Archive for 'Fresh Ideas'
Awkward Curriculum Conversations
Posted on 19. Mar, 2012 by Kenny.
Two weeks ago, Jonathan Cliff wrote a wonderful post on the Curriculum war. I’m really glad he wrote it. Whether people would actually own up to it or not, there is a battle going on in the world of kidmin curriculum. There are some very strong opinions, mostly those of vocal users who want to explain why one is better, more Biblical or theologically correct. Honestly, I feel that these conversations are more hurtful than helpful in most respects. Most of the jabs at curriculum are not about Biblical inaccuracies, but philosophical disagreements that just about anyone could argue both sides equally well.
That manifestation of this curriculum war became very apparent for me last week. LifeWay graciously invited me to blog at the media launch of their new Gospel Project.… Read the rest
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Fish Philosophy
Posted on 06. Mar, 2012 by Kenny.
Today we had a guest speaker come to our staff meeting at Gateway, K & N Management from here in Austin. K & N management own all the Rudy’s BBQ joints in town as well as Mighty Fine Burger’s, two HIGHLY successful restaurants (8 in all) here in the Austin area. Actually, one of the Rudy’s they own does more in sales per square foot than any other restaurant in TX. Today they came to talk to our staff about the people business. Although they sell burgers and BBQ, they recognize that it’s just as important to be in the people business.
They shared with us what they learned from the Pike Fish Market in Seattle over 10 years ago.… Read the rest
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Orange Week: I need help!
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by Kenny.
It’s been almost four years since I first learned about the Orange strategy. One of the most compelling concepts was it idea of two combined influences – church and home. This really clicked for me as a long-time children’s pastor who felt such an unbelievable burden to raise and disciple kids yet struggled with doubts about long term effectiveness. Clearly defining the family as the other part of the combined influence wasn’t an “out” for me, but a moment of clarity on how I could use my time more effectivity… or even strategically.
However, as a dad who “knows his stuff pretty well,” I’ve come to realize how much help I really do need. Four years into unpacking the Orange strategy, this stuff has hit home in a new way was my four an a half year old boy has come to an age where what I say and do has significant consequences.… Read the rest
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Never get too comfortable
Posted on 08. Feb, 2012 by Kenny.
Last week I came across this article I found in someone’s facebook feed. America’s largest church is facing a 10+ million dollar lawsuit because of something that happened (or didn’t happen) in their children’s ministry. Who knows what is going to happen, but this whole thing probably could have been prevented. The article states:
The lawsuit accuses the church of negligence in its investigation, in reporting the alleged incident to police and in lacking surveillance that could have saved Guzman from being wrongfully accused of a crime. The church also is accused of failing to adequately train security and failing to take corrective action after similar previous events, the lawsuit states.
If this article doesn’t scare the poop out of you, then there is a good chance you’ve gotten too comfortable with your policies and procedures around the prevention and reporting of inappropriate actions toward children within your ministry. … Read the rest
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A free and highly accessible kidmin resource
Posted on 31. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
I’ve learned that most kid’s pastors I’ve met are highly resourceful. They’re always looking for great new resources and the cheaper it is, the better. If it’s free, well that’s incredible.
So, I figured that all the resourceful kidmin peeps who read this blog would be interested in this great free resource. Are you ready for this?
Really?
Here goes….
It’s called following #kidmin on twitter.
Wait a second, before you bail on this blog post, hear me out. Some of you have refused to get on twitter because you’ve not seen it’s relevance to your life or you don’t need another social media element in your life. I totally get that. However, you don’t have to sell your soul to Zuckerberg to get a twitter account (yes, I know Zuckerberg is with facebook, not twitter) and signing up for an account doesn’t mean you have to use it an the traditional way.… Read the rest
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Kidmin turns three!
Posted on 29. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Another year gone by already.
Last year I wrote this post a few days after the #kidmin twitter hashtag turned two. Apparently no one celebrated the first birthday either. What a shame.
So, being the infamous creator of #kidmin (I say this tongue in cheek only because I feel it was more of a group effort) I put this date on my calendar so that we won’t forget again. February 3rd. That means that this Friday, February 3rd… #Kidmin turns 3.
So, here’s how we celebrate. Sometime between now and February 3rd, write a post on your blog explaining how #kidmin has affected your life or ministry. (No, I’m not talking about kids ministry in general, but the twitter search term).… Read the rest
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Talking leadership in Dallas-Fort Worth
Posted on 27. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Next Thursday I’m heading up to Dallas-Forth Worth for a day to connect with Children’s Pastors and leaders from several large ministries. I’m really excited to partner with Greg Baird and speak, lead some conversations and learn from others on the subject of leadership within the context of leading in large churches.
The brains behind Worlds of Wow have put together a unique event at Gateway Church in Southlake, TX and I’m pretty pumped. It’s not too often when you’re in a room with other leaders who all lead at the same capacity or greater than you. I’m humbled because although I’ll be sharing the stage with Greg, I feel there’s probably much I could learn from those in the room.… Read the rest
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Quickly gathering contact information
Posted on 26. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Last night I had the opportunity to speak to the High School group here at Gateway. It was my second time ever to speak to High School students, my first time in about 9 years. It went well, despite my apprehension speaking to High School students. However, as I’ve been very involved in our student ministry this past year, I’ve been concerned about the lack of information that we have on our students. Last year as we needed to quickly promote our student ministry camp, I found that we literally had no contact information for our High School students. Since most of their parents don’t attend Gateway, we really had nothing.
This year I’ve been plotting ways that we can better care of these students even in an administrative context.… Read the rest
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Orange Tour Gleanings
Posted on 23. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Last Friday I took 24 staff and leaders to the Dallas Orange Tour and Bent Tree Fellowship. What can I say, I’m a big believer in the local conference… something that’s close and affordable to inspire volunteers and staff that I can’t afford to take to the national events. It’s why I started Illuminate.
This Orange Tour was different for me. I was a little nervous. This was the first time I’ve ever taken student ministry volunteers. In the past I’ve brought my student pastor, but the team as a whole had never really been represented. They were very excited to have been invited and showed up in force. The Orange strategy is certainly something I believe in and I was more nervous that the student ministry volunteers would not connect with it or that it would somehow be a miss for them.… Read the rest
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Kitchy Signs in Kidmin
Posted on 19. Jan, 2012 by Kenny.
Today I ate a burger (Number 15 burger in Texas) at one of the funniest restaurants I’ve ever been too. I kept cracking up at 
all the signs. Most of them would not have been appropriate in a church setting, but there were a few that would be tempting to install. Everyone enjoys a little slick humor in the form of a sign, but I’m not sure I’ve really noticed such signs in kidmin… or in most churches for that matter. I guess that many of these signs tend to border on the side of inappropriate, but that’s not always the case. So I’m curious, have you seen or do you have such signage in your church/kidmin? These would be signs that deliver smiles to adults and even has a disarming affect for those who are tense about their first church experience.… Read the rest
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