MINI-REVIEW: THEO & WHAT'S IN THE BIBLE

One of the blessings and curses of our modern era is the overwhelming abundance of materials available for children’s ministry. Much of it is creative, innovative, and fun. But let’s face it: some of it is like a chocolate Easter bunny…very appealing on the outside, but nothing really on the inside.

In my humble opinion, What's In the Bible by Phil Vischer and Theo by Whitestone Media's Michael Joens represent two of the most significant resource developments in children's ministry in the last couple of years. They are fun and entertaining, to be sure, but you will not find any hollow recesses. Instead, under their whimsical entertainment is something that few children’s ministry resources have attempted to do: educate children in Bible survey and (gulp) theology!

Take Mr. Vischer’s What’s In the Bible for instance. This video series features Buck Denver and the other puppet stars of his popular Jelly Telly webcast as they examine each book of the Bible. The kids love the silly characters and their interactions. And there are just enough grown up level jokes to keep the parents tuned in. But in between the laughter and the memorable songs, the viewer is led through a discussion of the writing and major themes of each book. Strip away the puppets, humor, and music, and you’d have the syllabus for an “Introduction to the Old Testament” course.

The newest entry in the dvd market is Theo, a kindly old man who lives in a cottage with two pesky mice. I received a preview dvd at a conference and showed it to some kids at our church. It was an instant hit! The animation is superb and the mice, who serve as the comic foils and unwitting object lessons, bring in the visual chuckles that keep kids entertained. The style is reminiscent of the old McGee and Me and Adventures in Odyssey (which is no coincidence, since creator Michael Joens produced and directed both). But again, the method of fun animation is a means to teach systematic theology. In this day when adult church goers tend to recoil at the very word “theology,” the Theo series is like a breath of fresh air.

Now both What’s In the Bible and Theo have their weaknesses (and I’m sure they have their critics). Sometimes the narrative portions of the Jelly Telly gang are a little long. A couple of times, as Phil was explaining something, I wanted to raise my hand and ask a question challenging his statement. But the fact that I wanted to engage on an intellectual level shows that the series is not mere fluff. As for Theo, I only have the sample to work with, but the segments were very short, making me wonder if there is more (a full scale curriculum is in the works). Appropriate parental interaction is encouraged, not that there is anything bad in either series, but because there is so much that is good (plus doesn’t every parent long to learn about soteriology alongside their six year old?).

What’s in the Bible has been on shelves for about a year or so. I don’t know (as of today) if Theo is in wide release yet, but keep checking.

If only my professors in college taught like this…..

CPC11: THE HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Just to give you a flavor of the Children's Pastors' Conference, our friends at INCM just uploaded the official San Diego CPC Highlight Video. Not much to say about the video, so enjoy
If the video does not play correctly, just follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7bz4oFOJfI

CPC11: CAPTURING THE CONFERENCE

Another full day of learning, inspiration, and refreshment here at the Children's Pastor's Conference. I enjoy some of the games they play here, like this one called, "Retrieve the Coconut!" Just kidding.

Seriously, there is a lot of fun and laughter here, punctuated by a depth of worship and challenge that is hard to describe. So I thought I would share some "nuggets in photos":

This is the Justin Graves Band, an incredibly talented dad, mom, and 5 year old daughter who ministered during the lunch time Ministry Showcase. Also performing in the Showcase was Jana Alayra, whose cd's are popular within our children's ministry.
The Resource Center is always a beehive of activity. Sure, the people who exhibit there want to sell products. But what is such a blessing is that they are also there to answer questions, give insights, help clarify thoughts, and so on. It's not just material resources, but information and idea resources. Plus it's one of the main social hubs of the conference. You can feel the energy when you go there.

Group Publishing always has an impressive layout.

Awana (which recently re-launched at our church) is a regular at CPC But one of the neatest things about CPC is the opportunity to re-connect with friends and colleagues in the ministry. Last year, I failed to get a picture of Mike and Karen Pucket, with Amazing Truth Ministries. The Puckets are very talented illusionists who use their skills to point people to the Savior. My wife and I attended college with Mike and Karen, so it was good to see them again at CPC and to FINALLY get a picture.
Old friends, new friends, new ideas, new resources...it's all part of the package of CPC.

CPC11: GREAT SESSIONS

I just returned from Dinner on the Town. It was a wonderful dinner, shared at a table with a another children's minister from my home state of Colorado. I didn't get done in time to attend the Kidology gathering, which was going to be held in the parking lot of the Fashion Valley Mall (get a map of San Diego if you want to know where all this is!), but knowing my friends at Kidology, it was probably a great time.

Today was a day of challenge, laughter, and a tear or two. The workshops I attended were top-notch, with practical ideas and challenges to take back with me. The general sessions were incredible. Britt Merrick spoke in the morning about how Christ needs to be our Source. Some of the nuggets he shared were:
"Either Christ is everything or He is nothing."
"We are not loved because we are valuable; we are valuable because we are loved."
"Anything that pushes us toward Christ is actual gain."

Our late afternoon session featured Miles McPherson. With humor and straightforward talk, he laid out for us five elements of God's plan: Preparation, Purpose, Pain, Power, and Passion.

And then there was the incredible singing talent of Jana Alayra. In the world of children's ministry, she is one of the shining stars. But she switched gears in our conference to lead us in worship with more "grown up" style songs that helped us focus on the greatness and goodness of our God.

