Do we need a program to train kid leaders?

This week's blog posting is not for everyone - because it's about a program that's not for everyone. For that reason, before we dive in to launch it, I'm asking for your help. Dedicating ministry time and resources to something that reaches a limited audience is not necessarily a bad idea. In fact, if the project is worthy, it can be a great idea. This may be one.

Last fall I was introduced to a program called "KidLead", which is leadership training designed especially for 10-to-13-year-olds. Its founder is Alan Nelson, who has been a pastor and is now taking his experience working with adult leaders and his doctorate in leadership to direct the effort to raise up kid leaders through KidLead. Why focus on kids? Quite simply, because Nelson believes that this is the age they are most pliable and teachable. The added benefit, of course, is that young leaders grow up to be older leaders. So if kids can be reached while they are young, it can alter the course their leadership impact will have forever.

It's the same thinking behind why we do children's ministry - that if kids can be reached before their spiritual and moral compass are "set", we can determine the course of their whole lives. But this leadership training program has an importance difference - it asks kids who apply to complete what's called a Social Influence Survey, a tool for assessing leadership traits and potential. The program then works with kids who show leadership potential to develop 16 important leadership qualities.

The benefit is that kids' leadership skills can be developed for the benefit of kids around them now, and the benefit of those who will be led by them in the future. Keep in mind that those who are naturally inclined to lead others will have an influence one way or another. But not every strong leader uses their leadership potential for constructive purposes. Nor does every kid who exerts social influence naturally develop into a good leader. Sometimes raw leadership qualities can manifest themselves as bossiness or create feelings of intolerance or superiority in the one possessing them. KidLead, then, is an effort to take God-given abilities and channel them into positive purposes.

Still, leadership training takes commitment, which is why I'm interested in hearing from those of you who have socially influential kids or are at least intrigued enough to know more. So I'm asking you to do two things:

The first is to visit the KidLead website: http://www.kidlead.org/. Read there about the philosophy of the program, see the outline of the curriculum, and read what parents and kids have said in support of the program. Of special interest on the website is this page, which gives you a concrete suggestion on how you, as a parent, can "coach" your child through a leadership task:

http://www.kidlead.com/kidlead_freeideas.htm

Secondly, if you like what you've seen, let me know and I'll keep you posted on Alan Nelson's next visit to NCCC, when I'd like to bring a team of interested parents together to learn more, and to explore whether our ministry is a good home for a project like this.

You may be able to tell that I'm impressed by the program design, and its potential - I can think of a number of kids in our program who would benefit. What do you think?

What kids are saying about STEAM

One of most relevant questions in children's ministry right now is this: If we only have contact with kids for about an hour every week, and we are tasked with building something meaningful into them during that hour, is "school" the best model? After all, most kids spend plenty of time in a formal educational setting and the older they get, the more negative their attitude toward school becomes. So the question becomes, are we starting in a hole if our church programs for kids approximate school?

Yet, pragmatic and traditional factors usually steer churches into this mold. For one, grouping kids with same-age peers and teaching them all the same thing makes for an efficient use of space, whereas individualized learning necessitates kids spreading out and is resource-intensive. And, most parents expect that kids who spend time in church will learn something - and thus, church is expected to be somewhat "like school".

All of this to say that on weekends, our options for individually tailoring content or giving kids choices is pretty limited. As a teacher, I have to teach to the masses. Sometimes the subjects connect with a vast majority of kids, and sometimes they miss. But I remain convinced that kids learn best when they're learning something they want to learn, when the teaching is answering the questions they're already asking. There needs to be a flexibility in church programming to meet kids at the point of their curiosity, and to let them be who they want to be. This is the thinking behind STEAM.

STEAM started this fall and grew out of last year's midweek program, the Thursday Night Thing. Our Thursday night program was small groups-based, but still pretty uniform. Our move to the new property has allowed us to spread out and spread our wings. The difference has been fabulous. No more games in the parking lot dodging the Ralph's delivery truck. No more squeezing small groups into stairwells or under exterior building lights (although we still are quite creative when it comes to using space). STEAM is a program where individual interests and explored, gifts are exercised, and hopefully, kids grow closer to God and to one another.

