Volunteers can be anywhere on a spectrum of serving, from barely doing anything for the ministry to sold-out die-hard committed.
What should be our goal, then, as a leader of volunteers when it comes to their commitment level? Should our expectation be that the entire team be 100% committed…or at least moving in that direction?
Today’s podcast takes a look at some of these questions, and proposes a more responsive approach to the leaders who are everywhere on that spectrum of commitment, including those who are stepping forward, and those who are stepping back.
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 on the podcast, Robert shares about the 24-hour camp/VBS that he and his wife have put together for the preteens at their church.
Robert Quinn is one of the speakers for next week’s Online Conference.
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 on the podcast, Mike shares an idea to help you connect preteens with your Sunday message all week long.
Mike Sheley is one of the speakers for next week’s Online Conference.
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 on the podcast, Gregg Johnson, founder of J12 Ministries, shares an event idea that could be a great launching event for your church’s ministry to preteens.
Gregg is one of the speakers for next week’s Online Conference. Learn more about having J12 at your church: www.j12.com
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 on the podcast, Heather Dunn shares an idea to help you strengthen your volunteer team: resourcing them.
Heather is one of the speakers for next week’s Online Conference.
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/.
It’s fun to have prizes at camp, and a few years back, the team at Destiny Church discovered an AFFORDABLE way of doing more prizes for their campers. Unknowingly, they also stumbled upon a type of prize that is not only cheaper, but also more desirable to the preteen campers: Experiential Group Prizes.
Listen to today’s podcast for examples of this type of prize, which the preteens love, and which helps make camp more memorable.
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 like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Today, Sean talks about taking “The parable of sower” and making into something that can be seen (and tasted) 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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Jarrod, from Gilbert, Arizona, shares an idea with us that he developed with his wife: a mother/daughter tea for his preteens.
Although Jarrod wasn’t too sure about this idea at first, he now sees that it’s had many benefits for the preteens and families that he ministers to! Listen to the podcast and hear all about it.
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/.
“The power of darkness.” sounds like a phrase from a Star Wars movie, but it’s actually something that Jesus spoke in the book of LUKE.
The scene that surrounds this phrase also seemed to Sean like something from a Star Wars movie (Luke 22:47-53), and since he works with preteens, the only thing left to do was to create a fun-filled and meaningful evening called “Star Wars Night”.
Today on the podcast, Sean gives an overview of this lesson idea.
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 like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Free time at camp is a BAD idea for preteens, unless it’s done correctly – then it can become a great idea.
Preteens are moving from early childhood (where free time at camp is a recipe for disaster) towards adolescence (where free time at camp is a necessary ingredient).
How do we balance preteen’s felt need for free time and the safety issues involved in giving preteens free time?
Today on the podcast, Sean shares 4 ideas how they’ve made free time work for their preteen camp:
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/.
Laura from Normal, Indiana, shares an idea with us that her preteen ministry has been doing for a while now: Nuts and Bolts incentives.
The Foundry is a preteen ministry with an industrial theme, so nuts and bolts (actual nuts and bolts) are handed out at check-in to students for a variety of activities, including:
These nuts and bolts are placed in a tube. Each small group has its own tube. Once the tube is filled, the group earns a prize of their choosing from the catalog.
A simple idea, and a great idea! Thanks Laura!
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, Jaime White talks about how she built a prayer wall for the preteens in Elevate. You’ll also hear a few different ways that the prayer wall is used in this 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/.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Have you considered having your midweek evening service for preteens outside? Today on the podcast, Sean discusses the idea of having a campfire night, which his preteen ministry does twice a year.
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Check out the Deeply Rooted Curriculum, made especially for ministry to 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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
One of the first things people decide when planning a camp for their preteens is “What’s the theme going to be?”
Today, Sean talks about connecting the theme of your camp to both the activities and chapel messages. He also shares two of the four themes that Elevate Preteen Ministries uses in their summer camps in order to spark your own creativity.
