2024

Supporting Kids & Families Through Hurricanes

As Florida and the southeast prepare for another hurricane to hit land in the next day or two, you may be wondering how you can best support the kids and families in your ministry as parents navigate talking with their kids about the hurricane(s) or experiencing them first-hand. Stephanie Cline, a children's minister in the Orlando, FL area, showed me the message she shared with her kids and families to support and encourage them as they prepare for the hurricane to hit. I thought it was full of great wisdom and reminders, even for those of us who may not be directly in the hurricane's path: Good afternoon, families! We are praying for you as you prepare today and tomorrow for Hurricane Milton. I know these times can seem scary and unsure. My flesh wants to focus on the temporary and unknown but I am reminded of Philippians 4:8,...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

Fall Family Fun

Share this list of fun fall family activities with the families in your ministry to do at home, or incorporate them as part of your in-person fall event! A lot of these ideas, printables, and more are included in our Not So Spooky Night at Home Fall Fest Take-Home Kit for families, and you can learn more about this resource here. Family Costume Contest – Everyone put on a costume! Find a costume you have already or create one using things you find around the house. Take a family picture in your costumes and post on social media, asking people to vote on which costume they think is the best! Don’t forget to tag our church in the picture too! Monster Mash Freeze Dance – With a grown-up’s help, look up the song “Monster Mash” on YouTube or your favorite music streaming service. Listen to the song and play Monster Mash Freeze Dance!...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

Faith-Based Fall Coloring Pages

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Share these fun fall coloring pages with your kids and families as part of your fall event, fall family fun ideas, or as part of a fall take-home kit![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Faith-based Fall Coloring Pages Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F09%2FDKM-Fall-Coloring-Pages-Treat-Street-To-Go.pdf|target:_blank"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="39441" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/treat-street-to-go/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]These faith-based fall coloring pages come from our Treat Street To-Go download, a Christian Halloween alternative for families, written by Vanessa Myers....
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads

Go Bible Review & Giveaway!

As children's ministry leaders, we work hard to equip families to grow deeper in their faith at home, and that includes helping them dive into Scripture throughout the week! Part of that means helping kids and parents discover a Bible that works for the ages, stages, and preferences of their kids. That's why I'm excited to share about a brand new kids' Bible from Tyndale Publishing, the Go Bible: A Life-Changing Bible for Kids! The Go Bible is bursting with fun and engaging content to help kids explore God’s Word! Paired with the accurate, easy-to-read NLT translation, this kids’ Bible plants seeds of faith and share the life-changing love of God with kids through over 600 features centered on the theme of transformation. My favorite things about it: The Translation: NLT is written at about a 6th-grade reading level, so it...
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Filed Under Blog, Book Shelf, For Parents

10 Bible Games for Kids Ministry

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week we shared our top 10 screen-based games for kids. Today, we're sharing 10 non-screen-based games! Play these social-distanced games with the kids in your ministry to encourage laughter and help kids engage with the Bible story![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download a Printable Version of the Games Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F05%2FDKM-Bible-Games-for-Kids-Ministry.pdf|target:_blank"][vc_column_text]BUST A RHYME - Ideal for more than five players, so this game is perfect for small groups to play together, or you can play as one large group! Invite all participants to stand in a circle 6 feet apart. Next, choose a leader to say a word from the Bible story (you can provide the words for them, or let kids come up with their own),...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

5 Steps to Organizing Your Time, Tasks, and Leadership in Ministry

When I say “organized,” what comes to mind? A supply closet with clearly labeled bins stacked neatly in alphabetical order? A color-coded calendar that tells you exactly what to do and when? A clean desk with not even a paperclip out of place? Each leader’s level of organization will vary, but being organized is a fundamental element of solid leadership and a thriving ministry.  Whether administration is one of your spiritual gifts or your biggest challenge, organization is vital for growth, and it goes beyond your supply closet to encompass your time and tasks too. We see Biblical examples of organization and planning in creation, Noah and the ark, the tribes of Israel, Moses, Joshua, Acts and the early church, Paul, Jesus’ ministry, and even in the character of God Himself. So obviously, organization and planning are important to God....
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

