Yesterday I started laying out how I have worked the 5 Elements of Orange into my ministry strategy.  Catchup on my earlier post: #1 Integrated Strategy. Please bear in mind, that I am the Children’s Ministry Pastor, and bear no overall job responsibility for the other Next Generation ministries at my church.  Currently I am responsible for birth through the 5th grade, and am trying my best to implement Orange from the bottom up.  

#2 Refine the Message

When you combine two influences you amplify what’s important

To refine the message means that you work as a team to craft core truths into engaging, relevant, and memorable experiences (that’s in the book!)  I can remember years ago, at another church; attempting to teach through the bible in a 2 year period.  I don’t know why I was attempting it, but nonetheless I was doing it.  I was rolling along, then I hit the story of Absalom’s Rebellion.  I have the coloring sheet of Absolom hanging from a tree by his hair, with a spear through his gut permanently seared into my memory.  This was not a highlight of my time there.

As I’ve matured as a teacher and a leader I’ve come to see the truth in the following statements:

• All scripture is equally inspired
• All scripture is not equally important
• All scripture is not equally applicable to every stage of life

Knowing this has released me to focus in on what I really want kids to learn.  At our church we are slowly transitioning into using the resources available through ReThink, and in the meantime I have found myself thankful that most curriculum developers are starting to see the value in refining the message.  The folks at Group Publishing, Elevate, and many others are working to refine the message that we teach kids.

At our church, we have been teaching in a memorable way for about 2 years.  How do I know?  Because kids actually remember what they’re learning!  I can remember moving to a more refined message for Early Childhood children this past year, and I had parents asking me, “What are you doing different?  My kids are repeating their main points all week long!”  How refreshing, and convicting at the same time, huh?

It is now my goal to see every word that I speak to our kids and families be easy to communicate and even easier to understand.  While at the same time enjoying the depth and creativity that scripture affords me as a teacher.

If you’re not making plans to attend the Orange Conference in Atlanta this Spring, then start making them now.  I’ll be there, and many more important people as well.  Come see if an Orange way of thinking can help you integrate strategy with your entire Next Generation ministries at your church!

This week I’ll be addressing the 5 elements of an Orange strategy.  These are explained in great detail in the “Think Orange” book that can be found at your friendly, neighborhood bookstore. I’m going to assume that you’ve read Think Orange, and that you are somewhat familiar with each idea.  With than in mind, my goal over the next five posts is to talk about myself.  That’s a novel blogger idea, huh?  I’m going to share about how I have been able to implement each element at my church (even if it’s only been an incremental change.)

Please bear in mind, that I am the Children’s Ministry Pastor, and bear no overall job responsibility for the other Next Generation ministries at my church.  Currently I am responsible for birth through the 5th grade, and am trying my best to implement Orange from the bottom up.

#1 Integrated Strategy

When you combine two influences you create synergy

An integrated strategy means that we are aligning leaders and parents to lead with the same end in mind. (I did not write that sentence, it’s in the book.)  The first step before we can align with parents is for our ministries to align.  For me working from the role of a Children’s Ministry Pastor, I’ve tried to work to integrate myself much more with the other ministry in my church that is closest to mine.  Being…can you guess it?  Junior High Ministry, or middle school ministry or whatever.  I know that each Summer I move my 5th grade students up and out of “Children’s Ministry” into a new and adventurous environment with other Jr. High kids.  Knowing that I have this natural interaction, I have worked to create a level of integration with my Jr. High pastor.

At our church we currently operate under the departmental model (again, it’s in the book), which means that every department is responsible for it’s own family programming.  Knowing this, I’ve worked to merge as much of the ministry focus for my 5th graders with the ministry focus of my 6th, 7th, and 8th grade leaders.  I’ve opened up my events to their leaders, I’ve offered every conceivable incentive to their department if they will assist with the transition, and I’ve had Jr. High leaders even lead my summer small groups for 5th graders.  We are a far way off from a true Orange Family Ministry Model as a church, but I’ve seen the benefits of integrated strategy work with just our Children’s Ministry working alongside Jr. High Ministry.

What have been the results? I’d say that about 80% of our 5th graders move into active Jr. High involvement.  We just aren’t losing large quantities of kids anymore when they leave our ministry.  And because the Jr. High ministry is small group based, and our Children’s Ministry is small group based; the kids have transitioned seamlessly.  And that other 20% that doesn’t move into the new areas of ministry?  I’ll save those special kids for another blog post. Catch my drift?

If you’re not making plans to attend the Orange Conference in Atlanta this Spring, then start making them now.  I’ll be there, and many more important people as well.  Come see if an Orange way of thinking can help you integrate strategy with your entire Next Generation ministries at your church!

Here is a detailed recap of what the Child Dedication class looked like:

What did I teach?

I taught the Essence of Family talk that Reggie Joiner has taught many times before.  You can get the entirety of the talk in the book, “Think Orange.” You can also read my thoughts on the Five Essential Parenting Skills by reading the blog posts I wrote on all five of these skills. (You do read this blog, right?  Follow the links on the class description to ready along.)

