Christians are constantly told not to “compare yourselves among yourselves” but I want you rethink that. True, we don’t rate our walk with God by comparing ourselves to others, but every now and then a dose of comparison is healthy. Especially for leaders.

Great leaders learn from other leaders. They even compare themselves to each other every now and then. It makes them better. Start learning from others and once you start, never stop. Read their books and blogs, follow them on Twitter, buy them a cup of coffee, hang around them whenever you can.

Let’s recap.

1) Compare your leadership to other leaders.

2) Ask yourself, “What do I need to change?”

3) Buy some paint.

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

I was nothing short of impressed with the movie which brought a conclusion to the story of Andy and his toys. It’s my favorite Toy Story for sure. I found myself laughing a lot during the movie. However, those laughs turned into tears in the final scene. Yes, I was crying. And I wasn’t the only one. The tears came when Andy, on his way to college, finally said goodbye to his toys and gave them to a young, playful little girl. He learned to let go. Something that a lot of children’s pastors never learn.

Here’s my question for you. What do you need to let go of?

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

1. Find a new way to make a splash. This is a big announcement from the coffee king of America. They unrolled it in a Tweet. No TV commercials or big posters on their walls (yet) but in a simple Tweet. Actual cost? Nothing. Come up with new and different ways to make your big announcements. The church bulletin is overrated and people are tired of looking at that same bulletin board.

2. If something needs changed, change it. Everyone has been complaining for years that you can’t get free Wi-fi with your Grande Vanilla Latte. Well, at least I have. Starbucks listened and made a change. What is it in your ministry that everyone is screaming for you to change? Step one: Start listening. Step two: Get off your duff. Step three: Change it.

3. Make life easier for the (little) people that enter your doors. My guess is that sales will go up for Starbucks. They are giving people what they need (and want). What do the kids in your church want? What do they need? Here’s how to find out in a single word: ask.

4. The Internet is here to stay. We live in an electronic world and the Internet has penetrated our society. The kids in your ministry are digital. In 20 years, will kids still carry a Bible and their Awana handbook with them to church or will it be on their iPhone or iPod? If I were a betting man, I would say it will come in a lot less than 20 years.

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

Sometimes we think we can do everything. We can prepare the lesson, recruit the volunteers, make the plans, and on and on I could go. The problem with this idea is that it leads to a big mess. You can’t do it all. Go ahead and try. You will crash and burn. What’s the solution? Get some help! The two most important words some of you need to change your ministry are these: Get help. There are some people in your church that want to help but they need you to ask.

A few weeks ago I got a newsletter in the mail from another church in our town. I enjoyed flipping through it, especially when I got to the middle. There was an article called “64 & 1/2 Ways to Help, Encourage, and/or Donate to Our Children’s Ministry.” I love it!

I know you are dying to see the list. I called the children’s ministry director at the church (shout out to Shanna Herron!) and asked her if I could reprint it. She obliged. Enjoy.

1. Donate WASHABLE Tempera Paint & Brushes

2. Donate a Wal-Mart Gift Card

3. Pray specifically for the children’s ministry on Sundays between the hours of 9:45am-11:30am

4. Donate Large Hanging Digital Wall Clocks for Classrooms

5. Use your carpentry skills to help create/build props and theme rooms

6. Donate File Folders

7. Send a scripture verse to a volunteer &/or child

8. Donate Lowes Gift Card

9. Send a postcard to a volunteer &/or child

10. Sew/Donate Dress-Up Outfits (Biblical &/or other)/ Choir Robes

11. Give them a hug

12. Help research and/or write grants for Sweetser UM Church (to be used on basement, youth, children, outreach, etc.)

13. Donate Circle-time Area Rugs

14. Donate Lockable File Cabinets

15. Brag about one of the children to their parents. (in front of the child)

16. Donate Small Gardening Tools large planters and/or flower pots.

17. Donate perennial seeds and/or flowers to plant in large planters

18. Take a walk with a volunteer &/or child

19. Donate Buttons/ Cotton Balls/ Wiggly Eyes/ Pipe Cleaners

20. Donate Fabric Scraps & Fabric Makers

21. Fix and take dinner to a volunteer and their family

22. Donate Computer/ Banner/ Butcher Block Paper

23. Be patient and  understanding with the “bustle” of the children and volunteers

24. Donate Dry Erase Markers

25. Give 1 Sunday a month to relieve a children’s ministry volunteer

26. Donate Paint Brushes

27. Offer to buy/make/bake snack for a Sunday

28. Donate Glue (Liquid and Glue Sticks)

29. Pray specifically for a member of the Children’s Ministry Team

30. Donate a Staples Gift Card

31. Simply Smile at a Child &/or Volunteer

32. Donate Assorted Foam/ Felt/Construction Paper/ Card Stock

33. Donate Playground Balls

34. Pray for the up/incoming youth ministry leader

35. Donate Washable Toys for ages newborn-3yrs nurseries

36. Bake cookies for a volunteer

37. Donate Oriental Trading Gift Card

38. Gift of a monetary donation

39. Cry with them

40. Donate 1″ and 2″ three ring binders

41.  Donate Batteries (any size/type)

42. A small computer generated sound/projector system for Child &/or Youth Ministry.

43. Donate Clorox Sanitizing Wipes

44. Offer to chaperone a  children ministry outing

45. Donate Alcohol-Free Foam Hand Sanitizer

46. Donate Plastic/ Foam Blocks

47. Invite a volunteer to your house

48. Donate WASHABLE Markers & Crayons

49. Send a birthday card to a volunteer &/or child

50. Donate Toddler/ Preschool/ Picture/ Flap Bible Books

51. Call  a volunteer &/or child

52. Offer a talent or skill that the leaders may not know you have

53. Donate or Build Cubby Organizer

54. Donate Plastic Storage/Organize Containers

55. Prayer for growth in the children’s ministry & the church in general

56. Donate Lysol 4in1 All Purpose Cleaner

57. Donate Small Child Safety Scissors

58. An Artist’s Hand (to paint and decorate theme rooms and/or props)

59. Donate Swiffer Dry Mop

60. Do devotions with a volunteer &/or child

61. Email a volunteer

62. Donate plug in air fresheners

63. Celebrate life events with a volunteer &/or child

64. Donate OLD long-sleeve buttoned shirts (used as paint smocks)

65. Take a volunteer out for coffee @ Star…

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

And now, without further ado, the winners of the signed “What’s in the Bible?” DVDs are, in order as selected:

1. Emily Carson
2. Amy DeKoninck
3. Faith Tyson
4. David Barnes
5. Jean Smiley
6. Lilly Conforti
7. Christy Thompson
8. Evan Reid
9. Stacey Kay
10. Jonathan Foster

Congratulations winners! Thanks to everyone else for participating. Be on the lookout on Facebook and Twitter for more opportunities to win from KidzMatter!

But these aren’t just 10 regular old DVDs Tyndale has sent us to give away. These are DVDs signed by the big man himself, Phil Vischer. We’ve got 5 Volume 1 and 5 Volume 2 DVDs to give away. You could even frame it when you get it and make it part of your Phil Vischer shrine. You have one of those, right?

I hear ya, I hear ya. “Enough with the formalities! How do I win this thing?” Well, the answer to that my friends is very simple. Below you’ll find several ways to enter. You can enter through as many of the methods below as you would like, but you can only enter through each method once. Mmm kay? Let’s get started.

1. Methods of entry:
   a. The first one is easy. Just leave a comment on this post and tell me your favorite Bible story. (Be sure to put your email address in the appropriate field so I can contact you!)
   b. Like What’s in the Bible on Facebook. Then come back here and leave another comment telling me you did.
   c. Like KidzMatter on Facebook. Just like above, come back here and leave another comment.
   d. Tweet the following: “Enter to win a signed copy of @whatsinthebible from @KidzMatter! Visit http://bit.ly/a2Md1W” Once you’ve done that, come back here and leave another  comment.
2. Rules:
   a. You must be at least 18 years old.
   b. You must be a resident of the United States.
   c. You must not be a family member, friend, or staff member of KidzMatter or Tyndale House.
   d. You must really, really want a Phil Vischer signed copy of What’s in the Bible.

See? That wasn’t so hard after all. Now, get entering! Winners will be announced next Thursday, May 6.

P.S. Can I tell you a secret? Phil Vischer is getting interviewed in the July/August issue of K! Magazine. Subscribe yourself (and your team!) now and make sure you’ll get your hands on this valuable issue.

Worship has changed the last ten years for adults (and kids). People don’t want to sing about God, they want to sing to God. My mind goes to Psalm 30:4 that I memorized in Awana. It says, “Sing unto the Lord.” Key word: unto.

Can kids sing unto the Lord? You better believe it. They want to. Don’t force them to sing only about Him.

Before I get 100 emails chewing me out for attacking the old songs, let me tell you that there isn’t a thing wrong with the classics. I want Luci to know the songs I knew when I was a kid. I like singing “The B-I-B-L-E” and some of those oldies together. Just ask yourself this question: Are you creating opportunities for kids to sing unto the Lord, or is it all about who can sing the best, the loudest, and most importantly – follow you on the motions?

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

What if you could get early warning signs about big problems in your children’s ministry?

I read an article today in the March, 2010 issue of Fast Company about Van Halen and brown M&Ms. (This is the first and probably last time you will see Van Halen’s name on this blog.) The article was written by Dan Heath and Chip Heath. Back in Van Halen’s hayday (the 80′s) the band put a short clause in it’s touring contract demanding a bowl of M&Ms backstage, but with all the brown ones removed. Keep in mind, this was a very thick contract and the M&M clause was buried in the middle. When the band would show up for a concert, their lead singer would walk backstage and glance at the M&M bowl. If the brown ones were gone, he knew they read the contract and had all the details ready. If the brown ones were still there, there was a nice penalty to pay. One word. Genius.

You are too busy on Sundays to walk around to every class, talk to every teacher and spend time with every parent and child. What if you created a system that announced problems before they got there? Is it possible to send red flags like credit card companies watch for the scammers out there? Is there brown M&M system that would work in your children’s ministry? The corporate world is doing it, why can’t we?

This is one of a series of blog posts titled: 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off the Ground (Without the Hot Air)

I am going to take on a challenge. It’s a new series of blog posts. I am calling it 101 Ways to Get Your Children’s Ministry Off The Ground (Without the Hot Air). I’m always hearing about something fun or new that someone is doing in their church that is working. Some of the most creative people on earth can be found in the children’s ministry of a church. I’ll also share with you random things from current events or maybe a book I am reading that applies to working with kids. I’ll keep my ears to the rail and will post these randomly over the next year. If I write two posts a week, I can get this done in a year. We’ll see how it goes. Some weeks I’m sure I’ll hit more than a few and some weeks I might run dry.

Are you ready to help me with the challenge? If you have any ideas for me or hear of something I need to know about, please email me! My email address is ryan at ryanfrank dot com. Now I better hit the publish button before I talk myself out of this.

Amy Fenton Lee is one of the brains behind this new resource (along with Jackie Mills-Fernald). Amy has written several articles for K! Magazine and speaks at Children’s Pastors’ Conference. I have come to value Amy as a friend and as a great resource to churches that are serious about ministering to those with special needs.

Check out the blog. You will find ideas and answers to help successfully include children with any number of physical, neurological, intellectual and emotional challenges.