3 Must-Have Children’s Ministry Characteristics

While ministry looks different in every context and every church, there are still a few key characteristics that all children's ministries should strive to achieve. I'm excited to share this article from Courtney Weaver at the Wonder Ink team as she dives into 3 of the most important aspects your kidmin should prioritize: Many churches face a similar challenge: engaging and spiritually nurturing the congregation’s youngest members. In a world full of distractions and competing influences, our children’s ministry programs must provide a constant source of encouragement and discipleship to help kids grow in their faith.  How can we be sure our ministries meet this need? There are a few key characteristics our programs should prioritize, including: Biblically Sound Curriculum Safe and Welcoming Environment Strong Volunteer and...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

“Little Pumpkins” Fall Volunteer Appreciation Tag

Print these fall-themed appreciation tags on cardstock and cut out with scissors, or print on business card paper (like Avery 28371) and print and tear apart on perforations. Then attach the tags to a fall gift like tiny pumpkins, fall-themed candles, and pumpkin-flavor or shaped cookies/treats! Share them with your volunteers on Sunday mornings or at your fall event. Download here! Want even more volunteer appreciation tags to use this season and year-round? Check out this Fall Volunteer Appreciation Tag BUNDLE with 10 tags + gift ideas for each one! Download the bundle...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Volunteers

Pumpkin Twister Freebie

Print and laminate these pages to play pumpkin twister at your fall event! Download here! This is one of the games included in our Pumpkins and PJs PNO event - a fall-themed event where kids wear their favorite PJs and enjoy an evening of pumpkins and FUN! Learn more about this fun fall event...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads

10 Unique Fall Family Events

Are you looking for a unique fall family event to host in your ministry this autumn, but don't want to host another Trunk or Treat or Fall Fest? Check out one of these unique ideas the families in your ministry will love! Escape Room or Mystery Event - Set up a fall escape room or host an adventure challenge/mystery night! We love this mini fall escape room as an add-on element, or you can invite families into the Mystery of the Misplaced Jewel where they'll work together to solve the mystery of Penelope Peabody’s misplaced jewel while also discovering an important Biblical truth: God has a plan. PNO - Host a Parents' Night Out to give the parents in your ministry a break! We've got a fall-themed Pumpkins and PJs PNO, and lots more to choose from, including Nerf Wars and Mad Science! Service Project - Invite families to serve together...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

Pumpkin Pose Game

Play this fun and simple fall game to help kids remember that God loves them no matter what they might be feeling! Supplies: Pumpkin Pose Printable (printed and spread out on the floor) Music (and a way to play it, even if just a volunteer’s phone) To Play: Lay out the different pumpkin faces on the floor and point them out to the kids. When the music plays, kids must walk around the room. When the music stops, kids have to run to a pumpkin on the floor, put 1 foot on the pumpkin, and “pose” or make a face like the face on the pumpkin. Play again as time allows, reminding kids that God loves them no matter what they are feeling. Option: Remove 1 pumpkin each round until there is only the happy pumpkin left. Download the game here! This game is one of the games included in our Pumpkin Patch Preschool Series, a...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads

Don’t Ask For Volunteers, Invite Them

"I have more volunteers than I know what to do with." - Said no kidmin leader ever. Volunteers can be hard to come by, and it requires constant and consistent recruitment to add to your team. As you navigate what it looks like to build a team for your ministry, consider a subtle but intentional shift in the language you use: Rather than asking for volunteers to serve in your ministry, invite them into the story of what God is doing in your ministry. Think about the difference between an ask vs an invitation. An ask implies they're doing you a favor, while an invitation is something they want to be part of. An ask can be ambiguous with no definitive boundaries while an invitation provides clear details and descriptions. An ask communicates that you just need help - anybody's help, while an invitation shows a clear, specific place for that...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership, Volunteers

