Tag: leadership

Time to Update {Review & Giveaway}

Kathie Phillips

If you have ever searched online for quality Children’s Ministry resources for any season, holiday, or volunteer support, then I’m sure you’ve come across Deeper Kidmin. Deeper Kidmin is a site dedicated to providing resources FOR kidmin leaders BY kidmin leaders. Its founder, Brittany Nelson, has been a ministry friend for years, so I was honored to be given the opportunity to review her brand new book, Time to Update.

While many churches were closed to in-person gatherings during the pandemic, they had to quickly step up their digital game to meet kids literally where they were – at home. When most churches resumed in-person gatherings, many Children’s Ministry leaders re-evaluated whether or not to continue their digital offerings because of its success in reaching kids and families. Time to Update is a resource helps leaders in that evaluation process but also helps them think through ways that digital strategies can be incorporated into the discipleship of kids in their ministry.

Throughout each chapter of Time to Update, you’ll take a robust look at the overall discipleship strategy and explore seven different areas to incorporate digital discipleship into every aspect of children’s ministry including safety and security, your website, teaching digital natives, partnering with parents, connecting with volunteers, social media, and administration. 

What I love about Time to Update is that leaders are encouraged to not only continue digital discipleship but to regularly evaluate that digital discipleship. Why? According to Brittany, “…to stay relevant to this generation of kids and families, delivering the gospel message must include technology and a digital approach.”

A digital approach to children’s ministry involves intentionally using technology to enhance and improve a variety of areas within your ministry, from administrative tasks no one ever sees to communication with families to teaching Bible lessons on Sunday mornings. Time To Update will help you be more intentional so that digital discipleship becomes part of your ministry strategy rather than merely a coincidence or afterthought.

I also love that the book places emphasis on NOT starting from scratch but enhancing what you’re already doing. So many great things are happening – with the addition of the great ideas and tips offered in Time to Update, the sky is the limit for reaching kids and families through digital efforts!

You can learn more about the book at Deeper Kidmin or purchase a copy on Amazon! And there’s an added bonus – when you purchase the book, you’ll also gain access to special downloadable resources to help you implement ideas within the book! Plus get the audiobook free when you buy the e-book or the print book.

PRODUCT GIVEAWAY
This is a resource you’ll want to add to your library and guess what?! I’m giving away a copy! Simply email me at kidminspiration@gmail.com and say, “It’s Time to Update!” All entries should be received by 11:59 pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023. One winner will be randomly selected on Friday, October 6, 2023 and notified by email. *Paperback copies can only be mailed to residents in the USA. Those who live outside of the USA will receive an e-book copy.

Also, be sure to check out the next book blog tour stop at nickblevins.com – tell him I sent ya!

Disclosure:
Many thanks to Brittany Nelson for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

No More Manic Mondays!

Kathie Phillips

Mondays don't have to be manic! Here's what my Mondays look like like and how it sets me up for a productive week!

Mondays.  The day of the week many people dread for various reasons.  However, for many others, Mondays offer a start to accomplish new goals and gives a fresh perspective to tackle the week ahead and allows.  You either love ’em or you hate ’em.

Mondays don’t have to be manic. They can be magnificent!

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Today, I’m sharing a peek into what my Mondays typically look like.  These seven tasks help me to start my week off on the right foot.  While I don’t do every single thing below every Monday, this gives you a general idea of what I block Mondays out for.

FOLLOW UP WITH NOTES FROM SUNDAY

Each Sunday, I carry a clipboard (yes, I’m very old school – I am a ‘pen and paper’ type of gal) with my Sunday volunteer list and blank paper.  I make notes of any upcoming volunteer absences, school performances, special occasions/milestones, prayer requests, supply needs, etc.  If I don’t write it down, I forget!  On Mondays, I transfer these notes to my daily planner and follow-up accordingly.

FOLLOW UP WITH VOLUNTEERS WHO CALLED OUT

Like any kidmin leader knows, rarely a Sunday goes by without a volunteer calling out unexpectedly due to illness (or the illness of a child), traveling or last-minute emergencies.  I follow-up with an email or text, asking for any updates on how they’re feeling, if I can bring a meal, how I might help, etc.  I want my volunteers to know that I truly care about them and that I miss them when they’re not able to serve.

UPDATE THIS WEEKEND’S VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE

Each Monday, I update my volunteer schedule to reflect those who are serving for the upcoming weekend.  This is especially helpful early in the week because I can identify serving opportunities (not “slots” or “holes”) quickly and know exactly what our needs are.  Doing this early in the week also saves me those unexpected surprises and scrambling at the last-minute.

INVEST IN MY LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

In order to grow as a leader, I have to invest in myself.  This could include reading books/blogs/articles, listening to podcasts, viewing webinars or meeting with another leader.  By blocking out this time each week, I am able to invest in myself so that I can pour into others.  See some of my favorite books here and my favorite magazines, websites, social media networks and podcasts here.

MEET WITH VOLUNTEERS AND/OR PARENTS

It is very important for me to spend time with my volunteers and parents outside of Sunday morning.  Nothing makes the beginning of a busy week better than grabbing coffee, breakfast or lunch with a volunteer or parent.  Doing this in a relaxed setting allows for us to have great conversations and get to know each other better. (*Note: this is typically ‘issue’-free.  We meet on Mondays just for fun and fellowship.)

