Does your youth group, church, or Sunday School class need a worthy fund raiser? Check out http://humankindwater.org/.
Help end poverty and disease by helping to provide access to clean water--something that no one can do without.
My friend, Lucy, heard the founder T.J. Foltz speak at her church last night, so this is legitimate.
Find ways you can help.
Grace, Kathy
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label youth. Show all posts
July 17, 2014
June 23, 2014
Yes, the Church Is Worth It
We had a wonderful surprise this Sunday. Some members of one of our former youth groups drove 5 hours (one way) to be at our worship service, just because...
I must add that they are no longer youth but now have children of their own; although I still think of them as "the kids." My husband was their youth director and I was the (unpaid) assistant, so we really were not much older than the high school youth, maybe 2-5 years. But we were adults, just barely.
As we told stories and reminisced about old times, I told one of mine. This urban church had a dance each Friday night for the neighborhood kids. The police thanked us because the crime rate went down during that time. The dance drew about 200 kids and had been a ministry of that church for over 15 years--so it was an institution unto itself.
At 10:00 we ushered the crowd out the door and were ready to lock-up and head home. Except locking up was always a problem. The church had an ancient alarm system which consisted of a silver magnetic tape that went over the doors and windows. Invariably, one of the kids would slit the tape with a razor blade, which made finding the break almost impossible. But we got pretty good a finding it, but it could take as long as an extra hour. So I was usually annoyed, because that meant that we wouldn't get home until midnight leaving no time for us.
After I told my story, one of the "boys" spoke up. He asked, "Why do you think they did it?" I just thought they were up to mischief, and I had ample reason for believing it too. But he answered, "It was because, we didn't want to go home." This floored me. I had never considered that as a reason, but knew in my heart that it had to be true. All that for an extra hour away from home.
I have many fond memories of this youth group, because it was really my first. So I experienced many "firsts" with them. It was the first time I had such responsibility and authority and they taught me a lot. It was one of the hardest jobs I ever had, but yes, it was worth it. They were worth it. My husband baptized each of the ones that visited and they still had their certificates so many years later. They turned out ok, but many of their friends did not. We just planted seeds. Some took root; others didn't. But it was still worth it.
When I see so much pettiness and ugliness in the church, I wonder if being a church professional is worth it. Sunday reminded me that, yes, it's worth it and a lot more. I hope you keep your reasons for staying in ministry ever before you.
Grace, Kathy
I must add that they are no longer youth but now have children of their own; although I still think of them as "the kids." My husband was their youth director and I was the (unpaid) assistant, so we really were not much older than the high school youth, maybe 2-5 years. But we were adults, just barely.
As we told stories and reminisced about old times, I told one of mine. This urban church had a dance each Friday night for the neighborhood kids. The police thanked us because the crime rate went down during that time. The dance drew about 200 kids and had been a ministry of that church for over 15 years--so it was an institution unto itself.
At 10:00 we ushered the crowd out the door and were ready to lock-up and head home. Except locking up was always a problem. The church had an ancient alarm system which consisted of a silver magnetic tape that went over the doors and windows. Invariably, one of the kids would slit the tape with a razor blade, which made finding the break almost impossible. But we got pretty good a finding it, but it could take as long as an extra hour. So I was usually annoyed, because that meant that we wouldn't get home until midnight leaving no time for us.
After I told my story, one of the "boys" spoke up. He asked, "Why do you think they did it?" I just thought they were up to mischief, and I had ample reason for believing it too. But he answered, "It was because, we didn't want to go home." This floored me. I had never considered that as a reason, but knew in my heart that it had to be true. All that for an extra hour away from home.
I have many fond memories of this youth group, because it was really my first. So I experienced many "firsts" with them. It was the first time I had such responsibility and authority and they taught me a lot. It was one of the hardest jobs I ever had, but yes, it was worth it. They were worth it. My husband baptized each of the ones that visited and they still had their certificates so many years later. They turned out ok, but many of their friends did not. We just planted seeds. Some took root; others didn't. But it was still worth it.
When I see so much pettiness and ugliness in the church, I wonder if being a church professional is worth it. Sunday reminded me that, yes, it's worth it and a lot more. I hope you keep your reasons for staying in ministry ever before you.
Grace, Kathy
February 24, 2014
Attract Families to Your Church and Keep Them Coming Back
Every church needs this new book by Linda Ranson Jacobs! This book comes out May 1 and is for every pastor, every children's and family minister, and every Sunday School teacher.
Buy it here:
Here is what churches have to provide to attract today's families:
1. A strong children's ministry that caters to the individual needs of their child.
2. A safe place for their children.
3. A place that meets the adult's need for spiritual growth.
4. A place where adults and children feel loved and accepted.
Contents
1. The Church That Might Have Been
2. What Parents Want
3. Taking a Page out of the Book of Nehemiah
4. Creating a Family-Friendly Church for Single-Parent Families
5. Nontraditional Families Are the New Normal
6. Other Common Family Structures
7. Looks Count and So Do Church Attitudes
8. Keeping the Family in Family Ministry
9. Electronic Steeples: Social Media and the Digital World
10. Making Worship Family Friendly
11. What to Do with Those Challenging Kids
12. More Help Attracting Families to Your Church
I kid you not, your church will benefit from this book. Costs under $12.
