Tag Archives: Communication
frontline frustration
For most of my working career I have had the privilege of managing managers, owners, middle-managers, and so on. I write that statement tongue-in-cheek, given that I have been a frontline low-level employee throughout the years. I affectionally call myself the Chief-Grunt-in-Charge-of-Nothing. … Continue reading
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Responding to the Hypocrisy Charge Against the Church
A few of you who read this blog are aware that I have been involved in online IRC ministry for the past nine years. During that time I have had countless conversations with people who have had bad experiences with … Continue reading
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Dealing With Irate Parents: Christmas Pageant Gone Awry
A brawl broke out among parents at a North Carolina elementary school on Tuesday night, December 18. The first through third grade children had just completed their portion of the program, when three parents began fighting. You may read more … Continue reading
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Words and Phrases I Noticed While Rummaging Through My Jargon File
Here are a few words and phrases I noticed recently while rummaging through my children’s ministry leadership jargon file (e.g., my brain). They have value, but they also can easily be misunderstood if not used in the appropriate context or … Continue reading
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Encouraging a Child
Sitting next to the six year old boy on the wooden pew to the side of the church gymnasium, I smiled and asked, “When your teachers at school give you a time-out, do they come and talk with you about … Continue reading
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Conflict in Children’s Ministry: Gentle Answers
Today a customer began to raise his voice at me in anger in response to product information I was providing him. I smiled. I softly informed him that I would be happy to have my manager call him to provide … Continue reading
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Longevity in Children’s Ministry Leadership
I often hear various statistics about the rapid burnout rate of pastoral staff in general, and children’s ministry staff in particular. I also have directly witnessed it. Having served on staff at only two churches in the last 16 years, … Continue reading
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Ikea Play Area
IKEA opened in Portland, Oregon this morning. They want whole families to come, kids included. In fact, they have developed a Kids Play Area which is sure to capture the imagination of little ones and cause them to ask mom … Continue reading
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Hell’s Kitchen: Considering Parallels in the Church
Perhaps you have viewed the reality tv show, “Hell’s Kitchen.” A famous British chef sifts (and I do mean sifts) through prospective chefs to see who will run his kitchen at a hotel in Las Vegas. His method of teaching … Continue reading
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Connecting With Parents
I was reminded tonight of the importance of maintaining positive connections with the parents of the kids I pastor. I had a very constructive conversation with a parent which highlighted some areas of concern for a child and also for … Continue reading
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