Childrens Ministry Online

Guest Blogger: Sam Luce

Posted on08. Apr, 2009 by Kenny.

Today I have another special guest blogger on Children’s Ministry Online. Sam Luce is a Children’s Pastor in New York and a good friend of mine. He and I started blogging within a few weeks of each other and in the early days I think he and I kept each other going by being the only ones commenting on each other’s blog posts. Although we haven’t met in person, we’ve developed a great friendship where we encourage each other, challenge each other in ministry and sometimes just shoot the breeze.

Here is his bio from his website:

I have been the children’s pastor at Mt. Zion Ministries Church in Utica NY for the pas 11 years. I am very passionate about helping others reach kids for Christ. I truly believe that family ministry is the most important ministry in the church. I also enjoy anything media related my web site for my wedding video business is www.samueljonathanfilms.com When I am not working with kids I enjoy spending time with my family, reading and long walks on the beach.

He wrote a great and sobering post of the power of the Cross, a great reminder for us this Easter and something to think about as we engage in meaningful conversations with other’s this week.

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My Beef with Bible Bucks: Why do you do it?

Posted on17. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.

This week my friend Sam Luce wrote about using Bible Bucks in Kids Church to motivate/reward children. Honestly, a lot of churches do it. Many programs actually have rewards built right into the fabric of it’s DNA. I’ve dismantled this type of program at three different churches (including Gateway where I’ve just landed). I’m not at all saying their wrong. For me it’s been a matter of personal preference. I just don’t like them. Not all the kids are inspired by it, it’s expensive, it can be a beast to manage and too often there are kids who feel left out on the day they get to go to the store (I know, that’s the day the leaders give out Bucks to everyone so that everyone has something to spend and those first time visitors can get at least the smallest prize).

Let me tell you , dismantling the Bible Bucks system is a little daunting. There aren’t people out there who “hate” it and are glad to see it go. The only people who’ve ever told me they were glad to see it go were the staff members who had to stock it and price everything. In fact, most of the kids LOVE it… but that doesn’t necessarily mean its the right thing either.

The question I have to ask is, “why are you doing it? Why is it a part of your program?

For many it is the thing kids are most excited about coming to church. It actually motivates them to come every week, learn their memory verse, bring their Bible and sometimes even bring a friend. However, are kids falling in love with Jesus and his word or are they in love with their Bible Bucks? Are they really connecting with their leaders and other peers or are they motivated simply to earn enough for the scooter in the prize store?

Call me an idealist, but I think our programs should be so good that the kids just don’t want to miss out. Maybe they’ve got such a good relationship with their small group leader that they don’t want to miss them. I understand that we want the experience to be fun as “fun” is the language of kids. However, when the main “fun” part isn’t really associated with connecting with kids or helping lead them to spiritual maturity, then you’ve got a problem (regardless whether it’s a prize system, and environment or games). I’ve been at churches that have spent thousands of dollars on a prize store. My question would be, “what could you do with that extra money that would make a big difference immediately?” I’d figure out the answer to that and then do it.

I certainly don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. There may be people out there who have a fantastic experience with their prize store and it only “adds” to an already exciting and fulfilling program. If that’s the case, then go for it. I can only speak from my own experience and every prize store experience I’ve had has been negative or has added nothing to the overall experience for the amount of work and resources it took.

Tomorrow I’m going to blog about how to dismantle a prize store, just in case you’re thinking about doing it.

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Orange Meet-ups

Posted on29. Apr, 2008 by Kenny.

I went to my first Children’s Ministry conference 5 years ago. It was the Children’s Pastors Conference in Atlanta, GA. I went with two of my staff. Other than them, I didn’t know anyone. Actually, I did know Ryan Frank (I spoke at his church’s camp the summer before).

