Without a Vision

 Where there is no vision, the people perish;

Proverbs 29:18a

   Oh! How our hearts ache when we see children  sick, lame, injured and hungry, from third world or warring countries. And if we would happen to know of a child in our neighborhood who would have a special physical need or was going hungry, wouldnt we do something to help that child? I should say yes, and rightfully so.

   The book of Proverbs tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish;  I believe that we need to develop a vision for the unsaved world around us. We need to see the lost as Christ sees them. Matthew 9:36 tells us that when he (Christ) saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.... This passage goes on and gives a glimpse of what Christ saw as he looked upon the multitudes ... because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Christ saw those around him as spiritually hungry and lost, we must develop this same kind of vision.

   This story was told to me, this past year, about my first Pastor. His name was Louis Button, and he was involved with Open Air Campaigners during the sixties. He was driving with his friend and partner, Art Williams, through a city when he saw a mass of people. His eyes started to tear, and he just had to go back and try to reach those who were lost. People were saved that day because when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them.

   Im afraid that today we have a tendency to see only the outward appearance of those around us without Christ. We see the designer clothes, the kind of car they drive, and the home they live in. Doesn't it always seems harder to go on visitation in the better part of town than the poorer section?

   Why is it that when I help a church by doing neighborhood Bible classes, it always seems to be in the projects and not the developments? (Have you ever noticed that when they build a series of homes for low-income families, the homes are called the projects, and when they build the same homes for middle income families, they call them a development.) Is it because there are no children in the developments, or is it because it is easier to see the needs in the projects? But the Lord sees everyone without Christ the same.

   He sees the unsaved as being spiritually lost, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 9:36b. He sees them as being spiritually lame, not walking in the fear of the Lord, Acts 9:31 He sees them, also, as being spiritually blind, 1 John 2:11, But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because the darkness hath blinded his eyes. He sees them as being hungry and thirsty,  John 4:14 and Matthew 6:35. He sees them as being dressed in filthy rags, Isaiah 64:4 He sees them as being servants to sin. John 6:34-36.

   Thinking through the above descriptions of the unsaved, doesnt it remind us of the children we see on the news in the third world and warring countries.

   Oh! If we could only learn to envision those around us who are not saved the way Christ sees them, wouldnt we have compassion, too?

Recruiting Teachers and Staff:

Recruiting teachers and staff is always a constant problem. "There's not the commitment that there use to be. is something we hear all the time. It seems that people are just too busy anymore to take time to prepare and teach. The following are suggestions to help you find the right people to help you in your children's ministries.

1.  Create a vision.

A.  Examine the need.

B.  Today's child in today's culture

C.  Today's child in God's eyes.

D.  Catch the vision (54 million children in the United States today need Christ)

2.  Identify the obstacles.

A.  Communication: How do you communicate the need for a well-staffed children's ministry? Do you hold the perspective that serving in children's ministries is one of the most rewarding opportunities of your congregation? Positive communication is important, display and define roles in which each worker can participate. Visuals of classrooms, children, teachers and events give a positive message. Invite a few adults to visit a class in action. Report the positive facts concerning your children's ministry in your church newsletter or bulletin. Create a attitude that teaching and working with children is a great responsibility with great temporal as well as eternal rewards.

B.  Commitment: It is hard to find committed workers (for aren't we living in the time of the me generation?). But in order to develop a commitment to children's ministry one also must be committed to the Lord. Develop in your workers a sense of being committed to Christ. One other aspect in commitment is the commitment of the recruiter. A dedication to setting goals, establishing job descriptions, caring for the troops, and regularly evaluating the effectiveness of our strategies.

C.  Attitude: The recruiter's attitude greatly effects the commitment level of our workers. Praises like, "I'll never have all the workers I need." "It all depends on me." "There are never enough people." "Our church is too small (or to big)." "I love to work with children, but I hate having to recruit others to." "Children's workers are just baby sitters. should never be the mindset of the recruiter.

D.  Competence: The invitation to serve should bring with it the attitude that the person is the best selected for the position being filled. We have been recruiting with the attitude any old soul will do. "They're only children." "Could you just take the class until I find someone else?" I believe we need to recruit the best, use applications and screenings. If it takes effort to become a worker don't you think you'll see some commitment? Look at the recruiting practices of the Marines vs. the Army. The Army says ya'll come, and the Marines are looking for just a few good men. Even if you have never been in the military you probably think of the Marines as tougher and more capable.

