Friday, June 6, 2008
VBS is Almost Here!
Vacation Bible School is 17 days away an we only need 2 more adult volunteers! (Granted, we still need 28 high school and middle school kids, but they always come through for us!) I don't think we've ever been so set so far in advance! That's something to celebrate. I'm getting excited...
Monday, June 2, 2008
Learning from The Learning Channel
I've become a huge fan of the show, "Jon and Kate Plus Eight" on TLC. It's about a family in Pennsylvania with a set of twins and a set of sextuplets. I love watching the family interactions, the antics of the kids, and the relationship between Jon and Kate. And what I love beyond all that is that they're Christians.
In last week's episode, they showed the family taking the kids to church (it had been referenced before but not actually shown). In Kate's interview, she said explained why she loves the Children's Ministry at their church, "They don't always do what's easiest for them--they do what's best for the kids."
I hope that's what can be said about our ministry. Maybe I should make a plaque and hang it on my wall... "Don't do what's easiest for you. Do what's best for the kids."
Oh, and Jon and Kate take their kids to the bathroom before checking them in!!!
In last week's episode, they showed the family taking the kids to church (it had been referenced before but not actually shown). In Kate's interview, she said explained why she loves the Children's Ministry at their church, "They don't always do what's easiest for them--they do what's best for the kids."
I hope that's what can be said about our ministry. Maybe I should make a plaque and hang it on my wall... "Don't do what's easiest for you. Do what's best for the kids."
Oh, and Jon and Kate take their kids to the bathroom before checking them in!!!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The 4th & 5th Grade Experiment
We're working on developing a new ministry for our fourth and fifth graders. If you'd like to follow our process of creating a new program, curriculum, etc, check out our new blog here!
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I Support My Leaders
Our church staff has gone through some changes over the past 6 months. While I know many churches are used to seeing leaders come and go, ours saw little change for quite a while. The latest "goodbye" was particularly painful for me as my husband had really connected with this pastor. After an emotional evening on Tuesday, I went into a staff get away/work day/vision casting/whatever else we may call it wondering how I would feel about the general direction of our church. What I saw from my Executive Pastor and Senior Pastor was honesty, genuine desire to hear from the staff, and an urgent hope to see our church to move forward. The more we discussed, critiqued, and brainstormed as a ministry staff, the more I respected those who lead us. When I returned home that evening, I was pleased to tell my husband, "I support Scott and Ken."
I think it's very important in ministry to remember why we support those who lead us. It seems like the times that I go through heart-wrenching questioning and seeking I find the most affirmation in where God has me. It is in the times of defending my church and its leaders that I am most passionately secure in my position. And it is often because of these times of affirmation and passion that I am able serve the Lord better.
In his book, "Lead the Way God Made You," Larry Shallenberger said that if your vision for Children's Ministry does not fall in line with that of your church, you need to evaluate whether your vision can change, or you need to change which church you serve in. I whole-heartedly agree. Our Executive Pastor's wife once said that the Senior Pastor is the caster of the vision for the church, and it's the duty of her husband to be the carrier and keeper of that vision. I'll take that point a step further by saying it's also the duty of ministry leaders in the church to carry and keep the vision.
And after questioning, pondering, evaluating and praying, I am happy and honored to carry and keep the vision of my pastor. I support my leaders.
I think it's very important in ministry to remember why we support those who lead us. It seems like the times that I go through heart-wrenching questioning and seeking I find the most affirmation in where God has me. It is in the times of defending my church and its leaders that I am most passionately secure in my position. And it is often because of these times of affirmation and passion that I am able serve the Lord better.
In his book, "Lead the Way God Made You," Larry Shallenberger said that if your vision for Children's Ministry does not fall in line with that of your church, you need to evaluate whether your vision can change, or you need to change which church you serve in. I whole-heartedly agree. Our Executive Pastor's wife once said that the Senior Pastor is the caster of the vision for the church, and it's the duty of her husband to be the carrier and keeper of that vision. I'll take that point a step further by saying it's also the duty of ministry leaders in the church to carry and keep the vision.
And after questioning, pondering, evaluating and praying, I am happy and honored to carry and keep the vision of my pastor. I support my leaders.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Last night I was cutting the hair of my friend Robyn's 4-year-old daughter. "Miss Jill, do you have children?" Leeann asked.
"No, I don't. And probably not for a few more years," was my response.
"But if you just pray to God, like Sarah and Hannah did, God will give you a baby."
