The Power of Doing it Again & Again

In our K6 Experience Studios we repeat the Biblical teaching for 4 consecutive weeks. There are several reasons behind this approach: One – kids don’t attend every week; Two – we’d rather spend the time and let the kids get a firm grasp of the story verses covering 52 stories; Three – it’s a good flow for our teachers.

When I pregnant with my first child, the only piece of advice my 70+ year old mother gave me was “Lori, kids do better with a routine.” So I wasn’t surprised to see that same theme in the book “Perspectives on Children’s Spiritual Formation.”

Kids thrive in an environment of routine and rituals. This love for routine can be seen in bedtime rituals, daily routines and endless desire to read the same book again and again. Repetition and routine support kids’ need to know that they can trust those responsible for caring for them. Without these consistent patterns, kids can perceive their own world as chaotic and their well-being at risk.

Often as adults we may assume something is boring for them or that they need “fresh” creativity. In fact, repetition may well be one thing for which kids yearn. G.K.Chesterton expounds on this point beautifully. He writes:

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown up does it again until he is nearly dead. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite for infancy; for we have sinned and grown, and our Father is younger than we.

What a unique thought. That God the Father, the creator of the universe, chooses to do things again not because He can’t come up with a better idea but because like a child, He is awed again and again by the same thing!

Jesus said unless you become like one of these, you will not enter the Kingdom of God. I pray that I am humble enough to learn from these little kids. I have drifted far from my childhood days but still have much to learn.

Garden Therapy?

I’ve been gardening about 10 years now. Most gardeners will tell you that gardening is therapeutic. That it is good for their soul and mental health. I love to immerse myself into a gardening project. To play in the dirt, to create new beds, to move plants around, to get dirty and sweaty but feel satisfied with my gardening endeavors at the end of the day.

Recently Len Sweet twittered about the hidden benefits of gardening. It seems that common “bacterium in soil was discovered to act as serotonin-boosting antidepressant.” Sweet said wellbrutin or wheel barrow? Prozac or pick-axe? So getting your hands dirty can impact your mood? I’ll buy that theory! Come to think of it, we didn’t used to hear about a lot of farmers who were depressed? – another topic for another day.

How do you refer to your garden? Is it soil or earth or dirt? Maybe it’s something different each time you enter the garden.

Sometimes I need to work in the dirt. To do the hard work of creating new beds to invest my energy in. I need dirt and I get dirty and gross as I work off frustration, anger or whatever energy I may have.

Sometimes I need to work in Mother Earth. To smell the richness of her bounty and immerse myself into her life-giving womb, called Earth. She feeds my soul without words but with memories and sensations. I feel connected and one with my Creator God.

Sometimes I need to work in the soil. To lovingly prepare the soil to receive new life, seeds and tender plants that will grow strong and healthy and produce food for my family.

Gardening is really therapeutic! It is sacred space and time for my soul to touch the Creator’s heart. Nothing feeds my soul like a couple of hours of playing in dirt.

Leader Quest - 5/6th grade Leadership Adventure

Bethany Timmons and I took 9 kids – 2 girls and 7 boys to the Idea Factory in Troy, Ohio for 3 days of leadership development last week. Leader Quest is a 3-day of adventure, hands on learning experience where kids study hard, work hard, play hard and sleep hard. My friend Mike Nygren has done over 450 of these types of trainings and is brilliant. Everything he does looks nonchalant yet is very intentional.

For example, he took us all out to the local diner, divided the kids up into small groups of 3 with a team leader and observed how well they behaved in a public setting. There were some mixed results! He observed to see who would step up to clean up after a meal and who goes off to play. Mike knows that kids can do awesome things and make a difference in their homes and community.

It’s impossible to describe the process of “de-jerking.” I don’t say that disrespectfully. We all have the potential to be jerks at various times and we are. It is amazing to watch the kids step up and into the expectations that Mike laid out.

If you go to a basketball camp don’t you expect the coach to invest in you and help you become a better ball player? He’s going to build a team to win and he’s going to work you hard to get the best from you. That’s how Mike approaches leadership. You can trust him to tell you the truth – both positive and negative. He’ll tell you when you are missing the mark but he is quick to praise and encourage, so you can grow as a leader.

Immunization:

To everyone’s surprise the Master seemed unenthusiastic about religious education for the young. When asked why, he said, “Inoculate them when they are young and you prevent them from catching the real thing when they grow up.” – Anthony deMello

deMello’s quote might seem strange coming from a Kids' pastor. It’s a sad statement and one that brings me to prayer. I don’t want to create stumbling blocks for our kids to have faith. (Jesus has some very strong words to those who cause his little ones to stumble). I want to walk with our kids, guide our kids, learn with our kids and experience Jesus with the kids.

Grant us that serve our kids at Westwinds, wisdom and discernment. Keep our hearts open to hear and see how Your Spirit moves in our kids and therefore learn and grow along side them.

Tired & Ready to Come Home

It’s been a good couple of days with great leadership, sessions and conversations at the Children’s Spirituality Conference. I had breakfast with Scottie May, dinner with Ivy Beckwith, dinner with Cathy Stonehouse, breakfast with Gretchen Pritchard, not to mention the numerous conversations with professors and kids pastors from across the world! Nigeria, Singapore, Australia, etc. Everyone is so willing to talk and share and help and encourage one another.