CURRICULUM EDITING

Honestly, this is one of my favorite parts of my week.  I love seeing ‘raw’ curriculum become ‘live’ curriculum that I’ll get to see in real-time!  I’ll share my process for editing our curriculum in a future post, but when I sit down to edit, I edit for the entire month/unit so that I can (1) get an overview for the entire month, (2) set a cohesive tone for the entire month, (3) build on each week based on the previous week, and (4) purchase any needed supplies in one order.

SCHEDULE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

I schedule all of our social media posts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for the entire month on the first Monday of each month.  This saves me a HUGE amount of time and gives me one less thing to think about.

TOOLS I USE TO GET THE JOB DONE

Google Docs – I use this to keep track of who is serving when and where – this is a great tool because any necessary changes are made in real-time and I’m able to share the document with others on my team.

Hootsuite – This program allows me to schedule all of my social media posts for the entire month.  Not only can I do this from my computer, but I can use their app on the go.  Very flexible and very easy to use!

2018 At-A-Glance – Yes, I still use a paper planner, mainly because I take great joy in actually checking things off of my to-do list!  This planner is one of my favorites.

Keep the conversation going by leaving a comment: What do your Mondays look like?  

21 Questions to Ask Those You Lead

Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

21 Questions to Ask Those You Lead

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.

Effective communication is vital in leading others and to the health, growth and success of our ministry. #leadership #ministry #ministryleadership #kidmin #childrensministry

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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

  1. What do we do well?
  2. What can be improved?
  3. Who can we invite to be part of our ministry team?
  4. How does this program or event fit into our ministry vision and goals?
  5. Who should we invite to be part of this discussion?  Who needs to be around the table?
  6. How can I pray for you?
  7. How can we grow together as a team?

Questions for Your Volunteers

  1. What worked well?
  2. What can be improved?
  3. How can we better equip you to lead well?
  4. Is there anyone you know who would be a great addition to our team?
  5. We are thinking of [insert idea].  What are your initial thoughts about that?
  6. Do you feel challenged in your role right now?
  7. How can I pray for you?

Questions for Parents/Families

  1. How would you describe our ministry?
  2. How can our ministry better serve our church’s families?
  3. What can we do to better equip you to disciple your family?
  4. What conversations are your family having?  Where are these conversations taking place?
  5. How can we pray for you?
  6. What is your child struggling with?
  7. How can we better strengthen the relationship between your home and the church?

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!

Are You a Leader Who Keeps Learning?

Kathie Phillips

Leaders keep learning!

When I was a girl, I loved learning and reading.  I loved going to school.  I took pride in my assignments.  As a ministry leader, I still have a passion for learning and taking pride in my work.  While my time for reading is not as much as I’d like (because of family, ministry and life), I love good reading material and sharpening my skills through conferences and connecting with other leaders.  I’d like to think of myself as a leader who keeps learning.  Would you say the same about yourself?

A few weeks ago, I read a quote by John Maxwell that stopped me in my tracks:  “If you continually invest in your leadership development, the inevitable result is growth over time.”

Great leaders not only want to grow; great leaders invest in the growth process.

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This could take many forms but might include:

  • Podcasts
  • Books
  • Conferences/seminars/workshops
  • Blogs/websites
  • Social media groups
  • Classes
  • Mentoring relationships

On the day that read John Maxwell’s above quote, I was having a bit of an anxious moment.  You see, I just started a new yearlong venture and was a little overwhelmed when it started on April 5th.  Ladies and gentlemen:

I’M GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!!

That’s right.  I am enrolled in Kidmin Academy, an intensive twelve-month online program that will award me a diploma in Children’s Ministry upon completion.  I am excited but nervous about what lies ahead.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Kidmin Academy exists to train and equip leaders for life-changing ministry to children and families.

Kidmin Academy uniquely couples theological instruction with practical ministry expertise from a credentialed faculty with a wide-range of backgrounds.  Our curriculum and education philosophy is unique in that it is very practical while academically rigorous.  Kidmin Academy equips pastors, church planters, worldwide missionaries, teachers, and individuals with a life-fulfilling passion for the Gospel and ministry to children and families.

I’ve only been in the academy for just a few weeks but I’ve already learned so much!  But boy – going back to school has been a huge transition for me.  This program is real school, friends.  No fluffy teaching or assignments here!

This is another faith journey for me.  I’m praising God for the opportunity to attend Kidmin Academy free of charge (thanks to the generosity of a very dear friend)!  I’m praising God for the opportunity to learn and improve my craft and use my gained knowledge to better the ministry and team I lead.  I’m trusting God to help me manage my time well to watch the teaching videos, do the required readings and complete my assignments.  I’m trusting that God will enlarge my borders and help me see one of my dreams come true.

Will you pray along with me as I embark on this new journey?  I’d sure appreciate it!

Learn more about Kidmin Academy here.

Keep the conversation going!  Are you a leader who keeps learning?  How do you do that?  Leave a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook page.