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All posts for the month January, 2010

Kicking it into Gear

Posted by Jamie Doyle on January 25, 2010
Posted in: Creativity, Ideas, Leadership. Tagged: .
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Discouragement comes at the oddest of times for those who are in the ministry.  Often it’s right after a major victory – wanna know why?  The devil would like you, in your own mind, to accept the idea that what just happened is now null and void, due to the crisis, or event(s) that showed up afterwards.

Other times, discouragement comes when nothing seems to be happening in your ministry – or, things haven’t been going right for a longer period of time.  In this case, the devil would like it very much if you felt useless, under-qualified, or obsolete in your position as a leader.

Don’t think for a moment that this wasn’t planned.  Our enemy is very strategic and is an expert at planning ahead.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can kick it into gear.  Why?  Because, kicking it into gear will get you out of your office chair, off the sidelines – or in some cases: up off the floor.

      1. Pray
      2. Go back and redraft the vision God gave you in the first place
      3. Make an appointment with someone you respect and tell them your vision – sell it to them!
      4. Revisit the victories your CM has won in the past year – now make a list of victories to win from this point on
      5. Go to every classroom and imagine something new that could happen in the next month
      6. Go to that bigger church in town and take notes, pictures and promo pieces and list what you could “borrow” and start doing it.
      7. If you are the bigger church in town – here’s an edgy idea: Go to the smaller church that is on it’s way up and see the drive, determination and vision that’s there.  What can you “borrow”?
      8. Talk to a mentor in CM
      9. If you don’t have a mentor is CM – get one!
      10. Get with your Pastor and get his fresh perspective on the vision for the church
      11. Have kids in your church do a survey to tell you what they really like about church and what they would like to do.
      12. Pray
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the re-birth of jamiedoyle.com

Posted by Jamie Doyle on January 20, 2010
Posted in: updates.
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After much trevailing and consideration – ok… not really that much; “The children’s ministry blog with jamie doyle “- which was hosted at a free blogger site- has moved to it’s new home here at jamiedoyle.com.  It’s all still being developed and I’m still undecided about the theme as of yet – but rest assured, some new posts will follow (I have several in the hopper at the moment that need refining).

you can still follow me on twitter @jamie_doyle.com to find out when this thing will be updated – otherwise change your bloglines subscriptions and I’ll see you then.  Thanks for joining me!

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16 things to keep in mind when teaching kids the Word

Posted by Jamie Doyle on January 16, 2010
Posted in: Presentation/Performance Ideas.
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Why 16?  Because, it’s what I came up with.  Perhaps this will inspire you for tomorrow’s opportunity to give kids the Word.

Here they are in no particular order:

  • Pray
  • Study so you’ll know what you’re talking about
  • Have a plan. When you don’t – they do.
  • Make the stories come alive
  • Meet their level of intensity… and then, go beyond it a bit (or – a lot)
  • Be animated with your body
  • Be animated with your words
  • Be animated with your voice
  • Make eye-contact
  • Get kids to respond verbally
  • Get kids to respond by cheering
  • Use kid-volunteers to help you
  • Use visual aids
  • Teach like Jesus (like one who has authority)
  • Expect results – ask the kids for a response (See my blog series on Making Time for Response)
  • Say “thanks” to God for the victory won

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    Making Time For Response – Part 7

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on January 6, 2010
    Posted in: Children and Prayer.
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    Three Things That Might Help


    Use Music

    It can be live – someone playing a guitar, piano/keyboard or a live band.

    It can be recorded music – I use iTunes. So, I have an entire playlist of Altar/Prayer Time Music. I’m a huge fan of Brian Dollar’s High Voltage Kids Ministries Products – their entire CD “Quiet Times for Kids” is on that playlist, along with music from a Randy Christensen CD called “A Time To Reflect” …and a few of my own compositions (with help from GarageBand)


    Either way, music will help to create a mood. It helps to “cue” the children that it’s time for prayer or a response. It can make kids feel comfortable when they don’t want other’s to hear what they are saying to God.


    Eliminate Distractions

    If kids are uncomfortable, they are not attentive. Make sure the room is the right temp. Close doors and windows to eliminate outside noise. Fix, replace or throw-out broken chairs or furniture. Anything that is distracting has the potential to pull kids away from recieving


    Don’t Do The Same Thing!

    Use a variety of ways for kids to approach a time to respond. Never make it boring or predictable. Here are few ways I’ve had kids respond:

    • Call the kids forward and have them kneel
    • Call the kids forward and have them stand
    • Call the kids forward and have them group-up and pray for one another
    • Have them pray, standing at their chairs
    • Have them kneel at their chairs
    • Have them stand on their chairs
    • Have them gather in groups to pray for each other in their rows
    • Have them move to each corner of the room to pray for each other
    • Have them gather around and pray for the leaders
    • Get them out in the hallways or different part of the church building to pray
    • Have them respond by singing a song together
    • Have them write something down and leave it at the altar
    • Get them to March around the room Jericho-style and shout praises

    I think you get the picture here.


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