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Rest, Growth, Health: Essentials for Ministry Leaders

Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

 

Rest, Growth, Health

I love being by the water.  Being in such a tranquil place restores my soul like nothing else.  A few weeks ago, our entire church staff retreated to Pennsylvania together to worship, eat, play and reflect upon three specific themes: Rest, Growth, and Health.

In November, each staff member was provided a workbook that would help us reflect on these areas in our personal lives as well as our roles here at church.  Because our church leadership believes that a healthy staff is imperative to a healthy church culture and a healthy church is vital to our effectiveness in our Kingdom work, they provided questions for personal reflection in these five areas of health: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Financial, Vocational.

The exercises and questions were good for me to think through.  As I did my work, I realized two prevalent themes in three of the five areas of health.  The themes were distractions and excuses.  Although I knew I struggle with these areas, it wasn’t until I saw them written on paper several times that I realized they were a common thread running through many of my shortcomings, both personally and professionally.

Another ‘aha’ moment for me was when I asked the question: When do I feel most alive?  My answers:

  • Getting to dream
  • Working on bigger projects (as part of a team and individually)
  • Working on my own projects where I have creative control
  • Creating things

So, in thinking of terms of Rest, Growth, and Health, what does this look like in my life?

REST

I think I do a pretty good job of resting, especially after a busy season.  Sometimes what I struggle with is just resting…not entertaining myself or letting someone or something entertain me.  Sometimes I struggle with simply resting and resisting the urge to be doing something.

Rest for me looks different at different times.  Sometimes I rest alone, catching up on TV shows, reading a good book or magazine, praying and journaling, enjoying a latte from Starbucks, pinning to Pinterest, listening to music or a podcast.  Sometimes I rest with others, spending time with my family, having coffee or lunch with a friend, or shopping.  Sometimes I simply rest by sleeping.

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for rest:

Hidden in Plain Sight by Steve Adams

The Gift of Sabbath by Danielle Bell

GROWTH

In my opinion, we should never stop wanting to grow and expand our knowledge.  It doesn’t matter how old you are – keep growing and learning!

I consider myself a student of kidmin, leadership, and ministry.  I want to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in my field.  I want to lead well.  How do I do that?

  • I read books, magazines, blogs, articles…anything having to do with kidmin and leadership.
  • I connect with other leaders.  I love spending time with people who do what I do.  We have so much to learn from each other.
  • I attend workshops and conferences.  Again, I love connecting with like-minded people but I also need to learn new skills and techniques.
  • I take risks.  Yes, this is scary, but very necessary for growth.  God wants to enlarge your borders!

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for growth:

Great Leaders Grow by Ken Blanchard and Mark Miller

Evaluating Yourself for Growth as a Leader by Orange Leaders

10 Steps to Becoming a Better Children’s Ministry Leader in 2015 by Dale Hudson

HEALTH

An article in the Jan/Feb 2015 issue of Kidzmatter Magazine says, “‘Busy’ is the new ‘Fine’.”  I’m sure you’ve experience that when you ask someone how they’re doing.  The truth is that many of us are not fine.  Life is hard.  Many of us are depleted spiritually.  Many of us are not taking care of our bodies by getting enough rest, eating healthy, exercising and having regular doctor’s appointments.  Many of us deal with anxiety and depression.  Many of us are desperately trying to make ends meet each month.  Many of us are at the end of our ministry rope and are ready to throw in the towel.

Here are a few resources that speak to the need for health:

How Bill Hybels Stays Replenished by Carolyn Burge

Leading On Empty by Wayne Cordeiro

I’d encourage you to download this modified self-evaluation and spend some time honestly evaluating your life.

Join the conversation: What God is teaching you in the areas of Rest, Growth and Health?  Let me know by leaving a comment below.

{Throwback Thursday}: Every Child Matters

Kathie Phillips

lifecounts

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  Your workmanship is marvelous–and how well I know it.

Psalm 139:13-14

Last year, my children (ages 16 and 13) attended the March for Life rally in Washington, DC.  I was so proud of them–their desire to attend and brave the frigid temperatures and snow, all to make a stand for life, which is precious in the sight of God.  As I watched the rally online, I was awestruck at huge number of people (estimated at 500,000) standing up for the unborn.  I was reminded of how precious children are to God and how each and every child is valuable.

As a Children’s Ministry leaders, may we never forget that every child who shows up for our weekend and weekday programming matters to God.  Children from traditional homes and children from non-traditional homes.  Children from the suburbs and children from the inner city.  African-American children, Asian-American Children, and Caucasian children.  Children born in America and children born in a foreign land.  Rich children and poor children.  Children with special needs children.  Well-behaved children and misbehaved children.  Prodigal children. Children born to teen moms.  Children born to a single parent and children born to two parents.  Adopted children, abandoned children, orphaned children.  Well-educated children and uneducated children.  Children who come to church in a fancy car or SUV, by taxi cab, by bus or by foot.  Thin children and pudgy children.

