GinaMcClain.com

Many have heard the familiar adage

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.

True. But you can give him a salt lick and make him thirsty.

If your a #kidmin leader, you’re very familiar with the helpful tools you provide to parents every week. Tools designed to help parents continue the conversation after their weekend fun in your ministry. Tools intended to equip parents to teach their kids how to navigate the bible, to internalize scripture, and to grow as a follower of Christ.

But we also know that if mom and dad don’t see those tools as valuable they aren’t likely to use them. So how do we provoke parents to put these tools to use?

Create a thirst.

Consider this… in my community it doesn’t take much to see what families value. Good schools & good sports programs. Why? Because they develop valuable skills and create opportunity for kids as they grow into adulthood.

Many parents I encounter have a vision for their child’s educational success. Which is why they enroll their kids in a specialized school, pay for private tutoring and pay close attention to their progress as a student. Success in academics opens doors for success professionally. So when a teacher sends homework, study tools and other materials home… parents utilize them. Why?

Vision.

There is an end goal in mind that includes a mortar board, a long, black robe and pomp & circumstance.

If mom and dad do not have a vision for their child’s spiritual development… if their goal is not centered upon raising a child that loves God with everything in them, then they will not see the value in the tools we place in their hands. They will not see the value in they’re child learning to navigate the bible on their own… they won’t encourage the discipline of internalizing scripture… they won’t teach the art of articulating their faith.

So, how do we create a thirst? Turn them on to a bigger vision for their family. Help them see there is a greater goal for their child. Give them a glimpse of the impact they can have on the faith of successive generations.

Parents want to be effective. But many times they just don’t know how. What do we (the church) have in place that will teach them how?

Some friends of mine have an amazing ministry that equips families in ways I’ve never seen before. If there is anything to consider for your #kidmin ministry in 2010, take a close look at Family ID. Check out the video below then visit their website to see how you can bring Family ID to your families.

FAMiLY-iD from FAMiLY iD on Vimeo.

So, last week I shared my initial thoughts on Craig Gross and Jason Harper’s latest book, Jesus Loves You.

Here is what I’ve processed since that time:

• We’re all on a journey of surrendering our hearts to God
• The process of surrender will look different in everybody’s life
• The fruits of the Spirit are evidence of God’s work.  I need to focus on the fruit in my life
• More and more pastors are willing to take on ‘sexy’ topics like homosexuality, pornography, etc, etc.  They’ll back up their stance with scripture.  But few are willing to go so far as to befriend, counsel, and love those who choose these lifestyles.  And yet, we all agree that relationships lead to more permanent life-transformation than sermons.

There you go.  My thoughts 1 week after completing the book Jesus Loves You.  There’s more to digest simply b/c there is more for me to examine in my own life.  I appreciate Craig and Jason’s goal to challenge the way the ‘Church’ views those from which they have historically distance themselves.

So, who wants my copy?

Entering your name in a drawing to win my copy of the book, is as easy as 1,2,3.

1. Subscribe to www.ginamcclain.com
2. Find my tweet @gina_mcclain offering the “Free #jesuslovesyou book” & ReTweet it (or paste into your Facebook status update)
3. Post a comment right here stating “I have subscribed, re-tweeted, commented and was referred here by @(fill in the twitter name) or blog address

**Winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, Sept 17th.  The more times your name shows up in the comments, your chances to win increase

Winner is Mike Kelly!  Thanks for participating.  Congratulations Mike!  Enjoy the book, then pass it along.

What’s the biggest mistake a Kids Ministry can make??

Arguably?

Cumbersome Check-In

If your Check In system takes more than 180 seconds to complete…

It’s. Too. Long.

Consider this…

It’s Sunday morning and Meredith has finally convinced her husband, Brad, to check out the new church down the street.  Brad’s grown accustomed to sleeping in on Sunday morning but he promised his wife he would take her to church this weekend.  8:30am rolls around and the desire to read the paper over a hot cup of coffee far outweighs the desire to shower, dress and go to church.  He delays getting out of bed as long as he can.

Meredith is showered and getting ready.  She’s tired from a busy week but ready to check out this new church.  Brad has finally agreed but doesn’t appear anxious to get out of bed.  Getting the kids up will be a chore this morning.  “They were up late last night.  This should be interesting”, she thinks to herself.

The rush to get ready then pile in the car is more of a chore than a joy.  Running late, the ride to the church is less than enjoyable.

***

Is this family relaxed or tense?

You may never know.  We have the tendency to cover up sticky-family-stuff like this and put on the “everything-is-wonderful-and-we’re-all-blessed” faces.  But the truth is…

Sunday morning is the toughest drive of the week

Our solution?

Reduce the stress.  Disarm them.

Greet them at the car with a cart prepared to deliver them to the building entrance.  Be prepared to help them get their kids checked-in with nametags A.S.A.P… then set them free on the best, most exciting, most engaging, most loving kids ministry offered in your area.

Don’t discount the opportunity to disarm your audience with an amazing Check-In process.  Set the tone from the start… Make Check-In easy, efficient, safe and thorough… then set parents free to enjoy a life-changing message without worry of what their child is enjoying in their absence.