang his diploma? What office did he decorate and whom was he fighting to impress? His office was the cross. He decorated the hearts of those who were broken, and He was only here to impress and glorify His Father, God.
So God, I lay all of me at your feet. My office is my cross. I will glorify you by blessing and making beautiful those who are broken and unloved, and I am only here to impress and to glorify You.
If you are aware of a need for a children's or family minister within the Restoration Movement churches, please contact me for my resume.
So I am sitting here in chapel, led by my good friend Stephen Walton, who always leads thought provoking worship. I am confronted with the idea that ministry is so glamorous, and I just want that office, that little cubicle with my desk and the walls that I can decorate, and the people that can come in and be impressed by my creativity and my skill and my knowledge and my love for the children, and to impress the classmates, and all the people who see how much I have overcome for this "great thing." Who or what am I worshiping? Am I worshiping God or am I worshiping myself, or dare I say, am I worshiping the title or office? How many ministers are like that? So I am wondering…what if there were no people? What if no one was here to serve but God himself? I have been a people servant my entire life. God knows that and created me that way, but He wants so much more for me. So what if there were no people to serve? Who would I be serving?
I lay my face before the King. I weep at his feet and wash his feet with my hair. I bless HIM. I serve HIM. It’s just My King and me, and there is no one to serve but Him.
So who am I really serving? Am I really serving my daughter? Am I really serving these people of the church that I love? Am I really serving the children? Or am I serving myself? Am I feeding my desires to have this “glamorous” position of authority and decision making?
Somehow we have made this position of lowly servant hood into a thing of pride. Where was Jesus’ office? Where did he stack his books and hang his diploma? What office did he decorate and whom was he fighting to impress? His office was the cross. He decorated the hearts of those who were broken, and He was only here to impress and glorify His Father, God.
So God, I lay all of me at your feet. My office is my cross. I will glorify you by blessing and making beautiful those who are broken and unloved, and I am only here to impress and to glorify You.
If you are aware of a need for a children's or family minister within the Restoration Movement churches, please contact me for my resume.
The 24/7 Disciple
Lately I've been noticing this little person following me around every where I go. Typically, when she is following me, so is this little puppy. Sometimes they like to fight, and generally, it has to be right on top of me, or right under my feet, or right next to me. I'm sure that you have had this experience. It might not be a puppy for you...it might be another child...but what difference does it really make? Puppies and children, they follow us around.
The Bible tells parents to speak about the Lord's commandments ALL THE TIME! (Check it in Dt. 6) It is not saying..."Hey, make this elaborate plan for devotional material and be sure to set aside 30 minutes to an hour every day that you talk about Jesus to your kids. When that is done, you may return to your normal life and go about your business...Oh yes, and do not forget to pray at meals and before bed. If you do this, your children will turn out perfect."
Um...If you looked it up you will see that God said to talk about it when you sit at home, walk across the road, lie down and get up. Those are pretty mundane things that we do every day, and it encompasses the entire day. You really don't need to be a Bible scholar to impress biblical truths in your child's head. Just talk about God whenever you get the chance.
When you are hanging out in the yard, tell the kids you are thankful that God made such a beautiful earth for us to enjoy. Sing praise songs while you are doing chores. Explain to them that God wants us to love and forgive, just as he has loved and forgiven us when they are extremely upset with a brother or a friend. What God wants is for us to see him in our daily lives and tell our kids about it too.
You see, everything is spiritual. From what we eat to what we wear, where we go...how we spend our money...everything has a spiritual implication.
I think all Christian parents desire that their children grow into maturity in Christ. What most don't realize is that their children are following in their foot steps. I've noticed that if I am trying to untangle my dog when his leash is tangled up in trees and other obstacles, I have to physically lead the way for him to get out. No matter how much I yell and point and jump up and down, he doesn't do what he needs to unless I physically walk him through it.
Kids are the same way. They are going to follow our example and mimick our actions. If they see us incorporating spirituality into our everyday life, they will not be long to follow.
Fortunately, at young ages they love to be with us too. Today I took my daughter to the pool. After awhile, I asked her why she wasn't playing with any of the other little girls. She responded..."I just want to play with you." By taking the time to spend with our children, we can really impress upon them the values that are so important and necessary to be in place.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Partnering with Parents
This may surprise you: The prevailing attitude that I've seen at schools among teachers is that parents are more of a hinderance to a students' progress than a help.
