Who’s Behind this Blog
What is Children’s Ministry and Culture?
It’s your one stop blog to connect yourself with important news and cultural trends that influence children’s ministry. We’ll keep you informed current events that will help you think differently about your church, your ministry, and the children you are trying to reach.
Here’s what we aren’t. We aren’t looking to wage the culture wars on this blog. We’re also not interested in taking potshots on others who do children’s ministry in a way with which we disagree. No, our goal is help you keep current.
We keep saying “we.” It’s about time we tell you who we are.
Keith Johnson has been in children’s ministry since graduating from BIOLA in 1984. He has sinced received an MA from Dallas Seminary. Keith was the Director of Children’s Ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, International Division. Keith has pastored at churches in Minnesota, Michigan, California and Texas. Keith is the Ah Ha Architect for Group Publishing and contributes regularly to Children’s Ministry Magazine and speaks for Children’s Ministry Magazine “Live”. Keith and his wife of 22 years live in Chanhassen, MN. Keith is the author of “Teacher Training on the Go” and most recently “Take out Teacher Training with Keith Johnson”.
Larry Shallenberger is the pastor of children and student ministry at Grace Church in PA. Larry is the author of “Instant Puppet Skits: Big Hairy Issues Kids Face” and “Lead the Way God Made You.” Larry’s most recent book, Divine Intention: How God’s Work in the Early Church Empowers Us Today, is now available. Larry graduated from Trinity International University (1990). Larry worked for seven years in the children’s mental health field prior to join the staff at Grace. Larry has contributed to nearly two dozen church resource books for children and adults.
Together, we intend to use this blog to both stretch ourselves intellectually– for kids’ sake– and you as well. Drop us a comment. We’d love to hear from you.
Hi Keith and Larry,
Thanks so much for this website. I appreciate the contribution it makes to increasing the maturity of ministry to children. It is not often that I bookmark websites. However I have made an exception in this case. Thanks for providing a resource that people in the trenches can use to wrestle with tough issues and practical ministry problems. God bless both of you in your ministries and families.
Blessings,
Glen Woods
Portland Open Bible Church
http://www.portlandopenbible.com
http://www.glenwoods.blogspot.com
Hi Keith & Larry, I just surfed by today in looking at other blogs on children’s ministry. I must say you have done a great job in keeping fresh and useful material available to children’s ministers like myself. Thanks for the wide ranging and thought provoking blogs.
I’d like to put a link on my blog to yours if that’s OK with you?
> Don Stott
Absolutely. Link away.
Keith — can’t find a current email or phone number for you. Call me or email me @ Grace Church Roseville.
Hey Guys,
I just want ot thank you for this site. I try to visit as often as I can. Both of you are doing all the hard work for us – thanks! I refer this site to all my children’s ministry friends, when I think about it. Do you have any preteen ministry links or tools hidden anywhere, for us crazy people who ministry with this age group? Thanks again.
Keep it real in Christ,
Joe Puentes
Christ’s Church of Oronogo
http://www.ccopreteens.com
http://www.preteenedge.blogspot.com
requesting email contact information for Keith Johnson for quick correspondence
kjohnson@group.com
I’ve added your website to the blog roll of my new Children’s Ministry website. Stop by and check it out. I would love to hear what you think. I would love to earn a spot on your blogroll.
Gospel Driven Children’s Ministry
http://ministry-to-children.com/
Tony Kummer
You’re right, Tony, you’ve got an EXCELLENT blog full of hugely helpful links and observations!!! Great work!
Wow, great resource. Thank you for writing this wonderful blog – keep up the great work
~GPK
Hi Keith and Larry,
I would have to echo everyone’s comments and say that your blog is such a great resource! I work at EvanTell and we have created an online training program called Seedlings to equip you, children’s workers, parents, or whoever else would like to learn how to share the gospel clearly and simply with a child.
Check it out at http://www.act111.org. The training is completely free.
Let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to talk about it with you. Thanks for the great work!
Hi!
The Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition is out now, and we’re providing some great opportunities to win a case (16 copies) of the deluxe edition for you to give away on your blog, or to family and friends. Check us out at http://www.jesusstorybookbible.com, and sign up for updates on the homepage!
Blessings,
Zonderkidz Marketing
I am a follower of your blog. Thanks for providing great content for children’s ministry leaders!
I am contacting you with a request for your insight into some leadership issues I am currently facing.
As we have grown, we have struggled to find the best volunteer and staff leadership structure for our ministry. We used to have a solid “core team” without enough “second tier” leaders to provide good support for the volunteer staff. Now we have a good coaching team to provide the support, without a solid core team to help with the mission and vision decision making things.
I have struggled to find a structure that works with our current model and curriculum, but isn’t so tied to the way we currently do things that they would struggle to see beyond that if big changes ever need to be made.
I am wondering if you (or anyone else reading this!) have any sort of “grid” or flowchart for how you organize the volunteer and staff leaders of your children’s ministry. If so, is that something you would be willing to share with me?
I am trying to gather input from leaders around the country who might have better ideas than I have!
I’d appreciate any help or insight you can provide. Thanks!
For His Kids,
Stephanie Spencer
Pastor of Elementary Ministries
Blackhawk Church
608.828.4200
http://www.blackhawkchurch.org
@ Larry,
You seem like a very intelligent and compassionate person. I was wondering if I could e-mail you some questions. I have some freinds who are religious, and I am not, and I always have a lot of trouble being there for them. I want to believe in god at times, but I’m afraid my mind is just too plain and logical. I simply think like a computer most of the time. If you have the time I would love your help:
dlinet@gmail.com
-Dylan