Had this lesson last month I thought was gonna be amazing. Spent forever planning it. Good story clear points everything organized perfect. Kids just sat there staring at me like I was speaking gibberish. Couple started picking at their shoes. One kid straight up asked if we were done yet.

Need kids be quiet sometimes. After games before parents pick up. When someone's having meltdown needs space. Rainy days stuck inside. Problem is telling kids "sit quietly" doesn't work. They don't know what do with themselves. Start poking each other making noise

So it's July and I'm already stressing about back-to-school stuff. Kids disappear for three months then suddenly they're all taller and forgot everyone's names and act like they've never been in our building before. Last year was disaster. Thought I&

Cleaning out my phone yesterday and found this text from Jennifer. She used to help with 2nd 3rd graders couple years back. "Hey I don't think I can keep doing this anymore. Just not working out." That was it. Gone. Back then I'm like

So last week during worship time little Emma asks me why we have to sing the same songs every week. And honestly? I didn't have a great answer. That got me thinking. We talk about worship all the time but do kids actually get what it means? Like

Found myself at Target last Thursday night buying fifty foam fish because I'd seen this "amazing" craft on Pinterest about feeding the 5,000. Looked so simple online. Cute little fish with googly eyes that kids could decorate while talking about Jesus providing for everyone. What

Planning VBS last year all by myself. Spent weeks figuring themes decorations activities snacks everything. Get to planning meeting with volunteers and I'm like "So here's what we're doing this year" and start going through my whole presentation. Can see their eyes

Building a Volunteer Team Culture That Lasts So last month I'm sitting in this meeting with other kids ministry leaders and this woman starts talking about her volunteer team. How they hang out outside of church. How they cover for each other without being asked. How new people

So our church has like thirty kids total. On good days. Preschool through middle school. One room. Budget's basically nonexistent. Me and maybe two volunteers if planets align. Most curriculum assumes you got separate classes every age. Professional teachers. Money tree in back yard. Right. Wasted years trying