Orange is my 4th conference since that first one and just the first day has been characterized by meeting new and old friends. At the very start, I met up with the youth pastor from the first church I worked with in Texas (he’s actually my room mate for this week). Then this morning, I met up with the Children’s Pastors I served with at Cross Timbers for the last two years. A few hours later I met spotted Allan Phillips in the hallway and chatted with him for a few minutes. Then, totally randomly, I ran into someone I knew from much further back (actually he spotted me… and I’m glad he did). I ran into Tim Lawrence, the Children’s Pastor from New Hope Family Church in SD. I actually met Tim nearly 8 years ago when I first became a full-time children’s pastor in IN. He moved away shortly after I got there, but he was a volunteer for the elementary ministry. Now he’s in full time ministry.

I’m looking forward to connecting with Jim Wideman, the Kidology group (I heard they’re all getting together for lunch tomorrow) and several others tomorrow.

This is fun!

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Submitting to leadership (Ministry Budgets Part Six)

Posted on08. Mar, 2008 by Kenny.

In all of the things I’ve discussed the past 5 days, there was one element that brings it all together. It’s about submitting to the leadership God placed above you. I agree that generally speaking, children’s ministry budgets are under funded. I do believe that children’s pastors should present the need, present a vision and ask for what is appropriate. However, what leadership decides as a ministry budget needs to be accepted. Again, it comes back to loaves and fishes.

We have to remember that God will bless us when we make the best use of what he’s given us. He’s honored when we creatively expand the resources we’ve given. When we are faithful in these things, he will entrust us with more.

Sometimes fundraiser’s are not an option. I worked at a church where fundraiser’s were not allowed and I absolutely agree with their point. Whether we like it or not, many people walk into church with a certain amount they’re going to give. If they get nickle’d and dime’d in the lobby they’re only going to give to the offering what they have left of what they were planning on giving. I know that’s a vague generalization, but it is how many people think. They don’t understand the difference between the youth groups camp fundraiser, the singles group mission trip and the offering passed during the service. In their mind, they gave to the church. Understandably, many pastors don’t like fundraiser’s. So if your pastor won’t allow them, don’t do them.

It’s easy to get your feathers ruffled when you don’t think your ministry isn’t getting the funds it deserves. It’s especially hard when you see other ministries with all the shiny new stuff and you’re duct taping the sound booth together. I’ve been there… many times. Don’t stay there. I remember going over budget a little one year and the way I rationalized that this was okay was because we didn’t get what we needed. Fair or not fair, this attitude was dangerous and wrong.

So, if this is an issue for you, here is what needs to happen.

Communicate with your leadership. Let them know where you are coming from. Vent if you have to, but then try to come to closure. There are only two acceptable outcomes. Either they’ll make changes and try to give you area more funds or they won’t and you’ll have to submit to that decision. Those are the only two acceptable outcomes. Getting frustrated or venting to others are not acceptable. It would be better for you, leadership and the church in general if you stepped down if either of the acceptable options are not possible. Honestly I think these cases are rare and most of the time your pastor truly wants you to have all the funds and resources you need to be effective.

Well, that’s it. I’ve enjoyed this series of posts on budgeting. Let me know what you think and feel free to comment. On to whatever is next

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The principle of the show wall (Lessons Learned the Hard Way Part 3)

Posted on08. Mar, 2008 by Kenny.

I give all the credit for this post to my father-in-law as he’s the one to tell me about the show wall. I tried to do a little research on the “show wall” and couldn’t find anything. I’m going to take his word for it as I trust him, but regardless it is a great principle. After talking about some conversations I had with some people at church, he introduced me to this concept. He said that sometimes in construction, builders will erect a show wall while they are concentrating their effort on the foundation. The foundation work is a tedious but necessary step in building any structure. The only problem is that during the days to weeks of building the foundation, no one can see what you’re doing. People passing by may look and wonder when anyone is going to do anything with that building. I was told that sometimes during this process, builders will erect a show wall. Perhaps this is a wall that will actually be a part of the structure, but it wasn’t put up because it was necessary. It was put up because it communicated progress and kept people’s attention.

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