I was going through the good ‘ole archives when I came across my very first blog post in 2007. It was a great reminder for me. Perhaps it will be for you as well…

I recently had “one of those weeks” that really made me think. Here’s the result:

1. Being a true leader means making tough decisions. This week I had to be “the bad guy” a few times. A position that I haven’t had to be in too often.
2. Life isn’t fair.
3. Hire very slowly—fire very quickly.
4. Separate business from personal emotions and feelings.
5. Don’t hire people based on promises. Hire people based on passion.
6. Be careful what you promise and be slow to make promises.
7. Realize what’s really important in life and invest in that. This week had an “uneasy atmosphere” due to transitions and finances. When it’s all said and done my wife and kids bring out the best in me including peace and so I invest my time into them more and more.
8. Money is never the solution—God-given ideas are.
9. What’s here today can be gone tomorrow later today!
10. Keep trusting and supporting those who God has placed over you.

-PJ

Dropbox
What is it?
A web-based file sharing application where you can share documents across several different platforms, including computers and mobile devices.
How I use it.
We use this a lot. Since we have a few campuses. We use Dropbox to share files with other campuses. This keeps us from having to purchase and keep track of portable file sharing drives. We can also update many files anywhere at any time. I have this installed on my iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone.

Evernote
What is it?
This is my favorite note taking program hands down.
How I use it.
I have this installed on everything as well. I use this to jot down quick notes. I have pictures, ideas, emails, you name it—it’s in my Evernote. I categorize and tag everything so I can easily find what I need when I want it. Here’s a post from Ryan Frank.

Planning Center Online
What is it?
PCO as it’s called is the best service planning software out there for churches and it’s web-based (what’s not these days!?).
How I use it.
We use PCO for all our Elementary grade services on all our campuses. We also use it for our mid-week family experience. It’s even a great volunteer scheduler.

Fellowship One
What is it?
F1 is a web-based church management software.
How I use it.
We use it for kids’ check-in at all our services and events with children. We use it for our church-wide database, volunteer management and almost anything else as it relates to keeping track of people in our church.

Bamboo Paper
What is it?
Bamboo Paper is a fun app for my iPad that I use for handwritten notes.
How I use it.
I love technology, but sometimes I need to take notes in a hurry and thumb typing just doesn’t do the trick. Or, I want to draw something out and that’s also hard to do with a keyboard designed for thumbs. This app allows me to take quick notes and draw out ideas on a digital platform, which I then end up sending to Evernote!

Pages
What is it?
It’s pretty much Microsoft Word for your Mac.
How I use it.
Since I somehow acquired every iDevice there is, I use it often on my iPad, iPhone, etc. Admittedly, I still prefer Word, but Pages still does the job and the great thing is that my documents can be saved as a PDF or Word document for later. Pages is very user-friendly and I like that.

Keynote
What is it?
This is pretty much PowerPoint for Mac.
How I use it.
I am always on the go and this is a nice way to create presentations for speaking engagements or children’s ministry on the go. Again, I prefer PowerPoint of the two and when Microsoft eventually creates a Word and PowerPoint app, I will update this post!

Church Metrics
What is it?
Church Metrics is a web-based stat tracker for churches created by Lifechurch.tv (they created YouVersion too!).
How I use it.
This is where I enter all my attendance, salvations and baptisms. I like it because it’s easy to use, has simple and fast graphs to view and it’s just super easy to keep track of attendance. You can literally just enter it in on your phone and say goodbye to paper.

ScoreCenter
What is it?
ESPN’s app.
How I use it.
Often to keep my sanity and stay plugged into the wide world of sports.

What programs or apps help you in children’s ministry?

PJ

Just stumbled upon this because it’s not even officially launched yet. So, I hope it’s okay I am talking about it!

I really like Theo Presents and I’ve talked about that before. Now, they have come out with another GREAT resource, entertainment, fun, book, whatever you want to call it!! It’s an interactive book for your iPhone or iPad. I bought it and have played with it—my kids LOVE this stuff.

Here’s why I like it:

1. Right now it’s super inexpensive at .99! I’m sure the price will go up because quite frankly it’s that good!
2. More than the price, it’s a great quality experience for kids. That’s right! There are Christian companies who produce quality stuff. In fact, I would put this up against any non-Christian counterpart.
3. It’s user-friendly and easy to navigate. The surprises around every corner are fun!
4. It’s great for children of all ages because the book allows them to explore. It’s interactive and doesn’t tell the kids what to push, where or when. This is great because as they go through the story again and again, they discover new things.

I am looking forward to more of these types of resources for my family from Theo Presents. If Theo isn’t on your radar—put them there! I believe in what they do—quality entertainment/teaching for children and families. It’s great!!

Get the Theo Presents Abraham Story App HERE!

-PJ

I’m always looking out for quality ways to grow and help my team. When I can find quality and inexpensive/free, it’s a match made in heaven. I want to tell you about a great opportunity for you to grow as a leader and children’s/family ministry team. The creative minds at Randall House who host the D6 Conference have created D6 Days. D6 Days are chances to experience the D6 Conference for free from the comfort of your computer or mobile device.

