Working together

This past Sunday, some of Kid’s ROCK Staff were teaching about teamwork and working together in the church.  Each one of us has a function and without one part we don’t function well. Teamwork is necessary for every area to flow together.

I am thankful I get to serve with some amazing people who work together. Check out what one of our own at ROCK Church wrote about her experience while serving in Kid’s ROCK.

Crazy Love

We are doing something absolutely crazy! Yesterday, envelopes filled with cash left ROCK Church on micro missions to touch the lives of people in Wilmington. God is using us to touch our city!

We have already begun to receive emails and phone calls from people excited about their micro mission. Bryan, Gabriel and I are trying to decide if we are going to pool our money together. The buzz was going on around our house tonight. Who knows what crazy mission we will come up with!

In a day when people are so focused on the economy and think their source is their employer, many need to find God who can supply all their needs.

Handbrake, Me and Elevate

There are few things that make me happier in children’s ministry than a streamlined system. It was taking me forever to convert files to Mp4 for Media Shout until our good friend Handbrake came along.

If you do anything in children’s ministry with video you should download Handbrake. It works best in Mac OS and is easiest to use, but can used in PC. Elevate doesn’t offer Mp4 so we convert each lesson in Mp4 and load the files in Media Shout. The whole service runs extremely smooth. Instead of relying on a DVD player we can use the cues of Media Shout and can easily go back to a previous cue.

Thanks to Carolyn Mejia for making this process work. I had been working on it, but couldn’t get it quite down. It takes between 10-15 min to convert 1 lesson to Mp4.

Budget Tactics

Nobody likes to live within a budget because it takes self-control. If it were easy then no one would have credit card debt. Budget is more important now than ever, especially in ministry. I have to be wise to plan for the future and spend less now.

Here are some ways I am budgeting:

• Instead of buying all the food for my volunteers, I am supplying the meat and having them bring side dishes for a meeting. This is helping me stretch money further.
• Reuse paperclips and anything else- I know this sounds corny, but somebody has to buy them 
• Check Craigslist free section and materials section often for items I may need for set design- important to plan ahead if you are planning week to week you won’t know what you need
• Make money by selling items you don’t need any more-old curriculum on Kidology
• Buy used equipment on ebay- I bought all our Zebra printers on ebay refurb for under $200 they have been great. I went with companies that had warranties (Side note anyone looking for Dymo turbo 400’s?)
• Look for the best price.I don’t drive all over town either, I call and find out who has the best price. I have had places match an internet price before too.
• I group my shopping together in as few trips as possible, usually once a month. This keeps me organized and planning ahead. 
• Let people know what you are looking for many times they will help you find it for a great price.
• Use what you have-just because a curriculum says you need  it doesn’t mean you have to have it. Many times I redo a craft for the supplies we already have to save money and for less mess. Say NO to PAINT and feathers!
• Partner with other CM’s for ideas and relationship. I had lunch with a director on Monday and she helped me plan a whole big event on the CHEAP! It helps to run ideas by other CM’s!

The most important budget tactic is to pray for God’s wisdom to guide and direct me everyday. I cannot change the world’s economy, but God can put resources in my hands to reach children who do not know Jesus.

Preparing for Daniel Fast

I am excited that ROCK Church will be fasting together. Bryan has already uploaded a packet on fasting. Check it out.

Fasting as a family is important to us. Here are some things we are planning and preparing to do to include our children.

1. We decided what kind of fast we will be doing. Bryan and I will be doing a Daniel Fast and the kids will be doing a Daniel Fast when at home.
2. Setting aside time to read the Bible together as a family. We will be reading the Bible together after dinner each night and discussing.
3. Talking about why we fast before fast begins.
4. Looking for menus that will be more kid friendly.
5. Removing the foods we are not going to be eating from the house.

I will be posting menus and our experiences. Since the time of preparing a meal can take longer, I am planning on make some meals ahead and freezing them. There are some recipes in the packet so check them out.