Sometimes, we can beat ourselves up over what happened on a Sunday morning or at an event, but what we really need is just a systematic and meaningful way to process (even when things go well).

See - there are really three services each Sunday:

1. The one we planned
2. The one that happens
3. The one we wish had happened

When a service or event is over, is it over? Or do you process what’s happened in order to evaluate and plan future services and event.  If so, how do you go about processing all the different ideas that are floating around in your mind?

Today on the podcast, we discuss a way of thinking about thinking. J  The Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono gives you a way of understanding how to process and plan.  This amazing strategy can be used by yourself or with volunteers.

In other news…

TODAY, September 22^nd, is the Launchinar!  Patrick Snow from Christ in Youth and Sean Sweet from FourFiveSix are leading this webinar and mentoring program!  Don’t miss it!

The AWESOME preteen ministry event - SuperStart! - is coming to the Sacramento area this weekend, and it may be coming to your area.  Just check the FourFiveSix Map to see what preteen ministry events are in your area.  Also, you can add YOUR preteen ministry events to The Map.

Today on the podcast, we discuss an international event that your preteens can participate in: See You at the Pole.  This isn’t just a youth ministry event! On this podcast, you’ll hear Sean share some his memories of powerful moments in preteen ministry that happened because of See You at the Pole.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Music during transition times in your service can be a great addition to any preteen ministry, even those that do not have a sound system (details about that are included in the podcast).

On today’s podcast, you’ll hear a HUGE idea that can make a big difference in SO MANY WAYS for the overall experience of your weekly preteen service.  Here are a few of the benefits of music during transitions:

·         Helps with behavior

·         Helps to set tone and express expectation

·         Creates a “warm” environment

·         Introduces God-honoring music to preteens that they might want to buy for themselves

Mentioned in today’s podcast are several Christian artists:

·         Guvna B

·         FBJr.

·         Matthew Parker

·         Group1Crew

·         Desperation Band

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

In today’s podcast, we want to convince you of two things:

·         You should have a live band in your preteen ministry.

·         You CAN have a live band in your preteen ministry.

NOT CONVINCED OF THESE TWO THINGS?  Then today’s podcast is perfect for you.  Find out why Sean thinks that a live band is “almost a necessary thing” for preteen ministry, and how you can make it a reality in your preteen ministry.

Ready to learn to play some music?  Check out these links:

1.      In this YouTube video, the instructor will teach you the four piano chords you need to play most worship songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzLEYKPQ0w

2.      In this YouTube video, the instructor will teach you the four guitar chords: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmChNlDknbM

3.      You can google “Chords for __________” and fill in the blank with the name of most worship songs to find what you are looking for.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Here you can find the testimony that Dayna gave about music during the event.  The girls were completely silent as they intently listened to Dayna share this.

The schedule for the evening looked like this:

6:00-6:30 = Check in, song sign up, pizza, and praise dancing

6:30-6:55 = testimonies from two leaders

6:55-7:05 = snack, water break, song sing up

7:05-8:00 = Karaoke

8:00 = Dismissal, girls given a treat and a bookmark on their way out

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s idea is GOOD.  With your help, it can become GREAT!  Add you thoughts to improve this idea in the comment section of www.fourfivesix.org/preteen-created-t-shirts, or by e-mailing them to podcast@fourfivesix.org.

Preteens love to experiment with making things that can express who they are or how they are feeling.  A T-shirt can be a great outlet for any 4^th, 5^th, or 6^th grade student.

On this podcast you’ll hear ideas of times WHEN preteens can make t-shirts.  For example:

·         At an event

·         Leading up to an event

·         VBS or Camp

·         In response to a message

You’ll also hear HOW preteens can make their own t-shirts.  For example:

·         Tie-dye

·         Sharpies and Alcohol

·         Cyanotype

·         Bleach Bottle

Now it’s your turn.  Add your thoughts about WHEN and HOW preteens can create their own t-shirts!

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today, we offer 1 very simple idea: Ask preteens for THEIR great ideas.  Sean discusses the trap that many of us fall into – to present ourselves as the ones with all the answers.  In the same vein as the Giving Power podcast that we aired last week, the concept is to be humble enough to ask your preteens to share their concepts.  You’ll never know what GREAT ideas you might get from them!

As a special bonus on today’s podcast, Sean asked his 5-, 8-, and 10-year olds for their great ideas for preteen ministry.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Idea #1 = give the FULL picture of upcoming events, not just the parts of the event that you think will appeal to the preteens.

Idea #2 = put thought and resources behind promoting events.  You spend time planning your events, but do you spend time planning how you’ll promote your events?

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is final episode of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

On today’s episode, we’ll think about WHY preteen ministry leaders need to be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions, and then HOW preteen ministry leaders can be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is part five of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

This episode is about a mindset that is necessary for people letting go of the bike.  It’s something we have discussed before in “Tigers Welcome”.  Successful preteen ministry requires leaders to be comfortable with wobbliness…because if we are letting go to a bike for the first time, we have to expect wobbly riders.

Do you have a story of a “wobbly rider” in your preteen ministry?  Share your story below.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is part four of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

As an additional resource for today’s topic, check out the article written by J.C. Thompson entitled “Why – When Preteens Ask Questions”.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is part three of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is part two of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s podcast is the beginning of a six-part series with practical and general suggestions on how you can “Let Go of the Bike and Run Alongside”.

Here is an outline for this series:

·         1: Give choices

·         2: Give power

·         3: Ask questions

·         4: Listen to their questions

·         5: Make space for mistakes and unexpected happenings

·         6: Be prepared to confront doubt and misconceptions

Mentioned in today’s podcast was “The Question of the Day”, which we discussed way back in the 6th episode of the FourFiveSix podcast.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s idea was inspired by Maria Gargano.  We met Maria through The Launchinar – if you are starting a preteen ministry, we’d love to meet you, too: check out The Launchinar for more info.