E.  Training: One of the biggest obstacles to recruiting is the lack of training, if your recruit knows that they will be trained properly to meet any need they might have. You will not only have more willing workers, but you will be able to retain more workers. This training should include both initial and long term training programs.

Make a mitten out of colored flannel, felt, or construction paper for each child in your class. Each time the child comes to class put a small piece of candy in the mitten and a star on the outside of the mitten. When he says the memory verse, put another pierce of candy in the mitten. The child can earn another piece of candy for bringing a visitor to class. At the end of six weeks give him the mitten to take home.

Ice Fishing (Review Game)

Cover two oatmeal boxes with white contact paper. Add lines to make it resemble an igloo. The other box will be used as a hole in the ice for fishing.

Write your review question on fish - shaped cards and attach a small square of magnetic tape to the back side.

Use a stick and string for the fishing pole. Glue a hook made from construction paper to the end of the string. Put a square of magnetic tape on the back side of the hook.

Instead of asking a review question, let each child go fishing. The child will put the fishing line in the water and pull out a fish. If he correctly answers the question he will put the fish in the igloo. But he must throw the fish back in the water if he is unable to answer the question.  -  Adapted

WALL of FAME!

            Take that empty wall in your church and turn it into a WALL of FAME for your teachers and other workers!  Think up different categories that could earn a place on the wall!  Longevity of service - perfect attendance in teaching - perfect attendance at training classes - etc. Be creative!  Honor teachers who have graduated to glory as well.  This permanent display will further elevate the role of teachers!

Spiritual Resolutions For 2003

Philippians 4:13

I Resolve, like Noah, to keep on preaching - Gen. 6:3

I Resolve, like Abraham, to keep peace - Gen. 13:18

I Resolve, like Abraham, to be obedient - Gen. 22:10

I Resolve, like Jacob, to give my tithe - Gen. 28:22

I Resolve, like Jacob, to strive for a closer relationship with God - Gen. 32:26

I Resolve, like Joseph, to flee from sin - Gen. 39:7,8

I Resolve, like Joseph, to forgive those who have wronged me - Gen. 45:4,5

I Resolve, like Moses, to refuse a worldly life - Heb. 11:24-27

I Resolve, like Moses, to desire a closer relationship with God - Ex. 33:13,18

I Resolve, like Joshua & Caleb, to trust in Gods abilities - Num. 14:7,8

I Resolve, like Ruth, to follow the right leader - Ruth 1:15,16

I Resolve, like David, to trust God with our giants - 1 Sam. 17:37,45

I Resolve, like David, to love my enemies - Psa. 35:11-14

I Resolve, like Solomon, to be a better judge of things - 1 Kings 3:9

I Resolve, like Solomon, to understand the vanity of things - Ecc. 2:3-11

I Resolve, like Elijah, to have boldness to stand for God - 1 Kings 18:1,2,19,22

I Resolve, like Elisha, to follow the right man - 1 Kings 19:19-21

I Resolve, like Elisha, to get right busy for God - 2 Kings 2:11-14

I Resolve, like Ezra, to lead people in the right direction - Ez. 7:27,28

I Resolve, like Nehemiah, to stay with the work God has called me to - Neh. 6:3

I Resolve, like Esther, to go the extra mile for needy people Esther 4:16

I Resolve, like Job, to praise God in spite of the circumstances Job 1:21

I Resolve, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, to let God speak through me

I Resolve, like Shadrach, Meshach, Abendego, to stand for right - Dan. 3:15-18

I Resolve, like Daniel, to establish a regular prayer life - Dan. 6:10

I Resolve, like Jonah, to recognize the chastening hand of God Jonah 1:12

I Resolve, like John the Baptist, to point people to Jesus Christ John 1:29

I Resolve, like Peter, to step out by faith - Matt. 14:28

Quote:

God can grant No greater privilege or responsibility to the believer than to place His Holy Word in his or her hands and call them teacher.

Mister D

Just for Fun

A cartoon showed a mother relaxing on Sunday morning as her little girl came home from church and asked, Do you want to know what I learned in Sunday school today, Hypocrite?