Every child matters.

Finding Joy in the Mundaneness of Ministry

Kathie Phillips

 

Over time, things can become very routine.  We wake up at the same time everyday, brush our teeth (and if you’re like me, you only buy one brand of toothpaste), drink coffee from the same cup, take the same route to work everyday…you get my drift. We don’t even have to think about it – we just do it, sometimes so well, we could do it with our eyes closed.

If you’re in any type of ministry, you very well know that certain aspects of your job can become routine after a while, too.  You know…doing the same things over and over because Sunday (or Wednesday or Friday) is always coming and there are things that need to be done so that ministry can happen.

Some of my responsibilities occur like clockwork.  Here is what is typically found on my to-do list every week:

Sunday:  Game time! All of my weekly prep pays off today!

Monday:  Edit curriculum for upcoming lessons; catch up on email from the weekend; follow-up with notes from Sunday; work on bigger-picture projects; writing

Tuesday:  Email lessons to leaders; handle email; staff prayer; Children’s Ministry staff meeting; return phone calls

Wednesday: Director-Level staff meeting; staff prayer; paperwork

Thursday: Final prep for Sunday; meetings with our family meeting team; staff prayer

Give or take other duties, depending on the time of year, these are almost always on my to-do list.  Do I love my job?  You bet! Can my job tasks become routine? You bet!

“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:17, The Message)

So how can we find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

1. Recognize that joy is a choice.  Most of us don’t wake up joyful, especially if our day’s to-do list is long.  So you need to choose joy.  Choose to see each day (and its tasks) as a gift from God.  Choose to live joyfully in the calling God has placed on your life.

2. Realize that ministry means hard work.  Ministry doesn’t just happen.  It takes a process of steps to get from point A to point B.  That oftentimes means long hours preparing for ministry to happen and doing tasks that we might not like to do.

3. Shift your lens.  Think about all of the children and families who walk through the doors of your church each week.  Think about the opportunities you have to help them know, love and follow Jesus.

The work order you put in to have your facility cleaned helps families feel their child is in good, safe and sanitary hands.

The copies you make (or have made) will bring the day’s lesson into focus for many children.

The lessons you edit help ensure that the important things are taught.

The craft supplies you shop for and gather will help children will allow them a tangible reminder of God’s love for them.

The ideas you pin on Pinterest help you present God’s Word as creatively as you can so that each child learns in the ways that suit them best.

The time you spend designing a cool graphic for your communications will help draw families to information.

The emails and phone calls you made helps prepare your volunteers and lets them know you are there for them.

The meetings you attend remind you that as a team, you are all working together for the Kingdom of God.

The crumbs you sweep off of the floor reminded you that children love snack time!

The time you spend in prayer helps you remember the reason why you serve.  It’s about Him, not you.

Join the conversation: What helps you find joy in the mundaneness of ministry?

{Book Review} “Children’s Games From Around the World”

Kathie Phillips

One of the things that makes our Children’s Ministry unique is that we offer a missions-emphasis program for our preschoolers, elementary-age children and preteens.  Second Sunday for the World, offered on the second Sunday of each month October – June, exposes children to other cultures, introduces them to church-supported missionaries, and allows them to pray for people around the world. They learn to have God’s heart for the world by serving others locally and globally.

I always keep an eye out for missions resources for children.  Many of my ideas come from Pinterest.  (You can check out my KidMin Missions board here.)

My friend Steven Knight has compiled a new resource that I was thrilled to take a look at.  Children’s Games from Around the World provides 23 fun games from 22 different countries.  These games are great complements to Sunday lessons, VBS, and missions programs.

About the book:
 
-eBook
-45 pages
-includes interesting facts about each country
 
What I Liked:

I love that many of the games are active – they get the children up and moving.  This is especially important to our ministry because we have an abundance of boys who like to throw balls (and each other occasionally!), run and jump.  I also love that the countries are listed alphabetically in the table of contents, making finding a game for a particular place fairly easy.

Each game’s directions are clearly laid out, so it’s easy to follow, even spur-of-the moment if needed.  I was also grateful to see that several interesting facts follow each country’s game.  The games can be fun & informative!

What I Think Was Missing:

It would have been great if each country could have been identified by its flag or location on a map (again, educating the children).  Some had identification; some did not.  It also would’ve been helpful if each game was categorized as “high energy” or “low energy”.  That information is useful to me when selecting a game.  Lastly, a list of needed supplies would make selecting and prepping for a game super easy.  This is also something that I take into consideration when selecting a game.

My Recommendation:

This resource is a good one to have in your arsenal.  If you’re like me, you’ll refer to it regularly.  For a limited time, Steven is offering this downloadable eBook free of charge to everyone who subscribes to his blog, KidMin Tools.  I encourage you to check it out!

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