Kathy
Make
your church family friendly. Navigate through the changing tides in
ministry and become a church that families want to attend. Reach out to all kinds of families: two-parent
families with children, blended families, boomerang families, adult children of
divorce and their families or lack of families, single adults whose family is
the church, grandparents parenting again, childless families, co-habitation
families, and children with three legal parents.
This
book gives practical helps and suggestions for ministries, worship, small
groups, and even facilities. Author and family expert Linda Ranson Jacobs will
help you to create a welcoming place for everyone.
Buy it here:
Here is what churches have to provide to attract today's families:
1. A strong children's ministry that caters to the individual needs of their child.
2. A safe place for their children.
3. A place that meets the adult's need for spiritual growth.
4. A place where adults and children feel loved and accepted.
Contents
1. The Church That Might Have Been
2. What Parents Want
3. Taking a Page out of the Book of Nehemiah
4. Creating a Family-Friendly Church for Single-Parent Families
5. Nontraditional Families Are the New Normal
6. Other Common Family Structures
7. Looks Count and So Do Church Attitudes
8. Keeping the Family in Family Ministry
9. Electronic Steeples: Social Media and the Digital World
10. Making Worship Family Friendly
11. What to Do with Those Challenging Kids
12. More Help Attracting Families to Your Church
Linda Ranson Jacobs is a popular church consultant,
author, trainer, program developer, and a family expert who regularly writes
and speaks to church leaders throughout the United States. Linda is the
developer of HLP4 (Healthy, Loving, Partnerships For), a website for single
parents and those working with single parents, the creator of DC4K,
(DivorceCare for Kids), and a contributing developer of the H.E.R.O.E.S.
CARE Project, (Homefront Enabling Relationships, Opportunities, and Empowerment
through Support).
I kid you not, your church will benefit from this book. Costs under $12.
Kathy
January 27, 2014
Great Mission Opportunity
Perhaps you've already heard of the Shoebox Ministry also known as Operation Christmas Child sponsored by Samaritans Purse, started and organized by Franklin Graham. You can check it out by going to this link:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
This ministry involves collecting and sending items to children--some in this country and others across the world--and putting the items in a shoebox. You may ask: why talk about this now? Christmas is long gone.
Our church has participated in this ministry for about 4 years. The main reason is that this ministry ignited passion in one of our members. The first year our church did do this shortly before Christmas and we completed about 50 boxes. This past year our church member started earlier and we sent over 180 boxes. Someone even donated a large amount of money for soccer balls, and we found a way to package them too. Now it's a year-round effort. Kids not only receive toys, tooth bushes, flashlights with extra batteries, but Samaritans Purse also sends materials to teach kids about the love of Christ. The boxes from our church are just now headed toward their destination. Kids will receive them in March.
Sure it feels good to send something tangible to children in need, but this ministry has also helped create a spirit of generosity in our church and helped motivate and inspire our kids, even the very young children. Before the boxes are completed, a person writes a note to the child who will receive the box, then each box is prayed over. There are just so many stories of how our children have written and prayed for kids they'll never even meet. Sometimes the child receiving the box responds with a written thank-you. These letters are great gifts for our children.
If you are looking for a way to get your church involved in outreach, this is a simply way to start. The benefits will extend far beyond what you'll believe possible.
Grace, Kathy
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
This ministry involves collecting and sending items to children--some in this country and others across the world--and putting the items in a shoebox. You may ask: why talk about this now? Christmas is long gone.
Our church has participated in this ministry for about 4 years. The main reason is that this ministry ignited passion in one of our members. The first year our church did do this shortly before Christmas and we completed about 50 boxes. This past year our church member started earlier and we sent over 180 boxes. Someone even donated a large amount of money for soccer balls, and we found a way to package them too. Now it's a year-round effort. Kids not only receive toys, tooth bushes, flashlights with extra batteries, but Samaritans Purse also sends materials to teach kids about the love of Christ. The boxes from our church are just now headed toward their destination. Kids will receive them in March.
Sure it feels good to send something tangible to children in need, but this ministry has also helped create a spirit of generosity in our church and helped motivate and inspire our kids, even the very young children. Before the boxes are completed, a person writes a note to the child who will receive the box, then each box is prayed over. There are just so many stories of how our children have written and prayed for kids they'll never even meet. Sometimes the child receiving the box responds with a written thank-you. These letters are great gifts for our children.
If you are looking for a way to get your church involved in outreach, this is a simply way to start. The benefits will extend far beyond what you'll believe possible.
Grace, Kathy
June 5, 2013
No Local only Global Churches
In Sunday's services, we prayed for all the people we have who are currently on mission trips. Some are youth; some are young adults; some are adults. We have an average worship attendance of about 350 people each Sunday in three services, so our church is not huge. And it wasn't long ago that, like many churches, the only mission trips were yearly treks by our youth.
