Environments Matter

I retweeted this blog from my friend and the author of Group's Turbocharged: 100 Simple Secrets to a Successful Children's Ministry: http://bit.ly/4uqAa

Interesting comments from my friends on Facebook:

Susan Corbran: We painted our rooms last year - orange, green, yellow and blue - all different. Now I'm ready to paint my office with the leftover colors -to tie it all in. Our church leadership (but mostly the trustees - who have a say in what the building looks like) has a long way to go to even accept change in environment - but I'm all for it.

Laurie Dyer: Our church switched to a rotation children's SS curriculum about 4 years ago and repainted most of the children's rooms and hallways to go with the curriculum. We have a theatre room with leftover pews from an old remodel, complete with a stage and curtains;an art room painted to look like Joseph's workshop, our "oasis" room has walls painted with desert scenes and a big sheer tent with pillows. the hallway is completely painted with life-like Bible characters; It looks great!

Cheryl Wong: You ought to check out our new environment! It totally rocks!

I want to see pictures of all these great environments! And I'm planning coffee with Cheryl to see my dear friend and check out her digs (since she's right here in Loveland!).

"Jesus Loves Me" at Home and Church

It was so amazing to be with our 2-year-olds yesterday at church. I love watching how they're transformed from the beginning of class to the end. From sad and timid to happy and engaged.

An observation, though. When it comes time to sing, a couple kids sing "Jesus Loves Me" with us. And we sing it every Sunday...sometimes several times. The others stare at me like I'm speaking a foreign language. I tell them "it's okay if you don't know the words, you can do the motions." So...once they're into the singing thing, I ask them if they want to sing anything else. "ABC's," they shout. And at least 60 percent of them belt out this song. "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" is next and a few know that. "Itsy Bitsy Spider" they seem to know as well.

So my point? These 2-year-olds know the songs that are sung and reinforced at home. And "Jesus Loves Me" just may not be in families' repertoire much. (In fact, I had a junior high helper tell me she didn't know the song.)

Since I'm using Group's Play n Worship for toddlers and twos that's very music based, I'm very eager to get the CDs and DVDs in parents' hands so they can learn and reinforce these amazing worship songs. I want these songs to become part of the children's fabric.

Even I woke up with one of the songs from yesterday on my mind. That's what I want for these little ones. That they know Jesus loves them--musically and for real--at home and church.

Happy Birthday, SpongeBob!

This blog's on a much lighter note, but I learned from an email from Kidscreen that SpongeBob's 10th birthday is nearing: July 17. (Hey, that's my daughter's 16th birthday!)

Well, I have to admit that I'm a big fan of the entire Bikini Bottom cast. I love SpongeBob's innocence, loyalty, kindness, work ethic, and so much more. Patrick just cracks me up! And Squidward represents everything that SpongeBob isn't.

I know there's that view that the cartoon promotes a gay agenda between SpongeBob and Patrick. But I'm willing to see beyond that accusation because I see these two as children at heart who are just great friends! Disagree if you like, but I'm still a fan.

And, I think there are great character lessons in each episode--plus good fun. So while I won't be sitting with baited breath through the 50-hour programming event to kick off his birthday bash, I do want to wish SpongeBob a lot of crabbie patties and fun jellyfishing for his illustrious day!

Impact for a Lifetime?

I'm just mulling over some thoughts about a passionate promise we make sometimes: "Use this and you'll impact children for a lifetime." Or, "You'll help kids love Jesus for a lifetime."

Man! That's what I want! That's the passion of my heart. But lately, I've been wondering if that's a realistic promise. And is it what God calls us to? And does it overestimate my--or anyone's--influence?

Would it be enough to say "use this and right now, this day, help children love Jesus"? Seems to me it would be more accurate.

Faith development is a journey. And the Holy Spirit is the travel guide. And to believe that a one-time hit is going to be the end-all and be-all, that just may be arrogant. I love what Ali Thompson said about this: "The bottom line: God can use the little things all together to change someone's life. The Holy Spirit guided each of those people in my life, but even more than that he wove their voices together to create the tapestry of my spiritual formation."

Is it enough to be a part of the entire tapestry and in humility acknowledge our little part--rather than saying what we do now will have a lifetime impact? I'm curious what others think in this dialogue.

