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These Kids are Bored… Part 1

Posted by Jamie Doyle on August 9, 2010
Posted in: Creativity, Excellence, Leadership, Quality, The World of Kids.
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It starts from the moment they walk in…

You might have assumed that this whole series of posts was going to be about how to prep and present a better children’s church.  And guess what? Later, I am going to discuss that very thing… but, later.

Before you can start the 5 minute countdown, make a grandiose announcement, send in a crazy character, start your Bible on fire, or eat donuts suspended from a rope, we need some kids to come thru the doors.  If the kids don’t show up, you’d be starting your Bible on fire for, well… nobody.

But what can you do to keep kids from getting bored from the moment they come into your ministry area?

Engage them!  Here are a few suggestions:

  • Decor- Have your ministry room(s) decorated to reflect the theme of your ministry or the topic that you are teaching.  Whether you have the ability, permission and money to deck-out an area for kids or you have to set it up and tear it down; kids know when they are being welcomed and if you’ve prepared for them.  Banners, backdrops, balloons, props/scenery and murals will create an environment that kids will remember.
  • Ambiance- Fun music that is upbeat and fun or anticipatory will help kids feel like this is the place just for them.  Light up the room(s) with different colors to help accent and compliment the look of the room.  Video clips that are familiar or interesting to kids will make a welcoming experience.  AND FOR GOODNESS SAKES – clean up the clutter, vacuum, adjust the temp and eliminate odor!
  • Activities- When kids enter any new environment, their internal intensity changes.  Kids need an outlet for energy. So have some energy-outlet friendly stuff ready. Board games, twister, an art station, simple “carnival”-type games, long-jump contests, high-jump contests, follow the leader, quiz games, treasure/scavenger hunts, video games… Use your imagination.  I mean, look at it as if “nothing kid-friendly is off-limits”.
  • Relational Interaction- Having the leaders in your areas who are initiating interaction will create a memory and set the temperature for an experience.  What do the leaders do?  Ask kid-related questions; about their clothes, school, shoes, movies, video games, toys, pets, vacation, friends, etc.  Having some conversation starters are important.  Read my post about “What I’ve Kept in my Pockets”  These little items will help leaders start conversations and create experiences.

Have I given you something to think about?  More later.

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these kids are bored… it’s not their fault!

Posted by Jamie Doyle on August 5, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized.
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It’s just the world we live in.  Kids are sucked into media-crazed stupors that they are stuck in.  They have the luxury of playing any video game they want, watch any movie on-demand they can access and visit with kids all over the world.  And when they show-up at church, they’re being told that Jesus is a mighty savior… but he keeps falling off of the felt-board.

Is the answer human felt-board presentations?  Maybe!

My question is: what do kids like that will engage them in what God’s Word says?

In this next blog series we will explore what kids like, don’t like and what we can do about it.

While I write some more, go pick up the little felt-Jesus off of the floor…

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The Attack of My Face!

Posted by Jamie Doyle on July 15, 2010
Posted in: personal, Uncategorized, updates. Tagged: , , .
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I went to the Doctor yesterday morning and he had me see one of his staff who specializes in sinus and nervous system in the face (I’m sure there’s a medical title for that). He believes I have Trigeminal Neuralgia: it’ a nerve condition that causes episodes of severe pain in and on the face (including searing pain in the face, scalp, teeth, mouth and nose). Medically, the cause is unknown.
The treatment is medication that was, at one time given to patients with epilepsy to help control and re-train the nerves, as well as some pain medication for night time and when the pain is too severe.
Presently, about once an hour, I am having these facial attacks that last for about 5-10 minutes.  It will most likely take a week to start seeing results from the medication.
Our God is BIG and I believe He can do anything.  Please stand with me in prayer.
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I Don’t Have To Care… that’s the beauty

Posted by Jamie Doyle on April 26, 2010
Posted in: Uncategorized.
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I’ve learned a lot over the years in ministry.  But the one thing that I’ve learned that has helped me the most is that “I don’t have to care” if I don’t want to.  Yes, I chose this title and topic because it’s a “grabber” and seems controversial. I still care about making disciples, reaching the lost, hearing God’s voice, recruiting volunteers, respecting my Pastor, fulfilling God’s vision for my ministry… etc, etc, etc.

However, here is a list of a few things that I don’t have to care about in ministry – if I don’t want to:

  • What other CM professionals think of me
  • How I’m going to raise enough money to have the biggest and best
  • Having the biggest and best
  • Jumping on the bandwagon of the latest trend
  • Reading the latest book
  • Missing certain conferences
  • Having a certain circle of friends
  • Having a big enough office
  • Having an office at all
  • My current location
  • My past locations
  • Line items on a resume

    • What are yours?


