tagged as: fail, funny stories, kidmin || category: Encouragement , Fun
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Did you know that Facebook recently became the most popular website in the United States?  They have more that 450 million users world-wide, with millions being added every week! Chances are pretty good that some of the people who belong to Facebook are folks who are involved in your ministry or are people you'd like to reach with your ministry!  

Just have a social media presence.  There are many options to choose from, but we've found that most parents and volunteers use their Facebook account more often than Twitter or other social networks. Determine what network your parents and volunteers are using and add them as a friend them so they see your messages!  Be specific when you name your page. There are lots of "FBC Kids" ministries out there!

UPDATE, UPDATE, UPDATE!  Facebook is a free, quick, and easy (and sometimes even the best!) way to communicate with parents and volunteers.  If you already have a personal Facebook account, (which you probably do if you found this blog!) you know how easy it is to communicate a message to your friends.  

Be safe.  Do not post full names of kids, especially accompanied by pictures.  Make sure that if you post an image of a child, you have consent from a parent or guardian.

Be consistent.  If your goal is to create a place where parents can count on updated information about schedules/changes/cancellations, etc., be consistent in your approach. Respond to questions from parents and volunteers in a timely manner.

Have FUN.  It's surprising how much fun interacting with your online community can be! Parents love hearing (and seeing!) what their kids are doing at church.  When they see how much fun you're having in the kids ministry, they may even be more inclined to volunteer.  Who could pass up all that fun!?

Those are the basics!  Think you're ready to get started?  If you need help, grab a an older youth group member or college student to help you get rolling.  If you have any questions, feel free to drop me an email at katie.decillo@lifeway.com.

I'll be back with more tips and trips soon, so stay tuned!

tagged as: facebook, ministry tools, networking, social media || category: Encouragement , Fun , Media , Resources
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I want to share with you about the world greatest Sunday School teacher, Faye Scott. 

Faye Scott was my 5th grade Sunday School teacher. I don't really remember any of the Bible stories that Mrs. Scott taught our class (even though I know she must have taught them weekly), and I don't even remember the life application that she would have taught on those Bible stories we heard. What I do remember well is that Faye Scott loved here 5th grade students.

You see, it was during my 5th grade year that my Grandfather came to live with us.  Actually, he came to die with us.  My mother's father had cancer and in the last weeks of his life, he lived with my family. I remember the day he died very clearly.

In Georgia (where I grew up) we grieve best on a full stomach!  In our tradition, when a family member passes away the entire church rallies at your home with tons of food... casseroles, pound cakes, pies, and lots of fried chicken. And that's exactly what happened when my grandfather died.

I remember sitting back and watching all this unfold. I watched as my pastor and his wife showed up, my music minister and his wife, our church family... in action, ministering during crisis.  I remember when my Sunday School teacher, Faye Scott, walked in the door carrying a tray full of brownies (or maybe cookies...either way it caught my attention). My mom greeted Faye and they exchanged the usual, "I'm so sorry for your loss" and "Thank you for coming." When my mom reached out to take the tray of goodies Mrs. Scott quickly turned and said to my mom, "Oh no... I brought these for Bill!" 

I have never forgotten that act of love, kindness, and MINISTRY shown to ME by MY 5th grade Sunday School teacher!  My minister to boys and girls has been forever influenced by Faye Scott's acts of kindness and love. 

Faye Scott will forever be the worlds greatest Sunday School teacher (at least to me). Not because of her degrees in childhood education or her theological insights or even her doctrinal stands and political preferences...she is the worlds greatest Sunday School teacher because she lived out the love of Christ to a chubby 5th grade boy she taught in Sunday School.

THE REST OF THE STORY:  Last summer, after a 15 month battle with Leukemia, my father passed away.  After the service was over, my family and I were standing outside if front of the church greeting friends who had come to support us and express their condolences for our loss.  Guess who was there... the worlds greatest Sunday School teacher... 40 years later, still ministering to her 5th grade student!  Yep, Faye Scott was there, just like she was when my grandfather died.  She was still loving on, caring for, and representing Christ though her actions to that chubby (middle aged) kid.

