Categories: Blog

Wired For Technology

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Technology often gets a bad rap, but it’s not going anywhere, and if we don’t work to leverage technology for our advancement of the gospel, we will grossly miss our targets. Today’s kids don’t know a world without the existence of technology and the internet, and the Barna Group has found that children spend an average of five hours on an electronic device (tablet, phone, computer, etc.) every day. As ministry leaders, we have to use technology in our ministries to engage kids in what we are teaching and how it can apply to their lives. If you aren’t using technology in your ministry in some way, you’ll lose kids (and their parents) because they’ll subconsciously view the church as outdated and irrelevant. Kids interact with technology on a daily basis anyway, so why not redirect some of...
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Wired for Learning: Developmental Stages KidMin Leaders Need to Know

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We learned earlier in the week how kids are wired uniquely and what we can do to engage them. Today is all about how kids are developmentally wired for learning. The speed at which their little brains absorb and process new information is unlike any other stage of life. This is great news for us! Their minds are already ready for the truths we want to teach them. But that doesn’t mean every child is developmentally ready for every truth. While children may progress through stages of learning at different rates, they tend to follow the same patterns of development from birth to the preteen years, and when we engage kids based on their developmental stage, we can take better aim at the dartboard. Use this week's download to gain a general overview of a child’s characteristics in each stage and what...
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A Game of Darts – Engaging Kids According to How They Are Wired

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Think of children’s ministry like a game of darts. We want what we are teaching (the darts) to stick with the children we are teaching (the dartboard). Engaging children according to how they are wired developmentally and relationally allows us to take better aim and hit the bulls-eye. Trying to teach a preschooler an abstract concept of faith would be like trying to throw the dart backward and hoping it sticks. It may leave an imprint, but will, for the most part, miss the mark completely. Knowing and understanding how children are uniquely wired for learning, technology, and relationships helps us be more effective in our presentation of Biblical truths and allows us to combine theology and scientific theory to create the most well-rounded approach to ministry and sharing the gospel. Over the next...
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Volunteer Handbook

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether your volunteer team includes 5 volunteers or 500, it can be difficult to make sure everyone is on the same page. While you can (and should) host a volunteer training each year, that one hour every 52 weeks just isn't enough to communicate everything you want your volunteers to know. Creating a volunteer handbook is a great way to share expectations, communicate details, and provide a little extra training for your volunteers to have all year long. I'm sharing my full 34-page volunteer handbook this week, and I hope it helps spark some ideas for creating your own. Feel free to use the wording and details found within it, and if you want a customizable copy so you don't have to start from scratch, it's available here or as part of the Put Me In Coach Volunteer Training...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

Volunteer Training Email Templates

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One important aspect of hosting an all-star volunteer training is planning ahead and communicating details. If you expect all of your volunteers to attend training (and I recommend making your training mandatory), you have to give them plenty of notice and reminders.  So this week I'm sharing my entire email communication sequence that invited rookie volunteers to join the team, reminded veterans about training (several times), and even followed up with them after the event.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Communicate with your Volunteers" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2FDKM-Put-Me-In-Coach-Email-Templates.zip||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]The email templates include emails for Recommitment & Recruiting Save the Date email for...
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You Can Never Have Too Many Object Lessons: Irresistible Giveaway Results and Responses

I loved doing another giveaway for KidMin Nation's second book Irresistible: How to Engage Kids and Point Them to Jesus. To be entered to win, KidMin leaders from across the globe had to answer one question: What is one of your favorite object lessons for children’s ministry? One of my favorite chapters from the book was all about object lessons, so it was the perfect question. And man was I blown away by the creativity and passion for helping kids connect biblical truths to every-day things. I plan on using some of these ideas in the future, and I hope they spark some creativity for you too! "My favorite object lesson is on salvation. You write on a dry erase board with a Sharpie marker. You can write specific sins or just the word "Sin". Talk to the kids about how we can't get rid of our sins by ourselves, and sometimes our sin feels...
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Irresistible Review and Giveaway

