6700...that's a big number!

If you're a parent, and bring your kids to Firewheel Church on Sundays and/or Wednesdays...I want you to take a long hard look at that number.

You might be asking, what is that number? I'm getting to that. :)


Week after week, there's a team of folks who willingly give their time, energy, and effort to assist you and partner with you in your task of raising your children in a way that honors God. That number (6700) represents a VERY conservative estimate of how many volunteer hours were spent by our children's ministry team (Birth-6th grade) during the 2011 year serving you and your family.

The crazy thing is that this number doesn't even include any preparation time or any of our special events for the year (like Winter Camp, Summer Camp, or VBS). That number is only the time they spend on campus with your children on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. I don't know about you, but I was floored at how big that number was when I started tallying it up.

I'm so thankful that I get to lead a team this generous, dedicated, and passionate about what they do!


So, here's a thought for you...Next time you see one of those volunteers, you might want to consider the sacrifice of time and investment of energy they are making on you and your family's behalf.

They don't do it for the praise...because if they did, there would never be enough to go around. They do it because they love Jesus and they want your kids to love Jesus, too.

Friday Media

Starting on Sunday, January 8th, we'll have some new themes and big ideas that we'll be leading children through on Sunday mornings for the month of January.

As usual, it helps you as parents know what we're talking about so that you can reinforce what we're teaching on Sunday's, so that, as we work together (parents and church), we can make a difference for Christ in the next generation. So, here are the summary videos for the month of January. Watch them, and begin to ask God to give you insight into how these can become part of your conversations with your kids.


Elementary

Preview: Game On (January 2012) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

FL Preview : No One Else (January 2012) from Orange on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Media...

Starting on Sunday, December 4th, we'll have some new themes and big ideas that we'll be leading children through on Sunday mornings for the month of December.

As usual, it helps you as parents know what we're talking about so that you can reinforce what we're teaching on Sunday's, so that, as we work together (parents and church), we can make a difference for Christ in the next generation. So, here are the summary videos for the month of November. Watch them, and begin to ask God to give you insight into how these can become part of your conversations with your kids.


Elementary

Preview: Wrapped Up! (December 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

FL Preview : Christmas Clues (December 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Have a great weekend!

Friday Media

This Sunday is Engage Hope Here Sunday at our church. I do hope you are using this Sunday to begin to train and model for your children what it means to serve others. Starting on Sunday, November 6th, we'll have some new themes and big ideas that we'll be leading children through on Sunday morning for the month of November.

As usual, it helps you as parents know what we're talking about so that you can reinforce what we're teaching on Sunday's, so that, as we work together (parents and church), we can make a difference for Christ in the next generation. So, here are the summary videos for the month of November. Watch them, and begin to ask God to give you insight into how these can become part of your conversations with your kids.


Elementary

Preview: Pit Stop (November 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

FL Preview : Happy Helpers (November 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Have a great week!

Friday Media

Parents, wouldn't it be great if you knew what your kids will be learning about during the entire month of October at church? Wouldn't it be great if there were a video that could summarize it all, help you understand the big picture, and maybe give you some insight into how to have conversations with your kids after church is over each week? Wouldn't that be great?

Well, you're in luck...

Elementary

Preview: Imagine That (October 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

FL Preview : Fantastically Made (October 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Get ready...it's going to be a great month!

Blessed...

I wanted to share a story with you about a recent blessings I received. One of our church members made it possible for me to attend a national conference. Sometimes conferences/learning opportunities can be expensive (travel, hotel, food, etc.). This particular conference is held locally in Frisco, and so the cost isn't as substantial.

I'll be attending on Thursday and Friday the D6 conference. D6 gets its name from Deuteronomy 6. It's one of my favorite passages about the family/parental responsiblibity to shepherd/nurture/grow the faith of the next generation.

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

I'm looking forward to this learning opportunity. I hope to bring back some interesting knowledge and other insights for you about some new ways to look at this age-old challenge of growing up little "disciples."

I am a blessed man...blessed to have this opportunity...blessed to be a part of a church full of generous people...blessed to have a mission in life that I love...blessed in so many other ways!

Friday Media...

One of the great things that has started to happen in the last decade is this deep look into one of the "unwanted" or "undesired" outcomes of children who grow up in church. We've all heard the statistics about how many of the kids who grow up in church and yet, when they reach adulthood, they leave the church/faith.

There's all kinds of things I could say here...in fact, I have my own ideas/opinions/hypothesis, about why this tends to happen.

There's a study coming out of Fuller Seminary in CA called "Sticky Faith." When I heard the main thesis of the book, it matched many of the thoughts that I had about this phenomenon. It's set to release later this year, but the authors have provided a bit of summary for us. It's an audio podcast summarizing their findings.

Sticky Faith - Summary - Audio

I think this is something you should listen to and consider in your own parenting!

Serving in Children's Ministry

Have you ever considered serving in children's ministry? Take a look at the reasons that a couple of ladies do!

Children's Ministry Testimony from Steven Polk on Vimeo.

