Free Children’s Ministry Handbook: .  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zqfpdn222xfgv03hko4n4/Church-handbook.docx?rlkey=gsx6js8iwn9336gvwq9hopmdk&st=yd4vngls&dl=0

Building Foundations Curriculum. https://revivalfire4kids.com/shop/building-foundations-curriculum/

http://revivalfire4kids.com

So we are finally getting to the planning stage, the final episode of Spirit-led leadership. When you are saturated with the Holy Spirit, inquire of the Lord, and abide in Him, then you will be able to hear clearly from the Lord. Planning is an important aspect of being a leader, but it must be Spirit-lead. Remember, without Him, you can accomplish nothing.

Don’t ever plan first, and then ask God to bless what you have planned.

Once God has spoken and you have planned, it is in God’s hands to bring about the results. They may not look like what we expected. The apostles probably didn’t expect the church would grow through persecution and martyrdom. What we can do is initiate His plan, then trust Him to bring Glory to His Name.

Take time each week to plan. Most people who want to become organized never take the time they need to plan because they think they don’t have time. You don’t have time not to plan. Decide what things you need to get done this week, and make a to do list. Then go through and decide which are important and which can be delegated. Remember when you make this list to make time for the important, not only the urgent.

Schedule your time. Plan chunks of time to do certain things. For instance, morning might be your most productive time. Don’t plan meetings or take phone calls in the morning. Use that time to plan your day and tackle your to do list. If emergencies come up, and they will, that take you away from your schedule, get back to it as soon as you can. Remember that if you schedule your time, you’ll get more done, even if emergencies happen. If you don’t schedule your time, you’ll waste a lot of it.

Learn organizational and project management skills. Schedule time in your week to work on these skills and to read leadership and organizational books or listen to podcasts about organization.

Learn to multitask. Multitasking is not doing a bunch of different things at the same time. Multitasking is learning to have different projects to work on in the same time period. For instance, as a children’s pastor, you may be in the beginning stages of planning a Christmas program. At the same time, you’ve just finished up a back to school activity and are in full swing for your Harvest party. Then there’s VBS on the back burning. You’re starting to look at VBS materials for next summer. If you schedule correctly, you can plan times to work on each of these projects throughout the week. Of course, the Harvest party and Christmas program will take most of your time, but by devoting time to upcoming projects, you won’t feel under the gun when that event gets closer.

Project Management 101: The first tool in project management is to make a timeline for each event you have planned. Decide what you need to do or delegate and when. Then move everything back at least three weeks to avoid unexpected surprises. You’ll be amazed how organized you’ll become by doing this.

Work with your pastor. Let him or her know what you’re working on. If he asks you to do another task and you don’t have time to do it right away, let him know, and ask him when he needs it done. It may be that you were dropping everything to do what your pastor wanted when there are some things he is willing to wait for.

Remember that people are more important than what you have to do. You’ve planned an entire day to work on an important project when a parent comes in concerned about her child. The work can wait. The parent can’t. This is real ministry.

Pray before you start you’re day. God knows what we need to do, and He will give us the wisdom and direction if we start by giving Him our day.

That’s it for Spirit-led leadership. Check out past episode in case you’ve missed a week in this series. Join us next week for another kidmin podcast. Also subscribe and click notifications so you won’t miss a single episode of Ignite Kidmin. God bless.

Spirit Led Leaders Respect Authority

Spirit-Led Leadership Part 4

Pastor Tamera Kraft, Revival Fire for Kids

Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

In 2 Kings 2, Elisha had followed Elijah to where he was to be taken to Heaven. He had served Elijah for years. When Elijah left, Elisha received double his anointing.

There is a principle there. When we honor our spiritual authority, we will receive a greater anointing. But what if the authority doesn’t deserve honor? It doesn’t matter. I was under an abusive pastor for a few years, but I covered his faults whenever I talked to my team. Finally, God removed me from the situation, but I still refused to dishonor him.

David also was under an abusive leader. King Saul tried to kill him on more than one occasion, but twice, when David had the chance to get retribution, he refused.

The first time, David found Saul in a cave relieving himself. David cut off a small portion of his robe, but even that small act made David feel guilty.

1 Samuel 24:5-7 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

The next time, David found Saul and his men asleep. His general, Abishai, encouraged him to kill Saul while he had a chance.