You can be the worlds greatest Sunday School teacher to the kids you teach.  Bible study is a must, life application is vital... but ministry is key! They may forget what you say with your words, but they'll always remember what you did with your actions.

category: Encouragement , Leadership
post a comment || comments (1) || trackbacks (0) Calling all newbies!

Are you working hard to lead a team of experienced teachers, leaders, or volunteers? At first, it’s easy to recognize that they’ve been here much longer than you. They are what you’d call “experts.” They know what they are doing. The truth is, they can sometimes be the hardest group of people to lead. So, as a newbie in your church or in kids ministry, how do you lead a team with more experience, knowledge, and even expertise than you?

• Acknowledge their value. Let them know how much you appreciate their experience. Remind them what an asset they are to the team. Tell them THANK YOU more often than feels comfortable.
• Learn from them. Watch them, especially in their field of expertise. Ask lots of questions. Find out how they would handle difficult situations you’re dealing with. Ask them to recommend resources for you to continue learning.
• Lean on them. As you lead, use these experienced team members. Let them be the example for others to watch. Let them train potential volunteers. Don’t be afraid of their knowledge or experience, but use it!
• Lead them. They don’t expect you to try to know more than they know or one-up their experience. They expect you to lead. Show them you can lead by investing in them, being a resource for them, encouraging them, and equipping them. Cast vision. Remind them often where you’re headed in your ministry and why you need their help to get there.
• Remember your calling. God has given you a vision for the ministry and He has called you to lead it. These others are simply here to help along the way. Often, your intimidation can keep you from getting the most help and service out of these most talented team members. God called you for a reason to serve with these people in this season, so make the most of it and trust the Lord’s calling.

tagged as: leadership, new kids minister, newbie, training, volunteers || category: Encouragement , Leadership
post a comment || comments (0) || trackbacks (0) Amber Sugg is my Kids Ministry hero.  And I can hear her right now saying, “What EVER, Katie DeCillo.” She always calls me by my full name. In fact, she recently sent me a package addressed to Katherine Rosemary DeCillo… but I digress.

Amber is the director of preschool and children’s ministry at First Baptist Church in Murray, KY.  She is wife to Micah and mom to the adorable and hilarious Madelyn and Allie.  She graciously allowed me to serve as her intern and taught me many valuable things about ministry life in the short amount of time I was under her wing. 

Here are some fun facts about Amber:

• She wore rain boots with a dress once…to service.  And taught in them…from stage.
• She LOVES Jesus, balloons and inflatables.
• She uses hashtags (a tool created for sorting and identifying things on Twitter) in normal communication–email, text messages, Facebook wall posts. For example:  ”Teaching Maddie Cunningham 90′s rap songs #jumpjump.”
• She coined the phrase “fun at church”–more often read, #funatchurch.  ”Katie DeCillo…they’re kids.  They need to have fun at church.”  And it’s true, kids do need to have fun while they learn about Jesus.
• She likes pranks.  Her most recent endeavor was the posting of this really awesome picture of pastor Sam Rainer on FBC’s heritage wall.  (See below)

But those things aren’t what make Amber my hero.  Those things are just frosting on the cupcake.

Amber invests in her relationships.  She invests in the way that Christ calls us to when he says to make disciples.  Whether you're 3 or 30, she can be a source of encouragement, spiritual wisdom, and accountability.  (Though she'll tell you she'd rather hang out with kids than adults!)  She has guided me through some difficult and hilarious conversations alike that have spurred me on to seek more and more truth in my life.  Best of all, Amber is not afraid to teach the difficult truths of Scripture, and does it in a way that is applicable and full of God's love and grace.

Today, the Gold Star goes to YOU, Amber Sugg! 

 Tell me about YOUR kids ministry hero!   

tagged as: heroes, kids ministry, ministry heroes || category: Encouragement , Fun , Leadership , Sunday School , Vacation Bible School
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