D6 Conference Notes #D62021

I’ll be updating this post along the way! Come back and check out my notes after each breakout and session at this year’s D6 Family Ministry Conference.

Volunteer Retention 101 with Rachel Price

Vision – The why

Why are we here? What is the vision?
How does serving on this team contribute to the vision?
Opportunity vs. obligation. 

*Survey the team, know what attracts them and keeps them. 

Organization – Not optional 

Put them in a position to win. 

Make it easy to serve. 

Communicate their time is valuable. 

Communicates you care. 

Leadership 

Personally – lead them personally before you leverage them organizationally. Keep a pulse on your team. 

Be there for them more than they are there for you. Actually care for them. 

Spiritually – Invest in their spatial growth. 

Organizationally – Jesus leadership model: 1, 3, 12, 72. Your team is a reflection of your leadership. 

Useful

Useful vs Used

No one wants to be a seat warmer. 

Are they there because they have a pulse or because they have a purpose? Do they know their purpose? 

Be a delegator not a dumper. 

Authority develops our leaders.

No

Don’t be afraid to say no, for yourself or for your team. 

Taking rest is key to avoiding burnout. 

Even God rested at creation. If God needed rest, how much more do we need it? 

Schedule on your calendar time to do nothing. This keeps your priority. 

Talent

Match the task to the talent

Right people in the right seat on the bus

Identify high-capacity leaders and challenge them.

Staff your weaknesses – let others’ talents shine where you are lacking. Moses and Aaron. 

Identify your high capacity leaders, put their talents to good use in higher positions. 

Empowerment

Empower and equip your team

Make decisions at the most efficient level. 

Empower them to lead within parameter. 

With empowerment comes accountability. 

Make the decisions that only you can make. Train them to think the way you want them to think. 

Luke 12:48

Encouragement

Show gratitude

Thank you in person every time they serve. Sincere and intentional, not just drive by. 

Card in the mail. 

Candy bar. Empowering team members to give out gifts. 

Reminder: You are making a difference. 

Relationship

Relationship with your team, with the kids, and with the families. 

As You Go…

Talk to your team

What’s working? What’s not working? What can we do differently?
Do an exit interview when someone steps down. Ask why. 

Constantly Evaluate

General Session 1

Tim Elmore

Becoming Life-Giving Educators for Generation Z
Book: Generation Z Unfiltered

High Empowerment vs. High Entitlement
These teens are pictures of the spectrum of Generation Z

“Affluenza” is a social condition that arises from the desire to be more wealthy or successful. It can also be defined as the inability for an individual to understand the consequences of their actions because of their social status and/or financial privilege.

Greatest Question for today’s students.
Will they win or lose the battle for mental health?
Average teenager today experiences the same drama as students in the 60’s in a mental ward.
Will the pandemic produce distress or growth 82% of GenZ have experienced at least one traumatizing experience.
What narrative will they carry with them?

Who, are these new kids on the block?

Five generations coming of age: Builders, Boomers, Busters, Millennials, Homelanders

Coping and Hoping

1 Chronicles 12:32a – “From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

What are the shifts going on as the millennials give way to Gen Z?

  1. Confidence is morphing into cation.
  2. Spending money is morphing into saving money.
  3. Attacking an education is morphing into hacking one.
  4. Idealism is morphing into pragmatism.
  5. Consuming media is morphing into creating media.
  6. Viral posts are morphing into vanishing posts.
  7. Feeling special is morphing into feeling savvy.
  8. Text messages are morphing into iconic messages.
  9. Anticipation is morphing into anxiety.

In the fall of 2020, the CDC reported that 1 in 4 young adults contemplated suicide in the last month. Lead with empathy!

Music is always a reflection of culture. gnash “pajamas” – 2019 song prophetic of the pandemic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkPMM3OEJv0

Can we be thankful we got through a hard time? The narrative has changed for students.

Helping Gen Z PROVE They Can Learn
Problem: Start with a problem not a curriculum. They learn just in time, not just in case. the Bible is the answer but let’s create the dilemma the Bible can solve. Give them a problem that engages them.
Relationships: They are craving real relationships. Primary looking to the older generations not institutions. Earn the right to be heard.
Ownership: Prescriptive not descriptive. Let your kids own the problem. Project based learning where you said, “What do you think?” What goal do you want to reach?
Visuals: Do a series that is all image based. Jesus was parable based. Story images that teach a lesson.
Experiences: They aren’t looking for a sage on the stage with a sermon, they are looking for a guide on the side with an experience.

SWe have an expectations problem.

66% of today’s adults report a negative rather than a positive emotion when they think about the future of Gen Z. How do you think these feelings impact them? How about believing in them?
65% of today’s adits believe that Generation Z will not be ready for adulthood when they reach it.

Habitude Quarterbacks and Referees.
Referees enforce rules, call fouls and watch boundaries.
Quarterbacks provide direction, inspire and deploy their team.
Fight the impulse to slip into a referee mindset. Be quarterbacks.

On the scandals on college admissions: Worst part of the whole experience, when I stood in my kitchen and my high school daughter looked at her and asked, “Why didn’t you believe in me.” May that never be asked of me or you again.

Dr. @TimElmore #D62021

Valerie Bell

Think about your mom for a minute. Mom-ism’s
Walk, don’t __
Look both ways before you cross the __.
Color inside the __.

Mothers were abundantly protective of us.

Protection says get in the back seat and fasten your seatbelt. Preparation says, get behind the wheel and learn to drive because you’re going to need that for your life.
Drowning is a risk, so get in the pool with me and learn to swim.

In one year…
Opioid deaths are up by 21%
Screen addiction has risen dramatically.
Anxiety disorders have tippled.
Depression has quadrupled.

Go through the grid of preparation not precaution. It’s time to raise up the greatest and most resilient generation regardless of what life throws at them. Who were trained to face hardship. A generation like we’ve never seen before.

It’s not about fun programing and beautiful decorations but having a relationship with God for life.

The world is more needy today than it’s ever been. Many people are damaged by this last year.

When you are hurt, when you are damaged, when you are afraid, going golfing is not going to the solve the problem…there is a natural gravitation to things of God and people of God.”

We have an opportunity now, like we have never had before, to raise up the greatest generation of disciples. We are in a battle for the souls of children and I believe we can win!

Resilience: A quality describing the spatial elasticity of a child or adult, the resistant strength to bend and flex, but not break against the weight of the culture.

Resilience is possible to learn. And even better news, it’s a spiritual quality.

Resilience is the muscle discipleship builds.

Discipleship is the muscle that builds resilience.

1 factor can mitigate the problems children are facing.
Belonging – the power of a loving caring adult.