1 Samuel 26:10-11 But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the Lord lives,” he said, “the Lord himself will strike him, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

Abusive leadership is wrong. I’m not suggesting you remain under abusive leadership forever, but until God removes you, honor your leader if you want to be anointed. The leader may change. You may change. God may release you from that leader or church. Whatever the case, you do your part. Honor and release the rest to God.

So how do we honor those in authority over us when they don’t deserve honor? That’s coming up next, but first, I have a free gift for you. Click the link below to download free Scripture puppet skits.

Also, check out Revival Fire for Kids blog with some great information and posts about kidmin.

Now, here’s some ways you can honor your pastors and leaders.

First, pray for your leaders. Pray God direct them, give them wisdom, and bless them.

Next, obey your leaders. The only exception to this is when, by obeying your leader, you have to disobey God.

Cover your leaders’ fault. Whenever you talk to someone about your leader, never reveal fault about that person or disagree with him publically. Never gossip or sow discord.

Romans 16:17-18 (NIV) I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

Finally, when it is time to leave, leave in the right way. Tell the pastor first that you’re leaving because God is leading you elsewhere. This is not the time to tell him everything he’s done to cause you to leave. Refuse to criticize or encourage others to join you in leaving. If the pastor or leadership chooses to vilify you or spread lies about you, allow God to take care of it and defend you. Don’t defend yourself. If someone specifically asks you if you’ve done the thing said about you, you can tell them the truth, but don’t gossip about those spreading the lies.

That’s all for today. Don’t forget to click subscribe and notify so you won’t miss a single episode. God bless.

Free Memory Verse Puppet Skits

Spirit-led Leader empowers and mentor

Partial Transcript:

In Exodus 18, Moses father-in-law warned him he would wear himself out. He needed to mentor and empower people to help him.

Exodus 18:24-25 (NIV) Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Moses listened and learned he couldn’t do it on his own. Neither can you.

Paul also encourage leaders to equip people for ministry. 

Eph. 4:11-12 (NIV) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

But how do we do that when we can’t find anyone to help?

Pray for Workers in the Harvest.

Don’t just pray for anyone. Pray for the right people to help. Make serving in children’s ministry a blessing and an honor. When you stand in front of the congregation asking for help, let them know the wonderful things that are happening. Draw them in. Don’t recruit out of frustration.

Ask God for your number 2 to mentor to train in the ministry. You can’t find that person on your own, but God will bring that person to you when you are determined to mentor that person.

That means you allow that person to make mistakes, and you allow that person to be trained in ministry. You will pour into your number 2 until that person is able to take over the ministry. If you try to control everything, you won’t be able to allow that person to flourish. Also encourage your #2 to find his or her own #2 to pour into. It also means you, at some point, will probably lose your number 2 to another ministry or church. That’s okay. It means it is time to mentor another #2. If your #2 has mentored someone, you already have the next #2.

Develop a team. A team is developed out of relationships, not out of ministry needs. Build relationships with people in the church, and it will be easier to find workers. Once you find those works, develop close relationships with them.

A word of warning. Don’t always choose people who are like you for your team. God gives team members different gifts and personalities to fill different needs just as He does the body of Christ. I’m a big picture organizer. I see the big picture then fill in the details. A detail oriented person who is a perfectionist is a great team member for me because she will remind me of details I’ve missed.

Be creative about choosing team members. All the people on your team won’t be teaching during children’s church. Some will be parents or spiritual leaders in the church that offer different perspectives. Others will want to help with big events or intercede with you. This committee will assist you in so many different ways by giving you support.

Find other resource people. Not everyone God puts in your path will be a front person or helper for children’s ministry. You might find a music or drama person that helps with Christmas plays. An artist might be willing to help you with set design. Then there are those who like to sew costumes or bake cupcakes. An organized person might want to help you organize your resources. Think outside of the box, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you to the right people.

Equip your students for ministry

Many children’s leaders ignore their best resource for children’s ministry, the students. Teach students to run sound and projection, to be on the praise team, to contact visitor, to run the church store, and eventually, to lead worship, do object lesson, and even preach. Not only will you have more workers, you’ll be discipling children for ministry.

That’s all for today. Join me next week for Part 4 of Spirit-led leadership. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit notify so you won’t mess a single episode.

Spirit-lead Leadership Part 2

Spirit-led Leaders inquire of the Lord.