Absolutely there are promoting their great conference coming up in the Fall, but why not take advantage of hearing some of the great leaders in children’s/family ministry for FREE! I’m going to be getting the word out to my team and I’d encourage you to do the same. You’ll hear from greats such as Michelle Anthony, Brian Hayes, Kurt Bruner and more.

Wow! I just realized I sound like an infomercial!! But, seriously, I do mean the things I write about. This will be a great opportunity to grow. Here are the three dates they have: February 21, April 17 and July 24. If you would like more info (as I always do), check them out at HERE.

If you’ve gone to D6, I would love to hear why you like it!

-PJ

I was recently discussing with my partner in ministry—Jesse Kretzu—how churches do ministry. I think we all have this false impression of other churches. If you’re like me you can feel sorry for what or how children’s ministry looks like in your church. I read blogs, books and have conversations with other leaders and think, “Man, am I that bad!?” Then, the truth always comes out when I visit churches and see what and how they do ministry.

I’ve been to some of the largest churches in America and other countries and I usually leave thinking this: “I can do that!” or “Wow! They’re just like us.” This isn’t meant as a negative on their part. It’s meant as encouragement to me and others. It’s in these moments that God reminds me that it’s not about perception or what you THINK it should look like. In fact, most churches I go to—even the more well-known churches—struggle with many of the same things most churches struggle with.

I’m not glad that churches have these struggles, but at the same time it helps my sanity knowing that it’s more common than leaders lead on. At the end of the day I think that God is more concerned with us doing the best we can with what we have. He’s more interested in us having fun with kids and doing our very best at sharing Christ’s story with them. So, don’t fret that you’re not doing the “right” way. I don’t think there is a right way. I believe there is God’s way for your church.

This isn’t an excuse to not improve or continue to explore other or better ways of doing things. It’s simply to say next time you read that book that tells you how to do something and you feel like you’re far off—you’re not. Chances are that what you’re reading isn’t going that perfect. However, the principles stand true, it’s the implementation that looks different.

Be encouraged!! We’re all in the same boat. We’re all trying to recruit, improve, fix and everything else you’re going through. It maybe on a different scale, but we’re all there.

PJ

It’s the talk of America and around the globe right now—the death of Whitney Houston. I was sad learning of her death. I can recall her voice when I was younger belting out those tunes thinking that there was no one else at her level of talent when she was on top. I grew up in a Christian, private school and was only able to purchase Christian music. I finally got brave and purchased my first “non-Christian” album and it was you guessed it—Whitney Houston. The way she died was tragic, but this post isn’t about that. I’ll leave that talk to TMZ and Perez Hilton.

When I heard about the last time she sang, which was an impromptu song with a friend at a party, God dropped a word in my heart. He said, “This is why you do what you do.” Whitney sang “Jesus Loves Me This I Know”. Through all the hardship that she has endured and put herself through, that’s the song she chose to sing. I hear stories time and time again from people who have lost their way that it was their Sunday school teacher’s words or that song they heard in Sunday school that brings them back around.

I absolutely want to make a difference in children’s lives so they are grounded, make wise decisions and never have to go through what Whitney went through. However, even if they end up making a series of bad decisions lead them to a dark place, I know that the hug, love, words of life and encouragement, songs, teachings, etc. are in their spirits. When they’re at their lowest point, it will be those experiences that they had that will rise to the top.

Embrace your calling. Your words and efforts do not return void. Even though you may not see the fruit now or ever, know that what you do has an everlasting impact and can be the very thing that rescues people from their darkest moments.

I know in the end that Whitney Houston was not rescued, but there’s no doubt she was at least thinking about her Creator and what her Sunday school teacher taught her.

PJ

Something I enjoy doing in my spare time is search the world wide web. I’m always looking for creative ideas, funny videos and much more. I do have my favorite websites that I visit regularly and one of those is Church on the Move’s Seeds website. They have some of the best content out there for ministries. And, if you’re like most churches you enjoy free stuff. Well, welcome to Seeds!

One of their newer resources for children’s ministries is a praise and worship CD called Greater Is He. It’s filled with 12 original tunes, all written by the Kids on the Move band.

Personally, I really like the “I Love My Bible” song. It was because of this song that my then 5, 7 and 9 year old were able to memorize all 66 books of the Bible. It’s a very catchy tune and absolutely love the way they took a classic and rocked it out towards the end. “Supernatural” is a favorite as well. All the songs are well written by a great local church team. Like every CD, not every song will be your favorite, but there are plenty on here that your kids will enjoy.

If you haven’t already, I recommend ordering the CD and even making them available to parents and children to purchase. Here are some helpful links:

And, if you have already listened to the CD, I’d love to hear your feedback!

Greater Is He CD purchase here.

Greater Is He CD itunes

PJ

Have you gotten to a place where you are so good at what you do that you really don’t need God’s help anymore? Be honest!! Well, I will be honest. I have been there. I have been to a place where everything in children’s ministry is rolling, in a groove and besides the usual recruiting needs I felt like I didn’t need God’s help! I knew in my head that I should have God’s help, but I got so comfortable with the God-given talents and abilities He gave me that I would churn things out without God’s input.