But times have changed. This year we have folks going to Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala but also Camp Barnabas, outside of St. Louis. And the youth will also do a week of local mission in our county later this summer.
As United Methodists our focus has always been on practical divinity; that is, making daily living better. We take the long view of mission work, but we don't neglect the short term either. We firmly believe that preaching the message of Christ also involves making sure people are healthy, well-fed, and educated, and living with dignity and justice. We know that the first priority of a hungry person is food for themselves and their families, so when preaching the Gospel, we also provide meals. And of course there is UMCOR--disaster relief.
As the United Methodist Church we are in mission around the world, but as congregations we are increasingly making a global impact by sending out our local people to places that the UMC may not be able to go.
It is a truism that through the Internet, each church has a global footprint. But we are also sending out more local missionaries each year making a global witness.
We are proud that we have Christian witnesses serving around the world. As you may know, there are more martyrs today than ever, so we should not take sending these people into a hostile world lightly. They are serious Christians who are putting their faith into practice and on the line; and we can all be strengthened by their commitment.
How many people is your church sending forth in mission?
Grace, Kathy
But times have changed. This year we have folks going to Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala but also Camp Barnabas, outside of St. Louis. And the youth will also do a week of local mission in our county later this summer.
As United Methodists our focus has always been on practical divinity; that is, making daily living better. We take the long view of mission work, but we don't neglect the short term either. We firmly believe that preaching the message of Christ also involves making sure people are healthy, well-fed, and educated, and living with dignity and justice. We know that the first priority of a hungry person is food for themselves and their families, so when preaching the Gospel, we also provide meals. And of course there is UMCOR--disaster relief.
As the United Methodist Church we are in mission around the world, but as congregations we are increasingly making a global impact by sending out our local people to places that the UMC may not be able to go.
It is a truism that through the Internet, each church has a global footprint. But we are also sending out more local missionaries each year making a global witness.
We are proud that we have Christian witnesses serving around the world. As you may know, there are more martyrs today than ever, so we should not take sending these people into a hostile world lightly. They are serious Christians who are putting their faith into practice and on the line; and we can all be strengthened by their commitment.
How many people is your church sending forth in mission?
Grace, Kathy
March 26, 2013
Ever Present Help in Time of Trouble, Part 2
As spouses of pastors, we see the worst and best of the Church. This story is about how one of our church youth offered extravagant generosity. I shared several months ago about the funeral service at our church for a young girl, who had bravely fought cancer and how our church came together to be the Body of Christ for her family and loved ones and the hundreds of her classmates who attended. Several of you asked what has happened since.
Last weekend, a teenager, who is one of our youth, stepped forward to lead and coordinate a benefit for the hospital that cared for her friend who had died. The young woman had quite a line-up of talent for the music. She asked a couple of boys to MC, who were very funny. During intermission, she created some games for the audience-- based on "A Minute to Win It." All the participants were good sports despite doing ridiculous things, like balancing and stacking chap sticks using only chop sticks. (You just had to be there for the full effect.) Naturally, there was food. And she had friends who helped clean it all up afterward. It was great to have our Christian Life Center full of youth, some of whom had never been to our church, or perhaps any church, before. Everybody had fun. It was truly a good time for lots of reasons. And the crowd was very diverse, something that doesn't often happen.
I'm not sure how much money she raised, but her goal was $2000. And I suspect she either made it or came close.
I like to think that the seeds for this event were sown not just from the funeral but also from our vibrant youth program that has taken years to build. But it also could not have happened if the adults of the church had not been willing to chaperon and support the event by buying tickets and attending themselves.
As I looked faces in the audience, I couldn't help but think that God must be smiling as well. It was, after all, the Body of Christ experiencing the joy of our salvation.
Grace, Kathy
Last weekend, a teenager, who is one of our youth, stepped forward to lead and coordinate a benefit for the hospital that cared for her friend who had died. The young woman had quite a line-up of talent for the music. She asked a couple of boys to MC, who were very funny. During intermission, she created some games for the audience-- based on "A Minute to Win It." All the participants were good sports despite doing ridiculous things, like balancing and stacking chap sticks using only chop sticks. (You just had to be there for the full effect.) Naturally, there was food. And she had friends who helped clean it all up afterward. It was great to have our Christian Life Center full of youth, some of whom had never been to our church, or perhaps any church, before. Everybody had fun. It was truly a good time for lots of reasons. And the crowd was very diverse, something that doesn't often happen.
I'm not sure how much money she raised, but her goal was $2000. And I suspect she either made it or came close.
I like to think that the seeds for this event were sown not just from the funeral but also from our vibrant youth program that has taken years to build. But it also could not have happened if the adults of the church had not been willing to chaperon and support the event by buying tickets and attending themselves.
As I looked faces in the audience, I couldn't help but think that God must be smiling as well. It was, after all, the Body of Christ experiencing the joy of our salvation.
Grace, Kathy
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