Spread faith everywhere you go, especially with children.

Believing – The power of the Bible.

Moralistic therapeutic diesem. *google what this is teaching

What do I say when things are hard, “God is for me.”

Become – The Power of Identity – This takes believing and belonging and turns it into real life. Making choices based on your allegiance to scripture and that God is who He said He is.

God is for me!

General Session 2

Arlene Pellicane
@ArlenePellicane

Phones as a new baby analogy.

All screen time is not created equal.
Digital Vegetables vs. Digital Candy.
A little candy is okay, but if you’re diet is built on candy you have a declining health that affects your brains.

There are no stopping cues today with technology. TV shows just continue forever without a stopping point.
Netflix’s competition is sleep.

How do you know if your kids are in trouble.
Casual, at risk, addicted.
Causal kids play for 30 minutes of enjoyment and then can put it down.
At risk kids know they are only supposed to play on the weekends but want to play all the time.
Addicted kids skip out on family dinner to play.

Self control comes from the prefrontal cortex. That muscle needs to be flexed to give it resilient power.

To be normal in today’s day and age is not a good thing.

Script the critical move. What’s the one thing that if you did in your family would make a big difference.
No phones at the dinner table.
No phone in the bedroom at night.
Help your kids regulate.

Impress the word of God on your kids heart.

Digital candy is no way to build a life.

Ron Hunter Jr., Ph.D.
After 12 years, 270 speakers!

The Grand Canyon National Park

A picture is not the same as an experience.

How long should you visit the Grand Canyon. 

We want our church to be a place not where people come and see but where they go and be. 

Four Major Family Ministry Models

D6 Model – a philosophy not a program. Church and home working together. Curriculum is a tactic that supports the philosophy. 

We did it too cool. When seniors graduated school they graduated from the church. Siloing each ministry kingdom creates individual kingdoms. D6 movement needs to be generational caring about the current and next generation. Being intentional with “as you go” moments. What do you do with silos? We bring them into the perimeter of the church. Remove them with overlap not integration. Higher accountability and deeper study. 

Integrated Model – Recognizes the silos as a problem. Brings them into the church. Removes them with integration and see parents as the primary discipler of church and home. We need to borrow more integration especially in worship and missions trips. When God is doing something awesome they come home and show the parents but image what would happen if mom and dad when on the missions trip with them. We need intentionality but also need age specific teaching. 

Integrated Model – Recognizes the silos as a problem. Brings them into the church. Removes them with integration and see parents as the primary discipler of church and home. We need to borrow more integration especially in worship and missions trips. When God is doing something awesome they come home and show the parents but image what would happen if mom and dad when on the missions trip with them. We need intentionality but also need age specific teaching.

Adoptive Model – Not about celebrating the event itself. It’s about prepping both parents and their children. It’s not about the purity event but getting parents to model and teach this with their kids leading up to the event. This speaks far more than the event itself.

Milestones Model – peer to peer, a more mature teenager works with a less mature teenager. Older generation to younger generation. Possibly a season ahead teaching a season behind helping them navigate their next steps.

Overlap the family ministry models.
Milestone models – events over life (emphasis on birth-24)
Adoptive model – behaviors for a life practiced weekly.
D6 model – Church preps all ages for week ahead – practiced daily.
Integrated model – church preps for week ahead – practiced daily aged integrated with family first priority.

At Home – Unforgettable moments
We are doing this well at church but failing to help parents at home with these unforgettable moments.

Dr. Richard Ross – PVC Pipe and Ministry in Thirds.

What transfers faith to the next generation. Longitudinal study. The warmth of a father’s heart.

It’s easier to do church at church than to teach parents how to do church at home.
We need to be park rangers teaching parents how to do church at home every day. Give them tools, encourage them, show them.
The ranger reminds people what’s important.
Measure engagement more than we measure performance. Not attendance and offering but Bible engagements and faith talks.

You are here to teach people not just how to walk into church but how to carry out their faith outside of church.

General Session 3

Ryan Frank

Don’t just remember the why behind the what, but the who behind the what.

One of the greatest tools the enemy uses is discouragement. 

Remember the One who is with you. God is working in the lives of His people.

Exodus 3 and 4. Moses and the burning bush.

It’s often in the mundane that miracles happen. 

Excuse #1 – I’m not good enough. God was not concerned with Moses’ inabilities but his availability. 

Instead of saying, “I’m not good enough” remember WHO is with you. 

Excuse #2 – I don’t have all the answers. Remember “I AM” has sent me. 

Excuse #3 – They won’t take me seriously. Ask yourself, “What has God placed in my hand?”

Don’t over think it. Don’t make it complicated. Don’t compare it with others. Trust God.

Excuse #4 – I’m not a good public speaker. 

God is looking for someone who is humble, relying on Him, and trusting His word. 

Callings are confirmed by what God does with sub-par equipment. 

Excuse #5 – I’m desperate. You’re not alone, remember God is with you.

God seldom works when or how we expect Him to.

Sometimes God pushes us to the edge of our limit. 

You’ve got this. Trust in God and depend on His word. 

All God expects us to be is available.” 

Remember HE is the “I Am”

General Session 4

Jay Strother

The first job of a leader is to always define reality.

Fewer young adults are connected to church and that trend is growing.

If life is a cafeteria, young adults are choosing something other than our churches for their spirituality.

The young adult challenge: Our church methodology has not helped.

2nd Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

  1. Young adults need spiritual mentors. Paul saw Timothy as a true son in the faith.
    Do you now how much it would mean for you to speak to a young adult as Paul spoke to Timothy? Do you know how empty their tanks are?
    Cultivate a disciple making culture in your church.
    Welcome them to our tables and our lives.
  2. Young adults need a spiritual root system.
    2 Tim 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
    2 Tim 3:14-15 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
  3. Young adults need to feed the fire of their spiritual gifts.
    2 Tim 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
    Timothy was not like Paul. Call out the gifts in the younger generation.
  4. Young adults need to share in Gospel ministry.
    2 Timothy 1:8-14
    What millennials are looking for is contributing to something that matters.
    2 Tim 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

We all need a Paul, a Barnabas, and a Timothy.

Holy Spirt, bring to mind a Timothy for all of us. Someone we can invest in like Paul invested in Timothy.
Look for people who are fat. Faithful, Available, Teachable.

Grace Filled Sex – Dr. Tim Kimmel

We shouldn’t be ashamed to discuss what God wasn’t ashamed to create.

“If I take out the shepherd getting the sheep to go astray will be easy.” Satan

When you get married you blend your assets with your liabilities.

The key to building a resilient marriage and writing a lifelong Loe story as a couple requires a commitment to maintaining heart connection with your spouse.

