I’m always on the lookout for interesting, helpful, or encouraging content to share with y’all in the newsletter. Often it’s a lesson I needed to hear myself, or an article that struck a chord with me that I hope evokes something in you. Today I bumped into this short piece from Lauren Blodgett. It’s three small paragraphs of her reminiscing about one of her Sunday School teachers when she was a kid. The stories she told, the way she told them, the jewelry she wore, and the fan she waved while she taught. It reads, at least to me, like a Pauline epistle of encouragement to kids ministry leaders.
She offers this wonderful encouragement to folks serving faithfully with in kids ministry, “Kids will remember you; you make the difference in their faith journey and in their lives. Your work matters.” While it took me all of three minutes to read her piece, I spent the next half hour rewinding my childhood and remembering all the adults that poured into me so faithfully through my childhood at church.
Mrs. Paulette played the piano for every single kids singing thing we ever did. Mrs. Mary taught me, at great cost to her patience, how to sing harmony for a single performance of Silent Night. Mrs. Patty rolled in, dressed to the nines, each week to lead a wild group of fifth graders through Sunday School lessons. Mrs. Roxie created exciting Wednesday nights where a bunch of middle/high school kids wanted to hang out and learn about Jesus. Mrs. Janet opened up her incredible home so those same kids could wreck it for summer pool parties. I’m old and forgetful, but that’s a long enough list for you to see the point.
God is able to use normal, faithful people who are willing to sacrifice some of their time, talent, and treasure to change the hearts and lives of the kids they serve. I don’t remember many (or any?) lessons from those Sundays, but I remember them being there week in and week out to sit with us, pray for us, and point us to Jesus. Their faithful work mattered to me then, and it matters in a deeper way now as I see other folks pouring themselves out to invest in my kids each Sunday.
Whether you’re the person running the kids ministry at your church, or the guy or gal who’s been hanging out in the kindergarten classroom for the last several years, be encouraged! The Message translates Galatians 6:9 this way, “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.”
Don’t give up on the good you’re doing! Your Sundays spent serving these kids and families are producing (with God’s help!) a good harvest. God invites us to participate in the work he’s doing in the lives of kids in our churches. He writes our names into their stories as they hear the gospel, turn to Christ, and begin to follow him. What a testimony to his beautiful work in our lives and theirs!
You Count! (Parenting)
“While it’s easy to brush these experiences aside, You Count! gives kids the freedom to wrestle with how they’re feeling, and offers parents a reminder to be present when their kids are experiencing big feelings.” That’s right, I’m quoting myself yet again in a newsletter. I reviewed Champ Thornton’s latest release, You Count!, on the blog this week. It’s a great little board book that helps parents learn to help kids through some of the big emotions they feel. It’s a no-brainer for any parent of young children, but could also be of use in a church classroom setting as well.
Farming Perspective (Parenting)
“When we’re in situations where resolution seems impossible, we may be tempted to think like mechanics, rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. But more often than not, God wants us to think like farmers, patiently waiting to see what he will do.” A great piece from J.D. Greear with the best parenting advice he’s ever received. In the midst of difficultly parenting, his pal encouraged him to think less like a mechanic and more like a farmer. That is, be faithful in the work of shepherding your kids, and trust the Lord to see that work to completion. This bit of wisdom is especially helpful for dads who may, I’ve heard, have a hard time not being able to fix every problem at the moment it makes itself known. Give it a read, and reflect on what this shift in mindset might mean for your parenting.
Team Building (Student Ministry)
“No matter the size of your student ministry, you, the youth minister, simply won’t have the capacity for impactful relational discipleship with every student. Yet, youth ministers can significantly expand their influence through a team of volunteer adult disciple-makers.” I’m always happy to have more resources on recruiting and team building. This piece from Ryan Wood is geared toward student ministry leaders, but most of what’s here will translate to kids ministry as well. He offers a biblical explanation of why personal ministry is valuable, and a laundry list of practical tips in helping you get your recruiting efforts launched. Ryan’s wisdom is helpful if you’re starting fresh, or if you’re on the lookout for that perfect fit for a key role in your ministry.
Missing Spoons
As someone who recently had to buy a second set of silverware because we were down to 3 small spoons, this was extremely relatable content. It’s nice to get affirmation that you’re not insane every now and then. Keep fighting the good fight, and double checking the trash can when they clean their own dishes.
Such an encouraging newsletter from Trey.
Mrs. Edwina had a small group of us into her home every week to practice Bible Drill verses. The Hall family always hosted the pool parties. Mr. BoBo, a local farmer, spent a year or two teaching Proverbs to a group of rowdy middle school boys. Mr. Mixon put up with a group of 3rd graders that enjoyed Sunday school because we were stealing friends' shoes and passing them around under the table. Mr. Teddy—an amazing story teller—showed a bunch of elementary boys that David was both brave and repentant. If you grew up in church, you have these stories. If you serve now, you're a part of building them!