January 1, 2026
Nurturing: Succession Planning for Children’s Ministry, Building a Future-Ready Team
A healthy children’s ministry should thrive even when its primary leader isn’t in the room. That’s why succession planning is essential.
Articles for tag: Volunteer Training
Ability Ministry Creates Resource Debunking Disability Myths
A jaw-dropping conversation at the 2018 International Conference On Missions provided inspiration for Ability Ministry to create a resource for all churches that identifies 15 myths about disability and refutes them using Scripture.
September 1, 2021
A Posture, Not a Program
Reaching our worlds with the gospel today demands that we think afresh about outreach.
April 18, 2018
SPOTLIGHT: Crossroads Christian Church, Macon, Missouri
“We’re not a traditional country church. . . . We choose uncomfortable instead of traditions.” By TR Robertson When Matt Stieger was hired in 2008 as lead minister of Crossroads Christian Church (a church formed in 1972 in Macon, Missouri, a town of 5,400), the average attendance was 200. Ten years later, as the church entered 2018, Crossroads was averaging around 550 each Sunday morning. “We decided we were going to offer a different idea of what church is,” Stieger said. “We’re not a traditional country church. We choose joy and celebration. We choose new instead of what is old. We
February 21, 2018
A Road Map for Healthy Conflict Resolution
Use these 5 tips to create a church culture that handles conflict in a God-honoring way. By David Dummitt Churches are made up of broken, messy people. That statement won’t shock anyone reading this. Problems in churches are inevitable. Conflict can lead to division. Planning ahead for how to navigate through conflict is important to protecting the unity of our churches. Whether you’re planting a church or have been leading one for years, it is never too early (or late) to create a road map for dealing with conflict within your church in a way that honors God. Here
December 23, 2016
What Is the Role of Greeters in Your Church?
By Michael C. Mack We conducted a survey through Facebook that asked, “What is the role of greeters in your church?” Respondents could select as many answers as applied. The results are displayed in the chart. “Other” included responses such as: introduce new people to regular attendees, usher to destination (e.g., class or worship center), make sure visitors know where everything is (e.g., nursery, restrooms, information), and just be a friend. Discovery Christian Church in Clearwater, Florida, takes a unique approach to greeting. “We don”t have “˜official” greeters, but everyone is an unofficial greeter,” says minister J. R. Carrel. “That
August 15, 2015
An Educational Experiment in Excellence
By Mark E. Moore The Leadership Institute”s residency program at Christ”s Church of the Valley, Peoria, Arizona, began in 2013 because of a single disturbing statistic: 85 percent of all ministry students drop out of ministry within the first five years.1 This is an atrocious attrition rate””a devastating loss of leadership potential with a $60,000 average price tag in tuition. It begs the question: “Why?” The problem is not with our Christian colleges. They are doing a fine job teaching the basics of the Bible. Students come out conversant in apologetics, hermeneutics, homiletics, and a range of theological perspectives. They
August 12, 2014
Four T”s for Recruiting and Keeping Volunteers
By Mark A. Taylor In many places, the first day of the new school year is on the horizon, if it hasn”t occurred already. And the local church”s Bible-teaching program is ready to gear-up too. A new season of classes, youth groups, children”s choirs, and small groups usually brings a flurry of worker recruitment. Some churches, unfortunately and ineffectively, will post “help-wanted” ads in church newsletters or make impassioned pleas from the pulpit for nursery workers and children”s teachers. But while support from the preacher can be a vital ingredient in worker recruitment, asking everyone is never as effective as
August 30, 2012
Arizona Church Hosts Services at Local Prison
By Jennifer Taylor Dozens of prisoners, many of them sex offenders, are members at Chandler (AZ) Christian Church. Several times a year, volunteers from the church take a portable baptistery to a local prison and baptize 25 to 35 men each time. “We consider them part of our church and the congregation celebrates every quarter when we report back,” says Matt Meyers, pastor of changing ministries. The baptisms are the fruit of a years-long effort to minister to the inmates in a local prison. Every Friday night a team of volunteers brings worship music, Communion, and a message to more
