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On Monday, June 1st, I had the opportunity to talk with Josh Allen, Executive Pastor and Brian Haynes, Lead Pastor of Bay Area First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.  Many of you might be familiar with Brian Haynes as he is the author of The Legacy Path. We give out this book to parents during our parent/child dedication at Hesston MB Church. I was interested in how the milestones are being implemented in Haynes' new church. In addition, I had questions about curriculum and how milestones strategy affects children's ministry. Here are thoughts from my two conversations: Vision drives specific ministries.  I know this, but it was repeated by both Josh and Brian. Everything they do in children, youth or adult ministry is determined by their vision which is "Bay Area exists to glorify God by making disciples , equipping families , and serving the world  with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Brian shared that is important to recognize "how" w...

If you have been reading the blog lately, you have seen several posts including great quotes from Jack Klumpenhower's book, Show Them Jesus . If you are new to the blog, go back and check out posts over the last few weeks. I decided I would write a review of the book.  Let me start with this: go and buy the book!  Whether you are a parent or grandparent, Sunday School teacher, youth leader or pastor, this will change the way you minister to children and teens. Klumpenhower was unknown to me prior to this book.  Since starting the book, I have become acquainted with his curriculum for pre-teens and teens as well as his website which includes great tools and resources that he talks about in the book. The book is broken into two parts: why teach the good news and how to teach the good news.  Both parts are extremely rich in theology as well as practical ways to share the good news with kids/teens. In the first part, he shares his journey as a teacher from teachin...

I picked up Jack Klumpenhower's book, Show Them Jesus last Wednesday.  Here are some great quotes from the chapters I read: That is the way everyone's hearts naturally works. Our kids (and us) are programmed to try to earn points with God. At such a moment the issue is not what those kids should do--it's how to reach their hearts. They need to rest in Jesus until they have such joy over his beauty and what he's done for them that it spills out into the way they live.   The good-news teacher skillfully steers a kid's heart by showing the breathtaking beauty of Jesus. We often imagine the Christian life is like a game of king-of-the-hill played between our heart and our head...Only a stronger love for Jesus can overpower and displace our love of sin. If we cut individual stories off from the Bible's central story arc about Jesus, we miss the main thing the Bible wants to say... The good news is the Bible's drumbeat. To ignore it at any point is to ...

Two main types of teaching for kids: Be the most amazing you you've ever been and ever hope to be. (mention of God is optional) Be the best Christian. That's the only way God will love you. (only way God will love you) "Christ is all" is what parents need to hear. You can trust him with your success and failure.  It's more than just what you do.  We don't live under covenant of works but under covenant of grace. Isaiah 61:1-3 & Matthew 19:13--Kid's & Family Ministry Manifesto Bring them to Christ. What would freedom look like for families? Freedom to admit sin without fear of judgment Freedom to admit doubt without fear of shame Freedom from trying to measure up to the perfect family Freedom to enjoy each other Freedom from trying to be the hero (parents & children) Freedom for children Freedom to be a child Freedom to hear that their teachers struggle with sin Freedom from having to earn love and acceptance Freedo...

Check out the latest video for the D6 Conference.  What a great reminder about why we do what we do! Register to attend Dallas or Louisville at www.d6conference.com Impress: D6 2013 from D6 Conference on Vimeo .

Check back here Thursday, May 2nd through Sunday, May 5th for content from the best family ministry conference.  I will be sharing videos and mp3s from previous conferences.  If you have not attended before, you need to sign up now.  This conference is for parents, grandparents, children's pastors, youth leaders, next gen pastors, lead and senior pastors. Visit their website for more information at d6conference.com

In the introduction, the author describes the book in this way: "52 Creative Family Time Experiences is designed to set up three kinds of epic moments with your kids: 1. Informal-daily moments when you can impress faith. 2. Intentional family times-that you schedule weekly, or every other week. 3. Milestones-holidays and rites of passage when you affirm spiritual growth. As I read through this book, I was impressed with the authors understanding of culture as well as the biblical mandate for parents to pass on faith to their kids. Many books focus on one to the detriment of the other. 52 Creative Family Time Experiences does both! Smith has done a great job incorporating creativity & activities to help teach the Bible. He has listed 52 activities to be done as families weekly or every other week. Several great features include: ways to adapt lesson for preschoolers and teenagers, engaging questions to point to who God is rather than just information, engagin...

I have had some time to think, pray and process after returning from the D6 Conference in Dallas this past week.  This great conference put on by Randall House is on my schedule every year.  I shared a few of the themes that emerged for me this year here as well as some favorite quotes here .  I don't know about you, but after a conference my head is filled with tons of ideas. In a similar way, my heart is sifting through the ideas to decide how it will impact future ministry.  As I have prayed and processed, here are a few practical ways that the D6 Conference will impact ministry at Hesston MB Church. EQUIP PARENTS-This theme emerges every year and I continually am seeking ways to do this at Hesston MB.  This year, I felt strongly about the importance of equipping parents with practical skills to help pass on faith at home (blessing, prayer, devotions, etc).  I keep thinking about doing this, but it's time to do it now. This will include "Equip Me" c...

I again thoroughly enjoyed my time at the D6 Conference in Dallas.  There were many great speakers and workshops.  For detailed notes from these speakers, check out the most recent posts of this blog. I hope to share a few take-aways in the next few days as well as some themes that emerged for me. But for today, here are some of my favorite quotes: "Discipleship is spending time with people and letting your Christ-likeness rub off."                (Jim Wideman)  "The Gospel is not you do. It's Jesus did." (Ed Stetzer) "Constant contact with our Creator is essential to fulfill our calling." (Pete Wilson) "Could you be an expert at God's service and a novice at being God's friend?"               (Richard Ross)   "You were signed by God." (Mike Glen) "Students are over-exposed to information far earlier than they are ready. Students are under-exposed to real life experienc...

As you read  this I am driving to Dallas for the D6 Conference.  I look forward to the drive as I get to talk with a friend to pass the time.  I am looking forward to all the main stage speakers, but most excited about Pete Wilson & Dennis Rainey.   Here are the labs I plan to attend on Wednesday: The Parent Project: Pre-Evangelistic Community Service to Hurting Families that Makes a Difference Mobilizing Men in your Congregation Helping Parents Raise Boys who Love Jesus 10 Common Marriage Ministry Mistakes I will be part of the social media team while I am there.  Here are ways you can connect with me and participate if you are unable to attend: I will be tweeting during sessions. The hashtag is #D62012 and you can follow me @JL_Martin. I will write a blog summary for each main presentation. You can join the live conversation during the sessions that are live-streamed. You can find which sessions will be live-streamed and their approxim...

A week from today I am headed to Dallas for the excellent D6 Conference.  I will be part of the social media team while I am there.  Here are ways you can connect with me and participate if you are unable to attend: I will be tweeting during sessions. The hashtag is #D62012 and you can follow me @JL_Martin. I will write a blog summary for each main presentation. You can join the live conversation during the sessions that are live-streamed. You can find which sessions will be live-streamed and their approximate times here: http://live.mediasocial.tv/d6conference . Here you can ask questions and see what others are saying. I hope you will interact with me September 26-28.  You can still register to attend  here

I will be part of the social media team again this year for the D6 Conference in Dallas on September 26-28.  See information below showing other members of social media team and which speakers will be streamed live.  I hope you will share thoughts or send questions as we interact via social media during the conference.  I will be posting quotes & thoughts here on my blog as well as quotes on Twitter.  This is a great way for you to receive great content if you are unable to attend. Download social media guide here