So now I'm going back to the Resource Center to a) pick up dessert and b) see if I can find the next "can't live without it" resource for our children's ministry. As the old saying goes, "having a great time, wish you were here."

CPC11: THE MUSIC OF GENERAL SESSION 1

Just a brief blog entry before heading to bed. Have you ever seen the effects of a few sticks of explosive on a pile of old dead wood? That's about how I'd describe tonight's opening session concert entitled "Family Fight Night". No, it wasn't a fight of a family, but rather a fight for the family. I will not go into details as to the different elements of the evening. Instead, I'll just talk about the music.

In a word: WOW.

While waiting to get into the session,we were treated by a mini-concert by Dean-O. But that was just the beginning. Kicking us off in the session was the Go Fish Guys. Yes, their cd's are great. And yes, we can rock out to their dvd's. But seeing them in person is just phenomenal. To have everyone on their feet, waving their hands in the air, and doing the motions was a sight to behold.

Later on, we were treated to the musical stylings of the Lads. We use Lads music and their dvd comedy program periodically in our Sunday Morning programs. They have a very hard driving beat and style that's a little hard to describe. But then came the surprise of the evening. You see, the opening session of CPC is always a bit emotional for me, particularly during worship time. But I figured, hey, it's the Lads. Rockin' out to "My Best Friend is the Creator of the Universe." is fun, right? And then....they effortless merged into "How Great is My God". I was startled from the power of the transition. The emotions followed.

Phil Joel, formerly with the Newsboys, followed up with some more hard, driving songs, including some of worship which again swept me away. Yes, it was loud and no, I don't think that style is for everyone. My ears were still ringing, but my heart was soaring as I left the hall.

CPC11: CHURCH TOURS

My Children's Pastor's Conference experience got started early this morning with the church tour. This year's journey took us to Orange County, California, specifically the bustling communities of Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley. Since my wife and I used to live around there, it was neat to travel on familiar streets once again.

Our first stop was Seabreeze Church. In spite of their size, their building was fairly simple, having been converted from a raquetball club. It was nice to see the easily identifiable check in areas outside, which is something you can get away with in southern California.

Stop number two was First Christian Church of Huntington Beach. I had been to FCC once before, but they have built and remodeled their areas. Each room has a particular theme: Treehouse, TechHouse, Lighthouse, etc.




The third stop was Beachpoint Church. This location was memorable for two reasons: first of all, the tour bus had difficulties navigating the difference in height between the street and the driveway to the church. There is nothing quite like hearing the "rumble, rumble, scrape" sound of bumper on pavement. But the second reason Beachpoint was so memborable is that the facility is so incredibly simple in design, but the children's pastor can instantly rattle off names, likes, dislikes, and interests of the individual children in her ministry. And the point is simple...it's not the wow pizzazz of facilities that counts in children's ministry...it's relationships!

CPC11: WARMING UP

I’m in San Diego, California for the Children’s Pastors’ Conference.

No, the conference hasn’t started yet. Long time readers of this blog (and those who know me and have heard the story) know that I try to book a “travel day” to avoid missing the pre-con check in. Plus, the extra time gives me a chance to become acclimated to everything (southern California is very acclimatable—and don’t look up that word, it’s likely not a real one).

I’m blessed this year to have two children’s ministry conferences in a short amount of time. On March 5 was our regional Rogue Valley Children’s Ministry Conference, put on by the great folks of the Rogue Valley Children’s Ministry Network. We brought some of our children’s ministry volunteers as well as some our daycare workers for this day of equipping and encouragement. The keynote speaker was the one and only Karl Bastian, founder of Kidology, one of the largest online resource networks for children’s ministry in the country. Karl and I have been internet buddies for a long time. We’ve bumped into each other at the San Diego conference on various occasions. He is a true servant, as authentic as they come, and I’d have to say one of the many influences on my own children’s ministry. His presentations are still being referenced and used by our team. Thank you, Karl, for your ministry in Oregon earlier this month (and though I’m not signed up for this particular one, Karl is doing an entire pre-conference session on Kidology at the San Diego CPC).

Karl and me clowning around

Our team for RVCMC '11

So here I am…a little over a week later, at the (deep breath) International Network of Children’s Ministries Children’s Pastors’ Conference (CPC for short). This is my 6th trip (though not in a row). The leadership of my church graciously allowed me to go this year, for which I am grateful. Like a lot of children’s ministers, there is a unique joy and energy that comes from serving kids, a joy and energy that sometimes defies human logic. But even the strongest of batteries needs regular re-charging. CPC does that. Plus, quite frankly, the last 30 plus days have been a tad bit more stressful than usual (I’m working on a blog entry about that as well). I won’t be so dramatic as to cry out in anquish “I need this conference!”, but it’s pretty close. I’m thankful for the down time, where I don’t have to be or do anything or be anywhere…I can just “veg out”, “be a flake,” etc. And I’m thankful for the actual conference coming up…the workshops, the general sessions, the opportunities to network, the resource center. I will benefit greatly in more skills and ideas. My church will benefit. My co-workers will benefit. And the kids will benefit. So CPC 11 is here. And so am I.

FOUNDATION OF SECURITY

Sometimes children's ministry security boils down to one alert person.

One of the many programs that make up our total children's ministry "umbrella" is Awana. This mid-week club attracts churched and non-churched kids and is quite popular. Although I'm the Children's Pastor, I am not directly involved in the "front line" of Awana. We have a couple that runs with the ministry each weeek and are doing a fantastic job. And if they need a guest speaker, I'm available. And that's where our little tale begins....

I was asked by the Cubbies (preschool) leader if I would tell the story for a couple of weeks, since they would be out of town. So I dug out an Awana church staff shirt (that remarkably still fit me!) and headed down to the church. This was my first opportunity to see first hand what I had heard so many glowing reviews about. It was a while before my turn to tell the story, so I asked the Commander if I could wander around. I peeked in the Sparks room and was greeted by several kids waving and saying hi. Essentially, I disrupted the group. Bowing out with an apologetic look on my face, I headed for the "big room", where the T&T clubbers were doing games.

After chatting with a few kids, I noticed the woman who was serving as secretary staring at me. I did not recognize her, but some of our Awana volunteers come from other churches, so I wasn't surprised. I smiled and said hello. She was pleasant, but reserved as she point blank asked me, "Who are you?" After introducing myself as the children's pastor, she eased up and began sharing her joys about serving with Awana. It was a wonderful conversation.

What impressed me the most about this woman is that she saw someone she did not know (me) and did not brush it aside, but very simply and directly asked who I was. Even though I had a shirt that said "Awana", she didn't know if I was a first time visitor, a parent, or a nefarious ne'er-do-well. I was an individual that she had never seen before and she cared enough to ask who I was.

And that is the foundation of security in children's ministry programs.

MAKING REALITY REAL

I don’t know where I first heard this story, but it has stuck with me over the years. As little Toby and his family were returning home from church, his mom asked what he learned in Sunday School.

“We learned about Moses!” Toby exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. “The wicked king was holding the Israelites hostage, but Moses and his squad rescued them and brought them out of the bad kingdom. But the bad guys chased them until they got to the Red Sea. Moses sent his squad to the hillside, where they planted a hundred sticks of dynamite. They blew up the mountain—KA BOOM!—and all the rocks that came down formed a bridge that the Israelites could walk on. The bad guys started to chase them, but Moses radioed for air support and then all the fighter jets ZOOMED in and launched missiles on the bridge. BANG, KA-POW, CRASH! All the rocks blew up and the bad guys drowned in the Red Sea and Moses and the Israelites were safe!”

The mom frowned. “Is that really how your teacher told the story?” she asked with concern.

“No, not really,” Toby shrugged. “But the way she told it, you’d never believe it!”

How many times have my Bible stories taken on the look and feel of a fable, or worse, an irrelevant and maybe even boring tale? A sixteenth century clergyman is said to have asked famed English actor Thomas Betterton why the theatre was so successful, while the churches were not. Betterton replied, “Actors speak of things imaginary as if they were real, while you preachers too often speak of things real as if they were imaginary."

So how do we present Scripture so that what is real is spoken of as real? Here are three suggestions:

1. Get struck with the awe and wonder yourself. It seems like such a basic question, but I always have to ask myself, “Am I just telling a story, or do I know deep down that it’s real?” Yeah, sure, I know that the story of David and Goliath teaches me that, with God’s help, I can handle any giant of my life. But then I start reflecting on the fact that the encounter between David and Goliath is true. It really happened! And when I relive the amazement and excitement of this historical battle myself, the lesson it teaches me becomes all the more real.

2. Use your voice, use your body, and get into it. Did you ever watch as a hunter talks about his expedition? Ever observe an athlete recalling a recent victory? They don’t just tell what happened; they seem to re-live the experience. The hunter’s voice drops to a whisper and he bends lower as he recounts how he snuck through the brush. The football star’s hands push aside invisible rushers until he throws for a touchdown, at which point he raises his hands in victory and simulates the sound of the crowd.
A children’s lesson is not a time for a dry lecture on Biblical history. The living, dynamic Word of God should be presented in a living, dynamic way.

3. Ground the incredible into reality. You may be absolutely convinced of the truth of the Scripture stories, but the kids need to make that connection as well. The feeding of the 5000 is an amazing story, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it took place in a real place at a real time. Was it sunny or cloudy? Were the clouds shaped like animals? Were there ants? A solid basis in what kids experience every day will go a long way to show how eternity intersected with our world.

As we approach our kids over the weekend, may we learn more and more ways to make reality real, to the glory of God.

TURNING OVER A NEW PAGE

After seventeen years, I am stepping down from leading the Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study at my church, effective October 31.

When my wife and I began attending the church, we were introduced to the adult Sunday School class by a guy named Gordon. The teacher was an easy going man named Bob. I was impressed with how casually the group interacted with one another over the Word of God. It was like a smaller family unit within the larger family unit of the congregation.

I don’t know how long Bob had been teaching the class, but he eventually left the church. I had spoken a few times in the worship services, so Roger (the associate pastor) asked if I would teach the class. I agreed…and the adventures began.

The greatest thing about teaching this adult class was the insight and observations of the class members. The group was not about passive listening, but active participation. Their questions, feedback, and even disagreements forced me to become a better student of the Word and hence a better teacher. To borrow (and freely adapt) a line from Veggie Tales: “we laughed, we cried, it moved us.” I honestly believe the Holy Spirit was the Teacher and I took far more away than I ever gave.

So why give it up? Two reasons:

1) I want to focus more on Sunday morning children’s ministries. As it exists now, I often end up being late to my group in order to attend to a last minute situation in the kids’ Sunday School. When my adult class is done, I make way to the back, but there are already kids there that I would have liked to “meet and greet” when they and their parents first arrived.

2) A speaker once said, in order to grow, you have to first subtract. He used the illustration of pruning. Interestingly enough, I had been trimming back some flower bushes the very morning I heard that message. It confirmed what I had been feeling in my soul for several months. I don’t know what the Lord has for me, but right now, I wear a lot of hats at the church. I rejoice in and enjoy each and every task, assignment, and ministry I have. But as the erstwhile philosopher/prophet Bullwinkle says, “I think I need another hat!” I’m convinced that I need to turn over a hat to someone else before I find out what the new hat will be.

This is not the end of teaching adults. Far from it. I may put together a limited series type of study. A couple of people have asked me if when I’m going to present my “cults and isms” series again. I’ll still fill the pulpit on occasion. The weekly study and preparation may not be there, but I’m still a student of the Word with a desire to communicate the Scriptures.

So if you are in my group, thank you for being a part of the last seventeen years. I know that whoever leads the group starting in November will bring his own unique style and perspective (and set of jokes) The Word of God will continue to go forth.

Let the new adventures begin...

OH WHERE, OH WHERE COULD THEY BE?

Michaeel Chanley, the creator of CMConnect, has created a fun, interactive way for children's ministers and workers throughout the country to find others of like mind and ministry:

imakidmin.com: "
"

So if you are part of this great adventure known as "children's ministry", check it out.

RECRUITING LESSONS I'M STILL LEARNING

One of my favorite passages on recruiting is found in Exodus 17:10-13

"So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

There are some children's ministers who are among the uber-talented. You know the kind...they can play guitar, operate puppets, coordinate half a dozen events, wow a group of kids for a full hour, and, like Fonzie of Happy Days, get recruits by a snap of the fingers (note: younger readers will have to ask parents about Fonzie). Yes, some children's ministers can do it all.

For the rest of us, we need Aarons and Hurs. For example, one of my weaknesses is in the area of recruiting. I'm getting a lot better at it, but there are those who can do it a lot better. One of my critics suggested that, because I couldn't get people to join me, that I was unsuited for children's ministries. I recoiled a bit at that. Just imagine Aaron and Hur saying, "Moses is clearly unable to do the job; therefore, we need to take over." Moses did not need someone to take over leadership of the Israelites, he needed someone to help him. My greatest need is for someone who has the talent, the personality, the skills of a master recruiter to come alongside me and hold my arms up in this area.

Maybe you are an underachiever in the area of crafts, the kind who ends up gluing his shirt sleeve to the popsicle stick. It doesn't mean you're a failure in children's ministry, it just means you need an Aaron or Hur to coordinate your craft time. Kid's music DVD's have held the arms up for many children's workers whose musical talents are lacking. And if you're the kind of kids' worker who blows things up when you mix two ingredients together, you need a Hur and a Moses to whip up tasty treats for your refreshments.

My goal for this new school year is to recruit at least one master recruiter to hold up my arms in children's ministries. What about you? Where do you need an Aaron or Hur this year? You are not a failure if you can't do it all (and it demonstrates a very limited perspective if anyone suggests you can't be a children's worker if you can't do it all!). Ask the Lord to help you find people who can pull up a rock, grab your arms, and help bring in the victory.

NOW THAT'S A LIST

Tony Kummer and his team have been publishing Ministry-to-Children.com since 2007. In addition to the free ideas and resources, the website also keeps a finger on the proverbial pulse of modern children's ministry. One of the ways they do this is by calling attention to children's ministry blogs from a variety of individuals. And periodically, Tony assembles a list of the top blogs, a virtual library of movers and shakers in the field of children's work. The latest "Top 100 Children's Ministry Blogs" was recently released.

KidServants Log: Musings from Teacher Tim is on the list.

This is a humbling honor in so many ways. I did not go to school to become a children's pastor; indeed, I had no real urge to get into children's ministry (although I had been doing it off and on since high school). But as the Lord transitioned me from being a senior pastor to a children's pastor, I realized I needed to become a student of ministry to kids. The classroom of the internet has become a major force in learning modern kids' ministry. And the giants of the faith, the ones I've gleaned from and whose philosophies and approaches I've absorbed and, in some cases, utilized, are on this list. And deservedly so.

I have never claimed to be in their league, so to be in the "top 100" is incredible. It is also strangely motivating, a needed kick to clarify, study, and post the benefits of my own experiences and learning.

To those who regularly read this blog, thank you. I encourage you to go to that list and check out the other sites. Thank you, Tony and the team for the inclusion.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL '10: "BACKSTAGE WITH THE BIBLE"

It's hard to believe that another Vacation Bible School has come and gone.

VBS '10 was phenomenal. Our theme this year was Backstage With the Bible, featuring music and video from Go Fish. I had the privilege of meeting the Go Fish Guys at the San Diego Children's Pastor's Conference and some of the materials I purchased, along with their answers to some lingering questions, went a long way in convincing me that this was the VBS for us.

Was it a good decision? As you can see from some of the pics below, we had a BLAST! There were over 100 kids throughout the week, but that doesn't even begin to equal the spiritual impact. For instance, 12 kids made professions of faith on Thursday night, indicating that they had trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Another blessing took place before our evening session. My assistant nudged me to look at some boys in the next aisle. They had their Bibles open, looking for and sharing verses with each other. There were no leaders or other adults around prompting them to do this--just a few kids getting into God's Word before VBS began that night.

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and support. And thank you to the Go Fish Guys for making cool music that kids and their parents love. Enjoy the pics.

24 THINGS I'VE LEARNED ABOUT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY FROM "24"

With the television series 24 coming to an end, I started to have a little fun with some of the plot devices, themes, and "quirks" of the show. Although other authors, speakers, and bloggers have tackled spiritual principles from 24, I thought I would find some applications to the world of children's ministry.
And before you write me, yes, some of the points are a bit of a stretch. Okay, some of them are huge elastic tethers of credulity! But I figure if Jack Bauer isn't dead or in SuperMax prison by now, I can get a little leeway for my nuggets of wisdom.

1. Everyone has a role. Every technician and field agent at the Counter Terrorism Unit had a job, an assignment, and a function. It is very important to recognize that all members of our teams, whether paid staff or volunteers, has a vital role to play in our children’s ministry.

2. Delegation. Chloe often had a hard time handing off extra work or responsibility to someone else. We need to be able to divide tasks and bring others in as needed.

3. The clock keeps ticking. The often cited statistic from Barna--that most kids trust Christ before they are teenagers—should be an incentive in our ministry to kids.

4. Endurance. It is amazing how Jack Bauer can go through a 24 hour period (more, if you consider that he’s already been up before the season started), get blown up, shot at, tortured, stabbed, and beaten, yet still have energy to burn. Sometimes, we as children’s ministers are called upon to endure, to persevere, to press on in what seems like a marathon.

5. Rest. This is the corollary to the previous point. Jack doesn’t sleep, doesn’t regroup, doesn’t even take time out to use the restroom (not that we would want to see that). Yes, at times we need to push forward, but too many Jack Bauer days will destroy our effectiveness as children’s ministers. God gives us the grace of rest…take it.

6. Commitment to the mission. Jack and the agents of CTU bring their skills and resources to bear on the mission at hand. Does our church have a well defined mission and are we committed to fulfilling it?

7. Communication. Everyone at CTU either has an agency communication device or a personal cell phone through which a steady stream of information is being shared. Trouble usually comes when the communication breaks down. Our children’s team should be regularly communicating with one another about the progress, needs, requests, and praises of the ministry.

8. Use technology to update. CTU can triangulate positions, share maps and blueprints, and dispatch field agents with just a touch of a button. As we communicate, we can take advantage of some great tools like Twitter or Facebook to keep our team “in the loop.”

9. Screen workers. One of the frequently used plot devices in 24 is the “mole”…a trusted CTU worker who is secretly a bad guy. Basic protocol in kid’s work: screen and check your volunteers and staff!

10. Depend on one another. Whenever Jack is in a bind, he can call Chloe, who often has the solution or data he needs. Everyone in children’s ministry should either have or be the kind of friend who can provide the encouragement and support you need.

11. Everyone has a story. Every season of 24, we meet some new CTU personnel. At first, they are random faces, but as the story progresses, we learn more of their background and quirks. Each one of our volunteers and staff are unique, each one has a story. It is worth the time to learn those stories.

12. Respect for those in authority. Jack is very much a maverick, but he is very consistent in addressing those in authority (especially the President) with respect for the office.. Even if we disagree with their actions, the pastor and leadership of our church are deserving of our respect and support.

13. Respect for those who labor. Another character trait of Jack is his respect for the “common laborer.” He will efficiently dispatch bad guys left and right, but he gets very protective and concerned with an innocent bystander, a regular beat cop, or a store owner. No matter our rank or privilege in the field of children’s ministry, we should never forget that a whole team of folks labor in this field with us.

14. It’s not all about the leader. 24 begins with “previously on 24”—scenes from earlier episodes, punctuated with pictures of the different characters. If you watch carefully, you notice that Jack Bauer’s picture is not always the first one shown. The Children’s Pastor or director is not always the star of the team.

15. Creativity. Whether it’s disarming a bomb or finding his way out of a trap, Jack has to think on his feet and find innovative solutions. Whether it is staffing or crafts or games or curriculum, it is important to tap into our creative side when working with kids.

16. When something doesn’t work, try something else. Can’t disarm a bomb in time? Shove it in a blast proof chamber. Bad guys took a different route? Take another route to intercept them. If a game isn’t working in your children’s program, stop the game and try another one. If a craft fails, learn from the problem and try something else.

17. Network with those who have similar missions. They did not always do it well, but CTU made it a habit to share information with other agencies such as the FBI and CIA. One of the greatest sources of encouragement is to network with other children’s workers in a local association, or through conferences, or even online. You quickly learn that you’re not alone in your mission.

18. Smile. Jack Bauer doesn’t smile a lot. In fact, few people at CTU smile very much. This should not be true of those who work with children, so smile!

19. Plunge ahead with confidence. Why do most characters instinctively follow Jack Bauer’s lead? Because he carries himself with the confidence that the course he is taking is right. Although we should always get input and be open to correction, there comes a point in our children’s ministry when we have to proceed with the confidence that what we are doing is the correct course of action.

20. Don’t be afraid to look different. This last season of 24, everyone had a stylish Bluetooth headset secured snugly to their temples. Not Jack Bauer. He had something that dangled loosely from his ear and looked rather awkward.. Whether it’s the Looney Tunes tie, big red shoes, over-the-top impersonations, or wacky voices, don’t be afraid to look different in the course of children’s ministry.

21. You never truly retire. There have been seasons where Jack has left CTU, only to discover his experience and training is still needed. I’m grateful for the seasoned children’s ministry workers like Jim Wideman and Barney Kinard who are still allowing us to reap the benefits of their experience.

22. Time has a way of slipping by. In the early seasons of 24, Jack would say he’d be at CTU in 20 minutes and sure enough, 20 real time minutes later, he would arrive at CTU. But as the seasons went by, the “real time” scenario has not been as sharp as it was previously (e.g. car blows up before a commercial. Two minutes later, the fire department is mopping up the scene!). The lesson is this: if we fail to manage the use of our time effectively, we will soon discover that it’s probably later than we think

23. We’ve all had days. Jack has had several, usually bad. But we’ve had days of great victory, great spiritual breakthrough, wonderful days when we realize that yes, God reigns. Those are the days that don’t get made into tv series, but they are the ones that make memorial altars in our lives.

24. And did I mention, the clock keeps ticking.

QUICK CHECK: NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

I have seen and received the following from several sources:

"President Obama has decided that there will no longer be a "National Day of Prayer" held in May. He doesn't want to offend anybody. Where was his concern about offending Christians last January when he allowed the Muslims to hold a day of prayer on the capitol grounds. As a Christian American "I am offended." If you agree copy and paste no matter what religion you are, this country was built on Freedom!!AMEN"

I feel compelled as I read this to throw out some quick points for everyone's consideration:

1. In 1952, President Truman signed into law (unanimously passed in both houses) a National Day of Prayer. This was standardized to the first Thursday of May in 1988 and recognized by an annual presidential proclamation since.

2. President Obama issued a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer last year. According to White House and news sources, He will also be issuing a proclamation this year. Important point: President Obama has not cancelled the National Day of Prayer.

3. President Obama will not host a formal meeting for National Day of Prayer. In fact, not every president has been a part of a formal National Day of Prayer event. In my opinion, we should not read a "hostility toward Christianity" into this, anymore than we should interpret Ronald Reagan's lack of church attendance as a statement against Christianity.

4. Ironically, President Obama was sued in U.S. District Court for issuing the National Day of Prayer proclamation. The judge in the case said that it was unconstitutional. President Obama is going to issue the proclamation anyway. Is this not a good thing?

5. Even if the President had the ability to cancel the National Day of Prayer (the President cannot, on a whim, ignore an act of Congress), the National Day of Prayer would still be held. Every single piece of literature and information I have recieved about the National Day of Prayer has not been issued by the government, but by private organizations. To my knowledge, most groups observing the National Day of Prayer go through the same channels as any other group in order to hold a rally in public places. Even if the President refused to issue a proclamation, you will still see thousands of people rallying in the mall in Washington DC on May 6.

President Obama has actually said and done many things with which I disagree. But he hasn't cancelled the National Day of Prayer. Let's take a deep breath now.....

CPC10 EPILOG: STUFFED BAGS

It took two bags.

I brought a second bag this year (CPC survival tip #14), but with airlines charging more and more for extra luggage, I was determined not to use it if I could help it. So as I packed my bag, I started stuffing every square inch with catalogs, brochures, cd’s, dvd’s, toys, props, illusions, everything I got from my week in San Diego. I was satisfied with my progress, until I looked over at the corner of the bed and saw another pile of items. Not to be deterred, I began stuffing some more…reorganizing, shifting, pushing. My now rock solid bag groaned under the strain. I grabbed the zipper and laboriously sealed the cover. I smiled, satisfied that I had bested the airline in the baggage wars. Until I looked back on the desk in my room and saw yet another stack of materials I had overlooked.

INCM’s Children’s Pastors’ Conference has often been compared to getting the proverbial drink of water out of a fire hydrant. Its significance strikes on so many levels, tangible and intangible, that describing it can be challenging. As a matter of fact, as I made my way across the courtyard following the final session, a cameraman stopped me for a sound bite. He asked me how I liked CPC. He said “action,” the light went on, and for a split second, my mind went blank. I think I mumbled something about being “incredibly full” (ahhh, adverbs: love ‘em and lob ‘em!), but honestly, I don’t remember. I wish I had thought of my overstuffed bags, because that’s exactly how I felt all week: filled to capacity and just when I thought I couldn’t handle anything more, another thought, concept, blessing presents itself.

So for this post, I’m going to take a few moments to unpack. Please join me:

The church tours were fast…almost too fast. But even though I have been to all three churches before and even though a half hour is not enough time to even scratch the surface of these facilities, I can’t help but ask, “If my church was on the church tour, what would visitors see?” The point isn’t what one can do with a humongous budget, the point is, what can one do to make children and their families feel welcome?

The general sessions were, as usual, excellent. I appreciated the music of Danny Oertli. There’s something about opening night that siphons out every single emotion in me. I feel totally alone with God, just as I feel so connected with two thousand others. Some of the songs, by coincidence or design, were songs we sing in our children’s ministry. To sing them with adult arrangements with adult voices was incredibly moving. And then, to make sure all emotions were laid bare, the comedy of Tim Hawkins had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt. I went to bed that night exhausted. But the week went on with more general sessions. Josh Wiedemann on faith, Michelle Anthony’s challenging thoughts (as one online observer said, every parent needs to hear it), Austin Gutwein’s vision at age 9 to make a difference in the world, the moving testimony of CeCe Winans, the basketball prowess of Dan Wetzel—every presenter brought a unique element. Add the amazing and moving chalk art by See the Light and the prayer for the continents with Jeff Smith and Rhythm Café, and it’s no wonder I was filled to overflowing.

Breakout sessions (aka workshops, aka classes) brought the best of the best for the purpose of information, inspiration, and infusion of ideas. I have been long toying with the idea of letting kids lead in worship, so Jill Anderson’s breakout on Kid’s Worship Teams seemed like a good place to start. Not only is Jill a dynamite presenter, but she led the whole group in some of her songs…and motions. The tiredness of the night before gave way to some renewed energy. Throughout the week, I listened to Bruce Barry of Wacky World Studios talk about design and the Kidologist, Karl Bastian, on the subject of discipline (thank you for providing your notes!) And there were others (if I attended your breakout, but didn’t mention it, please don’t be offended. I’m still reviewing my notes).

One of the greatest things about CPC is connecting with people. Some I know personally, some I know from their writings or by reputation. But there is an instant bond among us all. Joni Lum’s posts on the Kidology.com forums are always a blessing, but I finally got to meet her in person, as well as others during the Kidology gathering. It was good to have a mini-reunion with Mike and Karen Puckett of Amazing Truth ministries. They are fellow grads of Christian Heritage College (now known as San Diego Christian College). And to show that it’s a small world after all, Janet, the director of our local children’s ministries network, was at the conference (we attended the reception for those who have attended multiple CPC’s). There are so many more…the “who’s who” in kids’ work and the ones not so famous, all there to encourage and support one another.

So yes, I needed a second bag. As the final session came to a close, I commented to one of the people at the table that one of the hardest parts of CPC is the end. She turned to me with tears in her eyes and nodded in agreement. Yet with the sadness that this must end comes a renewed vision, a refreshed passion, and a rejuvenated energy. As I unpacked my bags and looked at the resources, I remember thinking, “how can I put all of this into practice this Sunday?” Of course, I can’t. The bags are unpacked, but I still have to sort through the stuff.

And that may take me until next March.

CPC10: PICS, PEEPS, AND PARADISE (aka "Friends are Friends Forever")

Reporting from the Children's Pastors Conference

My friend Karl captured this picture right before the first general session at CPC10. The pic is easy, but capturing the essence of this conference in a short blog is extremely difficult, so I'm going to settle for some more pictures and random observations.

Welcome to San Diego

My home away from home for the week. This is the first year that I've stayed at the tower.

This is Rob Biagi and his family performing. INCM arranged entertainment in the foyer before the general sessions began(Sorry for the blurry picture, but we're all packed pretty tight waiting for the doors to open).
Waiting for the general sessions

The stage design was amazing, especially when it was fully lit and animated.

Jill Anderson's workshop on developing a kids' worship team was very informative and motivating. Jill describes herself and her family as "musical missionaries." I will say that singing with that much energy at the first session on Monday morning is an accomplishment...and to get a whole room full of people to do the same is just amazing.

Go Fish Guys were the MC's for the conference.

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, complete with lab coat, sharing his passion. One of Karl's breakaways was on discipline...but it's not what one would think!

A picture I didn't get was that of Mike and Karen Puckett, with Amazing Truth Ministries. Mike and his family are gospel illusionists and are being used of the Lord to reach families with the good news of new life through Jesus Christ. Mike and Karen and I were all at San Diego Christian College together (back when it was known as Christian Heritage College). I've followed them on Facebook for a while, but it was nice having the "mini-reunion" at CPC.

I've come away with so much at the Children's Pastors' Conference...far more than I went in with. In a future blog, I'll share some more of my heart and personal observations.

CPC10: AND WE'RE OFF!

For the record, I set my clock ahead one hour before I went to bed. And I set the alarm to give me enough time to get up, get ready, get breakfast, and report to the foyer for the church tour.

The alarm went off as scheduled. I shut it off and thought how grateful I was to be able to attend the premiere conference of its kind. I thought about all it took to get here, about the great resources and networking opportunities I would have...about...how...I......

My eyes opened and I turned my head to see I had less than 30 minutes to report to the foyer! I sprang from the bed with all the nimbleness of a gazelle (with a broken leg), showered, dressed, and headed out the door. No time for breakfast. I got to my destination on time and....waited. I probably would have had time to grab a bite before we got on the busses, but one never knows these things. Besides, I was anxious to get started on the church tours...an opportunity to visit different facilities and see how they have set up their environments for maximum effectiveness.

First up was Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene. I've actually been here before at a previous CPC church tour. Then, their sanctuary looked like this:
Now it looks like this:
Because it was Sunday morning, we attended the early service at the church. It was rather amusing to see the expressions of some of the people in the parking lot: "Uhhhh, what are these big tour busses doing here?" The service itself was what I would call modernized traditional (the hymns had a bit of a beat to them!). Excellent message on Zaccheus. The pastor even asked all of us to sing the song. Following the service was a very quick tour of the facility, followed by a nice lunch.


Then it was up north to our next destination: Saddleback Church.
To tour Saddleback adequately takes awhile. We had thirty minutes. But it was still worth the visit. Yes, they have a lot of money to spend on totally involved children's ministry environments, but that does not rule out the creativity and ideas that must flow through all children's ministries regardless of their budgets.


And then we hopped on the bus and flew south to visit one of my personal favorites: Shadow Mountain Community Church. I have a soft spot for this church, because it is the home of San Diego Christian College, my alma mater (back when it was called Christian Heritage College). It is amazing to see what all they have done with the place...and again, the short time we were there does not do it justice. The creativity and ideas were there, but so was the honest admission that some things are still in progress. Just like us.

Yes, the church tours were fast. Having them on a Sunday kind of limits what time a large group can do a tour. But my commendations to the host churches for their excellent job in showing us all around in a very short amount of time, particularly after ministering to all of the kids in their own congregations that morning. It was a fun (and tiring way) to start the morning. The big take-away (besides great ideas and maybe a little envy) is that our challenges in Children's Ministry are universal. I met a nice woman who ministers in Hong Kong. Her challenges: volunteers, facility use, networking. Hey..same as mine. One of the best parts of being at CPC is discovering that we're all in this together. And that's worth a bus ride punctuated by whirlwind tours!

PRELUDE TO CPC: HAVE A NICE TRIP, SEE YOU WHEN YOU FALL

As my trip ended…it almost did. More later, but first….

People sometimes ask me why I try to book a separate travel day when I go to the Children’s Pastors Conference. After all, it’s one more night and more down time. I don’t mind the “down time” so much, because it allows me some solitude to pray, think, read, and relax without distractions. Still, there’s the cost…so why not save myself a night’s lodging and plan to show up on check-in day?

Answer: because of days like this.

My adventure began when my wife dropped me off at the airport at 9:30 a.m. Shortly after I checked in at the automated kiosk, an attendant asked me to go to the ticket counter. They explained to me that bad weather in San Francisco was causing delays and cancellations. It was then that the Biblical injunction to take heed when you think you stand, lest you fall came to mind. In all the weeks prior, I kept saying, “no bad weather when I travel. It can snow all it wants…up until the day I leave. Then let’s clear it up and I’ll be fine.” I’m sure my co-workers got tired of it. And when travel day arrived, it was raining…but at least it wasn’t snowing!

But I hadn’t calculated what bad weather would do at my connection in San Francisco. The attendant presented me with a backup plan. I struggled to follow: “you have a boarding pass for flight A, but if they call you as a stand by for flight B, then take flight B, and then your connection will be for your original flight C, unless they put you on standby for an earlier flight D that leaves later than C, and I before E, except after C.” (All kidding aside, the United counter staff at the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport were phenomenal in dealing with the vast amount of passengers who were inconvenienced by this situation. With patience and good humor, they helped weather the storm (no pun intended).).

My flight was scheduled for 11:00, but was bumped to 1:00 (it turns out that the 8:00 flight had to leave at 11:00). The flight to SF only took about an hour, but since SF had only one runway open (due to heavy rains and poor visibility), we “approached” for another 45 minutes. By this time, I had no idea if my original connection (which the counter agent said had been delayed as well) was still viable. At least I had plan B! I checked the board when I got off the plane and…big surprise! My original connection was so far gone, it wasn’t even listed anymore. I checked my plan B itinerary and was instantly confused. It looked like I wouldn’t be able to make plan B either. So I went to an automated kiosk and punched in my confirmation number. The nice machine informed me that due to weather delays, I had been rebooked on a 6:20 p.m. flight! I printed my boarding pass and rejoiced that that detail was settled. All I had to do now is wait. I watched the rain pelt the windows of the gate area. I watched as big jetliners pulled in and out, doing a delicately timed ballet with the baggage and maintenance vehicles. I could hear a waltz playing in the background as men and women in yellow and orange dayglow suits nimbly guided the planes to their havens (okay, by this time I was tired, hungry, and working on a king-sized headache, so forgive me a little loopiness).

My flight was on time. It left the gate on time. It stopped on the tarmac on time. This was good. And then the captain said, “Ladies and gentleman, we’ve just learned that the computers at the airport have gone down, so we need to wait here a little longer.” Uh huh.

Yes, I made it to San Diego. And incredibly, my luggage followed me! So with briefcase and laptop and big bulky duffle bag, I was ready to tackle the final obstacle: the Skybridge at San Diego International Airport. In order to get to the shuttles, one has to take an escalator up to a glass enclosed bridge, walk across the Skybridge, and then down the escalator. I have never enjoyed this part, because, while one or two of my items aren’t too heavy, three of them together are rough. And then, to navigate an escalator on top of that…..and that is where my journey almost ended!

I stepped onto the down escalator. My hands were full, so I couldn’t grab the rail. I was slightly off in my step, so I adjusted my feet. But the weight of my luggage threw off my balance and I started to fall. And I might have just ended up with a broken or sprained limb (or worse) if it hadn’t been for the guy behind me catching me (don’t know who he is, but the Lord knows!). I breathed a sigh of relief and a prayer of thanks, that after this very long travel day, I was spared another delay.

I arrived at the Town and Country Resort and got into my room at about 9:30 p.m., about twelve hours after my journey began (for the record, my original itinerary would have put me in San Diego about 2 p.m.). Tired and grateful, I prepared for a good night’s sleep. I’m looking forward to everything that I will experience at CPC, even starting with check-in time. And thanks to traveling the day before, I will not miss check-in time.

As our local meteorologist is fond of saying, “Stay tuned for updates….”