Be a part of a GREAT team

I'm all for people serving in their area of giftedness so I want to give you 5 reasons why you should consider using your gift to serve somewhere in your church's Children's Ministry (specially if you are a Creeker).

1.  The Mission is Great
Consider that there is no other ministry in your church that serves more people who haven't committed their life to Jesus.  That's right your Children's Ministry is full of people who have not trusted Jesus as their Savior.  They are the little children who come every week.  They are the one's who need the Word of our loving Savior the most.  Every week your Children's Ministry is knocking itself out to help lost people discover and embrace a relationship with Jesus.  The mission of your Children's Ministry is a Great one.  You should be a part of it.
2.  The Need is Great
There is no other ministry in your church that needs more volunteers.  I'm sure there are exceptions out there but for most churches there isn't a close second to the Great Need for volunteers in the Children's Ministry.  It takes 150 volunteers every week just to service the "regular" Children's Ministry at my church (Spring Creek Church).  I work very hard to reduce the quantity of volunteers needed by increasing the frequency at which they serve. This results in a better quality of ministry to our children, less stress on the church for resources (volunteers), and a smaller volunteer base. However, many of these volunteers still serve one time per month meaning the total number of volunteers needed to service our regular ministry year around is closer to 200.  I'm confident that the leadership in your Children's Ministry is feeling the pressure of this Great Need and if you're church isn't stepping up to meet it I am confident your children are suffering for it.
3.  The People are Great
Some of the most Godly people in your church are serving in your Children's Ministry.  Every once in awhile you come across a person who, if you didn't know better, you would think is sinless.  I've come to know several people like that.  Now I know better but I have been so blessed and encouraged by the people I serve with in Children's Ministry.  Many (who are definitely not sinless!) I will count as close friends forever.  Many have caused me to grow in my walk with Jesus because they influenced me with their life and words as we served side by side.  My point is not to suggest that you have to be an Angel to work with children.  Rather, the Children's Ministry is a place where you will grow and a place where you can find Great Christian friends to encourage and challenge you.
4.  The Reward is Great
I can't promise you that you will get much attention from your church for serving in your Children's Ministry.  In fact, most people won't even know who you are.  If you are looking for praise, your church's Children's Ministry is not the place for you.  However, if the love and adoration of a beautiful child warms your heart then you've found a home.  Let me tell you about my reward.  I know that God will bless me in eternity for things I've done for Him.  Trust me - I'm counting on that!  But He blesses me even now every time I'm reminded that I'm making a difference in a child's life.  Molly's mom told me the other day that Molly adores me and is writing me notes that she is going to give me.  Noah did a cart wheel coming out of the upward tunnel on Saturday because he saw me doing it the game prior.  Curtis's dad told me how much the kids love it when I give them attention.  Carrie's daughter invited me to join her at school for a special breakfast.  I have a splattered piece of artwork hanging in my office that Isaac made just for me.  Eli bugged his parents until they bought him a special Bible because I told him it was a good idea.  Lilly blesses me with the biggest, most angelic smile every time I see her.  I could go on forever -really.  There is Great Reward in knowing that you've made a difference.  There is Great Reward in being known by the right person.  If you would just take a little time to invest in the life of a handful of children your Reward will be Great too.
5.  The Opportunity is Great
There are so very many people in your community right now who are thinking about finding a church.  You don't know who they but I can tell you one way to get them to your church.  Do your part to make your Children's Ministry Great!  There are a couple times in a person's life when church seems like a really good idea.  Church is a good idea when I'm in crisis or when I start having kids.  Sometimes those are one in the same.  Seriously though, almost every young parent is motivated to set their child on a path that will help them in life.  Most people consider the church to be helpful and they check it out when they have little ones.  Even people with no church background will check out church just for their kids.  If they didn't they wish they had when their children become teenagers!  So, if they find that your church knocks itself out to serve their kids they are much more likely to come back.  Again, there are probably more children in your church than any other age group and there are probably more children in your community than any other age group.  The Opportunity is Great!  Why wouldn't you join the team!

