Author: Kathie Phillips

Now that VBS is over…or is it?

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Our VBS (or Summer Bible Camp–SBC) ended yesterday and boy what a week it was!  We hosted over 300 children on an adventure to Babylon.  It was a great week!  As a family tribe leader, I got an up-close peek at how the children related to Daniel’s adventures and what God was doing in their lives.

Now that our week has concluded, it’s time for me to wear my other VBS/SBC hat…as Follow-Up Team Leader.  I have never done this job before but it was one that I volunteered to do because I feel that personally connecting with those who attend our church or events should not be overlooked.

As I began to think about how we’d follow-up with our camp attendees and their families, I identified five (5) categories that they would fall into:

  1. Participants who attend our church
  2. Participants who attend another church
  3. Children who accept Christ during SBC but have no church home
  4. Children who accept Christ who attend another church
  5. Families who indicate they have no church home

Here is how we’ll follow-up with the children and families:

All families will be invited to attend our SBC Celebration Sunday that takes place the Sunday following SBC.  The children will attend one of two services and lead the congregation in worship (singing songs they learned during the week).  A family and seeker-friendly sermon will be preached and refreshments will be served afterwards.

Participants who attend our church or another church will receive a letter or email, thanking them for coming and providing suggestions on ways that parents can continue the learning at home.

Children who accept Christ during SBC but have no church home were provided an age-appropriate Bible and discipleship materials to get them started on their spiritual journey.  They will also receive a personal invitation to our Sunday morning programming.  Their parents will receive a letter from our Senior Pastor inviting them to a Sunday service as well as information about various ministries within our church.  Families who indicate they have no church home will also receive a letter and information from our Senior Pastor.

Parents of children who accept Christ who attend another church will be encouraged to follow-up with their church staff about their child’s decision.  We will also send a note to the Children’s Pastor of their home church to allow them to follow-up.

Our follow-up team will meet this Wednesday morning to pray for the children as well as begin the follow-up efforts.

What have you done to follow up with children who attend your VBS?

Off to Babylon!

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment
Next week, 315 children will join me for an adventure to Babylon.  Not really, of course…it’s our theme for this year’s Summer Bible Camp.  For the past 5 months, we have met to plan and execute a fantastic Summer Bible Camp experience for all of our campers and teen & adult leaders.

Here’s what the children will learn:
Day 1:  When things change, God is with you.
Day 2:  When you need help, God is with you.
Day 3:  When you’re afraid, God is with you.
Day 4:  When you’re lonely, God is with you.
Day 5:  When you’re thankful, God is with you.

It’s shaping up to be a fantastic week!  Here’s my prayer for the week:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity that we have to share Your love with the children that You will bring us next week.  I pray that You will touch their hearts and prepare them to receive what they will hear.  I pray that You will allow them to experience You in a way that they have not before.  May many children will begin their lifelong relationship with You as a result.  We are so thankful for all that You will do and the lessons that You will teach children and adults alike, for Your honor and glory.  In Jesus’ name, amen.
Next week, I will share our strategy for following up with Summer Bible Camp attendees and their families.  Have a fantastic week!

Grace Under Pressure

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

If you are a fan of morning television, you might have heard rumblings in the past week or so regarding Ann Curry’s departure from the Today Show.  Today, the rumors were confirmed…she is in fact leaving her coveted host chair on the popular morning program.  She announced her departure this morning.  Ever since the internet buzz began about her rumored departure, I specifically tuned in to see if she would ever mention it.  She never did, but her facial expressions and body language did all of the talking.  She looked sad, her shoulders were hunched over, her laughs not as hearty.

She referred to the job as her “dream job”.  Who ever wants to leave their dream job like this, for all the world to see?  In my humble opinion, Ms. Curry did a great job under the circmstances.  There are two things she said that stood out to me:

“I have wanted to give you [the viewers] the world.”  Leaders have big dreams for the future.  The sky is the limit.  Although many women preceded Ms. Curry, she wanted to bring her own personality to the role.

“For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I’m sorry I couldn’t carry the ball over the finish line.  But man, I did try.”  Abrupt changes can leave a leader feeling like they’ve let their followers down.  They can also feel like their work was unfinished.  But trying is a really big part in wanting to make a difference.

I am looking forward to how Ms. Curry will move forward in the future.  I am hopeful that the grace she exuded today will keep her dreaming bigger and better.

Ministry and Motherhood

Kathie Phillips 3 Comments

Balancing ministry and motherhood is something that I’ve tried to manage for the six years that I’ve been on-staff in Children’s Ministry.  It hasn’t always been easy.  Sometimes I feel like I pour too much of myself into my work while neglecting time with my children and vice versa.  Instead of thinking of it as either-or, I have tried to intertwine the two.  Here’s how:

I involve my children in my ministry.  This won’t work for every family (my children are teenagers) but my children actually enjoy being a part of my ministry.  In fact, they call it “our ministry”.  They are able to offer great insight into music choices, games, events and resources.  My little test group, if you will.  Not only does this help me stay relevant and “cool” with the kids at church, but it helps my children feel like valued members of our ministry (which they are).

As a result, I’ve seen them use their gifts and talents.  My son has seen me lead Sunday School and is now a teen small group leader for 6th grader boys at our church.  He not only prepares his lessons ahead of time but he finds ways to shepherd the boys as well as provide an atmosphere of community within the group.  He has also taught me a thing or two about technology (namely how to design a PowerPoint presentation).  My daughter is extremely artistic.  She has helped design brochures as well as sets and bulletin boards.  She has also researched craft projects and has written skits for the children.

I ask their permission before signing them up for events, etc..  I value my children and their need for personal boundaries by not signing them up to help me at events.  I don’t automatically assume that they will be present or fill open slots.  Because of this, they look forward to going to church and volunteer to serve in various ways.

I value their opinion.  When I was presented with a new ministry opportunity last year, I talked it over with my children (and my husband).  Because the opportunity would involve changing churches, their opinion was vital to my decision.  Talking it over with them and getting their insight strengthened our family and helped them to love, not resent, moving to our current church.

I am aware of negative talk about the ministry.  Volunteers don’t show up.  Someone may disagree with a decision I’ve made.  Someone may complain about this or that.  But my children don’t need to hear that.  It’s not their burden to carry.

As often as I can, I take them along with me when I travel for work.  My children are unsung heroes of my ministry, so taking them along with me is a reward for them.  Those trips have been some of the best times we’ve had as a family.

I value them by leaving work at work.  I love Children’s Ministry.  I love to read about it and talk about it.  But I also love my family time and try to protect that at all costs.  Saturdays and Sunday afternoons are reserved for family–movies, good conversation, a delicious meal, a road trip.  Just good, quality time to connect.

Although I love Children’s Ministry, motherhood is my most important ministry.  But having my children integrated into my ministry is the best of both worlds!  I could not imagine ministry life without them! 🙂