Conspire Conference

Ray and I are sitting at OHare, watching flights get cancelled and delayed...and people having meltdowns. Seriously, people? Is exclaiming Christ's name and obscenities appropriate in front of small children?

We've lost our way. As a culture.

But being at Conspire strengthened my conviction that the church--filled with the most amazing children's ministers who are visionary and committed and servant-hearted--has not lost its way.

Some at the conference say our teenagers are "graduating from God." Studies and statistics prove it, they say. And it just makes me wonder, 'What generation hasn't believed that our teenagers were going to hell in a handbasket'? Stats and studies actually differ on this issue.

A case in point: Check out this article "Busting the Drop-Out Myth" from Group Magazine: http://archive.youthministry.com/details.asp?ID=6107 It'll make you shudder the next time you hear stats and studies bandied around.

So, Chicken Little, is the sky falling? Are Christian families failing? Is the church failing Christian families? Is God no longer on his throne? Are we as pathetic and ineffective as the stats would say we are?

What do you think? Are you reaching families? Are kids coming regularly? Are faith discussions happening at least once a week at home? Are adults growing in their relationship with Christ--so they're more able to share their faith and model it for their children? Don't let the big bad wolf of statistics rob you of seeing what's in front of you. How is God using you to make a difference in this generation of children and families? That's the real truth you need to walk in.

That's What I'm Talking About

Lest I only come across as pointing out what's wrong, I'd like to celebrate something wonderful I saw in a job posting at churchstaffing.com.

Here's what this church is looking for in a children's ministry director: Develop and lead an effective children's ministry that connects children and their families to Jesus, the church and to each other.

That's what I'm talking about!

Biblical Literacy and Children

I read a job description for a children's minister recently that said the primary responsibility of the job is to develop "biblical literacy and Christian character" in children.

Of course, that made me wonder what biblical literacy is. I'm sure it means different things to different people.

I love the Word of God...I've memorized it, read it, studied it, meditated on it, grappled with it, sought God through it! That needs to be established before I go on.

For this church, "biblical literacy and Christian character" never mentioned anything remotely close to knowing and loving God...or a personal, redemptive relationship with Jesus Christ...or an ongoing friendship with the Creator of the Universe. Nothing.

Is biblical literacy, then, the ability to find a verse in the Bible? Is it the ability to say all 66 books of the Bible in order?

It scares me when I see that the goal of a children's ministry is knowledge and not relationship....behavioral change and not relationship.

People today are longing for an experience with the living God! That needs to be the goal of children's ministry.

Brilliant Author!

Larry Shallenberger is a brilliant author! And I'm thanking God for him today!

With Jennifer being out with her new baby, I'm getting to have more direct editing (rather than just a final look)...and I get the privilege of working with authors who are so easy to edit--like Larry! Yea!

Larry has penned an article for the July/August issue tentatively titled "The B-I-B-L-E: How to make sure it's the Bible for kids!"

Of course, I can't give you all the great stuff in the article, but he points out that with our burning desire to transmit our love of God's Word to children, we sometimes unwittingly pass on three things we don't want to.

For example, that the Bible is a book of trivia (God forbid--trivia means unimportant); that the Bible is a book of fables; and that the Bible is at odds with Science.

Very compelling info! You'll have to wait for the issue to come out. Way to go, Larry! 

It's a Boy!

Jennifer Hooks, managing editor of Children's Ministry Magazine, delivered an 8-pound, 2-ounce baby boy on April 3. Jack Tucker Hooks joins Mom, Dad, and sister Adi! Congratulations, Jen! What a Sweetie! Check out the photo--he's 8 hours old!

Goodbye, Renee

This morning, I went to a memorial service of a wonderful mother, wife, woman. She wanted the service to be upbeat and positive--and it was. She truly was a generous, loving, giving, fun person. And she died so quickly...diagnosed in July 07 and died in March 08. It happened too fast.

I came away wondering why it is that at services like this I have a twinge of regret. "She was amazing; I wish I'd known her even better." And then I start to make promises to myself that I'll be a better friend to the friends I have now. I can always do better.

My friend RoseAnne said once that eternity is like a book--and our life here on earth is like an itty bitty period in that book--compared to the rest of time.

Renee's short time on earth is over. But now she's with Jesus forever--the Savior she loved and lived for. We'll miss her here.

What Kids Worry About

Take a look at the results from a KidsHealth poll. What kids worry about may not be what you think they worry about. The poll was taken with 1,154 kids from 9 to 13.

Top things kids worry or stress about:

1. Health of someone they love

2. Their future

3. Schoolwork, tests, or grades

4. Their looks or appearances

5. Their friends and their problems

6. War or terrorism

7. The environment

For full results: http://www.nemours.org/mediaroom/story/2007/11/06/kh-poll.html

What We Can Learn From Nick's KCA Awards

Did you watch Nickelodeon's 2008 Kids' Choice Awards last month? Who were you rooting for? What can we learn from kids' choices?

Nickelodeon reports that there were 90 million votes from kids. (Lesson? Kids want to voice their opinions! Kids want to be heard!)

In all 18 categories, the winners are...(which by the way, take a look at the "candy sweet," positive selections--which fit generational insights that Millennials and Futuristics are a much more positive generation than GenX before them!)

And, one other thing before you read the list...Miley Cyrus (my favorite, too) thanked her "Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" when she accepted her blimp award. So cool!

MOVIES:

Favorite Movie

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Favorite Animated Movie

Ratatouille

Favorite Movie Actress

Jessica Alba

Favorite Movie Actor

Johnny Depp

Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie

Eddie Murphy (Shrek the Third)

MUSIC:

Favorite Music Group

The Jonas Brothers

Favorite Female Singer

Miley Cyrus

Favorite Male Singer

Chris Brown

Favorite Song

Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne)

TELEVISION:

Favorite Reality TV Show

American Idol

Favorite TV Show

Drake & Josh

Favorite TV Actress

Miley Cyrus (Hannah Montana)

Favorite TV Actor

Drake Bell (Drake & Josh)

Favorite Cartoon

Avatar: The Last Airbender

WANNABE AWARD:

Cameron Diaz

SPORTS:

Favorite Male Athlete

Tony Hawk

Favorite Female Athlete

Danica Patrick

OTHER CATEGORIES:

Favorite Video Game

Madden NFL '08

Favorite Book

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

If You're Happy and You Know It...

Check this out...

A new study supports the view that kids with faith are happier!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-03-25-kids-spirituality_N.htm

Apples to Oranges?

Family ministry is a big topic of discussion around here these days--as I'm sure it is everywhere in children's ministry!

In one particular meeting, someone lamented "why can't our Christian parents be as motivated as soccer parents?" You know the line of thinking. And I've said the very same thing! But this time, it made me wonder--are we comparing apples to oranges? Are we really talking about the same set of parents?

I'm a soccer mom to one of my three children--because she's an amazing soccer goalie and is intrinsically motivated to play. She plays on a traveling team so our family gets her to and from practices and games. We pay the big money. And we even travel to overnight games sometimes. But is it fair to compare that with ALL the parents who  bring their kids to our churches? Not every parent does this with soccer. I'd say there are "elite" soccer, ballet, piano, karate parents, etc. And, in the same vein, aren't there "elite" church parents? You know the ones: They come to every program, volunteer willingly, get involved in the Christmas production, and more. Let's compare those "elite" church parents with the "elite" sports parents. Then we'll genuinely be comparing apples to apples.

And with the other parents--you know, the regular ones who don't do all that--maybe we can have a different, more gracious approach to what they're willing and able to do. And maybe we'll really understand what these parents need from us. What do you think?