A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF OUR CHURCH

I was going through some files the other day, when I ran across some stunning pictures of our church building, taken from up high...way up high. It looks like an early fall day in southern Oregon, and with the bright sunshine and tree-lined streets, it looks like a page from a travel guide to smaller American cities (and I would be lax in my duties as a citizen of said city if I didn't point out that we are one of the fastest growing cities in the state).

Notice the steeple. That and the part of the building to which it is attached, were originally built in the early 1900's. The rest has been added on through the years.

A little higher now.

And way high. The church building is just a little left of center. The big building behind it belongs to the school district and includes a gymnasium and classrooms. It used to be part of the middle school, but an early morning fire wiped out much of the property (which is why it looks like vacant fields to the right...that all used to be buildings!) One of the miracles of that morning was that our church building, located just across a narrow alley, was totally untouched.

A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT

Just a few quick items...

+It snowed today. Or, more accurately, it spat snow flakes. A lot of snow flakes. But not enough to stick to our valley floor. March better get its act together this weekend if it's going to go out like a lamb. Although, from what I hear, when I was in San Diego, March came in like a lamb. I think March is confused. I'm sure glad God knows what He's doing!

+One of my four year old kids in the preschool gave me a big hug today. He said I was the best teacher because I knew letters even better than he did. I'm going to use him as a reference if I get a new job.

+New link: Glen Woods. His blog is full of inspiration, information, and insights about the world of children's ministry. Well worth the read.

+After many moons of blogging, I finally decided to add a picture to my profile. I've had one on my MySpace page for a while, but since I don't update my MySpace page that much, I figured I ought to add one on Blogger. Check it out to the right.

+Another new link: Thoughts by Christina. This is funny, slice of life, stream of whatever consciousness thoughts that ooze from this girl's brain. Okay, she's a woman, but I'm her father, so she'll always be my little girl. It's actually quite funny. The only drawback is that she doesn't update her blog as much as her MySpace page (hint, hint).

I'M NOT GOING TO HELP ANYMORE!

It's like it was yesterday...and yet so long ago. The truth is, it has been a little over two weeks since the Children's Pastors Conference in San Diego. As in years past, I am still letting concepts, principles, ideas, and inspirations settle in. Some things will hit me months from now. I still look back at notes from 2003 for an idea or to refresh my memory on something I heard. This is no different. I have fun, fond memories of my time in San Diego...the worship, the workshops, the meeting new friends at the Kidology gathering (made even more significant and somewhat bittersweet by the passing of Dan Rase, with whom I shared a meal at the CPC's "Dinner on the Town" function. You can read a touching article about Dan here). I got to put faces and names together of fellow bloggers and ministers I've only known by screen names, icons, or book titles. As I've posted before, it was a wonderful experience.

But interestingly enough, one of the most significant concepts I brought back from San Diego did not occur at a workshop or a general session or a gathering or from the myriad of resources I obtained. No, this concept hit me in the quiet of my hotel room, the night before the conference officially began, as I was thinking and praying about what was in store for me that first week of March and what would make an impact in the lives of the children on Sunday morning.

I began thinking about our setup on Sunday mornings. Because we hold our Large Group gathering in the fellowship hall, everything has to be moved into position. So on Saturday night, I am down at the church hauling tables, chairs, moving sound equipment, setting up projectors, and getting the area ready for the kids. Some nights, I am joined by others, some nights I do it alone, but I get caught up in the excitement of getting ready!

But on Sunday morning, as the hour ends and parents start filtering in to pick up their kids, the process is reversed. Chairs get stacked, equipment gets moved, tables are put up, props and dvds put away, etc. and so on. Our young helpers help, our team helps, and, if we are speedy enough, we don't have to stay too long after the service.

