The less I do...

Like many people, I keep a task list next to my computer. It contains a multitude of must-do's, should-do's and wanna-do's. And while it is great that my mind is always churning out ideas on how to make life and ministry better, it is not realistic that my list will ever be complete.

I recently read this post from You Lead and it was a refreshing reminder. Being strategic is a must! I love this quote and the following message from Andy Stanley, author and senior pastor of North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia: “The less I do, the more I accomplish.”

"This statement contradicts our culture and the way most of us live our lives. We fall into the thinking that to get more done, I have to do as much as possible on any given day. But if we’re strategic with our time, talents, and abilities, we can accomplish so much more. What Andy means by this is that we’re all wired in a certain way and, the more we do in the way that we’ve been wired, the more we’ll accomplish. Think about how you could be more strategic in your everyday life, in your community, and in the ministry you serve in."

It’s important for us to think strategically here at Faith Promise. When we consider what we do for the families we serve, here are a few things to remember:

1. Teach less for more.
2. Be strategic in service opportunities.
3. Include a second voice or influence for greater impact.
4. Partner with parents.
5. Teach with an end in mind.

This week think about the things that you fill your life with and your ministry. What principles are guiding you? Where can you be more strategic?

Frisbee Anyone?

If you are like me, you have parenting moments when you realize that have missed the mark. My intention is to make time for each of our three children and have a great conversation. I know that communication is important and yet I find myself communicating is some undesirable ways: texting, leaving a voice message, and yes, even Facebook. I’ve been known to Facebook my kids to tell them to get off Facebook and go to bed. I figure, hey, it IS communicating. But if I am completely honest, I know that I should be communicating in a much more personal way.

I want to practice real conversation. And in order to do that, I must be a great listener. Think about the Frisbee. Because of the size and shape of the Frisbee, it can be awkward to throw. If you really know what you are doing, you know you have to put just the right amount of spin on it to get it to the other player. Our conversations with our kids can be just like that. Here is what I mean:

• You have to focus on the other player.
• You have to pay attention.
• You need to anticipate what’s going to happen next.
• If it isn’t going where it should be, you have to be ready to leap toward it.
• Lastly, you have to be ready for the catch.

You see, a good game of Frisbee can be a like a good conversation with your child. We just have to be willing to practice it over and over again, so we that we can become skilled at the art of listening.

A Time To Laugh

When was the last time you had a good laugh as a family?

Social scientists have found that children laugh 400 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 15 times a day. Why is that? Are we too busy to laugh? Do we take ourselves too seriously?

Did you now that laughter can:
• Relieve stress?
• Lower blood pressure?
• Control pain?
• Exercise muscles?
• Increase oxygen levels?

It’s true. But even better than that, laughter can:
• Create family memories
• Help kids and parents bond
• Help brothers and sisters bond
• Mend relationships

One of my favorite memories was when we made Beignets for the first time. In case you have never had one, a beignet is a Louisiana pastry that is light and fluffy and covered in powdered sugar. They are pretty tasty. And apparently they are pretty messy to make [at least at our house].

My husband and daughter were taking on this recipe in the kitchen. After they were done, the laughter ensued. It all started with one little blow. One light puff of powdery goodness, off of the pastry and onto my daughter’s face. And then it was on. [Anyone that knows Kylie knows she would never let an opportunity like this slide.]
Pretty soon powdered sugar was rocketed around the room. And laughter engulfed our kitchen. I could have been mad. After all, the floor looked like a winter wonderland [and we all know that mom will be a major contributor in the clean-up]. But the family memory of that day far outweighed the work that went into sweeping up the mess.


Ecclesiastes 3:4 “There is a time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

Go have fun with your family. Laugh. Create. Giggle. Get caught up in the moment.

Too Small To Ignore

Kids are “Too Small To Ignore”




Every now and then , I read a book that touches me so deeply that I feel compelled to read it again and again. That happened to me two years ago, when I picked up a copy of Too Small To Ignore. This book was written by Dr. Wess Stafford in collaboration with Dean Merrill. Wess Stafford is the President and CEO of Compassion International and has witnessed what children in our world experience. He stresses that, “The time has come for a major paradigm shift: Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Children belong to all of us and we are compelled to intervene on their behalf. We must invest in children- all across the world.”
If you have a heart for children, I encourage you to read this book. If you do not have a heart for children, I strongly encourage you to read this book. I can guarantee you that it will permanently change the way you see children. Four things will happen when you read Too Small To Ignore:
1. You will see why our focus should be on the children of this world. As overwhelming as it may seem, we really can make a difference “one child at a time”.
2. You will have a new perspective on what poverty really means. We cannot truly make a difference in the war against poverty until we are educated on what it means.
3. You will learn about the “ripple of influence”. You will see how God is using children instead of adults to change the future of those around them.
4. You will cry. You will hear terrible stories of abuse, neglect and extreme conditions. If you allow it, your crying will lead to a stirring in your soul.
Dr. Wess Stafford is a champion for children. And the good news is that we can be champions for children, too. This book is a great place to start. It will not only educate you, but it will give you action steps as to how you can get involved. He states, “There are strategic, persuasive reasons- beyond love and kindness- to invest in children. Today, they may snuggle into your lap, if you let them. But tomorrow you may not have access to them in the corridors of power they might occupy. Now is the time to shape the future.”
Over the next few weeks, I will share some ways that we can make a difference. Faith Promise has many opportunities for you to grow in your compassion towards children- some within the walls of our church, some within our community and some in nations far away. All of these opportunities will change the life of a child… and dramatically change your life as well.
In the meantime, if you have read the book, please submit your thoughts. If you have been involved with children’s ministries and witnessed life changing experiences, please share them here. Let’s be an encouragement to one another!

