Some preteens love being at the mall. Some preteens like competition. Mall Madness gives you an opportunity to have a fun event that has both! A scavenger hunt (or shopping list) at the mall can be a great event after an outreach Sunday. “Bring your friends to church and afterward we’ll be going to the mall for a scavenger hunt.” Today, you’ll hear some organizational ideas that can help you to plan your very own “Mall Madness”.
By the way, have you heard all the big news about next week?
Chirst in Youth’s Patrick Snow is offering a free luncheon and training on The Bike in Sacramento, California on May 19th. Just contact C.I.Y. at 417-781-2273 to sign up.
THE MAP goes live on May 21st, God willing!
All the information about r2A will be announced next week as well! Woohoo!
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Perhaps the most famous Psalm (Psalm 23) gives us great opportunities for creative preteen services. Listen to today’s podcast to hear two different service activities based on Psalm 23.
Mentioned in the podcast are the “Here are My Hands” video by Aaron Niequist (start at around 2:57) and “House of God, Forever” by Jon Foreman.
By the way, have you heard all the big news about next week?
Chirst in Youth’s Patrick Snow is offering a free luncheon and training on The Bike in Sacramento, California on May 19th. Just contact C.I.Y. at 417-781-2273 to sign up.
THE MAP goes live on May 21st, God willing!
All the information about r2A will be announced next week as well! Woohoo!
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Getting preteens to OPEN THEIR EYES and notice the new and alone kids in your ministry is an important part of helping them to grow as a part of the body of Christ. Today on the podcast, you’ll hear three different ideas on how to connect your “regulars” with new and visiting preteens.
By the way, have you heard all the big news about next week:
Chirst in Youth’s Patrick Snow is offering a free luncheon and training on The Bike in Sacramento, California on May 19th. Just contact C.I.Y. at 417-781-2273 to sign up.
THE MAP goes live on May 21st, God willing!
All the information about r2A will be announced next week as well! Woohoo!
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
iPhone’s microphone feature creates an unexpected opportunity to encourage the people in your life, which you’ll hear about in our podcast today. Many thanks to Karl Bastian, Mr. Kidology himself, for this clever idea, which he shared on his podcast.
Even without an iPhone, the concepts shared in our podcast today will help you think about how you might build up ministry volunteers and other people in your life.
Have you seen FourFiveSix.org’s new homepage? Check it out!
Have you heard all the big news about next week:
Chirst in Youth’s Patrick Snow is offering a free luncheon and training on The Bike in Sacramento, California on May 19th. Just contact C.I.Y. at 417-781-2273 to sign up.
THE MAP goes live on May 21st, God willing!
All the information about r2A will be announced next week as well! Woohoo!
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Starting off well with parents and preteens transitioning into your preteen ministry can be extremely beneficial. There are so many ways to make a connection that leads to a smooth transition.
Today’s podcast talks about one such way: An Ice Cream Social. You’ll hear one way to pull off a successful transition event for both the preteens and parents that are moving into the preteen ministry of your church.
Some “name dropping” occurred during today’s podcast, so here are the links:
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Have you experienced this? Preteens LOVE TO DANCE….yes, even the boys. If the dance moves are cool, that is. Imagine dancing like a robot while a strobe light flashes? Put those two together and look what you get: strobe + robot = STROBOT.
Today on the podcast, you’ll instructions on our version of the Strobot.
Warning: “For about 3 percent of people with epilepsy, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures.” –read more here
We started with:
The song “Strobot” by LZ7 from their Aftershow album
A strobe-light (you can get one fairly cheap at your local party supply store or by clicking here. Another option is to use your screens as a strobe light. Click here for that option.),
A way to turn the strobe off and on (a power strip with a switch will work fine)
We have the kids pick a spot (which becomes THEIR SPOT) in the front of the room to stand. Then we teach them the four sections of the song.
CHORUS (“STROBOT”)
For the chorus, we do the dance moves from this video by LZ7 for the first half of the chorus and then move like a robot in random robot movements for the rest of the chorus.
VERSES (“FREE STYLE”)
For the verses, the kids dance however they’d like and move away from their spot around the room. Fun silliness ensues.
PRE-CHORUS (“CLAP”)
During the pre-chorus, everybody claps their hands to the beat and moves back to THEIR SPOT in the front the room.