But then it hit me, in one of those obvious, "duhhh" ways that God sometimes uses to get my attention. You see, the elders have said that they want to see me in the main service periodically so that parents can know who it is that teaches their kids (Of course, unless I'm pointed out as the one who teaches their kids, they aren't going to know who I am. And if I am pointed out, it begs the question, "if you're up here, who's back there teaching my kids now?"). At any rate, I do miss the connection with the kids and their parents. I have four little blond haired girls from two different families whose names I still get mixed up to this day! I don't always get to see the parents who picks up the little guy in his Sunday best, or the single mom of the new kid who was too shy to sing. I don't always get the chance to joke around with the kids or shake the hands of their folks because all the stuff has to get put away and cleaned up before I go.

(Slap upside the head)! Like the proverbial ton of bricks, it hit me. The stuff that has to be put away will still be there. I claim to want to build relationships with children and their families. I'm missing a prime connecting point right after the service. So, there in my hotel room far from my southern Oregon home, I resolved not to put anything away, not to help clean up, not to lift a single chair or piece of equipment until the kids were gone. Hey, our teen helpers can start if they want...that's fine. But for that golden time following the service, I want to be talking to children and greeting the parents. I want to make those connections. I told my wife about it, since any after-church plans could be affected. She understood and was all in favor. My pastor is thrilled. My team sometimes can stay later, sometimes can't, but they are all supportive.

Yes, I took a lot from CPC. But this little lesson on not cleaning up before the last child walks out the door was by far the most valuable.

CPC 08: MEETING FRIENDS

I'm often asked why I enjoy the Children's Pastor's Conference so much. Unless you are in this grand adventure called "children's ministry" and unless you've been to a CPC, it's kind of hard to explain. The typical expression about drinking out of the proverbial fire hydrant is close to the truth, but even that fails to account for what I take away from CPC each year I go. The workshops, the general sessions with the overwhelming worship and great speakers, and the opportunity to meet and fellowship with others who share a passion for children's ministry makes it all worth it.

Up high, looking down on the courtyard where we are welcomed to CPC

The resource center, where we can meet, greet, get information, buy stuff, and even get a freebie or two (or dozen)

Preschool favorite Miss Patty Cake!

The high adventure superhero known as Bibleman (Bibleman is the one on the right, just in case you were having trouble telling the difference).

On Tuesday night, I was honored to be a part of an informal Kidology gathering at one of the resteraunts here at the convention center. Kidology is an online resource network that is packed with helpful articles, ideas, and a discussion forum. Several Kidology members were at the CPC and so we got together for some soft drinks and discussion. It was great to finally put names and flesh-n-blood faces together with men and women I've interacted with on the computer. If any Kidology members are reading this, it was great to meet you all!

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist

And one final picture...

This picture is for the benefit of my co-workers and co-laborers back home at EPCBC. They think they know me sooooooo well as to know whether I ate this or not. Yeah...they think they know me soooooooo well. Sooooooooo well. Uh-huh!

Okay, I didn't eat it....but you think you know me sooooooooo well! Huh? I'm going to bed!

CPC 08: A TALE OF THREE CITIES...uhhh..CHURCHES

What do a shopping center, a 100 year old building, and a state of the art multi-acre complex have in common? Answer: they were all stops on the annual CPC Pre-Conference Church Tour. The church tour is one of my favorite parts of CPC, because I can get ideas about environments and "theme-ing out" rooms and areas. And though many of the churches I have visited over the years have a budget that outscales ours, some of their decorating leans more toward creativity than purchase-power.

Our first stop was local: North Coast Church in Vista. This church acquired a good chunk of a shopping center and turned it into a multi-building, multi-venue campus. I was impressed by their organization and creativity (I don't have all my pics to share in this post, but I have to say that the Narnia room was incredible!)

Entrance to the children's section, with canopied check-ins

One of the large group gathering areas.

First Christian Church of Huntington Beach seemed a long way from San Diego, but the ride actually took me within a short hop of where my wife and I used to live when we resided in the Fountain Valley/Huntington Beach area. This is a very old building which has gone through a lot of changes and transitions in the area of children's ministry. The church is going to be building a new facility soon, but in the meantime, they get points for creatively using resources to effect a theme.

