[Kid Inspiration]

So the latest Hillsong Church started meeting today in Capetown South Africa!

They are meeting in the Cape Town International Convention Centre. And have had five services on their first Sunday!! The auditorium sits 620 people so this is a MASSIVE start for the church!

Service times | Sunday 9am, 11am, 4pm and 6pm
*PLUS EXTRA ONE-HOUR SERVICE @ 8pm*

The kids team over there already has gotten the curriculum we are doing right now, they have the same tee-shirts we have in Australia, and are running programs for every service over the first Sunday!

I’m not even sure who is running the whole kids programs yet but it is very exciting to see the church establish itself over in Capetown!

God is good!

In my blog you write posts and can save them as a draft without posting them online. So this post here has been a draft for over a year now, so I thought I would just end it’s loneliness and make it live… it’s about a book I making my way toward reading:

Revolutionary Parenting kind of a new book by George Barna as a followup to Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions.

Article on the Barna website about the conclusions the book has made:
Research Shows Parenting Approach Determines Whether Children Become Devoted Christians

Check it out!

Thought I would post a reply to an email enquiry we just got, might make for interesting reading if you are that way inclined! (edited for brevity)

—– Original Message —–
From: D G
To: David Wakerley
Sent: Thu May 15 06:04:47 2008
Subject: Ideas for Children’s ministry

…We are trying to enhance and improve our children’s ministry so we would like to learn more about what you do and seek your wisdom… we want to learn even more so that we can increase, and we know that’s exactly what continues to go on at your church… INCREASE! Are your age groups separated or together and what do you think has worked best for you? Also, how many volunteers do you usually try to have for each service and if you don’t mind me asking, how many payed staff do you have on your children’s team? We would love to learn as much as we can from you! Your ministry is an incredible blessing to churches world wide!

——– Reply ———-

D,

Thanks for your email, I hope I can answer your questions!

Little bit of background: We have two major campuses and 14 extension services (at present) We don’t have permanent facilities here at any venue, except for a couple of ‘nursery’ rooms. So at this point we work with what we have… We separate age groups as much as possible for each campus.

Parenting Rooms 0-12months
Cubbyhouse 1-3 years
The Ark 3-5 years
Funhouse 5 & 6 year olds
All Stars 7,8,9 year olds
Voltage 10,11 year olds

We started Voltage (preteen) ministry this year (10-11 year old) and it has been an incredible momentum builder. A bunch of kids that weren’t really engaged are now LOVING church and building relationships with other kids and
leaders.

We try to break down each age group as much as possible, one of the goals we are working toward right now is to get every child ministered to through small groups, not just on weekends, but that they would know and identify one leader as their KDG (Kids Discipleship Group) leader.

Okay there are 8 services in the City campus on a weekend and 5 at the hills campus (almost 30 services with all extension services), so the number of leaders varies widely depending on the time… (9:30am in the city is large, 7pm Sat is not etc.)

There are 9 people on the kids staff, a bunch more if you include interns etc.

Your ratio of kids to adults is about 14% on a weekend which is great!

Check out http://hillsongkidsbig.com for our curriculum coming soon!

Not sure how helpful all that is, but please email me anytime!

Kind Regards,

David Wakerley
Children’s Pastor – City Campus

Hillsong Church
188 Young St
Waterloo NSW 2017
Australia
Ph: +61 2 9775 3642

So the Children’s Ministry Today site is really rocking out some great content recently! (Which is run by Willowcreek and I guess by David Staal – anyway I give him the credit).

Check out two recent articles:

Community—The Other Key Ingredient

Just imagine how a strong small group experience sticks in the hearts of kids. Imagine the “super strength” of children’s ministry that mixes community kids love with creative, relevant Bible teaching.

Make God Real to Your Kids

Many of us feel we’re not doing that great a job at the most important task facing Christian parents. But before you don sackcloth and ashes, consider the hands-on approach advocated by child-education specialist Karyn Henley.

“Kids can learn from the direct teaching approach,” she says, “but they really learn better in other ways.”

Okay, so as you may be aware we are working at this moment on our first Hillsong Kids Curriculum. So that has me up late writing content and messages and scripts and stuff.

The one site I visit regularly is Desiring God which is the teaching ministry of John Piper whenever I need a shot of Theology. He pretty much has everything he has ever written, thought about writing, or even thought about thought about writing online which makes it a fantastic resource to check out some theology points. Another I will check is Koinonia House (Chuck and Nancy Missler).

So I was over there searching Desiring God for some insight on Adam and Eve. Trying to figure out how to express what happened in the garden to kids.

And I came across quite simply a mind expanding little article that has given me a perspective on what we are doing for our kids as we seek to raise them to follow Jesus.

Preaching As Concept Creation, Not Just Contextualization

As we think seriously about contextualizing the message of the Bible, let’s remember that we must also labor to bring about, in the minds of our listeners, conceptual categories that may be missing from their mental framework. If we only use the thought structures they already have, some crucial biblical truths will remain unintelligible, no matter how much contextualizing we do. This work of concept creation is harder than contextualization, but just as important.