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    Guest Blogger: Glen Woods – The Passion of the NextGen.

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on April 9, 2010
    Posted in: Leadership, NextGen. Tagged: , , , .
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    My guest on this post is Glen Woods.  I had the opportunity to meet-up with Glen and some other super-cool #kidmin leaders at Group Publishing’s “ReGroup” event a few weeks ago.  Glen is the Children’s Ministry Pastor at Portland Open Bible Church in Portland, OR.  His commitment to longevity is amazing!  His passion for the church to be missional is moving.  His desire to train the next generation is inspiring – as evidenced in this post… I know you will be encouraged:

    This Easter Sunday, four young people gathered with me for a quick huddle and a prayer. Grins betrayed their excitement. Careful attentiveness revealed their serious desire to do their best as my ministry partners for one of our busiest ministry days of the year. As my early childhood children’s church team, they were about to minister alongside me to twenty-five wiggly 2 ½ year-olds through six year-olds. At ages 17, 16, 16, and 12 respectively, my team members have long since passed their wiggly years. But for three of them who grew up in this church, I remember those days clearly. I remember their stories and growing pains. And now they all are my colleagues.

    The twelve year-old is our budding Bible teacher. The others are eager to do what ever needs to be done to love these kids with Jesus’ love. I am proud of this emerging generation which is so passionate to make a difference despite the challenges of their own upbringing. Some pundits cite a trend of entitlement and laziness. I see a remnant of young godly saints rising up as a prophetic voice to their own generation, as well as to their parents’ generation and those yet to come. Through their actions they are calling on their peers to follow Jesus along with them. Their passion to heed the gospel inspires me to join with them, wherever Jesus may lead.

    What stories of how God is moving among young people might be developing in your worship community? What part might you play in encouraging them to engage fully in God’s purposes for their lives?

    You can read more of Glen’s thoughts and ideas over at his blog: Children’s Ministry Conversation.
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    #KidMin Create/Innovate/Relate

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on March 25, 2010
    Posted in: Creativity, Ideas, Leadership, Quality, The World of Kids, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , .
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    How can you be creative, innovative, relevant and have fun?  We’d better answer these questions as these are crucial for survival in the #KidMin world.

    Ask kids their opinion

    I don’t care how or where – just meet with kids for 10 – 30 second and ask their opinion about current trends, fads, and especially your ministry and programs.  And BTW: get ready to have your bubble popped.

    Ask your leaders what they are seeing

    If your leaders are parents, consumers, TV watchers, surf the internet, have a job, leave their homes, have neighbors, go shopping or do life – they have a valuable opinion and observations that will be different than yours.  They key there is “different” than yours.  Don’t be offended when they don’t agree or have a different opinion.

    Go on a field trip and take a camera

    Too many pastors/church leaders rarely leave the four walls of their offices to see the world around them.  Hit the local toy stores, video game shops, activity centers, kid-friendly stores and places where kids party.  Take a camera, notepad and a few others with cameras and notepads.

    Kid-Friendly Media

    Kids watch a lot of TV – go to Kid-friendly channels and watch what these kids watch.  Go to the Kid-Friendly websites and surf what they surf. A little research will tell you what these kids listen to – download it. Find out the latest in books and magazines – read ‘em!

    Networking with other #KidMin leaders

    Twitter, Facebook, CMConnect.org, Kidology.org, local groups, and face to face/one on one meetings are invaluable!  I’ve said it before:  Get with the leaders of the churches that are the next level size so you can learn what it takes to get there… look to the churches that are about the same size so you can trade ideas that might be more “easily adaptable”… And (ready for this?) Look to the churches that are smaller than yours so you can see the drive, hunger and innovation they have to get to where you’re at now.

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    Free Easter Lesson in the Bookstore!

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on March 23, 2010
    Posted in: Creativity, object lessons, Products and Resources by Jamie Doyle, visual teaching. Tagged: , , , .
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    Yes my #kidmin friends, it’s true: I have posted a free Easter object lesson over at the online bookstore.  It’s a chemical-science-amazing-fun kinda thing. The lesson is from my book “More Incredible Object Lessons”.  And all I am asking is that you take the free lesson and consider purchasing something else at the bookstore.  Are you assuming that this is a shameless plug for my resources?  Yes! It’s a shameless plug for my resources.  I don’t do it very often – this is why I feel no shame.

    You can get to the online bookstore here – thanks for your support!

