Milestone 1 - Parent-Child Dedication (our timeline)

 

Last week I wrote a bit about Parent-Child Dedication and promised to add some information about our process.  Here's the timeline we follow, over the next few days I will add more information about some of the things referenced here.  One of the most meaningful is the covenant that parents write...I'll post the template we give to parents, along with a couple of samples.

I would absolutely love to hear about how you make this event in the lives of families in your church more meaningful!

Dedication Timeline

8-10 weeks before dedication Sunday:

Publicize dedication dates in several places:

            Bulletin

            Website

            Kids communication                  

6-8 weeks before dedication Sunday:

Mail dedication packets to all who are interested - this may actually be done at any time.

Begin scheduling pre-dedication meetings with parents and Kid’s Directors (campus or global)

3-6 weeks before dedication Sunday:

Campus or Global Director will meet individually with parents who desire to dedicate their children.

During this meeting we will cover:

Biblical precedents for parent-child dedication

Parent’s role in their child’s spiritual growth

Spiritual Mentor’s role in the child’s life

Church’s role in the spiritual development of their child

Some hints for writing the family covenant

Details of the parent-child dedication process and service

10 days - 3 weeks before dedication Sunday:

Parents write family covenant and send copy to Kids Ministry office at least 10 days previous to dedication

Family picture settings to be available at least 2 weeks prior to dedication Sunday (prefer at least 2 time/date options)

Dedication Sunday:

            30 minutes prior to service:

                        Private prayer of dedication with parents and family (church leaders to assist)

                        Certificate, framed family covenant and photo to be given to parents

            10 minutes before the service:

                        Parents, Children and guests in Worship Area (designated seating)

            During service:

Parents, child and mentors will come up on stage at end of communion

Pastor will briefly introduce each one (child’s name and parents first name, asking them to  

step forward)

Pastor will talk about the purpose of the day, mostly directed at the parents

We will do vows/response from parents as a group

Will do final vow with congregation (standing) and spiritual mentors, then offer a prayer.

Will ask people to encourage the families with applause as they leave the stage, congregation will be seated

Parent/Child Dedication

Our next Parent/Child Dedication at Suncrest is on Father's Day!
One of the really terrific parts of our process is that I get to meet with each parent who wishes to dedicate their child.  I love this part of my job!

• One of our Campus Kid's Directors and I sit down and listen to each parent's faith story. Wow! this is amazing!  We get to hear about all that God has done in the lives of these parents of little people...love it!

•  I get to talk about how we want to partner with them, to be the "other voice" helping their kid learn to love Jesus.  I get to tell them about how excited our leaders are to participate in this milestone in the life of their family. Love this too!

• Every family who dedicates a child will write a covenant - a promise to their child and to God.  This serves as a tangible reminder of this day and the commitment they are making.  Can't wait to read them...we have some amazing parents who are very passionate about loving Jesus and loving their kids.  Love this one, too!

Tomorrow I get to meet with three more families and two Campus Kid's Directors...expecting a great day!

For those of you who are in kids ministry, I will be posting the details of our process later this week. Hope you find it helpful.

  

what am I thinking?: finished another trip around the sun

what am I thinking?: finished another trip around the sun

finished another trip around the sun

I'm not even sure how to describe the last seven days of my life.  Rather than trying to write coherently I think I'll just make a list:

• Had a bit of a bug that put me in bed for a couple days (I'm all better). 
• Spent some quality time with my girls (individually).
• Got a sweet gift from my boy and am totally surprised at how old he is becoming!
• Welcomed my little brother into our home for the summer...did I mention that he is the same age as daughter #3?
• Had some amazing conversations with a couple of newer friends (I am SOOOO blessed)!
• Got to talk to an old friend (love some Delia conversation)
• Received about a billion birthday wishes on Facebook...one of the crazy benefits (maybe the only benefit) of 5 different kidmin positions since 2005.  I have made some amazing friends! 
• Learned a bit about iPhone and Android Apps from a KidMin friend who is now the CEO of r04r.com 
• Reminded (again) that God is in control and loves my kids more than I ever will (ask me about it).
• Another Tuesday full of meetings with people I respect and love...wow! Suncrest has been an amazing gift to me and my family.

