New KidPak CD Released

Shaun McKinley has anounced that Free Chapel (Pastor Jentezen Franklin) has released a new kids CD.

Shaun, Stephanie, and Reagan traveled to Gainesville, Georgia to celebrate the cd release of “Sun Shining Bright,” a worship CD by the children’s ministry at Free Chapel. Stephanie’s brother, Tony, is the leader of this amazing group.

Shaun writes:

"Last night I had what has to be among my top three experiences in Children’s Ministries. I was able to go to the release party for the KidPak worship CD “Sun Shining Bright” at Free Chapel in Gainesville. Tony, the band, and dance team of over a dozen kid, led those kids directly to God’s throne. The kids responded to the worship call, and stayed focused for the one-and-a-half hour worship concert. It was truly awesome!

"If you ever get the chance to visit this ministry, I highly recommend it. I was intrigued, the ministry operates a little unlike some of the larger churches I have visited. Seems to be a little less restricted, but works! I want to go back soon to experience an entire children’s worship service."

[http://www.twomckinleys.com/]
[http://www.freechapel.org/kidpak/band.aspx]

Ministry-To-Childen.com

If you do ministry with children, if you have a passion for reaching and teaching kids, then you want to check out this website. Tony Kummer, the owner of Ministry-to-Children, is a children’s pastor from Indiana.

I have found Ministry-To-Children.com to continuously offer practical tips, fresh ideas and encouragement for those involved in children's ministry. You will find inspirational stories, how-to articles, curriculum reviews, Sunday school lesson plans, practical advice and straight talk about children’s ministry.

Ministry To Children is updated at least once each week and you can get all new articles by subscribing to Tony's free email newsletter.

Top 68 Benefits of Children's Ministry

• 14 Ways Children’s Ministry Helps Kids


• 8 Ways Children’s Ministry Helps Families


• 24 Ways Children’s Ministry Helps The Church


• 8 Ways Children’s Ministry Helps Everyone


• 14 Ways Children’s Ministry Helps Kid’s Learn

Protection Program Helps Keep Children Safe In Church

A Christian media ministry with a passion to keep children safe from sexual abuse released a new resource that will help churches and ministries properly screen, train and oversee the people who work with children.

Since the 1980s, when a surge of child sexual abuse cases in churches surfaced, allegations of abuse by clergy have decreased, yet allegations of abuse by church lay leaders and volunteers have risen sharply. Last year, more than 300 incidents were reported within church or ministry organizations, and in half of these cases the perpetrator was a volunteer or paid staff member. The reason? Many child sex offenders seek out welcoming environments where there is easy access to minors.

According to Richard Hammar, church law expert and the legal counsel for the national headquarters of the Assemblies of God, "Many churches and faith-based youth organizations still fail to implement proper screening processes for their workers and adequate training of staff and volunteers before placing them in service with minors."

Christianity Today International developed an all-new, DVD-based training kit: "Reducing the Risk: Keeping Your Ministry Safe from Child Sexual Abuse." This is the third edition of the "Reducing the Risk" series, which started 15 years ago. Its release coincides with National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The latest version of "Reducing the Risk" features DVD training for churches, complete with real-life stories from a victim and a convicted sex offender; a roundtable discussion with leading national experts; "what would you do" scenarios; and teaching from Richard Hammar.

The kit also offers a leader's guide, trainee workbooks, screening forms, and records files. Together, these tools enable churches to immediately implement a program that effectively trains ministry leaders and build the systems and procedures needed to make churches safe havens for children.

For more information about "Reducing the Risk" and keeping children safe from sexual predators, see http://ReducingtheRisk.com/.

[Christian Newswire]

Institute of Children's Ministry

In just 34 days children's ministers from throughout North America will come together to experience TRANSFORMATION! Here are some highlights of this year's Institute.

TONY SUTHERLAND - Tony Sutherland, Children's Worship Pastor at Free Chapel under Pastor Jentezen Franklin --> is a featured guest at this year's Institute. The KidPak worship band as well as the Lil' Pazaz children's dance team from Free Chapel will be ministering with Tony on Friday night. You won't want to miss Tony's inspirational message from God's heart to you and the awesome worship of the KidPak worship band and the Lil' Pazaz children's dance ministry team.

DICK GRUBER - Dick Gruber, a creator of Children's Ministry University --> online and co-host of the Children's Ministry Talk pod cast is also a featured guest. Dick will be sharing his expertise in the areas of evangelism, children's worship, creative ministry, and leadership.

EXHIBITION EXPLOSION! - This year we are inviting a variety of children's ministry publishers and resource providers to participate in an exposition of the latest in curriculum, ministries, and resources. There'll be demonstrations, give-a-ways, and blue-light specials and you can be sure to leave with an armful of great children's ministry resources.

MEET THE TRANSFORMERS! - Ministry spotlights and an on-site tour of local children's ministries will introduce you to children's ministers who are leading their ministries to TRANSFORMATION. Learn from them about the frustrations and joys of pursuing transformation in ministry. Take away creative ideas and words of wisdom that can be used to bring transformation to your ministry.

CHANGED TO REFLECT HIS GLORY - As all ICM alumni know, ICM is about Him. Each morning you will experience transformation as Kay Horner teaches transformational truth from God's Word and invites you to respond in prayer and worship.

Attend this year's Institute of Children's Ministry, May 21-24, at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy in Cleveland, Tennessee. Experience transformation, reflect His glory.

For more information, click here.
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End of Sabbatical

Recently, Perry Noble listed a bunch of questions that he is wrestling with. They are very similar to the questions I have pondered during my sabbatical.

#1 - Is there anything in my life that I need to stop doing?
#2 - Is there anything in my life that I should start doing?
#4 - How can I be more efficient in the way I use my time?
#5 - How can I be a better husband?
#6 - How can I be a better father?
#7 - How can I best assist people in taking their next step with Jesus Christ?

What do you think? What question have you been asking yourself or wrestling with lately?

How Important Is Children's Ministry?