If you’re thinking about how to connect well with kids of all abilities and backgrounds, one of the first questions you may be asking is: should we try for an inclusive space or create a completely separate special needs ministry? And my answer is always: yes!
As a new school year is upon us, many parents are eager for their children to return, while others may feel anxious sending their babies off to be cared for by people they barely know. Likewise, some children are excited to begin a new school year, while others may not even want to say the…
Summer is just around the corner which means vacations, beach trips, and, of course, VBS! Some families plan their vacation schedule around this beloved summer tradition. But is your church prepared to welcome all children, including those with special needs? Children with disabilities, exceptionally-abled, or special needs, no matter the term you use, there will…
Engaging Upperclassmen I can remember being in my first few years of ministry and learning about a trend that seemed to happen every year in almost every setting. In looking at the demographics of youth groups, they always seemed to skew young. This was certainly the case when it came to our high school ministry….
Here’s how important Vacation Bible School is: Plus, almost everyone who’s ever lived near a church building knows: this is THE thing churches do in the summer for kids. Which means, if you’ve been around the church world long enough, you’ve probably heard some good, Christian people actually complain about how “that family” always finds…
Content vs. Systems Meet Anxious Amy. She loves, loves, loves Jesus, and she loves kids. She has been leading a large children’s ministry at her own church for over 7 years. And Amy has been running at full speed, ever since she can remember. Her motto is, “If you want something done right, you have…
Here’s your permission to quit! You can stop the unsustainable pace and saying yes to time-filling tasks, and take your life back!
Picture this: Your church has decided to hire a new staff member. Since this is a big decision, it’s probably best made with the input of a group of people who have insight into what the ministry, and the church, needs. This group of people, the search team, often has the same goal: to find…