The section where the children's ministries are held

The treehouse room...what if a kid designed and built it? That's the idea!

The tek room for the older kids. Amazing what some donated tvs and some tubing can help create.

The last stop on the tour was Mariner's Church in Irvine. Oh my! If there was an epitome of the word "mega-church", it would be this sprawling campus. The kids building looks like a corporate headquarters of a major business. Inside, of course, is the most important business of all: kids. Still, I saw evidences of decidedly low-tech, low-budget touches in this incredibly sophisticated building.

All I can say is "wow"

Early childhood staging area

4th and 5th grade staging area. Notice the gift-wrapped boxes in the back...hey! I can do that!

CPC 08: ARRIVAL (aka "Of Teeth and Tim")

I'm here!

"Here" is San Diego, California for the annual International Network of Children's Ministries' Children's Pastors Conference. Getting here was a testimony to God's spectacular mercies. You see, I had some pretty serious dental issues going into last weekend. I won't rehash the details of pain, the inability to sleep or eat, the cheek that looked like a "crazed chipmunk on steroids" (I liked that description). But everything I was told was that air travel in a pressurized cabin intensifies dental pain...and, in spite of a procedure earlier in the week, I was still not totally back to normal.

But glory be to God: no problems! I felt a little pressure and a non-painful twinge or two, but nothing even close to the pain I experienced the weekend before. So for all of you who were praying for me, I just want to say thank you and let you know that.....I'M HERE!

Grab a notebook and let the adventure begin!

P.S. For a slightly different perspective on CPC 08, check out the site I set up just for my preschoolers.

WORKING PAPERS 2: Leadership of Children's Ministries Director

A few days ago, I began sharing the results of some times of prayer and thought, trying to clarify just what I was and wanted to be as a children's ministries director. Last year brought some uncertainties to the ministry in which I have functioned for over a decade. I don't know what this year will bring, but in the meantime, I've tried to re-envision some things. Again, this is not earth-shattering, ground-breaking territory. Our team has heard most of these principles at one time or another. What is different is the presentation and maybe the passion behind it. As my senior pastor likes to say, "This will preach!"

My last installment had to do with our Sunday morning program (called "Sunday Morning Celebration"). Today, I'd like to share what the Children's Ministries Director in our church does in terms of leadership and his relationship to the whole scope of individual children's ministries.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Leadership and Relationship of the Children's Ministries Director to the Different Children's Ministries

ACTIVE LEADERSHIP

in Sunday Morning Celebration

SERVICE AND MINISTRY

to our ministry leaders, coordinators, and volunteers

• LEARNING about what and why they do what they do, respecting the Lord's leading in their individual ministries
• LISTENING to their questions, comments, and needs
• LIFTING them by providing resources, prayer, counsel, and encouragement as able and as needed
• LOVING them as they practice love for the children of our church and community

DIRECTION AND LEADERSHIP

to our ministries

• COMMUNING regularly at various levels with leaders and volunteers in formal and informal gatherings
• CONTRIBUTING to the success of each ministry by providing training, education, and equipping opportunities
• CREATING, as the Spirit leads, awareness of improved ministry procedures and methodologies
• CONNECTING the individual ministries into a coherent whole
• COMMUNICATING the activities, philosophies, vision, and ministry of our children's department to the congregation and community

TEENS AND PIZZA

We have a great bunch of teenagers at our church. Although I don't work with the youth groups, several of our youth do work with our children's department. But they also have a thriving, dynamic ministry of their own that reaches beyond the four walls of our church.

The high school group also goes on a couple of big retreats each year. The first one is in January in snowy Sun River. Teens get saved and baptized. They re-dedicate their lives to the Lord. And, yes, they have some good natured, creative fun.

The following is a video that someone took at last week's Sun River retreat where a few of our young men had some musical fun between sessions. It got posted on YouTube (and I confess to never having embedded a YouTube video in my blog, so here goes nothing!) Enjoy

AT LAST...REAL SNOW!

So far, winter has been a big tease.

