Image-ing Children’s Ministries Newsletter

Children’s Ministry Newsletter is published monthly by Children’s Ministries of the Church of God of Prophecy

Managing Editor: Kathy Creasy Contibutor: Thay;ene Pinnick

Layout & Design: Shaun McKinley

P.O. Box 2910, Cleveland, TN 37320 Phone: (423) 559-5328 Fax: (423) 559-5302

Email: cgpkids@cogop.org Visit Us On The Web: http://children.cogop.org

Image-ing your Children’s Ministry means more than designing a “swish “logo and putting it on the church sign. Before the artwork begins, you need to first know your purpose, audience and the competition. PURPOSE Listen to what God tells you. He has the purpose and vision of your ministry already planned. Now be available to it. Proverbs 19:20 reminds us, “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand” (NKJV). Once you have begun the process of seeking His will, here are some practical ideas to apply.

• Start with brainstorming key words. Evangelism. Outreach. Love. Nurture. Empower. Life-changing. Grow.

• Find scriptures that elaborate on the direction God is leading you.

• Use an acronym. • Parallel your purpose statement with that of

the local church. Make it more “kid-friendly” in the way it is worded.

In “The Purpose Driven Children’s Ministry” , Craig Jutila, Children’s Pastor at Saddleback Church, California,

“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” Proverbs 29:18 They’re everywhere! The signs! The logos! The catchy slogans! You can’t leave your house with out seeing something that triggers an instant identification with a product or service you know or use. Maybe, off in the distance you see a billboard with a large yellow “M” and you already know what’s waiting for you at the next exit. This is no coincidence. This is the power of a logo! One online logo development firm notes that you have three seconds to capture and keep your audience’s attention. That means if you want your product or service to be noticed it has to have a look and a message that stands out from the pack. Now, let’s apply all this to your Children’s Ministry. You represent Jesus Christ, the Risen Savior of the world. He has everything your children need for a life of peace and hope. But do the people around your church, in your city even know what a great gift you have to give away? Do they have any way to relate your church to their children? Do your children feel like they belong to something special? Are your volunteer eager to be on THE team? If your answer was anything but an emphatic “YES!” then read on…

outlines the following approach. First he defined his purpose based on The Great Commission. (Matt 28:19-20)

• Go and make followers - Evangelism • Baptize them - Fellowship • Teach them to obey - Discipleship

The Great Commandment. (Matt 22:36-40) • Love the Lord your God - Worship • Love your neighbor - Service

Then he used an acronym and a baseball game theme. His ministry is now called The All S.T.A.R.S. (Share Team Advance Recognize Surrender) Mission statement: Our Children’s Ministry exists to –

• SHARE Christ with the children of our community (Evangelism)

• TEAM them with other Christians (Fellowship) • ADVANCE them in their spiritual maturity

(Discipleship) • Helping them to RECOGNIZE their spiritual gifts

(Service) • and to SURRENDER their lives to God (Worship)

Another simple way is to choose one defining scripture and a three-point vision. The Kidz Kommission at Peerless Road Church, Cleveland, Tennessee, uses Mark 16:15 as their vision statement. “And Jesus said to His followers, ‘Go everywhere and teach everyone the Good News.’” At Peerless Road Church it is the goal to raise and equip children to help fulfill this Great Commission. From Birth to 5th grade, every child will engage in active learning of Bible truths

Volume 7, Issue 6 June 2003

Your Children’s Ministry

in programs based on the KNOW, GROW and GO! vision. Every child will have the opportunity to:

• Know – Jesus as their personal Savior • Grow – in their relationship with Jesus • Go! – Share Jesus with the World.

Here are other ways to begin your vision statement.

• The purpose of this children’s ministry is to…

• When children graduate from children’s ministry they will be able to…

• Based on (scripture), our children will be taught…

AUDIENCE First of all, you must keep in mind who it is you’re trying to reach.

Children. Parents. A well-defined ministry shows concern for their child. Church Staff. They are your supporters when you can’t be in the adult service. Congregation. They need to have a clear message to share with their neighbors and something to “visualize” when you’re not around. Community. Everyone in your town deserves to the opportunity to know there is a place for their kids to hear the Good News. Remember, too, they are already brainwashed into focusing on what catches their media-saturated eye.

COMPETITION You already have some field research experience…look around the rooms of your own children, their friends and watch commercials. I mean REALLY watch. What is catching their attention? The media is bombarding your children with an “image” every three seconds. Understand though that what your ministry will offer is not to be compared…for it is far greater and more powerful than the label on their shirt. It can have an eternal impact. Therefore, your “label” needs to reflect that, as well as, be easily recognizable. Once again, the Internet is a great way to check out what other churches are doing. Surf a little to get the creative juices flowing… Designing The Logo The FUN Part: Brainstorming is easy! Set up a drawing board,

spread the table with pencils, markers and scrap paper go to it. Choose a “dream team” from your leaders or find out who in your congregation has graphic design experience. Print out idea starters from logo design sites on the internet. Many of these firms will design one for you for a fee. Gather ideas from the children. Teach them first your vision and see what they have to say. Piece it together and it becomes everyone’s logo.

Here are some things to consider: • Choose a font (alphabet style) that is

unique yet easy to read. • Keep words to a minimum. You can

include the ministry title, a scripture reference or the primary words of your purpose.

• Make a design that is easily copied in black and white so you can use it as a clip art on all your bulletins and flyers.

• Create a mascot as part of the overall look.

The TOUGH Part: Narrowing it down to a final vote is difficult when you consider that this will go on everything. So be prayerful yet confident

in what God has given you. Be flexible just in case yours isn’t the final vote, and don’t be too frustrated if it takes a little time. Also, be sure and go to www.uspto.gov to trademark your new logo and ministry title. The process is a bit tedious, but in the long run you can feel secure that it’s your own identity. The BEST Part: Now that you have your purpose statement, a ministry title and a snazzy new logo, the sky is the limit! Put it on everything! T-shirts, magnets, tote bags, on your walls, in the church yard, in the bulletin, on your letterhead, and even make a rubber stamp. Design a web page with all the info any child or parent could use to get to know your ministry. To register a domain name go to www.verisign.com and link it to your church web page. Remember, publicity should create enthusiasm, be goal oriented, cast your vision, create expectation and momentum and keep you focused. Image is important to kids. It tells them where they belong. When your children’s ministry has a defined “image”, you’ll be leading kids to the image of Christ. That’s what image-ing your Children’s Ministry is all about.

The Kids Kommission logo from the Peerless Road Church (Cleveland, Tennessee) conveys the evangelistic mission of the children’s ministry, combined with their theme of world travel.

Outreach Marketing 2560 Progress Street Vista, CA 92083 800-991-6011 www.outreach.com Outreach Marketing has helped over 13,000 churches reach over 100 million Americans. Outreach Market ing provides materials and resources, ranging from pos tca rds to l ogo development. Visit their website to view logo ideas for your children’s ministry or to explore opportunities to customize on of their premade designs. Visit them at www.outreach.com and click on logos.

Leadership Essentials for Children’s Ministry By Craig Jutila Travel the P.A.T.H. to life-changing children's ministry leadership!

Craig Jutila, leader of the children's ministry for Saddleback Church, learned long ago that children's

ministry requires skilled leadership and teamwork. In this book, through the four critical, foundational "pillars" of P.A.T.H. (Passion, Attitude, Teamwork, Honor) Craig shares key leadership insights and powerful practical leadership skills. A compelling portrait of what positive, visionary, passionate leadership looks like. Learn from one of America's top children's ministry leaders how to build (or rebuild) a purpose-driven children's ministry in your church.