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Rest for the Soul

Kathie Phillips

This week, my family and I are enjoying some time away at one of our favorite places to relax–a cabin in the woods in nearby West Virginia.  Suited perfectly for rest and refreshment, it is a home that has a wall of windows that looks out onto the tall, mature trees.  The house also has a wonderful screened porch to be able to be in nature without being in nature.  Internet and cell reception is spotty, so it’s a great place to disconnect and reconnect with God and loved ones.

In addition to reading, watching movies and playing board games with the family, one of my favorite things to do here is feed the deer.  Once the food goes out, at least eight deer come closer to the property to feed.  It brings to mind Psalm 42:1:

As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. (NLT)

So often as a leader, I can get bogged down with details of the ministry–scheduling, ordering/purchasing supplies, deadlines, lesson-planning, recruiting, email–and lose focus of the God I serve.  Do I take time each day to acknowledge God before I go about my day?  Do I ask for His will to be done and not my own?  Food for thought as I gear up for the upcoming ministry year.

What about you?  Does your soul long for God?  How does He bring refreshment to your soul?

Don’t forget to smile!

Kathie Phillips 4 Comments

Sometimes, children and families who walk through the doors of our church walk in carrying heavy burdens.  Marriage issues, family dynamics, and financial pressures can take a toll on those we serve each week.  While we cannot always lift those burdens, there is one very easy way that we can bring them a little joy:  SMILE!

Genesis 33 tells the story of Jacob and Esau reconciling after Jacob stole Esau’s birthright (see Genesis 27).  Upon their meeting, Jacob says to his brother, “..what a relief it is to see your friendly smile.  It is like seeing the smile of God!” (Genesis 33:10)

Someone might see God through your smile this week.  So go ahead and SMILE!

One of the Worst Recruiting Strategies

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

I have a few pet peeves about recruiting for Children’s Ministry but one that ranks up at the top of the list is when leaders say they need to “fill holes”.  Every time I hear that, I get chills up spine.  Think about it.  What message do you think that philosophy sends about a ministry to a prospective volunteer?  I don’t serve, I just filled a hole.

I believe that the way in which a volunteer is recruited is directly related to the way that they serve.  If someone is recruited by a leader who shares the vision and mission of a ministry, that volunteer’s potential is unlimited.  They will have a vested interest in the ministry and are more likely to serve longer and take on more leadership roles.  If someone is recruited to “fill a hole”, they will likely not even know or care about where the ministry is going and are likely to serve a much shorter time.

Let’s show potential volunteers how passionate we are about what we do and recruit them as a ministry partner, not a “hole-filler”.

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?

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