Archive for September, 2008
Sorry to waste your time with this post
Posted on 17. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
No really, there’s nothing important here. I had a few minutes before a meeting and simply came across this. Apparently I’m 91% addicted to blogging. Just one more thing for me to give over to Jesus… 
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My Beef with Bible Bucks: Why do you do it?
Posted on 17. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
This week my friend Sam Luce wrote about using Bible Bucks in Kids Church to motivate/reward children. Honestly, a lot of churches do it. Many programs actually have rewards built right into the fabric of it’s DNA. I’ve dismantled this type of program at three different churches (including Gateway where I’ve just landed). I’m not at all saying their wrong. For me it’s been a matter of personal preference. I just don’t like them. Not all the kids are inspired by it, it’s expensive, it can be a beast to manage and too often there are kids who feel left out on the day they get to go to the store (I know, that’s the day the leaders give out Bucks to everyone so that everyone has something to spend and those first time visitors can get at least the smallest prize).
Let me tell you , dismantling the Bible Bucks system is a little daunting. There aren’t people out there who “hate” it and are glad to see it go. The only people who’ve ever told me they were glad to see it go were the staff members who had to stock it and price everything. In fact, most of the kids LOVE it… but that doesn’t necessarily mean its the right thing either.
The question I have to ask is, “why are you doing it? Why is it a part of your program?
For many it is the thing kids are most excited about coming to church. It actually motivates them to come every week, learn their memory verse, bring their Bible and sometimes even bring a friend. However, are kids falling in love with Jesus and his word or are they in love with their Bible Bucks? Are they really connecting with their leaders and other peers or are they motivated simply to earn enough for the scooter in the prize store?
Call me an idealist, but I think our programs should be so good that the kids just don’t want to miss out. Maybe they’ve got such a good relationship with their small group leader that they don’t want to miss them. I understand that we want the experience to be fun as “fun” is the language of kids. However, when the main “fun” part isn’t really associated with connecting with kids or helping lead them to spiritual maturity, then you’ve got a problem (regardless whether it’s a prize system, and environment or games). I’ve been at churches that have spent thousands of dollars on a prize store. My question would be, “what could you do with that extra money that would make a big difference immediately?” I’d figure out the answer to that and then do it.
I certainly don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. There may be people out there who have a fantastic experience with their prize store and it only “adds” to an already exciting and fulfilling program. If that’s the case, then go for it. I can only speak from my own experience and every prize store experience I’ve had has been negative or has added nothing to the overall experience for the amount of work and resources it took.
Tomorrow I’m going to blog about how to dismantle a prize store, just in case you’re thinking about doing it.
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Animoto: My new favorite toy
Posted on 15. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
I just made this video in minutes. Cool, huh? (Just realized that this video isn’t showing up in Firefox but is in IE and Chrome… so not sure why). Click here if you can’t see the video.
I got this from a blog I read and I was more than intrigued. I decided to give it a shot and WOW, it’s amazing! To be honest, I couldn’t make a better photo collage video in 10 times the time with all the right tools. It’s also the perfect business model in my book. I can make little 30 second movies like crazy, all for free. If I want to export the video in DVD quality, I have to pay for it. If I want to make a longer than 30 second video, I have to pay for it. Sounds fair to me.
Uses? My goodness there are so many fun things to do with this kind of video. The best in my book is use this for the end of the day slide show at camp or VBS. It takes all of 10 minutes and is ready to go in no time. Will using Animoto for all your little slide show videos start looking the same? Maybe, but when it comes to ease of use, you can’t beat this at all. You have to remember the audience too. Kids are more excited about who is “in” the video than what transitions are used over and over (but I do think that Animoto mixes it up well so that no video looks the same.
Dont’ take my word for it… make your own video. Click here to visit Animoto!
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Check-in Stations
Posted on 15. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Looking for good stand alone cabinets for your check-in stations? I’ve actually got a great solution for you.
Almost two years ago when we launched our Denton Campus at Cross Timbers I came across a forum for Shelby systems (don’t get me started on Shelby… I’ve got some baggage there) that had a source for check-in cabinets. Since it was a new campus launch and we had the money to make this kind of expense, we bought them… and they are very nice.