Pastor Tamera Kraft, Revival Fire for Kids

www.revivalfire4kids.com

Ready to Serve Free Resouce: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yqfi11e1qqezgyhfavamp/Ready-to-Serve-Are-You-Ready.docx?rlkey=1gmt7bu4gbawlmoq870j6p7s2&e=1&st=bqqmasxc&dl=0 

Have you ever decided on a course of action that seemed reasonably but turned out to be a total disaster? Every leader can point to a situation in the past where that happened. Today we’re going to find out how to avoid those traps.

Intro

When I was first appointed as a children’s pastor at my church, I had no idea what I was doing. I had no plans to be a children’s pastor. I’d been teaching adults and assumed that’s where God had called me, but one day, the pastor asked if I would be in charge of children’s ministry at the church. I knew there was a need and felt the Holy Spirit leading me to step into what I thought would be a temporary ministry until they found someone else. I struggled with knowing what to do, but the kids seemed to love me. Two months later, God called me to children’s ministry in a dramatic way, but I still didn’t know how to make my children’s church work effectively. The church had no money for resources and curriculum, so I was literally on my own.

During that time, I learned an invaluable lesson. I would ask God what I should do first, and He told me. Then I asked Him what I should do next, and He led me to the next step. I asked Him what I should teach, and He showed me through His Word. I asked how I should direct the service, and He gave me a pattern for leading children into His presence through he order of service when I heard a camp meeting sermon about the furniture in the temple of God.

Soon, I was creating VBS and fun programs that were attracting hundreds of children to that church that ran around 120 when I started. I began writing my own curriculum that was Spirit-led. I plan children’s musicals that were so anointed that unsaved parents of the children participating got saved. Students in my ministry were getting saved, receiving the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and were ministering in the church. When I taught them to pray, they became prayer warriors for pastors and leaders in the church. When I finally did go to conferences and took classes to learn how to do children’s ministry, I found out I, who knew nothing, was on the cutting edge of kidmin. And the church and children’s ministry grew.

It is so tempting, especially after going to a kidmin conference or reading a book on how to do children’s ministry to do the shiny new thing taught at the conference, but don’t fall into that trap. Expanding our knowledge is a good thing, and many times, God will use those conferences to show us what to do next, but make sure you inquire of the Lord before you use that new technique in your Kidmin.

Remember: Spirit-led Leaders Inquire of the Lord.

David was the greatest king Israel ever had. His super power for leading the nation of Israel was He inquired of the Lord. Here a a few of the times he did that.

Are you facing a spiritual famine that’s lasting year after year? Maybe it’s time to seek the presence of God and inquire of the Lord.

When David didn’t inquire of the Lord, that’s when he got into trouble. Anyone remember Bathsheba? We might not get in as much hot water as David did if we fail to inquire of the Lord, but when we don’t, our ministries to children will lose their effectiveness even if they look good on the outside.

Next we’ll talk about ways we can inquire of the Lord, but first, does your church have leaders come in to have revival services? Revival services energize the spiritual lives of the congregation like nothing else can. So why aren’t we having revivalist come into our children’s ministry? Children need revival. I’m Pastor Tamera Kraft, and I’d love to come to your church to do a children’s revival, kid’s crusade, outreach, or VBS. No matter what the size of your church, we can work out the details to make it affordable. Email me at [email protected] or find out more at www.revivalfire4kids.com.

For listening today, I want to give you a free gift. Are You Ready Children’s Church Message with three object lessons is available at the link in this description.

Before we continue, don’t forget to subscribe and ring the bell so you won’t miss any episodes.

So how do we inquire of the Lord?

First, pray for God to lead you. Matthew 7:7 (NIV) says Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Ask the Lord what to do next, and He’ll let you know.

Next, read God’s Word. We all read the Bible to get our next lesson, but that’s not what I mean. Read and study God’s Word on a regular basis. Often, He’ll give you direction thought something you’ve read.

Get into the presence of God. If we pray and read our Bibles but don’t spend time lingering in God’s presence, we’ll miss out on how He is directing us.

Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s direction. Sometimes He’ll use Scripture or other people, but He will always speak to your Spirit. Listen for His impressions. Do you have a green light in your Spirit. Then God is telling you to go full steam ahead. Is there a check or uneasiness in your spirit. Then stop what you’re doing and go another direction. What about if you’re not sure. Then do nothing until God show you the right direction.

