Children’s Ministries Network of East Tennessee
Church of God of Prophecy Tennessee State Office
January 2008 E-newsletter
1.) Devotion: Pacesetters Wanted
2.) FREE Training Event Coming to East Tennessee
3.) Transformation: ICM 2008
4.) Teach Training on the Go: Team Ministry
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Devotion: Pacesetters Wanted
At one time, physiologists generally agreed: Human beings could not safely run a mile in less than four minutes.
But Roger Bannister disagreed.
On May 6, 1954, years of conventional wisdom and a psychological barrier shattered as Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. Less than two months later, another runner broke the four-minute mile…then another…then another. Within about three years, sixteen runners had broken the barrier.
A pacesetter is a trendsetter, a barrier breaker—someone who crashes through quitting points. The most amazing thing about Bannister’s story is not that he broke the four-minute mile, but that so many others did after he paved the way.
As you teach children, you’re paving the way. Just as experts didn’t expect Bannister to be able to beat a four-minute mile, people don’t expect you to react to some children with love. When you handle a tough situation, care for an uncaring child, love although you’re not being loved, you’re breaking barriers. When you model these behaviors for children, you’re shattering barriers.
Identify one situation in which you can surprise a child with love this week. Identify another situation in which you can set a Christlike example.
ENGAGE
Who can you surprise with loving behavior? Identify another situation in which you can set a Christ-like example for others. Commit to following through on your ideas. Call a friend, and ask him or her to support you and hold you accountable.
EMPOWER
“Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about how their lives turned out, and imitate their faith.”—Hebrews 13:7 (God’s Word)
EQUIP
As a teacher, you’re in a high-visibility position. Parents watch you to see how you relate to their kids and to see how their kids are imitating you. Kids watch you so they can model your behavior.
• What’s your reaction to this?
• Who are you watching? What are you learning from those people?
• What specific behaviors do you want to adopt in order to pave the way for those who are watching you?
EXPERIENCE
Meditate and pray this week about being a pacesetter for others in your life and ministry…“Lord, I’m a bit intimidated by the idea of being a pacesetter. Are you sure I can do this? It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone. You are my pacesetter, my guide, and my shepherd. I will follow you. Then others can follow me. Amen.”
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At one time, physiologists generally agreed: Human beings could not safely run a mile in less than four minutes.
But Roger Bannister disagreed.
On May 6, 1954, years of conventional wisdom and a psychological barrier shattered as Bannister ran a mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. Less than two months later, another runner broke the four-minute mile…then another…then another. Within about three years, sixteen runners had broken the barrier.
A pacesetter is a trendsetter, a barrier breaker—someone who crashes through quitting points. The most amazing thing about Bannister’s story is not that he broke the four-minute mile, but that so many others did after he paved the way.
As you teach children, you’re paving the way. Just as experts didn’t expect Bannister to be able to beat a four-minute mile, people don’t expect you to react to some children with love. When you handle a tough situation, care for an uncaring child, love although you’re not being loved, you’re breaking barriers. When you model these behaviors for children, you’re shattering barriers.
Identify one situation in which you can surprise a child with love this week. Identify another situation in which you can set a Christlike example.
ENGAGE
Who can you surprise with loving behavior? Identify another situation in which you can set a Christ-like example for others. Commit to following through on your ideas. Call a friend, and ask him or her to support you and hold you accountable.
EMPOWER
“Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. Think about how their lives turned out, and imitate their faith.”—Hebrews 13:7 (God’s Word)
EQUIP
As a teacher, you’re in a high-visibility position. Parents watch you to see how you relate to their kids and to see how their kids are imitating you. Kids watch you so they can model your behavior.
• What’s your reaction to this?
• Who are you watching? What are you learning from those people?
• What specific behaviors do you want to adopt in order to pave the way for those who are watching you?
EXPERIENCE
Meditate and pray this week about being a pacesetter for others in your life and ministry…“Lord, I’m a bit intimidated by the idea of being a pacesetter. Are you sure I can do this? It’s reassuring to know I’m not alone. You are my pacesetter, my guide, and my shepherd. I will follow you. Then others can follow me. Amen.”
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Children’s Ministries Grand Slam Event
A Unique, FREE Training Experience for Children’s Ministry Leaders and Volunteers
Are you looking for a great way to train the children’s ministry workers in your church? Have we got the EVENT for you!
Designed especially for children’s ministry workers, Sunday School teachers, and anyone interested in connecting kids to the Master Coach, Christ, the CHILDREN’S MINISTRY GRAND SLAM EVENT is sure to challenge and equip every member of your team.
Topics include: Connecting with the Coach, Evangelizing Today’s Child, Creatively Teaching Bible Truths, Getting Kids Involved in the Game...and much more
The fun and learning begins Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Lakemoore Church of God of Prophecy (Morristown, TN) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Advanced Registration is FREE / $20 At-the-door. The Lakemoore Church will be providing lunch and the state Children’s Ministries will be providing the training materials.
A promotional poster and the registration form are attached to this email. Hurry! Bring you entire team to enjoy this great training event.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
A Unique, FREE Training Experience for Children’s Ministry Leaders and Volunteers
Are you looking for a great way to train the children’s ministry workers in your church? Have we got the EVENT for you!
Designed especially for children’s ministry workers, Sunday School teachers, and anyone interested in connecting kids to the Master Coach, Christ, the CHILDREN’S MINISTRY GRAND SLAM EVENT is sure to challenge and equip every member of your team.
Topics include: Connecting with the Coach, Evangelizing Today’s Child, Creatively Teaching Bible Truths, Getting Kids Involved in the Game...and much more
The fun and learning begins Saturday, February 9, 2008 at the Lakemoore Church of God of Prophecy (Morristown, TN) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Advanced Registration is FREE / $20 At-the-door. The Lakemoore Church will be providing lunch and the state Children’s Ministries will be providing the training materials.