Operation Weatherization
By Jennifer Taylor Since February, Crossroads Christian Church (Newburgh, Indiana) has worked with Habitat for Humanity and local organizations to pilot an energy conservation project for urban housing. The “mission” included weatherizing dozens of homes to reduce energy costs for low-income families. Volunteers caulked and foamed cracks, replaced furnace filters, added attic insulation, and more. CCC coordinated serving days from February through May and provided training for all participants. www.crossroadschristian.com ________________ Jennifer Taylor, one of Christian Standard’s contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Read her blog at www.christianstandard.com. Do you know of a church breaking new ground or leading innovative
January 14, 2011
What College Didn”t Teach Me About Children”s Ministry
An Interview with Ryan Frank Ryan Frank, creator of KidzMatter Inc. (www.kidzmatter.com), is the publisher of The Kitchen children”s church curriculum and K!Magazine. He is a children”s minister in Indiana. His latest book, 9 Things They Didn”t Teach Me in College about Children”s Ministry, has just been released by Standard Publishing. We asked Ryan a few questions about his experience in children”s ministry and his advice for children”s ministers today. How did you get interested in children”s ministry? I was only 16 years old. My minister approached me and said, “We need someone to teach Junior Church. Will you try
November 3, 2010
From the Served to the Servant
By Chuck Booher Recently, God called a very popular pastor from our staff to start a new church. When it was announced, our people responded with excitement and cheers. I was sure his departure would cause our attendance to plunge, but it didn”t. I think I know the reason why, and that”s what I want to tell you in this article. Basic Training As I came to the office today, I walked by 10 young adults on our campus picking up trash, pulling weeds, and trimming trees. I could not help but smile because they exuded joy in the midst
November 2, 2008
The Knife Wasn”t Even Sharp (A Parable for Elders)
By Robert Kitchen One day Vic came into my office to discuss a construction project at our church. Vic is a retired executive from a large machinery manufacturer, gentleman farmer, elder, and willing volunteer. Me? I”m a semiretired accountant, writer, woodworker, elder, and part-time business manager. I said, “Vic, you”re my friend and a willing volunteer. I need some surgery and I think you can do it. Do you have a pocketknife?” Vic knew my off-the-wall manner, so he played along. He pulled out his knife, held it to the light, and said, “It may need some sharpening.” I was
October 21, 2007
What”s at Your Front Door?
By Robert Kitchen Our local newspaper ran an article headlined “Home Decor Starts at the Front Door.” It said an entryway is the visual introduction to a house, and that it sets the stage for all that may follow. Consider the front door of your church. It should be clean, neat, and in good repair. But it doesn”t stop there. The helpfulness and demeanor of the people who are at the door are what”s most important. Many churches recognize the importance of their entryways; unfortunately some do not recognize them as opportunities. A church”s music may be tremendous, the sermon
October 14, 2007
TRIED & TRUE: Vacation Bible School
By Bob Boswell We love Vacation Bible School at Plainfield Christian Church! Above all other annual activities, I must say this particular summer event is the “most wonderful time of the year” for us. It reaches about 1,000 of our area children, taps into the creative juices of around 265 volunteers, and our entire church staff is heavily involved in all aspects. It”s just a thrilling week! Nothing else on our calendar reflects such a churchwide effort with focus and intent. Those who witnessed our Friday morning closing session this summer will never forget the impact of 2007″s VBS. This
May 20, 2007
When You Begin a Food Pantry
By Ruth Herron and Anita Smelser WHEN YOU BEGIN A FOOD PANTRY . . . “¢ Remember God is in charge. Reach out in love without being judgmental. “¢ Keep your ministry visible. Let the congregation know what you”re doing. “¢ Involve men, women, teens and children in this ministry. “¢ Be accountable. Keep monthly reports of families served. “¢ Be safe. Don”t put yourself in dangerous situations. Work smart. “¢ Explore “food recovery” in your community. “¢ Train your volunteers in safe food practices. “¢ Join your local food pantry agency. “¢ Have a set distribution day for staple