[vc_row 0=""][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="5024" img_size="medium" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" link="https://amzn.to/2FUWbcZ"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text 0=""] Irresistible: How to Engage Kids And Point Them to Jesus By KidMin Nation (Editor: Tina Houser) My rating: 5/5 stars - It was amazing!     Read: June 2018[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row 0=""][vc_column 0=""][vc_column_text 0=""]This book is for you if... you lead or teach children in a Christian setting, you want to know how to help kids connect with Jesus, or you want to learn about engaging kids in a variety of ways. My thoughts: It happened again! I’m thrilled and honored by this opportunity to have a second chapter published in a KidMin Nation book (missed the first one about equipping...
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VBS Feedback Forms

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You may think the most important parts of VBS end after the kids go home on the last day. But there's still a piece of the puzzle you can't leave out: gathering feedback. While it's important to gather general feedback about your ministry, each event (and especially a big one like VBS) provides a great opportunity for growth and improvement. So now that you've torn down decorations, appreciated your volunteers, and thrown away the leftover name tags, here are a few simple forms to help you gather feedback.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Ask the Right Questions with these Feedback Forms" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Fvbs-feedback-forms%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Because volunteers and participants of VBS have different experiences, they need different...
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7 Practices for Asking the Right Questions & Receiving Feedback Well

One of my volunteers was almost TOO good at giving feedback. Every Sunday, she approached me with a list of improvements for the next Sunday. Sometimes they were small improvements like changing the text color on the screen. Sometimes the improvements required more time and energy, like completely changing the check-out process to make it more efficient for parents and more fun for kids. When the never-ending improvement lists just kept coming, I started dreading these after-Sunday conversations. I even began looking for a place to hide when I saw this volunteer headed my way. It started to feel like nothing was ever good enough! I eventually realized that this volunteer’s intentions were good even if her words weren’t. Just like me, she wanted what was best for the children in the ministry, and she was always willing to be part of the...
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Meet Me at the Movies Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Want to host an easy family event that takes little preparation and planning on your part? Head to the movies! Just pick a movie, date, time, and theater, then communicate those details with your families. (Psst - check out a review of the movie on one of these sites to make sure it's appropriate for your families!) Because it's a family event, parents attend with their children, and you don't have to worry about chaperones, drivers, or anything but getting yourself to the theater. Incredibles 2 is coming out June 15, so it's the perfect opportunity to try this out![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Let's go to the movies!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FDKM-Meet-Me-at-the-Movies.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]It's a win-win for everyone!...
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VBS Volunteer Appreciation Printables

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You and I both know VBS couldn't happen without an amazing team of volunteers. So use these simple VBS-themed printables to say thank you to the team you couldn't live without.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="I want to appreciate my VBS Volunteers!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FDKM-VBS-2018-Volunteer-Appreciation.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]How to Use: Choose your theme and design (LifeWay's Game On VBS and Group's Shipwrecked Theme available). Purchase the recommended candy or use the simple designs (page 2 or 5) as tags for a larger gift or with a gift card. Use individually wrapped Lifesavers for pages 3-4 or individually wrapped Starburst for pages 6-7. Print, cut, and attach your candy (use tape or, even better, Glue Dots). ...
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VBS 2018 Printables

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]VBS Season is in full force! As you prepare for the big week, I hope these resources and printables make your life easier and your week better.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="4781" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/vbs-prayer-countdown-printable/"][vc_btn title="Pray for Your VBS" align="center" button_block="true" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fvbs-prayer-countdown-printable%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_empty_space height="64px"][vc_single_image image="4835" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/vbs-volunteer-appreciation-printables/"][vc_btn title="Appreciate your VBS Volunteers"...
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VBS 2018 Name Tag Templates