Oh sure, we've gotten some winter weather. Snow. Freezing slush. Frozen rain. We even .got a white Christmas afternoon. But aside from it being cold and wet, our area hasn't gotten a whole lot of what one could call a "snow event." Our neighbors to the north and south and east have gotten slammed pretty hard. And a big hats off to my friends in the Chicago region, who are getting frozen to a degree unheard of here lately (no pun intended).

But for us...ehhh, some exciting moments, but moments none the less.

Until today. It was slightly rainy when I arrived at church, but nothing bad. Yes, it started as rain. Following the morning service, as our church's annual business meeting commenced, we noticed the rain. And more rain. And more rain. Boy, was it wet. And then we noticed some snow mixed in with the rain. And then a little more. And then a lot more. And then all we noticed was the snow. Motions and amendments and new elders being voted on began to dim as I kept glancing out the window to see the parking lot grow white. After the meeting, I drove home slowly. And the rest of the afternoon was history.

I put the trash barrel out for pickup and noticed how wonderful the snow looked at night. I also noticed how it had accumulated. After lo these many weeks, we finally had a genuine bona fide snow event. Our next door neighbors built a snow man. A couple of guys decided to do "donuts" in our cul de sac. But mostly, it was quiet.

A tangle of tree branches

My daughter's car is not going anywhere

Anybody care for a swim?

The dog trying to get a handle on this white, wet, fluffy stuff

WORKING PAPERS 1: The Sunday Morning Experience

Happy New Year!

For the last couple of months, I've been spending some time in thought and prayer, yellow legal pad and pen in hand, to put down some of my heart beliefs regarding children's ministry at our church. Many of the principles are not really new; after all, our folks have seen some of these things expressed in policy manuals, memos, and meetings. This is merely my attempt to systematically define where I'm at.

These things are not the final, authoritative word on children's ministry. Even after all this time, I am still first and foremost a student--learning, stumbling, making mistakes, trying and failing, and ever so often trying and succeeding. I get my "stuff" from the same places many of you get yours. Some things apply to our local ministry, but if you see something that "fits" and you can use it, feel free. These are "working papers" which could possibly change over time.

Today's feature is "The Sunday Morning Experience."
**************************************************
ENVIRONMENT
Fun: ensuring the room and activities are "functionally cool" and fostering an atmosphere of "edutainment" (educational entertainment).
Friendly: striving to make each child feel welcome and loved, and each parent to feel confident about leaving his or her child with us.
Fearless: provifing a safe and secure atmosphere physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually through regular maintenance, adequate supervision, and screening of volunteers

RELATIONSHIPS
Kids with one another
Kids with safe and caring adults
Kids with the Lord Jesus Christ

TEACHERS
Knowing
Procedures and programs (every volunteer should be able to answer basic questions about the Children's Ministries Department)
Lessons and learners (every teacher should be a dedicated student of the Scriptures as well as a sutdent of children and how they learn best)
Growing
In their faith each and every day
In their skills as a teacher
Showing
Connection to kids, the ultimate mission field

KIDS CELEBRATING
The Lord Jesus Christ
Our Salvation
The Word of God
Our Fellowship

WHADJA GET 2007 EDITION

Truly, the presents are just the icing on the proverbial cake!

The older I get, the more Christmas has taken on a different flavor. Oh, I've always known that Jesus is the "reason for the season." I've always appreciated the separation between the materialism of the holidays and the spiritual implication of those holidays. But when I was younger, I remember the march to December 25 always seemed insufferably slow. I remember it was hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. And I remember, in spite of really, truly rejoicing in the birth of the Savior, that I was thrilled beyond measure to rip into the packages.

Now, Christmas arrives at lighting speed, with barely time to prepare. I tend to sleep in on Christmas day. And if Christmas dinner is ready before it's time to open presents, that's okay...I can wait. To borrow a cliche from movies: "this is bigger than the trappings!"

But, let's face it...the presents are nice. They show that someone thought of me and cared enough to purchase or make a gift. And, yes....presents are fun! I think they are intended to be enjoyed. Once again, I feel like a kid.