  1. The ME lens.
    Phil 2:3-4
  2. The Love It Lens
    Ps 103:10
  3. The Pious Lens
    It’s hard to convince someone of their self righteousness.
    James 1:22

All 3 of these lenses are rooted in selfishness.
James 4:6b

  1. The GRACE lease
    We tend to exclude grace to salvation. Grace is for everyday.
    1 Peter 4:10
    Grace AND truth
    We must be guided by His truth and tempered by His grace.

Treat your spouse the way God treats you.
If marriage is the ultimate outlet for love and grace is its most needed ingredient, then sexual intimacy within that marriage is the ultimate test kitchen for God’s applied and active grace.

Personally honor and bless your spouse.

A grace-filled marriage gives us the power to overcome the standard ways sex is often mishandled in a marriage.

Emotional Intimacy and Physical Connection

If you want your spouse to be more interested in Emotional Intimacy you need to be more interested in Physical Connection.
If you want your spouse to be more interested in Physical Connection you need to be more interested in Emotional Intimacy.

How do you react when your spouse is different than you? Respecting the differences will enhance the sexual relationship.
Instead of allowing the differences to drive you crazy, respect them.

A grace-filled marriage helps us have a kinder and more understanding view of our spouse’s wiring when it comes to sex.

Sexually intimacy is one of the main ways men connect emotionally with their wife.

A grace-filled marriage gives our marriage enormous protection and security in the midst of a sexually contaminated culture.
1 Cor 7:5

Fight sexual temptation as a team. Help each other.

Addicts are takers not givers. They are controllers.

Be available to each other.

When it comes to everyone else, stay pure.
Have a RED light glowing. Not a green light or a yellow light.

1 Cor 7:3-4

God’s grace empowers us to keep our marriage focused and dependent on Him rather than each other.
Matthew 27:37-39

It’s not my love for God I pour over my wife, it’s God’s love for me that I pour over my wife. His love is infinite.

The secret to maintaining heart connection is to make a daily commitment to pursue your spouses heart. Make that commitment until one of you takes your last breathe.

The key to loving each other, and enjoying the sexual intimacy that comes with that is loving God most.

You have a choice to go around wounded or broken.

It is well…with my phone?
Arlene Pellicane

It is well…with my phone? Ask yourself this question. Ask your kids and spouse this question.

Your soul health and phone health are connected. 50% of 18-24 year olds report feeling depression.

The pandemic doubled screen time reports. Post pandemic, what are we going to do with the new habits we formed with technology?

Not all technology is bad, digital vegetables and digital candy.

We are reaching the devices instead of the divine. God, not google.
When my child has a fever, start with God, not google.
Psalm 121:1 “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?”
Kids are playing games, but it’s much harder for them to pray.
In 2020, 2.7B gamers in the world. 1 in 3 people. 45% are woman.
Guys disappear while girls play in little short spurts as they go.
What if during all the little times, you were still to know God? Reading a book? Talking?
18-35 year olds is largest population who game. Those years they are forming life decisions on calling.
Think about David – 1 Samuel 17:33-37 “But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Position your kids so when they leave your homes they aren’t addicted to games. This starts when they’re young.
2 Sam 5:4 – David was King at 30. What could your child do at 30 without distraction and Digital junk food and an idol iPhone.
This idol worship is a gradual drift where you become so attached to something other than God. When holding a phone, you’re competing for attention and heart affections.

1950’s experiment with kittens in the dark for the beginning of their life. Later out in the light for 1 hour a day in a little cylinder. Then take them out into the world. They would run into objects, you can touch their nose without them pulling back, and they didn’t chase anything. Later they didn’t change. Those early weeks of development changed them forever.
Kids in the cocoon of digital world. Then later so hard to look face to face and be a friend, have an interview, or fall in love.

Nomophobia – fear of being without your smart phone.
Iowa state university study.
58% of men and 47% of women suffer from the phobia, and an additional 9% feel stressed when their mobile phones are off. 55% of those surveyed cited keeping in touch with friends or family as the main reason that they got anxious when they could not use their mobile phones.
Feeling of dread without your device.
Uncomfortable, annoyed, anxious, feeling weird because you don’t know what to do.

These devices are not neutral.
Watch the Social Dilemma on Netflix

We must put people before devices.
Do you think your spouse is more interesting than your phone? If there was a hidden camera that watched you all day, would someone else conclude this?
Do you actually put people before tech? Do your eyes show this? Does a notification show this?

Still face experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apzXGEbZht0
Connection is easily repaired.
What if this talk was given while the speaker was holding a phone in their hand. Eye contact makes a huge difference.
When you are still faced and phone in hand, you are communicating you are not as important to me as my device.
Do the Pivot. When people come into your airspace, put you phone down. Eye contact communicates a world of difference.
Courtesy of people must come before devices.

5 A+ Skills (ScreenKidsBook.com)
Affection
Appreciation
Anger Management
Apology
Attention

It takes 10,000 hours to become an experts
Today with their devices kids are becoming experts in Amusement, Entertainment, Immoral Thinking and Jokes
Do your kids know how to receive love and fill their love bucket?
The deceive always gives you what you want. It never asks you to do hard things or to do chores. It creates self absorbed idol worshippers.

Strengthen your attention muscle through reading.

No phones at mealtime.
No devices overnight in rooms
Digital sabbath
Delay devices
Time limits

Screen Kids Book – Screen Kids and Grandparenting Screen Kids Offer Help for Raising Digitally-Balanced, Well-Behaved Children in a Tech-Driven World.
https://5lovelanguages.com/screenkids/

Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right
https://www.amazon.com/Parents-Rising-Strategies-Raising-Authority-ebook/dp/B076B8LYGK

Take courage to stand up.
Don’t go with the flow…where the flow is going, is not very good.
Do this in a confidence and relaxed way. Be fun at home. Don’t make it all about what kids can’t do.

Millennial Parents of Faith in a Post-2020 World

Michayla White

Thank you for enduring, thank you for not giving up. 

Every generation matters, every generation is unique. Generations are a construct we created to help us understand one another better. 

Goals: Discover and Consider Implications for our ministry. 

Establish who we are talking about. Share results rom our survey. 

A lot can happen in 15 years. Research defines Millennials span to be rom 1981-1996. Implications for how we move through life together. What’s common behaviors we need to be aware of? 

Who are they? Parents are boomers, most diverse generation, largest living, highly educated, digital natives, majority of current workforce. 

Older cohort and younger cohort changes. 

The oldest Millennials are turning 40 this year. 

What is shaping them? The Context. The Narrative. 

Clinton Scandal, OJ Simpson, 911, Princes Diana, Columbine Shooting, Housing Bust, Recessions, War, Y2K – shaping economics. 