The Essence of Family: At the heart of every family is a primary calling to lead a generation to the heart of a perfect, loving God.  No other passage in the Bible defines the family role as clearly as Deuteronomy 6, and in this study we will challenge parents to Imagine the End in order to stay focused on the big picture, Fight for the Heart of their families by loving God with all their hearts, Make it Personal and let kids see what God is doing in their parents, Create a Rhythm so time together as a family will nurture everyday faith, and Widen the Circle and make sure kids have additional influences to guide them.

I really love this teaching because it sits somewhere between the theoretical and the practical.  It’s not a bunch of to-do’s to make your kids obey, and neither is it a bunch of parenting philosophy.  I also added tons of my own story to this teaching, and really worked to make it my own.  I give the ReThink group and Reggie Joiner tons of credit, but I had to make it my own and fit my style.

How did I make it my own?

Before I taught a single principle, I showed off pictures of my kids.  I shared my own struggles of feeling like an inadequate parent, and my own fears for the future of my children.  I was intentional about making sure the parents in attendance knew that I was in this with them.  I was teaching, but I wanted them to know that I was simply out in front leading.  Not sharing my infinite wisdom with lesser people (not that they thought that, but I wanted us to be clear.)  I think to many times we’re scared to just be honest with parents about who we really are.  This is a strength for me, so I just put it out there for them all to see.  Sincerity is a great asset.

What was the format?

The class started at 6:40 pm (advertised for 6:30) and ended at 8:20 pm.  But I didn’t talk that entire time.  I built in 4 table talk times of 5 minutes each throughout the talk.  This was key for breaking up the classroom style, and letting families get to know each other well.  The table talk questions were general in nature, nothing very personal or revealing.  I wanted to be respectful of those that may not feel comfortable sharing. So I would teach a point, then turn it over for table talk time.  They would answer questions related to the topic I had just taught.  This went about 3-5 minutes each time.  I had Children’s Ministry leaders spread out at each table, to make sure discussion happened.  These leaders were prepped with the questions in advance, and given some direction for how to get people to open up and share.  Each person had the fill-in-the-blank notes to keep along with the class materials.  It was two pages, front and back.  I personally hate teaching where people fill in the blanks along the way, but I wanted to make sure everyone went home with material.

What was room setup?

We had 20 families in attendance, with two people from each family in attendance.  There were 7 round tables setup with the families split evenly throughout.  We had coffee, water, fruit, cookies, and other snacks setup on a few banquet tables off to the side.  I also had my entire Children’s Ministry staff and some key volunteers spread out at each table.  They were instrumental in making this work, and I can’t give them enough credit for being awesome.  I am truly blessed with a great team!

How did it end?

I assigned homework.  Not the kind of homework that is turned in, but the kind of homework that the Holy Spirit convicts them to complete.  I ended the class explaining that the reason I wanted two people from each family in attendance was so that they could hold each other accountable for the things they learned.  Part of that accountability was to go home and think through the 5 homework questions.  The questions were:

1. Write down your vision for your child’s future. What values, character and traits do you want active in their lives? What are your dreams and hopes for them?
2. How important is it to be trusted?  Who are the people that you trust, and what about them do you want to emulate?
3. Identify the weaknesses in yourself that you want your children to avoid.  What are they?
4. What things can you do to help create spiritual rhythms right now? Put these on your calendar today!
5. Who will you commit to make a part of your child’s life?  Think of names and reasons why for each person.

Download: Teaching NOTES and HANDOUT.

