Posts Tagged ‘Children’

Posted on January 18, 2010 - by rfrank

Helping Kids Cope with Disaster

My friend Kurt Jarvis emailed me a great article today and told me I could post it on my blog. I think this will help you as you help kids cope with disaster in light of Haiti. I hope you find this helpful.

When global tragedy happens it is not uncommon for Christians to wonder why God allows such things to occur. Children often have the same question. The Bible, God’s Word, can help give us understanding of these situations.

In Luke 13:1-5 we read an account where this very issue of tragedy is discussed. This account is of a time when Pilate had murdered many from Galilee and had used their blood in pagan sacrifices. Jesus answered the questions asked by many if this was God’s punishment by posing a question Himself. He asked those around him “Do you think these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered these things? … Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them, do you think they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?””

Here are two examples of tragedies, one that was the direct action of a person (Pilate). The other tragedy might have been from a natural disaster such as an earthquake or negligence by those who constructed the tower. In both incidences people died. Jesus clarified that it was wrong to think that these people died because they were worse sinners than others. Jesus also said that when these things happen it should be a wake up call to everyone to consider their own relationship with God.

If we think global disasters are God’s judgment on people we are going against the very words of Jesus. Earthquakes happen because this is the way the earth was created; they are part of nature and what makes life. Scripture does not support that they are events triggered by God against certain nations or people. It is part of nature, part of life and part of death. Jesus calmed the storm when he was in the boat with His disciples but Jesus did not end storms forever. Storms, earthquakes and tsunamis are all part of nature. (more…)

Posted on October 27, 2009 - by rfrank

Trophies and spiritual milestones

Kids love awards. I remember as a child cherishing the few trophies that I had received in coaches pitch and little league. Those were about the only trophies I ever received for sports – I’ve never been the athletic one in my family. My dad, on the other hand, has more trophies than I can count. His basketball number is retired at Indiana Wesleyan University and he still holds NCCAA records to this day.

Sunday night at church we honored 14 Sparks with Awana awards. You should have seen the glow on each of these kids faces. They were grinning ear to ear as they were publicly recognized for their hard work in Awana. Kids love awards.

Yesterday in staff meeting my pastor was talking about how proud those kids were to be recognized and how excited they were to receive their awards. He asked a good question, “Why do kids have to go to the world to get their awards?” which led to some good discussion points.

Kids love awards. Heck, we all do. I love getting a raise every January. I love the bonus points that I accumulate on my credit card. I love it that after I buy six coffees I get the seventh free at the gas station in town. Back to kids – it’s too bad that, more often then not, to get an award, they have to play sports or be musical. I wonder if we are missing something here.

Kids love motivation and rewards just like the rest of us. I wonder if church leaders and parents would be smart to start recognizing kids more for spiritual milestones and growth. It might raise the spiritual temperature of your ministry – that’s what I’m thinking at least.

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.