A promotional poster and the registration form are attached to this email. Hurry! Bring you entire team to enjoy this great training event.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Transformation: ICM 2008
Changing to Reflect his Glory – 2 Corinthians 3:18
Make plans now to be a part of Transformed: the 2008 Institute of Children’s Ministry, coming May 21- 24, 2008 hosted at the Peerless Road Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Each year, ICM provides exceptional training and ministry to those involved in children’s ministry. It is worth the investment of time and money. Every church needs to make it possible for a representative to attend this training – it will change the way your church ministers to children and enhance every effort your church has to touch the lives of kids.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Changing to Reflect his Glory – 2 Corinthians 3:18
Make plans now to be a part of Transformed: the 2008 Institute of Children’s Ministry, coming May 21- 24, 2008 hosted at the Peerless Road Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Each year, ICM provides exceptional training and ministry to those involved in children’s ministry. It is worth the investment of time and money. Every church needs to make it possible for a representative to attend this training – it will change the way your church ministers to children and enhance every effort your church has to touch the lives of kids.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Teacher Training on the Go: Team Ministry
Do you communicate well with your co-workers or classroom helpers? Or do you dread seeing them at church—feeling a bit of relief if you don’t see them on Sunday? The best advertisement your children’s ministry can create to either repel or compel volunteers is the health of your team’s relationship!
Your success in working together with others is dependent on your ability to communicate with them. You may not have a choice about the people with whom you work, so you must work to understand their unique qualities and quirks. It is interesting that people often lose their jobs or leave their jobs because they do not get along with their coworkers.
Viktor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor and the author of Man’s Search for Meaning writes, “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” The attitude you choose toward others will have a tremendous impact on your ability to work well with them.
Remember that conflict can be a source of growth rather than a point of despair! Not only is conflict inevitable, but it is often corporately and personally beneficial.
What pianist hasn’t had to endure hardship to play brilliantly, or what sports team has not endured a little pain to achieve great gain? Don’t look for conflict, but when it comes, don’t avoid it. Relax and remember that conflict is an essential part of relationship.
Whose Way - “A few years ago two ministers got into a fight about what they considered to be an important doctrinal matter. They settled the fight when the first minister told the second: ‘Look, what are we fighting over? We’re both striving to do the Lord’s work. You do it your way and I’ll do it His way!’ ” - Illustrations Unlimited
Scriptures to Study - “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” —Ephesians 4:1-3
■ How can you keep the “unity of the Spirit” in your team today?
■ How have you been “bearing with” your coworkers at church?
Try This (with Caution) - Try this experiment one morning this week. Ask your spouse or child to help you make eggs and bacon. Put the eggs and bacon in two separate pans on the stove. Tie your ankles together with a rope, and put your arms around each other. Leave your right hand free and your partner’s left hand free, and try to make the bacon and eggs. When you have finished giggling and are hopefully not burned or hurt, sit down to eat and answer the following questions:
■ What was the most difficult part of working together when you had to?
■ How is that like or unlike trying to work with others to accomplish something important?
Shaun McKinley | shaun@twomckinleys.com
East Tennessee Director of Children’s Ministries
Church of God of Prophecy
1266 Brookfield Court NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
Phone 423.473.2694
Fax 423.473.2694
Email shaun@twomckinleys.com
Do you communicate well with your co-workers or classroom helpers? Or do you dread seeing them at church—feeling a bit of relief if you don’t see them on Sunday? The best advertisement your children’s ministry can create to either repel or compel volunteers is the health of your team’s relationship!
Your success in working together with others is dependent on your ability to communicate with them. You may not have a choice about the people with whom you work, so you must work to understand their unique qualities and quirks. It is interesting that people often lose their jobs or leave their jobs because they do not get along with their coworkers.
Viktor Frankl, Auschwitz survivor and the author of Man’s Search for Meaning writes, “We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” The attitude you choose toward others will have a tremendous impact on your ability to work well with them.
Remember that conflict can be a source of growth rather than a point of despair! Not only is conflict inevitable, but it is often corporately and personally beneficial.
What pianist hasn’t had to endure hardship to play brilliantly, or what sports team has not endured a little pain to achieve great gain? Don’t look for conflict, but when it comes, don’t avoid it. Relax and remember that conflict is an essential part of relationship.
Whose Way - “A few years ago two ministers got into a fight about what they considered to be an important doctrinal matter. They settled the fight when the first minister told the second: ‘Look, what are we fighting over? We’re both striving to do the Lord’s work. You do it your way and I’ll do it His way!’ ” - Illustrations Unlimited
Scriptures to Study - “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” —Ephesians 4:1-3
■ How can you keep the “unity of the Spirit” in your team today?
■ How have you been “bearing with” your coworkers at church?
Try This (with Caution) - Try this experiment one morning this week. Ask your spouse or child to help you make eggs and bacon. Put the eggs and bacon in two separate pans on the stove. Tie your ankles together with a rope, and put your arms around each other. Leave your right hand free and your partner’s left hand free, and try to make the bacon and eggs. When you have finished giggling and are hopefully not burned or hurt, sit down to eat and answer the following questions:
■ What was the most difficult part of working together when you had to?
■ How is that like or unlike trying to work with others to accomplish something important?
Shaun McKinley | shaun@twomckinleys.com
East Tennessee Director of Children’s Ministries
Church of God of Prophecy
1266 Brookfield Court NE
Cleveland, TN 37312
Phone 423.473.2694
Fax 423.473.2694
Email shaun@twomckinleys.com
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