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16 Books on My 2016 Reading List

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!

Money-Saving KidMin Black Friday Bargains

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Black Friday bargains

 

Every kidmin leader I know wants to (and often needs to) stretch their ministry dollars.  I’ve scoured the internet for awesome Black Friday deals that will help you do just that.  Here’s what I found:

WORSHIP RESOURCES

WorshipHouse Kids is a go-to for kidmin leaders looking for affordable, high-quality worship media resources.  If you’re looking for worship videos, motion backgrounds, or seasonal countdowns for short videos to complement your lessons, this is the place to shop.  Black Friday specials include $2.98 motion backgrounds and $4.98 kids’ videos.

Yancy is well-known in kidmin circles for the great worship music she provides for children.  Her website is filled with great deals on devotionals, CDs, videos, even apparel.

PRETEENS/YOUTH MINISTRY

I love using youth ministry games with our preteens!  Download Youth Ministry (DYM) is one of the places I’ve found them.  DYM is offering a coupon for 40% off anything in their store.  Just use coupon code thanks.

iShine is offering a Tween Central Resource kit (filled with music, books, bibles, videos, t-shirts, and trinkets) for just $48 (it’s normally priced at $149.99).

CURRICULUM/BIBLES/BOOKS

Standard Publishing is offering 25% off online orders today – curriculum, bibles, books and more!  Use promo code 1DAY15.

What’s in the Bible? is offering up 30% off orders over $30.  Stock up on curriculum, church bundles and DVD gift sets.  *Note: This is an affiliate link.

Children’s Ministry Deals is where I’ve found free seasonal Minute-to-Win-It games and printables, along with curriculum bundles.  Today, they’re offering bundle deals on curriculum.  (You can grab free downloads, too!)

LifeWay is offering sales on kids’ books, DVDs, and Veggie Tales toys.  Shop online or in the store.

Group Publishing is offering a clearance sale on all sorts of goodies.  You don’t want to pass this up!

VBS

Regular Baptist Press is offering deals on VBS kits and nursery curriculum plus get free shipping on pre-paid orders of $125 or more.  Use promo code SALE15.

ALL-IN-ONE BUNDLES

Kidzmatter Pro is offering over $10,000 worth of kidmin resources for only $99/yr!  You’ll receive conference videos, games, curriculum, videos, countdowns, worship music, and more.

CRAFT SUPPLIES (AND MORE!)

If you’re in kidmin, I’m sure you’re very familiar with Oriental Trading!  Today, they’re offering free shipping plus $10 off orders of $59 or more.  Use promo code CE155080.

Lakeshore Learning (a teacher’s paradise) has great bargains in-store and online.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

If you’re looking for coaching that can help you lead your ministry better, Ryan Frank’s Inner Circle is the program for you.  You’ll receive personal coaching, access to online material and participation with other others in an online community.  Launching in January 2016, this opportunity will be offered for $249/yr.  However, if you grab it today, you’ll only pay $99/yr!  Check it out.

I have never attended the Children’s Pastors’ Conference (CPC) but I have friends who have and they love it!  Save up to 50% off your 2016 registration fee today!

Jim Wideman has provided resources for kidmin leaders for over 30 years.  He is offering an additional 10% off his books through the end of November.  He is also offering 10% off his personal coaching sessions (more info about that here).  Use coupon code GET10.

What did I miss?  What great bargains did YOU find?  Share them in the comments below!

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 {Review & Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

I recently took a sneak peek at Phil Vischer’s new movie for kids, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9.  It had my attention from the very first scene!  Keep reading to find out more and how you can win a free DVD copy of the movie, which releases tomorrow, October 20th.

Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a must-see for all ages, from VeggieTales creator PHIL VISCHER! Kids will enjoy Buck Denver’s latest adventure with his friends from What’s In the Bible? and parents will appreciate the humorous nods to Star Wars and Star Trek.  More importantly, Phil Vischer’s gifted teaching delivers a clear message to kids and adults about God’s love and purpose for our lives.  Galaxy Buck communicates important Biblical truths that will add to everyone’s faith foundation, whether a life-long Christian or a new creation in Christ.

Galaxy Buck
About the movie:
Buck Denver has a simple dream – to save the galaxy.  Working for the Galactic Mission Board, Buck dreams of carrying God’s love to every corner of the Milky Way!  Except he doesn’t have a starship.  Or a crew.  Or even a captain’s license.  He just needs a chance.  But when that chance comes and Buck finds himself leading a real mission into deep space, things don’t go at ALL like he imagined!  If he’s doing what God wants him to do, why is everything going wrong?  From VeggieTales® and What’s in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9 is a wild, galactic adventure that teaches kids a powerful lesson about trusting God with everything – even our dreams!
Run time: Approximately 40 minutes
My thoughts:

I am always amazed at how simple messages designed for children often speak to me as an adult.  There are too many spiritual lessons and will be a great foundation for really good family (or ministry discussion).  From a visual perspective, while I thought the graphics were awesome (it was really top notch), some characters might frighten younger viewers.  I’d recommend the movie for kids ages 7 & up – they won’t be as frightened and will definitely enjoy the movie’s humor.

My favorite line in the movie:

“God doesn’t want you to DO anything.  He just wants YOU!”

Enter to win a copy of this family-friendly DVD in one of three ways:

  1. Leave me a comment below, telling me who you’ll enjoy the movie with (either at home or in a ministry setting).
  2. Leave me a message on my Facebook page, telling me who you’ll enjoy the movie with (either at home or in a ministry setting).
  3. Tweet about the giveaway to your Twitter followers. 
    I just entered to win Phil Vischer's new DVD, Galaxy Buck: Mission to Sector 9!
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Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on Wednesday, October 21.  Winner will be announced on my Facebook page.  Happy entering!

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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.

 Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

11 Great Team Meeting Questions

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

11 Great Team Meeting Questions

Good leaders know to ask questions.  Great leaders know how to ask the right questions.  When you gather your team around the table, it’s crucial to ask the right questions.

Every Tuesday, I gather my team to debrief the previous Sunday and plan for the upcoming week(s).  Debriefing is important to celebrate what went well and to adjust what didn’t.  Planning is important to execute things well and make sure everyone’s on the same page.

In order to debrief well, here are some questions that I might ask:

  • What were the ‘wins’?  What went well?
  • What didn’t go well?  What needs to be improved?
  • What stories did you hear from volunteers, children or parents?
  • Does anything need to be fixed or replaced?
  • What volunteer(s) needs an encouraging word this week?
  • Who can we personally thank this week? [This is usually done with a handwritten note.]

When moving forward in planning for what’s coming up, I typically ask one or more of these questions, depending on what we’re working on:

  • What events are coming up this week?  What prep needs to be made?
  • Are there any supplies that need to be replenished/purchased/ordered/borrowed?
  • What needs to be communicated to our volunteers?
  • What needs to be communicated to parents (via email, snail mail, newsletter, social media or website)?
  • Who’s responsible for what? What are the action steps?

Keep the conversation going!  What questions are asked at your team meetings?

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