As preteens move into early adolescence, play is a vital piece of healthy development for them, and an important part of Intentional Preteen Ministry. In the last 12 months, there have been many lost “play opportunities” for kids who’ve been isolated due to quarantines and other restrictions.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about how play benefits preteens, and what he’s noticed lately about how 4th-6th graders are engaging differently during this time with play opportunities in his ministry.
Play is critically important for the healthy development of preteens, and a critical part of Intentional 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.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Chip Henderson about his journey as a ministry leader over the past 12 months.
Chip discusses how counting his blessings helped him in 2020 to have a perspective that allowed him to minister in powerful ways and find GREAT JOY, even in the face of uncertainty and major challenging.
Chip exhorts us to count the blessings of the past year! You have permission from God to know that you are blessed.
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.
Are you building (or rebuilding) a volunteer team. Cookies and Cocoa is a concept that can help as part of your volunteer recruitment strategy.
On today’s podcast, Sean talks about this event which turned out to be an unexpected recruitment tool for volunteers.
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.
“…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” -1 Peter 3:15
Preteens are reaching a point where they will face questions and attacks on their faith and can even start to wonder if there is a reasonable defense for Christianity. Today’s podcast is a discussion of equipping preteens to do this.
In today’s podcast, Heather Daley, a preteen ministry leader at Destiny Church in Rocklin, CA, talks with Sean about the Deeply Rooted series “Defending the Faith” that she’s been leading the preteens of destiny through during the past month, and how the preteens have responded to learning some basic apologetics.
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 fun and surprising element to add to an online service?
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Angela Yracheta as she explains the details of something surprising, fun, and meaningful that she’s been doing for the preteens on her ZOOM services.
This is an idea that you could also use for in-person services with a little 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.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about re-engaging preteens after the 2020-21 lock downs and quarantines.
Sean discusses 3 techniques for helping to rebuilding a vibrant and intentional in-person preteen ministry as families reemerge from their isolation and look to reengage with others in the community.
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.
Preteens don’t only love to be in the spotlight themselves, but they love to see other preteens on video, on stage, and in the spotlight. Why is that?
In today’s podcast, Makenna, a preteen ministry leader at Destiny Church in Rocklin, CA, talks with Sean about why that is.
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.
Among Us is a computer game that preteens have become interested in playing lately. As a result, Donna Pianalto, at Cross Pointe Community Church in Springdale, AR put together an Among Us event, which took the themes of the game and created a live experience for her preeteens.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Donna as she explains the details of her Among Us event. You’re sure to get some ideas you can use for your next themed service or event.
BONUS: If you’re using the Deeply Rooted Curriculum, the Among Us event could work really well this quarter since we are learning about Emmanuel, God “Among 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.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with James Powell from the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York. James is part of the FourFiveSix Leadership Council and has worked with preteens in Brooklyn for many years.
James shares with us the new calling on his life developed a vision and a mission for his ministry which involves “breaking the cycle” of the fatherless home.
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.
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 on the podcast, Sean discusses the new scripture memorization strategy that Destiny Church unveiled for their preteens in 2020. It is built upon the memorization wall, an idea discussed in Episode 135.
With the A to Z memorization wall, preteens have a strong hook to remind them of the Scriptures they have memorized, and a built in method to keep the preteens reviewing the verses they’ve already remembered.
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.
Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today, you’ll hear a small portion of Patrick Snow’s presentation as he discusses the importance of active learning methods that we can use in preteen ministry. He’ll discuss why preteen ministry should be “more lab and less lecture” and give some practical ways to accomplish this in your Intentional 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.
Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, you’ll hear a small portion of a presentation from James Powell, preteen director at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, NY and Paula Mazza, children and preteen director at Solana Beach Pres, CA. In this snippet, they discuss several of the reasons why preteens are vulnerable, and a Scripture that calls us to stay alert to the dangers that lurk for those whom we are called to help protect.
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.
Content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, you’ll hear a small portion of Dannah Gresh’s talk at the Preteen HQ at Megacon 2020. Dannah and her husband run Pure Freedom Ministries. Listen as Dannah talks about the trouble with screens, and how God has given us a “healing balm” for anxiety in his word.
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.
Some content from today’s episode is from the Megacon Online Conference 2020. You can get the entire set of recordings from this conference here.
Today on the podcast, Sean continues the train of thought that he started in the last podcast episode, regarding power, control and authority. In the last podcast, we looked at how we, as leaders can differentiate between these things. In today’s podcast, Sean discusses the importance of acknowledging and sharing power, control and authority with preteens in your Intentional 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.
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 on the podcast, Sean talks about something he’s been learning during 2020.
With the governors of states closing churches and, in California, singing being banned from all church gatherings, many people, including Sean, have struggled with understanding how to and when to submit to authority.
In this podcast, Sean shares different Scriptures that have guided his thinking about this topic, and he shares about how understanding “spheres of authority” has helped him to reconcile verses that say, “We should obey God and not man,” and verses that talk about “submitting to authority.”
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.
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 on the podcast, Sean talks with Rob Quinn, a preteen ministry director in Saginaw, Michigan about lessons he learned about preteen ministry and ministry leadership in 2020 during COVID-19 and Shelter In Place orders.
Rob and Sean discusses the difficulties of this season and how his church has redefined the role of ministry to be a support for families who are navigating this season. Rob discusses the issues around trying to equip parents by “throwing darts at a dartboard” instead of being more intentional in providing help that parents really need, and some of the key lessons that his team has learned in this season.
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.
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 on the podcast, Sean talks with Heidi Winters from Eastridge Church in Oregon.
While many have talked about preteens “checking out” on ZOOM meetings lately, Heidi has been using a technique which has engaged preteens during this time in a unique way. By placing elements of the ZOOM services in the preteens’ hands to lead, she has discovered a way to engage them.
