Categories: Leadership

“Why do we do it?” Helping Kids Understand Worship Practices

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Kids ask a lot of questions. And they might be asking questions about your family or adult service that their parents don't know how to answer. Share this printable with the families in your ministry to help parents teach their kids about worship practices. The more kids understand what they're doing and why, the more they'll engage in the service! [/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the printable here! " align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F05%2FDKM-Why-Do-We-Do-It-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="29708" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/a-guide-to-family-worship/"][/vc_column][vc_column...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

Church in Cars? Drive In and Drive Through Church

As churches experiment with ways to gather their people in a safe and controlled environment during the pandemic, one popular idea is holding church in cars with either a drive-in or a drive-through service! What's the difference? A drive-in service typically involves participants driving to the church parking lot, parking their cars, and viewing the service from their vehicle. A drive-through service means the families drive through a designated route on the church campus, stopping by different stations to interact with the pastors or complete aspects of worship (like giving offering, taking Communion, picking up family devotionals from the kids department, etc.). Both offer ways for your church community to connect with you, see each other, and be on the church campus, all while staying safe.  Vanessa Myers, one of our DKM Marketplace Vendors...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

Parent Note for Family Worship

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As you're planning and preparing worship activity bags to help kids engage in your family services, don't forget to address the parents too! Attending a worship service as a family might be brand-new territory for your families, and parents may feel anxious or nervous about their child(ren) being disruptive during the service. Use this week's free download to help put parents at ease! For more resources to help prepare your families for an intergenerational service, check out our 5 practical tips for family worship, our Guide to Family Worship resource, and our online ministry training all about including (not just occupying) kids in a family service![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Parent Note For Family Services Here!" align="center"...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

Worship Activity Bags: Praise Packs

As churches begin reopening after COVID-19, many will keep families together in one service for a while before opening their children's ministry. That means babies through adults will be worshiping together in one setting, and while that excites us as children's and family ministers, parents and senior pastors may not be so thrilled. In an interview with Michayla White from the International Network of Children's Ministry on FaceBook Live, I share some ideas for engaging (not just occupying) kids in your services. (This conversation turned into me teaching a breakout session on this topic at several children's ministry conferences + making the breakout session available online here.) One of my favorite ways is to provide worship activity bags, which we call Praise Packs! Praise Packs are a goody bag with activities that help kids engage and...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

10 Free Zoom Game Ideas

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Here's a set of fun games to play together with your kids via Zoom! They are all simple and require no prep for the leader or the kids. It comes with a set of instructions for each game, and they are all simple enough for most ages. The instructions include special details for playing these games  (some very common) over Zoom in a virtual environment![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download the Zoom games here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F04%2FDeeper-KidMin-Digital-Zoom-Games-Freebie.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]Games Include: Deserted Island Simon Says Two Truths and a Lie Six Minute Memoirs Most Unique Show & Tell Would You Rather? Virtual Scavenger Hunt Emoji Hunt Virtual...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

Reopening Your Children’s Ministry After COVID-19

Here in Georgia, Governor Kemp has given churches permission to reopen their doors and resume services, as long as we maintain strict social distancing protocols. This announcement has pushed churches to begin the discussion that causes excitement and makes our heads spin at the same time: What will reopening in-person church services look like, and what does that mean for children's ministry? Whether you're reopening this Sunday or not even considering it until June, here are some ideas & resources from a variety of denominational backgrounds and organizations to help inform your decision and plan. I'm still trying to figure out what everything will look like too, but I hope this list helps inform your discussions in planning the best possible options for your ministry. Keep these tips in mind when creating your reopening...
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Think Like a Scientist: Engaging Elementary-Age Kids

Whether online or in-person, if you want to engage elementary-age kids, you have to think like a scientist. I don't mean using beakers and lab coats in your teaching (although that can be fun), but by thinking and teaching concretely. It's Just a Phase (a book you need to have in your kidmin library if you don't already) goes into detail about how elementary-age kids "understand the world through concrete evidence" and learn "through repetition and clear application." They internalize new information best when they can see it happen in their every-day environment, so the more often you can connect a Biblical lesson to an elementary schooler's everyday life, the better. Elementary-age kids think concretely and literally, and they tend to see the world in black and white. Research shows that elementary kids have a strong sense of justice and...
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Spiritual Growth Assessment For Leaders

