Any Bears Fans out there? As many of you have heard, my wife and I are in the process of finding a new church in which to take a children’s pastor position. I have been asking all of the tough questions (Get Jim Wideman’s Questions for Sr. Pastors if you’re in the process of looking). Can I just say, without being disrespectful, It’s funny to hear pastors try and make up answers over the phone. In an effort to create a seamless transition from one ministry to another I have inquired quite a lot about the youth ministries – and whether or not I could interview the youth or student ministries pastor.

Answers are mixed – some offer it up right away others are apprehensive. Why? Why do these pastors get uptight about me talking with their youth pastors? Is it because they are scared I will find out something about them, (the pastor) that they don’t want me to know until after I am hired? OK – so, that’s really a side-note, tangent kinda thing.

I am a strong believer in the idea that you should be a “Super-Fan” of the Youth Pastor or Student Ministries Pastor and you need to get him/her to be your biggest fan as well. Work, plan, play and dream together as a way to glorify God in your calling… together.

So, if you know of a great church, with winning youth ministry, that needs a children’s pastor, and the pastor isn’t intimidated by tough questions… send ’em my way!

Yesterday I said that I was thinking of changing my name (see the post from earlier). Whether people -especially kids should call me “Jamie” aka “Pastor Jamie” OR “Jamieson” (my given name) aka “Pastor Jamieson”

Well, now you can vote – I mentioned in the earlier blog posting that I should put a poll at kidology.or – at first I was kinda joking… But now, I’ve done it! Yeah, I’m posting the poll as something fun to read and do, but I really do want your input. Go to:
http://www.kidology.org/network/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5507&PN=1
and vote. Sorry, if you’re not a member, you will only be able to see the results – if you are a member, then vote and add your two cents!

For years – since I can remember, I have asked people to just call me “Jamie”. When in school I hated my first name, “Jamieson”. I thought it was weird and I had never met anyone else with the same name. But, I had met a few “Jamie’s” in my days as an elementary kid. On the first day of school, when the teachers would do roll call for the first time, “Jamieson Doyle?” I started about the 4th grade to just answer, “Just call me Jamie…”

Well, It finally happened this morning at 10:00 AM. I was back in my element after an 12 month break. Kids Church! Yeah, I live for children’s church. A Friend of mine invited me to come to his church and fill-in for his children’s church while he filled the main service pulpit. All this week, I did some stuff that I haven’t ventured into for a time, but it felt great. Preparing PowerPoint, writing the lesson, gathering the props, packing all the stuff… and then this morning – the set up , greeting the kids, kicking it off with a big start and a fun service was the end result.

I have been accepting bookings at churches for the next few weeks as a way to make an entry back into the world of children’s ministry. (I will post on my website a speaking schedule page as well so you can keep up with where God has me going). As I said, I love children’s church – it’s my favorite way to pastor kids (after all to pastor means to shepherd – and to shepherd means to feed and care for the flock) so, I fed a group of kids the Word this morning.

It occured to me that, for the first time in 12 years, I am available to minister at other churches on Sundays! For the past 12 years, I have been on staff somewhere and just couldn’t justify being away (even when my pastor said I could have several Sundays a year for outside ministry). The only times that I missed a Sunday for ministry was in the event of a mission’s trip. Yep, this is a shameless plug. If you’re interested in having me at your church for a Sunday, e-mail me and let me know.

In the midst of all of the above, we are also in the process of looking for a great church in which to fill the children’s pastor’s position – We haven’t found it yet, but actively and aggressively looking (yeah, my resume – take a look) – I am, so pumped about that!