Yeah...you heard me! I'm done feeling sorry for myself. I am determined to just enjoy the time I have right now, rather than freak about about where I'm going next. I've placed it all in God's hands...and this time I'm going to leave it there!
Prayers are still much appreciated, of course! But I've spent enough time grieving and worrying, and it's time to move on...
So...on to my next step in this process: SP's and wives of SP's: when you have someone candidating to be on your staff, what are some of the things you look for? We're not going to be introduced to the kids as their potential new children's pastor, but rather, as "special speakers." Quite honestly, I've never run when you'd call a "real" or "traditional" kids' church program. Those of you with kids...what do THEY look for in kids' church? What do you look for for your kids?
I have confidence that it's going to go great...I'm just looking for some ideas .
FUN WAYS of learning. Keep the service fast paced (the more action and fast paced the less discipline problems you have) Our kids here needed a serious dose of fun and in our CP, we have it.
We wanted to see somebody who could come in and command attention with these kids through fun not force. Our CP is a riot and he gets the kids attention from the get go. His wife is more the gentle nurturing presence who just loves on the kids, she doesn't bounce off the walls or anything like he does, she's more like the "kids church mom" but she is also a great teacher and all that stuff. Just not hyper. I think one (either the CP or spouse) needs to be a little high energy to keep the kids attention. Make learning fun. Really love the kids. Use positive reinforcement as discipline. Have few rules but really enforce them. I think our kids church only has like 3 rules or something like that - like no talking when Pastor T is talking, no walking around, and keep your hands and feet to yourself. There's not some exhaustive list or something.
My dh and I want to hear organized noise coming from the kids room. (The CP asking the kids stuff like, "let's see how loud you can scream"...you know stuff like that - getting the kids excited...get some energy out before sitting them down to hear the message. Our CP doesn't preach for long or anything. It's long enough to make the point, short enough that they don't get bored and act up. )
What we were NOT looking for was someone coming in sort of soft spoken using a flannel graph or something like that. We wanted someone higher energy who just loved the daylights out of kids and took advantage of the latest technology such as using the computer. That's what we got. Our CP is a fun high energy type guywho is a big loving teddy bear, and an absolute computer whiz bang. And his wife is just all that and a bag of chips. I couldn't be crazier about the woman. God has blessed us so much. Well, I hope this helps you but it's just our viewpoint. Every SP wants different things. Go by the slant you got from them at the interview. What did they seem like they wanted? What was the line of questioning in your interview/the slant?
If you are coming in for a candidation weekend, plan it out well as far as the service goes. And be outgoing with the kids and really love up on them. You only have one chance to make a first impression. You'll do great! You truly love kids and I'm sure that will shine through in your time together.
.