Learn how to do ministry. Children’s conferences, online workshops, and books are one way God directs us. The more we learn, the more confident we’ll be. But don’t stop there. Learn things they don’t teach at children’s conferences. Learn how to speak publicly. Learn Biblical leadership principles. Learn how to juggle, or face paint, or do animal balloons. Learn how to do Gospel Illusions and drama skits. All of these skills will help you become a better children’s pastor and be equipped for wherever God leads you.

Obey the leadership God gives you. If your pastor says he doesn’t want you to direct the children’s ministry in a direction you’ve been wanting to go, it could mean two things. It’s not time yet, or you’ve heard God incorrectly. God never leads us to rebel against our spiritual leaders. Also, if God has given you a vision that contradicts the vision your pastor has for the church, pray and ask God when it is time to leave. God may have you stay at that church because He is going to change things, or He may have somewhere else for you. Do what He tells you to do when He tells you to do it.

Don’t be afraid to change all of your plans at a moment’s notice if God directs you another way. Many times these are the best children’s services of all.

That’s all for today. Join us next time for part 3 of Spirit-led leadership. Spirit-lead Leaders empower and mentor those under them.

Spirit-Led Leadership for Kidmin Part 1

Pastor Tamera Kraft, Revival Fire for Kids

www.revivalfire4kids.com

Free Gift: 10 Hacks for Kidmin Recruitment https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vz52m4...

Building Foundations Curriculum: https://revivalfire4kids.com/shop/bui... Coupon Code: BUILD

Transcript:

Hi everyone. This is Pastor Tamera Kraft from Revival Fire for Kids with an Ignite Kidmin Podcast. Have you ever wondered why, when you pray for the Holy Spirit to lead you in student ministry, you still often feel drained. Stay tuned. Help is on the way.

For the next few weeks, I’m talking about Spirit-led leadership in Kidmin, but not just in Kidmin. These principles apply to all ministry.

Spirit-led Leader is saturated with the Holy Spirit (Peter)

Ephesians 5:18 (TPT) And don’t get drunk with wine, which is rebellion; instead be filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. (continually filled)

I have here a bucket. You may be wondering what a bucket has to do with spirit-led leadership. Let me tell you a story.

Bucket Principle is WRONG! Fill as you minister. Saturation Principle is Biblical.

Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

John 7:38 - He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.

Peter learned to minister while saturated with the Holy Spirit. He was continually being filled. Out of filling, he was continually pouring out.

Acts 5:15-16

As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.

When he operated in the saturation principle, even his shadow was saturated with the Holy Spirit.

I’ll give practical advice how to stay saturated in the Holy Spirit in a moment. But first, have you ever been frustrated with trying to find Pentecostal children’s church curriculum that is fun, easy to use, and goes deep into the truths of God’s Word. Look no further. Building Pentecostal Foundations is the curriculum you’re looking for. You can find it on www.revivalfire4kids.com by clicking the store tab. This week only, we’re having a sale on Building Pentecostal Foundation in paperback and PDF format for 20% the already low prices.

Also if you’ve ever had problems recruiting people for your children’s ministry, check out the links in this podcast where you can find link to a free gift on 10 Hacks to Recruit Kidmin Workers.

Now let’s get back to that practical advice on how to stay saturated in the Holy Spirit.

Don’t forget to check in next week for part 2 of Spirit Led Leadership, click follow and ring the bell for notifications so you won’t miss a single podcast.

You can find out more about Yancy's ministry and resources at these links:

Some Christians believe it's wrong to celebrate Christmas. Find out if they're right or if you should teach children to celebrate Christ's birth with great joy.

The Christmas Tree Advent

Building Foundations Curriculum

Revival Fire for Kids

Many children's pastors struggle to continue serving in children's ministry. Pastor Eric Stephens and Pastor Tamera Kraft have both been in children's ministry a long time and share their stuggles along the way and what kept them going.

Pastor Chris Taylor, children's pastor of South Cleveland Church of God in Cleveland, TN joins Pastor Tamera Kraft in a discussion about Kids in Ministry.

Revival Fire for Kids Website

FOCUS Children's Ministry Conference

Ignite Kidmin

Building Foundations Children's Church Curriculum

Conference Website: https://www.cogyd.org/focus

Revival Fire for Kids Website: https://www.revivalfire4kids.com