Posted on September 1, 2009 - by edoyle

Tuesday Talk: Len Banks

Tuesday Talk is a weekly feature on Ryan Frank’s blog. Each week, I interview one children’s ministry expert and ask for their answer to a question. Check back every Tuesday for a new interview.

This week on Tuesday Talk:
Len Banks answers the question, “What are some tips you can share for branding your children’s ministry?”

I think the first thing you should know about branding your ministry is that you don’t have to be an artist! It is about being consistent with a theme, keeping your eye out for using items in a different way, making every activity or event represent it, and anchor on colors and logos. We are Surf’s Up, a surfing theme, and all my age groups are named based on that; tide pools (nursery), boogie boards (preschool), short boards (grades K-2), and long boards (grades 3-5). Our logo is blue, orange and white and those colors show up all over our room, print materials…everywhere! I have place mats from IKEA as wall decorations, color tissue paper varnished on the walls for color blocks, a surf board as a basketball back board and another one as a hanging light shelf, and 50 pair of flip flops walking the walls from the lobby to the main room. The last four years of VBS curriculum all were ocean, island, water themes (the outer space one may be better but it doesn’t fit our culture and branding so I just tweak, if necessary, the one that does). I also think it is important to pick a brand that fits your culture more than it just being a cool “Christian” name. We live in Half Moon Bay, CA home of the Mavericks surfing contest, so Surf’s Up fits us. If agriculture or baseball or mountains are your regional culture or environment – then key off of that. That creates immediate relevance, identification and ownership. It just feels right. Have Fun!

Len Banks has been a minister for over 20 years now working in all areas from youth to lead pastor, music to mens.  Currently he is the Associate pastor at Mariners Church in Half Moon Bay, CA with areas of responsibility as executive pastor, children’s pastor, and all arts, media, and web.  He has been married to Diane for 23 years and has a 15 year old daughter, Nikki.  Together they love travel and all things Disney.  His current obsessions are Starbucks Venti Americanos, his Apple MacBook Pro and his Mini Cooper S.   You can connect with him on Facebook or his church site MarinersCC.org.