Soooo, in the spirit of kid-ness, I want to tell you some of the "stuff" I got for Christmas. And then I want to find out some of the stuff you got.

• Brand new Bible (if you saw my current one, you'd understand!)
• Shirts
• Socks
• Beard and mustache trimmer
• Nuts
• updated Quick Verse (Bible study software)
• Videos: Spider-Man 3, Fantastic Four 2, Batman Begins, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
• Video fun: the Mr. Button video collection. Our kids grew up watching Mr. Button videos. They are as stilted and cheesy as you can get. I casually mentioned them to my wife as a point of nostalgia. Guess what showed up under the tree?
• Honorable mention: on my Secret Santa profile at the DayCare where I work, I mentioned that I wanted no mugs. I like mugs, but aside from getting at least one nearly every year, our cupboard is crammed full of mugs. So my delightful and resourceful co-workers each decided to get me the tackiest mugs they could find.
• Commentary

Okay, there's my list. Now you tell me: WHADJA GET?

MORE FREE ENTERTAINMENT ONLINE

If you are a child and have attended what we call "Large Group Celebration" at our church, you may be familiar with "Playtime Parables." Playtime Parables are Bible stories or Biblical principles acted out with action figures and other toys. The inspiration for this teaching method came from Mr. Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, who created an ongoing collection of action figure stories called "Tales from the Toybox." They are, in my humble opinion, the cadallac of "object stories."

Well, to make your season bright, Karl is uploading a different Christmas-themed Toybox Tale on each day leading up to Christmas. You can see what all the fun is about by going to http://www.kidologist.com/12-Days-of-ToyBoxTales.

Enjoy!

P.S. If you like these and want to see even more Toybox Tales, check out Karl's dedicated website www.toyboxtales.com.

MUSIC TO MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT

It's very rare that you can get anything for nothing these days. But ever so often, the internet yields a treasure that is not only fun, but free. Such has been the case with Steve Tanner's 25 Days of Christmas Music. Since 2001, Steve has provided a daily holiday musical selection that spans the boundries of generations, genres, and familiarity. Some are well known, some are obscure, some are rare recordings not heard in decades. It's fun to listen, fun to collect, and (best of all), it's free.

Just click on the link above and enjoy the holiday season. And for the two of you who actually read this blog, tell them Teacher Tim sent you!

SPECIAL REPORT: RVCM NETWORK CONFERENCE 07

Rogue Valley Children's Ministries Network

"It is easier to build a child up than to repair an adult."

That was one of the earlier insights by Kevin Geer, keynote speaker at this year's regional Children's Ministries Conference, sponsored by the Rogue Valley Children's Ministries Network. It was a cool, cloudy morning as our group arrived at the absolutely gorgeous Bethel Church in Medford. This conference is a highlight of the year for our team of KidServants...a time of fellowship, music, workshops, and equipping. In years past, we've had speakers from all over the country come with their encouragement, challenge, and inspriration. Kevin Geer was no exception.

Bethel Church, located high on the hill on the outskirts of Medford

Mr. Geer, who is the Children's Ministries Director for the Northwest Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, developed the theme of INVEST-INCLUDE-IMAGINE in three general gatherings. In the first session ("INVEST"), Kevin challenged us to invest in children, but also to invest in our families and in ourselves.

The second session ("INCLUDE") took the form of a panel Q & A with other children's ministry leaders fielding submitted questions. The point was to demonstrate the need to network with other ministers.

The third gathering ("IMAGINE") drove home the idea that, in spite of what we imagine ourselves to be, we are ultimately those made in the image of God.

The general gatherings also featured praise music by the Michael Bahn Band. We were also treated to an outstanding puppet presentation by the Faith Puppeteers! The general sessions were punctuated by the workshops, which presented a variety of topics along different tracks. I managed to pick up some books at the vendor's tables (budget prevented me from buying more, but oooooboy!)