Excerpts from: Too Small to Ignore: Why Children Are The Next Big Thing, WaterBrook Press, 2005.
• This book can be purchased at Amazon.com – all proceeds fund Compassion International

Widen the Circle

A couple of weeks ago, we formed a "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" small group. This group consists of parents with children of all ages, and is based on the book by the same title. The authors, Reggie Joiner and Carey Nieuworf write: "When families work in tandem with the faith community to raise their children, they increase their parenting capacity exponentially." In short, this study looks at five key values that each family should consider.

Family Value #1: Widen the Circle

"Your children need someone else to believe in them. They need a place to belong, besides home. The goal for you is to pursue strategic relationships so another adult voice will be speaking into your son's or daughter's life, saying the same things you would say as a parent." -Reggie Joiner

As a parent, we need to recognize that we are called to be the most influential person in our child's life. But it doesn't take long to realize that we are not the only influence in our child's life. As our children get older, they will have additional people of influence in their lives [coaches, teachers, friends]. Add to this mix the "influence" of the internet, television and music.

Children will have questions. They will have decisions to make. They may come to you for advice. Or, they may not. As hurtful as that sounds, it's a part of growing up. Knowing that truth, we need to recognize the importance of having other adults that can speak into our children's lives.

Adults who believe what you believe.
Adults who love your children and want to guide them in the direction that you
would guide them.
Adults who value your family.

Chances are, your child will not form these relationships on their own. It is our job as a parent to" widen the circle". Here are some things to consider:

1] Get involved in a church that believes in community. Faith Promise strives on community. Adult small groups are a way to get connected with people like you. Obviously, this benefits you, but it can also benefit your family. When young children see mom or dad value being in a group, they are more likely to follow suit.

2] Help your child connect with a group. The Family Ministry at Faith Promise has groups for children and students of all ages. We believe that community begins at birth. That is why our preschool ministry strives to have consistent small group leaders in our classrooms each weekend. School age children have the opportunity to engage in a small group time as well. When your child attends the same service time each weekend, he is more likely to form a relationship with his leader. Our student ministry meets each Wednesday night. In addition to hearing God's word, your student will have a small group leader who will be another voice in your child's life.

3] Consider being a leader. We are in this together. We want to create a culture that cares for families. You can be a part of this by serving as a small group leader in preschool, elementary or student ministry. I guarantee you that the time you spend with our youth will be worth it!

Next week, we will examine Family Value #2: Imagine the End.

Happy Parenting!

Mia

Order My Steps, God

As I write this post, I am thinking back to where I was five years ago. Five years ago, I was the "new kid on the block" at Faith Promise Church. I was also new to Knoxville, and have to admit that I had never heard of a Vol and couldn't understand why the mascot was a big brown dog. But, I did know this: God moved our family here for a reason.
I truly believe that God orders our steps. And although I haven't always agreed with the path He orders them, I am learning to submit. I'd like to say that I have learned to fully submit, but that wouldn't be true. Instead, when I look back over the years, it is then that His plan makes sense.
The last two weeks have been unusual. Not unusual as in bad, but unusual as in different. Transitions always strike me that way. 50% excitement and 50% stress. I couldn't be more thrilled about launching the Blount Faith Promise Campus. But with the new path God has laid out, it required me to give up leadership over something I love dearly: preschool ministry at Pellissippi.
Two weekends ago, I hugged many of the volunteers and parents that I have come to know and love at the Pellissippi Campus. I sang one last time with 250 of the most adorable two, three and four year olds that you will ever meet. I sent one last email out to our leadership team that has carried us through so much.
This past weekend, we had our first "soft launch" at the new campus. The enthusiasm, support and love that has come from the families and volunteers at this campus has blown me away. Just watching this come together has been incredible. I know that beginning October 3rd, more kids, students and adults will come to know Jesus. More lives will be changed. More souls will be saved. And I am humbled to play a small role in what God is going to do in Blount County. I have no doubt that God has me where He wants me.

May He continue to order my steps...


Check out the Blount Campus here: http://faithpromise.org/blount

Why I Love Puppets

In the world of Children’s Ministry, you will hear varying opinions when it comes to puppets. Many say that using puppets in preschool ministry is a thing of the past. Some say that puppets are as effective as the flannel graph. [By the way, I still think there may be a time and a place for the flannel graph. I have fond memories of walking a felt cut-out of Jesus across a felt body of water. But that’s another story for another day. ]
In my opinion, puppets continue to be a great addition to Children’s Ministry. Let me tell you why:
1. Puppets are attention grabbers. We can’t teach children until we have their attention! When a character is visually appealing, children are generally eager to see what will happen next.
2. A puppet can be a powerful communication tool. When someone is gifted in puppetry, they are able to create voices that kids want to listen to.
3. Puppet Shows are memorable. When a puppet show is well executed, the result is a Bible story that sticks in our memories.
4. Puppet Ministry has come a long way. The use of technology in children’s ministry continues to be on the rise. Puppet leaders can intertwine the use of technology with puppetry. At Faith Promise, we pre-record our shows and edit the tracks until we have a clean, polished show. This ensures the consistency of quality sound. The puppets themselves, however, are still “live”.
5. The grown-ups enjoy the puppets just as much as the kids!

This past weekend was “Puppet Weekend” in our Preschool Ministry. Our favorite characters revealed this truth:
God is with me when I have hard things to do.
This black light show featured Moses as he goes before the mean king, Pharaoh, to deliver a message from God [Exodus 5:1-6:8]. It also featured some pretty cool black light dancing as well. Kudos to the Spratlings and Robyn and Miranda Ellis for a job well done!