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I’ve been in church most all of my life. (Please don’t hold that against me.) Every week I hear words and think that if I hadn’t grown up in church I would have never heard them. Let’s go ahead and remove “true” Christian and/or Spiritual words like righteousness, holiness, sin, forgiveness, or atonement. I’m talking about good clean fun church words; the kind of words that we’ve adopted from the King James Version and woven them into the normal church vernacular. These are words you just NEVER hear outside of a church setting. Get it?

Here are some I’ve come up with:

Appropriation
1. I understand that this is a theological word; but I’ve been told to appropriate my faith for just about every area of life. I’m still not totally sure how I appropriate things into my marriage…
Devourer
1. This is commonly worked into offering sermons. As a kid I always thought of the Devourer being some sort of villain that would battle Superman. I get the principle of Malachi 3:11, I just think the word Devourer is a weird overused word.
Condemnation
1. As a pastor I regularly work Romans 8:1 into counseling meetings, but I’m not sure I would hear this word outside of church. Isn’t there a more understandable word?
Deliverance
1. I dare you to suggest deliverance to the next co-worker that complains about their teenager. Double-dog dare you!
Testify
1. Anyone want to testify?
Anoint
1. Usually involves cooking oil; and sometimes requests for a “double-portion.”

I have a few others in mind, but I’d love to hear some others… If my descriptions confused you, then check out this great resource. Church-Speak 101

Last week I sent out a survey to all the wonderful people that volunteer to work in our Early Childhood areas at the church. More specifically it was sent to those people that are lead teachers. I worded it a little playful, but not too much. I wanted people to feel they could be honest, without hurting someone’s feelings. It is also my goal, whether they fill out the survey or not; for them to know that their opinion has some weight. The entire thing shouldn’t have taken more than 5 or 10 minutes, so it wasn’t a terrible chore.

So far I’ve gotten some great feedback. By great I mean it made me cry it was so freaking honest.

Those responding to the survey were not required to provide their name, but were given the option if they wanted to. All questions were required to be answered to advance through the survey, except where an optional response is noted. I used Pollograph for the survey, and I can NOT say enough great things about the service. It is a super A+ online survey service.

The following are the questions given and responses offered:

1. Do the Children in your classroom seem to enjoy your classroom?

Always

Sometimes

Never

2. Do you feel that the Children in your class are learning Biblical principals?

Always. The kids can recite the main point at the door when they leave.

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

Never. We just play and eat snacks.

3. Are you adequately provided with everything you need to teach your class effectively?

Yes, I have everything I could ask for.

Sometimes, but I would like more.

Never, I feel unprepared every week and it’s NOT my fault!

4. Do you feel prepared each week to teach the children?

Yes, I always prepare well in advance.

Some weeks I’m ready, and some weeks I’m just here.

Prepared, am I supposed to be prepared?

5. Are you taking your teacher’s guide home each week to look over the material and prepare for the lesson?

Always have it by my side

Sometimes I have to search for it on Sunday Mornings.

Never. Am I supposed to have a Teacher Guide?

6. Do you feel valued by the Children’s Ministry leadership at Trinity?

Always. I am Loved.

Sometimes

Never. I don’t think they know my name.

7. Are you actively attending services during the services you don’t work with Children?

Yes

8. Are you involved in a Life Group?

Yes

9. How involved do you feel parents are in your classroom?

Highly Involved

Some Parents help, but I would love more.

These kids have Parents? I never see them.

10. Which of these options would you employ to connect with families if given the choice?

Allow ‘Others’, May select more than one

Pre-postaged postcards for you to mail out at your convenience.

A phone number for someone who has missed your class for a few weeks.

Stocked supply of volunteer applications at your door to pass out when needed.

11. Are you currently teaching in an area that is comfortable for you and is compatible with your teaching style?

Yes, I’m in my comfort zone.

Maybe, I haven’t thought about that.

No, I’m only where I am because I was put there.

12. How would you rate yourself in the following classroom settings:

Storytelling

Song Time

Craft Time

I’m Good at this
I’m trying, but need help
I’m terrible, and sometimes skip it altogether

13. What brings you the most joy in teaching your class?

Optional Written Response…

14. What seems to be the biggest obstacle for you in teaching your class?

Optional Written Response…

15. What are your thoughts on the current Curriculum

Content of Bible Lesson

Storytelling Options

Craft Projects

Overall Age Appropriateness

Special Activities in Lesson

Perfect
Good, Not Great
Needs Work

16. Any Additional thoughts on our current curriculum?

Optional Written Response…

17. What is your opinion of the past training sessions that have been offered?

Highly Valuable, wouldn’t miss it!

It’s a good meal, but could be better…

We have training sessions?

18. Is there a specific topic you would like addressed in a training session?

Optional Written Response…

19. Here’s your big chance: Is there one area of Children’s Ministry you would like to see changed and how do you feel this could best come about?

Optional Written Response…

Archives For January 2009

Tivo Brat

The Forefathers of my Morning Routine

Church Word Search

Questions You Need Answers To

4 Chords