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of Deeper KidMin's goals is to help you grow kids deeper in their relationships with Christ, but we must be growing deeper in our own faith as leaders too. To grow deeper as leaders, we have to identify and evaluate where our faith currently stands. This week's freebie is a resource from LifeWay Christian resources that walks you through a spiritual assessment in 6 key areas: Abide in Christ, Live in the Word, Pray in Faith, Fellowship with Believers, Witness to the World, and Minister to Others.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download Spiritual Growth Assessment Here!" align="center" link="url:http%3A%2F%2Fblog.lifeway.com%2Fgrowingdisciples%2Ffiles%2F2013%2F08%2FSpiritual_Growth_Assessment.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]This personal assessment tool helps you evaluate your spiritual growth in six...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

6 Ways to Grow as a Leader During Quarantine

Whether life has slowed down or gotten even crazier since the COVID-19 quarantining began, you can use this unique season of ministry to grow as a leader if you... Make time to REST. Do this one first, and if you only pick one thing, let it be this one! As a ministry leader, your schedule is always go-go-go, so take advantage of this slower pace of life that we've all been forced into by social distancing and stay-at-home orders. Don't feel pressure to add something to your plate just because your normal schedule looks different or feels smaller, and don't let someone else's approach to online ministry make you feel guilty for the valuable way you're serving your flock. Repeat after me: It's OK if productivity looks different in this season. Enjoying a time of rest will help you reflect, recharge, and refresh so you can be the best leader...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership

Mother’s Day Social Media Templates

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We mentioned this idea in our list of Quarantine Mother's Day Ideas, and it's super simple! Lots of high schools are doing something like this to honor their 2020 seniors, and you can do it for the moms in your ministry too. Ask families to share a picture (and maybe even a short note/quote), insert their pics into your favorite template below, then share on your church’s social media pages throughout Mother’s Day weekend to honor the moms and women in your ministry! See more social-distanced ministry resources here. Click on your favorite graphic(s) below, and the template(s) will open in a new tab. Right click and save the template to your computer, then insert the template into your favorite graphics editor or even Microsoft PowerPoint to customize them, export them, and...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

Quarantine Mother’s Day Ideas

Mother's Day 2020 will look vastly different than in years past thanks to COVID-19 and quarantines. So how can you honor the women and mothers in your church while maintaining a safe social distance? I learned about these ideas from a live webinar in Jessica Bealer's Don't Quit Ministry Support FaceBook Group and had to share! Donut Delivery - Did you know that Dunkin Donuts delivers? They've partnered with Grub Hub to deliver as few as half a dozen donuts in and around participating locations. Send a breakfast treat to your moms and remind them you "donut" know what you'd do without them! Find out if your Dunkin location is participating here. Pop Cards - I know, I know, moms always get cards for Mother's Day, but what if you splurged a bit and sent the moms in your ministry special Pop Up cards that are almost like works of art? Pop...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

VBS 2020 Thank You Cards Printable

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]VBS 2020 will soon be upon us, and while your planning this year may look different because of the coronavirus, you'll need to thank your volunteers no matter what VBS becomes. Use these 2 thank you card designs (tailored to a construction VBS theme and a train VBS theme) to show your volunteers some love! Just print on cardstock, cut, and write a VBS-themed thank you note to each person on your team! And be sure to check out our list of resources to help make your VBS a success![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download VBS 2020 Thank You Cards Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F03%2FVBS-2020-Thank-You-Cards.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_single_image image="27133" img_size="full" alignment="center"...
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Filed Under Blog, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership, Volunteers

6 Resources to Make Your VBS a Success

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From planning to volunteers to follow-up, here are 6 resources to help make your VBS a success![/vc_column_text][vc_separator color="custom" border_width="5" accent_color="#3ac1e1"][vc_custom_heading text="VBS Master To-Do List Printable" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center" use_theme_fonts="yes" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fproduct%2Fvbs-master-to-do-list-printable%2F||target:%20_blank|"][vc_single_image image="24370" img_size="large" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/vbs-master-to-do-list-printable/"][vc_column_text]Take your VBS planning to the next level with this printable fill-in-the-blank VBS plan. Go from sleepless nights, wondering if you got all the details in place to waking well-rested and refreshed because you...
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Filed Under Blog, Leadership, Volunteers