I love the innocent thoughts of a child! I love Leeann's reminder of these women who sought God and were blessed with sons. Each weekend I see mother after mother who are raising children (some sought and prayed for, others a surprise that brought on prayer) and doing everything they can to bring their children up to be godly men and women. I so admire what these mothers do. So in honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to give a little shout-out to some moms in our church.
Molly Nemecek and her husband Jeff are raising three boys. That in itself deserves a round of applause! This week it was precious to watch the boys in their matching blue-camo fleece jackets. While I'm know there are times when Molly is exhausted by the energy, challenges, and tears of three boys under the age of 4, she still has a beautiful joy in loving her boys, and seeks with all her heart to see them become strong men who can be leaders in their families and the world.
Heidi Jensen blesses me each week with sweet encouragement. All the while, she and her husband have raised one of the fifth grade boys that I will HUGELY miss when he moves on to middle school. She has raised Halden to be respectful, polite, and a genuine servant. I don't blame Heidi at all for the tears that spring when she talks about her son growing up.
Erin Chung has brought her children to church on an average of 3.5 times a month! She has her three (6th grade, kindergarten, and 3-years-old) put together and in the building on time on a regular basis. Her kids are eager to enter their classes and excited to learn. It is a blessing to see the way she and her husband lead their family.
Wendy Rogers brings her boys faithfully as well. Her preschool and elementary aged sons have a joy and enthusiasm as they walk through the doors of their classes--completed take-home sheets in hand and memory verses ready to be recited. Once getting her kids in place, she greets and checks in the rest of our first-service elementary boys and girls.
These women are just a few of the many, many women I am honored and privileged to serve. I am thankful for them and hope that when I am blessed with my own children, I can be the kind of mom these women are--honest mothers who have their own struggles, but are blessing God in the way they parent their children.
"No, I don't. And probably not for a few more years," was my response.
"But if you just pray to God, like Sarah and Hannah did, God will give you a baby."
I love the innocent thoughts of a child! I love Leeann's reminder of these women who sought God and were blessed with sons. Each weekend I see mother after mother who are raising children (some sought and prayed for, others a surprise that brought on prayer) and doing everything they can to bring their children up to be godly men and women. I so admire what these mothers do. So in honor of Mother's Day, I'd like to give a little shout-out to some moms in our church.
Molly Nemecek and her husband Jeff are raising three boys. That in itself deserves a round of applause! This week it was precious to watch the boys in their matching blue-camo fleece jackets. While I'm know there are times when Molly is exhausted by the energy, challenges, and tears of three boys under the age of 4, she still has a beautiful joy in loving her boys, and seeks with all her heart to see them become strong men who can be leaders in their families and the world.
Heidi Jensen blesses me each week with sweet encouragement. All the while, she and her husband have raised one of the fifth grade boys that I will HUGELY miss when he moves on to middle school. She has raised Halden to be respectful, polite, and a genuine servant. I don't blame Heidi at all for the tears that spring when she talks about her son growing up.
Erin Chung has brought her children to church on an average of 3.5 times a month! She has her three (6th grade, kindergarten, and 3-years-old) put together and in the building on time on a regular basis. Her kids are eager to enter their classes and excited to learn. It is a blessing to see the way she and her husband lead their family.
Wendy Rogers brings her boys faithfully as well. Her preschool and elementary aged sons have a joy and enthusiasm as they walk through the doors of their classes--completed take-home sheets in hand and memory verses ready to be recited. Once getting her kids in place, she greets and checks in the rest of our first-service elementary boys and girls.
These women are just a few of the many, many women I am honored and privileged to serve. I am thankful for them and hope that when I am blessed with my own children, I can be the kind of mom these women are--honest mothers who have their own struggles, but are blessing God in the way they parent their children.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Don't Forget the Heart
Amy and I are blessed to be staying in Linda's home while we're at the Conspire Conference. Being here is a gift. Not only is staying here part of what made it possible for us to attend this year, but it's also shown me so much about what to look at when I walk through the doors of Willow Creek, or any church for that matter. Linda moved here (to Illinois) eleven years ago when her granddaughter was born. Her daughter is on staff with Promiseland, and Linda has a small position in the ministry as well. She also volunteers as a small group leader, and takes people on tours of the church.
When Amy and I arrived at her home late Tuesday night, we were greeted with hugs and love. The next morning we were served a beautiful breakfast of cheerios, sliced strawberries, Pennsylvania Dutch cake, and coffee. As we told her about how we were looking forward to seeing Jared and Roni's reactions to the church, as well as the excitment over meeting some of our heroes in ministry, Linda was quick to tell us about what really matters--the heart. "It's not about the big building, or our programs. It's about what God is doing in people at Willow, and about how He works in people's hearts."