For the church – rise of media and years of abuse coming to light. Witness to many cracks in the church. Many were victims of the abuse. 

The millennial parents of faith research study by INCM – insights for how this group is navigating and processing things like parenting, faith, culture, the church, discipleship. 

Sample Data: Majority USA/Canadian Sample. 94% married. 2-3 children average per home. Children’s ages: Primarily early childhood- elementary. Majority working FT or PT, 80% working, 20% working from home or seeking. Majority birth year: 1980-1989. 

The Millennial Generation has been splitting in two. Jason Dorsey research. 

Mega-llennials, Me-llennials. 

1981-1989 , 1990-1996 The birth of the internet changed and created a split here. 

Majority of the people taking the survey were in the older group. 

71% grew up in a home that valued faith and God. 

89% described their relationship with God as a devoted follower of Jesus. 

How they view the church? What do they want with their child’s relationship with the church? 

Nomads, Prodigals, Exiles: Barna Group Research 

Nomads, most common group of millennials, Christian background but walked away from the local church, identity as Christians 

Prodigals: Lost faith but claim no Christian belief. 

Exiles have a tough time feeling at home in a church setting but chose to remain in the institutional church context.  

91% say my faith is important to me and influences how I parent

93% say they want their kids to grow up to know, love, and serve Jesus. The desire is absolutely there. 

23% say I make reading my bible a regular part of my day.  Highly Agree.

36% say  I make reading my bible a regular part of my day.  Agree.

22 % highly agree they are in a discipling relationship. 

37% agree they are in a discipling relationship. 

The degree they are experiencing relational discipleship is the same as they are reading their bible. 

58% say church is big support to them as a parent

90% say they attend church regularly as in 2-3 times a month. 

But HOW are they engaging church? Right now, 68% are in person. 20% online if open. 7% if not open. 5% not attending at all. 

Anecdotal feedback did show an appreciation for the online experience if someone is sick, baby is having a hard morning…they appreciate the online option. 

Strong response for in person is the prevailing preference for HOW they want to gather. 

Throughout the pandemic, did you regularly engage the virtual children’s ministry programming made available to you from your church? 

Yes 56%, No 36%, 9% not offered. 

“While online church exists for us, it doesn’t work for us. In person, or not at all.”

Church for millennials is community, it’s what they want for their children, not to put them in front of another screen. Online church is not the same.

Children were too young to engage. Attention span did not hold up, tired of screens, zoom fatigue, it’s not the same. 

What do we currently feel comfortable with? 

Spring 202171% would love to be in person. 21% online. 8% are in the category of watching covid numbers to determine decisions. 

Summer VBS 67% in person, 15% virtual/at home. 

Lots of chatter to “get ready for September” but don’t miss the summer to get ready for the fall. We should be moving. 

Fall 81% in person 9% online. 

Parents are paying attention to the schools. If the school is closed, why are you open and vice versa. 

They are also paying attention (the more cautious group), are all your ministries following the same policies. Do the student ministry leaders follow what the kids ministry? Because youth ministry wasn’t following the same protocol they didn’t want to bring even their kids to the church. They were all coming home to the same home and this really mattered to parents in the survey. 

When it comes to decision making for commitment to your church home. 

1: Theological alignment (or ideological alignment) 

2: Preaching 

3: Children’s Ministry.

They will endure preaching and worship IF their child is thriving in the kids ministry. 

What do they value most?
Being Known – people who know their children’s names and show an interest in them. 

Relationships – having people in our kids lives who disciple and mentor them.

Communication – having good communication about what our kids are learning about. *Millennial fathers are the most engaged fathers in a long time. Affirm those fathers who are showing up!

Leadership – I value knowing the children’s ministry director or pastor. 

Safety and Security 

Expectation of Millennial parents when rising a church with their kids. 

Safety and Security are non-negotiable. 

They should know your policy and see you are following them. 

Ethos: Hospitality and inclusion. Longing for community. If they can’t get it, then their kids are are going to get it. 

They are testing out how you feel. 

#1 concern of Millennial parents when visit a church with their kids. 

If a child keeps showing up with bad behavior, do you get to know why and help?

What are the biggest questions they are wrestling with? 

Child’s behavior 27%

Child’s relationships 21%

Child’s spirituality 26%

Wholistic development and behavior. The affect of screen time on kids. Screen Reliant Kids. 

The next part of the survey was heavy. Develop compassion and mercy and sight for what parents are navigating. 

Their children’s Biblical worldview, “I’m afraid culture will impact our kids by confusing them about what they’ve been raised to believe but the world is saying the opposite.” 

Concern for the confusion their kids are facing. 

LGBTQ+ and Sexuality #1 Concern

“The emphasis on gender rights now and LGBTQ+ topics..I don’t believe the church is providing guidance to address this with their children. 

Social Media #2 Concern

I don’t want my kids to get caught up. I want to protect them from the harm and anxiety it is causing. 

Kids are still being bullied through google docs chat feature. It’s so hard to protect them. 

Cancel Cutlure #3

This is a different form of bullying and they are concerned for the implications on their kids. 

Values and theology 

They are afraid was the prevailing thought. This should cause us to have compassion. 

Culture is polarizing and kids will have to navigate this with a Biblical worldview. 

What are they hopeful for right now? Socially they are hopeful for what it looks like to be with people in an actual community. 

Hopeful for a greater empath. 

A desire for revival. Want or believe it to happen. 

Longing for greater community and connection. 

A commitment to healthier paces and better priorities. Honor this and help them set healthy rhythms. 

What does this all mean? 

Last question we asked them? What does it mean to be a parent? 

Millennial parents of faith love their kids and feel deep responsibility for their role as a parent. The vast majority recognize they are entrust by God to steward their kids. 

They also expressed this feels like a lot! 

Something happened. W

What we might be working towards…

When Millennials were growing up in the church christian education had seen a rise of programs for ministry. Biblically illiterate. Learn how to walk with Jesus on a Tuesday. Show them. 

Reading the Bible is like eating a mango. It’s messy, something weird in the middle, it might hurt you. It’s confusing unless you DO know how to open a mango. Your fruit world is changed forever. 

Teach parents HOW to open the Bible. They can open it but they’ll face questions about the thing in the middle. Give them someone who they can talk with and show them. 

We are partners in the discipleship of kids. Parents and Home. This works when parents know what it looks like to follow Jesus on a Tuesday. Millennial parents of faith have a gap. They need spiritual mothers and fathers to come alongside them to help disciple them. You might invite someone once and they say no, they are testing you with a question mark. Ask 12 times for them to come over. Do you really care about me? They need the pursuit. The Jesus level pursuit. Jesus went all the way to the tax collectors home and sick girl. Few people saw it. It wasn’t for scalability. It was for that person to have a transformative experience with him. Instead of programs and events, maybe it looks more like dinner. 