Check out their web site here: Cornerstone Cabinetry
I was back at Cross Timbers a few weeks ago and took several pictures and planned to post them here on this site as a resource. Then out of nowhere I got a postcard from them in the mail (perhaps you did too). I’ve posted my pictures below along with the postcard I got in the mail.
Pros:
- Well made kiosks
- Multiple options in colors and materials
- Ability to use them as check-in stations with a sunken top to hold computer or place a fitted shelf on the top or a counter-like kiosk
- Extra shelving pieces available to link multiple kiosks together in a variety of shapes
Cons:
- These puppies aren’t cheap (but if you’re willing to pay the price, you will not be disappointed)
- I can’t think of any others
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Elementary Schedule using 252 Basics
Posted on 10. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Three weeks ago we launched small groups on Sunday mornings for 1st-5th graders. This last Sunday we launched 252 Basics. It was phenomenal. I started using 252 a year ago when I was at Cross Timbers. It was not the easiest curriculum I’ve ever purchased, but I liked it more than anything else I’ve ever used. As most Children’s Pastors do, I always tweaked curriculum like crazy. With 252 Basics I got a 30-40 page pack of options. I had two different production/large group lessons and nearly a dozen small group activities. The curriculum was supplied online as word docs, so I would simply cut and paste the items I planned to use. It was beautiful. Probably what I loved the most was the single virtue that was emphasized for an entire month, one memory verse for the month (come on people, do your kids ever remember the memory verse from 3 weeks ago? Giving kids four weeks with one verse at least gives them a chance to get into their minds and hearts.) I also loved all the take home stuff (Refrigerator Door cards and God Time cards). A year ago I was just using the curriculum, now I am using the “Get Real” video packs (high quality video segments you can use in your large group time) as well as the some of their other materials (they’re adding new things all the time). I just found this the other day. At our biggest campus, we have the resources to do a full production, but at our South Campus they aren’t able to pull off an all out production. For the South Campus I can use Studio 252. I can even use it last minute at the big campus if I have an emergency (like if some of our production people call in sick).
So, here is what our service schedule looks like. We have services at 9:30, 11:00 and 12:30, but for this example I’m using our 9:30 schedule.
- 9:30 Service begins with kids in small groups. For 20 minutes kids will review the last week, cover prayer requests, collect offering and introduce the day’s bottom line through a small group activity
- 9:50 Large group time. We do two praise songs, a “Get Real” video segment, drama presentation and teaching segment.
- 10:10 Closing Small Groups. For 25 minutes the groups will do two more activities that drive home the bottom line. They close by distributing the Refrigerator Door card and God Time cards and ending with prayer.
- 10:35 Parents arrive to pick up kids.
We’ll probably tweak thing in the coming weeks as we see what works best.
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Paging parents
Posted on 10. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Just throwing this question out there. What are you using to page parents? Do you use pagers or do you somehow put a number up in the auditorium? If a number is put up in the auditorium, how do you do it? Do enter the number yourself from the kids area? Do you call the tech booth and have them put it up? Share what you’re doing please!
In the past I used pagers, but it was really expensive. I know that it’s one of the best alternatives if you have an adult Sunday School program. I’ve also used the simple LED light displays where either we called the tech booth or walked up there ourselves to and entered the number before. Most recently here at gateway we had a system rigged up on a laptop in the kids area where we could type in the number and it immediately displayed on the lower right corner of the screen in the auditorium. Unfortunately that system broke about 3 weeks after I got to Gateway and now we use AIM to IM the tech booth and have them put up the number. I’m contemplating moving toward just texting parents though as many don’t respond to our pages.
What do you do to page parents?
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Gateway’s “new” elementary program
Posted on 09. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
It’s been a very busy summer. The week I got here I shared with my elementary production director (my only staff member in the elementary area) my vision for what elementary ministry would look like in the fall. It would look almost completely different from anything I had ever done as well. So we’ve been working very hard all summer to build new teams to launch our new program. Essentially we doubled our volunteer force already (it had gotten pretty skimpy) and I’d say we still have about 20 more people to fill out our teams. So this is what it looks like now.
