Tags: back to school

Backpacks are packed, first-day-of-school outfits are purchased, and everyone's trying to get back into a routine after the summer, which means it's officially back-to-school season! Whether you’re pumped for a fresh start or still mourning the end of summer fun, now is the perfect time to refocus, refresh, and relaunch your ministry for a brand-new year. Here are 5 ways to start the school year strong in your children’s ministry: Get Organized (Before the Sunday Morning Scramble Hits) - From updated rosters to curriculum plans to stocked classrooms, a little prep now will save you a ton of stress later. Take time to update parent contact info, allergy alerts, and class lists. Make sure your check-in system is ready to go for new families. Clean out all those VBS supplies from your office, and take a look at your overall calendar to figure...

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...

Do you have any traditions or special ideas for back-to-school season or Promotion Sunday? Something you do every year that encourages kids to reflect on the past year but also get pumped for the year ahead? A special way to celebrate the start of a school year or moving to new ministry classes/small groups? My favorite back-to-school or Promotion Sunday tradition is much simpler than you might think: showing a picture slideshow or video that recaps the past year. This video or slideshow shares pictures and clips of special events, Sunday mornings, mid-week programs, etc. Set it to an upbeat worship song your kids loved from the year, and you're all set! I like to show this video recap on Promotion Sunday every year and use it as a launching point for small group discussion questions like: What was your favorite thing we did at church...

As we start the new school year, here are 5 ways to help schools win. This blog post was written as a response and summary of Leslie Bosler's breakout session at OC18. Look for a win-win relationship. Too often, churches pursue a relationship with local schools for their own personal gain. But schools can smell that coming from a mile away. So rather than asking how partnering with the local schools can be a win for your church, ask how partnering with the local schools can be a win for the school. And if there’s a benefit only for the school, is that enough? Rather than expecting things from the school, hope things for the school. Action Steps: A school's win is often measured by numbers and metrics, so gain some credibility by doing research on the schools in your area and discover what their "wins" are. Look up their websites, mission...