Sometimes I wish someone would come up with a different story. Just for one year, couldn’t Jesus be born in an Underground Station in London and be visited by a couple of street cleaners and three lawyers from Edinburgh?
In working with kids, how do we make the same story come alive, year after year? To what extent can we add to, or change the story to make it new and fresh for the kids.
“Hold on”, you say, add to or change the Christmas story? “It’s the Bible, we don’t add to it or change it!” and I suppose you are right (as long as you overlook the fact that there is no stable mentioned in the Bible, or innkeeper, or donkey, or star shining over Bethlehem etc. etc. ).
We are constantly adding to and changing Bible stories, mostly not on purpose, it’s something that just happens, usually because it’s been told that many times, it needs a little extra to make it stick.
Here are my 3 top tips for making those familiar stories come alive, truthfully…
1. Read it in the Bible – It may seem blatantly obvious, but I am not sure that it is. Often we have heard the story, rather than read it for ourselves and we are quite happy to pass it on, mistakes and all. In reading the actual story for ourselves, we find out exactly what is and isn’t in there, and God can speak to us through what it says. Never assume that you know a story well enough to tell, without reading it first.
2. Provide context (but not too much) – Try this, after you tell a story, start asking some questions about the characters and environment you used. What clothes was David wearing? What did Solomon’s Palace look like? Questions like this will provide an array of different answers as children use their imaginations to fill in the gaps. This is something that we have to encourage, but we also have to help them on their way. On more than one occasion I have come unstuck in a story, in not explaining that it took place several thousand years ago. The question “So why didn’t Jesus just phone him” still haunts me…. Give the children enough background to go on and they will add in the details and new parts to the story, which will keep it fresh.
3. Tell it like they have never heard it before (because some of them won’t have) – Give it your best. If you are telling the same story again, it’s probably because it’s a good story. Don’t assume that the kids have listened to, or will remember the first time it was told, and don’t compromise for those who have never heard it before.
Have Fun!
Sam
Apparently it’s only a few days away. I have to say that I am generally of the opinion that it probably won’t happen, but it does make me think.
If there was only 9 days of Kids Ministry left – what would I do with it?
No-one can doubt the popularity and success of Veggie Tales, and “What’s in the Bible” is the latest venture from it’s creator – Phil Vischer.
In a nutshell – it’s brilliant!
“What’s in the Bible” is a series of DVD’s which does exactly what it says on the tin. It gives an overview of the Bible using puppets and animations, following God’s big plan of salvation. Kids from ages 5-11 seem to engage well with it and it is presented in short segments, which keep attention focused.
The Good…
It’s up to date, fast moving and memorable. The characters are easy to connect with, and it’s a lot of fun. WITB covers massive amounts of background and clearly presents the BIG story of the Bible, with a focus on Jesus from start to finish.
The segmented approach means that parts can (usually) be pulled out to support an individual story, instead of using the DVD as a whole. There is also a lot of support material and a curriculum available to use.
The Bad…
Individual DVD’s are reasonably priced, but the curriculum works out quite expensive if used regularly. There are regular small references to TV and Film that a lot of Kids outside the US might not get and I think will go out of date quite quickly. The DVD’s are based mainly around theology and knowledge and can, at times, lack application. (This could also be an advantage as you can move the discussion in whatever direction you want afterwards)
The Ugly…
And the worst bit is … Only the Old Testament has been covered so far. Mr Vischer – Please hurry up and get the rest released soon!
So…
In all, this is great material and well worth spending money on. It can be used time and time again and you will not regret buying it. Find out more at www.whatsinthebible.com
Sam
There are few movies I have seen where I can still remember the opening scene with clarity. Saving Private Ryan is a notable exception. However, many final scenes come easily to mind.
A lot of emphasis is placed on endings in Hollywood – the big fight scene where the bad guy is defeated, the happy ending for the couple in love (just after the inevitable break-up where it appears to all be over), and not to mention the scene where the evil monster is finally killed (this time for definite…)
We do the same in Church life as well – the big conclusion to the sermon, or the contemplative finish to a time of worship.
Why?
Because it’s what people will remember.