Faith Puppeteers rock out to the B-I-B-L-E

There are dozens of outstanding conferences during the year. As the Lord provides funds, I like to attend the CPC in San Diego. There are other opportunities to learn, fellowship, and network on a huge scale (Kid U, Northwest C.E. Conference, Saddleback, etc.). But I would encourage anyone and everyone to check their local children's ministry associations and networks for smaller, regional conferences which provide a great opportunity to build yourself up with men and women who are in your neighborhood and with whom you can have coffee without having to drive hundreds of miles. It is a blessing and a half (as a friend of mine is fond of saying).

WOW....WHAT A BIG STORE!

Some people love it. Some people hate it.

But my town has one.

I'm talking about the Wal-Mart Super Center. They opened the doors on Wednesday, September 19 (giving us a third reason to get excited, right behind the Kidologist's Birthday and National Talk Like a Pirate Day). Excitment and anticipation has been running high for the last three plus years. We've watched the construction from the highway go from agonizingly slow to "hey...they're done!" On Wednesday morning, a plane with a banner heralding the opening circled overhead. According to the news, there was a band, city and regional dignataries, and a bunch of people.

My wife and I ventured out to visit the place during lunch. It is quite impressive. For us (and for many folks in our region), the biggest draw of the new Wal-Mart is not having to drive a ways (no, it's not a long distance, but it adds up after awhile). Since it's a Super Center, we can get groceries, get the car fixed, and fill our prescriptions all by driving less than two miles! And given the fact that our city is one of the fastest growing communities in Oregon, it's nice to have some major businesses take root.

Side note: when we visited Wal-Mart, there were several "characters" there (like the Pillsberry Dough Boy and a giant Oreo cookie). There were also a lot of high school kids who were struttting around in the typical "I'm cool, I'm bad" posture. But when they saw the giant cookie, their eyes lit up. They waved, high-fived, and hugged the character. It was funny to watch, but it reminded me that there is a spark of child-likeness in everyone...a spark that is fascinated by that which is wondrous and fantastic. And if the big bad uber-cool teens respond to that, then our kids certainly can. What an opportunity!

CELEBRATION ROUNDUP '07

Ahhhh, September. Children starting their march back to school. The Denver Broncos starting their march to the Super Bowl (hey...just you wait!). At our church DayCare where I work, it seems every child and their cousin has arrived just in time for the start of Preschool.

And then, there's CELEBRATION ROUNDUP.

Part pep rally, part family reunion, Roundup is the time of year when we kick off the new year, welcome all our kids back to our Sunday morning program (known as "Sunday Morning Celebration"), and just get the season started off with a bang. It's a lot of fun and this year was no exception. In fact, the buzz around the halls is that this is one of the best Roundups of all.

We brought out the inflatable jump house. We played some neat games. By "coincidence" (said with a nod and a wink because we all know that there is no such thing), a merchant in our region had a freezer full of ice cream bars that were nearing expiration. "It just so happened" that a man in our church, who works nearby, offered to take the bars and (can you imagine) offered them for our special treat on Roundup Sunday. I mean, who could have planned that? (I know Who!)

And, of course, the gospel was shared and the Word of God had free course. Were the kids a little loud and rowdy? OH yes. Were there problems? A few ice cream drips on the carpet and the dislodging of the jump house air feed which caused the jump house to deflate on some surprised jumpers. But we sang and played and laughed and yelled.

And the kids had fun too.

The Jump House

Catchin' air

Singing songs

Balloons in your pantaloons! (how many inflated balloons can you stuff in oversized joggers?)

A little song, a little dance, a little puppet on the stage (I know, it doesn't rhyme).

DVD'S TO THE WORSHIP RESCUE

The names "Charles Allen Bancroft" or "Rachel Renee' Currier" probably don't ring a bell with a lot of people. But together, they have been part of an answer to a question that has bothered me for over a decade:

"How does someone with an untrained singing voice succesfully lead praise and worship singing for a mixed age assembly of 5th grade and below with no awesome praise and worship band or instrumentalist?"