We must pray and preach so that a new mental framework is created for seeing the world. Ultimately, this is not our doing. God must do it. The categories that make the biblical message look foolish are deeply rooted in sinful human nature. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned” (1Corinthians 2:14)….

That uses some serious big word with many syllables, but here’s what I got from it.

I strive to present everything to kids in context… like explaining how life differs from the time of Jesus, who would be a modern day tax collector, stuff like that. But what Piper suggests is that (if you read the entire article), is that we need to create structure in the minds of our kids to support that context.

The cool thing is we get to work with kids, the easiest humans on earth to create new paradigms simply because they don’t have to unlearn anything, they are completely open to new ideas.

Piper goes on to say that it is the work of the Holy Spirit, which is also a good thing because I wouldn’t have a clue how to start.

If you haven’t fallen asleep reading this post yet you might just be wired like me! So go read the article and if you’re brave, post a comment below with an example of concepts our kids need to know!

One of my favourite books is Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. And my favourite section in the books talks about the fact that Bill’s key team/close ministry friends who have worked side by side him for years all have houses in the same area. They are growing old together near each other.

When longtime friend T. W. Wilson accepted the invitation to be Billy Graham’s personal assistant, he had no idea how God would use him. But as he followed God’s call, T. W. became the right-hand man whose wise counsel and dedicated service allowed Billy Graham’s ministry to flourish.

At our last Worship and Creative Art’s Team ‘Elevate’ night, the volunteer of the month was a long serving member of the choir from our Hills Campus. It was a very moving tribute and appreciation of her faithfulness

Why do these stories resonate with us powerfully?

They represent proof that longevity and integrity can be attained.

I want to be the kind of leader that develops relationship that grow old not tired, that go the distance. Pr 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend.

One of the biggest keys to success is simply keep turning up.

A long serving staff member is one thing, but a long serving volunteer is a blessing like no other!!!!  They really are living proof of a life given to the kingdom of God!!

So give it up for the volunteer!

Shout out to Mike V, Louisa K, Taryn M, Sarah P the front line of our primary team in the city campus! – Amazing volunteers committed to the children of Sydney and the world. (Taryn… not officially a volunteer, but her amazing heart and capacity qualifies her!)

Monday evening… going to to see Harry Connick Jr at the Syney Opera House tonight! Which caps off a great easter!!

Easter was at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre again this year! Which means the rooms for our school age kids has a magnificent view over the harbour… I SHOULD have taken a photo!!! Dang!

Below is a shot of Guy Sebastian performing at our Sunday night concert…

Had a great 6 services really speaking about what Jesus has done on the cross! Saw a number of families who I have not seen for a long time and was able to connect with the kids!

So a great weekend with a record number of kids attending!

New from Citipointe Church in Brisbane Saturate their second Kids Album!

No samples up online???? But I can tell you the songs are awesome and the kids in the recording are ROCKIN!

[v. sach-uh-reyt] – to soak thoroughly or completely

Welcome to the rockin’ worship sound of a new generation. Saturate is a mega all in one worship pack recorded with over 1500 children in Brisbane, Australia. These songs are guaranteed to get your whole family’s pulse racing and heartbeat pumping to the sound of God’s praise. These disks professionally present something historic, powerful, and enthralling – when heaven touched earth amidst the prayers and adoration of a young generation. These kids were Saturated with God’s presence, no question – and we know that you will be too.

Hey, bit late on these… but here are two video blogs from the conference!!!!

Enjoy!

Each year Christian Music Today put together the ‘Best of’ Lists.

Back in 05 we were no. 5 in the best of list for kids albums.

In 06, made it to No. 2 for Super Strong God.

Now for the Best of 07… drum roll… Tied for No. 1!

Uh Oh… no where to go but down now! Will 08 bring heartache, or will we conquer the world with a No. 1 not shared with anyone else?????

But seriously, it is an amazing honour to be a part of this church and music that reaches all over the globe, and is used in churches to connect kids with their creator!!!!!

The GMA Award nominees were announced this week!

Children’s Music Album of the Year

• Absolute Modern Worship for Kids 3; Kid Connection; Craig Adams; Fervent Records
• deliberateKids; Phil Joel; Phil Joel; Indelible Creative Group
• My Father’s World; The Praise Baby Collection; Christopher Davis; Big House Kids
• Snazzy; Go Fish; Jamie Statema, Darren Rust; GFK Records
• Supernatural; Hillsong Kids; Julia A’Bell, Gio Galanti, Andrew Crawford, David Wakerley; Hillsong Music, Integrity Music
• VeggieTales Christian Hit Music; VeggieTales; Christopher Davis; Big Idea Records

Yay!

We were nominated in 06 for “Jesus is my Superhero”, and now in 08 for Supernatural!

It’s acutally a good year for Hillsong Church… The Hillsong United guys are up for Group of the Year and Praise and Worship Album of the Year… and Darlene Zschech for vocalist.

To see the full list of the nominees go to doveawards.com

Yancy has a new album out called Rock-N-Happy Heart.

