GinaMcClain.com

Here are some thoughts in my head.  Don’t dodge the bullets…

• I’m working off one of those Dell Mini Netbooks right now.  Very small screen.  Keep pushing the wrong keys cuz the keyboard is scrunched.
• My mind is muddled with ideas that depart from the normal route of ministry.  Swimming through thoughts on the traditional church ‘small group’ (i.e community group, life group, bible study group… or whatever your church calls it).  The lack of traction in this ministry causes me to wonder if there is a different way to do this discipleship thing
• This week was filled with questioning, exploring and dreaming.  Love that stuff but confess that it takes up way more real estate in my mind than it should.  Tough to shut it down when I’m with my family
• My friend, Tristie Fisher, wrote a blog post here about what God did 20 years ago.  If you question your ability to disciple… read her post.  I’m living proof
• Going thru one of my voracious reading seasons where I’m in the middle of several different books…
  • Jesus Loves You
  • 18 Words
  • In the Name of Jesus
  • The Speed of Trust

There’s a glimpse into my A.D.D. world.  Hope your weekend is great.  See you guys Monday.

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.

Sometimes I hate how my volunteers are treated.

People talk to me differently than they do a volunteer… if they know who I am.

I’m no one of consequence.  That’s certain.  But my title (pastor) gives me clout that I find comical.  So some people talk to me differently than those that serve in my ministry.  However, in a large church teaming with people there are many times that I don’t really stand out.  I look like every other volunteer serving at LifeChurch.tv.

I like that.

Last Sunday I jumped in to help in our baby room b/c there were some particularly unhappy little people in there.  As the parents arrived to check out their babies I encountered a couple that had dropped off their child for the first time.  As I handed their little girl back to them, mom questioned the pacifier I was holding.

“That’s not her pacifier.  Was that in her mouth?!?”

You can imagine the thoughts racing through my mind as I retraced mental steps.  Did I give this child the wrong pacifier!!

Dad interrupted,

“That’s her pacifier.  I stuck it in her bag this morning.”

Feeling like I’d dodged a bullet, I was relieved.  The mom looked at me and said,

“Well… you’re off the hook.”

**pause for effect**

The encounter helped me realize how our volunteers are treated sometimes.

I spent the better part of an hour carrying this fussy little munchkin around doing all I could to appease her so mom and dad could experience a life-changing message in Big Church.  And I’m happy to do so.  I tell our volunteers all the time…

We can do anything for an hour.

And believe you me… they do AN-Y-THING for an hour.

I guess I was a little disappointed by the interaction with this mom.  The lack of appreciation.  Not for me… the kids pastor… (pushaw – who cares).  The lack of appreciation for someone she thought was a volunteer.

Church, please remember that ministries are supported by teams of volunteers that work 40+ hours in a J-O-B… just. like. you.  Then they show up with a smile on their face ready to serve.

Say thank you.

S’all I ask.