Does it surprise you? In that case, I will probably be a teacher's worst nightmare...not because I am necessarily "Supermom" but because I am a psycho when it comes to my daughter and her education.
When it comes to Christian education, I wonder how much we push out parents in the process of discipling children. I also wonder why parents aren't as ready to be involved in the process of disciple-making as they are in formal education. I understand the importance of being involved in the educational process. These 12 years set them up for life. We have to be sure that in Kindergarten they are at the top of their class and maintaining for scholarships to Harvard, right? What about Christian education?
Experts say that at age three children begin to collect data to help form their worldview. By the time they are 13 they have formed a solid worldview that they are not likely to change for the rest of their lives. In fact, if children have not made a decision to be a follower of Christ by 13, they are not likely to do so. (Sorry for the cold facts my dear youth minister friends.)
To avoid rewriting a well written book (Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions by George Barna) I will get right to the point:
Ministries have kids for about 3 hours a week (if they are lucky). If a worldview is developed in ten years, ministries have about 1500 hours (comparably schools have over 10,000 hours in only eight years) to effectively develop a Biblical worldview. Subtract the impact that evolutionary and atheistic propaganda is sold at school, and ministries have a difficult time making a good impact. How do we combat that?
Partner with Parents
Here are some practical ways (and please feel free to comment with ways that you have seen productive in the past) that parents and ministries can partner together:
1. Churches can streamline their curriculum so that every ministry is focusing on the same topic. Send home discussion starters for families to talk about together.
2. Many new curriculums are offering dvds/cd roms or links to a website so that families can interact about Sunday school lessons during the week.
3. We can communicate about the progress students are making by setting "benchmarks" students should be achieving and hold a parent/teacher conference to keep parents informed on how they are doing.
4. Invite parents to sit in on classes and volunteer in their students' classes.
5. Offer resources to parents. Feature a "resource of the week" in the children's library.
6. Send home handouts about creative ways for parents to influence their child's worldview during the week.
7. Host a parenting seminar or class at your church.
8. Partner with parents in praying for the kids. Communicate with parents several times to a month to find out what is going in the children's lives outside of church.
9. Offer parents' nights out to strengthen their relationship while providing a program for the kids.
10. Host programs such as family nights--mother/daughter or father/son retreats, etc.
11. Have a family VBS.
12. Inform parents about the music and curriculum used in the ministry so parents can purchase it or supplement at home.
13. Find ways for parents to grow spiritually themselves.
14. Host "Bring your parent to church night" in which the kids do church their way and bring their parents along.
Keeping parents involved is tough work, but a ministry that includes parents is going to thrive and be much more successful than a ministry that is seen as glorified babysitting.
Please comment with more ideas!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Wishing cakes
We love to read books, a lot. Sometimes we find really good books that have great spiritual implications. I'll probably refer a lot to the books we read in this blog. I found the design on this page and think it's perfect because it reminds me of a great book....
Last summer we found a fun book, "Zuzu's Wishing Cake." This little girl makes a "cake" out of layers of bread and jam and then puts a dandelion on top for a candle and shares it with her new neighbor, a little boy that she is desperately trying to be friends with. She overcomes a lot of obstacles to being his friend, and she certainly is creative! At the end both of the kids are smiling, even if it is the only way they can communicate because of their language barrier.
My little girl loves to blow out "candles" when we are on walks. I always ask her what she is wishing for, but she never tells. I am fond of making wishes on these dandelions.
I have a wish for this blog, and for my life. I want to be a champion for children. I am championing for the unborn who are unwanted by their mommies and daddies, but certainly wanted by someone and most definitely loved and created by the Father. I am championing the little tikes just beginning their walk of life and reaching out for experiences helping them to ascertain their values and worldview. I champion the big kids who are at their fullest potential to learn and have sponges for brains, but they also have willing hands and hearts for service. Finally, I am a champion for the biggest kids of all--their parents who have forgotten the art of being a kid, and their inner cry for spiritual discipling--and are trying their best to raise their own children to maintain the child like faith of youth. So that is my wish... that my whole life would be used to honor God, by championing the creatures dearest to his heart... the children.
What's your wish?
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