From Yancynotnancy.com:

Yancy spent five years at Church on the Move in Tulsa, Oklahoma as a congregational worship leader, overseeing worship in a variety of areas and for a multitude of age groups. From elementary ministry to youth to young adults to the main worship staff, Yancy has the distinctive skill to lead all ages in worship, which led to her most recent album, a worship album for kids called Rock-N-Happy Heart that also features a companion DVD. If rock-n-roll is your style and worship is your heart. This music will bring a smile to your face.

One of the coolest things is, (at least to me) is that she has a version of I’m Reallly Happy which is a song Beci (my wife) and I wrote from Jesus is my Superhero!

And it is a FANTASTIC version, waaay better than our 2004 version!

So thanks Yancy! And everyone needs to not JUST buy the album but buy the Ministry Combo for your Children’s Ministry.

So I have had a bit of a writers block as of late, so I thought I might put up the structure I am using this year (at least the first part of this year) for our primary (elementary) leadership team.

We have 8 services over a weekend and they can be kinda blocked in groups of two.

Sat Night
(5pm and 7pm)

Sun Morn
(8am and 9:30am)

Sun Day
(11:30am and 1:15pm)

Sun Night
(5pm and 7pm)

(No we don’t go to all of them, it would kill us – we have OSO’s — Optional Services Off rostered each weekend)

So the first tier of leadership is 4 brilliant team leaders… my key team and all ultra committed volunteers. They oversee a two service block

Then we have service leaders underneath them, one for each service… 8 volunteers who focus on one service and team.

Finally we have 2IC’s (second in charge), leaders on a journey to become service leaders. Each of the service leader/2IC’s in encouraged to develop and release leaders into ministry as well!

4 —-
8 ——–
8 ——–

A total of 20 champion volunteers overseeing the primary ministry… (K-Year 4) (Kindergarten is first year of school in Aus.)

This doesn’t include pre-teen (year 5-6) who have a similar structure.

Once a month we will have a Key Team United – with all our key people from Early childhood up, run by myself and my wife Beci, then once a month a primary key team run by the four oversights, and an early childhood key team with the four from EC running! (Voltage – pre teen ministry – will run with primary)

(BTW, none of this meeting has happened yet… we are starting next week…)

(Those of you in Northern Hemis — remember our summer is in Dec/Jan so this is like your Aug/Sept launches)

P.S. This post is for as much for my head as it is for your curiosity as it helps me articulate to our team!

P.P.S. I bet some of you read the P.S. before the article above — curious were you

Gina McClain from jabberfrog.com posts on the Swerve blog:

Read the post here: Guest Blog

…We live in a time when more people exist on this earth than ever before! Today is the day to mobilize the generation that could see more people come to Christ than were walking this earth one century ago.

Children’s Ministry is not tomorrow’s church in waiting… they are today’s church waiting for you to give them the opportunity to make an impact.

Love it!!!

Let me give you the run down from last weekend and camp last week!

A lot of things happening:

• Voltage! We started a brand new age group this weekend (pre-teen; Yr5 and 6 for those in Aus) and had a camp last week – from Wed to Fri, couple hundred kids having a VERY powerful time with God!
• Primary/Elementary age groups are now: Fun House K-1, All Stars 2-4, Voltage 5-6 (not sure how they translate in different countries, but Kindergarten (K) is first year of school)
• 8 Massive services – Phew, I love Mondays!
• Pre-teens are different… a whole new style needed to really reach them!
• Camp can be a really powerful and defining time in a life, set apart from the familiar kids can experience God!
• We will be starting mid-week small groups with Voltage age group, so the only way you can be involved in this age group is to commit to this! Very pumped about that, a greater level of commitment and ministry!
• Parents reported some awesome conversations with their kids after camp!
• I talked about Song of Solomon a lot during a message at camp… Song 2:5… look it up!
• Pre-teens need the ‘talk’ at camp! No boyfriends/girlfriends stuff like that! Never thought I would have to deal with hormones in Children’s Ministry!
• Rearranging a room can add big time freshness to a program! Need to do it more often!
• I love camps! The best time of the year you get feedback from parents!

Two weekends brings up our Vision Sunday weekend… that will be huge!

C Ya

I have never really talked about our Bible College on this blog before… so with the Feb intake coming up now is a great time to give a shout out for our awesome college…

Check them out here: Hillsong International Leadership College

We have thousands of students from all over the world… heaps from the U.S. some from the U.K. lots from Australia (funny that), South Africa, Norway, New Zealand…

You get the picture… there is also a Children’s Ministry Stream which you need to come to — if just for the fact that you get to hang out with me!

If that isn’t enough here is what the website says about the course:

Hillsong Kids, the children’s ministry of Hillsong Church, is a dynamic and exciting program for families with newborn babies to children in Year 5 at school. Students who study in this stream have the opportunity to learn from Hillsong Kids leaders and be involved in a cutting edge children’s program where the children are discipled, connected and have a whole lot of fun along the way!

Students who complete this specialisation will also complete a range of industry approved training units.

This specialisation is available at Certificate IV in Ministry and Diploma of Ministry level.

For more course details please refer to the Certificate and Diploma Courses

See you in Feb!!