ONE MEASURE BEFORE THE CHORUS (“READY…SET…”)
Right before the chorus, we get ready by freezing in a robot stance, with elbows out to the side and arms hanging down. Now we are ready to go back to the chorus and strobot again.
The Strobot is SO MUCH FUN! And you can teach your preteens to do it in a jiffy! That’s what makes it today’s great idea!
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to add your preteen ministry to “The Map” at fourfivesix.org. We want to help you connect with those 1,000’s of preteen ministries all around you! (“The Map” is scheduled to release May 21st – woohoo!)
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Discipleship of preteens includes a lot of different facets. Today’s idea is to implement a program which helps the preteens with just one of those facets: serving the church.
In this podcast, you’ll hear about the “Fifth Grade Helper” program. Clunky name, yes, but the preteens in Elevate like it. Haha. This is a program 12 years in the making, and it’s still developing and shifting.
Today, you’ll hear the 4 things that this discipleship program accomplishes, as well as some details as to the skills and concepts that the Fifth Grade Helpers are developing.
If you haven’t done so already, make sure to add your preteen ministry to “The Map” at fourfivesix.org. We want to help you connect with those 1,000’s of preteen ministries all around you! (“The Map” is scheduled to release May 21st – woohoo!)
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Do you ever have parents that “miss the boat” on something happening in your ministry, and then they’re upset because they didn’t know? One of the challenges of communicating with parents of preteens is that often, we don’t have personal contact with them and we have to rely on preteens to deliver the information.
Today’s podcast discusses a mechanism (a calendar) for doing just that. PLUS…you’ll hear about Crazy Chris’ Calendar Contest, which increased the reach of our communication in more way than one.
Mike Sheley wrote about how his ministry uses calendars a while back. You can read about that by clicking here.
Oh – by the way – before you go – make sure to add your preteen ministry to “The Map” at fourfivesix.org. We want to help you get more great ideas by connecting with preteen ministries all around you! (“The Map” is scheduled to release May 21st – woohoo!)
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
One of the most useful things I’ve ever done to get new ideas for preteen ministry is to sit in on somebody else’s preteen ministry service and to take note of what they did and how they did it. I want to give you something like that experience with today’s podcast.
Today’s podcast is a retelling of last night’s Elevate service – “Sticky Night”. I’ll share different aspects of the service in the hopes that it will inspire at least one idea that you can use in your next preteen ministry service.
Useful Links from Today’s 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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Ever thought about making your next volunteer training day AN EVENT? Here’s one idea – make your training like that T.V. show – The Amazing Race! This idea came from Lynn Krogstad, a children (and preteen) pastor in Sacramento, CA. Thanks, Lynn!
A couple of announcements in today’s podcast:
The Map. We are reassembling and rereleasing a map of every preteen ministry in America (and maybe the world). Want to add your preteen ministry to the list? Find “The Map” link on FourFiveSix.org.
R2A (Retreat to Advance): November 3-5, 2015. More info on this one in the near future. Woohoo!
If you’ll be in the Sacramento area (or want to be) on May 19th, join Patrick and Sean for a FREE lunch and preteen ministry training, compliments of Christ in Youth SuperStart. Call 417-781-2273 to register. The training will be on using “The Bike” philosophy in your 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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Personally connecting with every single preteen in your ministry can be difficult if you have more than a dozen in your group. Today, you’ll hear a simple and meaningful way to connect with every preteen in every service. Sean has done this idea with as many as 134 preteens at a service, and it worked great!
A couple of announcements in today’s podcast:
The Map. We are reassembling and rereleasing a map of every preteen ministry in America (and maybe the world). Want to add your preteen ministry to the list? Find “The Map” link on FourFiveSix.org.
R2A (Retreat to Advance): November 3-5, 2015. More info on this one in the near future. Woohoo!
If you’ll be in the Sacramento area (or want to be) on May 19th, join Patrick and Sean for a FREE lunch and preteen ministry training, compliments of Christ in Youth SuperStart. Call 417-781-2273 to register.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Ever want to break out of the box during your regular preteen services? How can you move from just HEARING a message to actually LIVING OUT a message? In today’s episode, you’ll hear about one service that went beyond the 4 walls of church. Think of this episode as fuel to get YOUR creative juices flowing.
Mentioned in this podcast is See You at the Pole. Check them out at http://syatp.com/.