Here comes the science bit…
It takes a lot of time and energy to move things from our short-term to long-term memories. This process can be severely hampered if we are still taking in more information. Therefore, it will probably be after your church service that this process happens and what will be in people’s short-term memory then? That’s right – what happens at the end!
So, what am I saying? As churches we put a lot of effort into being welcoming, but do we take the time to say goodbye properly? It only takes a few words as people walk out to let them know that we care for them and their families beyond our church doors, and not just when we have them in our meetings.
So, goodbye, and have a fantastic few days until you hear from me again.
Sam
It’s very easy to have, what I call, a karaoke ministry. What do I mean? I’ll explain…
It’s when someone else has done the hard work. They have written a curriculum, or book. They have a strategy in place that works. They have tried and tested idea after idea, and then you copy them.
Of course this has it’s good points. You hopefully won’t make the same mistakes as they did. Chances are that your volunteers will recognise it and understand it, so communicating it to them is easier. People will probably have done it before, and are more likely to join in.
The trouble is that it’s rarely going to be as good as the original. As a songwriter I know the emotion and effort that goes into songwriting. Only the person who pens the song really understands the true meaning and depth behind it, and can convey that when it is performed. Not something often seen with karaoke…
Kids Ministry is no different. You are in a unique situation. Your Church, or organisation, will be different from all others around you. The people you work with and resources you have will not be the same. The kids you are reaching will have a different outlook on life. Off-the-shelf resources will seldom be designed just for you. This is your place of ministry, and you should be best equipped to know what is needed.
Please don’t think that I am against using outside materials – I do all the time, but they are adapted to become part of our programme, and used in context with our aims. They are sourced to fit with what we have planned. Our planning does not fit around them.
Originality and creativity takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. Use your knowledge wisely, to really make a hit with your kids ministry – not just become karaoke. (see what I did there?)
Sam
It’s not that I don’t like Mondays – they are just massively unproductive.
First is staff meeting – reviews, news sheet planning and looking at diaries. After that, if I am honest, often not much. The day just seems to float by, and generally by 2pm I am ready to go home. This weekend has been particularly busy, and I am starting to flag already. (It’s not even lunchtime!)
So how do I fight it? — I don’t.
I know when I am most productive. I also know when I just need to stop and give up for the day. That’s come from years of wasted afternoons, when a short rest would have made me much more productive (and approachable..) in the long run. My work gets done, it just gets done at different times, and, usually, a lot quicker.
Knowing how to do your job best means knowing how you work best.
And with that, I’m off to see the latest Bond movie – have a great Monday!
Sam
Every time I have completed this particular activity with kids I get the same response. I am called a liar. The kids get annoyed and, often, angry.
Here’s what I do… I create a line of 100 people. I print them out but they can be just as easily drawn. At one end I place a picture of an african child I took in Zambia. At the other, a picture of a rich celebrity, someone like Will Smith or Tom Cruise. I explain that this is a percentage scale with the poorest people in the world at one end, and the richest at the other .
Each person in the line represents 1% of the people on our planet, about 69 Million – the UK population is about 62 Million, to give some idea. I then ask the children to place themselves on the scale, in accordance with how rich they think they are. The vast majority stick somewhere in the middle.
The truth is, that the average family in the UK are in the top 2% (almost 1%). Even just earning a full time “UK living wage” – £13,559 per year, still lands in the top 10%. It has to be said that most kids just sit there in silence, but I have had a ferocious backlash from quite a few. Often it starts with unbelief, moving towards anger, guilt and finally excuses.
Generally, I find that the majority of kids are blissfully unaware of their place in the world, and it’s not surprising when they are constantly seeing celebrities on TV with their mansions, cars and beautiful clothes. It must make them like they are far behind them in terms of material things. How many times have the kids in your ministry heard the phrase “we can’t afford it” versus the phrase “we have been blessed with…”?
As Kids Leaders, lets be honest with our kids about how blessed and rich they are, not in a judgemental way, but in a way that makes them want to use what God has given them for the good of others.
Sam
I lay in bed this morning listening to my two children. My 5 year old boy was playing on his bedroom floor, with his little sister still in her cot.
Choo-choo! (Cho-cho!)
