{Partnering with Parents} Baby Steps

Many Preschool Ministry Volunteers may be hearing about Baby Dedication at New Life Fellowship. But you may not know how Baby Dedication connects to you as a Preschool Ministry Small Group Leader, Nursery caretaker, or Greeter.

Baby Dedication is actually one of the first and best places to connect with parents and families at New Life Fellowship. If they haven't already been in one of our environments yet (Nursery, Giraffe's or Elephant Rooms) they will be after this class! What an opportunity for you as a New Life Kids Volunteer (YELLOW) to reach out and connect with the parents (RED) of kids who are or will be in your classroom one day. This simple action of introducing your self, talking about what fun things we do and teach at New Life Kids can have long term impact on this family and their sweet little one (ORANGE)!

Orange Confernece 2012 (OC12): Main Session

Last night was the Main Opening Session at the Orange Conference 2012. Here are some quick thoughts:

It was such an inspiring message given by Rethink Group (The organization that puts together the conference and our curriculum for Preschool Ministry, Children's Ministry and Youth Ministry) founder Reggie Joiner.

This years theme is Game Changer. Reggie shared how there are events and things in our lives that change the "game" of our lives and ministries. It changes how we think about what we do.

They started off talking about society today and how about 62% percent of people prefer to live in a diverse city/town/community. This generation is looking to be a part of something bigger than themselves and they aren't afraid of differences.

The world is messy, ministry is messy, serving people is messy because the Gospel is messy.

The best way to help kids prepare for a messy world is to get them messy while they are still with you. Get them involved in serving.

"We need to stop acting like we signed up for something and start acting like we are called to something."

The night ended with all 5,000+ attendees taking communion together celebrating and remembering the One paid it all and the reason why we do what we do.

So much more was said... So many thoughts... So moved... So challenged.

I know these thoughts are jumbled but I wanted to share a bit of the gems that we heard at this session.

I'll take better notes at the next main session. ;)

Rosie

Orange Bound

So, tomorrow a team of us leave on a jet plane from LGA to the "dirty south" (a hip hop term of endearment for Atlanta, GA) ;) or ATL.

Five years ago I boarded a plane to head to the first ever Orange Conference. Before then it had been called the "Grow Up" Conference held by NorthPoint Ministries. Since then, Reggie Joiner has created an organization called the ReThink Group which produces the Orange Conference.