Someone once said, “You can’t buy experience.” However, you can listen to it for a few minutes! Occasionally the world of children's ministry, or any ministry for that matter, can get a little fuzzy, some would say blurry. My hope in this post is to offer a set of "experience glasses" that will bring a little clarity in an otherwise blurry world of ministry.
Download The Full 45 Minute
Bonus Audio Here
I’m sure we all could have been spared some ministry pain if we had listened to the voice of experience. This bonus audio was recorded live at Orange Conference 2014 and hopefully the content will save you some time, some tears and maybe a few trials as I share the five things I wish someone told me about Kidmin (or any min for that matter) before I got started.
Number 1
I wish someone would have told me that vision, mission and values were not optional but essential.
What Can We Do?
Make sure we have all six building blocks of ministry in place.
Foundation
Vision
Mission
Values
Goals
Emphasis
Number 2
I wish someone would have told me that sometimes I would need the ability to hide my panic.
What Can We Do?
Operate in wise mind and not the extremes of emotional or rational mind. The bonus audio helps explain this concept in greater detail.
Number 3
I wish someone would have told me that no matter how hard I tried there would be a few people that would not like me or what I was doing.
What Can We Do?
1. Develop Thick Skin and a Sensitive Heart
I guess another way to say it is “have a magnet in your heart and a compass in your head.” “Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 GWORD
2. Respond Don’t React
24 hour rule. “But if you keep attacking each other like wild animals, you had better watch out or you will destroy yourselves.” Galatians 5:15 CEV
3. Outlast Your Critics
15 people that drive around in a van from church to church. “In every way we’re troubled, but we aren’t crushed by our troubles. We’re frustrated, but we don’t give up.” 2 Corinthians 4:8 GW
Number 4
I wish someone would have told me that leading change wasn’t easy.
What Can We Do?
1. Switch Your Thinking From What You Will Loose To What You Will Gain
There will be people that oppose change and sometimes they are loud, assertive and occasionally, they make sense! In those moments you must be focused forward. You must stay focused, not on what is being lost but what is being gained, in the change.
2. Don’t Get Stuck With Paralysis of Analysis
Paradigm paralysis is the inability or refusal to see beyond the current line of thinking. We want to wait for the right moment when all the planets are aligned. We want to wait for the perfect condition before taking the next step. Remember, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done. Ecclesiastes 11:4.
3. Understand Your Curve
Google “Innovation And Adoption Curve By Everett Rogers” and learn the importance of who will adopt to change easily and who will be reluctant.
Number 5
I wish someone would have told me that my responsibility was to work on the ministry not in the ministry.
What Can We Do?
1. Don’t Sub Classes
2. Build People First and Program Second
3. Buy Curriculum, Don’t Write Your Own
Question: What have you learned that you can pass on to someone else in ministry?