They need to experience discipleship relationships right alongside their children. They aren’t equipped to do what we are asking them to do. Knowledge does not equal relationships. 

Invest in their children and you will experience their trust. 

Invite them over for dinner. Get involved in their everyday life. Pass the baton of making disciples. Help the elderly in the church to help families. They aren’t coasting, mobilize them. 

michayla.white@incm.org 

www.incm.org 

#D62021 

Volunteer Development Breakout Notes #D62021

*Note: I was asked to share my notes from this breakout. Sorry they aren’t fully spelled out. If it interests you to hear the whole thing reach out to D6family.com to learn about a digital download.

Begin with the end in mind.

Job description found in Bible

Ephesians 4:11-12

“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”

We Belong to One Another

Romans 12:4-5 “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”

Mr Potato Head

Right Person…in the right Place…at the right Time…for the right reasons. 

Right Person: 

Example: Tonya vs. Laurie – Small group leader to coach promotion. 

Job description and check list 

What is their career?

What have they done in the past? 

What do they want to do?

Romans 12:6-8 “In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.”

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10, NLT).

Right Place: Ian Nygren Example

Have you ever tried to put someone on stage who wasn’t built for it? I remember asking one of my sold out volunteers if he wanted to give announcements a try. Standing six and a half feet tall, he towers over the kids as he held a sheet of paper and took a deep breath. The man who could easily pass for Goliath, trembled as he began to speak. Before the first word came out of his mouth, I knew, even the kids knew, this was going to be painful. After what seemed like the longest two minutes of a church service anywhere, I thanked him and reassured him he would not have to step out of his small group leader role again. I was incredibly thankful for his willingness to serve, but we both knew this was not where God had blessed him. 

Next Steps, next RIGHT steps. 

Onboarding New Volunteers Process – D6 Podcast Ep62 

Questions:

How long does it take you to bring someone onto the team? 

Do they know what you want them to do and how to do it? 

Have you been praying for the people you want to promote? 

Do they know the next steps? 

How long to promote them?

Right Time: season of life, commitment level 

Are people serving in the wrong ministry? Are they serving in too many ministries? 

Tucker example. Started with a band problem that revealed a potential future threat. 

Monday Night Re-engage, Tuesday night young adults, Wednesday Night 2 youth services, Thursday night church and then Thursday night late night college ministry, Friday and Saturday events, and then Sunday multiple services. So if you could play guitar…or run tech…busy! 

Getting the right person, in the right place, at the right time requires coaching and modeling. Train:

– I do, you watch

– I do, you help

– You do, I help

– You do, I watch

– You do, you and I train someone else

1st string, 2nd string, 3rd string. Modeling. Let them lead. Jeremy Pullen example and Tyler’s help. Assistants. Person on stage. Second person to hand prizes. Eventually give them a microphone. Eventually let them lead part. Give feedback all along the way. Love them by sharing feedback. Candor. Correct in love. 

Questions:

What’s the gap between where someone is and where you want them to be? 

How to close the gap? 

For the Right Reason: Colton example. 

Wanting stage time vs. gift of preaching. 

Fruit, not open to feedback. Not prepared. Irritated when not scheduled. 

Contrasting this with Alec

Practiced, on time, asked questions mid week, came in knowing his part. 

Afterward requesting feedback and feedback from the kids. Learning, growing. 

Excited to bring more people on the team.

Producing fruit that lasts. 

AND for the right reason, FROM YOU!

Not to build your kingdom. Not to have big numbers. 

Wanting more for people than from people. 

Are your volunteers serving Jesus or serving you?!?!

When they show up late do you communicate they missed out on some awesome relationship time with the kids or that you were in a pinch. 

When a teacher isn’t prepared do you communicate the missed opportunity to share Christ or how it makes your ministry look bad?

A good way to see if you want more for your people than from your people would be to look at your training. Like, if you do a preservice VIP. 

VIP Meetings

To discuss how to make churches stronger by making homes stronger.

Always thinking: church, home, job

Lead Small 5 Principles. Be Present

Show Up Constantly – Make sure they know you’re going to be there. 

In small group constantly, at home you’re showing up mentally by putting down your phone, at work you are present in your meetings and leaving email at the door. 

Show up Randomly: Small group leader showing up to a ball game. A parent writing a note and sneaking it into their kids back pack. A worker noticing another employee struggling and asking if you can help. 

Right Pieces/Person…in the right Place…at the right Time…for the right Reasons. 

Any area – Today I serve my church through the role of Executive Pastor. 

7 companies

3.25 Million

Serve 81 staff members

27k Robin (housing) right people

290k Bill (ppp) right place

80k Steven (sign) right time

14k Andy (roof) right reason

Your role is probably different, therefore your Right Person…in the right Place…at the right Time…for the right Reasons will be different. 

Your right person might be a 16 year old girl, many are overlooking but you see their gift and know they can do big things for the kingdom. 

“You can make excuses or you can make progress but you can’t make both.” Craig Groeschel 

Don’t allow excuses to creep in, let’s work through a couple of questions and during this time only think about your progress, what can you control? 

Would my team say I cared more for them as a person than I do for them in the role they fulfill?

Volunteer Development is all about relationships. 

Recruit, release, retain – ALL Relationships 

Do I know the people on my team better today than I did last week?

Do your people know what to do and how to do it?

Do your leaders feel trained? 

Training Events like Global KidMin Day

Do your leaders know their next step?

Do they fit not just with what you have today but what is coming in the future. 

For example a host holding a script. 

Books or book studies 

Jim Wideman – Stretch 

Do your leaders know your heart? 

Communicate. When you’re tired of saying it they are beginning to hear it. 

Shirt example

Are you building a culture intentionally?

Ex: Going the extra mile. 

Are you writing hand written note? 

Are you bringing them soup when they call out sick?
Are you reaching out if they don’t show up. FIRST STEP IN LONG LINE.

Do your leaders have the authority to make decisions? 

Give permission for your team to be proactive and solve problems. 

Train them by asking what do you think we can do. 

Give responsibility and help them assume responsibility to own it. 

So what is your next step? 

What can you do to start intentionally developing your volunteers? 

Don’t make excuses, AND don’t worry. 

Worry wastes time and takes you away from your mission. 

Jesus said in His sermon “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Matthew 6:26-27 

Eat the frog first

D6 Talk and Podcast

15-20 minutes. The day and time of your podcast is: Thursday—3:00 pm. If for some reason you have a conflict with this time, please let me know immediately.