Volunteer Job Description Template

An effective job description should give your volunteer all the expectations of the position and allow them to decide if they can do it or not. This free job description template will help you create a top-notch volunteer description for any and every member of your team. Download the Volunteer Job Description Template Here! Want some of the work done for you? Check out our full Volunteer Job Description Template resource, which includes an editable version of this template, sample job descriptions for 12+ roles on your volunteer team, and explicit instructions and vision for creating rock-solid volunteer job descriptions. Download the full resource...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

10 Posts to Read If You Want to Update Your Ministry Strategy

This week marks the 1st anniversary of the release of my book Time to Update: 7 Areas to Integrate Digital Discipleship into Your Children's Ministry Strategy, and we're celebrating with a giveaway + highlighting some of our favorite posts about digital discipleship from the last few years! If you want the full step-by-step guide and ideas for updating your ministry strategy to the next generation of digital natives, check out a copy of my book here, or get a little taste by browsing some of our top posts below that helped inspire the book! Just click on the title of the post to read, and find giveaway details at the bottom of the page to enter to win a free copy of the...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

Questions for Exploring New Digital Tools

There are LOTS of digital tools out there that can be helpful for children's ministry leaders, and new ones are released all the time. But how do you know if a new tool or app is worthwhile? Use this list of questions to determine if a new digital tool or app is a worthwhile investment of your time and money. You won’t need to use ALL of the questions for every single tool, but they can be a good starting point to help you explore new digital tools. And if you can show your leadership that you’ve thought through these questions, sometimes having the answers can help make asking for the money easier! Download the questions here! To discover more resources to help younavigate digital discipleship in yourchildren’s ministry, check out the bookTime to Update...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

6 Leadership Lessons from the Olympics

I have LOVED watching the Olympics over the last few weeks. Swimming and gymnastics are my favorite events to watch, and I'm always blown away by the level and skill of the athletes competing. The more we watched, the more I saw a few leadership lessons we as ministry leaders can learn from the Olympics. Here they are: Child discipleship is a team sport. Did you see those handoffs in the relay races or how teams work together on the beach volleyball court? Child discipleship is a team sport that requires all of us to run our race and do our part with excellence. That includes ministry leaders, parents, the church body, and even kids! How can we as ministry leaders partner with and encourage parents in their race? How can we equip volunteers and the church body as a whole to understand their roles in the faith development of children? How...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

KidMin Event Planner Printable

Use this event planner printable as you're planning your next kidmin event! It provides an overview page for planning the what, when, where, who, and how of the event. Download the Planner Printable Here! This Event Planner Printable is only one of many printable planning pages found in our Complete Children’s Ministry Planner, which has everything you need to plan your children’s ministry, including tools to help you along the way. Learn more about the Complete Children’s Ministry Planner...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

5 Tips for Partnering with Local Schools

If you're looking for ways to increase your impact in your community, consider partnering with your local schools! As schools prepare for back-to-school season and the return of teachers and students, your church or ministry can support families and your community in intentional ways. Here are 5 ways to build connections and partner with your local schools:  Ask and listen. Always connect with your local school administration first, asking if you can partner with the school and how you can support them. Share that you want to partner with the school and support their staff and students through prayer. Ask about the needs the school may have, and become familiar with the polices and procedures the school may have in place when it comes to faith organizations and faith conversations. Be ready to connect and listen. Do not assume you know their...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

18 Ways Your Ministry Can Serve Local Schools

Use this list of ideas to have a conversation with your local schools about how your ministry can partner with and support them. Always ask where the school might have needs first, and use this list as suggestions if needed. Also, remember these 5 tips for partnering with your local schools! Download a printable version here! Ideas for meeting student needs: Reading Buddies (reading once a week for 30 minutes with a student throughout the year) Mentoring or serving as a “Lunch Buddy” weekly or monthly Food on the weekends for the food insecure Snacks and healthy food for the school “pantry” School supplies drive Clothes to be kept in the office in case of accidents Personal hygiene items Shoes and warm clothing Ideas for encouraging teachers:  Write...
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5 Tips for Turning a Meeting into a Party