I leave tired but affirmed and inspired. It is very good to know that I am not alone.

Best Practices

. . .for nurturing the moral and spiritual life of children within the Christian tradition.
1. Reading & discussing the Bible and interpretations of it w/kids
2. Praying with a community and at home
3. Remembering the Sabbath and worshipping together
4. Participating in the sacraments – communion, baptism,
5. Introducing kids to good examples, mentors, and stories of service and compassion
6. Participating in service projects together as a family or other caring adults what is connected to service is teaching financial responsibility
7. Singing together & exposing kids to the spiritual gifts of music and the arts
8. Appreciating the natural world and cultivating a reverence for creation
9. Fostering life-giving attitudes toward the body, sexuality and marriage, and helping young people find a mate
10. Educating kids and helping them discern their vocation in life – name their gifts

Marcia Bunge, PhD, Children's Spirituality Conference 2009, Chicago, Il

No One Thing

The common phrase I hear floating around at the conference is “you gotta just try it, see how it works.” There is no one best way, best curriculum or best ministry model to journey with kids on their spiritual journey.

I think that I unconsciously came to this conference hoping to find that one thing, but I don't think it exists. Instead through the formal sessions and casual conversations I 'm feeling very affirmed about what we are doing at Westwinds, that our understanding and approach to spirituality from kids, youth and adults, is right on. We are pointed in the right direction.

I do however personally feel very challenged to make some changes in how I lead the wwKiDs team. I am working on those things and know that the Spirit will lead me.

God is doing some great things at WW and it's a priviledge to be part of His work.

Conference Stuff

I'm excited to hear from
Dr. Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, author of "Offering the gospel to children." Great book for parents to help them look at children's literature as a way of spiritual formation.

Dr. Scottie May & team have done some research on the new forms of church (missional, emerging, emergent, house) and their ministry w/kids;

there's a workshop on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (similar to what we are implementing this fall at WW);

another workshop on "brining kid's prayer in the third dimension: including the body in prayer

Dr. Ivy Beckman, author of Post-Modern Children's Ministry is presenting;
and there is a session on movement and dance as formation.

Children's Spirituality Conference

I'm at Children's Spirituality Conference,(www.childspirituality.org) not to be misinterpreted as a Children's Ministry Conference.

What's the difference you might ask? One is about spiritual formation; one is about programs. One is looking at how spiritual formation occurs in kids; one is looking at how to create programs to aid that process.

Both aspects are important but surprisingly the two areas don't seem to cross on the radar of many children's ministers/pastors. Could be that many kids pastors come from an educational background and have less background in theology or spirituality.

For me I come to kids’ spirituality from the development background and not the educational aspect. I am not a trained teacher, meaning I don't have a teaching degree. So I am very blessed to have great people who serve with me who are trained teachers. Together we seem to have created unique experiences that invite our kids into both "heart knowledge" and "head knowledge" of our Creator God, his son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Love what I'm doing. Westwinds is a great place to be.

God for Us

God for us, we call You Father,
God along side us, we call You Jesus,
God within us, we call You Holy Spirit.

You are the Eternal Mystery
that enables, enfolds, and enlivens all things,
even us,and even me.

Every name falls short of your
Goodness and Greatness.

We can only see who You are, in what is.
We ask for such perfect seeing.
As it was in the beginning, is now,and ever shall be.

Amen.
~ Richard Rohr,“Trinity Prayer

Chasing Bunnies

Gotcha’ Day for Jake our dog was a year ago Saturday. Good day but nothing like Allie’s day!

This weekend he (the dog) did a couple of “first timers.” Unfortunately they were BAD things, like chasing deer in the backyard. He’s never done that! Then later in the evening he chased a bunny across the road. Jake was OK but it scared the crap out of Jeff and the babysitter!
How is it that this silly dog would risk everything – a loving home that provides security, food, toys, care and companionship to chase after something he will most likely never catch?


We love this silly dog! He is a part of our family yet he’s willing to risk it all for the cheap thrill of chasing after a stupid bunny. Why can’t he understand how much we love him and want to care for him? Why would he run from our love? Why doesn’t he trust us to love him?


Why don’t I trust my Father’s love for me? Why do I insist on doing what I want and not trusting Him? Chasing after things that I think will make me happy.

Oh my Gosh – I’ve become my DOG!

Being a planner I’m always looking ahead which sometimes makes it challenging to be present and enjoy and engage in what is happening now. Sometimes I get anxious about what is around the corner. Yes I believe it is my responsibility to plan and be prepared but I also need to trust. It’s not either/or but a both/and.

Our Presence is a Gift

For some reason Fusion was exceptionally moving for me yesterday. One song spoke of God’s unfailing love and another song spoke about God making all things work together for our good, and how joy comes in the morning.

As those lyrics saturated my soul, I glanced throughout the auditorium looking at individuals’ faces. I was so moved. I saw a person whose family is facing serious health issues and her face radiated joy as she sang these words. There is hope in this world and beyond. We do not see everything.

Whenever someone says that they don’t need the church to be Christian/follower of Jesus, I can only imagine that they have a very shallow understanding of what happens in a community of believers. Our very presence is a gift to others. We need each other.

I love my church. I love what the Spirit is doing and how she is transforming me to shadow God more effectively.