Free Family Worship Service: “GOALS”
This week, we started something brand-new at our church. We started a “Family Worship Service.” While our families often worship together on Sundays, we crafted this service to be especially for families with kids amidst the restrictions and regulations the COVID-19 pandemic has brought our way. With limited seating in our Sunday gatherings, and a […]
Free “Let’s Glow” Devotional for this Fall!
The number one question I’ve been seeing in kids’ ministry groups recently is – “What are you doing for a fall event?” With so many restrictions, classic events like Trunk or Treat, Fall Fests, and other fun outreach ideas have to be adapted or put on hold. Last fall, our church put off a brand […]
A List of Family Worship Resources for YOU!
Our church announced our reopening plan last week, and we have decided that for the foreseeable future, we’ll be focusing on family worship services. I truly believe that family worship is important. I’ve written about that numerous times – for example, here and here. Being important though, doesn’t mean it’s easy. Having all ages worshipping […]
Creative Kidmin Ideas for a COVID Fall (With a FREE Event Checklist!)
In kids’ ministry, fall typically means back to a “regular routine.” Programs restart, kids are back to church, and we gear up for exciting outreach events. This year, though, fall looks anything but “regular.” Depending on where you are in the world, your ministry routine is still some level of disrupted. In my setting, in-person […]
Teaching Kids the Truth: Why & How to Teach Theology
One of the most common questions I ask myself as I minister to families (including my own!) is this: Is anyone really learning anything? Sure, I love to hear people say “That was so fun!” or “My kids love your programs!” and “Whoa! That must have taken a lot of effort!” But I often find […]
Staying on Track for Summer: Planning for Fall
If you had told me in January what the summer of 2020 would look like, I would never have believed you. Who could have ever dreamt that: …. Churches would move to mainly online ministry?…. Large events like VBS & summer camps would be cancelled?…. Kids’ ministry would move out of church and into homes?…. […]
Staying On Track for Summer: Using Social Media
Summer in kids’ ministry is often a time of disconnect. Families are vacationing, travelling or enjoying nice weather. Even the most faithful families are often missing from our pews (or chairs!) during the summer months. This is even more true this year – as many churches are in the very slow process of reopening amidst […]
Staying on Track for Summer: Creating a Take-Home Box
Summer is one of my favourite times of year, hands-down. The weather, the family time, the space just to sit back and breathe, and the abundance of iced coffee makes it such a wonderful season. However, in children’s ministry, the wonders of summer often come partnered with frustration. The summer season often brings with it […]
Talking About Things That Matter: Your Kids & Technology
One of the most common, and contested, conversations I have with parents is about technology. “Should my kids use it?”“How much screen time is too much screen time?”“Should I let my _____ – year old have a phone? tablet? computer?”“How do I filter what they’re watching & playing?” These are all good questions. And they are […]
Talking About Things That Matter: Social Media & Safety
Social media is powerful. I say that as an adult – who has spent more of my life without social media than with it – and can remember a world where none of these networks existed. Kids however, don’t know a world without social media. For kids, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & […]