Covers topics such as leadership skills, sustainable leadership, women in leadership, leading teams, developing leaders, meetings
Last week, I was interviewed by Tom Bump from the Kids Ministry Collective regarding topics such as being a woman in leadership, recruiting men to serve in kidmin, ministry joys and challenges and my new book releasing next month! Take a listen when you can and let me know what you think!
To listen to the podcast, click here.
Recent events have precipitated the many conversations happening around the issue of race in America right now. I’m glad that these conversations are also happening in the area of Children’s Ministry. As uncomfortable and sometimes difficult it is for these conversations to occur, these conversations are so important to have.
A few months ago, I wrote about this very thing (you can find that post here). Shortly after that post, I came across a post in a Facebook group that caught my eye. A kidmin leader mentioned that she had transformed a puppet that she found from being a ‘thug’ to being more appropriate for church. To say that I was mortified would be a huge understatement, primarily because I didn’t know that a gold chain could classify a puppet a ‘thug’. When I responded (after praying about how to use the right words to respond appropriately), some said that I was over-reacting. Some said that the leader was not being racist and didn’t mean anything by it. I was even told to ‘lighten up’.
While I don’t know the woman’s intention, the point I wanted to make to the group was that we have to be careful in the language we use and how we view people (even puppets) who look different from us. My heart was grieved. What we say – and don’t say – says a lot.
My friend, Henry Zonio, reached out to me after my original posts to continue the conversation regarding race and Children’s Ministry. I wanted to share his article here with you so that you, too, can be part of the conversation.
You can access Henry’s article here: http://childrensministry.com/articles/race-today-red-and-yellow-black-and-white/
Special thanks to my friend Christine Yount Jones and the team at Children’s Ministry Magazine for running this article.
Keep the conversation going! What are your thoughts around this topic?
I have had the privilege of being a wife and mom for over 2o years now. One of the (many) things I’ve learned during that time is how important it is for me to ask great questions when I communicate with my family. Stress and strain can result in my relationships if I don’t communicate well. Can you relate?
Healthy relationships thrive on being able to reciprocate good, healthy communication strategies. My mom refers to this as ‘tossing the ball back’ when having a conversation. I speak, you listen. You speak, I listen.
Sure, there are lots of ingredients that go into having a conversation with someone (talking, listening, eye contact, body language, tone, etc.) but I think some of it boils down to asking great questions. Great questions can often determine the course of the conversation. Some conversations can come to a screeching halt before they even start if we’re not careful! I certainly haven’t mastered this but I have made significant strides in this department. For example, I now ask open ended questions that don’t garner a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. Sometimes I push the “How did you feel about that?” question and sometimes I don’t. More often than not, I find that pausing to pray before speaking and asking God for wisdom has saved me quite a few times! I’ve learned, too, that it’s not always what I’m saying but how I’m saying it.
This same principle applies to ministry relationships. Effective communication is vital in leading others and to the health, growth and success of our ministry. In addition, good communication develops trust between a leader and those they care for.
If you want to engage someone in conversation, you have to be intentional about setting both of parties up for success. Here are just a few questions to help get those important conversation started:
Questions for Your Staff
Questions for Your Volunteers
Questions for Parents/Families
Of course, there are risks involved when questions are asked. We see vulnerabilites in people and become vulnerable ourselves. We also have to be open to receive feedback (both positive and negative) that might trigger a certain response. But think about this…how much are you and I missing out on because important, strategic questions aren’t being asked?
Keep the conversation going! What questions do you find effective to leading well? Share them below or join the discussion on our Facebook page!
“Partner with parents” is a phrase used quite a bit in the kidmin, student ministry and family ministry world. There are different ways to define what ‘partnering’ with parents means, but I define it simply as being a parent’s biggest cheerleader. I want to cheer them on as they lead their families. I want to cheer them on as they help their children know, love and follow Jesus. I want to cheer them on as they help their family navigate the culture and world we live in.
While a daunting task and key responsibility for ministry leaders, cheerleading for families doesn’t always have to be over-thought. Yes, there should be strategies in place to help move families from here to there, but there are easy ways to make this happen. Here are 10 to help you get started:
Not only that, but…
Parents today are looking for support but most of all deep, impactful relationships with others who care about their children.
Look over this list and choose at least one way that you can strengthen your partnership with families you serve.
If you’re looking for more ways to partner with parents:
Check out my Family Ministry Pinterest Board.
Keep the conversation going! How are you cheerleading for families in your ministry?