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.
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 on the podcast, Sean talks with James Powell from the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York about lessons he learned about preteen ministry and ministry leadership in 2020 during COVID-19 and Shelter In Place orders.
James’ church has been touched profoundly by the effects of COVID as they are located in the heart of NYC. On the podcast, he discusses how the unique challenges of this year has helped to adjust his entire view of 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.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks about the idea of keeping your preteen leadership involved in your ministry while churches are unable to meet in person.
Due to Covid-19 we are unable to meet in person and have moved to an online format of meeting. By continuing to engage and finding meaningful ways for the preteens to serve, we are able to continue our leadership program online. Part of preteen ministry, be it in person or online, is keeping preteens engaged in the process of discovering how God has wired them up to serve the church.
Continuing to meet with them during this time is as simple as a Zoom call. Engaging those preteen leaders has been done through a few different ways. One way is the preteens are preparing and leading games for our service on Sundays. Another idea is having preteens do an opening prayer at the beginning of the service, or helping with announcements, as well as having a 6th grader lead worship. It has been great to see that even though the context has changed, the concept of the leadership program has not changed. There are so many ways that the preteens can still be engaged in leadership roles even during the worldwide shutdown.
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, Sean speaks with Pastor Preston Plentl from The House of Modesto about collaborating online with other churches.
Sean and Preston talk about how their relationship started before the unprecedented state our country fell into. Preston had just launched his preteen ministry and decided to film the Deeply Rooted Curriculum lessons to send out to his students. Sean saw this video and reached out to Preston about the idea of using Zoom and teaching the lessons to multiple churches.
Over the last 8 weeks Sean and his team along with Preston as the speaker have hosted 2 weekly services for churches all over the world. Working together they have been able to create an amazing program allowing churches to continue to reach out to their preteens during this worldwide shutdown. Two amazing things that have come out of this situation is the ability to collaborate with other churches online and doing Zoom services opposed to just videos. Preston does his videos still for his preteens giving them that avenue to either go at their own pace and watch the video or have the interactive experience through the Zoom service.
The FourFiveSix Deeply Rooted Online Services on Thursdays at 4pm PST and 6pm PST are available for other churches to join by clicking here and filling out the 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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Pastor Chris Santos about Family Game Night: Quarantine Edition event.
This was a very easy event to put together, and an event that can be done repeatedly.
Using Zoom and the Kahoot App, Sean and Chris facilitated the night which included 3 games for the families. Families earned additional points right off the bat if they came to the meeting matching somehow. For the first game they used the trivia game from DYM, only using 10 of the 20 questions. This was played with the whole group together.
After playing the DYM trivia game the families were split into groups, and then sent to a breakout room with a category assigned to them and for a minute and a half they determined based on that category what was in common between the families. A new category was sent to them every minute and a half (restaurants you frequent, movies your family enjoys, places you traveled outside the state).
The final game, everyone came back together, and they played majority rules. For this game Sean would give a category and everyone would message Sean with their families answer. Whatever answer was the most popular those groups would earn points. As a prize for the family with the most points at the end, the ministry sent them a pizza party.
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, Sean speaks with Luke Clifton, a Children’s Minister out of Martinsville Virginia about an event, “Nailed It”.
The idea for the “Nailed It” event came from the show. After inviting families to participate and determine what baked goods they wanted to make, it got rid of the issue of allergies, as well as getting the supplies to the families. Since the families decided what they would create they already had or were able to get the needed supplies.
The basic idea of the event is that the families pick a cake and then they attempt to re-create it. Once the preteens have decided what they will attempt they send a picture of it to the pastor. The preteens during the event take turns showing what the original creation looked like and then revealing their attempt. Luke did not do this as a competition, but it is something that definitely could been done as one.
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, Sean talks with Deandra Ziegler about small group nights.
Deandra discusses the small groups nights they do 4 x’s a year at their church. “All Small Groups” occurs on either a Wednesday or Sunday for the entire hour of that service time. Each small group leader plans their groups event (bible study, combining with another group to do a game, or whatever the leader comes up with) and after attendance is taken they leave to go do their small group get together. Deandra explains how holding these events, especially at the beginning of the year, allows for a great foundation to be built in the small groups.
Sean asked how leaders know what to do, especially a new leader coming into the ministry. Deandra explains that they send out newsletters to their volunteers. A couple weeks before the event they send out information with the philosophy behind the event, some ideas of things that have been done, some game ideas. This is all done on campus due to security reasons they are not allowed off campus. If you have questions about Deandra’s “All Small Group” night you can click here.
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, Sean talks with Zach Matchett about effectively communicating the gospel with preteens.
Effectively communicating the gospel to preteens includes giving more opportunities to work it in to the teaching. How do you make the gospel in a digestible way for preteens to truly understand all the what questions that might come up for them? Zach suggests repetition, specifically in phrases he uses in his teachings. For example, “Jesus lived the life that we couldn’t live” and on the flip side “Jesus died the death we deserved.” Secondly, utilizing tactile illustrations for them to understand, like the gospel blocks from Superstart. These blocks are easy for them to grasp the concept and makes it even easier for them to turn around and present the message to a friend. If you have questions about what you heard from Zach or would like to get in touch with him you can email him at zach.matchett@northviewchurch.us or click here.
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, Sean talks about taking joy in our work.
Philippians 4:4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice.” This sounds like a command from God, that we find joy in our work. Jesus even found joy as he was headed to the cross. Finding joy in our work is God’s will for us. Sean encourages you, that even if there are difficult things happening in life or at work, that you are able to find joy in everything. Sean suggests taking a moment to write down 10 things that you can rejoice about right now. Take joy in the ministry that God has gifted you with.
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/.