Free Zoom Backgrounds for Online Kids Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week, we talked about how to use virtual backgrounds on Zoom to engage kids while teaching online, so of course this week's freebie includes 8 free Zoom backgrounds you can use for Easter and beyond! Click on the title or image below, and it will open in a new tab. Right Click and "Save As" to download to your computer for use in your next Zoom meeting with kids.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_custom_heading text="Crosses" font_container="tag:h2|text_align:center" use_theme_fonts="yes" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F04%2FZoom-Crosses.png||target:%20_blank|"][vc_single_image image="27677" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank"...
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Change Your Zoom Background To Engage Kids While Teaching Online

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Did you know you can change your background on Zoom while hosting online kids church (how-to instructions below)? You can be teaching from outer space, under the sea, or even in front of the city of Jerusalem, and you don't have to use the same background the entire time. Using virtual backgrounds on Zoom is not only fun, but you can also use this feature as a teaching tool. You can easily change the background in the middle of your teaching to engage kids and involve them in the story! Zoom Background Teaching Ideas: Bible Story Images: Find pictures that fit your story or that include objects within the story. As you teach, change the background to match what you're talking about to help keep kids engaged virtually. Eye Spy: Create a background with a collage of various items (people, words, objects,...
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Easter Egg Hunt Alternatives for COVID-19 Quarantine Printable!

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Earlier in the week, we talked about Easter Egg Hunt Alternatives during this time of social distancing and quarantining for COVID-19, so today we're sharing a free printable to help you pull that off![/vc_column_text][vc_btn title="Download You've Been Egged Easter Egg Hunt Alternative Printable Here!" align="center" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fdeeperkidmin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F03%2FDKM-Youve-been-Egged-COVID-19-Update.pdf||target:%20_blank|"][vc_column_text]It’s simple, it’s cheap (you only need some colored paper and plastic Easter eggs), and most importantly, it’s so fun! Print & copy the printable pages double-sided on colored paper, adding in details about your church Easter services (online or in person) in the space provided. You can also share this PDF with your families via email so...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Free Weekly Downloads, Leadership

Easter Egg Hunt Alternatives for COVID-19 Quarantine

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As Easter draws near and the COVID-19 pandemic continues, you may be wondering what to do about your Easter Egg Hunt in this time of social distancing and quarantines. Here are a few alternative egg hunt ideas to help you and your families celebrate Easter, and check out all of our COVID-19 ministry resources here. You've Been Egged (Free Printable here!) - We adapted this from an Easter Egg Hunt invite to a family activity! It’s simple, it’s cheap (you only need some colored paper and plastic Easter eggs), and most importantly, it’s so fun! Print & copy this free download, adding in details about your church Easter services (online or in person) in the space provided. Then leave the printable on a family's doorstep, ring the doorbell, and run! Kids hunt for the empty egg in the yard, then "egg"...
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A Habit of Joy

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I've been reading through Bob Goff's Live In Grace, Walk in Love Devotional, and one of the days from last month has really stuck with me. Bob was talking about the power of habits and connected the physical process of building habits with the spiritual process of building habits that help us create a lifestyle of loving others. He said... "When joy is a habit, love is a reflex."  And then he posed the question: How do we make joy a habit in our everyday lives so our reflex is always love for the people around us? Confession: I'm not very good at making joy a habit. I tend to over-analyze and have a critical attitude of everything, from myself to my ministry to other people. So I have to be very intentional about making joy a habit in my life. One way I've done that is by keeping a gratitude journal,...
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Filed Under Blog, For Parents, Leadership