“You are here to discuss how to make churches stronger by making homes stronger.”

1. How/When did you feel called into ministry?

5th Grade gave life to Christ – gave my life to Christ. Asking what He wants for me. 

Camp story. 

2. In your years of ministry, how have you seen the culture of the church change? How have you been a part of that change at your church?

Globally – church attendance, and acceleration from covid. 

Locally – community center

3. For churches that may be “stuck in a rut” or just doing “business as usual,” what encouragement/advice do you have for their leadership team? In what ways can they assess their strategies?

Jim Wideman “A rut is just a grave with the ends blown out.” If you’re feeling stuck remember Philippians 1:6 “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

If God’s not done with you, ask Him what’s next. Take time to step away from the hustle, be still, and listen. Ask for wisdom and discernment. 

We felt this as a staff as we entered 2021. Took a day to be still. 

Listen for one thing. 

Accountability for one thing. 

And to carry the weight of that one thing or whatever God is calling you to. 

There are things in the church that are mine to carry? God’s to carry? And other people to carry? I feel the most anxious or most like I’m spinning my wheels when I carry what God hasn’t placed in my hands. 

4. How has the past year’s pandemic opened your eyes to even newer ways the church can minister to both regular attenders and those in the community?

The small faithful ways to serve the church. 

Picking up the phone. Visiting someone’s house. Taking a meal. 

Gotten so used to the big programs of ministry and neglected the simple ways to show the truth by our actions. 

A Digital Drive To Your House – Make your ministry stand out online!

When you visit a restaurant, do you check their social media before walking through the door? Families in your area are searching for your ministry. Are they enticed by what they see?

Consider the analogy of your house when you think about social media. The average person in your town has no idea about your house, but maybe if they were looking for the perfect color of red, your front door might catch their eye. From the road, your house can stand out, and likewise, from a simple search on the web, your ministry can catch someone’s eye. 

Take a minute and google your ministry. Do you like what you see? Would someone who has never been, be compelled to visit? You can change that. Take a minute to take ownership of your Google listing. Update pictures, give accurate information, and make sure your service times are up to date. 

Google is where most people start but maybe you go the extra mile to create a Facebook page. A Facebook page is like a yellow pages article or a place people can stop in when they are looking for information for your ministry. Continuing with the house analogy, updating your Facebook page is like cutting your shrubs or raking your leaves, it sure makes your house more inviting. 

And, why stop at a Facebook page? Instagram can be a goldmine for your ministry if you take some time to post some quality pictures with a local hashtag. This is like cutting your grass with a fancy grid pattern, you’ll turn heads. 

But these are all for someone driving by your house looking at it from the road. Once someone accepts your invitation it’s like they begin walking down your driveway. These are the people who like what they see randomly, so they begin to search deeper. 

Once someone finds your church on google and heads over to your website do they like what they see? Do they stop to read the words you have written on your site or have you written an overwhelming amount? If you don’t read the words on your site, I guarantee you a visitor isn’t going to take the time to read it. Maybe instead of words, you make a one-minute video clip to create a visual experience? 

Or if updating a website isn’t your thing, consider updating the second largest search engine in the world, YouTube. YouTube is where many people go to learn more about your ministry. Do they like what they see? If you’re looking for an example, search for “Mosaic Kids” on YouTube. 

After someone feels comfortable walking down your driveway, perhaps they might feel comfortable hanging out in your backyard? Facebook Groups, are the backyard of social media. Facebook groups naturally establish community. For those who are looking at sticking around a while, send them an invitation to your ministries Facebook group. Remember though, no one likes the guy at the backyard party who only talks about himself, so treat the group like you are hanging out around a grill. Ask questions, get to know people, and maybe even play a game or two. 

The backyard is also where people have deeper connections. It wouldn’t be weird to send out some regular emails to people letting them know of the next barbecue. Email isn’t the traditional form of social media people think about, but it is a great tool in your toolbox. At your next big event, find a way to strategically gather the email address of those in attendance. 

And finally, once someone feels very comfortable and like part of the family, they may even make their way into the house. Inside the house is where the most personal communication can take place. Inside the house is where you can consider using specific email lists, Instagram close friends, or even the largest social network in the world. Do you know what network I’m talking about? I’ll give you a clue. My username is 404.788.9487. Yes, text messaging! One of the most underutilized social networks is text messaging but be careful as it is also the most intimate. 

Take some time today to evaluate how you are doing to digitally welcome people and move them from the road to your driveway, to your backyard, and finally into your home. Are there things you can do to improve this process? Write down some next steps on your calendar and let’s use social media as a tool to build the kingdom! 

Originally Published in KidzMatter Magazine Winter 2020 – Issue 71

Preteen Book Review: Let Go and Run Beside

Have you ever started a book and loved it so much you bought it for all your friends before you even finished it? Well, if you work with preteens you need to check out the new book, “Let Go and Run Beside” by Sean Sweet!

In this book, Sean will give you the ten essentials of Intentional Preteen Ministry. 
1. Let Go
2. Run Beside
3. Invite Preteens to Take Risks in a Safe Environment
4. Give Choices and Share Power
5. Implement Active Learning Strategies
6. Facilitate Reflection and Response
7. Disciple Through Questions
8. Build a Foundation for Identity Formation
9. Persevere and Overcome Obstacles
10. Take Your Next Step

Some of my favorite quotes so far:

“As difficult as you may find it to be around preteens, it’s often more difficult to be a preteen.” 

Here’s an equation that I found useful when observing preteen behavior:
LACK OF EXPERIENCE
+ DESIRE TO TRY NEW ABILITIES
+ DISCONCERTING FEELINGS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGE
+ THE EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER OF HORMONES
= Preteen Behavior

“Likewise, preteens are ready for us to ‘let go of the bike.’ They have new mental abilities that they’ve never had before, abilities which will allow them to connect with Jesus in new and meaningful ways, but we must make room for them to do this.”

“He’s ready developmentally, but not experientially.”

“They have a new desire for independence and autonomy. Are we going to stifle that or make room for it?”

If you are looking for ways to encourage, pastor, and love preteens during this critical phase of their life, go pick up the book for you and a couple of your preteen leaders. All the information can be found at: https://fourfivesix.lpages.co/let-go-book/ 

Hacks On How To Win With Your Kidmin Social Media (Technology Track)

When you visit a restaurant, do you check their social media before walking through the door? Families in your area are searching for your kids ministry. Are they enticed by what they see? Let’s work together to make you kidmin social media stand out!

House Analogy

The average person in your town has no idea about your house. But if they drive by maybe you can catch their eye. 

