Who are your friends?

"And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for."

Acts 27:3

A large percentage of people in ministry say they don't have a close friend.  It's true...ministry can be lonely...if you allow it to be.  

Recently, I read the verse above and was reminded that Paul had friends whom he could go to for support, encouragement, and help.  If Paul needed friends on the journey...you can be sure you and I do as well. 

You see, we weren't meant to do ministry alone.  The journey is too bumpy to travel solo.

You need friends who will encourage you.  Friends who will listen...really listen to what you are saying...and not saying.  Friends who will help you get back on your feet when you stumble.  Friends who will catch your tears when you are discouraged.  Friends who will help bring healing to your wounds.  Friends who will carry you when you can't walk for yourself.  Friends who will remind you that you matter, when you feel like you don't.

You need friends who will pray for you.  Friends who don't just say they will pray for you, but friends who actually have your name on their prayer list.  Friends who know your needs and God-birthed dreams and intercede for you in these areas.

You need friends who will hold you accountable.  Friends who will ask you the hard questions.  Friends who will go beneath the surface and help you guard your heart.  Friends who know the sin or sins that easily trip you and help you steer clear.

You need friends who will grow you.  Friends who will stretch you.  Friends who know your weaknesses and make you better in those areas.  Friends who put good books in your hands.  Friends who send you great articles they have read.  Friends who challenge you to set goals and help you set steps to accomplish them.  Friends who help you identify and maximize your strengths. 

You need friends who will energize you.  There are plenty of people available to drain you, right?  You need friends who fill your tank.  Friends whose words bring life.  Friends who help renew your passion.  Friends who lift your spirit.

You need friends you can be honest with.  Friends you can tell how you are really doing.  Friends you can go to when you are struggling.  Friends you can share with in confidence and know they've got your back.

You need friends who care about you.  Friends who care about you as a person.  Friends who value you for who you are instead of for what you do.  Friends who will walk in as other people are walking out.  Friends who will stick with you no matter what.

You need friends who will love you.  Friends who love with no expectations or agenda.  Friends who want to be connected with you, not just people who want you to help them "get connected."  Friends who want to do life with you.  Friends who love you unconditionally.

Do you have a friend or friends like this?  If you do, be thankful and cherish them.  Tell us about them and how much they mean to you in the comment section below.

If you don't have friends like this, ask God to send some into your life. Remember, to have a friend, you must be friendly. Your life and ministry will be so much more meaningful with friends by your side.

Tuesday with Tiff: The Difference Between Good and Great Children's Team Members

The good children’s ministry team member teaches kids.  The great children’s ministry team member teaches kids and teaches other people how to teach kids.

The good children’s ministry team member reaches kids.  The great children’s ministry team member reaches entire families.

The good children’s ministry team member impacts the children's department.  The great children’s ministry team member impacts the entire church.

The good children’s ministry team member flies solo.  The great children’s ministry team member collaborates.

The good children’s ministry team member brings his/her best.  The great children’s ministry team member brings out the best in others.

The good children’s ministry team member has talent.  The great children’s ministry team member has a talented team.

The good children’s ministry team member disciples kids.  The great children’s ministry team member equips parents to disciple their kids.

The good children’s ministry team member brings challenges to church leadership.  The great children’s ministry team member brings challenges and possible solutions to the challenges to church leadership.

The good children’s ministry team member maintains a lot of mediocre programs.  The great children’s ministry team member focuses on doing a few programs with excellence.

The good children’s ministry team member is a great lecturer.  The great children’s ministry team member is a great facilitator.

The good children’s ministry team member always comes up with the best idea.  The great children’s ministry team member always identifies the best idea...no matter who it came from.

The good children’s ministry team member leads well.  The great children’s ministry team member leads well and raises up others who can lead well.

The good children’s ministry team member is always on hand to "run the show."  The great children’s ministry team member can be gone and nothing misses a beat.

The good children’s ministry team member is great with kids.  The great children’s ministry team member is great with kids and adults.

The good children’s ministry team member makes sure everything is comfortable.  The great children’s ministry team member makes sure everything is constantly being evaluated and improved.

The good children’s ministry team member has completed a ministry degree.  The great children’s ministry team member may have a degree, but realizes he/she will always be in school.

The good children’s ministry team member is gifted.  The great ministry children's ministry leader helps others discover their gifts.

The good children’s ministry team member tells kids how to follow Christ.  The great children’s ministry team member shows kids how to follow Christ.

