Jamie Doyle

Why 16? Because, it’s what I came up with. Perhaps this will inspire you for tomorrow’s opportunity to give kids the Word.

Here they are in no particular order:

Pray
Study so you’ll know what you’re talking about
Have a plan. When you don’t - they do.
Make the stories come alive
Meet their level of intensity... and then, go beyond it a bit (or - a lot)
Be animated with your body
Be animated with your words
Be animated with your voice
Make eye-contact
Get kids to respond verbally
Get kids to respond by cheering
Use kid-volunteers to help you
Use visual aids
Teach like Jesus (like one who has authority)
Expect results - ask the kids for a response (See my blog series on Making Time for Response)
Say “thanks” to God for the victory won

Making Time For Response - Part 7

Three Things That Might Help

Use Music

It can be live - someone playing a guitar, piano/keyboard or a live band.

It can be recorded music - I use iTunes. So, I have an entire playlist of Altar/Prayer Time Music. I’m a huge fan of Brian Dollar’s High Voltage Kids Ministries Products - their entire CD “Quiet Times for Kids” is on that playlist, along with music from a Randy Christensen CD called “A Time To Reflect” ...and a few of my own compositions (with help from GarageBand)

Either way, music will help to create a mood. It helps to “cue” the children that it’s time for prayer or a response. It can make kids feel comfortable when they don’t want other’s to hear what they are saying to God.

Eliminate Distractions

If kids are uncomfortable, they are not attentive. Make sure the room is the right temp. Close doors and windows to eliminate outside noise. Fix, replace or throw-out broken chairs or furniture. Anything that is distracting has the potential to pull kids away from recieving

Don’t Do The Same Thing!

Use a variety of ways for kids to approach a time to respond. Never make it boring or predictable. Here are few ways I've had kids respond:

Call the kids forward and have them kneel
Call the kids forward and have them stand
Call the kids forward and have them group-up and pray for one another
Have them pray, standing at their chairs
Have them kneel at their chairs
Have them stand on their chairs
Have them gather in groups to pray for each other in their rows
Have them move to each corner of the room to pray for each other
Have them gather around and pray for the leaders
Get them out in the hallways or different part of the church building to pray
Have them respond by singing a song together
Have them write something down and leave it at the altar
Get them to March around the room Jericho-style and shout praises

I think you get the picture here.

Making Time For Response - Part 6

Strength in Numbers

"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." Matthew 18:19

Make sure that children have someone that will pray for them as they come to respond. Whether it's you, another adult, or a friend...

If they are responding to salvation, Have people that will take those children aside, to the back of the room or to another room and instruct them on what has just happened.

Have people who will come and pray for children as they respond to the message or as they lift up requests and needs. And guess what? Some of those who come to pray for the children are children. Encourage it… teach and instruct on it - you will be surprised.

Have those who pray with kids use the old education model to affirm and seal what has just happened. The old education model says: “Tell them what you are going to teach them… teach them… tell then what you just taught them”. OK, just adjust it to a prayer time. After you know what the lesson emphasis is or what their needs are - “Tell them what you are going to pray about… pray with them… tell them what they just prayed about”.

Making Time For Response - Part 5

Something that I think is a good idea is to give several different times to respond during various services. These times are as follows... but no limited to:

Salvation

First, how will the children in your church ever get saved unless you give them a chance to respond? Jesus wants your kids to know Him! I never want to be known as the guy who taught a lot about Jesus and was entertaining - only to have the children I've encountered pass on into eternity without knowing Christ. My time and their time is too short - and God's time is too valuable.

Second, I have found that God will send more unsaved and searching families to the churches I've been, when I put a regular emphasis on Christ's saving power. That's the goal of the church, isn't it? In Acts, it says that they added to their numbers daily. We've got to get ahold of that!

Third, my Pastor, no matter what topic or message he is speaking on, always brings it back to Jesus Christ and the price He paid for us. When it's all said and done, It's all about Jesus - enough said.

Message Application

This is a special time for you to make sure that your children are really having a Jesus-experience that drives home the topic or emphasis for the day. This can be an amazing moment that happens... and I usually find that it happens immediately after I sense the kids have "gotten" it. (see this blog post for my short essay on this topic). Sometimes, I will have kids pray about these things on their own, other times, I'll have others pray with the kids. Sometimes it calls for worship and singing, other times we need to lead the kids in a prayer of commitment.