Our spring session is about to begin (this Wednesday), so if you're not familiar with how the program works, here's a primer:

The first 45 minutes (6-6:45), kids go to one of three activities. They choose their activity when they arrive. Usually one or two are physical games, and there's always an arts and crafts project. This is where kids get to "blow off steam". At 6:45 we shift into electives, where kids "take on steam". And at 7:30, we go home. Fall was a 12-week session and Spring will also be 12 weeks, with a few more breaks in between for Easter and outreach nights. Once STEAM wraps up in late April, we'll have some group events (parks, beach, pools, etc.) to celebrate the end of the school year.

What are kids saying about STEAM? We asked some of our Junior Leadership Team kids to answer questions in writing about the program. Here's what they said:

“What are you allowed to do at STEAM?”
Bring a friend, pray, go to class, go to the bathroom, go to an activity.
Play
Have fun and learn about God
To play and have fun!!!
Play and always listen to your leaders
To be friends with everyone and hang out with friends
Go to the bathroom and sign in
To have fun and make new friends
Play games, do stuff
Ask important questions, pray to God, and even more
You are allowed to obey the rules.

“What are you not allowed to do?”
Fool around
Go on the stage
Not follow the rules and go crazy and attack the leaders
To hurt others, say mean things, or disobey the leaders
Hurt others
Tease the leaders
You are supposed to stay in the gym for when your parents come to pick you up, and you are not allowed to go to the bathroom during class.
To disobey the rules

“What’s different about STEAM than what happens here on the weekend?”
You have fun and wear yourself out
It’s the same thing I think because we play, go to small groups, and a snack, but the only thing that is different is that we do an activity first and everything is in a different order.
Here we play dodgeball
More running around
At STEAM we get to choose an elective
We have electives
Nothing
At STEAM you get to worship God and play kickball and other games and on the weekend you don’t
You do worship on the weekends
On the weekend you worship God and sing to him and STEAM you learn about things

“What happens when you’re on JOLT?”
You clean up at Sunday or Saturday service
We clean up
You do special stuff
You do lots of jobs to help the leaders during church
I get to lead people and be a leader
You help others
You are a leader and you do work at the church
You get to help put away and take out things on the weekend
I get to experience the feeling of a leader
Get free food
You help clean up and set up and greet new kids
You enslave yourselves and go to parties

And below are some descriptions of the electives we're offering for Spring Session. You can also download the entire registration brochure here.

The Young Peacemaker, part 2 (every week)
Principles of Biblical peacemaking in a course designed especially for kids. Kids will learn what to do when friends fight or siblings squabble, how to mediate, how to apologize and restore relationships. This is a proven program. You do not have to have taken Peacemakers in the fall to join the spring session. $15 materials fee if enrolling for the first time.

Stumped by the Bible: The Old Testament (Offered 1st 6 weeks and repeated 2nd 6 weeks)
What's the story on the Old Testament? Can your kid tell the difference between Solomon and Saul, the Exodus and the Fall? This is all about the OT's big story, its books, and who wrote them. $20 one-time materials fee (same book is used in the OT & NT classes).

Stumped by the Bible: The New Testament (Offered 1st 6 weeks and repeated 2nd 6 weeks)
What's the story on the New Testament? This class focuses on the growth of the church, especially the life of Paul, and the difference between NT history and letters. $20 one-time materials fee (same book is used in the OT & NT classes).

Sign Language (first six weeks)
This class will introduce kids to the Deaf culture and American Sign Language. Kids will learn words and phrases and how to sign a worship song. No charge.

Cooking (first six weeks)
Each week focuses on a different Bible event as kids make a dish or treat that will help them remember the story. $15 materials fee. Enrollment is limited.

Beginner Guitar (first six weeks)
Learn basic chords and strumming. No charge. A tuneable acoustic guitar is required.

Dramatics (first six weeks)
Become part of a team that will present dramas in the K/1 and 2nd-3rd grade classrooms in the spring. We will rehearse and stage on Wednesday nights. You must be available to perform February 25* and be motivated to perform on-stage. No charge. Enrollment is limited.
(* new date)

Drawing, part 2 (every week)
A continuation of our popular fall elective, but an all-new book (so fall students are welcome, as well as new students). $10 for book and materials.

Topical studies for pre-teens (every week)
Topics change each week: Following God as our shepherd, Showing Christian love to those around you, Setting priorities according to God's will, Fully and totally worshiping God, etc. Kids will be divided into small groups each week. No charge.

