Quest Children’s Ministry

Side-by-side Family Growth

I came across a very simple article this week and will share it with you below about how to teach a child to tie a knot.  In the article it discusses how velcro steals away a child’s rite to learn and a parent’s rite to teach.  It discusses further in its “tips” segment how it is important to patiently guide your child while going through the steps deliberately step-by-step and with them side-by-side.  What an incredible picture of the dilemma parents face in today’s culture.

What is the velcro for your family?

Today’s culture is filled with velcro opportunities.  Easy fix solutions to parenting, but what is the cost of allowing the culture to teach and shape your children rather than mom and/or dad?  Velcro’s may include:  My child will learn all they need to learn in school; Our church’s Sunday School program or Parent’s Day Out Program will suffice; If we let my children watch only good and decent shows they will get the right impression.  There are probably countless other “velcros,” but the question is who did God give this child to “train a child in the way he should go?” (Prov. 22:6)  Parents are the ones God calls to lead a child.  While there are many velcro-like distractions, it is not the velcro that is bad, it is the full reliance on something else other than God working in His parents to guide children to righteousness.

Overcoming the temptation to rely on velcro is not something that happens overnight.  It is a process just like learning to tie a shoe is a process.  It takes one step at a time as well as continual side-by-side effort.  Thankfully, we have a great God, a great teacher and lord in Jesus, and a guide in the Holy Spirit who works in ways sometimes we couldn’t imagine.  Remember that Jesus encouraged parents to bring children before Him during His ministry and His prayers for children continue with us as parents even today! (Matthew 19:13-14; John 17:20-26).

Now for your reading pleasure here are some steps on how to tie shoes (excerpted from WonderTime Magazine):

How to Tie a Shoe

We face a crisis in this country, brought on by a seemingly benign menace called Velcro. Yes, Velcro-closed shoes may make parenting easier and old age more appealing, but they also threaten to destroy a childhood rite.

Help preserve traditional skills and teach your child to tie shoes!

Tips: Tying a shoe requires a level of dexterity most kids don’t possess until they’re between 5 and 7, so take it slow. Teach tying side-by-side or sit your child between your legs and practice on an old shoe with soft laces. If you like, color one half of the lace with a marker to make the two sides less confusing.

Step 1
Take one lace in each hand and make an X. Draw the top lace through the bottom of the X and pull the two laces tight. Then make a loop out of each lace. Hey, look — bunny ears.

Step 2
Cross one “ear” over the other, in the opposite order of your overhand knot.

Step 3
Explain how “the bunny runs around the tree” by bending one loop over the other (okay, suspend disbelief — one ear has become a tree).

Step 4
Now “the bunny sees a dog and jumps in the hole”: Pass the tip of the bent ear through the hole.

Step 5
Pull loops tight. For extra security, you can double the knot by making another overhand knot with the loops.

Well, the Preschool Family Picnic is right around the corner. We eagerly await the time where families sprint up the hill toward the fire pit and fellowship with other families. However, there might be a slight glitch in the plans. According to the most recent weather report there is an increasing chance that the picnic may be hindered by “the elements.” If it rains anytime after the first service begins on Sunday, April 13 the event will sadly be canceled. It is also supposed to be a little chilly and while we understand if parents do not want to take their children out in the cold after this most recent sick season, we will still have the picnic and activities available up on “the hill” if you would like to join us. We hope and pray for great weather and a great turn out!

Did you know that Fellowship Church will be starting a Parent’s Day Out program. Currently it is being offered up to two times a week. Make sure to visit a table in the lobby on Sunday or call Nicole Burgess at 470-2820 ext. 111 for more information!

Long time no write, but I am pumped are you!

Sorry about the delay folks!  I hope since reading the last TMT everyone is doing fantastic!  You will notice (by all the exclamation points) that I am very excited!  We all should be very excited!  We just finished celebrating the most fantastic time of year-Easter!!!  In the last couple of weeks our children have been learning the most important lesson they will ever hear in their classes on Sunday mornings, which is the story of Jesus’ amazing life, death, burial and resurrection!  Our children learned of the great news that Jesus is alive!  This week, as I prepared to teach the children about the great gift that goes along with having faith in Jesus I was reminded of a few key things that should give all believers a hope and joy to live passionately for Him!  I was reminded about how exciting it is to have a God who not only lowered Himself to dwell among us and die a humiliating death, yet was glorified through His amazing resurrection and ascension to heaven; I also was reminded that this amazing God who is responsible for the new life we can have in Him is preparing the gift of eternal salvation and guarding it by the power of His hand for the “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8) we will have when we see Jesus Christ after waiting in anticipation for His debut (1 Peter 1:3-8)!  We have an amazingly real reason to be excited because this season is a reminder that the reason we have faith is because Jesus is alive!  He is “the goal of [our] faith, the salvation of [our] souls,” (vs. 9) we are assured that we will meet him face to face, and that “inheritance” or “hope” will never fade away or “perish” once we have put our faith in Him!  What an amazing God we have to take joy in, and to share with our children!