[vc_row][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Happy VBS Season, KidMin Leader! We are in full VBS mode now (as I'm sure you are too), so that means we're working on the final preparations for the big week! One task that always takes way longer than it should is creating name tags for the kids and volunteers. So I hope these templates help make that task a little less stressful and time-consuming.  [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="I want the name tag templates! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FDKM-VBS-2018-Name-Tag-Templates.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text] How To Use: 1) Decide on which design you want to use. There are 3 different options for both LifeWay’s Game On VBS and Group’s Shipwrecked VBS. (Plus blank versions of each design too!) 2) Print...
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VBS Prayer Countdown Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]VBS season is in full swing, and for us, Monday, May 21 marks the 2-week final countdown before VBS begins on June 4 (cue excited yet terrified feeling)! One of the most important parts of preparing for VBS that I willingly admit I am bad at staying on top of is prayer. Reading Priscilla Shirer's Fervent completely revolutionized my prayer life. Fervent taught me that using Scripture and writing down my prayers can help my times of prayer be more purposeful, so I'm applying those strategies to VBS this year. This week's free download is a Countdown to VBS Prayer printable. I'll be printing it this weekend, then putting it with my Bible. Starting Monday, I'll have written, specific prayers for every day until VBS (and through the week of VBS too). I invite you to join me in prayer and use this printable to...
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What God is Doing: OT Object Lessons for Kids Book Review

As a children’s pastor, you can never have too many object lessons. Object lessons are so important for reaching kids on their level and connecting Biblical truths to everyday things. What God is Doing by Anne Marie Gosnell of Future Flying Saucers is an excellent resource for finding and implementing object lessons that will stick with your kids. The book contains 25 different object lessons for Old Testament stories, with each lesson including 25-30 minutes worth of activities including the object lesson itself, the Bible lesson, a life application (so important), and finally a comment box for you to evaluate how the activity went so you can improve in the future. It even comes with additional resources like coloring pages, access to digital posters, tips on being a good Bible teacher, and more. Use this book sporadically or use the...
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Mother’s Day Hershey Wrap Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Give the moms in your ministry what they really want this Mother's Day: chocolate! What You Need: 1.55 oz Hershey's Chocolate Bars, one per child (the size you'd find in the checkout aisle at your local grocery store) white paper DKM Mother's Day Hershey's Wrap Printable  tape or glue sticks scissors kids What to Do: Print enough wraps so each child has one. Print both colors to give kids a choice or print just one color for everyone. Invite children to customize their Hershey's Wrap by writing or drawing what they love most about their mom in the space provided. Or use the colorable versions (last 2 pages) and let the kids' creativity really run wild! Help kids cut their wrap, then tape or glue the wrap around a 1.55 oz Hershey's Chocolate bar. Enjoy the smiles as moms...
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Orange Conference 2018 Notes & Thoughts

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’m kind of a conference junkie, so when I had the chance to attend Orange Conference 2018 with our church, I couldn’t say no! Orange Conference 2018 focused on how we can do more together. I’m not very familiar with Orange’s curriculum, but I’m a big fan of their theory of ministry that encourages and equips parents through each phase of a child’s life. All of the breakouts and main speakers were great, and I took PAGES of notes, but my biggest takeaway from the conference was the connections I made with other kidmin leaders and bloggers. I am an introvert, so the idea of small talk and meeting new people usually makes me want to hide. But I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to be intentional about meeting people, and I am so happy I did! Special shout out to Dana, Jae, Tessa, and Katy for...
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KidMin Job Descriptions (For You and Your Team)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whether you’re growing your team by recruiting volunteers or paid staff, you won’t get far without job descriptions for each role. Job descriptions not only help you communicate the needs of your ministry, but they also help ensure the people who fill those roles are the right fit! This week for Admin April, I’m sharing the job descriptions I’ve used for both paid and volunteer positions. [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Job Descriptions as Part of the Admin April Bundle Now" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Fkidmin-admin-bundle%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]The download includes 8+ job descriptions for positions like the Children's Ministry Director, an Assistant Children's Ministry Director, a Nursery/Preschool Coordinator, a High School or...
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Raising Passionate Jesus Followers (Lit Lowdown)

