This past summer, Elevate ministries had six day camps and one away camp. Each of the day camps had different themes, and one of the most successful themes was the “ESCAPE ROOM”.
Throughout the week, preteens completed escape challenges, heard messages about freedom and escaping, and then, before the week was over, the groups created their own escape rooms for other groups to attempt to solve.
Today on the podcast, listen as Makenna gives more details about this highly successful VBS-type experience for preteens.
Mentioned in the podcast is this link, which will give you more ideas about creating an escape room 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. 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.
This is a leadership concept which, if implemented, can help to take your ministry to a new level of effectiveness.
You don't have to do everything just because it works. Sometimes a thing that works can actually be a negative for your ministry.
Today on the podcast, Sean talks about evaluating the things that are taking place in your ministry and then taking action to accentuate the positive!
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 are a little silly sometimes. For whatever reason, they really liked the idea of a MUSTACHE night. It was a HIT, and brought a new level of energy to a regular midweek service.
In today’s podcast, Sean discusses what Mustache Night was, how the preteens participated, and how it was LOOSELY tied into the message.
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 FourFiveSix Great Idea podcasts are back from our summer break. Woohoo!
Today on the podcast, Makenna discusses the luau night that she and some of the other leaders of Elevate put on just a few weeks ago for the girls.
Ohana means family, and creating a family atmosphere with the girls in Elevate was the goal for the evening. Listen to this simple idea that you can pull off with the girls from your ministry this year.
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, Yancy Richmond discusses the unique opportunites we have in leading preteens in worshipping God. It's all about relatability, as Yancy helps us to understand.
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 fourfivesix.org.
Today on the podcast you’ll hear about “The Box”, a simple idea that invites preteens to connect with the leaders in their ministry.
Preteens are typically interested in doing a lot of things. Sometimes, they are just waiting for an invitation. The Box is an invitation to preteens to become more connected with the leaders of your ministry. This idea can be easily adapted to be used with whatever you want to invite your preteens to do.
It’s very simple actually. It’s just…A BOX.
How might you use a box to invite the preteens in your ministry to connect? Share your ideas 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 on the podcast Sean talks with Terry Bohlman, the Facilities Director at Destiny Church. Sometimes, you can hear great ideas for your ministry to preteens in unexpected places. You never know what somebody will say when you ask “What do you think is a good idea for preteen ministry?”
That’s what happened on today’s podcast. As Terry and his crew were working in and around the FourFiveSix office, Sean asked Terry this question. His answer was great, and he asked Terry to come and record his thoughts. Enjoy today’s light-hearted recording with the “preteen ministry expert” and “chief cheese incarnate” Terry Bohlman.
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 a discussion starter about appreciating volunteers. Is your volunteer appreciation creating a healthy ministry-minded culture or not?
Listen as Sean and Chris discuss volunteerism and some subtleties that can make a huge difference in your ministry. Add your voice to the discussion.
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/.
Sometimes, you’re trying to simply solve a problem, and you discover something awesome along the way.
What do you do at overnighters about when to make the kids be quiet and go to sleep? While brainstorming solutions to this problem, the team in Elevate came up with an idea that has become a beloved tradition and a spiritual milestone for many students who’ve gone through the Fifth Grade Helper leadership program.
Every year, around February, the Fifth Grade Helpers plan and implement their own overnighter. Today on the podcast, Sean discusses some of the details of this overnighter, including the solution that they came up with to the “making kids be quiet at overnighters” problem.
Learn more about the Fifth Grade Helper Leadership program.
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 Quinn talks about transitioning preteens up to the next ministry. His ministry has two separate meetings: one with just preteens to welcome them into the ministry, and one with both parents and preteens to help set the parents’ minds at ease about the transition. He also talks about the importance of communicating with parents.
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/.
Self-evaluation can help preteens feel more comfortable when they are having self-doubts. It also helps leaders to learn how to best minister to the preteens. On today’s podcast, Sean will give some practical ideas of how you can help the preteens in your ministry to self-evaluate.
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…Lisa Ware, Director of Children’s Ministry at Mechanicsburg Christian Fellowship in Ohio, talks about the importance of encouraging kids to use prayer to grow deeper in the Lord. To help the kids in her ministry to understand what prayer is in a creative way, she used a large world map and turned it into a giant string art design that kids can use clothespins and sticky notes to attach their prayer requests to.
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/.
Likening is something that Jesus taught us to do. He was a master at taking abstract, lofty ideas and teaching us about it by saying what it’s like. His parables, his teaching, and his figures of speech demonstrated how likening can be a powerful tool to connect people with deep subjects.
The great likener, C.S. Lewis, used stories. Tim Cleary, from The Aetherlight, uses a video game.
On today’s podcast, Sean talks with Matthijs Vlaardingerboek, a natural likener who uses object lessons to connect kids to Biblical truths.
They discuss the idea of likening in greater depth, and Matt shares 2 of his favorite “moments of likening” from his time as a kid’s ministry leader.
Matt has developed a website, creativekidswork.com, which has over 400+ free object lessons and creative teaching elements. Check his resource out! You can be a likener, too.
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/.
So many churches don’t know how to deal with “in-beTWEENers” or preteens. They view them as simply a problem to solve for a short time until they get out of the inbeTWEEN waiting place that they view the preteen years to be.
But Tim Cleary, a worldbuilder for The Aetherlight, has some different ideas about the super important life stage that preteens are in. He has been learning that we should view the preteen years as a unique time in life, when they have a special opportunity to be “an example to all believers”.
Preteens aren’t “in-between”; they are right where God wants them to be.
Join Tim as he unpacks this idea and helps us understand what it means practically as leaders at the Preteen Leaders Online Conference on April 3rd and 4th.
