jen_funderburke says: Sometimes 4 yr olds don’t care ab schedules & what’s on calendar. Sometimes they just need mama. So to the office I go w my helper.

B_J_Martin says: great way to start a Monday…recruiting a new preschool team member. Now if only every Monday started the same way.

peterstow says: Leader: God will not put more people in our hands unless we take care of the ones He has already given us.

karenAgrant says: Being Jesus with skin on…#kidmin should leave fingerprints on a child’s heart.

stupastorwill says: Stop telling parents you’ll pray 4 them, or that they should “just pray n trust God.” Be willing to jump in and get messy.

glenwoods says: I have high respect for #stumin leaders. You have a challenging job. #kidmin leaders would be wise to honor and pray for you.

Mattishannon says: I love good meetings with good people. #kidmin and #youthmin are meant to work hand in hand.

AndyJohnson says: It’s midnight and I just finished writing our #vbs curriculum. Now for a treat 

MarkMiller327 says: God doesn’t call us to #survive where we are but to #thrive in where we are

CrystalNarrow says: Excited that I get to hang with pretty cool #kidmin today! SOOO grateful for God ideas :O) We are in this TOGETHER!

lindsay_marie21 says: If children are worshiping God the way God intended and Scripture instructs, they don’t walk away from Him…

curtaylor says: Every kid could give you a list of what they don’t like about themselves. Church should be a place where that list gets shorter

sschleyer says: Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge. (Proverbs 18:15 NLT)

strawn4u says: I’m telling you there is nothing like the sound of children’s voices singing to their King.

epicparent says: PARENTS!! listen up on this one… RULES WITHOUT REASON = REBELLION!!

JoeMcAlpine says: Honor the past without living in it.

LifeWayKids says: Understanding Bad Behavior: “create opportunities for success, not failure.”

CrystalCard says: Great Meeting this AM, expecting #greaterthings for #kidmin in the Avalon, it all belongs to God…The earth is the Lords & everything in it.

JennyWarns says: We need to affirm godly character in kids, not what kids do. Identity in Christ over accomplishmen

nlcast says: I got to sing The Duck Song on my uke in a kids chapel service this morning. Kids lit up!

langer123 says: Preparing 4 the ever beloved 5th week in #kidmin. Breaking it up a bit & reviewing this month w/ Minute to Win it games & such.

Sometimes we think we can do everything. We can prepare the lesson, recruit the volunteers, make the plans, and so on. The problem is that it’s impossible. You can’t do it all. Go ahead and try. You will crash and burn. What’s the solution? Get some help! The two most important words some of you need to change your ministry are these: Get help. There are some people in your church that want to help but they need you to ask.

1. Use the #kidmin hashtag if you’ve got something to say that would benefit the entire children’s ministry community. Don’t abuse it though or it won’t be effective. 

2. Create a unique hashtag for your church or children’s ministry.

3. Try to incorporate the hashtag within your tweet, instead of attaching it to the end.

4. Have some of your Twitter content be tag-free so you look like a real person, not just a twitter machine.

5. Sometimes it’s hard to clearly communicate in 140 characters or less. What you are saying can be misunderstood from time to time. With Twitter, adding #joking, #sarcastic, etc. helps people understand the tone behind your tweet.

6. Keep it random from time to time. Tags like #didthatjusthappen catch your eye if you don’t use them too often.

Do you have any other tips?

JenBunker79 says: The goal isn’t to raise “good” kids. The goal, is to raise GODLY kids.

curtaylor says: Jesus never treated children as second class citizens (See Luke 9:48) and neither should we. Kids deserve your best too!!

peterstow says: Children are a blessing! Being around them makes us better understand Christ love, for us.

claytonhurst says: Looking through her new picture bible Aubree(5)from the backseat says, “I can’t wait to see Jesus when I get to Heaven!”

jmdortch says: I love when I receive volunteer applications from people who want to invest in kids.

Jetzu says: dance choreography, script writing, video editing, preaching, comedy, budgeting, & leadership all summed up in one word … #kidmin.

karenAgrant says: When we have kids excited about Jesus, it shows our congregation that we’re alive and God’s not going anywhere!

Michael Chanley launched the site in June 2008. The site has grown like wildfire with over eight thousand members to date. Stop reading for a few minutes, jump on a computer, and go to www.cmconnect.org. It has a lot to offer!

Here are a few tips: 

1. Sign up for a free account and get your profile set up. Now’s the chance to talk about all the great things happening in your life. Got some pictures? A screamin’ funny video from camp last summer? A great song you wrote? Start sharing.

2. Find a group and get plugged in. Just like Facebook, there are a ton of great groups to join. Groups are the place to go to get some serious conversations going. You can even start groups of your own.

3. Jump into the forum discussions. Current discussions include: What do your kids do at the beginning of kids’ church? What book would you recommend for a parenting small group? Has anyone tried a family VBS? What do you call a group for fifth and sixth graders? Do you have Sunday night activities for three- to five-year-olds? This is just a few of the many discussions you’ll find.

Remember that networking is a two-way street. It’s only as effective as your willingness to participate. Spread the word! Invite your friends in ministry and volunteers in the church to join the site. It’s free, easy, and only takes a few minutes. They’ll thank you for it.

MarkWilliamsM4 says: Sometimes we are called to change the culture…not just live in it.

kendragolden says: Finish the sentence to help me develop a series for elementary kids: A disciple is…

RicardoMiller1 says: The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs…One step at a time!

joybowen says: Why is the Easter Bunny getting all the attention?

trevormclee says: The point of #KidMin is not to make cool crafts, eat snacks or babysit. #KidMin points kids to Jesus- never compromise that point!

aaronjackbauer says: one of the greatest truths: if you can be trusted and faithful in small things, you will be trusted/faithful with bigger things.

adambayne says: If you’re a #kidmin leader & a parent, then it’s easy 2 assess your ministry. Ask yourself “Is this environment good enough for my child?”