Blog

Author:	jimwideman	Created:	6/12/2009 10:50 AM
This is where the description of the Children's Ministry blog category goes.

Why I'm excited about CMX

By jimwideman on 7/12/2010 11:54 PM

This week on July 15th and 16th a Children's Ministry historical event will be taking place, the 1st ever Children's Ministry Expo (also known as CMX) will take place in Lexington, KY. I'm planning on attending and will have a booth along with my daughter Yancy and my son-in-law Cory. I'm excited about seeing hundreds of vendors all in one place offering huge summer discounts. So in honor of this event I thought I would blog about my top 10 reasons why I'm excited about CMX...

1. I'm looking forward to being a part of a different approach to a Kidmin training event.

2. I'm excited about meeting some Kidmin folks from online live in person.

3. I'm looking forward to hanging with Roger Fields and family.

4. It's all in one room!

5. I'm excited about offering free coaching and help to anyone who wants to hang out in my booth. (Come join me on my sofa!)

6. I'm bringing my cute wife with me.

7. Friday is Yancy's 30th Birthday so I get to be with her!

8. They have Graeter's ice cream (Thursday night we are throwing Yancy a party at one, stop by the booth for info if you want to attend.)

9. I going to sell all my resources for only 2 prices. Every items will be either $15 or $5 so you can take a copy to everyone on your team!

10. I believe Jesus is going to show up and bless a lot of kidmin folks and I'm honored to be a part of this.

How To Strengthen Your Leadership-part 2

By jimwideman on 5/25/2010 11:34 PM

What would happen if your responsibilities, your stress, and your workload all doubled? This is exactly what has happened to me five times since 1993. It forced me to learn delegation, to make lifestyle changes and to stop doing things that I was doing that someone else could do and grow and strengthen my own leadership to do what only I could do. At the time I thought I was in over my head. I was, without the Lord but with Him all things are possible. Sometimes the best thing to get us to grow is to come face to face with the largest challenge we’re ever faced. It sure worked for David. David was given an opportunity to be used by God to solve a problem for the army of Israel. The soldiers as well as King Saul saw Goliath too big to defeat. David saw the same challenge but instead of seeing him too big to defeat he saw Goliath too big to miss. David knew the God that had strengthen him before would help him again.

Orange Is Almost Here

By jimwideman on 4/25/2010 11:47 PM

It's almost here the week I've been looking forward to since last Orange. Why do you like Orange so much Jim? I'm glad you asked that. I like Orange because of two main reasons. First every year Reggie and company have dared to challenge the same old conference thinking and have dished up something fresh yet staying forcused on the main thing "the Orange way of life!" I just can't see what the minds of Orange have dished up for us this year. The second thing I love about Orange is the group of thinkers and leaders it assembles. Some of children's and youth ministries brightest and best all show up in one location. For the last several years my heart has been turned toward the next generation of children's ministry leaders, I've found some sharp ones at each of the Orange Conferences I've been a part of. Every year I have made my list of young guns I want to meet and connect with. To me networking and connecting is why I go to conferences. I try to create my own conference within a conference to learn what I came to learn.

Outsourcing The Children’s Pastor -Knowing What & When to Delegate -part 5

By jimwideman on 4/23/2010 11:36 PM

Something we can never outsource to other from 1 Peter 5:3 is that we must be an example. An example of what? I’m glad you asked. We should be an example of Christ Jesus. We should be an example of our Pastor. We should be an example of those in leadership above us. We should be an example of how we live and do business. We should be an example in family matters and relationships. We should be an example of how we carry ourselves that also includes our work ethic. We should be an example in ministry! What causes us to be able to do these things effectively is our heart. The Bible has a lot to say about our heart like…Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Outsourcing The Children’s Pastor -Knowing What & When to Delegate -part 4

By jimwideman on 4/22/2010 11:29 PM

We have been called to oversee. You must be a leader as well as a doer. If you are doing all the work you are not an overseer. You and those who represent you in ministry must learn to work with adults. The primary job of an overseer is to cast vision. I don’t just pastor the ministry I have, I must pastor the ministry I want to have.” The problem with outsourcing we must learn what, when and to whom to delegate. It’s our job alone to develop a strong organization structure and to know when it’s a growth structure and when it is a maintenance structure. We must evaluate constantly- you cannot spend all your time teaching! You need to manage the ministry and those assisting you. You should make a list of every place you could use a worker. Make job descriptions, policies and procedures before you recruit volunteers. Train others to do what you want, how you want it done then continue to coach, equip &and duplicate yourself, as well as your heart into your team.

Outsourcing The Children’s Pastor -Knowing What & When to Delegate -part 3

By jimwideman on 4/21/2010 11:25 PM

We have been called to feed the flock (Kids need the Word!) But we are not the only feeders within the children’s ministry. Our success depends not only on our abilities to teach and communicate but also our abilities to coach as well as train volunteers how to be effective. Success also depends on our abilities to partner, connect, and motivate parents to also assist with the feeding of their child. Something we cannot outsource here is determining the needs at hand. Those who help us feed must teach in ways that get the best results. Jesus used a variety of methods. He used questions, discussion, lecture or preaching, He used stories, illustrations, object lessons and also demonstration. He ministered to both large group and small groups. He’s our example. Our teams as well as us should follow that example. You cannot successfully outsource to others without show in addition to tell. We must model to others what we want them to do with excellence.

Outsourcing The Children’s Pastor -Knowing What & When to Delegate -part 2

By jimwideman on 4/20/2010 11:22 PM

God has set ministry gifts within the church for a specific purpose. Let’s take a look at Ephesians 4:11 & 12 “It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” All of us who are in ministry, minister out of a particular office or ministry gift. Although there are different ministry gifts they are all given for the same purpose. That purpose demands leadership. A true leader knows he or she cannot do every job himself or herself. That’s where outsourcing our responsibilities comes in.

Outsourcing The Children’s Pastor -Knowing What & When to Delegate

By jimwideman on 4/19/2010 11:19 PM

I believe many people in the church are confused about the role of a children’s pastor, this also includes many Children’s Pastors. Some view us as strictly a kid keeper or baby sitter, while others view us as entertainers. The truth is we are problem solvers and leaders of leaders who cannot do it all by ourselves no matter how we try. The key to becoming a problem solving, leader of leaders is to know what and when to delegate and what things within our ministries that we should be doing ourselves.

He Is Risen

By jimwideman on 4/3/2010 5:44 AM

I'm excited that this weekend people of all ages will have an opportunity to hear this measage: HE IS RISEN!

It's A Good Friday Here At JWM!

By jimwideman on 4/2/2010 12:27 AM

Today is April 2nd. The Friday before Easter, the day we remember that Jesus did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He became sin for us and took our punishment on the cross. This day has become known as "Good Friday." Because of Jesus every Friday is a Good Friday! In honor of "Good Friday" I wanted to put on an event that would be a blessing to Children's Ministry Leaders and churches everywhere.

I know that budgets have been cut and many of you have been hurt by the economic crisis in our country so I want to help. Last year I cut the price of theClub in half for people over 30 years of age and started giving it away free for those who are under 30. Today, I'm going to do more!