Social Networking vs. Conferences 2

Here's my question posed on Twitter: Will social networking make conferences passe?

Yesterday I posted what my Facebook friends said. Today, my Twitter friends. Your thoughts?

TeacherTim: @ChristineYJones Social networking is valuable and fun, but it can't shake a hand, give a hug, or shoot the breeze after a general session.

ChristineYJones: @TeacherTim Some say they find their quickest answers to challenges from peers. Will people grow tired of waiting for the next event?

TeacherTim: @ChristineYJones Interesting question. I'm finding that the "experts" at conferences are, in reality, "peers" I network with daily..

Matt McKee: RT @ChristineYJones Will social networking make conferences passe? // or will it only enhance the experience? Great question #kidmin

Larry Shallenberger: @mattmckee @ChristineYJones will enhance experience as long as conferences grow in interactivity., IMHO.

Christine: RT @LShallenberger: will enhance experience as long as conferences grow in interactivity., IMHO.///Explain interactivity.

Henry Zonio: RT @ChristineYJones Will social networking make conferences passe? // I like what http://theideacamp.com is doing with confs #kidmin

Christine: RT @henryjz: RT @ChristineYJones I like what http://theideacamp.com is doing with confs #kidmin///I love this, Henry!

Amy Dolan: @ChristineYJones yes! social networking will definitely tweak if not change confs-it provides a more personal way to learn.

Larry Shallenberger: @ChristineYJones I think R.E.A.L. learning that leverages social media (texting q's to speaker during session). etc.

Larry: @ChristineYJones look like the stuff you used at Group's Large Group Forum but on a larger scale and w/ tech gadgets for the early adopters.

Weigh in on the conversation. What needs to change about conferences in today's culture? Also, check out people's comments in the previous posting: Social Networking vs. Conferences.

Social Networking vs. Conferences

I tweeted this question yesterday and got a flurry of responses on Facebook. I want to bring you into the conversation. What do you think?

My Tweet: Will social networking make conferences passe?

Chris Howley: No

Ali Bennet Thompson: I don't think so. It's still good to experience things hands-on and hear from leaders/experts who you might not be socially networking with. I think it might make conferences that are just speaking passe, but conferences like How2 where you do a lot of hands-on stuff provide a totally different experience than you can get online.

Courtney Fassler Walsh: oooh, I hope not. Conferences are such a nice get-away, a way to completely immerse yourself in whatever you're learning. I don't get that in my short stints online between changing diapers and feeding kids! lol

Judy Comstock: We are social beings and that includes sitting across the table from another social being, touching, reading their eyes, and on the evidence goes for face-to-face conferences.

Me: Judy, spoken like a great conference-creator!

Selma Johnson: We need that interaction w/each other, to see the passion, caring, seeing something in action is worth a thousand words, also, those attend need to get away and be refreshed.

Me: I'm glad to hear face-to-face isn't a thing of the past. Too many great conferences to connect and learn.

Glen Woods: I would like to see more opportunity for actual face-to-face interaction at conferences, however. Rather, than typical one person lecturing to large group with little opportunity for connection. I say this as a presenter and as an attender. Group seems to be cracking the code on this with the How2 conferences. (how2conference.com)

Judy Comstock: These accomodations will certainly be evident at CPC'10 (incm.org). As with How2, we are recognizing that conference participants want and need time to interact and not just listen.

So...what do you think? Will social networking make conferences passe?

Stay tuned til tomorrow when I tell you what my Twitter friends said.

Quick Discipline Help

Our current poll at childrensministry.com: "When it comes to classroom discipline, I am..."

Here's what people say so far: 6% are scaredy cats, 57% control freaks, 29% pushovers, and 9% clueless.

Yep! We all need help with discipline! That's why we created the Children's Ministry Pocket Guide to Discipline recently. It's full of quick tips. For example, why do kids misbehave? They need attention, they're bored, or they're confused--and what to do about each one. There's more...tools of the trade, when not to discipline, and the moment that makes all the difference. It's written by Mikal Keefer who has a fun, insightful style of capturing attention.