Enter Mr. Bancroft and Mrs. Currier. You may know them by their professional names: "Uncle Charlie and Rachel Sanchez." Uncle Charlie produces DVD videos with upbeat music, great graphics, and extreme singability. And their series of DVD's, along with other DVD series, have been a tremendous blessing in our ministry.

See, if you are blessed with a plethora of musical talent in your children's department, God bless you. For the rest of us, technology is available. And not just from Uncle Charlie. Group Publishing, God's Kids' Worship, Ronnie Caldwell....they all have DVD music available (there's probably more, but those are some that we use).

So if you are lacking in the musical graces, but you want a high energy musical program for your kids, I highly recommend DVD's to fill the proverbial gap. Of course, there are some important things to keep in mind...this is what we have learned (or are currently trying to learn):

1. Know the song lyrics. Looking at the kids while you're trying to lead them is important...but it is difficult when you have to turn and look at the screen. If you already know the songs, you don't have to do that.

2. Check your equipment often. Know its glitches and quirks and be ready for anything (e.g. do you have extra batteries for your remotes?)

3. If you can't carry a tune, at least lip synch. It's hard to motivate kids to sing if your own lips aren't moving.

4. If you have a group doing motions, practice first.

5. Don't block the screen.

6. If you can, plan your songs to flow from one song to another with a minimum of "changing time." Getting someone to quickly change DVD's while you're sharing a prayer or quick spiritual thought is great (God's Kids Worship actually has worship orders in which a handful of songs play one after another).

7. Don't be afraid to cut loose (within the limits of the song's mood of course). A little air guitar goes a long way.

8. Worship Jesus and have tons of fun!

If you use DVD's in your kids worship, let us know what you use and how you use it. After all these years, I'm still a student in this area. God bless you as you do His work!

And thanks Uncle Charlie and Rachel Sanchez!

INTERESTING UPDATE

Many of you have asked me what has been going on in my life and ministry since an earlier post indicated that my church was making some changes that might entail me having to leave children's ministries. First of all, I want to thank all of you who have prayed and expressed their concern. God's grace is truly awesome and amazing in the midst of some rather bewildering times.

Second, please understand that there are some things I do not want to share in an open forum such as this. I often joke with people that I have a lot of opinions and most of them are right! In the situation in which I currently find myself, I have some very strong opinions. I have had the liberty and grace to share some of those thoughts with the elder board. There is more to share and more to do to clarify this situation with our leadership, but I will have to wait for the right opportunity to do so. The very last thing I want to do is create a wrong impression about the church I attend or its leadership. We have an exciting body of believers that is poised to reach the ever-expanding population of our city. We have a group of men in leadership that I love and respect. One day, somebody reading this blog may visit our fair city and I'd love for them to visit our church without being put off by any criticism on my part.

"Okay, Teacher Tim," some of you are shouting at your pc's (or for a very small percentage of you, your macs), "Can you at least tell us if you're still in children's ministry?" The answer is, Yes. As it stands at this moment, I am still doing what I have consistently done for the last 12 years: personally lead the Sunday morning programs for our children. Soooo, instead of overseeing our five children's ministries, I am only overseeing one. And for the curious among you, this is not a punishment. I haven't done anything wrong. The church is in an ongoing development process to better minister to our ever changing community. One of the structural changes just happens to be in our Christian Education department.

The downside to this is not being able to find ways to tie all our children's programs together. While I have not been personally involved or directly leading each and every program, I've enjoyed providing support, encouragement, and training for all of them. All of those duties have been switched over to our Christian Education Elder of Children and Youth (who is also one of our KidServants on Sunday mornings and does an incredible job!).

The upside? Well, as the poker players among you would say, "I'm going all in!" I've always loved stepping outside the boundaries of "children's work as usual." My friends and colleagues over the years have opened my eyes to the wide world of children's ministries that doesn't rely on flannelgraphs and stale cookies. Now that I am down to one mission (Sunday mornings), I'm ready and eager to lay it all on the line for the glory of God and to the mission of "building His Kingdom and reaching His kids" (ahhh, CPC...providing themes that keep on giving!).

