Looking for some great Children's Ministry Blogs? Check out Tony Kummer’s website Ministry-To-Children.com for a fun contest he has going on called Kids Ministry Blog Madness. He put four brackets together with 16 Children's Ministry Blogs in each one. All you have to do to enter the march madness is select your 4 favs from each bracket! Read More »
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The wonderful change that has taken place is that today’s songs are more Biblically based than any other time in my four decades of children’s worship.The challenge that I see that lies ahead is that we define when an action or motion song is needed. It’s important that worship doesn’t become so focused on the right motion that kids can’t focus on what worship is all about, putting all our attention of Him who alone is worthy. I believe the greatest action is when kids practice the five Biblical benefits of worship I mentioned above.1. We were made to give praise to the Lord.2. It’s a good thing to give thanks to the Lord3. We get lifted up when we lift him up4. He lives in our praises5. When we draw near to him, He will draw near to us. Read More »
Another huge innovation was when children’s worship began to reflect the direction of the main auditorium. Having no instruments was replaced with a single piano or guitar but then turned into “a band in a box” featuring none other that famous band “The Cassette Brothers”. The first person I know to produce real worship for kids was Ken Blount who was known as Nicodemus from “The Gospel Bill Show.” Kenny produced fun songs but went on to introduce kids to praise and worship music beyond choir songs from last year’s musical and Kiddie songs that where Biblically lacking. I soon followed Kenny’s lead with my eight volumes of “Worship Songs For Kid’s Of All Ages.” A host of record and publishing companies joined in but most of the music was produced with the taste and likes of adult workers in mind. Read More »
In my early years we mainly sang songs in children’s church as filler to eat up the long services that where happening in big church. The songs didn’t have much substance, I’m still trying to understand what “Climb, Climb Up Sonshine Mountain” even means let alone what it has to do with the five Biblical benefits of training and developing children as worshippers. Read More »
Being a children’s pastor in my twenties, thirties, forties, and now in my fifties I’ve seen a lot of changes in the area of children’s worship music. These days I laugh when I’m introduced as a children’s ministry pioneer, I’ve realized that pioneer is just a code word for the word “old.” It’s been amazing to see the innovation that was introduced then and the innovation that is being introduced now. As a student of leadership I have learned that there is big difference between a manager and a leader. Being a good manager is a part of being an effective leader but the major difference between the two is that leadership calls for innovation. You can’t provide innovation without you being willing to innovate rather than just do what everyone else does. Read More »
I also attend conferences to be exposed to bigger vision. I believe that there is nothing more contagious than a God inspired, Spirit lead vision. I’m the type learner that it helps me to see something with my own eyes. It’s easier for me to grasp by seeing than just hearing or reading about it only. Seeing a big vision in action has always helped me to catch the vision. I think that big vision is easier caught than taught and that being exposed to a larger vision than what you presently have and open your eyes to the possibility of “I can do this too!” Read More »
The first national children’s ministry conference I heard about was the Fellowship of Christian Magicians Conference. (It was much more than magic, there were workshops on every type of ministry performance methods to children there where back then) I wanted to attend so badly but my church did not have a conference budget so I remember getting the brochure listing the workshops and workshop speakers and after the event I looked up some of the presenters phone numbers and called them and asked them about their workshops and asked for any notes or cassette recording they had I could get my hands on them. One of the people who took my call and sent me his notes was Dick Gruber. Dick thought I was some” country bumpkin” from the south calling him up asking him to teach me “how to do clown ministry over the telephone.” Not only did I find out what I wanted to learn but it was the start of a wonderful friendship. In fact, most of the dearest and best friends I have on this earth I met at a conference. Read More »
You see my name is Jim and yes I am a conference-a-holic! This is where I hear you say “Hi Jim!” I’ve been attending conferences a long time, a really long time. Now that I add it up, I’ve been attending some type of conference every year for almost four decades. Big ones, small ones, one day ones, multi-day ones even “come spend a week with us ones” and then if that was not enough I started speaking at conferences in 1980. You would think this would scratch my conference itch but then not only did I keep attending conferences and speaking at conferences I started hosting conferences that only lead me to the hard stuff , organinizing and putting on conferences. Yes you could say I have a serious conference addiction. Read More »
Planing for growth is very important but equally as important is the third key to growth and that is expect growth. We should not be surprised when our plans come together and growth takes place. the word of God promises all who keep and observe God's word that blessed will be everything that they put their hand to. Jesus said himself in talking about his disciples that He has chosen and appointed his disciples to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.(John 15:16) Jesus did not say I have chosen you and appointed you to fail. Read More »
One way you can achieve this and make your plans and dreams come true is by thinking small. At lease that's the way Sam Walton the founder of Wal-mart stores puts it in his book "Made in America," when asked how Walton became the largest retailer in the world. Read More »