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Category: Ministry Leadership

Covers topics such as leadership skills, sustainable leadership, women in leadership, leading teams, developing leaders, meetings

Choose to Speak Life!

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments
Photo Credit: cornerstonedelco.org
Photo Credit: cornerstonedelco.org

 

A month ago, my daughter and I began a weekly one-on-one Bible study.  We are working our way through Elizabeth George’s book A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart.  The conversations that have come out during our time together has far exceeded my expectations.  I get to hear her share more of her tender heart, her struggles, what matters to her more than I have by just asking her to tell me about her day.  Our time together gives me the opportunity to speak life into her, to encourage her, to pray over her and with her.  My time with her account for some of the most precious minutes of my entire week.

Yesterday I was reminded that some girls don’t have a female at home who cares for them and invests time speaking life into them.  One of my leaders came into my office, deeply burdened by something that a little girl in her small group asked this past Sunday.  Her question: “What if your Mom says you’re worthless?”

The girl’s leader expressed to me how speechless she was.  She (the leader) found it hard to believe that a child so young had ‘worthless’ as a part of her vocabulary.  As only God could orchestrate, I was able to look my heartbroken leader in the face and remind her that this is why we minister each and every week.  It’s more than just preparing and teaching a lesson.  We are building relationships with children from broken homes; children who are struggling to know that they matter and have worth because God created them for a purpose.

We have the opportunity to speak life into people in our circle of influence.  Whether we lead a staff, teams of volunteers, a small group of children at church or are parenting our own children, we have an opportunity to speak life.

What might that look like?

**Take time to listen – really listen.  Listen with your ears and your heart.

**Remind them of their worth in Christ.

  • He created them in a special way (Psalm 139:13-18).
  • He delights in them (Zephaniah 3:7).
  • He has a purpose for them (Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10).

**Tell them how important they are to you – and do this regularly.

  • What special traits/gifts/talents do they possess?
  • What do they do well?
  • How are you seeing God work in their life?
  • What do they bring to the group?  How would the group be different if they were not a part of it?

I am so thankful to serve in a church that places a high value on Children’s Ministry.  I am thankful to serve alongside volunteers whose hearts break for hurting children.  Children today need to hear positive messages from the adults in their lives.  Our words have power.  They need us to pray regularly for them and with them.  They need us to speak life into them.

What child needs an encouraging word from you today?  Ask God to reveal that to you and then act.  Speak life!

 

Connected to the Vine

Kathie Phillips 5 Comments
Photo Credit: www.versexverse.com
Photo Credit: www.versexverse.com

A few weeks ago, I ate a bunch of grapes and when I had eaten them all, something grabbed my attention.  The empty vine that I held was so tightly intertwined, I’m surprised I was able to free any grapes to enjoy!  A very familiar scripture passage popped into my mind:

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit…”

John 15:5

I didn’t think much about the empty grapevine after that evening, but this morning, I was again reminded of the same scripture.  You see, I was out running errands but came across some beautiful plants that I thought would be perfect to plant in the planters on my front porch.  I couldn’t wait to get home and plant them in the lackluster planters.

As I cleared out what was left of the mums I had planted months earlier, I notice that while the branches broke off easily, pulling the root out of the planters was a bit of a struggle.  Again, the above scripture came to mind.  The passage continues:

“Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers…”

John 15:6

Staying connected to God (the Vine) is a vital element of a growing relationship with God.  So often, those of us in ministry work in the name of the Lord without realizing that we might not be spending adequate time in the Word and the presence of our Savior.

At our staff meeting that same week, our Senior Pastor encouraged us to stay connected to the Vine by incorporating the following into our regular spiritual practices:

The First 30: We were encouraged to find a quiet place (the Sanctuary, the Worship Center, the prayer chapel or our office) and spend the first 30 minutes of our day with the Lord before we jump into our work.  When he suggested this, I realized that even though I work in a church, I rarely sit in the prayer chapel or Sanctuary to pray or read my Bible.  This was a great suggestion.

Attending staff prayer: Three times a week, our entire staff gathers for 30 minutes to pray.  The time isn’t required but it’s highly encouraged.  It’s a time to take a break and connect with each other about personal and ministry needs.

Retreat Day: The last thing that our Pastor encouraged was for us to take a personal retreat day monthly, quarterly or a few times a year.  The retreat day should include time for solitude, prayer, Bible reading and just sitting in the presence of God.

During Holy Week, I was able to take a few days away to for prayer, planning, reading and studying.  While the time included some distractions (ugh!), I was able to read some of George Barna’s The Power of Team Leadership as well as think through a volunteer orientation program I’d like to re-launch this fall.  My time in the Word was extra special because my Mom wrote a devotional for me to use each day.  You can download the devotional here and use it in your own quiet time.

I am so thankful for a leader who not only cares about the ministries we lead but also cares for us personally.

Whether you lead a ministry, lead children as a volunteer or lead your family, it is important – or rather imperative – that you stay connected to the Vine.

What does this look like in your life?  How do you stay connected to the Vine while leading a busy life?

What a Difference a Week Makes!