Elementary Production
We have four production teams. Each team consists of a leader, two actors, two worship leaders and two tech/A/V volunteers.Each team works one Sunday a month. The team that is serving that weekend will meet one day that week for a two hour rehearsal and then they will serve all three services on Sunday. Then they have the rest of the month off.
Elementary Small Groups
We divide our kids into grade and gender groups and place a leader in each of those groups. Some grade/gender groups are big enough for two groups.These small group leaders serve during just one of our services, but they server every week.
Subs and General Help
We’ve got several other people who can’t commit to serve every week or all services in one weekend or they may not meet our qualifications to be a leader. The General help volunteer help greet at the doors, make sure small group leaders have what they need and help out where ever else they are needed. Subs just jump in and sub where a small group leader is absent.
These are our roles right now. We have pretty much doubled our volunteer force in the last three months; however, we are still short close to 20 volunteers. Here our our current needs:
Top needs
- 4th grade girls small group leader at 9:30
- 5th grade boys small group leader at 11:00
- 2nd grade boys co-small group leader at 11:00
- 4th grade girls co-small group leader at 11:00
Secondary needs
During our 9:00 service, I have two groups where I am missing a leader but subs who work every other week are co-owning a group. Here is where I need a permanent leaders.
- 1st grade boys at 9:30
- 5th grade girls at 9:30
Last but not least
I essentially need 4-5 more small group leaders at our 12:30 service. Getting leaders for this service is like pulling teeth. I have enough general help that we can break out into groups (they aren’t as small as I’d like) but the environment is still really good. I’ve chosen not to really focus on this service as much because it is a small service, it’s really relaxed and not having enough small group leaders isn’t stressing anyone out. However, there is a stress level associated with the holes during the 9:30 and 11:00 service. If I don’t fill them soon, it will created frustration for my other leaders.
So, say a little prayer for us as we continue to find people to step into these roles. I’m using subs to fill these spots, but when I have a leader out because their sick, then I’ll be hurting. I don’t have many leads right now, so we’re going to have to roll up our sleeves, get creative and really depend on the Holy Spirit to show us who is next.
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A huge day for our elementary program
Posted on 08. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Yesterday was a big day for us at Kids Quest. I posted here a few days ago about how we moved to small groups on Sunday’s. That was a big day and something we had been planning for all summer. But it was on September 7th that we were launching 252 Basics as our curriculum that we could combine a powerful small group element with an energetic large group production. I’ll just say it. Today was the best elementary service I’ve experienced under my leadership in years. It was awesome! Let me clarify.
I’ll admit it. I feel like one of the things I do very well is create small group experiences. I can get small group leaders, equip them with materials and create the relational experience pretty easily. However, the production side of a service is not my strength. Musically I am not in my element and it would be much better to have someone else. At most of the churches I’ve been, I haven’t had very many people who were comfortable or well suited to lead a large group from the stage. So usually either I was up there on the stage or someone else was and the quality wasn’t the best. Again, I feel like I’m a very strong communicator to kids, but the music part I’m just not equipped to lead well.
Coming to Gateway I found that we actually had quite a few people who were very comfortable on the stage and quite good. Unfortunately the program wasn’t always suited to take advantage of these people’s strengths. But yesterday was probably the best service I’ve seen in years. It started with small groups. Kids came in and connected immediately with their leaders. After 15 minutes or so, they all combined or the large group time. It was a 20 minute program that was fast paced and with solid transitions. Everyone was glued to what was happening on the stage. Before we knew it, it was already over and kids were dismissed back to their small groups. Leaders then led their kids in a few small group activities for the next 30 minutes. The pacing was very good. Kids were highly involved, they were engaged and they had fun. How exciting!
We’re not done though. There were still several things to tweak. We’re still short several small group leaders. There were also a few things to change in the production/large group (not much though). I also need to invest some money into our equipment. Everything went really well, but it was very difficult to pull off on the audio/visual side.
