I was really bummed that I missed out on CPC this year. I had the opportunity to watch a video of a session where Michael Chanley interviewed Matt McKee, Sam Luce and Jonathan Cliff about the “networking group” Gina McClain and I share with those guys. I say “networking group” lightly because now it’s more like a strong group of friends that give and receive so much life from each other far beyond conversations about ministry. I think that “our story” was a glimpse of what great networking and community can look like in the world of kidmin.
However, right now I’m experiencing kidmin community right now in an entirely different level and I’m really excited about it. Last week I wrote this post and tweeted several times about starting an official Kidmin Biggest Loser group. Well, today was the first official “weigh in” and there are 16 kidmin folks from all over the country participating. Here’s what I love about this group.
- One person is a kidmin volunteer at my church (she saw all my tweets and wanted to join)
- One person attended one of my breakouts at Kidmin Conference in Chicago and started following my blog
- One person did Infuse with me for two years
- Two people I met through my Illuminate events
- Several people I’ve known for years through twitter and blogs
- A handful of people I’d never met or connected with until this competition
- Almost half of the participants, I’ve not yet met in person
Already I’m seeing great encouragement happening among a group of people who share a common passion, yet why we banded together has little to do with our primary passion. I think that over the next 13 weeks, some great relationships are going to develop and grow.
So, should I ask the question? What does networking in Kidmin look like in your life and ministry. Have you connected with others who know you, speak into your life and encourage you as a person as well as your ministry? If your answer is no… then what are you waiting for?
Hey Kenny, I’m one of those people that you had never connected with prior to the Kidmin Biggest Loser.
As for networking. Prior to entering children’s ministry I was the system administrator for the computer system in the emergency room where I currently work. While doing that I learned the importance of networking. I put together a network that now includes 50 or more different hospitals across America. I started this very selfishly. I was just looking for people to call on when I had a question. It turned into such a powerful source of information that most of the members go to that group with questions before going to the vendor.
Now, I am working on a similar thing in Kidmin. I think with cmconnect there is already the large scale, internet network that would compare to what I created for my previous job. So, I am working on something local. I have recently started Central Florida Children’s Ministry. I am planning a meet and greet breakfast at my church and have started a Facebook page. Not sure where this will go, but it is a start.
Matt N.