Felt Needs

I hear the jokes - not the need you have for some Betty Lukens felt-board stories. This will be an important time for children to lay before the Lord's feet their needs and requests. Kids have needs and they need the power of God to intervene! You might think that a lost puppy or a cat that died isn't important in the grand scheme of things. But that's the grand scheme in "your world". In a "Kids' World", the grand scheme is different. In a "Kids' World", their economy is different. In a "Kids' World", what speaks to them is different. If we are called to reach kids, we'd better have a greater understanding of "Their World" After all, Jesus understood it, called the kids to Himself and regularly entered it. He still understands it, calls kids to Himself and regularly enters it.

Enough to chew on?

Making Time For Response - Part 4

Timing is EVERYTHING!

Give them an opportunity when the atmosphere is right. Deliver a message and invite children to respond. Don't expect them to go home and respond. Yes, some might do that too. But I'm not going to take the chance. The Holy Spirit will begin to prepare the hearts of the children as the Word of God is presented. If you don't give children a chance to respond to the work that's being done in their heart, then the Holy Spirit is being held... or bound from doing what He wants to do. Remember, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman - He will wait for you to invite Him to intervene and operate.

The timing and types of altar calls must fit the purpose and message in your service in order to determine how effective the time at the altar will be. In developing my children's services, I start on an "up" note... put the serious things in the middle... and then progressively build the excitement and end on an "up" note.

In this way the intensity of the service comes to a very serious point about half way to two thirds of the into the service. Then it will pick back up again from there to the end.

The reason that I put the altar call toward the middle and then more stuff at the end is simple. The altar time needs to be given as much time as the Holy Spirit needs. We have already covered the other bases of a children's service… Prayer time has now been allotted a block of time - with some wiggle room.

We keep the remaining events for after the altar time. But I always try to be strategic in choosing the last items for the service: review questions/review games, related story and closing songs can be sacrificed. Yep, that's right - I plan stuff that may never happen. Because that will give the "right of way" to the Holy Spirit's moving and timing to another 15 minutes if we need it. So now we have a lot or time for prayer and response. And those last items aren't just time-fillers because we can throw them out. Children can still benefit from review and another Fun song that emphasizes the theme for the day.

Making Time For Response - Part 3

Part three is going to deal with an item that I actually thought about just before lecturing about the same topic - I ended up discussing the item during the lecture and got a positive response - it was not in the lecture notes, but I thought I would add it anyway because it's a point of discussion:

The definition and explanation of an altar...

If you are in a community where there is a strong "liturgical" church presence, you will no doubt be faced with concern from adults - and even children who have learned of the sacredness of an "altar". In some traditions, an altar is a physical place in the church building that cannot be accessed by just anyone - only the minister or priest. I had the opportunity to visit some of the oldest church buildings in the world in Armenia. In these buildings were "altars" that were falling apart, yet, no one was allowed to go near them or touch them... they were sacred. I would imagine there are those who fear the idea of an "altar" because they've been taught that it is too serious of a place.

I will not have a theological debate with anyone on the topic; I will tell you that I grew up in a catholic tradition and became born-again at age 10. When I learned that I could approach God on my own, it fascinated me! But the concern still lingered in my new church environment as to where the "altar" was on or near the platform... it didn't exist. It was later that I was taught that when the time of prayer came, an "altar" was created by each individual at the front by kneeling at the steps.

Now, I understand that each and every church is different. And am no doubt a believer in the power of prayer. But, I have come to the conclusion that some teaching on the topic of an "altar" needs to take place on a regular basis. Kids need to have an understanding of what an "altar" was and still is. It was a place of worship, prayer and sacrifice. It still is, but because of the work of Christ on the cross, we can make any place we go, a place of worship, prayer and sacrifice. At times, I will have an "altar" time near the front of the Kids' Church room where kids can stand or kneel. Other times, I will make them turn and kneel at their chairs. And still, at other times, I will have kids scatter throughout the room to pray or worship and find a place where they can connect with God. We see that even in ancient Jewish cultures, one would wrap his outer cloak around himself and cross his arms... this was known as his "prayer-closet" - location didn't matter at times.

I think that last statement is really what I want to get across: To me, location of an altar time doesn't matter - as long as they are connecting with God.

Every So Often... A Thought Runs Thru My Head

I'll get back to altar times and kids later this week. For now I submit the following:

Today - this thought ran through my head:

If I never showed up again at my church - what would or wouldn't the impact be? Now please don't read into this as a future plan to bolt - I love my church, my Pastor, the staff and the kids.

You've heard the question: "If you church suddenly shut down, would anybody in the neighborhood notice?"

