JAM TROUBLESHOOTING

EKIDS VALUES

MARCH, 2024

Defining and communicating our values are important as they help us to stay focused so that we can keep moving forward in the right direction toward what God has for us.

Value statements – Statement about what we value and what is important to us. We exist so that those far from God can come to belong, believe and become all that God has made them to be. For us, our context is children.

These value statements are the strategy we use to accomplish that.

WE WILL MAKE IT SAFE

Our number one priority in any kids program is safety.

We can’t begin to grow a kids spiritual faith without first ensuring their physical and emotional safety and wellbeing. Top priority is to create a clean, and nurturing environment where children can learn about and experience the love of JESUS.

Our aim is to create environments where parents feel safe leaving their child with us. This has to happen first as we only get one chance to make a good impression. We must prepare for the first impression, plan for potential problems and react appropriately when unexpected problems arise.

· KK: Parents look for someone to find an instant connection with their child

· JAM: Cool professionalism that is attractive to kids and parents

Ask yourself: What should I do, what should I never do? What would put my mind at ease if I were a parent?

Ministry is messy. Never anticipate perfection, but execute on a level that expects the probability that something will go wrong.

Preparation is key – ready to adapt and make changes on the fly. Troubleshoot problems. Sometimes something happens that you couldn’t have participated, in that instance remember to remain calm, keep composure and look for solutions. It’s as much a mindset as it is an action.

WE WILL SHARE JESUS WITH PASSION

We are all called to share the good news about Jesus. But how you share determines the impact. It all starts with preparation.

Passion without preparation can be chaotic.

Here’s some ways you can prepare for your passion

· Pray

· Read emails and rehearse lesson

· Prepare your heart to serve families

Sharing with Jesus looks different in KK and JAM

· KK: Knowing your lesson, using voice inflection, asking lots of questions, bringing energy and laughing alongside kids, engaging with the bible story, offering comfort to a child suffering from separation anxiety.

· JAM: Conveyed through eye contact, one on one conversations and taking personal interest in kids in eGroup and participating in worship.

When passion meets preparation, ministry occurs, transformation happens and lasting connections are made.

You signed up for eKids, because God laid it on your heart to see the next generation know and love Jesus.

Let’s do that by giving the kids an example of what loving Jesus looks like, by loving Jesus and loving them.

WE WILL BRING THE FUN

In ekids we want to create an environment where Jesus is exalted in the midst of laughter.

We intentionally choose curriculum that has videos, games that build anticipation and puts a smile on their face and laughter in their hearts.

When kids walk through our doors on Sundays, our aim is that it would be the best hour of their week.

So how can we do that?

· Have fun! Don’t be stiff or uptight – loosen up and that will help the kids to as well.

· Refuse to separate the fun stuff and the spiritual stuff. We want the kids to see the presence of God in everything we do.

· KK: make funny faces and animal noises, sing along to songs, putting together fruit loop necklaces, interact with the person on prop talk and the video.

· JAM: jumping into large group games, sharing jokes, and talking about shoes.

In ekids we want to create an experience where kids have fun learning about God. We want them to be drawn to God and His church.

WE WILL CONNECT THE FAMILY

Every week we want to partner with families to help them raise children who love God.

We have less than 40hrs with each kids every week.

Not enough time to build spiritual foundations.

Parental guidance is needed and it happens over time.

When we understand this, it brings clarity to our ministry.

Invest in parents, so they can invest into their children.

Before we can help invest into parents

· Intentional conversations and being available for concerns.

· Brag on kids

· Take on role of consistent mentor

Build an environment where kids are welcome and parents feel connected and have resources that are easy to use – AREA WE WANT TO GROW IN 2017

We want parents to know we are standing with them and are fighting for them.

3 Likes

Team Expectations

1. Step up

Let's create a culture of stepping up, taking risks and growing, rather than settling in to where we are comfortable. Each of us can carry that culture by stepping out of our comfort zone a little bit each time.

Try new things
Say ‘yes’
Carry the load
Think ahead
Problem solve – think of ideas to solve current issues.
Take initiative
Invite people to check out our e-kids programs to serve
Welcome new team members in
Train others in what you know how to do

2. Participate

Model what we what the kids to learn, do and experience

Participate in praise and worship - do the actions and enjoy yourself in the presence of God.
Respond to your leader, the MC and video verbally, through body language and facial expression.
Be present and go through the experience with them.

3. Engage with kids/families

Aim to get to know the kids and connect with them on their level.

Notice when the kids are out of sorts and ask 'are you ok?'
Be willing to be silly to have fun with them
Prepare with the kids in mind. Ask: 'What are they going through? How can I connect with them better? What style of communication will work?'
Speak to them at their level – they are kids (short attention span, need help exploring emotions and evaluating experiences)
Sit with kids – don’t sit/stand above them during the experience, unless can’t due to injury
Share about your own life (age appropriate) and ask kids to pray for you in small groups
Connect with parents at pick up – share something positive about their child during the session.
Connect, connect, connect: Main priority is connecting not just supervising

4. Prepare

Your preparation should reflect your desire to invest into the children. This is not a 'rock up' on the day type ministry. It takes intentional preparation to serve effectively in this ministry.

When you come on the Sunday morning make sure you know what is happening in the session and know your part to play and what to do. Check with your leader if unsure. Check out the ekidsleaders.com website for all current curriculum.
Pray for the kids, their families and for the message to be clear.
Get there on time to set up, attend the briefing meeting and show that you are reliable. Let your leader know if you are running late.
Make serving a priority in your schedule.
Attend training sessions – at least 2-3 per year to meet your training requirements and also 'catch' the vision and direction of this ministry from your Pastor.

JAM - WELCOME TIME IN SMALL GROUPS

Small Group Welcome Time happens right at the top of the experience, and it’s a critical transition to let kids know you care about them. Here are some tips to get the most out of your Small Group Welcome Time.

Use the onscreen Welcome Question to get kids talking. If you have new kids in your group, or your kids are having a quiet (or awkward) day, it can be difficult to get the conversation started. The Welcome Question is there to help you out by providing a safe, easy-to-answer starting point.
See what your kids need to share. Focus on getting your kids to talk about what happened in their life during the past week, and check up on their prayer requests.
Let your Small Group get to know you. Kids are curious about the leaders in their lives. Be accessible and real by sharing your own answers to the Welcome Question and letting them know a little about your life (age appropriate, of course). Ask them to pray for you!