Comments on: The Irrelevant Children’s Minister http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/ Life, Family Ministry, and Life Again Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Nathan http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 Nathan Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:25:48 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-1687 Great analysis here. I think what you've hit on is the importance of relating to the people your ministry impacts. Whether kids, teens, adults, old people, etc. The importance is to relate to the flock in the best way possible. For some, it may involve following trends and contemporary thinking. Still, for others, it may simply involve being consistent with a message delivered by someone who can be trusted. My experience with kids is that the latter is most critical for success. My family and I take very seriously the whole stranger/alien concepts that Peter and others promote in the NT. It is my prayer children (even in 2010) can be guided to a point of recognizing that the attraction of "the world" is so strong and influential that it leads to death. While the methods may look less like Peter with the Jews in Acts 2 and more like Paul wirh the Greeks in Acts 17, the goal is still the same--abandonment of a life bound by this world and complete surrender to the author of eternity. Continued Blessings in your ministry! We should get together next time we're in Lubbock! Nathan Woodmansee Great analysis here. I think what you’ve hit on is the importance of relating to the people your ministry impacts. Whether kids, teens, adults, old people, etc. The importance is to relate to the flock in the best way possible. For some, it may involve following trends and contemporary thinking. Still, for others, it may simply involve being consistent with a message delivered by someone who can be trusted. My experience with kids is that the latter is most critical for success. My family and I take very seriously the whole stranger/alien concepts that Peter and others promote in the NT. It is my prayer children (even in 2010) can be guided to a point of recognizing that the attraction of “the world” is so strong and influential that it leads to death. While the methods may look less like Peter with the Jews in Acts 2 and more like Paul wirh the Greeks in Acts 17, the goal is still the same–abandonment of a life bound by this world and complete surrender to the author of eternity.
Continued Blessings in your ministry! We should get together next time we’re in Lubbock!
Nathan Woodmansee

]]> By: The Children's Ministry Blog Patrol (December 2009) « Dad in the Middle http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-1398 The Children's Ministry Blog Patrol (December 2009) « Dad in the Middle Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:30:16 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-1398 [...] #1 – The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 – The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Lynne http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-1196 Lynne Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:58:31 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-1196 You know what bugs me that I find irrelevant and out-of-date??? Murals on the wall! Unless it's done VERY well and intentionally and professionally, I find almost all murals to be very old-school and tacky. Most of the time it's just someone's mom in the church who enjoys painting who just sits down and paints pictures on the walls.... We recently painted over a bunch of scary looking murals of animals, parks, cars, random kids, and Jesus (the kids called it "scary Jesus") that were in the halls of our children's ministry area. Now our hallways look much more professional and consistent and more inviting for kids and families! You know what bugs me that I find irrelevant and out-of-date??? Murals on the wall! Unless it’s done VERY well and intentionally and professionally, I find almost all murals to be very old-school and tacky. Most of the time it’s just someone’s mom in the church who enjoys painting who just sits down and paints pictures on the walls…. We recently painted over a bunch of scary looking murals of animals, parks, cars, random kids, and Jesus (the kids called it “scary Jesus”) that were in the halls of our children’s ministry area. Now our hallways look much more professional and consistent and more inviting for kids and families!

]]> By: Cmdir http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-1146 Cmdir Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:20:16 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-1146 I think you have to take into account that not all churches have huge budgets for the things you mention. I have traveled across the US, been in many churches from tiny to mega. They did not all have the "newest trends," but they were relating to the kids in their ministry. Most 18 month olds are content to play. I think it is the parent that is not comfortable with the play area. Just saying... I think you have to take into account that not all churches have huge budgets for the things you mention. I have traveled across the US, been in many churches from tiny to mega. They did not all have the “newest trends,” but they were relating to the kids in their ministry.
Most 18 month olds are content to play. I think it is the parent that is not comfortable with the play area. Just saying…

]]> By: The Ungrateful Children's Pastor | jonathancliff.com http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-916 The Ungrateful Children's Pastor | jonathancliff.com Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:22:33 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-916 [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Sinking Ship Syndrome | jonathancliff.com http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-887 Sinking Ship Syndrome | jonathancliff.com Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:07:13 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-887 [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Throwing Hate Down | jonathancliff.com http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-870 Throwing Hate Down | jonathancliff.com Wed, 16 Dec 2009 17:21:40 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-870 [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Don't Ignore the Little People | jonathancliff.com http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-856 Don't Ignore the Little People | jonathancliff.com Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:59:21 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-856 [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Don't Be a One Man Show | jonathancliff.com http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-841 Don't Be a One Man Show | jonathancliff.com Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:17:38 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-841 [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...] [...] #1 The Irrelevant Children’s Minister [...]

]]> By: Anthony Prince http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-840 Anthony Prince Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:18:43 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-840 JC, I'm a fan. Passing this along. JC, I’m a fan.
Passing this along.

]]> By: Kenny http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-838 Kenny Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:05:10 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-838 Ha! Thanks for linking to my blog... even if it's the post you wrote on my blog. Although, its the best post you've written. Although this series is shaping up to be a really good one. .-= Kenny´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChildrensMinistryOnline/~3/L-LOBdIg4bc/" rel="nofollow">Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-13</a> =-. Ha! Thanks for linking to my blog… even if it’s the post you wrote on my blog. Although, its the best post you’ve written. Although this series is shaping up to be a really good one.
.-= Kenny´s last blog ..Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-12-13 =-.

]]> By: Rob http://www.jonathancliff.com/2009/12/the-irrelevant-childrens-minister/comment-page-1/#comment-836 Rob Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:49:56 +0000 http://www.jonathancliff.com/?p=1316#comment-836 This will be an interesting list. The role of a CP is very different from church to church and depends much on the size of the church too. I find my role leaning much more toward the leadership and development of staff. A staff that works to identify, recruit and develop volunteers who impact kids. I still need a good feel on the most effective ways to reach kids which requires being a student. Looking forward to 4-1 This will be an interesting list.

The role of a CP is very different from church to church and depends much on the size of the church too.

I find my role leaning much more toward the leadership and development of staff. A staff that works to identify, recruit and develop volunteers who impact kids.

I still need a good feel on the most effective ways to reach kids which requires being a student.

Looking forward to 4-1

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