Just Who Do You Think You Are?
A class for Moms & Daughters (second six weeks)
Using the book "Just Who Do You Think You Are?" author Karen Howard will guide moms and daughters through the process of discovering a girl's true identity. What is beauty? How can a girl understand her own unique personality? How do you lead, and how do you responsibly follow? A powerful opportunity for moms to connect with their daughters and each other. $15 materials fee.

Stumped by the Bible: How to Read & Understand Your Bible (second six weeks)
This class "puts it all together" and teaches kids how to read and comprehend the various books of the Bible. Kids must have taken BOTH the OT and NT classes (in any order) to sign up for this one. Uses the same resource as the OT/NT classes.

Preview 2009: A New Year and Some New Ventures

We are gearing up for a new ministry year, and this week I wanted to give you a preview of some really exciting things planned for 2009.


STEAM continues with more electives. Last fall we moved our midweek program to Wednesday night and changed the format. If you're not familiar with STEAM, the 90-minutes is broken into two 45-minute blocks. In the first, kids "blow off STEAM" by choosing a physical or artistic activity. In the second block, they go to a pre-chosen elective. Last fall there were five electives; this spring we are able to expand that number to 11! Each elective is led by a trained leader and we also need adults to play with kids and accompany them to electives.


Spring electives include: The Young Peacemaker 2, Stumped by the Bible (classes giving kids an overview of both the Old and New Testament) plus How to Read and Understand Your Bible, Sign Language, Cooking, Beginner Guitar, Drama, Drawing, Topical Studies for Pre-teens, and a class for moms and daughters on navigating self-image, esteem, and beauty issues (more on that class to follow).


For full registration info, be sure to pick up a STEAM Spring Session brochure at the church.

"Just Who Do You Think You Are?" moms and daughters class and retreat. We have long believed in promoting healthy parent-child relationships and are thrilled to be able to offer this during the second six weeks of the spring midweek session. Karen Howard, who attends NCCC, wrote a manual for her own daughters as they were entering adolescence on how to navigate issues of identity and image and not lose sight of what God thinks about them. Karen has since published her work and will be leading the class.


May 1-3, after the class has concluded, we are planning a weekend away for moms and daughters that builds on the themes of the class. You do not have to take the class to go on the retreat, but it sure helps.


Parenting 101 and Relationship 101 series. As we build into kids in the middle of the week, we plan to continue building into parents as well. Please join us for these 90-minute presentations during STEAM (6-7:30 pm) on Wednesdays. A new slate of speakers and topics begins January 14.


6 to 7 Project. Once again this spring we will make a concerted effort to get our sixth graders transitioned up to the Junior High ministry, with a variety of ministry events that are 6th grade-only. We believe a major factor in kids' continued involvement in church ministry is the existence of a peer group at church; simply put, kids don't like coming to church once they hit middle school if they don't know anyone else there. So all of the events in the 6 to 7 Project aim at helping kids forge friendships with other sixth graders, as well as getting acquainted with the Junior High Ministry staff.


Summer Camp. This one we are very excited about! We have found a location for summer camp that can accommodate lots of kids, has a good variety of outdoor activities, and that allows us to bring our own counselors so they can have a week to bond with the kids they work with. Mark your calendars now - camp will be July 6-10 (Monday-Friday) - and the price will make you smile. (Note: this camp is for kids who will be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade next school year. Current 6th graders will be included in Junior High Summer Camp at Forest Home.)


Baptisms. We are planning two baptisms for kids this year. Each involves kids and parents going through our half-hour "Testing the Waters" class, reviewing home materials, and doing an interview with NCCC staff to ensure kids know the significance of the step they're taking.

Kids Games. Date is July 20-24. Kids Games returns - every year is now Kids Games. We expect another banner year. Do you coach a sport or think you'd like to lead an elective activity? Be on the lookout for head coach recruitment coming early in '09.

JOLT. We launched our JuniOr Leadership Team last fall, to help us keep up with the work it takes to set up and reconfigure our classroom as we transfer from play time to small group time to worship and teaching time. We also use this group of young leaders as a sounding board for programs and issues in the 4th-6th grade room. We have two trainings coming up in January - Saturday, Jan. 10 from 2-4 pm, and Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 3:30-5:30. Trainings beyond that will depend on our future need.

Do we need kid leadership training? I have been approached by the publisher of a leadership training curriculum designed specifically for pre-teens, to be offered in churches. It looks like a winner - what I need to know is whether there's a critical mass to make it go. I'll be writing more on this in the next couple of weeks.