Prize Question!

I said I was excited about the news that “Jesus is alive!”  How many exclamation points did I use in this particular blog?  Send your answers in and the first person I hear back from before this coming Sunday (April 6) gets their choice of their favorite candy bar!

Preschool Family Picnic

Families with preschool aged children, be sure to attend our second annual summer Preschool Family Picnic! It is going to be an amazingly fun and relaxing time to spend with your family and other families in the church. Here are some added details that you might find helpful!

• When: Sun, April 13 from 12:45-2:30pm (shortly after church)
• Where: Up on the field by the fire pit
• Who: Families of preschool children in Ramblers-Kindergarten
• What: Families need to come with their blankets and picnic baskets filled with whatever delectable sandwiches & goodies you would like to eat. We’ll supply the drinks and fun!
• Why: Families will have a chance to interact with other families and will be exposed to ideas and activities they can do with their preschool aged children.

Questions? Let us know! Call Steve VanHorn at 470.2820 x210

Our 1st-5th grade children’s choir practiced hard for a little over two months in preparation for Palm Sunday’s worship service. They did a tremendous job, but they took what they learned and ministered outside the church as well! Here’s a quick look to see what our children have been up to in the last month!

• March 12-The children ministered in song to the residents of Lake Brooke Assisted Living Home; afterwards the children handed out flowers to the audience (the residents)!
• March 16-The children assisted in worship during the two worship services and did great!
• April 1-The children ministered to the shoppers of West Town Mall and did a fantastic job there as well!

We would like to thank all the prayers that have gone out ahead of the children as they ministered in these different venues as well as the leaders and parents who encouraged and supported the children!

What’s in a risk?

After a great week of camp with the 5th grade and the middle school ministry, God has really been hammering home a point that rocks my world!  During the camp our children experienced risk in many forms.  They encountered physical risk, emotional risk, and spiritual risk.  They risked physically on the high ropes elements, they risked emotionally by sharing and being open among their peers, and they risked spiritually by giving their heart to God and waiting on Him to speak to them.  In all things, however, the children realized that the perception of risk is not always really risk.  High ropes would seem risky if it were not for the proper safety equipment that the children used, and the emotional risk might have been more real if when the children were open in their discussion they were alone, but in all things risk was alleviated because of the safety the kids dwelt in while “risking.”

What about spiritual risk?  Can we ever live in risk when we are in Christ?  Col. 1:17-18 explains how Christ “holds all things together” and as the “head of the Church” He is our safe place as we riskily live for Him.  By riskily living for Him I am suggesting that we live wholeheartedly, devoutly, and without reservation.  We can live fully in Christ when we empty ourselves and allow Christ to penetrate into the deepest aspects of our lives.  It is only when we “deny ourselves” (Matthew 16:24-25) that Christ can dwell in us and pull the pieces together that glorify God the most.  A risk then is really only a risk when we take life by the horns and try and do it ourselves.  Most of the time that leads to hurt, disappointment, and chaos, but in Christ “all things hold together!”

How can we risk as parents?  Is it important that families risk?

We can live abandoned for Christ and be examples for our children.   However,…

Some people say families should not be the church’s focus. William Easum in Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers writes, “Family is never a priority in Scripture. It is mentioned only six times in the New Testament and never in relation to a congregation. Family is always secondary to Christ’s claim on us (Matthew 10:37). On several occasions Jesus de-emphasized the importance of family. Family obligations came behind the demands of discipleship.”

Is Easum right?

Take another look. I believe with all my heart that God is not calling the church to strengthen families for the sake of society. Or for the sake of simply building church attendance. Or even for the sake of the family itself. God is calling the church to strengthen families so the Kingdom of God is strengthened.

Why is God interested in Christians growing to be more like him? So they’ll let their light shine in such a way that people will see their good works and God will be revealed (Matthew 5:14-16). Why is God interested in the healthy life of families? Women are encouraged to build healthy families “so the Word of God may not be dishonored” (Titus 2:5). Overseers and deacons are admonished to be “good managers of their children and their own households” because if they can’t take care of their own families, how will they “take care of the church of God”? (1 Timothy 3:5). Wives and husbands are to be a picture of Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). We in children’s ministry lament the fact that we have so little time with the children in our churches. They’re only with us a few hours a week. It’s difficult to make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God, we think. Therefore, and this is the crux of family ministry, we need to multiply our ministry to children through their parents. As we disciple and train parents, their growth will significantly impact their children.

So, in everything we do at church, we keep our eyes on the goal of knowing and proclaiming Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And we gear our programs to be most effective in accomplishing that. If we really want to create long-term growth in children, we’ll retool our ministries to involve parents and families. We’ll see our role in children’s ministry as equippers of the most effective disciplers of children-parents. Rather than planning “intergenerational” events that split up families, we’ll plan real intergenerational events that keep families learning, playing, serving, and worshiping together.

