Author: Kathie Phillips

The Engage Conference Did Not Disappoint!

Kathie Phillips

I love being with fellow kidmin leaders.  I always seem to walk away feeling more energized and more convinced that this is indeed what God as called me to do.  This past weekend, I attended the Engage Conference in Mechanicsburg, PA.  While this was my first time attending the conference, I looked forward to all that I would learn and experience.  I was not disappointed.

The conference’s main speaker was Sue Miller, formerly of Willow Creek Community Church and currently on staff at ReThink (who publishes First Look and 252 Basics curriculum).  Sue led three main sessions, highlighting (1) what’s new in children’s ministry, (2) having difficult conversations, and (3) sustaining yourself health as a leader.  Here are some highlights of each session:

Session 1:  What’s New Now

  • 25% of people think Sundays are for church, while 75% think Sundays are for other things.
  • We need to think differently in how we plan to reach these families.  How will we reach them if they’re not in church?  1 Peter 3:15 calls us to show love first.  Consider doing a focus group from the non-traditional families at your church to find out how we can better reach them and serve them.
  • Kids today are growing up in a smart phone world.  Smart phones have made it possible for us to take the world with us everywhere we go.  How are we using social media?  How can high school and/or college students help us think of new ways to use social media?
  • We should brainstorm how we can use social media to (1) cue parents–help them disciple their kids; (2) inspire kids; and (3) rally volunteers.

Session 2:  Difficult Conversations

  • People want to be led by a new breed of leaders, leaders who are caring, authentic, willing to respect others’ ideas, able to lead change and able to navigate conflict.
  • We are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
  • Speak–Don’t avoid difficult conversations.  Decide to resolve the problem, remembering to attack the problem, not the person.  Confront the problem.  Take the time to do the process right.
  • The Truth–Remember HOW you communicate makes all the difference.  Lose the defensiveness.  Say what you need to say and own what you need to own.  The most loving thing you can do for your volunteers is to help them be equipped for what God has called them to.
  • In Love–Go to the right person.  Keep in mind that reconciliation is the goal–it’s not about winning.  Honor the process.

Session 3:  In It For the Long Haul

Say “no” to things graciously so that you can say “yes” to things purposefully.

Non-negotiables for you and your team:

  • Rest (allow an emotional margin to decompress).
  • Recreation
  • Friends who are life-giving
  • Refill your spiritual tank

The biggest challenge comes in leading yourself.

In addition to the main sessions, the conference offers an assortment of workshops that you can take advantage of.  I’ll share highlights from the ones I attended tomorrow.

If you live in the mid-Atlantic region, this is a conference that you and your team should attend together next year.  You won’t regret it!

Did you attend the Engage Conference?  What did you take away from it?

Thankful Thursday: Week 2

Kathie Phillips

A few weeks ago, I planned to set aside every Thursday in November to share some of the many things I’m thankful for.  You can read about Week 1 here. 

“Always be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15, NLT

Being more intentional about having an attitude of gratitude for the month of November has really been good for me.  During the daily grind, when things get frustrating or overwhelming, I say, “Be thankful.  Always be thankful.”  That puts things into perspective.

If you have been following me, you are aware that we launched a preteen ministry at our church this fall.  Naturally, this is something I’m thankful for.  I shared my thoughts about this over at FourFiveSix.  You can read about it here.

Is having an attitude of gratitude part of your daily life?  Let me know how by sharing below!

Thankful Thursdays: Week 1

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us–they help us learn to endure.  And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation.  And this expectation will not disappoint us.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

A few weeks ago, I planned to set aside every Thursday in November to share some of the many things I’m thankful for.  It is no coincidence that today, the first Thursday in November, I would initially struggle to find one thing to be thankful for.  You see, for the past two weeks, we’ve experienced setbacks of one kind or another.  This morning at a glance:  we overslept, rushed out the door to get my children to school on time (with 2 minutes to spare) and on my way to work, my van broke down (the third time in 2 weeks that something on the van has needed major repair).