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/.
Heather Dunn understands effective strategies for small churches. She’s been on staff at 5 churches over the years, and seen the differences between large and small congregations.
Oftentimes, smaller churches don’t have a large budget or a large group of volunteers. Heather talks about the importance of being very specific about your needs in small churches. The smaller the church, the more specific you need to be.
Also, on today’s podcast, Heather discusses how to communicate best with the volunteers in a small church.
Join Heather, and 14 other dynamic speakers at the Preteen Leaders Online Conference on April 3rd and 4th.
Have you ever noticed that some kids just seem to “get it” and others don’t? It might not be the message that’s the issue…and it might not even be the preteen. It might have something to do with learning style.
Chip Henderson, who has led preteen ministry for over a decade, continues to learn ways of improving his ministry. Recently, he did a Master’s paper on the 7 Intelligences and how it relates to Christian education.
Today on the podcast, Chip talks about the practical implementation of his research, and gives a few ideas of how we can all be mindful of learning styles, and unleash their potential within our 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/.
Jesus went on many road trips with his disciples; we should follow his example with the preteens in our ministry.
Mike Sheley, a preteen ministry veteran, points out something interesting about ministry to preteens. “This seems to be the first age where we are taking kids on a lot of trips outside the church.” Between camps, event weekends, missions trips, etc. you may find yourself “on the road” often with preteens.
And this is a good thing.
Today on the podcast, Mike talks about some of the value of going on trips with preteens, beyond the actual events themselves.
Join Mike and 14 other dynamic speakers at the Preteen Leaders Online Conference on April 3rd and 4th.
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/.
Have you ever asked your preteens to spend quiet time with Scripture, only to find out that they don't really know how? One issue might be that they don't know the types of questions they should be asking themselves as they read scripture. Asking better questions while interfacing with God's Word is something we can model in our ministries.
On today's podcast Mark Friestad, who has led preteen ministries for over a decade, discusses Bloom's Taxonomy for questions and explains the necessity of our questions "growing up" with our kids.
If we are asking preteens the same types of questions that we asked them when they were 6 years old, we are failing to consider the incredible growth that has taken place in their mental capacities since then.
Join Mark and 14 other dynamic speakers at the Preteen Leaders Online Conference on April 3rd and 4th.
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/.
Gregg Johnson, of J12 Ministry, says, “Don’t just tolerate doubt. Celebrate it.”
As preteens move beyond the blanket acceptant of moral judgement and start to grapple with owning faith for themselves, doubts will almost certainly rise. When preteens start to express doubt, many times leaders don’t know what to do with that, and often, they’ll just shut it down. However, if there’s no room for doubts, there’s no room for true faith.
Because of this amazing dynamic, preteen ministry can be one of the most exciting places to serve. When preteens express doubt, we can celebrate, knowing that they are taking steps toward faith ownership.
On today’s podcast, Gregg discusses this concept and gives two activities that you can use to create an environment where preteen’s doubts aren’t just welcomed, but celebrated.
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/.
Yesterday was part 1 of Sean’s conversation with Patrick Snow of CIY’s SuperStart!, as he shares ideas on how to present the Gospel.
For twelve years, Patrick has worked with the teams at SuperStart! to present the Gospel in creative ways to tens of thousands of preteens! Over the years, Patrick has creatively presented the gospel using slime, candles, chemicals, balloons, and pancakes. Today on the podcast, you’ll hear about all of these.
You’ll see how you can take any theme and prop and turn it into a gospel presentation 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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today’s podcast marks a milestone! Because today’s podcast (228) is exactly halfway to our goal of 456 ideas!
And here at the center of our podcasts is the center of it all, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today is part 1 of Sean’s conversation with Patrick Snow of CIY’s SuperStart!, as he shares ideas on how to present the Gospel.
For twelve years, Patrick has worked with the teams at SuperStart! to present the Gospel in creative ways to tens of thousands of preteens! Today, Patrick discusses the four “movements” that exist in every Gospel presentation that they’ve done, and the importance of breaking down lofty concepts in ways that preteens can understand.
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/.
On today’s podcast, Sean talks with Matt Guevara of INCM about their latest project, kidmin.com. This resource has the potential to be an amazing asset to children and preteen ministry leaders!
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/.
There are times when you want to review information when your preteens. But to just ask review questions and get answers can be dull and can cause you to lose preteen’s interest.
Are you ready to hear some ideas to spice up your next review session? Today on the podcast, Sean discusses 4:
What creative and engaging ways have you found to review information with your preteens? Share it with us in the comment section below or send it to email@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. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.
Today on the podcast, Dayna shares about a girls’ night event that she helped to orchestrate for the preteen girls at Destiny Church. The event helped girls to understand the difference between inner beauty and outer beauty, and the enormous value of inner beauty!
This was one of the most successful girls’ night events that Destiny has had.
Besides hearing the schedule of the evening on today’s podcast, you’ll also hear some general hints from Dayna, a former school teacher, about putting together a successful event for the preteens in your ministry. There’s something for everybody on today’s podcast! Enjoy.
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 are the two most common ways to begin a church service for preteens: sing an upbeat song or play an upfront game.
But is that really the best way to start service THIS WEEK. Sometimes we can get in a rut, and not think about what would be best for this particular group of preteens on this particular Sunday. While there is something good about having certain elements of predictability within your service, sometimes changing things up a bit at the beginning of service can help to create a more memorable or intentional experience.
SO – how else can you start a service? Share your ideas in the comment section. Today on the podcast, Sean shares a few different ideas of how you can start services, and then challenges everyone to think about your next service and how you’ll kick it off!
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/.