I guess that's what I'm asking - if I never showed up again; sure, the kids might be sad for a time, the staff may have a few fond memories, but... what would the lasting impact be? Have I made a difference that will leave an impression on this generation and the generations to come?

What about you? Have you made the impact in such a way that if today was your last Sunday, would change a kid's world? Would the impression last? You really need to ask yourself that question.

Larry Norman sang, "It's only today that counts - so, live it like it might be your last..."

Well, it's only today that counts... minister like it might be your last.

Making Time For Response - Part 2

THE TIME AND PLACE

Where will children respond and receive from God, unless you give them a time and a place to do it? Trust me, they won't wait until they get home to respond! I've been guilty of this:

Once upon a time, in a church far from here, when I was a much younger man... I saw the "moment" happen. You know what I'm talking about (I think I blogged about it a while back), it's the "moment" when you realize that the connection has been made in these kids during the service. I was teaching away and I realize that the "moment" was present - God wanted to do something! But alas, there, at the back door were the parents waiting (how did they get out of church before us?) I panicked scrambled for what to do. So, I said something to the effect of:

"Kids, I know that God wants to do something special in your lives today... but we've run out of time! I want you to go home and get alone with God and let Him do that something special this afternoon..."

Do you think that these kids did it? Most likely NOT. When these kids leave your church, they are going to go do a variety of activities: go out to eat, go over to a friends house, go visit relatives, they have homework to do, they're going to go out to play - these are KIDS with busy lives!

Everywhere else the world has the attention of your children. These kids have been given a time a place to respond and receive from the world on an hourly basis; Think about commercials, television shows, peer pressure at school and even in your own backyard. "Here, try this… this is fun… just do what I do… you need one of these… buy this!" And then comes the response from the children… "Ok, I'll try it… this IS fun… mom, I want that… I need that… buy that for me!" You need to give them a place to respond and receive. The words I love to hear on Sunday mornings are, "I need that… I want that… Lord, give me that… I want more!"

A few items to be aware of:

God wants your kids to come to Him - reread the story of Jesus and the kids.
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman. He will often times move the strongest when you have planned for Him and make the room in your service for Him (yes, make no mistake,there will be those times when He will surprise you).
God can and will speak to kids... if you allow kids to Hear His voice.

Making Time For Response

I have a feeling that I will be touching an interesting topic in the following posts. Too many churches don't deal with it and therefore, too many children's churches or services don't deal with it...

I'm talking about the proper use of an altar time - or prayer time in your children's ministry service. You say - "an altar time in a children's ministry?" Yes, unless room for response is made, many times people will only go to an altar a few times in their life; once when, or if they get married... and/or when they get saved. And of course there is that possibility, if they come when they have no where else to turn.

I believe an altar time plays a vital role in the maturing of the child's walk with God as well as the intensity of the service. I will get into the how's, what's, why's and so-forth in the upcoming posts. I promise; I won't become super-spiritual on this, nor will I be lazy in my definition and practics during these posts... I do welcome your responses.

would you pay .50 to see the largest name tag ball?

Well, would you? I thin

k I would. I have a name tag ball that's pretty big - it's actually as big as my head (no jokes please!).

How did this thing get started? A few years ago I actually saw a friend of mine at a neighboring church with a giant name tag ball. He told me that the most popular thing with his kids is getting to add their name tag to the ball as they leave... I took the idea and ran with it. At the particular church that

I was at, we got a name tag ball going that got as big as a basketball before we left.

The one you see me holding is about as big as my head and growing. (we've been adding to the ball since June - and yes, it's 100% name tags!)

This has been a great way to enforce our rule "Wear a name tag". We tell the kids that if they pull it off and stick it on constantly during the service of class, not only are the

y not obeying the rule - but, it will not be sticky enough to add to the name tag ball.

Do you use labels as name tags (printed or handwritten)? give it a try!

Who's Vision Do I Have?

When you look at the vision that God gave you to reach boys and girls, you have to keep in mind... and in heart, that God didn't give you someone else's vision.

It sure is easy as a CM leader to look at Church A, B & C and desire what they have... or desire to do what they do - especially if that church is at the forefront of church ministry. I was recently at a friend's church for a CM leader's meeting and got a tour of the building. While touring this monster of a building, my friend showed me the CM resource room. I was envious... it was awesome! Huge; organized; with numerous matching shelves and cabinets; an insane amount of counter space for getting work done; every conceivable piece of office equipment - just of for the CM department... that CM leaders wish they had (color copier, giant laminator, large format printer, paper cutters and several work computers!) Get the idea here? Most public schools wouldn't be able to touch this!

