• 15
    Nov 09

    Every So Often… A Thought Runs Thru My Head

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
      0 comments
    I’ll get back to altar times and kids later this week. For now I submit the following:

    Today – this thought ran through my head:

    If I never showed up again at my church – what would or wouldn’t the impact be? Now please don’t read into this as a future plan to bolt – I love my church, my Pastor, the staff and the kids.
    You’ve heard the question: “If you church suddenly shut down, would anybody in the neighborhood notice?”
    I guess that’s what I’m asking – if I never showed up again; sure, the kids might be sad for a time, the staff may have a few fond memories, but… what would the lasting impact be? Have I made a difference that will leave an impression on this generation and the generations to come?
    What about you? Have you made the impact in such a way that if today was your last Sunday, would change a kid’s world? Would the impression last? You really need to ask yourself that question.
    Larry Norman sang, “It’s only today that counts – so, live it like it might be your last…”
    Well, it’s only today that counts… minister like it might be your last.

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  • 14
    Oct 09

    What’s On My Mind

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
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    Lately the topic that’s been on my mind lately is:

    the difference between a noun and a verb – particularly in reference to God’s Word. I believe that most of God’s Word written to us was written as a verb. Even where a noun exists, you must take and use your freedom as a minister to interpret it as a “noun that is in action”.
    Salvation is a noun – However, it is the name given to the action of being rescued from sin. And according to scripture, it’s a noun that should constantly be in action. We are to “work it out…”
    Faith is a noun – However, it is a noun that is activated into a verb when we start to step out into it.
    Ministry is a noun – interestingly, it is something that we do or that God does through us… it’s also something that happens.
    What other nouns can you identify in God’s word that are things we do, God does, or are activated by our actions or God’s move?

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  • 14
    Jul 09

    Whew! I love being a children’s pastor…

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
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    Whew – lots of stuff going on since my lat post. Taking a new children’s pastor position has proven to take up more time than I had anticipated – but I love being in my element. Let me say that I love being a Children’s Pastor!

    We are getting ready to launch a new campus in the fall – we are gearing up, recruiting, casting vision and planning, planning, planning. This is something I have never done before and I am embracing the challenge.
    I get to collaborate with my Pastor about what goes on in the adult services and all the kids’ services; in other-words, whatever my Pastor wants to do in the adult services, we do the same thing, or at lease go the same direction in the kids’ services. So, with that said – the topic for the fall is “breaking free”. We are considering a Super Heros kinda theme for the Kids’ Ministries. Got some ideas – e-mail me!
    I started on twitter. It’s been fun to connect with great leaders from all over the world. If you’re not on twitter… do it and love it! You can follow me @jamie_doyle
    I had a great opportunity to be a part of one of Jim Wideman’s Club teachig in which he brought together 11 other children’s ministry leaders from a variety of churches and backgrounds via a conference call and let everyone ask questions and contribute to the answers. It was fun – thanks Bro. Jim! BTW Jim is offering his Club for free for ministry leaders under age 30… and for a limited time $50 for leaders over 30. Just go to jimwideman.com
    I’m trying to put the finishing touches on a CD. Over the years I have arranged stuff on GarageBand for Mac to create our own background music. So the name is nailed down and soon, it will be available in my online bookstore.
    Hope you’re staying busy and that God is moving in your ministry!

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  • 11
    Feb 09

    Media Driven Ministry

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
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    I recently posted the following comment on media driven ministry over at: Kidology.org BTW if you are not a member of Kidology.org - I highly reccomend it. If you check out the entire topic, you will see that it is a rather spirited discussion with a great cross-sectoin of children’s leaders from all over America… And, at times, all over the World!

    …to quote the Cars: “Shake it Up!”
    Use the latest and greatest as well as tried and tested methods. I believe in the statement: “Everything works somewhere – but, nothing works everywhere.”

    Study your culture – the kids in your community. Find out what works. Be willing to change according to response and effectiveness.

    SHORT STORY TO ILLUSTRATE:
    The other day, my son and I were setting up for church (we meet at a school) I told him to roll the media carts off of the platform that we use for our kids’ service. He grabbed the cart with the overhead projector on it and said, ” we have this in our classroom at school.”

    “Oh, does your teacher ever use it?”

    “Yeah – it’s pretty cool Dad! You put plastic pages on it and it shines it up on the screen. You can even draw on it!”

    I realzed that my son had never seen me use overhead transparncies (He’s 9). I had written off the use of those things ten years ago!

    I’ll let you think about it – blessings!

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  • 10
    Feb 09

    Those Moments

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
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    You know that moment… the one – you know. You can see it, sense it, feel it in the entire room. It’s the moment when you can look out into the faces of the kids in your class or kids’ service – and… whoa! THEY GET IT!

    You know what I’m talking about. It’s that moment when there is a connection from the very words you are saying, the concept you are demonstrating – actually cutting thru the object lessons, songs, skits, video clips and cutting to the heart.

    These are the wow moments that I live for in a children’s church setting. It’s the time when it’s the best moment to lead right into a time of response. Whether it’s a time of prayer, a worship song and come forward thing, etc.

    Having one of these moments in your children’s church setting is crucial – otherwise, you’re just a really entertaining teacher….

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      Children and Prayer, Random Thoughts, The World of Kids
     
  • 17
    Mar 08

    Why I Read Children’s Ministry Blogs

      Posted by Jamie Doyle
      5 comments

    Let me keep it pretty simple: I like reading children’s ministry blogs. Why? Because it gives me insight into the worlds of children’s pastors, from all over the world! I get a chance to see how a children’s pastor in a church of 100 thinks… and how a children’s pastor in a church of 20,000 thinks. At times I laugh with them, and I also cry with them. I get encouraged and I gain ideas and insight. Sometimes I disagree and I decide whether or not comment. I love the fact that blogs – from ministry people allows the rest of us to see your philosophy in ministry.

    If you are a children’s minister, and you blog – thanks! If you are a children’s minister and you don’t blog, consider it. It won’t cost you anything but some time to tell us all what you are doing, what you think, share good news, bad news and ugly news. It would equip, encourage and amaze the rest of us.

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