Apps for Online Kids Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]You may be trying to navigate the new normal of hosting kids church online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few apps to consider, and no matter which one you use, read these 5 tips for engaging kids through video to make it the best possible experience for everyone involved! FACEBOOK LIVE - So far, this seems to be the most popular platform for online children's ministry. Why? Because most parents are already on FaceBook and familiar with how to use it. When you go Live on Facebook, families can interact by leaving comments in real-time. Plus, the video stays on your church's FB page for those families who couldn't watch it live. I love this platform because it encourages parents to watch with their kids, giving them a glimpse into what Sunday mornings in the kids area looks like and encouraging family...
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5 Tips for Engaging Kids Through Video For Online Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As you're hosting kids church online through video during the Coronavirus pandemic, use the tips below to make it the best possible experience for your kids and families (and you)! And check out all of our COVID-19 ministry tips & resources here. Make a plan. Just like you wouldn't walk into a regular Sunday morning without a plan for the day, don't try to do that with a video either! Make sure you and your team know the order and flow of the video, and be sure to set any props off-screen but within reach. You may also want to have links ready to share, like links to a folder on Google Drive of activity worksheets that go with the lesson, links to worship videos, links to a video lesson, and more! (Just make sure your curriculum & worship songs allows sharing the resources in this way). Spend the...
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Book Review: The Family Board Meeting

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In January, I shared my KidMin Reading List for 2020, and I wanted to tell you about the first book I read: The Family Board Meeting.  My friend Joy Canupp sent me this book when we announced our pregnancy back in August 2019, and as my husband and I are now a month in to life as new parents, this book has already given me so much to think about, pray about, and implement as our family grows. And with kids across the country at home this week from Covid-19 school closings, the book's emphasis on quality family time is relevant for everyone.  It's a nice, quick little read (not even 100 pages), but it's full of encouragement and ideas for being intentional at home, even in the midst of the busy-ness. As a ministry leader, I know you know the challenge of balancing family and ministry, and this book had...
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How To Prepare for the Coronavirus at Your Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The coronavirus pandemic will have medical and economical effects, but it doesn't have to affect the spiritual growth of the families we serve. While we don't quite yet know the full extent of this virus's impact, we do know we have to be prepared. My pastor related the pandemic to a weatherman's warning of an upcoming hurricane. It may be as bad as they predict; it may not. Either way, we have to be prepared. Use the ideas and resources below to prepare for the effects of this virus and equip families during this uncertain time, and check out all of our COVID-19 tips, resources, and ideas here.  If your church will continue to meet:  Make a plan. You may not be closing this weekend, but chances are you might in the future, and you should still adjust practices based on the current circumstances. This...
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5 Family Easter Resources 2020

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Easter is always an important season in children's ministry, especially as we help families connect with each other and with Jesus. Browse all of our Easter resources here, but check out our top 5 Family Easter resources below to help families engage and interact with the Easter story in a variety of ways![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_empty_space height="25px"][vc_single_image image="24219" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" link="https://deeperkidmin.com/product/40-days-of-remembering-jesus-a-lent-resource-for-families/"][/vc_column][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]40 Days of Remembering Jesus - I know Lent started 2 weeks ago, but it's never too late for a family to start being intentional about remembering Jesus...
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10 Scriptures For Kids About Light

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Use these Scriptures in your lesson about Jesus as the Light of the World, for your Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt, your Walk in the Light Easter Event, or for any lesson teaching kids about light! They're short enough for kids to memorize, and they coordinate with any light or glowing theme. (Note: All verses in NIrV) John 12:36a - “While you have the light, believe in it. Then you can become children of light.” 1 John 1:5b - “God is light. There is no darkness in him at all.” John 9:5 - “Jesus said, ‘While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’” John 12:46 - “Jesus said, ‘I have come into the world to be its light. So no one who believes in me will stay in darkness.’” John 8:12 - “Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone...
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3 Things a Permanent Church Can Learn From a Mobile Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mobile churches are churches that have no permanent building but meet in a local venue like a school or community center. Having served on staff in mobile ministry for five years at a church that met at a local high school, I understand the struggle, frustration, and downright difficult task of mobile ministry. But there are aspects of mobile ministry that even churches with a brick-and-mortar building can learn and should adopt. 1) How to leverage resources – As a mobile church, the supplies you use on Sunday are often limited to what you can haul in and out each week. That means you have to get creative in how you store, prepare, and even use resources, and there’s no room for fluff! Renting a space rather than owning a building can also allow churches to leverage their financial resources for their...
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