I went home and told my wife about it - and the pursuit of a bigger and better resource room began to formulate in my mind. But, I had to realize that I was not called to pursue that vision, but vision that God has put in front of me for this church. Sure I can use the experience of seeing that big resource room to inspire me to pursue excellence in what we do in this church. But I was not called to fulfill that other church's vision.

Look at where you are now... what you have now... who you have now... and ask God where He wants you to go now... How He wants you to do what He's called you to do... and - When His time frame allows for you to do all He's asked you to do.

Besides, my friend said that I could use his resource room anytime! Hmm... what could I laminate?

What's On My Mind

Lately the topic that's been on my mind lately is:

the difference between a noun and a verb - particularly in reference to God's Word. I believe that most of God's Word written to us was written as a verb. Even where a noun exists, you must take and use your freedom as a minister to interpret it as a "noun that is in action".

Salvation is a noun - However, it is the name given to the action of being rescued from sin. And according to scripture, it's a noun that should constantly be in action. We are to "work it out..."

Faith is a noun - However, it is a noun that is activated into a verb when we start to step out into it.

Ministry is a noun - interestingly, it is something that we do or that God does through us... it's also something that happens.

What other nouns can you identify in God's word that are things we do, God does, or are activated by our actions or God's move?

Because It's Funny - new book

I say some of the things that I say in Children's Ministry Presentations and Kid-Show Performances... because it's funny!

You should always have something fun, funny, witty, or just plain silly to say to your audience. Whether it's planned or ready to cover a mistake; a funny quote, pun, gag or joke should always be in your pocket.

My latest book, "Because it's Funny" is 40 Pages of funny things to say that have worked for me over the years - maybe some of these things will work for you too. This is my first book-endeavor that is not exclusively a Children's Ministry resource... although the stuff in it has been developed both in Children's Ministry Presentations like: children's churches, kids' crusades, camps and outreaches... as well as Kid-Show and Family Performances like; school assemblies, daycares and birthday parties.

Besides, at the last FCM conference I was at, Del WIlson said that he really liked the cover - thanks Del!

Please go to the online bookstore and get it immediately as a download!

...and while you're there pick up a few other downloads why don't ya!

New Gospel Magic Download

It's my favorite way to point kids the real answer to eternal life. It's essentially a big flash-card-type of an effect. You show what appears to be 5 cards; each with a picture depicting a way that some think will lead them to heaven. A spectator is asked to take the cards and begin eliminating all of the cards except for one. When that card is revealed, it shows a picture that represents Jesus... a card that was apparently not in the pack of cards to begin with!

The download gets you the instructions and graphics to make the flash-cards. I'm sure you'll find it to be an effective way to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ in your class, children's church or at an outreach.

It's only $8... and it's in my online bookstore - click here!

stuff that will get you distracted as a children's pastor

Here are a few things that have gotten folks distracted from doing what God has called them to do in ministry to children and families. If you're saying these things to yourself or others... time to re-evaluate what you're doing and re-align your thoughts:

"My pastor never promotes what I do. "
"These parents don't care about what I do."
"I don't have a big enough budget."
"I don't get paid enough."
"That's what Church B does."
"I do twice as much as that pastor and get paid less and have a smaller budget."
"Wish I could decorate that room however I want."
"I need more kids to come to this."
"Nobody wants to volunteer."
"I wish.... (put anything here)."

Can you relate? Don't let these thoughts consume you. Go back to the vision God put in front of you and get back to work.

stuff that's helped me over the years - part 2

Here's part two (2) of this topic - just a few items that might help you in your ministry to kids. I hope it helps someone out there...

Thanks to kidology.org for featuring the post on their blog watch page!

Study those who have perfected the art

I look to children’s ministry leaders who have been there and done it - “it” being what I really want to do or have been called to do. People like Jim Wideman, Dick Gruber, Randy Christensen and Dan Rector have done it all. I also like to look at the unsung heros who have still been there and done “it”. Friends to many to mention.

I also like to study the people who do what I do in both church and non-church related settings. David Ginn, Sammy Smith, Barry Mitchell and others who’s main bread and butter is entertaining and educating kids at School Assemblies. I have written a bit more about David Ginn here.

Go To Creative Idea Places

I go shopping and sometimes never buy anything - but I have a camera on my phone and can take notes. I go to hardware/home improvement stores, toy stores, magic shops, costume shops, arts/crafts stores, surplus shops, flea markets and tourist traps… Oh, I’m sure there are more places that I’ve shopped and gotten good ideas at. Be watchful - you never know where you’ll be when you see an idea for an object lesson, game, skit, illustration or character.