Road:

The most public – Just the top view

Google – Southern Hills, the Church at City Station – Have you taken ownership of your listing so you have up to date information? Columbus Day, COVID? Are your services times accurate? Are your pictures new? Is it inviting? 

Facebook Page – Cornerstone Church https://www.facebook.com/cstone.central (notice video banner) Is it a billboard or does it make me want to visit? 

Instagram – KidSpring at NewSpring Church https://www.instagram.com/kidspring/ (notice link in bio) Use some hashtags for your city. 

Do these entice someone to look deeper? 

Driveway: 

Website – Christ Church of the Valley – https://ccv.church/ministries/kids (notice the 1 minute video clip AND how few words.) 

Youtube – Mosaic Kids – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFhpcdq6jK_Z3Tab0wIqquQ7UjSPqlx-W (notice quality and video thumbnails)

Back Yard:

Facebook Groups – Are you establishing a community? Think I Love Kidmin. www.ilovekidmin.com Resources and community, NOT all day every day advertisements. 

Email List Broad – Will you gather people’s information at your fall family event? Can you use this to invite to the next event or Easter? 

Living Room: 

Text Group – 

Instagram Close Friends – 

Email List Specific – 

Hacks – You can’t cheat it

But you can be smart: Times of day. Quality ENGAGING content. 

Kids – Don’t unintentionally encourage kids to break the law. 

COPPA Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed to children under 13 years of age, and on operators of other websites. Facebook or Insta 13. 

Don’t put yourself against parents. 

Volunteers – Jim Wideman: The Three Dog Night Rule – One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do.

Google Drive – Give full access to materials. 

Multi use the same materials – fb/insta – different audience 

Sharing posts to story at a later date. (Some people only watch stories)

Ryan’s Strategy. 

Be where your people are.

Ex: Twitter – For us waste of time. FB page vs FB group. Kids vs Main Church accounts.

Do your kids know where to find you? I mean, are you on YouTube. 

Use pictures – pictures of people. Schedule someone at least quarterly to just give you a fresh library. 

canva.com 9.95/month OR create small and crop

Keep the main thing the main thing. It’s about making disciples.

Questions?

Volunteer On-Boarding Kidmin Nation Mega-Con

Volunteer On-Boarding: A Step By Step Guide (Volunteer Track)

What if you could seamlessly move someone through the process of joining your team? What if you brought someone in so smoothly, they were set up from the beginning to be retained for years to come? Come learn how to develop a strategy to onboard your volunteers.

Matthew 9:35-38 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

Link to Notes and Additional Documentation: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bwh9guwmw6uh6pu/AABrcKTcFSwVVHIBDtdG9NoMa?dl=0 

Announcing The Kids Ministry Exchange

The future of your kids ministry may feel uncertain. But we can figure it out together. To help your ministry this year, Orange is putting on the Kids Ministry Exchange!

In this two-day, online event they are bringing together counselors, researchers, pastors, teachers, experts, and thought leaders, so you can discover the practical information you need to help you bring hope to your community.

4 main sessions with national thought leaders

20+ breakouts and live Q&As with ministry experts

4 opportunities for virtual roundtable discussion

1 Digital Exhibit Hall with the best ministry exchange

. . . and 3 bathroom breaks

I hope you will gather your nextgen team for this online learning experience! To learn more check out https://thinkorange.com/kids-ministry-exchange/

5 Powerful Verses to Help You Lead up in Nextgen

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How do you lead up in NextGen ministry? 

Any idea on how you can get buy-in from leadership? 

One of the biggest challenges you face as a NextGen leader is gaining the buy-in from leadership without necessarily having the position of influence in your church. For those of you who have a plan and vision that exceeds your authority, here are four courageous challenges and Scripture to help you lead up in NextGen ministries. 

Be Faithful in the Little Things

“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more. Let’s celebrate together!’” (Matthew 25:23, NLT) In Jesus’ parable of the three servants, He shows us what it means to faithfully steward whatever has been entrusted to us. Whether you are given leadership over a single budget line item or an entire department’s spending, the best way to influence the future decisions of the budget is to faithfully steward what you’ve been given. When you control your spending, keep track of every receipt, and can show how you used the church’s money to do amazing ministry, you show how you can set the direction for future spending. 

Be Loyal to the Team 

“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:4, NLT) Are you leading for the benefit of others or yourself? In “How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge” Clay Scroggins asks, “Are you the type of leader that makes others better?” Being a leader worth following means you lead out of your influence with others not your position with others. When your actions inspire everyone around you to imagine more and to become more, you naturally begin to lead up. In contrast, when you look out for yourself and your position, you push people away and extinguish joy in your workplace. 

Choose Love

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15, NLT) Your leader is not perfect, your team is not perfect, and you are not perfect. Choose today to accept those around you, flaws and all. Nothing stands out more in this broken world, like someone who chooses love. 

Be Dedicated to the Mission

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NLT) Scroggins defines ambition as “that strong desire we have to make something or to achieve something, even when it takes great effort, focus, and determination.” To lead up, you must not give up. Focus on what you can control and make it great. Don’t allow unimportant things to wear you down and get in the way of what God has called you to accomplish. Consider even visually posting the mission where you and your team will daily see what you are aiming towards. 

Above All, Guard Your Heart

“This is a trustworthy saying: ‘If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.’ So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Timothy 3:1-5, NLT). Nothing will make you lose influence or discredit your leadership faster than sin. You might not be in charge of the whole organization, but you are in charge of yourself. What thoughts do you need to take captive to obey Christ? Where have you allowed yourself to drift and need to get yourself back on track? Repent and choose right now to walk in obedience.

21 NEW Games For Your KidMin

You’re here because you’re probably looking for some fresh games for your kid’s ministry! I am right there with you! Finding games that work in a zoom call and live is hard. I was looking for fresh games and decided to just start making some of my own to share with the kidmin community. Here are descriptions and links to make things easier for you!