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments
Photo Credit: secretan.com
Photo Credit: secretan.com

Last week, I shared that I was coaching one of our elementary small group leaders in effectively leading her group.  (If you missed that post, you can read all about that here.)

This past Sunday, I sat in on the group again and saw something AMAZING.  The entire atmosphere in the group had been transformed – for the better.  Here’s what I observed:

A new routine was established.

Last week, I suggested that the leader establish a routine when the children arrive to the group after the large group teaching time.  She determined the following routine:  When you come to the small group area, grab your Bible and circle up on the floor.  So this week, the children who were there the week prior did just that – amazing!  Of course, the children who weren’t there didn’t know what to do but that takes me to my next observation…

The routine and simple guidelines were reviewed.

She asked me to review the routine and the guidelines with the group of nine children.  I began by praising the children who remembered what they were supposed to do when they came to the small group area.  Then I explained the routine to the children who were absent the week prior and why this routine was being implemented.

Then I explained the guidelines, which we’ve intentionally kept short, sweet and simple:

  • Respect the adult in charge. (I gave examples of what that looked like.)
  • Respect the other people in your group. (I gave examples of this too.)

I briefly explained the ‘whys’ behind the guidelines.  All in all, this took about two minutes to explain.  This wise investment of time made for a more calm, pleasant environment even though more children were present this week.

The Bible story was reviewed in a more engaging way.

The leader did a fabulous job engaging the children while reviewing the story.  She asked great questions (mentioned here).  She also kept children engaged by regularly referring to them by name.

The leader was more aware of when it was time to change things up a bit.

Because the children were more within her eyesight, she was able to notice when children were getting restless.  When she noticed this, she changed things up a bit.  How?  Read on…

The children were able to move around after the discussion time.

Last week, I suggested that the children get up and move around after the discussion time on the floor.  She had them complete their journal activity at the table before doing a Bible verse activity at the whiteboard.  It was very effective.  Changing up the ‘scenery’ came at just the right time because she was more aware – and prepared.

The leader was more confident.

I wish you could have been there.  Her voice was surer and her posture more upright.  She was prepared with her ‘cheat sheet”.  She was more relaxed.  Her body language screamed, “I can do this!”  It was such a God-thing to see this after just one week.

—————————————-

My goal in coaching this sweet leader was to not only help the children have a great time but also to help her strengthen her leadership muscles.  I think she’s on the right track!  Moving forward, I suggested that she:

1. Take time at the beginning of each session to briefly review the guidelines.

2. Have fidgety children sit on either side of you or directly across from you.  This will allow you to correct behavior with a gentle hand on a shoulder or eye contact.

3. Sit where you can see the clock.  This will help you keep track of time. (Note: There is no clock in this leader’s area, but there will be next week!)

4. Break up your 30 minutes into three 10-minute segments.

5. Build anticipation for next week with comments like, “I can’t wait to see you again next week!” or “Next week, we’ll ____. I hope to see you then!” or “If you come next week, you’ll hear more about ____.”

Now it’s your turn to share…How do you coach your small group leaders to lead effectively? Post your tips below!

40 Must-Have Skills For Every KidMin Leader

Kathie Phillips 9 Comments

Today is a very special day – it’s my 40th birthday!  Recently I read an article that shared 10 skills all homeowner’s need to have and that got me thinking…What skills should kidmin leaders possess?  Since ’40’ is the number of the day, I made a list of 40 skills, none of which are in any particular order.

As a kidmin leader, you should know how to:

  1. Clean up vomit.
  2. Have a difficult conversation.
  3. Invite people to serve.
  4. Answer a child’s ‘curve ball’ question.
  5. Deal with an irate parent.
  6. Handle criticism.
  7. Build an effective team.
  8. Stop a nosebleed.
  9. Take a day (or two or seven) days off.
  10. Unplug with a non kidmin-related hobby.
  11. Identify current movies, music, video games, apps that kids are using.
  12. Buy in bulk.
  13. Prepare and stay within a budget.
  14. Celebrate the ‘wins’.
  15. End ineffective programs.
  16. Lead a child to Christ.
  17. Clearly cast vision and strategy.
  18. Collaborate with a team.
  19. Submit to the authority over you.
  20. Laugh – a lot.
  21. Plan a great meeting – with an agenda.
  22. Stick to the meeting agenda.
  23. Step out of your comfort zone.
  24. Be flexible.
  25. Own your mistakes.
  26. Continue investing in yourself with workshops, conferences, books, etc.
  27. Set healthy boundaries.
  28. Give credit where credit is due.
  29. Know when to cancel a meeting.
  30. Regularly appreciate your volunteers and staff.
  31. Carve out regular, quality time with your family and friends.
  32. Bribe with food – yep, I said it!
  33. Know when to let things go – physically and literally.
  34. Say ‘no’.
  35. Not only delegate tasks but delegate responsibility.
  36. Work basic a/v equipment.
  37. Be a servant – dump trash, sweep floors, etc.
  38. Allow God to be in control.
  39. Pray without ceasing.
  40. Stay in the fight when you feel like quitting.

Now I can go and read Dale Hudson’s article for children’s leaders over the age of 40!  (You can read that article here.)

In the meantime…What would you add to the list?

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