Category: KidMin Leadership

Is Your Ministry Prepared for an Emergency?

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

As I write, our area is under a flood watch and high wind warning as Hurricane Sandy approaches our area.  My family took precautions to prepare for the storm by securing outdoor items, putting down the storm windows, clearing leaves from the storm drains and stocking up on bottled water, non-perishable food, batteries and flashlights.

In the same way, ministries should be prepared for emergencies (weather-related and otherwise).  Help your ministry be ready by keeping the following items on hand for each classroom:

  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight
  • Spare batteries
  • Portable radio

In addition, make sure that you have an evacuation plan established.

  • Train your volunteers on your evacuation plan.  You should set aside time at each volunteer training to address this issue.  Include a written plan, including diagrams, in their handbook.  You may also find it beneficial to walk your volunteers through the process, showing them where to exit and what to do.  Have a designated place for each class to meet outside of your building that is a safe distance away.  Instruct volunteers to take their attendance roster and conduct a head count when they arrive at their designated evacuation location.
  • Be sure that parents know your evacuation plan.  They should know where to meet their children and what the procedures are for retrieving their children at the designated evacuation location.
  • Ensure that your plan includes procedures for babies and children with special needs or physical limitations.
  • In addition to a written plan, have an evacuation route map and plan outlined and posted in each classroom.  Your map should include your church’s address and an emergency phone number and/or contact number to be reached.  It should also outline your current location, the nearest exit and their designated evacuation location.

Contact www.redcross.org for additional information on how to prepare for emergency situations.  You can also request a copy of our ministry’s emergency plan by leaving a comment below.

What steps have you taken to ensure that your ministry is prepared in the event of an emergency?  

The Beauty of Partnering With Parents

Kathie Phillips

“Partnering with parents” is a very popular phrase for those in children’s ministry and student ministry.  We realize that (or we should realize) that this is one of the key relationships that we should foster as ministry leaders.

I have always struggled somewhat with what it means to truly partner with parents.  Sure, we can send home a take-home page that reviews what was taught in class, knowing very well that these pages will either be left behind on Sunday mornings or serve as mats in the car.  Don’t get me wrong.  I think it’s very important to put resources into the hands of parents.  But we can’t stop there.

As I continue to wrap my brain around this concept, I am convinced more and more that true partnership is (1) each partner knowing what the common goals are, (2) knowing what role each partner plays in moving toward the common goals and (3) communicating effectively and regularly about the progress being made.

This weekend, I’ll wrap up teaching our three-week Communion class for 2nd-5th graders and their parents.  Having the parents attend with their child is great because they are able to not only hear what we’re teaching their child but it allows them to engage in dialogue about their own spiritual walk right on the spot.  (Parents are also provided a tool to use in continuing the conversation at home about what was provided in class.)

In my opinion, true partnership between the church and parents happens when there is conversation between them as well as resources being put into the hands of the parents.  There is also a responsibility for ministries to encourage and provide venues for conversation between parents and children.

For the past two weeks, I have witnessed parents and children talking at the tables and parents helping their children understand what it means to be loved by Christ, forgiven and welcomed at The Lord’s Table.  Parents were happy to share and children sat in awe of hearing their parents share with them.  It was  priceless exchange.  No take home page could replace that.

What are your thoughts?  How do you partner with parents in your ministry?  If you’re a parent, what ways does your church help you to be a better parent and spiritual leader?

All-Inclusive Recruiting: 16 “Outside the Box” Volunteer Positions

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

As leaders, we spend a lot of time recruiting for weekend programming–teachers, assistant teachers, greeters, techies, worship leaders, ushers, just to name a few.  As important and valuable as these roles are, not everyone is gifted or available to serve in our ministries on the weekends.

It’s important to remember to make our ministries all-inclusive, meaning that we seek to include volunteers who might be able to serve in capacities outside of the weekend that would greatly benefit your ministry.  These opportunities might be a great way to incorporate more teens and college students, stay-at-home parents, working parents, grandparents and older members of your church into your ministry without a weekly commitment.  Here are 16 ways that you can think outside of the box when recruiting:

1.  Artists can help design and build sets or make-over your classroom.

2.  Sorters can sort curriculum, take-home pages, parent resources, worship bulletins, crayons, etc.  They could also sort and discard broken crayons, dried out markers and glue sticks, etc.

3.  Re-stockers can use a check-list to restock classroom supplies that are used each week.

4.  Technology lovers can keep your ministry’s social media sites up-to-date.  They might also be able to help you design cool power point presentations for worship or other uses.

5.  Social butterflies can make reminder calls to volunteers and recruit volunteers for your events.

6.  Those who love to cook can cook or bake for events.

7.  Readers might love to edit your digital curriculum.

8.  Decorators can plan and set up for events with a keen eye to details.

9.  Those who love to shop can purchase snacks and other supplies.

10.  Marketers can brainstorm ideas to help you effectively publicize your events.

11.  Writers can send cards to your children and volunteers.

12.  Crafty folks can help prepare crafts by cutting out shapes, patterns or templates.  They can also sew costumes and help make props.

13.  Trainers or skilled professionals can come in to lead training for your volunteers or staff.

14.  Surveyors can look into and evaluate curriculum options, Bibles, books and other resources.

15.  Organizers can help organize your resource room/craft closet and classroom cupboards.

16.  Researchers can help you find that perfect craft or object lesson, a great ice-breaker for your next volunteer meeting or an active and messy game that your 5th grade boys would love.

One of our jobs as leaders is to help those in the body find their place.  Be sure that your ministry is all-inclusive!  Think outside of the box!

Let me know what you would add to the list!

Now or Later: The Pitfalls of Procrastination

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

It’s ironic that I’m writing about the pitfalls of procrastination way past my bedtime!  So trust me, I know of what I speak!

Newsflash:  I procrastinate.  Not all of the time but I occasionally put off making that phone call, sending that email, cleaning off my desk…you get my drift.  Sometimes, there’s a good reason (i.e. having more pressing matters to tend to, meetings, and family responsibilities).

But I find that I often procrastinate because I procrastinated!  But there are pitfalls with this pattern.  Here are just a few:

  • More stress.  Kind of goes without saying but putting off things just makes my to-do list longer and a long(er) to-do list makes me overwhelmed.  Very overwhelmed.  And grumpy.
  • Lack of respect. When I procrastinate in responding to an email, for instance, that shows someone how little I value them or what they have to say.  It also lowers my credibility and as a leader, I definitely don’t want to do that.
  • Increased financial cost.  Waiting to order supplies (particularly online) has cost me in extra shipping fees and sometimes a higher sale price.  Definitely a lose-lose situation.
  • Taking for granted that I’ll be able to get to it tomorrow.  The Bible says in James 4:14 (NLT), “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog–it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”  Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so it’s best not to make “I’ll get to it tomorrow” part of our daily vocabulary.

What would you add to the list?  Share your thoughts below.