Tag Archive - change

Children’s Ministry Academy

August 3, 2010 in Ministry with 0 Comments

You might have noticed that there are a few business, and organizations that I would recommend; and therefore allow them the opportunity to sponsor space on this here website.  Today I would like to introduce you to the newest sponsor at www.jonathancliff.com.

I recently did an interview with ChildrensMinistryAcademy.com about ways that my team and I are transitioning our established church to be a more modern family-friendly environment.  When the interview was over I was given an opportunity to learn more about what Children’s Ministry Academy offers those of us out here in the world of Children’s Ministry.  I have walked away impressed!

Here is how www.childrensministryacademy.com would describe themselves:

The CHILDREN’S MINISTRY ACADEMY was created to aide leaders, pastors, teachers, volunteers, and parents in their efforts to nurture faith in youth. We are strong believers that faith doesn’t grow in a vacuum; instead it requires a community of support and encouragement. If you are in a position of authority in a Children’s Ministry program, it is your job to lead your community.

All too often, Children’s Ministry Leaders are tossed into a classroom with little else than a “good luck” pat on the back. Seventy one percent of the teacher’s we’ve certified received NO FORMAL TRAINING prior to enrolling in our program. This is a dangerous statistic. Children have little patience for “on the job training”. In this day and age, when Sunday School is competing with sports, video games, and violin lessons, can we afford to let teachers struggle along until they discover how to manage a class on their own?

It’s time for a change.

I took the class titled, “Secrets to Effective Classroom Management” and I must tell you that it was well worth my time.  The material was presented in a very real-world type of situation.  The entire class is taught while you pretend to be a Children’s Director at a fictitous church.  Your Senior Pastor even sends you emails with advice, and it’s through these that the lessons and materials are taught.  After reading through your Senior Pastor’s advice, you are then given a scenario of a situation happening in a classroom.  After observing (or more honestly reading) you take a quick 3 question test to see what you would recommend to your teachers.

After going through 7 different teaching segments (all outlined on the left), I took a 30 question test about all that I had learned.  I had to score 24 out of 30 correct to PASS the course!  (No worries, I passed.)

I must say that I had a recurring thought as I read through the materials and browsed through their website…I sure wish I had this when I started in Children’s Ministry!  I can think of three distinct Children’s Ministry Leaders that need to look into this resource:

1. NEW Children’s Pastors.  If you are new to what you’re doing, then take the time to invest in yourself by getting a subscription to CMA.  Just lock yourself in your office for a day and a half and learn, learn, learn!

2. Ministry Leaders. I think this material would be fantastic for the person leading others within my ministry.  I often struggle to find time for my leaders to learn, and this might be a great go-between.  It would be an answer for the question I get sometimes from my leaders, “How can I get better at what I’m doing?”

3. Part-Time Children’s Pastors.  I know you are out there!  There are 1,000′s of lay staff working with kids all across the country.  They struggle to have budgets to travel and learn, and CMA might be your fix.

So what’s next?  Children’s Ministry Academy is currently offering a $50 scholarship for sign-up, thereby reducing their enrollment fee to only $50.  After that you pay $20/per month to continue learning and taking new classes.  They will even send you a ton of free stuff just for signing up!  Go today and visit www.childrensministryacademy.com and see if it would be a fit for you and your ministry.

Trying too Hard

July 27, 2010 in Personal with 0 Comments

Have you met the guy that tries too hard? He’s the guy that is always angling for attention, always trying to hit a home run, always wanting to be the most important thing around. The guy that tries too hard is rarely happy just being himself. He has failed to realize that all anyone wants from him, is for him to be himself. He works so hard to think “outside the box” that he often times fails to do anything “inside the box.” I’ve been this guy, and at times I still revert back to this shallow character. However, I’ve learned that being myself is my greatest asset. In fact, it’s the only thing that only I can do.

I’ve learned over time that success breeds an atmosphere of change. I’ve learned that working “inside the box” really, really hard will eventually lead to me having opportunities to work “outside the box.” I’ve learned that when I try too hard, I actually limit myself. I’ve learned to just be myself. It’s scary, no doubt. But being myself is going to have to be enough!

Deuteronomy 31:8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Ministry Staff Team Summary

June 11, 2010 in Ministry with 8 Comments

I’ve introduced the topic of choosing a quality ministry staff team, I’ve covered Hiring Quality #1 “Love Your Spouse” and I’ve wrote about Hiring Quality #2 “Love the Church” and I’ve tackled the most important Hiring Quality, #3 “Love the Lord.” Interviewing, reading resumes, checking references, and discussing a candidates strengths and weaknesses are all a part of the process, but this week I covered the three most important hiring qualities that I’m seeking.  It should go without saying, that I also want qualified indiviudals with a high capacity to lead without constant direction from me.  If a person isn’t qualified, they won’t get an interview.  If that person interviewed isn’t qualified, they won’t get the job.  Make sense?