Listen to part 1 of “Camp Themes”.
We want to hear from you – what themes are you planning to have for camps this summer?
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 a ministry leader holds on to every aspect of a service, they are really stunting the growth – not only of their ministry, but of other people’s ministry, too.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks further about a concept he introduced in another podcast: “It’s Better Because You Didn’t Do It”. This time, Sean talks about handing off entire elements of your service to volunteers and student leaders. This concept helps people to have a greater commitment to your ministry, and helps them to develop their ability to minister as well.
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 like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
Looking for a new camp/VBS experience for your preteens this summer? Check out UWSM, a ministry that will come to your church and run a sports camp.
On today’s podcast, Sean talks with Louie about UWSM and how they can partner with your church this summer! We recently heard from Louie when he talked about leading a preteen retreat weekend.
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/.
This semester in Elevate, the preteens are wearing different colors each week, and they are learning how each of the colors brings glory to God.
This last week was Red Night. On today’s podcast, Sean talks about how they used an experiential learning component to help preteens internalize what it means to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
If you aren’t signed up for the weekly newsletter yet, get signed up today.
Check out the Deeply Rooted Curriculum, made especially for ministry to 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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
If you like what you’re hearing, subscribe to the FourFiveSix podcast by clicking here and you’ll get great ideas for your preteen ministry four, five, or six times a week.
One of the first things people decide when planning a camp for their preteens is “What’s the theme going to be?”
Today, Sean talks about connecting the theme of your camp to both the activities and chapel messages. He also shares two of the four themes that Elevate Preteen Ministries uses in their summer camps in order to spark your own creativity.
We want to hear from you – what themes are you planning to have for camps this summer?
Like this? Check out: Checking in the Campers
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’s an idea that gives preteens power and choices in your ministry. It also give you a better idea of what’s going on in the minds of the preteens.
Get ready for ALL REQUEST MONTH.
Check out this podcast, where Sean breaks down this simple but highly effective way of involving and engaging students in their preteen ministry.
Like this? Check out this parent connection idea: Preteen Ministry in Small Children’s Ministries
Today we talk with Chip Henderson about how he helps preteens to connect the dots between what they are learning in school and God, who is behind it all.
Chip Henderson is the children and preteen pastor at a church in the Fresno, California area. Chip is one of the speakers for the 2016 Preteen Leaders’ “Onference”.
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/.
Last April, we spent a month of blog posts talking about the how to take preservice to the next level.
Today, Sean talks to Jaime White, an amazing volunteer who has taken over the responsibility of planning and implementing pre-service for Elevate preteen ministry.
They talk about the value of making preservice “pop”, and how Jaime goes about putting together different activities for preservice each week.
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/.
Check in for camp: it’s your opportunity to impress upon the campers and their parents that this is going to be a fun, organized, safe, and well thought out experience for everybody. Today on the podcast, Sean talks about the check-in process that his team has developed over 20+ years of leading summer camps.
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/.
Who better to help the parents of preteens when it comes to a touchy topic like “sexual purity” than parents of former preteens who’ve discovered ways of successfully having these important conversations?
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about the benefits of something he’s been doing for 4 years – a parenting panel on purity.
Like this? Check out this parent connection idea: Student Created Action Plan
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 talk with Jake Morgan from Springfield about a very successful event his ministry puts on once a year to kick off the school year: the VIP Party!
Like this? Check out this event idea: Preteen Retreat
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/.
We want the preteens in our ministry to go home and live differently as a result of the message they heard on Sunday morning. That’s why we are excited about this new concept – having the students create their own “Action Plan” at the conclusion of each service.
The preteens can do this in their small groups and write their action plan on a parent info card, which has other announcements and upcoming event details on it as well.
What a great idea: to combine a parent info card and a student action plan into one thing! Listen to today’s podcast to hear Sean talk about how this works in Elevate.
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/.