Crunch time – Fall is the most intensive stretch of ministry at my church. Upward Soccer is a big winner, almost too big. This keeps me busy two nights a week plus Saturdays. Last week we launched our Wednesday night program, KidZone Recess. This usually trends up the first several weeks as kids get back […]
Do You Use Veggie Tales In Church?
I have been one of Big Idea‘s best customers. Until recently, we bought every video. (Even the weird Space Penguins.) We have about a half dozen Veggie Tales toys. We have two Veggie Tale video games and a couple of books. We even have five Veggie Tale CD’s. The videos are funny, thought provoking and […]
Veggie Tales: Wonderful Wizard Of Ha’s
On October 6th, the latest Veggie Tales DVD will be released. The title is “The Wonderful Wizard Of Ha’s” and retells the story of the Prodigal Son with a wizard of Oz theme. Here is the blurb: The story of a prodigal son – VeggieTales style! Meet Darby (Junior Asparagus), the son of a Kansas […]
Do You Homeschool?
I recently wrote an article about Christian homeschooling. Watch this video clip of Dr. Voddie Baucham, author of the new book “Family Driven Faith,” talking about home education. I’ve also started researching home school curriculum. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHAb5Eqk60Q
Birth of John The Baptist: Christmas Lesson for Children
This lesson plan covers the events surround the birth of John. There is a special emphasis on the promise of God and the mission He would give to John. This lesson was first written for children’s church, but it can easily be adapted to other ministry settings. Hundreds of readers have already used it in […]
10 Reasons Why I Love Upward Soccer
I’ll be honest with you Tony. I didn’t think this would work. That’s what one deacon said to me last fall. I had just stepped leaped outside the box. This same deacon is now one of my leading volunteers. In fact, he ended up coaching his grandson’s soccer team! But he wasn’t the only one […]
Is Christian Homeschooling The Answer?
Is homeschooling right for my son? For our family, the answer was not as simple as you might think. My oldest son starts first grade next week. I am a full time Children’s pastor – and get to hear plenty of strong opinions on both sides of the issue. Many of our friends want us […]
How To Write A Children’s Church Lesson From Scratch
You’ve been asked to teach children’s church this Sunday – without curriculum. Here is the 9 step process I use every week to write lessons for children’s church. If this article is helpful please leave a comment to let me know. This article is a work in progress and I would love to hear your […]
Top 10 Christian Parenting Websites
Here are my top 10 Christian parenting websites. These are the sites I most often recommend to people I know. They offer disciple tips, information on child development and more. They offer Christian parenting resources and help for Christian parents. If I left off your favorite Christian parenting website – just leave a comment and […]
5 Theological Foundations For Children’s Ministry
What are the real essentials in Children’s Ministry? What core values should transcend your curriculum and ministry methods? I am constantly asking these questions to myself. When the children I teach this Sunday turn 30 what will really matter in their lives? Here are what I consider four essential foundations for all church based ministry […]
Example Vacation Bible School Report
Here is a summary of the Vacation Bible School report I delivered to our church on July 1, 2007. Our annual VBS was held June 18 – 22, 2007 from 9 AM to 11:30 AM. We registered 117 children and had an average attendance of 80 per day. Our mission offering raised $516 for the […]
Baby Dedication Ideas
When I first wrote about Baby Dedication, I didn’t anticipate the interest it would generate. It seems like many parents and pastors are looking for solid information about conduction a baby dedication service. This post brings together all the information I have found helpful concerning dedicating children to the Lord. I have linked sources where […]
3 Simple Steps To Motivating Kids
This is boring – when can we go play! Ouch … There is nothing more demoralizing to a Sunday school teacher than an unmotivated student. Unless kids want to learn – your Sunday school lesson will fail. Many books have been written on the topic, “How to motivate a student?” But the whole process comes […]
Statement on Child Abuse From the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Statement on Abuse From the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood When we founded CBMW in 1987, part of our rationale in the Danvers Statement indicated our deep concern about “the upsurge of physical and emotional abuse in the family.” For the health of the family, we now offer this expanded statement on abuse.The BackgroundWhen […]
Kids Bible Memory Books – Truth and Grace Memory Books
Required For Every Parent and Children’s Minister It’s this simple – these little books are the very best tools available to train children in the Gospel. They are very low cost. They are very easy to use. They are 100 percent biblically faithful. What are you doing to teach the whole of God’s truth to […]
Voddie Baucham’s Family Integrated Church Conference
Voddie Baucham and Grace Family Baptist Church are hosting a “Family Integrated Church Conference” this fall in Texas. You can find out more on their website. They write: “This two-day conference is designed for anyone interested in learning more about the Family Integrated Church philosophy and how it is being applied at GFBC.“
My 5 Favorite Books From Desiring God
Update: This was last summer, they have made no similar announcements for this summer. Sorry. Last summer (June 2007)Desiring God had a book sale with all books will be available for $5. The following are the books I bought about Children’s Ministry or parenting. Desiring God or When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper. […]
Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Resolution ON PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE
Child abuse in protestant churches is a real problem. Just last week several church insurance agencies have spoken out on this problem. I am proud to say that Southern Baptists Churches are aware of the issues and looking for ways to protect children. Here is the historic resolution passed by the Southern Baptist Convention against […]
A Father’s Day Sermon On The Fifth Commandment
The following sermon was preached by my pastor, Mike Hamby, on Father’s Day at our church. It was a personal encouragement to me. I trust it may help you too. Sermon Title: Honor Your Father and Mother Sermon Text: Exodus 20:12 Sermon Series: The Ten Commandments for Today Date: 6-17-07 Introduction: As we come to […]
Father’s Day Poem – When Father Reads The Book by G.E. Foster
What does it mean to be a godly father? What makes being a Christian father different? What can dads do to leave a legacy of faithfulness? Here is a little poem I read on a friend’s blog. It might fit well as a Sunday morning insert or in a newsletter. It is from the book […]