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    What if Every #KidMin Leader Was Like Me? Curious Minds Want To Know…

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on March 16, 2010
    Posted in: Excellence, Leadership, Quality, Responsibility, Vision. Tagged: , , , .
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    So I was thinking back to a sermon that was once preached and then re-preached many times by other Pastors… the sermon title and concept was along the lines of “What if every Church-Goer was Like Me?”  And the sermon went on to  implore the congregation to ask them selves the following questions: What if everyone in this church gave like me? Served like me? Worshipped like me? Had the same attitude as me? (name your quality here) like me?  The point was then presented: Would this church have an abundance of resources or would this place be broke? Would this church have more than enough workers and volunteers or would we be closing the nursery and shutting down ministries? Would this church be full of incredible worship that usher’s in the presence of the Holy Spirit or would this place be dead? And so on…

    So, my questions to the many #KidMin peeps that are out there that peruse this blog are these:

    What if every #KidMin Leader was like me?  What would the entire world of Children’s Ministry look like?

    What if every #KidMin Leader taught the Word like me?  Would kids all over the world be learning the Word and walk away from childhood knowing how to apply it?  Or, would they know a lot of games and understand the importance of candy incentives?

    What if every #KidMin Leader taught on praise and worship like me?  Would the power of God overcome as kids entered into the very presence of an almighty God? Or, would they know a lot of actions and fun lyrics?

    What if every #KidMin Leader Lead like me?  Would there be armies of volunteers that are equipped as leaders to take these kids to the next level? Or, would there be a world full of burned-out one-man shows?

    What if every #KidMin Leader prayed like me?  Would kids and the many CM leaders in your ministry know that they are covered in prayer and follow your lead? Or, would you constantly feel defeated and your team sense that there is no hope?

    What if every #KidMin Leader taught stewardship like me?  Would we have a generation of kids that understands the value of the tithe, faith-filled giving and generosity so we could advance the Kingdom? Or would you have a world of kids who expect to know what’s in it for them?

    What if every #KidMin Leader taught on missions like me?  Would you have fervent prayers for missionaries and a lifelong, infused sense that those on the field need support in every way – would there be future missionaries? Or, would kids never know what it takes to reach others just like them in places where the gospel needs to be preached?

    Please don’t think that I am above giving away prizes as incentives, or that I hate fun lyrics and engaging actions, because, I do that stuff!  Please don’t assume that I don’t like to have a good time with kids in my church – read the post on how kids interpret their world… I’m simply advocating that we go a step further – no, several steps further. Realize that ministry to kids happens now so we can secure the future of the church.  Go ahead and add to the list if you care… but continue to ask yourself: What if the #KidMin Leaders, all over the world were just like me?

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    #KidMin Leaders’ Challenge

    Posted by Jamie Doyle on March 8, 2010
    Posted in: Leadership, Management. Tagged: , , , , .
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    So the last post was a challenge to Lead or Senior Pastors to appreciate their staff and interact once in a while with the team on an individual. The results, in theory would drum up morale, boost confidence and make leaders feel like a million bucks!  So, did it work? As far as I know, a handful of Lead or Senior Pastors read the post. I received positive e-mails from a few and one scathing “who do you think you are” e-mail from one.  Whether or not this challenge was carried to fruition is a result I’ll never know about.

    But what about you? Yes you! The Children’s Ministry Leader-type person reading this now.  Did you read between the lines? Did you pick out the stuff that applies to you in the last post?  I’m not just referring to the times I mentioned “Children’s Ministers”.  Did you identify yourself as a leader who needs to take these precious opportunities to pass on the love?

    If you didn’t, this challenge is for you.

    And what if you did read the last post… and the lightbulb went on, and you said to yourself: “I should do this!”  Did you, then proceed to do it?

    If you didn’t, this challenge is for you.

    What would happen if you, the leader, made a point to approach each of your key staff, individually – paid or volunteer – and told them… no – expressed to them how valuable they are?  There is something special about being told by the person above you that you do a great job.  If you’ve ever been on the receiving-end, it makes all the difference in your week!

    What would happen if each of your key leaders received a thank your note or card in the  mail?  And, it was handwritten by you?  It’s a challenge that will be an investment of time and effort – but the pay-off could be huge.  And by the way – don’t hand it them when they show up. Ever since we were kids we anticipated something coming in the mail. It’s like a surprise, a breath of fresh air… and not a schedule for the nursery!

    What would happen if you found a different way, each month to build-up, edify, encourage and thank those key leaders in your CM?  It could be a letter, a note/card, e-mail, phone call, personal interaction in the hallway, out to lunch or coffee, a small gift… figure it out… you’re a #KidMin leader – you’re creative!

    What would happen? Well… you tell me.

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