Here are some other interview tips from my years of seeking those qualified individuals:

  • Don’t cry.  Crying in an interview is rarely ever appropriate.  You ask, “Who would cry in an interview?”  Well, you’d be surprised how often it happens.
  • If you can’t say something nice about a past employer, then don’t say anything at all.  One could also try and find the good that came about through a what may have been a bad situation.  My experience tells me that bitterness, frustration, and problems from a previous job will often find themselves present in a new job.  Just sayin’…
  • For God’s sake, dress appropriately.  If it’s a business environment please dress business casual.  I’d also like to say a little something special to the women…That thing you wear that makes men stare…leave it at home.  That is all.  Thank You.  This is not about me stumbling, this is about your maturity level and respect for those around you.
  • Be on time.  Not 30 minutes early, and not 1 minute late!
  • Bring a copy of any updates to the resume I have on file.
  • Take notes of things that will pertain to you working for me and be sure that you end every interview by asking tons of questions about the position.  I’m constantly shocked about how many people will have no questions for me about the job they hope to get.  That’s a big sign of laziness to me as the boss.
  • Don’t ever, under any circumstances tell me that God told you that He was going to give you this job.  Seriously, keep it to yourself…
  • If you have an email address that begins with ‘fuzzycherrybomb392805′ then change it please.  That also goes for the 50 Cent-themed voicemail greeting that you have on your phone.  Grow up please.
  • Take time to think through your answers to my questions.  There is no hurry.
  • Please answer my questions.  Do not deflect, and never leave a question unanswered.
  • Spit out your gum.
  • Tell me your faults.  What are you learning to be better at?  Humility is important to every employer and REALLY important to me.
  • When interviewing at a church, always demonstrate an ability to be flexible and open to change.
  • Feel free to compliment me on how good looking my family is.  Their pictures are everywhere, it’s natural.  Go ahead and just admit that you think we are all adorable.  Seriously, I love a little small talk.  Don’t be afraid to just act friendly.

Orange Breakout // Influencing Transition

April 30, 2010 in Ministry with 0 Comments

By far my favorite breakout this year was taught by Pastor Larry L. Thompson of First Baptist in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.  Larry taught on influencing transition and the five circles of change.  He has about three pages worth of notes, so I’m going to attempt to bring you the best of what I heard:

One of the greatest traits of a leader is the ability to transition people through change.

5 Keys to Influence Transition

  1. Common Sense
    • People respect and respond to a leader you uses common sense led by the Holy Spirit.
  2. Compatability
    • Is the change and transition compatible with the core values of the organization?
  3. Complexity
    • The changes has to be simply understood.  If it’s too complex, people will jump ship.
  4. Connectivity
    • Let people see, feel, smell, touch, and taste the change.
    • People will resist the unknow, let them know!
  5. Courage

5 Circles of Change

  1. Change Agent // The Inspector // Determine the situation, develop the vision, and discover the need for change.
  2. Main Person // The Input // Give vision to the main person in a personal way.
  3. Decision Maker // The Influencer // Respect their influence.
  4. Those Most Involved // Those Involved // Provide them the opportunity to “test-drive” change
  5. The Members // Intention // Be careful in timing this well…

Orange Conference: Pre-Conference Breakout #3

April 28, 2010 in Ministry with 0 Comments

After lunch today I was in the breakout led by Sherry Surratt, from Seacoast Christian Center.  She taught on “5 Stupid Things that Keep your Children’s Ministry from Growing.”  She kicked my butt in this session!

“It’s OK to be stupid, but it’s NOT ok to sit in it.”

1. Believing It’s All about the Lesson

  • Kid’s need a great time with great friends, that ends with a powerful moment with God.
  • Do my kids laugh in the last 5 minutes I’m with them?
  • Psalm 16:11

2. Playing Gilligan’s Island

  • Connecting with others outside of my church.
  • I need to learn from others that I’m not the only one that fails.
  • I also need to connect with kids outside of my church.

3. Putting Volunteers in the Driving Seat

  • We need to stay true to our ministry values, mission, and vision…not the opinions of volunteers.
  • Be careful with volunteer survey’s // Don’t allow answers beyond the possibilities.
  • Desperation leads to dysfunction!

4. Looking at the world through Old Lady Glasses

  • It’s easy to forget being a kid.
  • Think like a “kid.”
  • We too often expect kids to not be kids!

5. Not Paying attention to the Sigmoid Curve

  • This is a confusing one, but you need to look it up on Wikipedia…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmoid_curve
  • While God’s truth never changes, we need to evaluate everything else we do for change!
  • Best time to change is when things are going well.
  • When did I last make a change?  Why have I not?
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