Zoom Games:

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This on-screen game asks if you would rather this, or that? Choose your answers and see what your friends say. Lots of laughs to be had while playing this game!
Would You Rather Quarantine Edition

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Each person competes in these 15 family challenges to earn points towards the gold medal! You could do this game on your next Zoom call, church service, or even send it to your families as an at home challenge! Games include things like the Straw Fridge Challenge, Back Slide Race, and Social Distance Challenge!
Family Quarantine Olympics

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In this Zoom game, kids compete to be the last kid on the Zoom call! You will share several challenges. If they complete the challenge, they stay on. If they fail to do the task in time, they are out! Challenges include things like: Do your best Fortnite dance! Balance on one leg for the rest of the call! …and 13 more.
Last One Standing

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You start with both hands raised and then you have to put a hand down if the statement read, for example: “You ran out of toilet paper” is true for you. The last person with a hand raised wins the game!
Hand Down If Quarantine Edition

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This fun On-Screen Scavenger Hunt game is perfect to do when the kids are stuck inside the house!
At Home Scavenger Hunt


This is the second version of the original Would You Rather? Quarantine Edition On Screen Game! This game asks if you would rather this, or that? Choose your answers and see what your friends say.
Would You Rather Quarantine 2nd Edition

In this game, the kids test their skills by seeing if they can guess what an object is while it is zoomed in! It will slowly zoom out until the entire picture is revealed. This game will work great on Zoom. This game will also double as a way to give bored kids ideas of ways to have fun at home!
Zoomed In Quarantine Edition


This trivia game has 12 questions all about toilet paper. Test your toilet paper history knowledge in this fun game!
Toilet Paper Trivia

Best Selling:


This game is perfect for Zoom or large group settings. Kids will have fun trying to figure out what animal is making the sound played in the video. Lots of laughs and amazement will ensue!

Name That Sound – Animal Edition


Your kids are going to love this video-based extreme game! Everyone can vote if they think the person on the clip will make it or break it. Make it or Break It will work on Zoom or in a room full of kids! The kids can vote “Make It” by giving two thumbs up or “Break It” by making an X with their arms.

Make It or Break It Volume 1


In Version 2 of the original Make it or Break It, everyone can vote if they think the person on the clip will make it or break it. Make it or Break It will work on Zoom or in a room full of kids! The kids can vote “Make It” by giving two thumbs up or “Break It” by making an X with their arms.

Make It or Break It Volume 2

Which of your kids has the best memory? This on-screen game challenges players to remember a sequence of colors with sounds to see who can make it the longest. If anyone successfully remembers all 20, they are officially a genius.

The Memory Game


In this game, the kids test their skills by seeing if they can guess what an object is while it is zoomed in! It will slowly zoom out until the entire picture is revealed. This game will work great on Zoom or with a large group of kids!

Zoomed In

Great Games For Church:


In this fun on-screen game, kids guess with their thumbs if they think the bible trivia answer is more or less!
More or Less Bible Edition Volume 1


Even more of this fun on-screen game, kids guess with their thumbs if they think the bible trivia answer is more or less!
More or Less Bible Edition Volume 2


This game is all about hands! You start with both hands up, and put a hand down if the statement that is said is true for you. The last person with a hand raised wins!
Hand Down If


This game is perfect for Zoom or large group settings. Preschoolers will have fun trying to figure out what animal is making the sound played in the video. Lots of laughs and amazement will ensue!
Name That Sound – Preschool Animal Edition

Seasonal Games:


In this fun game, kids vote if they think the joke is funny or a fail!
Dad Jokes – Funny or Fail


In this fun quiz, kids answer 10 trivia questions about famous dads in the Bible! Do you know which dad was rendered mute until his son was born?
Famous Dad’s of the Bible


In this fun on screen game, kids guess with their thumbs if they think the answer is more or less!
More or Less Mother’s Day Edition 


In this fun game, kids guess which famous dad said it! “I went to kindergarten, I know how the alphabet works.” – Bob Parr or Mr. Incredible?

Which Dad Said It?


Hey KidMin friends, if you would like for a specific game to be created, let me know. I might just be able to make that happen for you!

Tools to Help You Rise Up Notes

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Mega-Con Online is a virtual experience put on my Kidmin Nation! Many of you have asked for notes so I wanted to make these available. If you really want to dive into applying what you learn you should get the Rise Up Workbook. The Tools to Help You Rise Up chapter in the workbook is 16 pages, here’s a preview if you want to take a look.

Tools to Help You Rise Up Workbook Sample

Tools For Your Time

Apps: Rescue Time, Forest, Hours, 

Beat the Clock Book – Successful Strategies for Effective Time Management.

Wearing a watch

Turn off notifications

Reminders – location-based. 

Create a weekly plan – Benjamin Franklin — ‘If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!’

Ryan Frank – Productivity PlayBook

Jim’s Evaluation Toolbox – CM Weekly Staff Report

Michael Hyatt -Full Focus Planner® 

Corey’s Weekly Sheet

Use a Calendar

Appointment Keeper, Reminder, To Do (To Stop Doing List)

Set Appointments with God

Set Appointments with your spouse 

Set Appointments with your kids

Set Appointments where you rest. 

Tools for your Soul:

YouVersion App Reading Plan

Blue Letter Bible (App and Website)

Scripture Memory – Fighter Verses App

Scripture Memory Tool – “TIMC BSAC DNBAOD FTLYGIWYWYG.” “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” If you want to Rise Up with a solid foundation, fill your toolbox with Scripture. 

First 5 App

The Chosen App 

PrayerMate

Ask Questions

Tools for your Team:

Build A Team – Ephesians 4:12 “Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.” Don’t try to build up the church on your own. Equip God’s people to do the work of ministry! 

Postagram

LeadSmall – everything small group leaders need to make a big impact

Delegation responsibility and authority 

Duplication yourself in others 

Tools for your Kids

Nameshark 

Kahoot! 

Circle or Bark for parental controls. 

InterLand – beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com a game to teach kids how to be smart on the internet. 

Gabbwireless.com the perfect first phone for your kids 

YouTube – connect where your kids are. Post videos. Consider making a channel for you kids ministry. Connect with your kids Monday through Saturday with YouTube.

Church Database – Run and print a report of birthdays. Or run weekly reports of the kids who are missing. Follow up with your folk and steward what you’ve been given. 

Become the best teacher you can – record the room and see the kids posture and reactions as you teach. Build a team – solicit feedback and grow as a speaker. 

I love kidmin Facebook group – Ask questions, look at pictures of environments, find resources. Stop trying to re-invent the wheel and just use the search function in the group to find the help you need. 

Tools for your Physical and Mental Health:

Do you know how many steps you take? Argus, Health Kit

Are you honoring the sabbath?

MyfitnessPal for calories 

Map my ride, run keeper. 

Discipleship Group – https://replicate.org 

Soul Care or Counselor – Ministry is hard, you need someone to talk to. Don’t burn out. Don’t give up. Get help. 

Maybe right now you need to pause and text someone you trust saying, “I’m not okay, let’s talk.”

John 10:10 “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

And The Random Tools:

For those of you who want some specialty tools in your toolbox 

Buffer/Hoostuite

Amazon wish list for your ministry

Grammarly

Slack, GroupMe

Boomerang to schedule emails and follow up reminders if someone doesn’t respond. 

Audible or library

Kidmin Nation library and 365 conference 

Canva

Fiverr

Mint for finances

Good Coffee

So, Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.