Today on the podcast, we explore ideas for family events, including Maria’s “God is Colorful” event.

What events involving parents have you done?  Share your ideas with us.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

If you are feeling STUCK in your creative process, sometimes you just need a whack on the side of the head.  That’s exactly what Roger von Oech’s Creative Whack Pack is intended to do.  And now, you can find the Creative Whack Pack on the app store for Android and iPhone.

Listen to today’s podcast to get more information about the Creative Whack Pack.  And listen to Idea #57 from FourFiveSix entitled “Forcing Creativity”.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

You probably have at least a vague sense of why your preteen ministry exists, and why you are in ministry.  But, as today’s podcast points out, defining that “Driving Purpose” with greater focus will benefit your ministry in HUGE ways!

Here are two resources that can help you with the process of defining your Driving Purpose:

1. The Advantage, by Patrick Lencioni
2. The retreat 2 ADVANCE

We’d love your thoughts on this topic. Share YOUR ideas with us.

Are you taking your first steps into the world of preteen ministry? We’d love to partner with you as your discover how to have a THRIVING preteen ministry. Check out the Launchinar!

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

What board games and video games do your preteens like playing? Why not transform these games into something that your entire preteen ministry can enjoy playing TOGETHER?

On today’s podcast, we talk about this concept and share a few ideas of life-sized games.

Check out this video of a life-sized Hungry-Hungry-Hippo gameto get your creative juices flowing.

What life-sized games have you played with your preteens? Share your ideas with us.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s idea was shared by Nate Cumming.  When he was the preteen ministry leader at Adventure Christian Church in Roseville, CA, he led a Wednesday night program called “BEYOND”.  Each week, he set the tone for the night with a short video.

Today on the podcast, we explore this idea, and how using the same video each week can be a powerful cue the preteens.

Want a video for your preteen ministry, but don’t have anybody with video creating talent?  You can get a video made for just $5 at Fiverr.com.  We first talked about Fiverr.com on this post: Do What You Do Best…and Outsource The Rest.

Do you use video intros and transitions?  Share your thoughts with us.

Mentioned on today’s podcast is “retreat2ADVANCE”.  Find out more online at www.fourfivesix.org/retreat-2-ADVANCE

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” –Proverbs 16:24

In ministry, encouraging words can be such life-giving.  Sometimes, however, in our moment of weakness, there is no other human being there to encourage us.  That’s when today’s idea, The Folder of Encouragement, can come in handy.

Listen to today’s podcast, as Sean opens his Folder of Encouragement and shares his thoughts about this useful ministry tool.

How have you seen the truth of Proverb 16:24 in your experience as a ministry leader? Let us know.

Have you checked out The Map of preteen ministry worldwide?  It has ministries, events, and networks that could benefit your preteen ministry, and help you to find some people in your area that might need some (or provide some) encouragement.

Are you on Twitter?  We’d love to connect with you @preteenministry.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Do you ever find yourself standing in front of a group of students trying to teach them, WHILE trying to deal with behavior issues?  It’s kind of like trying to be a mouth and a pair of hands at the same time.  God wants us to function differently than that: we are a part of the Body of Christ.  So…we need to stop trying to be the mouth, the hands, the feet, AND the ears. 

Today on the podcast, we discuss the concept of splitting task items and maintenance items, and how that can help your ministry to be more effective.

We’d love your thoughts on this topic.

Are you taking your first steps into the world of preteen ministry?  Or just looking to take your preteen ministry to the next level? We have conferences and trainings just for you!

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

As ministry leaders, we are creators.  And sometimes, we can get stuck.  Today’s podcast explores a couple of ways to FORCE ourselves to come up with something.  Because, sometimes, the best thing to do is just put the pen on the paper and see what comes out.

We’d love your thoughts on this topic. How do you push yourself forward when you’re experiencing creativity block?

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today’s idea comes from Chip Henderson, a pastor at New Covenant Church in Clovis, California. Chip has developed a program, called the 12 by 12 program, which challenges preteens to do 12 things by the time they turn 12 years old.  These 12 items include:

·         memorizing scripture

·         writing a testimony

·         designing and complete a service project

Have you checked out The Map on www.fourfivesix.org? It’s a great way to get connected to the world of preteen ministries!

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Preteens beginning to relate to music in a different way that when they were younger, and the music they listen to can affect them in a powerful way.  As preteens are searching for music that they like, we can help them to find music that they like that also directly glorifies God. More than that, we can use music as a catalyst for the lessons we are teaching.

Here are some songs that Sean has used in his preteen ministry to teach and reinforce a lesson:

·         Mission Control by LZ7 (Featured in today’s podcast)

·         Birthday by Canton Jones

·         House of God, Forever by Jon Foreman (Featured in Podcast 27: Drawing Psalm 23)

·         Healing Begins by Tenth Avenue North

·         Hide by Joy Williams

What songs are your preteens listening to?  Subscribe to Interlinc and get new Christian music quarterly sent to your mailbox.

Mentioned on today’s podcast is “retreat2ADVANCE” and “The Launchinar”.  Find out more online at www.fourfivesix.org/training

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Looking for a way to connect with the families in your preteen ministry?  On today’s podcast, we will discuss a way you can open the door for preteens and parents to connect with you and each other every week.

Even if you aren’t near a Jamba Juiceor a Cold Stone, this idea could work for your preteen ministry with a little bit of thought and creativity. By the way, did you know that Jamba Juice has a secret menu?

So, how about you: where do your preteens like to hang out? Is there a way you can use that information to build a bridge with preteens in your ministry and their families? Share your thoughts with us.

Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.