Here was my take away though… the big win in my book. About 2 months after getting here I killed the “Bible Bucks” program. Actually I’ve killed it at almost every church I’ve come to, usually because I didn’t see how it actually enhanced the experience. Usually it was more of a crutch. The program wasn’t great, but what motivated kids to be involved and active was so they could buy crap at the store. On my first visit to Gateway I noticed that leaders were bribing kids with Bible Bucks to be quite and pay attention. My only comment on this situation is this. If the content we are presenting is actually engaging and worth paying attention to, will we need to bribe the kids to stop talking? Kids don’t talk at the movies. Why? Because the content is good and engaging. Well, today I noticed something profound. I noticed… silence. During the production/large group time the kids were not talking to each other. They were laser focused on that stage. Woo Hoo! How awesome is that?
So, we still have a lot of work to do, but what a great start for the Fall!
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Small group activity help – what I went with…
Posted on 08. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
It’s been over a week since my last post and I’m playing catch-up. I realized that I never posted the results to my little contest/request for help on this blog post.
Well, I ended up going out on my own; however, it was one of Sam’s suggestions that got my brain leaning in that direction. So, although I didn’t really use anyone’s exact idea, I’m treating myself to a Starbucks gift card… I love being in control. Actually, I promised Sam I’d treat him to a meal the next time (which will be our first time) to meet up.
Thank you though for the suggestions. They do help, even if it gets stored away as an idea for another lesson on another day. In case you care to know, I’ve posted that particular activity below.
Memory Match-up
SUPPLIES: Set of 24 responsibility cards
You will have a set of 24 responsibility cards containing 12 pairs of actions that either show responsibility or irresponsibility such as taking out the trash or cheating on a test. The 24 cards should be mixed up and put face down in the center of the group. Kids will take turns turning over two cards at a time looking for matches. If a child does not find a match, the next child will take a turn. If a match is found the leaders will ask the following question: Does this action show responsibility or irresponsibility? (Some are very obvious such as cheating on a test; however, several are a little fuzzy such as playing with friends. For some of these actions, feel free to ask the child or the rest of the group when might playing with friends be a responsible action and when might it be an irresponsible action.) In order to give all the children a chance to play, children who make a match do not get to pick again right away, but the turn passes on to the next child.
Depending on how quickly the first game went, shuffle the cards and play again. This time ask a different question when a match is made. We have been learning that “when you can be trusted, with little, you can be trusted with a lot.†If you acted out what was on this card, would it show that you could be trusted with more or with less? (There are some cards that could go either way depending on the situation. Probe the kids to see if the question could be answered the other way as well. Say: Many of the same actions could show either responsibility or irresponsibility. Part of learning to be trusted with little means deciding to make the right choice depending on the circumstances.
SMALL GROUP LEADER: “At your age in life, you are constantly building trust. You are building trust with your parents, with your teachers and even with friends. When you show that you are responsible with something little, you might be trusted with something bigger. Today you might be trusted with feeding the pet and taking out the trash. When you are older and have proven that you can be trusted with the little things, you may be allowed to drive the care (when you’re old enough of course) Remember, [Impress] when you can be trusted with a little, you can be trusted with a lot.â€
[Personalize] Share with your small group about something small that you were trusted with even as an adult and how being responsible with that grew into something much bigger (maybe a small job or task at work that grew into a promotion).
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I Loath Algerian Font Day #4
Posted on 04. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Now that I’ve made it a point to actually blog about Algerian, I’m amazed about how much more often I just happen to run into it. The day after I started this themed post, I went to dinner with my wife and my summer intern. We had a coupon for this local pizza parlor called Rome’s Pizza. It was a nice little place although their brand and image was a little confusing. On the door was was their logo, an image of the coliseum with Rome’s Pizza spelled out in a circular manner in “papyrus” font. (Papyrus is another overused font… big time. Of the overused fonts, I probably like it the most since it has a some character, but the fact that it’s so overused usually keeps me away from it most of the time. However, I guarantee that if someone’s doing any kind of ancient or Egyptian theme, there is a 68% chance they’re going to use Papyrus.)
So when I walk in I notice something different. The staff t-shirts were just “Rome’s Pizza” written out in Algerian. Why not papyrus? 
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