Tuesday with Tiff: Etch-a-sketch Children's Ministry

The Etch-a-Sketch was invented by Arthur Granjean in 1959 and has been a toy icon in American culture ever since. I had one as a child...you probably did too. The beauty of the Etch-a-Sketch is the fact that you can create a picture, quickly change it, and start over with just a few shake ups.

Children's Ministries that are effective over the long haul have a lot in common with the Etch-a-Sketch.

• They express creativity.
• They are not content with past creativity.
• Each picture is evaluated and then scrapped once it past it's day.
• They are willing to shake things up and try something new.
• The content inside stays the same, but is quite often expressed with a fresh, new look.
• They are able to navigate skillfully through quick changes.
• They are a tool that is used to paint the beautiful picture that God is creating in children and families' lives.

You Might Be a KIDMIN Team Member if...

Jeff Childs: “…you use the term ‘big church.’”
Michael Chanley: “…your vision for what happens in a child’s life begins in the nursery and ends in a spiritually mature disciple-making adult believer.”
Patricia Williams: “…you wear weird and wonderful costumes to church and don’t mind the strange looks you get because you know you’ll be making a memorable teaching moment with little people.”
Tom Bump: “…you watch Disney and Nickelodeon for ‘Research!’”
Joni Lum: “…you GO to Disneyland for ‘Research.’”
Sarah Bundy: “…playdough, markers, and helium tanks are found in your office.”
Stacy Marks: “…you have a budget line for Baskin Robbins trips.”
Mark Harris: “…you KNOW that on Sunday mornings there is a fine line between grace and caffeine!!!”
Sarah Bundy: “…costumes mysteriously make it into your laundry hamper.”
Kim Botto: “…you prefer the ‘kid table’ at family holiday meals.”
Wanda Parker: “… when everyone else is excited because summer is coming and they are going to be able to lay back – you are headed into the busiest time of your year.”

Which 1 do you like best? Maybe you can think of one to add! Leave your comments/replies in the comment section!

10 Things We Must Stop Saying:

"No one wants to volunteer."
"I don't need to go to the adult service. I get fed in the children's service."
"Numbers don't matter. We're just trying to take the kids we have deeper."
"It's easier to just do it myself."
"Pastor, can you please make an announcement at the end of the service that we desperately need more volunteers for Children's Ministry?"
"I know it's my day off, but I need to work."
"Can you stay over and volunteer for one more service?"
"If I only had a bigger budget..."
"Don't worry about that small detail...the kids won't notice."
"We've always done it this way." 

Tuesday with Tiff: Vision Brings Victory

 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

Acts 26:19-20

 

Paul's vision on the road to Damascus became the captivating force behind his success. The apostle teaches us the power of a vision. God's vision for Paul accomplished a number of things:

 

It stopped him. Vision allows us to see ourselves. We see things not as they are, but as we are.

It sent him. Vision allows us to see others. We feel compelled to act.

It strengthened him. Vision enables us to continue despite struggles and lack of resources.

It stretched him. Vision gives us conviction to stand, confidence to speak, and compassion to share.

It satisfied him. Obedience to this vision motivates us to act. It fulfills us.

 

In what ways is the power of your vision helping you to accomplish things?

 

 

The Greenhouse is a safe and fun place for kids to discover God.

 

Thank you for fulfilling the vision God has placed in my heart!

-Pastor Tiffany






(this is an exerpt from John Maxwell's "A Leader's Heart")

Let's be the friendliest church in Boone County!

Let's love on eachother so much that people are lining up at the doors and just can't wait to serve with you because they know how much you love on others!



















  I keep a stack of note cards on my desk. I try to write at least one appreciation note a day. In the day of digital communication, a personal, hand-written note means a lot to people. Here's some tips for writing notes.

• Be intentional. I keep the cards on my desk as a reminder. If you're not intentional, it's easy to forget in the course of a busy day.

• Make it relational. Express your appreciation for what they mean to you personally.

• Thank them for who they are, not just for what they do. Example: Instead of just saying, "thank you for teaching the 3rd grade boy's class," say, "your heart for helping kids know Jesus shines through when you teach." This shows you value them for who they are, not just for what they do.

• Be specific in your appreciation. Example: Instead of just saying, "you did a great job in preschool," say, "I noticed how you took time to make the new little boy feel welcome by coloring with him before class started. The extra care you showed him made an impact in that family's life."

• Write to people outside your direct circle.  It's easy to focus on the people who serve closest to us, but think about how much it would mean to others in another area to get your appreciation.

• Write to leaders of other areas in your church. Write a note to someone in adult ministry, student ministry, facilities team, etc. Thank them for the impact they are having. Be an encourager outside the "children's ministry world" as well.

• Keep a list of who you have written. This will help you spread the encouragement to a broader spectrum of people.