So, check it out and get it in the hands of every teacher. It comes in 10-packs (for $12.99) so it's CHEAP and easy to equip teachers in this everyone-needs-help area. (That's why we made it so cost-effective...to help you affordably equip ALL your teachers.) http://tinyurl.com/nxtucs

No being clueless anymore!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to the man who loved me, provided for me, and treasured me all the days of my life--my dad! He's a fabulous dad and an even more fabulous grandad! We have so many great Grandadisms that we laugh about and enjoy! I'm glad he wanted to be a dad.

(Which reminds me of the Garrison Keilor column I read this morning about him never wanting to be a dad. I kept waiting for Keilor to say "no, not really...even though I never wanted to be a dad, I'm glad I am a dad." That never came. And it's so sad.)

So, here's back to my amazing dad who understands that even on the days you may not feel like you like being a dad, you do the dad thing anyway. And here's to you, Dad, for knowing exactly how to answer the question: "Which of us girls is your favorite--my sister or me?" Wisely, you'd answer, "You're my favorite green-eyed daughter and she's my favorite brown-eyed daughter." Smooth, Dad, smooth!

And here's to you for after my first husband died and I mournfully and fearfully looked at the desk in the office. How in the world would I pay bills? I didn't know how! You looked at me in utter disbelief and said, "Well, Baby, you won the Math Key!" (I did! I was the top math student in high school.) Thanks, Dad, for reminding me of who I am and for believing in me always! I love you!

And Happy Father's Day to all you dads who have guys and girls (of all ages) who look up to you in the same way!

Results Matter 2

I'm still stuck on this issue of assessment/measurement in children's ministry. For years here at Group we've grappled with the issue of assessment. In fact, we've longed for anyone--church, company, individual--to crack this nut. How do you measure spiritual growth results--beyond verses memorized? (So if you know anyone that has figured this out, let me know!)

One passage of Scripture that I love and believe has the essence of what we should be measuring in spiritual growth is in 2 Peter 1:5-8. Verse 8 says "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Hmmm....that sounds like a worthy goal for children's ministries!

So what are these qualities? Faith, goodness (moral excellence), knowledge, self-control, perseverance (patient endurance), godliness (being like Jesus), brotherly kindness, and love. 

I would love to see something that can measure those qualities as indicators of spiritual maturity--at each child's level. Of course, we all know we may only have children for one hour a week. So all the more reason that an intentional spiritual growth plan at church (with measurement/assessment) must partner with the parents who see these qualities lived out at home. We would partner in "fruit checking."

I think this is more than possible; I believe it's doable and necessary. Anyone figured it out so far? 

Results Matter

In the business world, results matter. We measure Return on Investment (ROI) to determine if we've made sound decisions. And ROI can determine if we continue a business venture. It's a measurement that helps us determine best practices.

In the church world, faithfulness matters. We work diligently and leave the "fruit" to God. Or at least that's how I've experienced the dynamic of measurement in the church world. And, for good reasons, to some degree. We are called to faithfulness; results take time--a discouraging amount of time sometimes! And God is the one who bears fruit. "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." Yes, there are very good reasons to leave results up to God.

But what about the parable of the sower I read in my quiet time yesterday? It seems like results are the goal: a hundredfold results. And then there's the parable of the talents. The one who's praised by God is the one who invested it wisely. I'd say there was some ROI measurement going on there! It seems that refusing to measure results in the church can be a bit of a dodge.

In "The Speed of Trust," Stephen R. Covey writes "It's vital to take responsibility for results--not just activities. This approach unleashes creativity. It helps you understand that if you can't get results one way, you try another way--you don't just sit there and whine, 'Well, I did what you told me to do!' "

So why not measure results in the church world? In fact, wouldn't results tell us we're doing the right things? We don't have to be afraid of setting goals, planning for those goals, and then measuring those goals to learn. It doesn't mean we just measure numerical growth, but it might mean that the community-building event we planned results in ongoing friendships after the event. It might mean that the outreach event results in a certain percentage of families then assimilating into our church. Those would be interesting outcomes--not just whether 50 people came.

I think results do matter. And I think we all need to do a better job of figuring out how to assess results. It's tough because spiritual growth is a heart thing. But then again, Jesus said we would know one another by our fruit. Maybe there are things we can observe and measure after all.

Your thoughts?