I'm pretty sure that I haven't begun to scratch the surface on all that has happened during this amazing week. This is what I do know...I'm tired, excited, encouraged, challenged and determined to live through next week!

Stories That Feed Your Soul

Note: I received this book for free from the Viralbloggers network. As usual, while I’m happy to review relevant material, I do so without any restriction. Enjoy!

Stories that Feed Your Soul

I’m not generally drawn to the soup for the soul type genre but with an author like Tony Campolo, who can resist? I have found myself drawn to his speaking and writing for many years and this latest offering was no disappointment. 

This book is divided into eight themes, starting with Freedom from Condemnation and ending with the Assurance We Need. Many of the stories are first-hand accounts from Tony’s own experience. While I may not always agree with the underlying theology, I found the stories very compelling and moving. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story and especially for those who struggle with accepting and understanding the depth of God’s love for His creation.  

My crazy,busy life!

This season in my life and ministry has been crazy busy...ok, if you know me at all, you know that it's always crazy,busy! and that some (sick) part of me loves it.  But this is an amazing, love what God is doing, hope that it doesn't end any time soon, kind of crazy, busy.

First, there's this crazy family of mine! They are my favorite people and I'm blessed to have them around.  Our girls are in that place of life where they could be anywhere, but they choose to be with us!  I get a front row seat to seeing how God is moving in their lives...and wow, is He moving! Our son is growing up to be this amazing young man, his best friend is his dad and Aidan's favorite place is anywhere with Daniel!  This year Daniel and I will celebrate 28 years of marriage!  I love this man with all of my heart.  We are truly blessed! 

Ministry is crazy, busy too! and I love it!  I am leading the most amazing team of Kid's Ministers!  I have the privilege of meeting with this team every Tuesday morning at 8:30...kinda crazy since I hate morning! We get to talk about mobilizing leaders and helping kids fall in love with Jesus.  Then there is the team I get to be part of on Tuesday afternoons.  I am honored to be part of a team of people who live for being used by God to change lives...these Campus Pastors and Global Leaders love seeing God at work in the lives of people.  I've spent my fair share of time hanging out with church leadership types but this team is remarkable!

Loving this season of life...not always easy but God is working in and through all of it!

Lori

A few weeks ago I said I would be writing posts about people who have "marked" my life in some significant way.  Well, it has been crazy, busy and I'm sure there are even more people who have been added to the list but today I'm getting ready to see one of my dearest (was going to write oldest, but she isn't old) friends, so she is who you get to hear about this time.

Lori is kind, gentle, generous, persistent, kind, strong, beautiful, kind, creative, hardworking, and oh, did I mention kind?  You know those people that make you think differently, ask better questions and hopefully bring out the best qualities in you?  Well, Lori is one of those people in my world.  We haven't lived in the same city for more than 5 years now but she still influences the way I do ministry, forgive people when I'm hurt and helps me remember that true kindness is as valuable as being right.

I have learned to love people that I will likely never see because Lori brought them to life! She helped kids (and adults) learn about other kids that don't look like us. eat like us or play like us, but that God loves as much as He loves us. 

She is the one person who could say, "Debby, go in your office and close the door.  I will let you know when you are allowed to come out and talk to people again." By the way, this was usually after a very long day in the office when all of my "filter" was gone. 

I really could go on and on about what a terrific wife, mom, daughter, friend she is and I could tell you story after story of how we laughed until we cried but let me just say this:
If there has been a time when I have interacted with you and spoken a kind word rather than just being direct, it might have been influenced by this woman's ability to speak truth in love.

I am forever "marked" by this most amazing woman, can't wait to see her again!