Family ministry looks different in every church. The key factor of a family ministry is not its programs, but rather its philosophy.

Ben Freudenberg, a youth minister and family ministry proponent, explains his philosophy of family ministry: “We need to change our paradigm. How can we have the home-and not just the church-be a center of faith? Homes have to be conscientious about sharing faith. Parents are the primary ministers of faith.”  (“A Blueprint for Family Ministry,” Christine Yount Jones)

Changing this paradigm is a risk but if, together, families focus on Christ who “holds all things together,” and the church focuses not on programs but ways families of all shapes and sizes are equipped to lead their children our culture can change and Christ is the glue that makes it all gel!  It is so important that we partner in this and risk our hearts for Christ.  We will only see true reward in our families if we pursue the Christ-life with Jesus being the center of that Christ-life.  If we do that, as our 5th graders learned this weekend, the risk is fleeting and minimal!

“My Dad is Better Than…”

What an incredibly funny and sad show to watch!  “My Dad is Better Than Your Dad” is a bunch of dads trying to prove their worth to their children because they either feel to geeky, out-of-shape, or out of touch with their kids.  It is a fun show to watch because the competitive side of me would love to match up against other dads and see if I could just blow them away, but it is sad to think that the relationships represent years of neglect and/or simple disconnect between fathers and sons or fathers and daughters.  At the end of every show there is hugging and celebration, but the show represents a brief glimpse of what fatherhood in today’s society looks like.

My Dad Really is Better!

Our heavenly father offers such a great example that all fathers would do well to take note from.  I was reminded of the story of David from 1 Samuel 16:6-13 and how David’s own father did not recognize David’s potential.  It was David’s heavenly Father who knew the heart of His child and the future that was in store for him.  Together, David was victorious in life when he was following his Father’s lead.  God was patient, present, and poised to always do a great work in David’s life.  It is no different with us today!  God still is a patient, present, and poised Father!

Instead of looking for band-aids for the Dad problem in our society as our culture does, let’s look to the Dad who is better than all other dads.  Let’s let Him be our example and follow Him with all of our heart,  soul, strength and mind!

For the third year now we would like to offer an unbelievable opportunity for our fifth graders. Our students will truly have a weekend adventure as they prepare for the great transition into middle school. We will be doing team building games, and personal challenges on the High Ropes Course. Our theme for the weekend centers around…

Here are some important details students need to know as they prepare to go:

• 5th graders and Full Service Middle School student leaders are the key participants in this camp
• We will be camped out in cabins at the wonderful Camp Alpine in Mentone, Alabama atop Lookout Mountain
• Adventure Camp is from March 7-9 and we will be leaving the church at 4pm on Friday and will return at 4pm on Sunday
• Adventure Camp is NOT free-the cost is $100 and a $25 deposit is due February 24 along with the necessary registration slip and permission forms ((1) Adventure Camp Registration Form, (2) Adventure Camp Transportation and Medical Release Form, and (3) Medical and Media Release Form)
• Students need to bring… Sack supper to eat on the bus Friday night, your favorite snack to share, old clothes, warm coat, Bible, sleeping bag, pillow, towels, rain gear, and extra shoes

Remember to fill out all the necessary forms, and students, come ready to have a BLAST! We cannot wait to see you there!

A couple of months back we posted some helpful links about the upcoming Flu and RSV season. It was amazing how after a couple months of only random reports of illness, the Flu bug hit full force. Quest Children’s Ministry relies on about 200 adult volunteers each Sunday, and a little less than 10% were hit by this illness. That might seem like a small number but 15-20 people are a huge number when you are talking about disciple-making impact on our children. It is sometimes impossible to measure the impact a single volunteer makes on the entire ministry but each individual who serves is a part of the body of Christ and when you are missing almost 10% its like trying to walk without one leg.  Thankfully, just like our body, when one part is injured other parts compensate for the ailing and needy part, so too our church body demonstrated a love that was absolutely breath taking this past week!

So often I take for granted the sacrifice that the teachers and volunteers in children’s ministry make.  Thankfully, so many parents who rely on the teachers and volunteers to give them a chance to worship on Sunday morning stepped up when so many of these dedicated teachers and volunteers were dealing with illness.  I am forever grateful to Christ for surrounding our children and the future of the Church with such a strong supporting group of adults and parents who demonstrate a sincerely gracious attitude towards those who serve on a regular basis!  I know that it is more of a gift to the teachers to know that when they are in a bind they have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are willing to stand in the gap with them than any gift cards or candy or notes of encouragement I can offer to them.  So, thank you, parents of Fellowship Church, for demonstrating the love of Christ to our teachers, to our children and to me this past week and the countless other times you have stepped up to help serve in this church!