Oh no! (Owwwo)
Nee naw, nee naw! (neeaw, neeaw)
Just about every noise that came from the room seemed to have an echo. At the moment, copying big brother is all that my 1yr old seems to want to do. This is both a good thing and a bad thing…
For example, copying my 5 year by drawing a picture – good thing.
Copying my 5 year old by drawing on my trouser leg (while I am wearing them…) – bad thing.
Kids always want to be just that little bit older, and so they will try and copy those who are. It’s important for us, as kids ministry leaders, to understand the influence that the older children in our groups will have on younger members, and to find ways to make use of this. Here are some ideas:
1. Sometimes, use mixed age groups. The younger kids may not always understand what is going on, but they will learn different things in how the older kids interact and discuss.
2. Teach the older kids about their responsibilities as role models. If they realise just how influential they are, they may take what they do more seriously.
3. Use older kids to lead. They can be great for leading worship and helping to lead younger children’s groups. Give them responsibility slowly, and with good feedback.
4. Develop their leadership abilities. Put a plan in place as to how they can be developed and used. Let them know what qualities you see in them and make them part of decisions.
5. Point out the good examples to the younger children and then let them know that you have!
In doing this we can also allow our older kids to move past being consumers, to a place where they take ownership of their church.
Lots of us will have values and visions and strategies in our ministries, but few of those will have an immediate impact on visitors. Disney’s four service standards are designed so that every visitor has a good experience at their attractions and each one is treated well. Judging by their success, they seem to work well, so can we adapt these for use in Kids ministry?
1. Safety
In Kids Ministry, this has to be our priority, because this is a parent’s priority. We don’t just need to be safe, we need to appear to be safe. We can have all the safeguards in place, but if a parent does not see them, then they will not have the confidence to send their children to events.
2. Courtesy
Treat team members, parents and children with respect. This may seem obvious, but when a parent has a complaint, or it has been a stressful morning, it can become difficult. Also be aware of how etiquette can differ between cultures.
3. Show
Parents and kids go to a Disney attraction expecting it to be good. Is this true for your Kids Ministry? As part of Disney’s Mission statement they “seek to develop the most creative, innovative … entertainment experiences … in the world.” There has to be substance to what we provide as Kids Ministry Leaders, but we must also have provide an “attraction” element. Do what you do well.
4. Efficiency
It’s definitely more important than it first sounds. Think about what you do as a whole. How do you advertise and inform parents about events? How do kids sign up? Is your website up to date? Is your signage clear and correct? How are kids signed in? How can parents contact you if there is an emergency or issue? If any of these are not sorted, they form a potential blockage to parents connecting their children with your ministry. Walk through what you do with the eyes of an unchurched parent, or even better have an unchurched parent do it.
Once you know what the Disney service standards are, it is very easy to see them in action at their attractions. Do these four work for your ministry? What are your service standards?
Sam
It’s a simple question. What would happen if an event you run becomes so successful that you suddenly had twice as many kids turn up? Your resources are stretched. There are not enough adults on site. What do you do?
I guess there are a few options:
1. PANIC! – It’s ok to panic sometimes. Just do it inwardly and don’t let it last too long. You have a job to do.
2. TURN THEM AWAY – It’s not as bad as it sounds, if it is done well. Parents will usually respect the fact that you have supervision ratios to keep to, and will go away with an understanding of the importance of safety and security at your events. Also, kids will have trouble coming back if they have had a bad first experience because of high numbers and lack of leaders. First impressions are vital. Take contact details for the families and be sure to follow up with an apology and a plan for how they can get involved with the event in the future, or with something else that you run.
3. CARRY ON REGARDLESS – Invite them in, make them feel welcome and try not to let the parents see the fear in your eyes. It is an option, but do not compromise safety for numbers. Also, take into consideration what has been said about first impressions, for both parents and kids. It’s better not to do something, than to do it badly.
4. MOVE TO PLAN B. – If you don’t have one, make it now. Have a list of people that you can call on to help, who can be there in a few minutes. Have an alternative programme which will work with few leaders and larger numbers. (You should have one of these anyway, just in case things go wrong during a regular event.) Prepare leaders for the fact they may have to move into a different role at short notice. Keep alternative plans simple and fun.
I am sure you are praying that God will bless what you do. Just have enough faith to be prepared for when He does.
UK kids Ministry 