This is a BAD place to be. Whenever I begin to feel like this anymore, I feel like I need to do something out of the ordinary—something that will stretch me and force me to rely on God. It’s okay to be good at what you do. God created you to be the best you and gave you talents to be a great. However, sometimes like Saul, we forget who called us in the first place. Here are some good things to keep in mind when you feel like you don’t need God:

1. Live a thankful life. Remember, to appreciate and thank God often. This reminds you that even though you are good at what you do, it’s God who gave you that ability.
2. Do something that will stretch you. Do something you know you can’t accomplish except with God’s help alone.
3. Set outrageously high goals. Remember, we serve a God who will do “exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or imagine.”
4. Allow someone the ability to speak into your life who can challenge and push you.

I know I’m probably the only one who’s ever felt like this, but…I would love to hear of instances where you turned into a machine and cranked things out without really going to God. How did you come to the realization that you never went to God and what was the end result?

PJ

I am not the most financially savvy person in the world, however I do understand the importance of making wise investments. To invest means to “devote one’s time, effort, or energy to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result.” Investing in the right person, vision, project, thing, etc. can result in great impact producing a “worthwhile result”.

1. Invest in yourself. You’ve heard this a million times if you pay attention to any sort of leadership gurus. You cannot give what you do not have. If you are not investing in yourself then how can you expect to invest in others? Investing in yourself can be something as simple as taking time out of your day for you to dream, pray, connect with mentors, etc. Investing in yourself can also include traveling across the country to go to that conference you’ve always wanted to attend or taking the spouse on a much needed vacation. Whatever you do, try to gauge your internal fuel tank and make sure you’re never running on empty.
2. Invest in your spouse. If you’re not married—take notes for when you do find that person. As a minister of any sort, it’s important that we are investing in our spouse and reaffirming to them that they are more valuable than ministry. They are more valuable than other people. This really shouldn’t even be a second thought. If it is, well, that’s another topic. Investing in your spouse is sticking to a schedule so there is clear expectation of when you’re home. It’s “when you’re home—you’re home.” It’s going on dates. Investing in your spouse is spending T.I.M.E. with her/him.
3. Invest in your kids. Chances are good that if you don’t have kids already, you will someday. I’ve made it one of my missions to make sure my kids love Jesus and never resent the church because of my ministry role. The only way I can do this is by spending time with them. Yes, there are busy seasons, but I try to include them as much as possible during those times—even if it’s doing their school work in my office just to be with them. I invest in my kids by going on daddy dates, making them my priority, encouraging and believing in their dreams and spending time. Have I mentioned spending time with them yet? Spending time trumps everything else. It’s cliché, but so true—time does indeed equal love.
4. Invest in your friends. There’s nothing more lonely than sitting at home on your day off by yourself; not because you enjoy the peace, but because you’ve invested so much time into ministry that you have no close friends to do life with. Make sure that you are taking time to invest in someone’s life outside of your “ministry job”. Who could you call up right now to do a barbeque or enjoy a grandé, iced-caramel macchiato with?
5. Invest in your senior/lead pastor. No, it doesn’t mean give him a Pentecostal handshake. It does mean you give his vision 110%. Investing in your lead pastor shows him/her that you want to be here and you believe in what God has called him/her and this church to accomplish.

Where and how do you invest?

PJ

When I say “over-churched kids,” you know the kids that I’m speaking of. These are many times the pastor’s kids, but also key volunteers/leader’s kids who are always at church—for every service!!

As a father and a pastor, one of my concerns for my children is that they do not become burned out at church or bitter towards God. I want my children to love and serve God with passion and enjoy being at church. Here are a few things we have done to guard against burn out:

1. Give children meaningful responsibility. It’s one thing to give children a task and it’s quite another to give them one that really counts. At times we have children do headcounts, disinfect toys, lead children in games and assist with crafts. We have even allowed children to lead lessons and help with some important safety items. The only things we will not allow children to do on their own is when it involves the safety of other children, however they can help.
2. Allow children to relax. If you have room for a lounge, it’s okay if they relax, play a video game, watch a movie, eat some snacks, etc. For some reason we feel that children must be in a church service at all times if they’re on campus. I would definitely allow my children to take a service to chillax than get burned out on church services.
3. We make them feel important. Every child is important, but I admittedly go beyond with this for those kids who are always at church. The truth is that sometimes they are excited to be at church and sometimes they are not for any amount of reasons. One thing is for sure, they get a little more attention, a bigger hug and more grace, especially come the fourth or fifth service.
4. If it’s appropriate, allow them to sit in on the adult service. As long as the service content is dad or mom approved, I have no problems with them sitting in the adult service. You can never go wrong with children watching adults worship and “amening” the preacher in agreement.
5. I get the opportunity to participate in the adult services. As a children’s pastor I definitely take advantage of this. It’s not uncommon for me to bring one of my five kids on stage with me. This totally makes their day. They feel extremely special to get that opportunity. It’s a great open door for me to talk about my responsibilities as a pastor and challenge them to “step up” when they’re in kid’s church.

Talk back…what are some things you do to help “over-churched” kids?

PJ