And if you are a Spring Creeker and you'd like to be a part of making KidsCreek Great please email me.  I'm looking forward to helping you make a difference.

3 routines to help your child develop self control

Here are three things that you can start today that will help your child's tomorrow.  I must say that all three are simple but they take determination and discipline on your part as the parent.  You must make them routines in your life to gain maximum result.  There are few to no guarantees with parenting but these three routines will provide your child with the tools needed to develop self control.

Though I believe that self control is a fruit of the Spirit I also believe that the Spirit uses natural tendencies and skills developed in everyday life to reach His ends.  Here are a few things you can do now to help your child's future.

Structured Time

• Structured time can help your child learn self control because it enables them to focus on a task for a defined period of time.  For younger children the tasks are simpler (coloring, play dough, puzzles, etc) and shorter.  As children get older the tasks become more complex (reading, writing, drawing, building, etc) and the duration longer.  For some children this will come more naturally than others.  My suggestion is to begin this as early as you can.  The longer you wait to begin structured time the harder it will be for your child.  Many children don't get real structure in their lives until they are in preschool or even kindergarten.  By then they are way behind.  Give your child the task and the time frame and do your part to help them follow through.  Working with your children is a good way to get them started but eventually you want them to learn to work alone.  If they are dependant upon you for structured time it will drive you crazy.  If you are a Mom (which I am not by the way) you know what I mean.

Delayed Gratification

• The simple lesson here is that your child needs to learn to wait.  Patience helps me control myself.  If he's always getting what he wants when he wants it he will lack the control to wait when the time comes.  Again, the earlier you start this training the earlier they get it.  I'm not going to win this debate but it is for this reason that I am in favor of working your infant into a scheduled feeding sooner rather than later.  What do I know though, right?  I'm sitting at work while the baby is screaming at home.  You're right.  But it just makes sense to me.  As a parent you have to take the initiative to TRAIN your child to wait because the opposite comes naturally.  Remember the burger chain Hot and Now.  They knew what we like.  "I want it HOT and I want it NOW!"  Children are no different and if we allow it their appetite for NOW will grow.  So, if you want your child to develop some self control make her wait - regularly.  I'm not talking about starving the kid.  I'm talking about helping her learn that she doesn't need it now.  She can wait.  Have her wait until everyone is finished before leaving the table.  Have her wait for dessert until everyone else is ready.  Make your child wait until a certain time before getting out of bed.  When little Johnny asks for a snack have him wait 15 minutes or better yet have scheduled snack times.  When your preschooler wants his friend's toy the answer is ALWAYS not until Timmy is done.  When your 1st grader repeatedly asks you to play the Wii NOW after you have already given him a specific time when he can play, he suffers the consequence of no Wii for the rest of the day (or some other consequence).  As your child begins to demonstrate patience in these times you then reward them with additional "just because" benefits.  You give them an extra 5 minutes of Wii time or an additional play date with a friend.  In time they learn (with your help) that there are natural benefits to waiting.  The impatience appetite isn't fed.  Self control grows.

Earned Income

• Your child can develop a measure of self control through receiving "payment" for completing assigned tasks.  There are many lessons here but specifically I want my child to learn to complete things and that benefits are earned not deserved.  I want my kids to learn there is great personal satisfaction in starting and completing a job (even if I don't get paid).  On the negative side, I don't want them to grow up assuming they get things for doing nothing.  Certainly there are going to be benefits to being my kid.  They don't have to earn food at my table or covers on their bed.  But I do want to give them regular opportunities to work and to earn.  What children earn for their efforts depends upon what motivates them.  My 15 year old daughter is not motivated by a trip to Toys R Us but she does enjoy some extra spending cash.  On the other hand, while my 2nd grader likes cash, an earned trip to Monkey Joe's is much more motivating.  Over time the kids learn that if I'm going to get something I really want it is going to take a little time and effort to get it.  A good work ethic is learned and the virtue of self control gained.

I'm anxious to hear your ideas for each of these routines.  Certainly you have some more great examples of what you are doing now that you're betting will pay of in your child's future.