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The fpKids ministry team is reading the book, Inside the Magic Kingdom.  A book that hits the top of my “Must Read” list.  In fact, I wrote a series on the book back in 2007.  You can read that here.

I’ve led a book discussion on this book 5 times and every time I walk away with something new.  Much like Lencioni books, this is a fable of a group of people getting an insiders look at the world of Disney.  The main takeaways of the book are 6 common things that create the magical DNA of Disney.  Number 2 is the one that sits with me right now.

Pay fantastic attention to detail

In the book, you’ll read about how an extreme attention to detail sets Disney apart from the rest.  As we’ve applied this principle in kids ministry over the years there is proven value in a high attention to detail.  Yet I’ve primarily focused this principle to physical space, print documents and things like that.  Mostly tangible items that someone could physically pick apart.

Yet this time around my lens has changed.  Digesting this principle today I ask myself how this applies to shepherding relationships in my ministry.  How would relationship building look if I paid fantastic attention to these details?

What would my follow up look like?

How frequently would I write notes?  Follow up on a prayer request?  Check in on sick volunteers?

Do I know the names of all the kids in the family when I contact a parent?  Do I have a brief history of their participation in the church?  Am I looking to address any need and not just kidmin needs?

Paying fantastic attention to detail in relationships is unexpected… and remarkable… and Seth Godin would love that.

The art of directional signage.

Too much signage is visually noisy.

When I’m lost in a building and trying to figure out where to go… I’m not looking for a sign, I’m looking for a face.  A person available to tell me what to do or where to go.

Many times we post signs with the right intentions… to clarify the path.  However, too many signs distracts from the clarity.  It ends up being so visually loud people can’t hear what you’re trying to tell them.

So cut back on the noise.  Walk through your space asking yourself…

Is the sign necessary?

Or is there a more personal/attentive way to communicate?

Don’t get me wrong.  Signs are important.  But too many signs can make them all invisible.  If a sign is necessary, keep it simple and clear.  Otherwise, recruit a volunteer to act as “human signage”.  Let their smile precede the friendly gesture as they provide direction for your attenders.

Communication is critical.

Good communication is clear, simple and concise.

Communication is not restricted to verbal exchange.  We all know that communication is a series of verbal & physical cues.  But people are not the only things that communicate.  Physical space communicates, as well.

In the kidmin world, physical space communicates more than you realize.

• It speaks to kids… setting the tone for the kind of experience they’ll have.
• It speaks to parents… defining the level of care their child will receive.
• It speaks to volunteers… the expectation you have of their investment.

A clean, organized, crisp environment sets the tone for kids, parents and volunteers.  It plays a significant role in keeping the bar high.

Never underestimate the impact of your physical environment.

The pic above comes from Grace Fellowship Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  You can find a list of ‘must see’ kidmin environments at ColdWaterCafe.  The list is a few years old, but still worth the look.