Then, during one of the breaks at the conference, I took Jared and Roni to meet our sweet hostess. Once again, she talked about what's so important is the heart. To recognize that it's not about the size or the number of people, but what God is doing in people.
So I started looking at the heart. I've always been impressed by the number of volunteers who give of their time to make the church work. But now it wasn't just how many of the them were around--it was the smile on their faces as you walked by. It was their eagerness to point you toward the closest restroom. It was the guy handing out candy to people as they waited in line to purchase books. It was the lady taking coffee orders and making a point to give you a genuine smile and eye contact. It was the couple we ate dinner with--the wife who came to know the Lord through a ministry of Willow, and now takes every chance she gets to tell her non-believeing friends about Jesus. None of these people are paid for what they're doing. None of them have incomes dependent on their friendliness or desire to help. Instead, they have beautiful hearts and a passoin to serve God and His people.
Linda has blessed me with more than a bed to sleep in. She's reminded me to look at the heart behind the people of a church.
When Amy and I arrived at her home late Tuesday night, we were greeted with hugs and love. The next morning we were served a beautiful breakfast of cheerios, sliced strawberries, Pennsylvania Dutch cake, and coffee. As we told her about how we were looking forward to seeing Jared and Roni's reactions to the church, as well as the excitment over meeting some of our heroes in ministry, Linda was quick to tell us about what really matters--the heart. "It's not about the big building, or our programs. It's about what God is doing in people at Willow, and about how He works in people's hearts."
Then, during one of the breaks at the conference, I took Jared and Roni to meet our sweet hostess. Once again, she talked about what's so important is the heart. To recognize that it's not about the size or the number of people, but what God is doing in people.
So I started looking at the heart. I've always been impressed by the number of volunteers who give of their time to make the church work. But now it wasn't just how many of the them were around--it was the smile on their faces as you walked by. It was their eagerness to point you toward the closest restroom. It was the guy handing out candy to people as they waited in line to purchase books. It was the lady taking coffee orders and making a point to give you a genuine smile and eye contact. It was the couple we ate dinner with--the wife who came to know the Lord through a ministry of Willow, and now takes every chance she gets to tell her non-believeing friends about Jesus. None of these people are paid for what they're doing. None of them have incomes dependent on their friendliness or desire to help. Instead, they have beautiful hearts and a passoin to serve God and His people.
Linda has blessed me with more than a bed to sleep in. She's reminded me to look at the heart behind the people of a church.
I'm Conspiring...
I'm not really sure where to start except to say that there's a smile on my face! The Conspire Conference has been more than I even imagined it could be! Amy Dolan was welcoming everyone during one of the main sessions on Wednesday, and made the comment that God had a plan for each of us to be here. There is no way I can deny that fact. I have pages and pages of notes from the main sessions yesterday and the break out sessions today... the best part, though, is that I have so many golden nuggets of practical ways to go back and implement positive change in my ministry. From Christine Yount-Jones asking us where we're at in our storm--seeing it on the horizon, going through the intense waves, resting after a period of exhaustion, or feeling like things are pretty good. To a WONDERFUL worship time with Jon Klinepeter (I must add, our team purchased 6 copies of his CD--we've helped build a house in Indonesia!). Then the reminder of how much more we need to be doing for our fourth and fifth graders wrapped up with some wonderful hope for what's going on at Disney... The main sessions were so refreshing!
Today in the break outs I walked away ready to go evaluate the kid-friendliness of our environment. And not only can I evaluate, I now also know how to DO! And then I was challenged and inspired in so many ways on methods for communicating with and supporting parents. And finally, it became clear that it's not too hard to do more for our fourth and fifth graders!
But above all, what I've loved the most, is the team that does the Children's Ministries for Promiseland. They have shown so much honesty, vulnerability and modesty in the way they've shared what's going on in their ministry. But not only that, it's always inspiring to see the standard of excellence they've set for themselves, as well as the level of professionalism in the work they do.
I feel connected... I feel inspired... what do you know, I've conspired!
Today in the break outs I walked away ready to go evaluate the kid-friendliness of our environment. And not only can I evaluate, I now also know how to DO! And then I was challenged and inspired in so many ways on methods for communicating with and supporting parents. And finally, it became clear that it's not too hard to do more for our fourth and fifth graders!
But above all, what I've loved the most, is the team that does the Children's Ministries for Promiseland. They have shown so much honesty, vulnerability and modesty in the way they've shared what's going on in their ministry. But not only that, it's always inspiring to see the standard of excellence they've set for themselves, as well as the level of professionalism in the work they do.
I feel connected... I feel inspired... what do you know, I've conspired!
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