Time for a Check Up

I usually put off scheduling my annual eye checkup. Although I enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the soothing voice of my optometrist as she covers my eyes with foggy little lenses, invites me to look straight ahead, and asks, "Which one is clearer: A...or...B....now B...or...C?" I always feel like she's trying to trick me. Was the slide she called 'A' now 'C' and did I contradict myself with the second answer? Then there's the disconcerting eyeball-to-eyeball conversation we have as she stares at my retina like it's about to spontaneously self-combust. I'm also not a fan of her assistant--a gentle looking woman who smiles as she asks me to open my eyes as wide as I can before popping them with a blast of cold air. Eye checkups aren't my favorite thing to do--but I go because I know they are an important checkup to have if I want to make sure that my eyes stay healthy.

Like eye exams, children's ministry checkups are important to do if we want to make sure our programs are continuing to thrive. January is the perfect time for that checkup--here's some things to include on your list.

• Do kids feel welcomed as they enter the large group area? Is there a friendly face to greet kids at the door? Tip: Having someone stand at the door is a great way to quickly connect with kids and to slow them down as they burst into the room so you can create an atmosphere designed for learning.
• Speaking of atmosphere...how well is your room set-up working for you? Does the large group seating pattern work well? Are you able to tell a story without standing in front of a window or door? Could you arrange things better to help kids stay attentive? What about small group? Is there a comfy place for kids to gather and get connected at the beginning of each session?
• How about supplies? Got enough glue sticks, colored card stock or construction paper, and markers? How are the reproducibles getting printed? Is the current system working well for all the leaders or is there another way to make sure everyone has what they need? Tip: In my church I print and prepare all the Memory Connection Cards needed for each unit in advance, then leave them in a drawer for small group leaders to pick up on their way in. In another church I know of, someone with administrative gifts prints all the repros for each three-unit book in advance and then has them ready for leaders to pick up. Find out what works best for your teaching team.
• Do leaders know and feel like they are part of an important ministry team? Maybe it's time to get together for coffee and donuts so you can share stories together, problem solve, and plan. Tip: Share the storytelling video (go to video titled "Basic Virtues or God's Big Story) as a reminder of why we do things the way we do in Kid Connection.
• Are parents/caregivers getting the Guess What! magazines out of the car and into the house so they can use them at home? The best way to get feedback is to ask them! Tip: Check previous posts for ideas you can use to alert families to the great content and feature in each Guess What! magazine!
• How are you doing with time management? Do leaders have enough time to complete all four steps of a session? Tip: If you have too much time, consider preparing one or two "What Else?" activities for a unit in advance and keeping them handy. If you run out of time, consider doing what one church in Edmonton does and skip the first step ("What's Up?") so that kids still hear the story and get to respond in their small groups with those important "So What?" and "Do What?" application steps. Or, help folks value the time you need to complete a session by posting a sign that says, "Parents and caregivers: we value the time we have to share God with your kids--thank you for waiting as we complete our session!"

When it comes to my eyes, sometimes an adjustment in my prescription will  help me see clearer. Checking to see if you need an adjustment in your program to help things run more smoothly is a good idea. (It's okay to tweak activites in a Kid Connection session to make the program fit in your unique setting and suit your unique teaching skills--just check your changes to make sure you're still reaching session goals.) And, just like I know my optometrist is happy to advise me about my eyes when I have a question, the wonderful staff at Faith Alive is happy to help when you do too. (Only difference is our help is free.)