http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/tags/children Orange Leaders Forum en-US Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:27 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/search.php http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/family-pastor-opening-crossroads-church-st-cloud-mn#post-230 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:12:08 +0000 jeremysnoberger 230@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>Crossroads Church is looking for a leader who has a desire to see the church and the family join together to make an impact in the lives of our children and youth. Crossroads began in 2002, and from the beginning we have had a focus on caring for the family which has motivated us to seek a Family Pastor who will deepen this commitment. The Family Pastor is a full-time position. The goal is to create an overall plan for spiritual formation in our children and youth, and to lead and support this ongoing ministry alongside of the family. This is a first step toward a comprehensive structure that will involve training and leading volunteers and also managing full and part-time staff in the future, in order to develop a healthy and vibrant culture in which all children and youth experience life in the presence of Christ.</p> <p>A full job description can be provided upon request. A degree in the areas of Youth/Children/Family is preferred but not required as this is a key staff position for our community. Please submit resume with references and current picture to Crossroads Church c/o Jeremy Snoberger 710 Sundial Drive Waite Park, MN 56367. </p> http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/in-elementary-ages-is-it-more-important-to-teach-the-bible-or-character#post-9 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:34:37 +0000 Beth Nelson 9@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>It is interesting that some leaders try to polarize those issues in order to promote a “survey of the Bible” or systematic approach to teaching, instead of being strategic about how they teach content. Asking which one of the two is more important - teaching the Bible or teaching character - is like asking Jesus if it's more important to love God or to love your neighbor. Both are connected and both are important. If you teach scripture, you are going to teach people how to treat the world around them and how to look at themselves from God’s point of view. As a result there will be a change in character, as described in the Fruits of the Spirit passage in Ephesians. What is important is to make sure you are not simply trying to get kids to behave or perform outside of a context of a relationship with God and His Spirit. We often remind children that character or a virtue is “something God does in them to change the world around them.”</p> <p>Our 252 Basics materials create an environment where kids are shown God’s character through Biblical illustrations and principles. They learn that the Bible is the source of truth and that it is like a sword, mirror, letter, seed. We teach them that God wants us to know Him and become a reflection of His character so we can let others see Him. It not only teaches the knowledge of Scripture and God’s character through Biblical teaching, but encourages practical application in their lives so that they won’t just come to church or do church, but <em>be</em> the church shining light and showing others who God is. Weekly Bible stories are arranged around a monthly theme or virtue as a way to create a focus and to help parents get on the same page. The virtue themes have proven very helpful in engaging parents to participate in the strategy, even parents who are not Christians or are new to the faith. </p> http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/when-do-you-start-plugging-kids-in-to-serve#post-18 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:53:26 +0000 Beth Nelson 18@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>Kids as young as third grade can be given light, age-appropriate responsibilities. Older elementary kids can begin to serve on a kids' singing team or as helpers who welcome new kids and help them feel like they belong). Middle schoolers can continue as singers, but can also start to intern in tech and behind-the-scenes roles. High school students can begin to lead small groups, become vocalists, or take speaking roles in productions, as well as take on primary roles in other capacities. In some cases they can become an adult leader’s best ally: they may have more relevant insight into tech and can create an awesome vibe in various environments. </p> http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/topic/what-do-small-group-leaders-do#post-17 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:41:50 +0000 Beth Nelson 17@http://www.orangeleaders.com/forums/ <p>Ultimately, small group leaders build relationships. While teachers communicate, group leaders create the kind of environment where relationships happen. These principles are core to a small group leader’s responsibilities:</p> <ul> <li>Building relationships with kids, with their parents, and encouraging kids to build relationships with each other and with their parents. </li> <li>Facilitating dialogue about faith and life. </li> <li>Answering questions or helping the group to answer their own questions. </li> <li>Helping children and students apply the bottom lines to their lives. </li> <li>Tracking with kids beyond Sunday through social networking, text messages, phone calls, and group gatherings that happen at other times during the week. The older the group, the more important this becomes. </li> <li>Praying for the group, for the families in the group, and encouraging the group to pray for one another. </li> <li>Encouraging and challenging kids to connect with God on their own at home. </li> </ul>