KidMinspiration

The Question that Never Goes Away

09/12/201309/12/2013 Kathie Phillips 6 Comments

Our family is mourning the loss of my father-in-law, who passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday. He was a man who loved the Lord and who preached His Word diligently for 35 years. He celebrated his 71st birthday on Monday, so his passing on Tuesday was very bittersweet.

Many of my friends are going through a similar period of loss and bereavement. Why is my ministry failing? Why am I being persecuted? Why did cancer take him from me? Why are we struggling to make ends meet? Why is my child, who was raised in the church, no longer following the Lord? Why can’t I conceive? Why has it taken me a year (or longer) to find a job? Why is there so much tragedy and heartache in our world?

Asking God “why” is a common question. It is very human to want to understand why God allows bad things to happen.

If you are in a place where you’re asking God “why”, please be comforted that God knows and cares. While we might not know the outcome, God does know and He requires us to trust Him. Will you trust God for the outcome? His Word tells us,

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the Lord.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Philip Yancey, author of Where’s God When It Hurts? has recently released a new e-book entitled The Question that Never Goes Away. Today only, you can download it free on Kindle. By clicking on the image below, you will be taken to the website..

Be encouraged today…God knows your pain and is walking right beside you. Blessings to you!

From the Archives: Volunteer Information Packet Must-Haves

09/02/201309/02/2013 Kathie Phillips

When volunteers join our ministry, they are given a packet of useful information to provide insight into our ministry’s policies and procedures. The packet is usually distributed at our volunteer training but occasionally a volunteer will join our ministry mid-year. That’s why we always have packets ready to go.

Our volunteer packets are usually a colored 2-pocket folder (without the 3 prongs): green (for our elementary ministry) and blue (for our preteen ministry). Here’s what’s found inside:

Left Side of the Folder

Children’s Ministry Pocket Guide to Discipline (published by Group)
Children’s Ministry Pocket Guide to Special Needs (also published by Group)
Leading a Child to Christ pamphlet (available through Lifeway)
Our ministry handbook*
Age-level characteristics information sheet

Right Side of the Folder

“Your Favorite Things” information sheet (a pdf copy is available under the “Leader Resources” tab)
“What You Do Matters” poster
Morning-at-a-Glance (schedule)
Lesson Schedule for the Quarter
Class List
Sub Contact List
Resource Closet Supply List

Providing these packets have helped ensure that our volunteers are not only informed but equipped to serve.

*If you would like to see our ministry handbook, please email me at kidminspiration@gmail.com.

Do you provide information packets to your volunteers? If so, what do you include?

Product Review: Eikon Bible Art

08/28/201308/28/2013 Kathie Phillips

A while back Willie Deans, from Eikon Bible Art, asked me to take a look at his website. Eikon Bible Art offers beautiful graphics designed to be used by Children’s Sunday School teachers and Children’s Ministry leaders.

You can check out their video trailer here:

I have to admit: I was a bit surprised when the webpage opened. I had envisioned cheesy clip art-type graphics that screamed 1990’s. Instead I found real pictures that almost appeared animated! The PowerPoint files were beautifully illustrated and age-appropriate for elementary-aged children. Included with each PowerPoint file was a pdf file that included an activity page, an art page, and a teaching page. While none of these could stand alone, they could certainly be used to round out other curriculum options.

You may choose to download individual Bible stories (such as Creation, Adam & Eve, Noah and David & Goliath) or a bundle pack. PowerPoint files start at $9.55 and bundle packs start at $20 for 3 (for Twitter users only). You can get a sneak peek of a free “Road to Damascus” download here.

In addition to Bible stories, you can also purchase short films ($8 each); comics (start at $1.50 each); DVD ROMs ($14.99 each); and missionary stories ($17.50). If you are looking for that one extra visual element to bring Bible stories alive to children in your church, this website is definitely one to bookmark!