KidMinspiration

A Conversation About Teaching Kids the Gospel

01/11/201601/11/2016 Kathie Phillips

teaching kids the Gospel

There are so many things that kidmin leaders want said about the ministries they lead. We want ministries that are safe, age-appropriate, growing, engaging, fun, innovative, all-inclusive, reaching families, healthy, dynamic, just to name a few.

Each week, we spend hours in the details – writing/editing curriculum, gathering supplies, emailing lessons, making sure volunteers are in place, and meeting with our teams to ensure we’re all on the same page. This can become second nature to us, almost something we could do with our eyes closed.

But what about the most important stuff? You know, like what we’re teaching the kids? Are we teaching them a list of ‘right things to do’ or are we teaching them how God wants them to live and the why behind it? Are we watering down the Gospel because we think kids aren’t ready for it?

Are kids encouraged to dig deep into Scripture on their own or do they just take our word for it because they aren’t opening up their bibles? Are we encouraging kids to memorize scripture and spend time with God each day? Are we teaching them that God’s Word is one big story vs just a collection of stories?

By teaching kids and showing them how the whole Bible is one entire story, we’re getting them to understand and love Jesus, coming to that place where they’re making decisions to be a Christ follower.

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A few weeks ago, I was honored to be part of a round-table discussion with Ed Stetzer, Jeffrey Reed and five other kidmin leaders around the country to talk about this very important topic. Our conversation was converted into a transcript to be made available for Christianity Today readers. I’ve listed the links below for your convenience:

Part 1: The Importance of the Big Story

Part 2: The Importance of Leading Kids to Love Jesus

Part 3: The Importance of Teaching Kids the Hard Stuff of Scripture

Part 4: The Importance of Gospel-Centered Teaching in Children’s Ministry

My goal is to not give children in our ministry a faith that they would have to come back to, but a relationship that would keep them connected to him their whole life.

My goal is to not give children a faith that they would have to come back to, but a relationship that would keep them connected to him their whole life.

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Keep the conversation going by leaving me a comment. What are your thoughts about this important issue?

Resolve Conflicts With L.O.V.E

01/05/201601/05/2016 Kathie Phillips

CM Magazine Jan-Feb16

In the January/February 2016 issue of Children’s Ministry Magazine, I wrote about training children to resolving conflict in a God-honoring way. I thought I’d share a behind-the-scenes insight into why I wrote about this important task.

This month, we celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who led the Civil Rights movement from the mid-1950’s until he was assassinated in 1968. Through all of this efforts toward peace, Dr. King’s platform was based on nonviolence.

Children today are exposed to more violent images than ever before. Sadly, these images are everywhere our children are: television, movies, phone and tablet screens, and video games. What breaks my heart even more is that many children experience violence first-hand in their own homes and communities day after day.

I believe that helping children resolve conflict in a healthy way will help them work through down the road. Whenever my own children have had sibling squabbles or see my husband and I disagree about something, I remind them that healthy conflict resolution will serve them well in relationships with family members, friends, bosses, and their future spouse and children.

Our churches (and homes) are fertile training soil for us to build on. In the current issue, I share 4 ways that we can do that. If you are a subscriber, you’ll find my column on page 30. (There is even a very cute printable bookmark that you can download online.) If you’re not a subscriber, consider becoming one. You can find out you can save 70% off here.

Let’s help our children resolve conflicts with love!

16 Books on My 2016 Reading List

01/04/201601/04/2016 Kathie Phillips

2016 reading list

Happy New Year, friends! I hope you’ve had a great (albeit short) start to 2016!

A new year brings so many possibilities, doesn’t it? It’s a time most of us reflect on what we’ve done, what we’d like to do. Many of us aim to do more of this, less of that…

I have always loved to read. Whether for pleasure or professional development, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies since I was a teenager. In 2015, I read more than I have in recent years. Not because I had more time (I didn’t) but because I made it more of a priority. Every day.

One of my goals for 2016 is to continue to feed my soul through books.

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” ― Harry S. Truman

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I have chosen 16 books to read in 2016:

For The Love by Jen Hatmaker (I started this book in 2015 – looking forward to finishing)

Move: Nine Conversations to Build Your Kids Ministry by Brannon Marshall

Leading & Loving It: Encouragement for Pastors’ Wives and Women in Leadership by Lori Wilhite and Brandi Wilson

Team Up! The Family Ministry Playbook for Partnering with Parents by Phil Bell

Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids With Special Needs by Katie Wetherbee and Jolene Philo

Do Over by Jon Acuff

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner

Teams That Thrive by Kal Otis and Michelle Marx

7 Family Ministry Essentials by Michelle Anthony and Megan Marshman

Wholly Kids by LifeWay Kids

The Bee Eater by Richard Whitmire

Dear Mary by Sarah Jakes Roberts

Tweetable Leadership by Jim Wideman

Audacious by Beth Moore

The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

Your Beautiful Purpose by Susie Larson

What’s on your “To Read” list for 2016? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Inside INCM Dispatch – Volume 3

12/05/201512/14/2015 Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

Weeks ago I received my beloved Dispatch box in the mail, but things have been a little busy and I haven’t been able to share with you all of the goodies contained within!

As with the two previous Dispatch boxes, Volume 3 did not disappoint! What I particularly love is the focus for this set of materials – team and curriculum resources. If you’re in kidmin, you know how vital these two areas are for our ministries!

Here are a few things included in this box: