Posts

Posted on

Dumb Dumb 5K What Was I Thinking?

First, I want to say this is risky to write for anyone other than myself. Because sometime in the future I may not be able to move beyond where I am. Some could then try to use it to tarnish my witness, but I can’t let that stop me. This is the risk I’m choosing to take.
Today I heard something that made me think, it was about dumb, dumb moments. The times when you make an unwise choice that you have to admit that you made a dumb choice. As I listened to the text be read like I had before even reading it myself countless time before. This time it struck a chord and God made me pull over and park on the scripture so He could braid my life, His grace and Peter’s story all together.
I have heard people say that God gives them “words” for people. Honestly I am sometimes skeptical about that, but I do know when God gives a “word” to me for me, I better listen. Today that “word” is RUN. He actually gave it to me yesterday but I didn’t hear Him. Honestly I wasn’t looking for it or listening for him to give me a “word” I was just not in step with Him all the way. So because I was not paying attention yesterday He tried again. God has a way of not giving up easily on us.
Like I said it started yesterday. I decided to run my first 5K in over 25 years. I started training a little over a month ago when Chrissy (my awesome wife) decided to join this thing that I didn’t have any interest in called “Run for God” I wanted to encourage her in this and so I thought that it may be a great way to spend time together and we could do this together. I just wasn’t going to do the classes, I would read and all but I was in this to encourage her. In high school I ran on the cross-country team and I was one of the slowest but I never quit. As I read and started to run on the running days I got this spark of competiveness and birthed a dumb idea of running a 5K in 5 weeks it was a great cause I knew the promoters and had been on missions with them WCN. So I made a pact with myself to run this 5K then some one let the secret out. Big mouth me. So yesterday was the 5K.
I was nervous and worried why? I don’t know I just was. I wasn’t racing anyone but me. Now that’s some stiff competition actually I was racing against someone or something my past high school self. I did have my best buddy Scott who is fast on a slow day. I figured once he passed me on his way by lapping me he would be able to pick me up off the ground and get me going again.
Well the race started and we were off! I looked for Scott and as I though he was gone. It was just me and Toby Mac blaring from my headphones. Then every so often I would get updates on my pace and mileage. There was twist turns up hill down hill kids passing me. That felt great. I but I was determined and I pressed on. Walking hard to start then to a jog then (look mom) I’m running. (Short lived) about the 1 mile or so. I was feeling okay on pace and making headway. Soon I hit the half-way point and I had to walk but that’s when it happened someone stole my running shoes and put swim flipper on my feet and I didn’t even know it. Talk about alien abduction. It was incredibly hard to walk at pace. So I caught my breath and whispered a quick prayer for strength and started to jog. It was amazingly better the flippers were gone!
This happened a few more times. I would slow down and walk only to start to run because it felt better. I rounded the corner and I saw the finish line. I never thought seeing the finish line would remind me of finishing the race of life but it did. I pulled my one ear bud out so I could hear and I ran as fast as my short legs would go.  I remember looking for my family. I was so excited to cross the finish line. I ran like I was a marathon runner. Arms up in the air chest out. Not really. I was out of breath and shaking. It was over I was greeted with hugs from my wife and kids then I was handed a little bracelet that simply said RUN.  I looked around and saw nothing but smiles what a great feeling.
As I sat in church today listing to the story of Peter denying Christ 3 times and how he was at first so confident that he would not deny Jesus, but Jesus knew he would. And Satan was going to sift him to show his faith was not strong enough to build on the church on. I think Satan thought he had defeated Peter. But after the resurrection Peter face Jesus again humbly professing his love for the Lord 3 times. Peter understood in that moment that it was not by his strength that Jesus would build His church but it was going to be built only by the power of Christ Jesus.
My mind went to the 5K. I though of how the race seemed so long and at times I thought I would run the race like I was still a freshmen in high school. I was so wrong. I found myself sucking air and breathing hard, legs hurting, and lead weights for feet. My head started to hang to the ground. Then the voice started, you know the one that says you can’t do this. You should just give up and walk the path of shame.
It’s like Satan sifting Peter. In that moment we have a choice to hand over our dumb dumb to Jesus or keep it to our selves and try and make it through. In keeping the dumb dumb, we deny Christ and all his power and authority. This is a bigger dumb dumb thing to do, instead we need to profess knowing Jesus and ask for His strength when we have none. He will hear your prayer and answer it. When He is our all in all and our only strength when we are weak we will be successful in His eyes.  So as the doubts came, I did walk and the pain got worse but when I asked for strength and started to run it seem to go away. I did finished strong and yes it was hard but it was easier when I was running to Jesus.
The word RUN on the bracelet was perfect for that day. I need to continue to run to Jesus not walk. So I will continue my training and who knows perhaps you may see Chrissy and I at another 5K stronger and faster but always running to Jesus.

Posted on

I’m Part of the Walking Dead

One cold February morning I was sitting in the rocking chair looking out the French doors into the snow covered back yard, as I pondered the scripture I had just read. Most winter mornings you can find me in the same spot having my morning connection time with God. This morning as I read my thoughts were drug off to another place.  This is not necessarily a bad thing being a creative person some of my best ideas come from these little rabbit trails. The more I tried to refocus it seemed the stronger the ideas became. I pushed the creative thought process to the side and tried to refocus. Then the scripture started to move with in me and intertwined with the ideas and started to make sense to me.
Earlier in the year I had decided to read the book of Romans again and I had been putting it off until now. So I decided to read a chapter a day during my quiet time and that is how this process got started. Another thing that I started was watching a TV show my kids have recently have been watching. The problem was that the show was about well something that I had always associated with being wicked or dark. Just not what I would have considered something that a good Christian should be spending their time doing. The show has an apocalyptic theme and zombies. When ever I heard someone talking about zombies or the zombie apocalypse I would just roll my eyes and move on or think how stupid is that, the world ending through zombies. Part of me also had strong spiritual issues with it being about the undead. This was just evil, something taking control of the mind and body, if you called yourself a Christian how could you indulge yourself in this? It just isn’t right. So I wanted to try and understand what my kids saw in this show that seemed to intrigue them. I have to say that each of my children have a strong active relationship with the Lord and have pretty good discernment on most things as far as teen kids can. So I needed to try and understand why the interest?
So, I started to watch the show and the more I watched it the more I started to understand why they liked it. It wasn’t the zombies or the violence that is portrayed in the show. It was about the relationships of the characters and the choices they decided to make and even the hard ones they were forced to make. It was about the survival and the fight to hold onto a disappearing belief system that is woven through society. To be honest I too was interested in what they would do. Then my thoughts turned to what would I do if I was forced into a situation like this.
I’m not a corner dooms day crier but if were honest and look around at our society its obvious to see that things in this world are not all happy and shiny. The blatant sinfulness that we are bombarded with daily though media and just living is taking its toll on this world and us. Scripture tells us the even the earth cries out because of our sin. (Romans 8:22)  So something is going to happen one way or another. I rest assure that God has it all under control but some day I may have to make some hard decisions and I’m not sure what I may do. I do know that I will want to stay in Gods will.
As I started in Romans I noticed something an idea. The idea that may be a bit crazy but non the less interesting and worth the time to sit and think for a while about what this could mean. Here it is scripture tells us that we are dead when we are living a sinful life. (Ephesians 2:5)  We are in a world that has the walking dead all around. Now I understand that we are raised to new life in Christ but just the same we are in a sense the dead. The old has passed and the new has come. (Romans 6:4) this is how I see it. In Christ we are made new but still we are slaves to the earthly body. This body will continue to degenerate and fall apart until it will no longer function. When this happens the new creature that has been trapped will be freed and rejoined in heaven with the Father.
Okay you maybe saying yea that’s nice and all and so you see a correlation from scripture to a popular show. Well it’s more than that it’s a culture shift of a younger generation this should be looked at as an opportunity to reach out and bridge a gap. Those who know the truth of what the future holds in this life and beyond can take this pop culture trend and use it to reach those who have little to no understanding of the Gospel. I’m not saying that we all need to watch zombie movies. I am saying that the Church consistently misses the mark on taking things that are on the rise in our culture and using them to reach a unbelieving society who is looking for answers.
You may say well you can’t use everything. That is true some things are not appropriate to use but then sometimes we wait to long to move forward and bridge the gap that the opportunity to make a difference in gone. We must not wait or miss opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Yes, it may not be our choice way of reaching out but this is not about us.
I have though about that gruesomeness of the killing and all the blood in the show. Here are some of my thoughts. We have a generation that has played games like Halo and mortal combat they have seen things in movies that blow me away. Not to mention the reality shows of the war. Perhaps that may be the key thing to think about we are in a war and the more that we let our guard down and sweep things under rug the less prepared we are for when things do get really bad. We bury our heads in the sand and say that will never happen to me I hope you are right but it may happen to our kids and will they be ready? I’m not saying open Pandora’s box and submerse our kids in this. What I am saying that we need to be smart and think about how we can best help them face whatever the future holds. If you haven’t heard Christian persecution is not over and never will be and it is in even the United States and growing rapidly.
The question is what will you do or how will you handle situations that you find yourself in? If its terrorist, government control, natural disaster to a viral epidemic we need to think about how we can preserve our faith and reach those who are part of this sin ruled disobedient society.
Just some things to think about.
Click Here To Watch Our Walking Dead Contest Video

Posted on

Importance of worship teams

The other day, I had a parent come up to me to share what had happened at their house last Sunday after church.
You see, we’re in the middle of a 40 Days In The Word campaign. To help the kids have a little more encouragement to dig into the word of God, we decided to offer some incentives. If they brought back their take-home page with a parent’s signature showing they completed the activity, they could choose from some of our prizes.
The parent went on to tell me that her son choose Bible tabs and he spent most of the afternoon strategically placing the Bible tabs in his Bible. When he was finished, he sat there and slowly paged through his Bible. He then asked if his mom would do sword drills with him.
This is a game of looking up Bible verses as fast as you can when some one calls out the address. (Book, chapter and verse.)
She also wanted let me know that because of this encouraging incentive we have used along with new changes we have made to our worship time, her son loves coming to church!
As I was listening to her tell me all this, I was thinking of 2 things: one is that the strategic planning of the incentives was a success, and the second thing I was thinking was that the new structure of our worship teams is working.
When the load of leading worship is shared, it makes it easier for everyone. People don’t get burnt out and the kids are exposed to a many different believers who have fresh perspective on what God is doing. This helps kids see how God can work in others’ lives in different ways.
We have one leader for each service, and each leader is responsible for recruiting a team of 2-3 members. They are also responsible for scheduling and holding rehearsals with their teams. The goal of each worship leader is to find a member of their team to take over as leader so that member can move on and start a team of their own. This is working for us and is making a difference in lives.
So BIG thanks! To my ministry teams, you’re doing a great job!

Posted on

Treat Your Volunteers Right

Treat Your Volunteers Right
By Butch Hunter
Volunteers are one of the most valuable assets in your ministry. Every good leader is always supported by a great team. Most of our teams are volunteers. These people are the backbone of our ministry programs. They are the ones who help you, the ministry leader, lead people to Christ.
I heard it once said that you know you are a leader when you look behind you and see people are following you.
For some people this can be difficult, but you don’t want to become a Lone Ranger in ministry because it limits your influence in how God can use you.
If we want ministries that have a lasting impact we need to be able to build solid teams that will support the vision God has entrusted us with.
It’s like this…. (air bag illustration)
Having a great team is vital to make an impact.
WARNING: Don’t just put anyone on your team. Take time to pray about who God wants on your team and what position they are to play. This will save heartache and headache in the future.
With our teams we need to keep in mind that they will only be as passionate or excited as we influence them to be. What I mean is this, if you’re on fire, your team is likely to be warm. If you’re warm, they will be chilli’n.
We want our teams to run red hot and passionate about reaching people for Christ.
The truth is that we all get tired and deflated at times– when the pressures of the world and circumstances get to us we be come like this balloon. As leaders we need to keep ourselves tapped in to God on a daily basis. This is one of the best things you can do for your team. If you’re not being feed and challenged, how can you feed a team or bring them to new horizons? We need to be filled up and rocketing toward the vision God has set before you.
Rocket balloon (illustration)
As leaders we love our volunteers and would do whatever we can to help them be successful in their ministry. I believe there are 5 key areas in which we can help our leaders be the best they possibly can. All volunteers want to be:  
Connected, Included, Valued, Appreciated, and Challenged
So, today I want to look at a few ways we can help our teams in theses areas.
Connected:
Scripture: Mark 9:35 Jesus called the twelve together…
Peel and Pull Twizlers (illustration)
1.     People volunteer because they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s our job to help them find out where they fit into the puzzle of the church and in your ministry. This is helping them discover how are they connected.
2.     This is helping them see how what they do makes an impact for the kingdom of God.
3.     This is also helping them to see the big picture of where they’re going. In a word “Vision”
4.     Communicate to your team!
a.     Over-communicate.
b.     Show them what you want, don’t just expect it.
c.     Coach your team.
If you show them a great vision, but fail to tell them how they’re going to get there or you don’t give them the tools to be successful and clearly instruct them how to use them, they will be LOST!
“Bugs Life Clip”
Included:
Scripture: Mark 9:36 Jesus went further and connected the dots.
DOTS
We need to do more than communicate we need to help our leaders connect the DOTS.
1.     Include your team in planning.
2.     Dream with your team.
3.     Listen to your team.
4.     Give assignments and delegate. Start small.
5.     When you communicate provide opportunity for feedback that will be addressed.
6.     Let your volunteer’s buy-in to what God has started in you.
Valued:
Scripture:  Mark 9:37 Jesus showed the value of his followers– they are precious to Him, a treasure.
Hershey Treasures
1.     Validate their contribution to the ministry.
a.     “Catch” leaders making a difference.
b.     Share transformation stories
                                               i.     In person
                                             ii.     In writing
                                            iii.     On social network communities
                                            iv.     With their peers
2.     Empower them to take ownership of their slice of the vision.
a.     Training
b.     Articles
c.     Opportunities
3.     Show the leader they are valued
a.     Recognition
b.     Gifts
Let them know they are truly treasured
Appreciated:
Scripture: John 13:1 Jesus showed his love for them.
Hershey Kisses
Volunteer’s contributions matter and pointing out how they’re making a difference gives encouragement and meaning to their service.
1.     Thank you cards
2.     Thank you gifts
3.     Awards
4.     Banquets
5.     Play, have fun together
Give volunteers lots of kisses. (Hershey kisses)
Challenged:
Scripture: John 21:15-19 feed my lambs, care for my sheep, feed my sheep, follow me
Sweet-tarts
Don’t be threatened by a volunteer knowing something you don’t. Try and guide them in ways to use their new talent or skill to benefit the ministry and you.  Help them see how they can help you achieve the goal of the vision in your ministry.
1.     Give opportunities to grow.
2.     Take them to conferences,
3.     Give them resources
4.     Help them to take advantage of opportunities outside your church. (camp, mentoring, 4-H, Kids Hope, Scouts, ect)
I have given you Sweet-Tarts because even though the candy is tart at first, it becomes sweet leaving you wanting more.
This what we want for our leaders- it’s hard at first, every challenge is. Once it’s mastered it is very sweet, and they look for the next challenge.
Remember:  Luke 12 48 “who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Make sure you, Treat Your Volunteers Right!

Posted on

Equip 2012 Notes "Connecting Kids to God"

Connecting Kids to God
Pray
Intro of self
Intro to topic: “Connecting Kids to God”
How can I Connect Kids to God?
By yourself it’s hard, but if we use the resources that God has provided us with it can be done.
So, lets start by naming some the common resources that God has given us.
1.    The Bible
2.    Books
3.    Web sites/blogs
4.    TV shows
5.    Games
6.    Parents
7.    Email
8.    Text messaging
9.    CD’s
10. DVD’s
11. Take-home sheets
Out of all of these, one of the biggest resources we have is parents.
Time leverage with parents.
Average of 40 hours of ministry to kids a year
Parents have 3000 hours
(Wind bags. Illustration)
So, if we can equip parents, we can have bigger impact on a kid’s life. Not to mention the impact you may have on the parent and the rest of the family.
How do we help parents and kids love spending time with God?
How about devotions or God moments with parents?
Sometimes these times with parents can look like this:
       
We provide them with tools they need to be successful.
         Parent page/take home page
         Websites
         All the things we would use to teach a lesson, provide for the parents.
Offer classes to teach parents how to have a devotion with their families.
 This may not seem like a big deal to us as pastors, directors and teachers, but it’s huge for parents. They need to:
1.    Understand the value of spending time with God and their children.
Deut 6:4-9
2.    Have permission to not be perfect.
3.    Understand how to use the tools you have provided.
(Rocket Balloon illustration)
1 Corinthians 9:24- 27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
Encourage the kids and parents.
         Use incentives for both parents and kids
         Write notes to families that you know that are using your devotional tools.
Help parents and kids overcome obstacles that hinder them from connecting with God.
         Use the holidays as a time to help families start a God time.
         Advent book
         Schedule/reading plan
Okay now… how about you, what else can you do to help make kids love connecting with God?
         Teach them the importance of having an appointment with God.
What is devotion?
 My definition: A time set for growing closer to God. (God’s appointment)
         Give them tools to use on their own.
         Help them see God moving in their lives.
Practical applications / Resources:
Assign a book to read with questions to answer.
Too much like school?
What’s more important the education of this world or the success in our spiritual lives for the next life to come?
 Prayer pals (take home prayer request pet).
On your take home sheet provide suggestions for parents to get scripture into the kids hands in creative fun ways.
Write a freaky fact that can tie to memory verse for the week. Suggest parents stick it in their kids’ lunches.
Send home illustrations for parents to get ideas for getting kids to focus on a Bible verse. ie: Fun size Milky Way with God created the heavens and the earth. Gen 1:1 The milky way is a part of the heavens above the earth that God created!
Send an extra sock in their backpack with: Romans 10:15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” the good news is Jesus took all our sins away. Or stick it in their shoes.
Think beyond your students. Try to think about what will help your student make what I call the “unexpected bonus”. This is when the kids connect others to God without doing it on purpose. Take the two examples I just gave. If others see one or other of the two examples I just gave, it can start a life changing conversation. This not only encourages the student but they can experience God using them first hand. 
Have parents or you e-mail or text a fun message or perhaps a clue to a secret message with a Bible address.
Mail a puzzle that needs solved with Bible verses to the kids and have them bring it in for a prize.
Send a You Tube link to have the kids go to and watch with their parents. Give a few questions to be answered and some verses to look up and have them e-mail the answers back to you.
Text or email Bible trivia questions to them.
When kids are looking to becoming a Christian help them establish a devotion time with a reading plan and journal customized for them.
Hopefully with all this info you will be able to leverage you time and talents and help kids and parent love devotions. Watch this last clip of what a parent with right tools and coaching can do.

Pray
Q and A
Posted on

Equip 2012 Notes "Teaching Kids The Way They Learn Best"

Teaching Kids The Way They Learn Best
By Butch Hunter
Learning Styles
There are four main learning styles we will be looking at.
Auditory – listening
Visual – seeing 
Tactile – touching
Kinesthetic – doing
Auditory: These learners grasp information best through hearing, but will completely understand it when they can explain it or repeat it back. Putting things to music will enhance the retention of information also.
Characteristics:
Learn 50% by listening, the other 50% is by repeating or talking things through.
Love tons of auditory stimulation
Love to talk- most times describing things in detail.
Likes to talk or sing even if no one is listening
Example of Auditory learning:
Echo back memory verse.
Wonderful Books Of The Bible song (worshipforkids.com)
Visual: These learners process information through visual experiences. They are always looking for something new or trying to discover something they haven’t seen before.
Characteristics:
Need to see something to understand it.
Most times they will look up as they start to talk. They are visualizing what they are talking about.
They like to take notes.
They need quiet times to concentrate.
Can digest a large amounts of information when presented in graphs, pictures, charts, ect.
Example of visual learning:
            Bible lesson with video
We use iMove and royalty free music from iMove in the background– our effects we apply are ken burns. (pictures used are available at Eikonbibleart.com)
The awesome part of doing lessons this way is that you are teaching to primarily the visual learner, but you also are adding a touch of auditory to it too. The added bonus is that you will keep the kinesthetic learner engaged with all that is going on at once.
Posters are great tool to use, and in our Heart Shapers curriculum you have a wide variety of choices of preprinted posters to use. Most time you have a new one for each month.
 
Draw the story on a white board. Draw even if you don’t have talent. Stick figures work just fine.
Tactile: these learners need to feel or touch to bring home concepts. They are the ones playing with something in their hands while you are teaching the lesson. Try Fidget Buddies or stress balls, even Play-do will keep them engaged
Characteristics:
Loves hands-on learning.
Touching and feeling will them process information.
Hands are always moving.
Manipulative are a great tool.
Doodling or highlighting can help with concentration on material that is being presented.
Example of Tactile learning:
Play-Doh
Have kids mold or sculpt parts of the lessons. For these learners, it’s just enough to have something in their hands as the lesson is being presented.
Water
Use a water table if you have one to use, if not a dish basin will work just as well. Tell the story and let the kids use action figures to act out the story. With water, Jonah and the fish will work or Jesus walking on water.
Confetti
You could use this for a lesson on baptism or the Holy Spirit descending on Jesus. These learners will grab the confetti and hold it through the lesson and crumple it in their hands. They need to be touching and feeling and this provides that opportunity to connect them to the lesson.
           
Kinesthetic:  These learners need to be experiencing what is being presented in a hands- on environment. Acting and doing actions help solidify the concepts presented. Hands-on games will be a home run with these learners.
Characteristics:
Need to move to learn.
Learn best by touching or interacting with something.
May seem hyperactive when they are not engaged or involved in hands on learning.
They need to experience first-hand what is being taught.
Example of Kinesthetic learning:
Act out the story.
Drama. Keep it simple. Use the resources you have in the class or at home. If you want to be adventurous, go to places you can get free stuff. Like Burger King crowns. Use your imagination and think where you can gather stuff to enhance your lesson inexpensively or even FREE!
Use key word actions.
This is always fun whatever the story is being used. All you do in pick a key word that will be repeated in your story and assign an action to it. So if you were telling the story of the talents, every time you say the word master or talent have the kids raise their hands in the air and bring them down to their waist and say Cha-Ching! This is fun, and you can use this technique on the fly. So, if kids are not connecting try this.  
Use games to illustrate lesson.
We use a variety of games to help kids understand a lesson. One that we have used on “Focusing” involves trashcans and Nerf footballs.
Kids have to get into teams and stand in line. The object is to accurately toss the ball into the trash can. If they make it in, they will receive an envelope with a puzzle piece that they will have to put together with their group leader after attaining all the pieces. The puzzle is the verse for the day, i.e. Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Then the leader will facilitate them in a discussion on what we need to focus on.
What kind of learner are you?
I have an evaluation on what kind of learner you may be. I found this online at  http://www.wright.edu/~carole.endres/learnstyles.htm
Follow the instructions and total up your responses to see what your highest learning style is.
If we look through God’s word, we can see Him using these learning styles    through-out the entire Bible to reveal Himself to His people. Let’s see if you can pick out what style is being used to teach in these passages.
(Form teams and use A, B, C, D, cards to display styles on screen. Review- have them say it. Have one person from each group read verse of passage of scripture.)
           
Auditory – listening
Mathew 5:1-2
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
Visual – seeing 
Luke 6:6-11 
On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.8 But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Get up and stand in front of everyone.” So he got up and stood there. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”
 10 He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and his hand was completely restored.
Tactile – touching
            John 20:24-28
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
   But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Kinesthetic – doing
                        Luke 10:1-24
                        Jesus sends the 72 out to do what he has equipped them to do.
So how do we teach with all this in our classes or large group lessons?
This is where structuring an order of worship or class lesson plan is so important. You can strategically place different elements in you lesson to reach each learning styles. I want to take a moment and look at how we can structure this, or use a curriculum to achieve this. Most of classroom-based curriculums now take this into consideration. 
Let’s look at a lesson from Standard Publishing’s Heart Shapers Curriculum.
With Heart Shaper, it divides up your lesson into easy manageable steps that keeps your planning simple. Each step gives you choices of what type of activity you would like to do. You can do one or all of them. This curriculum is extremely flexible without a bulk of extra material to wade through. Each point you can clearly define what learning style it will reach in your class. Not only is it helpful to the learning style, it’s fun and engaging for the kids we’re trying to reach for Christ.
Let’s look at simple sample large group/small group outline.
This is an order of worship that I use. This outline is just a template that I plug into what I want to do for that service. Having a template helps volunteers and kids know what to expect in your service. People like things to be predictable and constant and this will help with that. With minor adjustments, you can also use this template for a Jr. worship service too.
You can see from the template that you can carefully structure your service to incorporate all of the learning styles in a easy format.
We all like to have our service point back to the main point or scripture were using, so you build around that and incorporate the learning styles that will reach all of your students.
Worship songs:         Choose songs that have to do with the aspect of the main point. In addition, use some songs that have motions and some that don’t.
Memory verse:          Use with motions or catchy visuals to display the text.
Message:                    Use a variety use keywords, drama, visuals, video, music, ect.
Small Groups:           Use hands-on object lessons or low-key games that don’t require major movement.
Hopefully, now you can recognize the different learning styles and customize your ministry to better reach your students God has entrusted you with.

Posted on

Equip 2012 and More

Wow, I didn’t realize it’s been so long since I had written in my blog. Changing ministries and everything that goes with that have kept me from blogging.

With that said I wanted to give a shout out to all my new friends I made at Equip 2012!

I Had a great time this past weekend! All you who attended my workshops I want to thank you  for attending and all the intrest in the workshops. I promise that I will have workshop notes up soon.

So make sure to check back or start to follow my blog and you will get some great resources for your ministry and life or you can see what I’m going through a be able to help me too.

Blessing

Kidzpastorb “Butch”

Posted on

When will you grow up?

If you’re in youth or children’s ministry you often get the question, “When will you decide to be a real minister?” Meaning, when will you grow up? Or, when will you step up and become a lead minster preaching, setting up services, counseling, recruiting for other areas in the church, and so on. You get the idea. This question always drives me nuts. I have done all these things for adults in my life as God’s servant, but now I do it for kids.

My response could be “So, what your saying is that ministering to students and kids is not as important as ministering to adults?” But, I’m not going there with this.

What I do want to write about is something that I have hoped to hear for years, but I have never experienced-until now.

You see in ministering to kids, I do all that a lead pastor does. I cast vision, recruit, train, teach, and yes, even preach. In my estimation I do everything that a senior minister would do. I’m sure I can hear amens from my peers!

Well, the other day I was in a meeting when a comment was made that caught my attention. Someone said that I pastor a church of 300+. At first I was wondering, where is this person going with this? Then he mentioned the youth minsters name, and said that he pastored a church of 300+ too. The point was that we (the youth pastor and me) needed the encouragement, prayer, support, and yes, respect–just the same as the senior minister needs it. The only difference between us is the age of our congregations. At that moment, I felt, “Wow. Someone gets what I do!” Not that I need to be honored, but it was good to know that someone understands that my calling is just as valuable as other pastors. I have to admit that it was a bit surreal, but what made it even better was that the person saying it was my Senior Minister, Jeff Boyer.

These words are not often said, or at least we children’ pastors don’t hear about it. I pray that more senior ministers would understand that we have congregations too, and we are all on the same team working for the same goal.

I have to say, it sure encouraged me. I believe God knew I needed to hear this.

So I do give all honor and glory to God for those who understand that youth, children, adult and all other ministries have value to God in making eternal life changes in the local church.

Thanks Jeff!