Friday Media

As is custom, on Friday's, I pass along some good media (audio, video, etc.) about parenting.

Today, I wanted to share with you something that I think might be extremely helpful to you as a parent kids at Firewheel. Each month, our curriculum company gives us all kinds of great resources to help kids and families. Here are the summary videos of what your kids are learning about all month at church. Take a minute to watch...it may help you have a spiritual conversation to your kids!


Elementary

Preview: Grow Up (September 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

FL Preview: ANYTHING (September 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Hope they help!

Friday Media

As is custom, on Friday's, I pass along some good media (audio, video, etc.) about parenting.

Today, I wanted to share with you something that I think might be extremely helpful to you as a parent kids at Firewheel. Each month, our curriculum company gives us all kinds of great resources to help kids and families. Here are the summary videos of what your kids are learning about all month at church. Take a minute to watch...it may help you have a spiritual conversation to your kids!


Elementary

VIRTUE VIDEO: GRACE (August 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Preschool

VISION VIDEO: FIRST LOOK (August 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Hope they help!

A Very Realistic Fear...

One of the things that scares most Christian parents is that their child would grow up in church all of their lives and then walk away from God/church/etc. These are far from irrational fears...in fact, they are very realistic fears considering some of the stats that are out there in the last 5-10 years. I recently ran across a student pastor who wrote an article/post about why young people stay in church and serve God all of their days. After you read it, I have one thought and a few questions for you.

Why Young People Stay in Church When They Grow Up


There are three things this pastor proposes are reasons that the next generation stay in church long term and serve God with their lives. One of these is the Holy Spirit's job, one is the church's responsibility, and one of these is the parents responsibility.

Are you pleading with God to do the first one, are you helping your church accomplish the second one, and how are you doing on the third one?

Kids and "Big Church"

One of the side effects of great children's-specific ministry is the neglect of kids attending the corporate church environment. What I mean by that, is that the segregation of ages in local churches, leaves something to be desired when it comes to training a generation to love and appreciate the corporate worship gathering. I often encourage folks to take opportunities to bring their children into the larger corporate worship gathering for a number of reasons.

In that vein, I saw a recent post and thought it was worth you reading...
Big Church for Small Kids

Thoughts???

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Week 9

A months ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #9!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Special Topics #2

It's HERE...

It's VBS week here at Firewheel Church. It's always one of the most exciting and rewarding weeks of the year for those who love investing in the next generation.

Here are a couple of ways you can pray for the week:

• Energy and stamina of the adult/student volunteers.
• That Firewheel kids will use this as an opportunity to invite their friends.
• That ears and hearts would be open to the gospel this week.
• The safety of everyone participating.
• That God would be glorified through the body of Christ working together to accomplish something great.
  

Thanks a bunch...hope you have as exciting a week as I'm going to have!

ANGER

I get the privilege/honor/responsibility of bringing the message to the church body this coming Sunday (July 10).

We will be continuing the "Wisdom from the Road" series from the book of Proverbs. In God's providence, I was assigned the topic of "anger" almost 2 months ago. If you know me at all, you'll know that this one hits a little close to home. I am well-acquainted with my shortcomings in this particular area of my life.

Because of that, and because I've pleaded with the Lord to give me insight, I believe that this will be a message on anger unlike many you've ever heard before. I'm really excited about what the Lord has placed on my heart, and I really hope you'll plan to be there.


Here's the description from the bulletin...

"One of the consistent themes (well over 20 verses) throughout the book of Proverbs is about not being and/or associating with "angry" or "hot-tempered" people. But isn't that ALL of us? Aren't all of us, and some more than others, prone to anger? Simply telling ourselves or others to "stop being angry" doesn't really work...there's something deeper going on in our hearts. What's really at the core of our anger, and why does it matter so much?"


Hope to see you on Sunday! I'm really looking forward to it.

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Week 8

A months ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #8!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Special Topics #1

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 7

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #7!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Make it Personal

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 6

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #6!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Create a Rhythm

Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Week 5

A few weeks ago, we started a class up here at Firewheel on Wednesday nights. We titled it, "Parenting Beyond Your Capacity" because, as a parent, there's only so much capacity you have. This class's intent was to help parents thing about some of the ways they can increase the capacity they have.

Here's the description of the class and what we're talking about each week. This is week #5!

If you couldn't make it on Wednesdays, I'm going to start sharing the audio with you all if you're interested.

***Please remember that this class was not originally intended for audio purposes, and because of that, there may be things you don't understand because of not being able to see what was happening in the room. I'm just going to believe that something is better than not getting it at all.

If the audio player below doesn't work, just click on the link at the bottom of the post!

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Direct Link - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity - Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, Part 2

Watch this!

If you've got an elementary-age student at Firewheel Church, you're going to want to be filled in on what they're learning during the month of June in church. Below is one of the summary videos of all the lessons/theme they'll be learning about all month.

VIRTUE VIDEO: FAITH (June 2011) from Orange on Vimeo.

Watching this could definitely help you have great conversations all month about the things they're learning about at church. (wink, wink)