The good children’s ministry team member prays in public.  The great children’s ministry team member prays in public and private.

The good children’s ministry team member listens to feedback when it is given.  The great children’s ministry team member actively seeks out and asks for feedback.





In what ways are you a good or GREAT team member?

Tuesday with Tiff: 5 Practical Tips to Keep the Attention of Kids

You are constantly fighting for the attention of the kids at church. We live in a world saturated with entertainment, where even on the short drive to church there is probably a video game in the hands of every kid under 13. So, how do you compete? 

Some choose to say they won’t compete and some throw every gaming system and slang acronym at kids, entertaining them, but missing out on solid teaching.

If you fall somewhere in the middle – wanting kids to be engaged and get quality Biblical content that supersedes just having fun and being entertained – you are not alone.

Here are some practical ways to keep the attention of kids at your church that we use:

1. Keep segments short. A kid’s attention span is normally about as long (in minutes) as their age.

2. Keep them moving. Don’t let them sit in the same chair the whole hour. Have them up and moving around the room. Take them on a journey if you are talking about Paul’s journeys or tape a whale on the floor for them to sit in if you are talking about Jonah.

3. Don’t waste game time. Games can be a great way to tie in spiritual content for kinesthetic learners. Connect games to stories principles that you are teaching.

4. Vary activities each week. Keep kids guessing about what is coming next. This takes planning and preparation, but has a huge pay-off.

5. Make it apparent that you care. Kids think video games are great, but kids will know when you genuinely care… and that makes all the difference.

Tuesday with Tiff: A Better Large Group Environment

Do you want to improve your large group communication skills with kids?  Here are six tips that will help you grab kids' attention and effectively share God's Word with them.

Use the volume of your voice.
Don't talk monotone.  Vary between loud...soft...medium...whispering...shouting.

Involve the kids.
Have them make sound effects...make a motion every time you say a certain word...repeat key phrases to their neighbor...act out the Bible story as you tell it.

Tell stories.
We are wired to love stories.  80% of the Bible is stories.  Jesus was the master storyteller.  Use stories...lots of them.  It's a guaranteed way to connect with kids.

Change the speed of your voice.  
Vary the speed.  Talk fast...slow...pause between words...use normal speed.  When you change your speed, it resets kids' attention spans.

Be animated.  
Don't just stand there.  Move.  Use your arms and hands to visually describe what you're talking about.  Get excited about what you're teaching and show it through your body language.

Target the oldest child in the room. 
Cool rolls downhill.  Aim your teaching level at the oldest child in the room.  An example.  If you're teaching 3-5th graders, let your target be the 5th grade boy.  If you connect with him, all of the kids will think it's cool and engage.

Tuesday with Tiff: 5 Ways to Stay Motivated in Children's Ministry

Children's Ministry is a marathon...not a sprint.  In a marathon, it's pretty easy to be motivated for the first mile or so.  But with each passing mile, you have to be more intentional about staying motivated.  It's in mile 18...20...23...24...25...26  that you need the most motivation.

So how do you stay motivated in Children's Ministry for the long haul?  How do you keep your passion and dedication fresh and new?

Prayer.  Nothing will keep you motivated like spending time with Jesus.  When you feel your motivation waning, (which we all do at times) get alone with Jesus.  His presence will fill your motivation tank up.

Pause.  Many times our motivation wanes due to physical or mental tiredness.  Take time to pause and rest.  Pulling away for rest will renew your motivation.  You'll come back ready to conquer the world.

Praise.  When you get discouraged, you'll find your motivation dipping.  When that happens, start praising God for His blessings.  Think about all the good things He has given you.  Dwell on the victories.  I have a folder where I keep cards, notes, letters, and stories from people God has helped through my ministry.  When I get discouraged, I pull out that folder, start reading, and begin praising God.  It doesn't take long before my motivation returns. 

Positive people.  If you want to stay motivated, surround yourself with people who are motivated.  Negative people will slowly drain your motivation.  Be kind to them, but don't spend much time with them.  Your motivation level is directly tied to the motivation level of the people you spend the most time with.

Purpose.  Your ultimate motivation must come from the purpose God has for your life.  His calling on your life is what will keep you motivated through the ups and downs...the good times and the bad times...the happy times and the sad times.  Always remember why you are doing what you are doing.  It's the call God has placed on your life.

What are some other ways you stay motivated?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.   

 

 

 

 

Thank you Dale!