Posted on

Crazy But Good

Okay, so I’m behind on the blog so if you want to know stories you got to ask about a day or a picture.

Yesterday I had a great opportunity to talk to some of the men of the neighborhood man to man about faith and being a good husband and father. these guys I was told were ones who want to make a difference but feel like the community looks at them like they are scum because of the life style they are coming out of. Jose was not a christian and had been resisting the Holy Spirt and it was so cool to help him overcome and commit his life to the Lord.

Today we went to prison. Yes prison and I made some great friends!

Chrissy and I had the opportunity to share our story of how Christ changed our lives. I don’t know how or why but in my excitement of sharing I got a bit preachy to these gangsters and more or less told them if they thought they were in hell now just wait if they don’t have Jesus.

Side note! I don’t plan on doing that in my kids ministry just to clarify.

I’m still not sure what all I really did say but I do remember my voice being so loud the it was echoing though the corridors. After we shared and prayed with these guys we got to know them.

One Homie “New Boy” Who is an awesome artist was relentless to teach me spanish in the time we had together. He made me practice on his homies as he introduced me to them I met “Lazy” and “Rookie” together we had great conversation mostly in spanish.

I would never imagine that I would be taught spanish by a gang banger let a lone just having a great conversation with someone like this is the federal pen. By the way yes we were with these guys in this windy corridor with no guards or any security. There was much respect there and honor. Nothing to fear but fear it self. these guys now my homies made me promise to return. they told me they weren’t going any where.

Before we went to the Pen I will admit I was a bit anxious knowing some of what I was getting into. But then I thought of paul where he says:

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”Philippians 1:21. 



I would rather go tell some one about Jesus and lose my life then to loose my eternity with Him.


After we did get out of prison we made our way back to our church base. There we heard the presidents helicopter was to land so we stayed to see if we could see him. Not only did we see him we met the President of Honduras he was very friendly and nice shook our hands.


Pretty cool day!

Posted on

Honduras 2011 day 3 Smile Jesus Te Ama

Well, today I did something that I have not done often when I come to Honduras. I was actually in the distribution and I had the best job. But before I get to that I need to tell you about the area we served in today.

We set up in a small school that was on the out skirts of a garbage dump. No big deal to us gringos. Here it is a big deal these wonderful people not just live by the dump but also in it. they live in cardboard houses or any thing else they can construct  into a shelter from the dump. We were told that it was to dangerous for us to go in this year. There is too much poverty and need. Some of the people just will do anything to get what they need even if it means violence.

When we arrived the testimony question came up “Who shall I send?” Chrissy answered the call. I thought she was going to freak because I don’t think she really understood that she volunteered and when she realized what she did she was like AHHHHH! Well maybe not that bad but still freaked out thinking can’t believe I did this.

She stood there talking to the translator in a small still voice that only a few around her could hear. As she talked about her life and how powerful God has been in changing her from the inside out I could see people shaking their heads and leaning in hanging on to every word translated. It was really cool. Then it was over and this was the best part She smiled and just had a glow about her that was unmistakable that God was pleased with her.

Now as I said I had the chance to be in the distribution and I got to watch my wife hold up clothing and talk to the people as they went though the line. When she would find something that was just right the room would illuminate with Chrissy’s smile. It was contagious then the people would smile thought the rest of the line. Time after time this happened. Now not everyone came in with a scowl. But the worry and oppression was so heavy on most of them but, when they reached Chrissy something seemed to change just for a while.

As I said I had the best job I was taking family photos at the entrance and It was so hard to get them to smile or at least have some expression. We should have had the photos after Chrissy.

I was just thinking as christians that we go through this world with such blank faces with no joy or like the world is on our shoulders, when we should be make others faces light up. We have the grace of God.  Yeah not everything is going to be great but someday it will be  and  from there on everyday after if you have Jesus.
My bible says we are to give our burdens to Him and He will take them. When we have the opportunity to share the love of Christ why don’t we? We need to work on this. If we really need to have something to worry about think about all those who don’t have Jesus. Because they will not have great days for eternity.  Use that to motivate your smile!