Lately, it’s been feeling like one backwards step after another.  Today I felt like I reached my breaking point.  As I was about 1/4 way through the box of tissue in my van (waiting for the tow truck to arrive), I began to ask God why He continues to allow things like this to happen to me and my family.  Not that I was expected an audible answer.  I know that tests and trials are good for us (that’s what God’s Word says–and I believe it) but a series of tests and trials feels a little like, well, punishment.

After I had some time to reflect and allow the Holy Spirit to calm my nerves, I began to think about the many ways God has blessed me.  Today, I am thankful for Jesus.  I am thankful that He loves me more than I’ll ever know.  I am thankful that He sends gentle reminders through adversity that He’s there and still in control.  (He sent a very friendly tow truck driver to rescue me, family and friends offered to come and sit with me while I waited for the tow truck, my husband called me every 10 minutes to check in on me, and I was able to pull off of the main road and not block traffic.)  I am thankful for the promises of Scripture.  I am thankful that nothing can ever separate me from His love.  I am thankful that while situations change and tests come, He never changes.  I am thankful that while I don’t know “why”, He uses all things for my good.

What are you thankful for today?

Orange Tour Notes (Part 2)

Kathie Phillips

Yesterday, I shared notes from the recent Orange Tour in Washington, D.C.  You can find those notes here.  Today, I will share my notes from the two breakout sessions I attended.

Breakout #1 – “No More Sunday School” – Kristen Ivy and Colette Taylor

Traditional Sunday school was established in the 1700’s during the Industrial Revolution.  It’s primary reason for existence was to help kids become literate since they didn’t attend school.  In 1870, all kids started to attend school so churches no longer needed to help kids with literacy.

Today, kids spend an average of 32.5 hours in a classroom environment.  Do we want Sunday school to reflect another classroom environment?

We should consider shifting from a Sunday school model to a spiritual formation model.

What if we didn’t just think about content for the church?  What if we thought about how we could tap into the day-to-day influence of the home?  (Remember, kids spend an average of 40 hours/yr at church and 3,000 hours/yr with their parents.)

What if we didn’t just think about what we would teach next Sunday? What if we thought strategically about a plan from preschool to college?

What if we didn’t just recruit volunteers who can teach?  What if we sought out focused leaders who can embody the strategy?

What if we thought less about teaching the Bible to kids and more about teaching kids the Bible?

What if we didn’t spend all of our focus on content?  What if we also spent the same amount of energy on how we package that content so it will be relevant?

Helpful Resources to Consider (not mentioned at the conference):

Good to Great by Jim Collins

Making Your Children’s Ministry the Best Hour of Every Kid’s Week by Sue Miller and David Staal

Sticky Faith by Kara Powell and Chap Clark

The Fabulous Reinvention of Sunday School by Aaron Reynolds

Breakout #2 – “Lead Small for Kids:  Connecting with Kids Relationally” – Kristen Ivy and Colette Taylor

*Note:  The ideas shared piggy-backed on what Reggie Joiner shared in Session 2 about Small Group Leader “To-Do’s”.

1. Be present.  Show up mentally.

  • Think about the discussion questions ahead of time.
  • Pray for the kids.
  • Turn off your cell phone.

2. Create a safe place.  Guard the heart.

  • Report when kids are hurting someone, someone is hurting them, or they’re hurting themselves.

3. Partner with parents.  Cue the parents.

  • Communicate in more than one way.  Utilize your church’s website, email, phone calls, social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

4. Make it personal.  Be real.

  • Share your story.
  • Be okay with not knowing the answer.  Simply say, “I don’t know.  Let’s look it up together.”

5. Move them out.  What’s next?

  • Be sensitive to transition times in your ministry (preschool to elementary, elementary to middle school, middle school to high school).
  • Hand kids up well.
  • Set new leaders up to win by contacting their new small group leader.
  • Consider moving up with your group.
  • Encourage the spiritual journey.

Did you attend the Orange Tour breakouts?  What stood out to you the most?