Tag Archives: Relationships
Does your youth pastor hate you?
Posted on 02. Nov, 2011 by Kenny.
Sorry about the title, but I wanted to get your attention. It may have been a little extreme, but it does tie in… kind of.
I’m writing an article about the relationship between children’s pastors and student pastors. Interesting subject, huh? I’m pretty much done with the article, but I’d love to gather some data around one element I wrote about. So, would you answer the single question below describing the relationship between your student ministry and children’s ministry. First, let me define the relationships:
Dysfunction Junction: You totally don’t get along. There is virtually no relationship. Communication is non-existent, dismissive or even hostile.
Mutual Existence: The relationship between your two ministries is healthy. There is a respect for each other, maybe even friendship.… Read the rest
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Processing through Mad Church Disease
Posted on 08. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
I’m right in the middle of Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson. I’ll be writing a review next week as I should finish it in the next few days. It’s good stuff. However, I had to post a few things I read the other night.
Relationships:
The average pastor rates their relationship with their spouse at a 4.5 out of 5. They typically rate their family at a 4. Although they give their own families high marks, when they rate the health of other pastor’s families, they average 3.2. The study conducted shows that ministers typically have an overly optimistic view of their own family as compared to the families of others.Prayer:
Those most satisfied with their prayer life spent almost an hour in prayer per day; those who are least satisfied with their prayer life average 21 minutes per day.
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Promoting volunteers
Posted on 21. May, 2009 by Kenny.
I’ve always been intrigued by this idea. At the end of every year we promote kids to their next grade. Why don’t we promote the leaders too? Sure, some do but why isn’t it the norm or expectation?
I was talking to my good friend (and permanent intern) Josh Kornberg about this last night. He’s an elementary major in college and he said that this is a newer strategy in education. It’s called looping. I have a lot of friends who are teachers and they often complain about the start of a new year as they have to begin again with a new class and start from page one.
The real beauty is when early childhood leaders promote to elementary to follow their group of kids or even when elementary leaders promote to middle school.… Read the rest
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Early Childhood small groups
Posted on 21. May, 2009 by Kenny.
Say what? Early Childhood small groups? Aren’t you supposed to start this once kids get into elementary? That’s been the given assumption. Some churches are starting to break this mold and give this a try. We’re going to start this really soon and we are very excited. So, please keep in mind that everything I write below this paragraph is theory and a vision of what could be.
My staff came back from Orange with all kinds of ideas. On of the ideas my Early Childhood director had concerned alignment of terminology. Basically this is where churches use the same vernacular for positions and programs throughout every ministry. It makes perfect sense. In the Early Childhood area we have three main positions.… Read the rest
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Small Groups in childrens ministry
Posted on 19. May, 2009 by Kenny.
I’ve been doing small group ministry with kids for the last three and a half years. Before that I was in churches that did Sunday School, but it wasn’t working (I’m going to write a post later about Sunday School). I must say that small groups have changed everything. Too often the Children’s Pastor wears the mantle of spiritual shepherd over the congregation under 11 years of age, but the only way they can do this effectively is through small groups… unless you only have 12 kids in your church. Then the Children’s Pastor can do it.
I’ve got a few thoughts on small groups that I want to share this week. I’m going to throw out a little philosophy, a little practical application and perhaps some of you will comment with your thoughts and ideas that will benifit everyone (including me and what we’re doing here at Gateway).… Read the rest
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