GinaMcClain.com

Want to know my favorite weekend activity?

Stalking parents.

You see, we’re challenged at times with parents opting to take their kids to Big Church rather than bringing them to kids ministry.  This happens for a variety of reasons.  I even had one parent tell me she had no idea (after 3 months!) that we have a place specifically for her 3rd grader.  (Say What!!)

So I like to stand in the back of the worship center as people file in for the service.  As I see parents walk in with their kids I sit back and wait for them to take a seat… then I strike!

Okay, maybe I don’t strike.  But I do take that as an opportunity to introduce myself, talk to the kids and tell them a little about what we have for them.  Give them a glimpse of some of the fun they can have when they come visit.

Personal invitation.  Low pressure.  Personal connection.

It’s fun.

A few weeks ago Kyle and I watched the movie, Forever Strong.

I was surprised by how much I loved this film.  And I walked away thinking through how a rugby movie applies to kids ministry.  Huh?

At first glance, it’s the story of a troubled teen, his strained relationship with dad, and a coach that brings them back together.  But what I saw was very different.  I saw the story of a coach that built a team of players that transcended the game of rugby.

Coach Gelwix established a culture of commitment that poured out from one generation to the next.  He built a brotherhood.

This brotherhood was so deeply rooted that the level of commitment to each other went far beyond the playing field.

I walked away from the movie thinking…

We’ve got a ‘game’ every weekend.  We practice and prepare all week long for the big game… weekend services.  We recruit, train, build up and shepherd a team of volunteers to be on our team and play by our side.  Is it possible to foster such a strong sense of family among our volunteers as this coach did with his rugby players?

I’ve seen the movie twice now.  I’m still asking this question.  Here are my take-aways:

• Culture shapes the team. Look at what the players produce… it’s a reflection of the culture you establish.
• The leader must care. The coach cared more about what the player could become off the field, rather than what he was on the field.
• Perpetual Cycle. One generation can feed into the next.  Simply because people are no longer serving in my ministry doesn’t mean they don’t care deeply for it.  What would they say to existing volunteers today?  How can I leverage their thoughts and encouragement to build up my team?

My favorite quote from the video below…

I can’t separate Family Ministry from discipleship… We don’t have an appendage labeled Family Ministry.  It’s a strategy…

Brian Haynes… you’re speaking my language.  Can’t wait for D6.

I’ll be at D6 in Dallas, TX September 15-17th.  Hope to see you there.