I promise you this. If you will write notes, you will impact people's lives. People will hang onto them. People will come up and thank you. People will know that you care.

I would be honored to serve alongside you in 2013

It was a joy serving with you in 2012 and I'm excited to see where God takes us in 2013! Please re-evaluate the commitment that you made in 2012 and see if you're ready to re-commit! Remember that no one is ever "stuck." I want team members to have a "GET TO" attitude instead of a "HAVE TO" one. Maybe you are ready to check out a different area than you currently serve in? Let's commit together to pursue with excellence everything God wants for us as we serve Him and make a difference! :o)

PS--I'd love to sit down and chat with you for 30 minutes these next few weeks to talk about your 2013 serving comittment! If you would like to do this, please contact me!

Love you guys, Pastor Tiffany

Our Mission: We are a safe and fun place for kids to DISCOVER God.

Our Vision: Through worship, teaching, and a variety of fun activities, children are exposed to God's Word and challenged to grow in their relationship with God in the most positive environment they will enter into that week.

Core Values: The Greenhouse is built on four core values that act as the pillars of our children’s ministry: Safe, Fun, Teach God’s Word creatively, and intentionally build relationships. They grow in the Greenhouse through:

• Relevant Environments. This means that the environment is creative, positive, safe, and eye catching to children and parents.

• Engaging Presentation. This means that each of our different environments have different teaching style, different music, and different events that are designed to be relevant, fun, and engaging for each child.

• Consistent Relationships. This means that each child will be exposed to a lot of the same teachers, small group leaders, and other children which will produce excitement about coming and comfort once they arrive.

• Biblically Focused. This means that everything that we do will be focused around teaching children biblical truths and showing them how to live out those truths as they walk through life.

• Family Minded. This means that we try to view everything that we do as an opportunity to team up with parents in order to help you raise your child with a strong spiritual foundation and a strong moral foundation as well.

• User Friendly. This means we want your experience to be comfortable and easy for you to enjoy.

Honor Code Freedom Church The Greenhouse

As an essential part of the Freedom Church Leadership family, you have a responsibility to develop and exhibit mature Christian behavior. This should be the basic premise of your desire to work in a Servant/Leader position here at Freedom Church. All Core Team Members, Leaders in all areas, and interns are asked to adhere to the Honor Code.

While serving the Body of Christ as a leader at Freedom, you pledge to present appropriate modesty in your appearance at all times. In both attire and behavior, you should strive to demonstrate Biblical standards in all situations.

As followers of Jesus, the way we present ourselves to others is of vital importance to the way others perceive Christ. Our conduct should never be an embarrassment to Christ, but should exemplify the best qualities of a mature believer and Servant/Leader.

Exemplifying the highest moral commitment, Freedom Church leaders are to maintain a disciplined life of Bible reading, prayer and fasting. You must also try to refrain from such things as:

• profanity

• smoking or chewing tobacco, illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages

• gambling

• dishonest gain

• pornography

• Inappropriate pictures (cleavage, short length bottoms, or in a place that might cause others to think lowly of God and the church), gossip, and statuses that de-value others on social media

• the appearance of evil such as sexual immorality, living together before marriage, and all behaviors which might cause Christ to grieve and others to stumble.

“Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.” 1 Timothy 3:8-10

By providing an example in speech and action, we encourage others to grow in Christ and become Servants/Leaders themselves. This is a way of life measured by the heart and commitment of each leader in the Freedom Church family. We should regard it as an essential part of our development, not as an imposition or restriction. By signing below you agree to adhere to the Ministry Description, Honor Code, Vision and Core Beliefs of Freedom Church.

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Do these words describe our children's ministry?

I found this article and it made me think! Check it out!




If you asked people what words come to mind when they think of your children's ministry areas, what would they say?

Here are the words I want to pop in people's mind when they think of our children's ministry areas.

Nursery - CALM/SAFE

Preschool - FUN

Elementary - EXCITING

Special Needs - WELCOMING

Pre-Teen - COOL

Parents - PARTNERSHIP

Volunteers - TEAMWORK

Staff - SERVANT

Entire Ministry - JESUS

What words do you want to describe your children's ministry? Share your words in the comment section below.

2013 New Year Prayer

Happy New Year Team! Join me in this prayer, "God, may you use us to serve you well this year, may we continue making a difference, and may we step up our commitment to serving you and building the Kingdom. Bless us as we serve you and pour out all we have. And God we pray that we will bring in more than 30 new team members to help us serve the kids of Boone County! Help us have a GET TO attitude instead of a HAVE TO attitude---and let it be the most positive attitude we can have so we can allow these kids to enter into a welcoming, positive, nurturing environment. Help us do our best to make the Greenhouse a safe and fun place for kids to discover God! Thank you for creating us on purpose for a purpose and for putting us all on this journey together. Amen"