[vc_row 0=""][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="4697" img_size="medium" onclick="custom_link" link="https://amzn.to/2G4UEQF"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text 0=""] Raising Passionate Jesus Followers: The Power of Intentional Parenting By Phil & Diane Comer My rating: 4/5 stars - I really liked it     Read: April 2018[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row 0=""][vc_column 0=""][vc_column_text 0=""]This book is for you if... you want to raise passionate Jesus followers, you lead children, youth, or families in developing their faith, you want both theoretical and practical advice for raising children in the Christian faith My Thoughts: I do not yet have children, so my responses and thoughts to this book can only be hypothetical at this point, but serving as a children’s pastor includes...
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Stay in Your Lane

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I swam competitively all through middle school and high school, and one of my least favorite strokes was backstroke. It took almost 3 years of swimming before I could even do backstroke in a straight line! Too often, I was trying to see where the wall was and where other people were in the race. I would focus on how they were kicking their legs or holding their head and try to mimic their stroke. I was so focused on what they were doing, I completely messed myself up and ended up swimming in zig zags and coming in last.   But backstroke and swimming taught me an important lesson that I later applied to ministry: stay in your lane. When you compare yourself to other leaders or try to do it all yourself, you end up moving slower and much less gracefully. So do you, keep to your strengths, and let...
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KidMin Budget Tracker

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier this week we talked about budgeting our time - and now it’s time to talk about budgeting our money. (Ugh). This is probably my least favorite thing about kidmin (yes even worse than no-show volunteers in my book) BUT it’s an important administrative task we can’t ignore. There is no such thing as a budget fairy to keep track of it all for me (but how awesome would that be?!), so Excel was the next best option. I created yearly and monthly spreadsheets with designated expense categories to help me stay on top of my ministry budget, and this week I'm sharing that tracker with you! [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Start tracking your budget now!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Fkidmin-budget-tracker%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]How it Works: Take a...
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Budgeting Your Time

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As much as I wish it were endless, time is limited. And your time as a kidmin leader is limited too. So how can you make the most of it? Plan your time So much time is wasted from not having a plan for your time. Even if it’s just a short list on a sticky note, at the end of each day, make a list of what you want to get done tomorrow. That way, you don’t spend a lot of time up front just figuring out what you need to do. You can jump right in, and it helps your brain focus on what needs to get done instead of where to start. (Psst - I really like using Asana as my digital to-do list, and lots of my friends enjoy using Trello).   Track your time If you want to use your time more wisely, you have to know where your time goes. Your church may ask you to track your time or hours anyway. Mine...
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New Kid Forms & Med Forms – Collecting the Information You Need

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When new families walk into your church for the first time (after they've probably checked out your website), the last thing they want to do is fill out a really long medical and media release form that seems like they’re signing their lives away. But forms like these are important for protecting you, your team, and the children you serve. So use a separate visitor information form that covers the basics, and if they decide to come back for a special event, then you can ask them to complete the full medical and media release form that all of the families in your ministry fill out. This week for Admin April, I’m sharing both my New Kid Information Form for visiting families and my full Medical and Media Release Form (in both print and digital formats) that all participating families complete every...
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4 Questions to Evaluate the First First Impression: Your Website

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No, that title wasn’t a typo. There’s a new first impression that visitors have of your church, and they see it before they even walk through your doors: your website. New findings have shown that 75%-90% of visitors will look at your church website before deciding to attend. So what kind of first impression is your website (and especially your kidmin section) giving to potential first-time guests? I know that web development and control over the website is probably out of your hands, but you can (and should) still have a voice in making sure your first first impression is a good one. Here are 4 questions to help you evaluate your church website… Is your website updated? If it looks old, has low-quality photos, or includes outdated content, people will assume your church is old,...
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Admin April 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Happy Admin April! All month long, I'll be sharing resources that help you rock the administrative responsibilities of our kidmin role. Think budgets, behavior, and forms, oh my! In case you missed a week, here's what I've shared so far... Week 1 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="4473" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/5-tips-for-behavior-management-at-church/"][vc_btn title="5 Tips for Behavior Management at Church" align="center" button_block="true" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2F5-tips-for-behavior-management-at-church%2F||target:%20_blank|"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="4477" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link"...
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