No one wants to attend ANOTHER boring meeting, and your volunteers are no different! Using just a few simple and applicable ideas, you can host trainings that volunteers actually WANT to attend. Whether it’s an annual volunteer training or your weekly volunteer meeting, here are five tips for turning your meetings into a party! Don’t call it a “meeting.” You probably aren’t super excited about attending meetings, and your volunteers aren’t either. Whether you call it a training session, a convention, a conference, a summit, a rally, or even a gathering, what you call your training event will subliminally influence a volunteer’s attitude about attending. Offer food (even if it’s just a brownie bite). It’s a great way to show appreciation for your volunteers from the very beginning. If you feed them, they will come. ...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership, Volunteers

Olympic Family Games

Share this fun printable with the families in your church and encourage them to play their own Family Olympic Games at home as they watch the Summer Olympics this year! Download the Olympic Family Games here! Want to help them have intentional faith conversations at home while they watch the Olympics? Check out our Olympic Faith Family Challenge! It includes 7 simple family devotions that help families explore their faith while cheering on their favorite athlete. The download includes a printable version for you to share with families + a full social media campaign to engage with them online! Learn more...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads

3 Back to School Games

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use these games to add some fun & competition to your back-to-school event or lesson![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download printable version of all 3 games here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F09%2FDKM-3-Back-to-School-Games-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] Lunch Box Race Supplies: 3 empty lunchboxes (or brown paper bags), four lunch items per lunchbox Set out three empty lunchboxes on one side of the stage and three piles of lunch supplies on the other. Each pile can have 4 lunch items, such as a pudding cup, a banana (or orange), a piece of bread, and a small bag of chips. Choose three students to race from their piles to the empty lunch boxes with one item at a time and see who can fill the lunchbox first. Just before they...
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Mixed Feelings: Back-to-School Feelings Wheel Family Resource

The first day of school can bring lots of emotions to the surface. Share this simple resource with families to help them talk about those first-day feelings and find out what the Bible says about different emotions! Print copies for every child, and/or share the printable with them digitally! Download the resource here! Want to dive deeper into helping kids and families talk about their emotions this back-to-school season? We’ve got TWO resources to help! Learn more about each one below, and find all of our Back-to-School resources here! Mixed Feelings is an emotions-focused lesson all about those first-day feelings! By looking at Philippians 4:4-7 & John 14:27, kids will learn that God made us with emotions, He wants us to talk to Him about our emotions, and that no matter what we are feeling, we can ask...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads

The Parents In Your Ministry Need This Book

My word of the year this year is habits. Last week, we shared about simple scripture habits for families, and we're continuing this habit theme with a giveaway of Christie Thomas' brand new book: Little Habits, Big Faith: How Simple Practices Help Your Family Grow in Jesus.  In Little Habits, Big Faith, Christie applies the science of habits to faith formation in a way that makes family discipleship easy, doable, and sustainable for every family, all while sharing encouragement and support. She walks readers through a Faith Growth Cycle, which she divides into three stages: seed, sprout, and root. This metaphor effectively conveys the gradual and nurturing process of faith development. By focusing on small, habitual actions, the book emphasizes how even brief moments of spiritual practice can have a significant impact over time. I personally...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

Simple Scripture Habits For Families

Sometimes parents feel overwhelmed by the thought of family devotions or reading the Bible with their kids. But you can remind them that even the simplest habits can help them incorporate Scripture into their daily lives! Here are a few ideas to share with the families in your church: Decorate with scripture - Many families have more scripture in their homes than they realize, but it's also easy to make it an art project or part of a holiday celebration! With an activity like Scripture Stars or even encouraging kids to make their own Bible verse poster, families can hang up scripture around their homes where they'll see it every day. If they're decorating for a certain holiday or season, they can find Bible verses that relate to that celebration, add them to some decorations, and hang those up too! Then each time they pass the scripture...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership
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