Awana
Our church is starting a children’s ministry called AWANA on tonight. I believe this ministry is going to help change the lives of children and parents (including me and my children) in the community where we attend church.
When I first felt that I was going to help with this ministry these are the thoughts I had:
· I’m naturally a youth pastor, not a children’s worker.
· I’m not good with kids.
· I don’t know where to start.
· I don’t know how to talk to kids and teach them the Bible.
I am now excited about helping with AWANA! Here is why:
· My own children will benefit from it.
· Martha Marie and I will work together with the 3rd-6th graders.
· I am going to be challenged by being a good example to the children and by memorizing the scriptures they are required to memorize.
· I will have the opportunity to lead other children and their parents to Jesus.
· I feel that I’ll be a better AWANA leader than the experience I have had as a youth pastor. The structure and support is amazing!
· It is the best current strategy to reach people in the community of our church.
More reasons from their web site:
The study found that those who consistently participated in Awana for six or more years are today:
· More committed to the literal truth of Scripture and more firmly grounded in the fundamental doctrines of their faith
· More motivated to learn about their faith, grow spiritually and serve others
· Far more likely to act on their religious beliefs, including participating in civic/community volunteerism
· Still attending church about weekly or more frequently (92.7 percent) compared to less than half of all Americans.
· Still of the belief that Jesus is the Son of God (nearly 99 percent) compared with 71 percent of Americans and 85 percent of Protestants
· Still participating in a Bible study or Sunday school (86 percent) as opposed to 30 percent of all Americans.
· Much more likely to volunteer in their churches and share their faith than the national and Protestant samples from the Baylor study.
If something else were a better strategy to reach our church community for Jesus, I would be more excited about that. For now, God has given us great plans to move forward for His Kingdom.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 am
Eddie – this is awesome. Can I quote you on our website?
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:11 am
Please feel free to quote and link.
Thank you for being the reason that we can do this at our church! I so appreciate your leadership and the leadership of Spiritual Formation braking down the denominational walls to allow God’s Word to be hidden in the hearts of children including my own!
September 4th, 2008 at 11:46 am
2 salvations last night!
Our church is only 85 people and we had 60 kids show up last night!
September 4th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I was an AWANA kid! My teachers couldn’t keep up with me! I loved it!
The most important things to remember with kids are:
1. Stay relaxed! If they hate you, they will tell you so! So, unless you hear otherwise, assume they like you and your class!
2. Fart jokes are funny.
3. Have fun! The more fun you have, the more fun they will have!
4. Repition is key! Pick a major point and hammer that till the cows come home!
5. Take every question seriously. If a question leads you down a rabbit trail and the kids are into it and learning about God, forget your one major point and keep the kids engaged in your rabbit trail.
6. Shave your head for a fundraiser.
So, kids aren’t all that different from youth! Just a lot cooler and more fun! And they like dumb jokes. And they’re funny to watch. And they rock! Can you tell I’m a little biased?
September 4th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
We have AWANA at our church! What a great program! We will pray for you as you start this journey!
September 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Hey, Eddie!
Kudos on making “the big time!” Now that you’ve been quoted at the General Church level I suppose we’ll have to bump you up a couple of pay grades, huh?
I love ya, man! I love your passion for God and your love for souls!
September 9th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Hey Eddie! We start Awana registration tomorrow at Fall Creek! Paul was an Awana kid since he was raised in a Baptist church! He’s so excited about it too! He even signed up to be the Games Director! Haha! Can you see that?! We are excited and a little nervous about all the planning, but it seems like there is a great support system! We will see!
September 19th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Eddie! Thanks for always listening to troubles, and then investing in them and praying with me. You have action behind your words and that’s something I admire.
How are Martha-Marie and the kids doing?
always,
liz
September 21st, 2008 at 3:40 am
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