• http://twitpic.com/k93zq – Launching Kimgdom Tales this Sunday. Along with First grade Parent Sunday! #kidmin #
• My Twitter Weekly updates are posting 3 times each time…wish I knew why… #
• @codywinkler is taking me to coffee to talk // hope he doesn't need a loan #
• Spent the morning in meetings, and have another in an hour // Good meetings, good meetings #
• RT @kennyconley: CMO: #kidmin What have I been doing recently? http://bit.ly/4u4FXu // Snugglebunny is ALIVE! #
• Thank you Troy Aikman for never playing for the Redskins #
• RT @_coat: wht if kids memorized key truths instead of isolated verses? Provide them w/ a 'filing system' before we giv them files. #kidmin #
• @kidzmatter2me agreed. But one without the other is not cool. in reply to kidzmatter2me #
• I was just told we have Staff Chapel this afternoon // somehow this has slipped my calendar :( #
• RT @OrangeThinkers: Parents don't lay awake at night worrying about what the pastor is going to say…they worry about their kids. #
• RT @uptownkids: Resources to help your kids read their bibles http://uptownkids.tv/wordpress/?p=2102 #kidmin #cmconnect #fb #
• Advil is so much better than Tylenol! // This message brought to you today by my fever :( #fb #
• Is there ever a convenient time to be sick? I'm thinking no! #beingsickstinks #
• @kennyconley It's coming next week… #kidmin in reply to kennyconley #
• @SpencerClick shhh! #kidmin #fb in reply to SpencerClick #
• RT @deanbutterfield: The Changing Face of Children's Ministry: &n.. http://bit.ly/11iLsM #kidmin #fammin #
• It stinks to be home sick, but I love hanging out with my 4 year old daughter all day! #beingsickstinks #fb #
• @mikeniebuhr I'm a flickr user. Flickr Pro accounts are awesome! #kidmin in reply to mikeniebuhr #
• @henryjz mailed me a book! #
• http://twitpic.com/krty9 – A little 4 player Wii bowling before bedtime! #
• @tmckeever it's Donald Miller's new book. I won it, although @henryjz might just like me and let me win… in reply to tmckeever #
• @LShallenberger If you subscribe to the CMMAG PRO, Am I in the CM Minor leagues? #kidmin in reply to LShallenberger #
• @gina_mcclain I'm rolling with some cough syrup right now! I think my head may actually be unattached from my body as I type… :) in reply to gina_mcclain #
• I know @kennyconley 's Skype username, and it makes me uncomfortable… He needs a username intervention // what's your worst username? #
• I'm working on a series of posts for next week about our new Child Dedication process…stay tuned #kidmin #
• RT @samluce: On a conference call with @gina_mcclain @jonathancliff @kennyconley @mattmckee Love these guys! #kidmin #
• Anyone want to share a Google Wave invite? #fb #
• @CoffeeWithChris I'd love it if you'll share! in reply to CoffeeWithChris #
• RT @googwaveinvites: we only have 200 google wave invites, retweet this and follow us for an invite #
• @CoffeeWithChris Thanks. I'll wait and see what I see. :) in reply to CoffeeWithChris #
• Are there any Yankee-haters out there? Twitter is being overrun by Yankees! #Godhelpus #
• How fitting that the Yankees win on a 319 foot homerun… Such a little league field! #
• I love my 90's station on XM Radio. Makes me nostalgic… #
• http://twitpic.com/l1h58 – Hanging out with my Saturday nite kids at Trinity #kidmin #

It’s true.  I got an iPhone last week.  I’d say my phone to Internet usage is at a 5% to 95% ratio.  Meaning I’m on the phone about 5% of the time I have this phone.  I guess I’m not a big talker, huh?

This phone is awesome, and my fingers have already gotten accustomed to the touch screen.  Coming from a Treo 700wx, this phone is super-awesome.  That Treo was TERRIBLE!

I settled on a case from Switcheasy.com.  I have the CapsuleNEO case (in black, although Sam Luce would roll with white and be proud of it.)  It took me 15 minute to get the darn thing on, but now I’m rolling with the coolest case ever.

So do you have to use a screen protector on the iPhone 3GS?  It has the olephobic screen that is smudge-free.  While I awaited my SwitchEasy Pure Anti-Reflect screen covers I really fell in love with the perfect non-smudge screen that is on the already on the iPhone.  I put on the Anti-Reflect screen when it came in the mail, and immediantly hated it!  I then put on a normal screen protector, and it’s smudge city.  There seems to be a big debate on the worthiness of screen protectors on iPhones.  What do you think?  I’m thinking of running mine without screen protectors…

I think Sam Luce is intimidated by my Apple product usage.  I’m just sayin’

I’ve put in my formal request to attend The Orange Conference in April.  I’ll be waiting and hoping we have the funds to make it happen for me…and maybe my #kidmin team.  I don’t know if I’ll be live blogging from Orange this year, but I’d still really like to go and meet up with all my Orange buddies.

Can I just go on record and say that I have the most awesome Children’s Ministry Team in the world.  These women (that’s right I’m the only man!) do a wonderful job of making me look great.  I know that’s not an ambition of theirs, just to make me look good.  But it happens everyday!  I get more credit for the genius of my team, than I’m comfortable with.

Our Parent Sunday totally rocked last week!  I’m still so excited that we had so many 1st grade parents hanging out with us in Kidsplace.  If you’re a 1st Grade Kidsplace parent, then you missed out!

This Sunday morning during our largest and latest service, we will be dedicating 25 children from 20 families.  These parents have made a HUGE commitment to be spiritual leaders in their homes, and I’m so excited to introduce them to the congregation of Trinity Church.  Be there at 11:30am on Sunday to see it all for yourself!  It’s gonna be AWESOME!  Next week I’ll be posting all about Child Dedications, so stay tuned.

We’ve got the Trinity Church Fall Festival coming up on Saturday, October 31st.  Usually I count on about 80 Texas Tech sorority girls to come work the event, but with a Tech home football game that starts at the same time…that’s not gonna happen.  If you’re in and around Lubbock, and don’t have kids; then go signup now!  http://www.trinitytoday.com/fallfestivalvolunteer We’ll have a 1,000 kiddos running around, and I don’t want to ask my parents to work the event!  Help!!

Because of my IT management background, I’ve been able to be a part of the interview process for Trinity’s IT manager position.  We are in desperate need of someone to take us to a new level technologically, and it pays well!  I’ve met with 4 candidates, and after I get some distance from this whole process I feel a “What not to do in a job interview!” post coming up.  Seriously.

I’ve been sick this week.  I’m not gonna die.  I’m just a man in need of sympathy and wanted to throw that out there and see who might bite.

Does it make me a nerd to get into a debate with this guy, about whether Superman could defeat Darth Vader?  Just typing that helps me know the answer.  Nevermind.