A Goodbye...

A major change has again come to myself and my family. We are leaving our church and moving into the adventure of church planting. Leaving isn't easy since we will miss so many people. However, when God says "go" you either step to or you step out of God's will. I want to stay in God's will.

Here's the announcement as read on Sunday morning.

After much prayer and consideration Kim and I feel that God has instructed us to resign from Assembly of God Christian Center. We did not come to this decision easily, but we are sure that it is the course that God has for us. We understand that the timing of our resignation is difficult. However, in discussing the matter with Pastor Art, we both felt that this is the will of God for this time.

For the past several months God has been redirecting my heart from Children's ministry towards church planting. Initially I believed this call was for the future, but God has impressed in me by the Holy Spirit and through other factors that now is the time. Kim and I will be going to McKinney, TX to assist a pastor there in planting new churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Many doors have already opened and more are opening for us every day.

Next Sunday will be our last Sunday with you. We realize this is an abrupt change, however, due to circumstances beyond our control and the leading of the Spirit we see that now is the time. Please do not think that our abrupt departure in any way reflects on our love for this church or on how our belief that God has a great plan for Assembly of God Christian Center. Our love for this church and it's people has grown deep in the past 22 months. We will miss all of you.

Kim and I are now looking to the future. I ask all of you to do the same. Assembly of God Christian Center is not built on any one person, it is built on the foundation of Christ Jesus. I know God will take care of this church and provide everything you need to accomplish the mission God has given you. The leadership of this church already has things in hand, but they will need your support, your prayers, and your time in the coming weeks.

We love you. We know that God has a great plan for you and this church.

Thank you.

A. Crapper Legacy

I'm not being crude. Really!

A. Crapper left us a legacy. He was the first man to successfully mass produce and sell toilets. While he didn't invent anything particularly new concerning the porcelain throne, but he played a big role in getting it mainstreamed.

This gives the phrase "I'm going to sit on the Crapper" a whole new meaning! The phrase didn't start out as an uncouth way to refer to using the restroom, it was a statement of fact. It's as innocent as saying you are going to take a ride in your new Honda (car), buy a Mac (computer), or listen to your iPod (mp3 player).

Ok... it WAS that innocent. Now it's a bit rude.

That leads us to an interesting point. No matter how well something starts out, it might end wrong. We as children's pastors have to orient how we minister to children so that it will create a legacy of faith and personal responsibility. It is possible to teach kids about Jesus, but leave no lasting impression. I know how easy it is to fall into the "let's just get through this Sunday" mentality. However, there is so much more at stake. Kids need a lasting foundation, not flurid prose and spiritual fluff.

Here is my challenge: every week as you prepare ask yourself this question, "does my plan just fill the time, or will it build a Godly legacy for the kids I teach?"

10 Ways to Grow A Children's Ministry

Here are 10 ways to grow your kids ministry.

1. With 3 year olds
2. With 4 year olds
3. With 5 year olds
4. With 6 year olds
5. With 7 year olds
6. With 8 year olds
7. With 9 year olds
8. With 10 year olds
9. With 11 year olds
10. Never have a to-do list that does not have "prayer" as a line item.
    

Evil Video Games?

Yep, they are bad for kids. Well... they are bad in large doses. A small amount of gaming isn't going to send a kid into a crime spree or relegate them to a life of nerdy seclusion. However, the tendency for young boys to get wrapped up in video games remains an issue children's ministers have to deal with.

I'm not a professional therapist nor a gifted researcher, but I do have an observation on why young boys like video games so much. It's because they get a maximum of adventure and a sense of accomplishment with a minimum of effort. Think about this:

• They can be a sports star even if they stink at sports in real life.
• They can drive a race car 10 years before they are eligible for a driver's licence.
• They can become a super hero.
• They can explore an imaginary world with mythical creatures.

Here's the kicker... they can do things they could never do in real life, and they can do them well. Only about one out of five kids are good at sports. It's about the same for musical instruments, school work, and people skills. All of these skills can be developed, but it takes HARD WORK. Video games don't, they are much easier.

However, these little facts give us as children's ministers a few useful insights into the minds of kids.

1. Kids want to succeed.
2. Kids want adventure.
3. Kids find meaning in accomplishment as much as adults, they just find it in different places.

As children's ministers we can take this fact and tailor our programs to fit. Give them specific and attainable goals with well defined rewards. Give them a clear path to excellence. Give them another chance when they fail. Spark their imaginations. Don't forget to let them know before hand that they don't need to be perfect, they just need to keep trying.

So when you develop your programs make sure they have specific goals for you AND the kids. Make sure they have a clearly laid out path for success. Make sure that kids know about and can understand the developmental path you are taking them on. Plan for some kids to fail and make sure they are able to get back on track quickly. Most of all, make sure they get a tangible reward for their work.

While this requires more planning and more forethought, I think you'll find your kids more engaged and better able to grow spiritually.

The Annoying of the Lord

Please don't think me sacrilegious, but God can be annoying at times. Take the story of Gideon's call for example. When the angel shows up to tell Gideon he's he chosen instrument of God to deliver Israel from Middian, Gideon asks "why me". You'd expect the God of all that can be measured (plus some) to answer the question... if for no other reason than to say, "BECAUSE I SAID SO!"

He said nothing.

So what's the deal God? "Why me" question's don't deserve an answer? Isn't the question of competency a valid one? Should we not cover my resume before I get hired? Maybe you could even ask if I want the job?

Nothing... an annoying lack of any response.

But on some reflection I see the brilliant leadership tactic God used. He stayed positive, on track, and mission focused.

1. Mission Focused: God (being the author of all knowledge) knew that Gideon didn't need to look at his credentials, he needed to keep his eye on the prize. Gideon was the last person Gideon needed to think about. The mission needed the focus.
2. On Track: The LAST thing any good meeting needs is a rabbit trail. God kept to the subject at hand. While it's not always the case, the question of credentials was irrelevant here.
3. Positive: Last of all, God did not let the mission get bogged down by covering all the reasons it wouldn't work. I can't tell you how many great ideas I've seen crushed when the difficulties of a project become the center of discussion. If it's something that MUST be done, then talking about why it can't be done is just stupid.

Gideon went on to win one of the most strategic victories in the Bible. He may never have started if God had let things get off track and negative. So as irritating as the silence was, it was some of the wisest nothing Gideon never heard.

So when you pray and ask God how you are going to get it done and God seems silent, think of how it turned out for Gideon.