The song “Tear down the Walls” by Hillsong United might give you some additional inspiration today.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
In today’s episode we discuss what it is like to take a few minutes during service to just stop and breathe…and spend a little quiet time with God. Life can be hectic for preteens, leaders, and us. Why not take a few minutes during service to provide a quiet space for your group?
You’ll hear about one way to build this element into your service and some of the benefits it provides. Also, you’ll hear an idea on how to utilize this prayer time as a review for your previous week’s lesson.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
A birthday can be a GREAT time to connect with the preteens! Today on the podcast, you’ll hear a few ideas on how you can do that. We really value your input on this topic, and would love to have your comments on this topic:
On Facebook at www.facebook.com/preteenministry
On twitter (@preteenministry)
On the blog at www.fourfivesix.org
By e-mailing us at podcast@fourfivesix.org.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Today’s idea: a School Pizza Competition.
Last time on the podcast, and again today, our focus is raising the value of being present and encouraging consistent attendance. Also, today’s idea could encourage preteens to invite their friends.
Here’s a question for you, though. How do you do things to encourage attendance, inviting friends, scripture memorization, and all the rest WITHOUT creating preteens that are doing things as works of the flesh? We really value your input on this topic, and would love to have your comments on this topic on the blog at www.fourfivesix.org or by e-mailing us at podcast@fourfivesix.org.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
How do you encourage preteens to become more consistent attenders and raise the value of regular attendance?
Last time on the podcast, we shared some visitor follow up ideas. Today, we look at one current experiment in raising the value of being present and encouraging consistent attendance.
What do you do in your ministry? We’d love to hear from you. Share your ideas with us on the blog at www.fourfivesix.org or by e-mailing us at podcast@fourfivesix.org.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
How do you turn a visiting preteen into a regular part of your preteen ministry community? On today’s episode, you’ll hear four different ways to connect with preteens and their parents after they’ve visited your ministry for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time.
There is so much more to visitor follow up, and we want to hear from you. Share your ideas with us on the blog at www.fourfivesix.org or by e-mailing us at podcast@fourfivesix.org.
Mentioned in this episode is “The Bike” philosophy of ministry. You can read that at www.fourfivesix.org/bike.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at www.fourfivesix.org.
Preteens are at a unique stage of development, and the way we teach them can FIGHT AGAINST this development, or find HARMONY WITH it. On today’s podcast, we talk about Energy Infusion (aka 30 second energy outlets).
Patrick Snow, author of “Leading Preteens” and the director of C.I.Y.’s SuperStart Weekend Event, brought this great idea into my world.
You can read research relating to preteen development by clicking here. This is a research summary that we love to our volunteers, and the parents of preteens in our 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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org.
How do you find out if anyone is going home and actually doing what they're hearing you talk about on a Sunday morning?
This is a question we wrestled with and, after a few failed attempts, found a solution that's working well: Story of Glory.
That's what today's episode is all about.
So, have you ever wrestled with that question? What solutions have worked in your preteen ministry? We'd love to hear! Go to our FaceBook Page and look at our videos to see two examples of Stories of Glory.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org
In this episode, we hear a fun food idea which can be used in multiple ways with your preteen ministry group.
This idea came to us from Heather Dunn and is called "Tim Tam Slams" They're YUMMY!
Target now carries TimTams. World Market has Arnotts. Both work the same way.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org.
In this episode, we'll discuss the SERVICE portion of the B.Z.R.K. night.
Click a link to learn more about:
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org
In this episode, which is PART 1 of 2 tomorrow's podcast is part 2), we'll discuss the PRE-SERVICE and SERVICE OPENING portion of the B.Z.R.K. night.
Click a link to learn more about:
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org
In this episode, we'll hear how Mexican Jumping Beans can help you illustrate how proximity to Jesus causes life to leap inside of us, much as Elizabeth experienced in Luke 1:39-45.
You can order jumping beans by going to: www.jumpingbeansrus.com
The Lazarus coming to life clip can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR1ku3kE2lY
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org.
In this episode, you'll hear how Mike Branton's Question of the Day idea can be a useful tool for connection and self-expression for your preteens.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org.
Find our huge list of great questions to ask preteens at www.fourfivesix.org.
In this episode, we hear an idea on how to connect with preteens in your ministry. I first heard this idea from Nate Cummings, who called it "Lunch with a Leader". On the FourFiveSix.org website, you'll find a sample L.W.A.L. form.
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. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org