Things could change. I could get my old set of responsibilities back. Or the flannelgraph/stale cookie brigade could want their room back. In the meantime, I will "bloom where I'm planted."

Thank you once again for your continued prayers and encouragment. As the situation warrents, I will update you on what's happening on Sunday mornings.

MY WIFE IS THE COOLEST!

I admit...I'm really a big kid at heart! The neat thing about being a big kid is that I also have a wife that puts up with a lot...and even, on occaisions, allows me to indulge in something for no other reason than the pure joy of re-living the excitement and joy of one's childhood.

First...a little history: a long, long time ago, there was a humble, 12" soldier figure known as GI Joe. With his authentic military gear, spindly, jointed limbs, and painted hair and scar, GI Joe soared in popularity. Unfortunately, politics affected marketing (something that rarely happens today..not!) and the outcry over the war in Vietnam forced Hasbro to give GI Joe a makeover.

Enter..the GI Joe Adventure Team: "five rugged men with lifelike hair. They're outfitted for action...and they take their orders from this man: the Adventure Team Commander (voice of Commander: "I've got a tough assignment for you.")." No, I did not look up that spiel: I remembered it after all these years! The Adventure Team was less military and more into solving mysteries and helping people. There was a Sea Adventurer, Land Adventurer, Air Adventurer, and Adventurer. And, of course, the Adventure Team Commander, who talked and was one of my most treasured Christmas presents! I also worked my proverbial tail off at a summer job in order to buy the Sea Adventurer--the last one in the store! But I never got the rest of the team (that honor was reserved for my friend Billy, who was content to bring his guys to join my guys to form one team until he managed to get all five figures himself but I'm not bitter, really!). My Sea Adventurer was lost somewhere on a mission. I performed a voice box-ectemy on the Commander because I wanted to try his underwater scuba set on him. Unfortunately, I never could get the thing to work after that. And like most of the toys from my youth, the Commander vanished.

I moved on. I actually began a real collecting hobby in college with the 3 /4 inch GI Joes. I developed a fairly large collection before the sheer economics forced me to give it up. But I always had a fond spot for the Adventure Team.

Fast foward to a short time ago. I was in our local Wal-Mart with my wife looking for supplies. I told her I was going to the toy section to see if there were any bargain action figures for my "Playtime Parables" (a low-tech teaching techique inspired by the Kidologist's "Toybox Tales."). That's when I spotted them. I blinked...I could not believe what I was seeing. Four of the GI Joe Adventure Team...in the narrow, cardboard boxes! Apparently, they were a limited re-issue or something. And they were incredibly affordable. I held off the urge to jump up and down in front of my wife and say, "Oh, please, oh please....can I, huh? can I, huh? PUHLEEEESE...I'll clean my room, I'll feed the dog." I have more dignity than that. But my wife, ever perceptive to the historical value of my interest (and no doubt fearful that I really would cause the above described scene), told me to go ahead and get them.
So all I need now is the Adventure Team Commander. And the three or four guys that joined afterwards. But since I don't know how long the re-issue will last, this might be it. But that's okay. After decades, I have the Adventure Team.

Thank you, sweetheart!

CAMPING ADVENTURES 07: RETURN TO UNION CREEK

Summertime has been here...well, all summer! Unfortunately, various matters have cut into our family camp time. But not long ago, an opportunity arose to go camping. I even got to leave the office a whole half hour early to head up highway 62, past the little town of Prospect, and over to Union Creek Campground.

Union Creek is one of the larger campgrounds in a network of camping locations in the Rogue River National Forest. Unfortunately, because the campground was so full, we had to settle for a spot well away from the creek! But it was enjoyable regardless...family, good food, relaxation, and no phones, tvs, or radios to interrupt some serious study!

If Union Creek sounds familiar, it's because I blogged about an earlier visit in March. Actually, we never made it to the campground itself because of the snow. Not this time...sunny and hot!

Lord willing, we'll try to get another camping trip or two in before September.