Archive for 'Elementary'
My Beef with Bible Bucks: My exception to the rule
Posted on 19. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Yes, I think I’ve thoroughly covered my experiences (and opinions) on Bible Bucks programs. I sense that this is one of those “touchy” areas where many people have their strong opinions, and it seems that most people have very strong opinions on the matter. I think that’s great! All the more reason to hash stuff out, push the envelope and get some good ideas. As Jonathan said, Sacred Cows make good hamburgers.
There is one place though where I have done an incentive program. Maybe that makes me a hypocrite, I don’t know. Although we didn’t do this at Gateway this year and I don’t know if or when we’ll do one in the future, but I’ve always put incentives in place at our Venture Quest (VBS programs).… Read the rest
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My Beef with Bible Bucks: How do I get rid of them?
Posted on 18. Sep, 2008 by Kenny.
Yesterday I talked about my thoughts on Bible Bucks incentive/award programs. This was all inspired by Sam’s posts here, here and here. Anyway, my experience has been only negative or neutral, so I’ve had the pesky little habit of getting rid of them at the churches where I’ve worked.
So, thinking about getting rid of your Bible Bucks system? It’s easier than you’d think. I’ve done it three times and I’ve had exactly the same experience every time.
First of all, your biggest reaction will not be from the kids, it will be from adults. In all honesty, the most noise I heard from were volunteers, not parents. Usually it’s been the “we’ve been doing this for 7 years” thing or “Why would we get rid of something the kids love so much?” reaction.… Read the rest
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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).… Read the rest
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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?… Read the rest
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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.… Read the rest
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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.… Read the rest
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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.… Read the rest
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Help with a small group activity… win a prize
Posted on 28. Aug, 2008 by Kenny.
I thought I’d throw this out there. My team and I racked our brains for 45 minutes coming up with one more small group activity and we came up with nothing. Maybe you can help. I’ll make it interesting… you give me an idea and we use it, I’ll send you your choice of a $5 iTunes card or Starbucks card.
We’re using 252 and the monthly virtue is Responsibility. The bottom line is “When you can be trusted with a little, you can be trusted with a lot.” The Memory verse is similar: Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” The Bible story is basically the parable of the talents.
The way we’re doing this is a 30 minute large group activity (worship, drama and teaching) and then 35 minutes in small groups.… Read the rest
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Promotion Sunday
Posted on 26. Aug, 2008 by Kenny.
This last Sunday was the infamous “Promotion Sunday.” Of all the “Promotion Sundays” I’ve had in the past, this one actually saw the least promotions. We’re in the process of getting portable space added to our facility (like how I termed that… it was a really sophisticated way of saying we’re getting trailers… ha!) Last year the Kindergartners were a part of elementary and this year they’ll stay with preschool… so kindergarten didn’t actually promote.
The only two things I really had my eye on was the implementation of small groups in elementary and the promotion of our 5th graders into middle school. We had two big wins!
First of all I’ll talk about the small groups. One of the first things on my plate from the moments I began at Gateway ( We even talked about it extensively during my interviews) was to launch small groups in elementary.… Read the rest
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The elementary attrition
Posted on 30. Jul, 2008 by Kenny.
I’m curious as to how this is for others out there. Since coming to Gateway, one of my priorities has been to help transition 5th graders into the middle school. We promote on August 24th. Over the summer we’ve had 4 5th grade preview services where our 5th graders were taken to the middle school program for a sneak peak. This has been very successful as both the kids and parents of the kids have given us great feedback. However, over the past three preview services, we’ve seen 15-20 5th graders each week on the average… and I’m probably being a little optimistic with the numbers. Yeah, I said 15-20!
There’s nothing wrong with having 15-20 5th graders on any given weekend (for three services).… Read the rest
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