Listen To Your Pastor

He will have the heartbeat of the church in regard to the vision. In staff meetings, take him seriously, take notes, take action. If he’s suggesting something it probably means that that’s the direction he’d like to go. If you don’t understand what he wants, ask him and assure him that you are supportive and want to go the same direction. Make sure you’re listening to his sermons either live (preferably) or via the web or a CD - this will give you great insight into his heart!

stuff that's helped me over the years

Alright - these next few posts will really be a brain dump of what I hope is useful information for someone. It's just a few items each post that are useful bits of info that have helped me over the years. If it helps anyone else - then I'm doing what I believe I was called to do...

1. Network with others in ministry

This will be your greatest resource. Get on CMConnect and Kidology. Get on the phone and call churches that have ministries on the same level as yours, churches that are at the next level and churches that are at a level under your church's. Who knows, perhaps you'll save $100's just by learning what to do and what not to do!

2. Be a list maker

list stuff when you think of it - I mean... everything! I have to-do lists, lists of lesson series, lists of leadership topics that I want to cover, lists of silly rules characters can use when we review the rules in kids church, lists of object lesson ideas I've gotten from visiting a favorite store, lists of fun ideas for a Sunday school class, I just looked at a list of as many object lessons as I could think of with balloons.

No idea is a bad idea unless it's an unused or undeveloped idea. (consider sharing those ideas you can't use now with someone you're networking with). I have a mentor who has a file cabinets with unused ideas and a big fat hard drive full of ideas he's never used and doesn't think he ever will - wish he'd sell it all to me!

3. Make kids, individually, feel like a million dollars

I learned this from one of my earliest mentors. When I was a kid He would walk into a room and look me in the eye, shake my hand and tell me he was so glad that I was in kids church that day - I felt like the most important person in the room for the rest of the day! He did that to every kid - I swear!

The Two Ways Kids Interpret Their World

Kids really see stuff in two ways:

1. This is either FUN

2. this is really BORING

Yep - that's really the mindset of a kid.

Now let me bring some definition to the information above...

These two viewpoints of the world are really interpretations of the world around them. For instance: an activity or experience that is exciting, engaging, delicious, funny, intriguing, inclusive or tailored to their wants and needs will be interpreted as "FUN".

on the other hand... any activity or experience that is uncomfortable, uninteresting, over their heads, too predictable, non-engaging, unfamiliar, not welcoming or negative will most likely be interpreted as "BORING".

Now here's what you've wanted to hear all day: Children will react differently to each of the two ways that they see the world.

1. If they interpret the world around them as being "FUN", they will engage, participate and have a positive attitude about that activity or experience. With this experience, you can harness that energy and help guide it into a moment of learning, and experiencing God. This, in my vocabulary is called: "CONTROLLED FUN". Please take note that, "CONTROLLED FUN" is good.

2. If they interpret the world around them as being "BORING", they will disengage from the activity, despise the adult who is initiating the "BORING" activity or experience and ultimately, make an attempt to create their own "FUN". When a child attempts to create their own fun in defiance of the "BORING" activity or simply, quite .possibly a non-existent activity, this, in my vocabulary is called: "UNCONTROLLED FUN". Please note that "UNCONTROLLED FUN" is NOT good.

How's your Children's Ministry doing with all of this?

Children's Ministry Structure - Part Three

In a few earlier posts, I've written about restructure. We've explored some of the steps to take - let's keep going:

Meet with the level of leadership closest to you:

Meet with your first level of leadership closest to you to help them understand their new role. I say new because, you've most likely make appropriate changes... right? Remember the job descriptions? Now is the time to help implement those job descriptions into action.

Provide Training and Empowerment to that level of leadership:

I really cannot take the time to meet with every leadership position that falls under that first layer of leadership. So I must give that layer the power to take the new structure to that next level of leadership. They will essentially do what I have just done with them. They will help implement the new job descriptions into action with that next layer.

Tweak as you go:

Yep... you've not now, nor will you ever arrive at a place when you've finished structuring your ministry. If you ever get to that point... quit. Seriously, complacency ministry is akin to death (perhaps someone somewhere will quote that one day). Our CM Leadership manuals are not bound in a book or even spiral bound - they are in three-ring binders because that manual will be progressive. It will change and be added to.

I'll have more next time - keep looking up!