Have you ever wondered why Jesus was so insistent on making his disciples know that children were welcome to come to Him?

I believe in children so much and not just because I am a children’s minister, but because children are so honest and willing to come with their questions.  And not only are they willing to come, but they are willing to listen to answers.

Children look up to the adults in their life.  Are they being valued in the same way as Jesus valued them.  Are the adults in your children’s lives good role models and providing them with answers that would be comparable to what Jesus would tell them?

Children often have 1 hour a week and maybe 2 hours in spiritual training “at church”.  You do the math that leaves a lot of hours out there where your children are being influenced by many other influences.  Do not over protect your children from this world…but protect and guard them…they are valuable!

My life is so blessed when I attend the CPC – Children’s Pastor’s Conference!!!  Believe it or not I really do enjoy being with adults and worshipping with adults.  There is no greater place than being with over 2000 Children’s Pastors.  This year though I wanted to give back to this great conference and so I offered to volunteer…it has been a different experience but a very rewarding time.

I am working side by side with some of the greatest and most dedicated people who work with children from all over the world. 

There is alot of work that goes on behind the scenes of a conference like this and it’s been great to be part of it.   Go Fish, Tim Hawkins, Michael Neale, Dr. Michelle Anthony, Josh Weidmann are just a few of the people who have inspired us to “keep on, keeping on”!

I am coming back refreshed, refueled and ready to fly!  I have heard the stories of many volunteers and Children’s pastors and I feel very fortunate to be where I am in Robinson, IL at HCC.  My goal in 2010 will be to partner with parents as we together help their children begin a relationship with Jesus Christ and grow in that relationship with their Savior.

I hope for each one of you a very exciting time of the year!  It’s a great time for families and friends and a great time to renew our faith and love of the one who came to save us from ourselves.  Have fun, but don’t forget to be thankful for the one who makes your life possible!

I had a great time with my family last weekend.  But like many grandparents and parents I have to share my kids and grandkids so this is the year my kids spend Christmas day with their “inlaws”, and that’s ok.

In a few hours I am heading north(weather permitting) to spend time with a dear friend who has a tremendous ministry in Chicago.  Her group gives out Christmas presents on Christmas Eve to new mothers in the hospitals who have given birth to babies.  I am very excited about being able to be part of this great ministry. 

Christmas morning we will visit a homeless Shelter and then spend some time catching up and laughing and sharing what has been happening in our lives in the past year.  It will be a great time!

I wish for each one of you a great Christmas holiday and Happy New Year!  2010 is going to be a great year!  See you next year!

No, I am not talking about Illinois, although many of us love to watch the fighting Illini.  But…there is a book out called “Think Orange” by Joiner that will influence how I do Children’s Ministry this year.   These words come from the book… 

Think Orange by Reggie Joiner (Book)

“What If…

What if the primary mission of the church is not to help the family, and the number one priority of the family is not to go to church?

What if they are both designed to work together to show a generation who God is?

IT’S NOT EITHER / OR.
IT’S BOTH / AND.

Two combined influences can make a greater impact than just two influences. The church leaders who think Orange make radical changes so they can…

• Engage parents in an integrated strategy
• Synchronize the home and church around a clear message
• Provoke parents and kids to fight for their relationship with each other
• Recruit mentors to become partners with families
• Mobilize the next generation to be the church

When you think Orange, you rethink the way you do ministry for children and teenagers.”

What are your thoughts?  Does thinking “orange” seem like a logical way to look at the ministry we have of  ”making disciples”?  Let me know what you think?

Several of us, who are involved in the Children’s Ministry at HCC, were able to attend the Southeast Conference in Louisville a few weekends ago.  Needless to say it was a great conference and we were encouraged with what we heard and came home with new thoughts and ideas as how to enhance the Children’s Ministry at HCC. 

If you volunteer in Children’s Ministry you know that I value those of you who give your time and energy to the children.    As I get older I value what I can pass on to the younger generation, because how well they do in leading God’s church depends on what I give to them now.  Each generation is a reflection of what they have received from the generation before them.

Volunteers make a difference in the lives of children not just in the present but also in their future.