The Kidmin Huddle

Preteens learning in the same room as preschoolers can be difficult. But it can be done.  Listen and learn these 4 tips that will transform your one room ministry. 

There is a lot of compromise of the Word of God, even in the church. Are you teaching your kids to stand on the authority of God’s Word and how to recognize false teachings?

How is your children’s ministry space? Is it warm, welcoming and inviting? Are kids greeted with warm smiles and excited-to-see-you attitudes?  Kids need to feel wanted and loved when they come to church. Evaluate your team and your space. How do kids feel walking into your church?

What are you doing to teach your nursery aged children about God? Are you intentional with the time you’ve been given?   These simple, diy curriculum boxes are a great way to easily teach your littles ones truths about the God that loves them. 

Are you battling discouragement or questioning your calling? Maybe you are letting feelings of "not good enough" bring you down. Listen to God, the Good Father, and allow him to bring you up out of that pit.  He loves you. He called you. He created you for a purpose. Links: www.amberpike.org

Whatever your Easter plans hold this year, don’t just teach God’s story. (Do teach God’s story, starting back with creation and the big problem of sin!) But help kids go from knowing about God to knowing God.  Listen to the resources I’m using to teach kids about who God is this Easter.    Links –  https://amzn.to/38sB3Y1 https://bit.ly/2N4T7jF https://www.kidzmatter.com/products/attributes-of-god...

You have been gifted and called to serve in children’s ministry. You might think you know your areas of giftedness, even. But are you putting God in a box, or truly listening and letting him lead you?  

Whether you write your own curriculum or tweak lessons you purchase, there are a couple of key things you need to keep in mind. Make the Bible come alive for Christ, engaging them in his story. From learning styles to lesson non-negotiables, if you write your kidmin curriculum, don’t miss this episode. 

Do you give mass altar calls and salvation experiences? Do you meet with kids individually or use abstract theology? Leading a child to Christ is an amazing experience, but there are some do’s and don’ts you need to follow.      Links –  https://amberpike.org https://amzn.to/2NE4XRO  

Kidmin Leader, you can make an eternal difference. While you teach the truths of God's Word, make it come alive for kids! Hear some of Amber’s favorite tools, tips, tricks, and toys to use while teaching!   Links –  https://amberpike.org www.kidzmatter.com https://storysticks.net Silhouette Vinyl Machine: https://www.silhouetteamerica.com   Buzzers: https://amzn.to/3a6LpOE Sound Effect Toy: h...

God commands parents to pass on their faith. But how? How do you pass on your faith, especially when you feel unqualified and ill-equipped?  It’s not hard, but it must be intentional. The risk is too high not to.      Links –   https://amberpike.org https://jonathanandemilymartin.com https://www.dadtired.com

In person? Digital? Hybrid? Whatever your summer hold, make it your best VBS yet! Is your VBS just one more thing for families to do, or is it adding value to their lives? Plus 5, Amber shares 5 digital engagement tips.  Links –  https://amberpike.org https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3ri4k4tsP8&feature=emb_title https://answersingenesis.org/vbs/ https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/it-s-worth-it...

Leaders are learners. But to truly lead well, you have to first become a good listener. Are you listening to the Lord’s leading? God has the best plans for our lives and our ministries, but unless we let him lead, unless we listen, we won’t get to what he has planned for us!     Links –  www.kidminacademy.com https://amzn.to/2MbTXuc

Are you making the authority of the Word of God a priority in your life and your ministry? Amber gives you four practical ways to make the Bible a priority in your ministry. Equip kids to stand on the Word!     Links –  https://amzn.to/2L0iguV   https://www.kidminoutlet.com/products/how-did-we-get-the-bible-single-lesson

2020 is drawing to a close. Have you spent time reflecting on the good and bad of it? Have you spent time listen to the Lord’s leading for next year? 2021 can your best year ever, if you are intentional about listening and planning. 

Now that Christmas is over, have you begun to think towards how you will resource your families in the new year? Families typically engage in leading their children in the Word during Christmas, but what about when it’s over, and that sense of obligation is gone? Start planning now, seeking the Lord’s leading.      Links –   https://www.futureflyingsaucers.com   https://www.amazon.com/Advent-Story...

Whether you are in person or online, these 4 things are key to not only successful lessons, but a successful ministry. It can make an eternal difference! Be intentional as you plan your lesson time and your ministry!     Links –   https://www.kidzmatter.com   https://www.downloadyouthministry.com

Are you discouraged by the lack of engagement from your families? You can’t make families lead… but there are steps you can take to increase family engagement in resources and events. Step outside of your comfort zone, get creative, and get to know your families.    Links –  https://jonandemmartin.samcart.com/products/family-worship-initiative-   https://amberpike.org/blog   https://www.facebook.c...

VBS season is upon us. It’s time to choose your theme, even with the uncertainty of what VBS will look like this summer. As you begin to plan and prepare, ask yourself the question, “What is your reason for doing VBS each year?”   Be intentional with your VBS program. While you are giving the gospel and discipling boys and girls, don’t forget to make it fun. The fun of VBS is vital to its purpose....

Are you feeling weary, worried, worn out, overwhelmed, or exhausted? Life is stressful and uncertain. If we let it, those feelings can overwhelm us. Isaiah 40 tells us that God will renew our strength. He will give you rest, if you just lay it all at the feet of the Father.    Be encouraged to be with the Father, laying it all at His feet. 

Job had an incredibly blessed life, until it was all taken away from him. Even though he was having a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, he still praised God. God is sovereign and good, even when we can’t see it.    It’s easy to praise God when things are going good, but do you praise God when ministry and life is tough? We are called to give God praise, no matter what. Whatever is going o...

Are you leaving room for God to lead in your life and ministry?   In this episode, Amber talks about the devotion she created to help engage families in God’s story this Christmas. Learn about the book she’s writing and where you can get the free devotion – perfect for families at home or as an event at the church. Using a gingerbread house experience, families will be challenged to ask themselves...

We might not have to worry about over programing families this Christmas, but we do need to be conscientious to not over resource families.    Don’t just send home papers for families to read, send home resources that will allow families to engage and experience Christ at Christmas.    Help families experience Christ this busy holiday season - to hear, smell, see, taste, and touch Him!  Links: Kid...

No doubt about it, mom and dad have the greatest amount of influence on their kids! One easy way we can equip parents as they shepherd their children is to resource families, to send things home for them to use – books, cds, devotions, and more!    To help you resource moms and dads, Amber made a list of her favorite top 20 resources (right now) for the home! There are so many great resources out...

Covid planning in the ministry is hard! As we’ve evaluated the effectiveness of what we are doing and how we are leading, many of us have seen the vital need to resource families!    God has given parents the command to lead their children. But some parents don’t feel qualified, don’t know how, or don’t see the importance.    It vital that we (as kidmin leaders) shift our focus and spend our time...