.... and why you should consider including them?

A leader is a reader
My father used to say that you can determine the quality of a leader by the extent of their personal library.

There's probably a lot in that. Yes, we can learn from experience, from networking with others, from training sessions and conferences, and even from social media. But digging into a book will unearth so much more information and ideas than you can gather elsewhere.

In fact, most would see conferences as the teaser, the introduction to ta rewarding study of the topic to be found later as you read recommended texts and books.

Books can encourage you in your kidmin work. You might begin a book while tired and disheartened only to find yourself refreshed, inspired and filled with renewed vigor by the conclusion.

What's on your current reading list?
So... the next questions is, 'What books are you reading, or planning to read, that will teach, encourage, inspire or broaden your perspective of your children's ministry potential?' And....'What books are you encouraging your team of leaders and volunteers to read?'

Simple ways to encourage reading
Yes, I know that books can be expensive, especially if your reading list is extensive. But Kindle versions have greatly reduced those costs.
Have you considered opening up your personal library of ministry resources to your team? It's a great way to encourage them. Offer regular reading suggestions that you know would help them to learn and grow. You could email a weekly/monthly book review to your volunteers and mention that these resources can be borrowed from your library.

Track your library resources
While you're at it,  why not check with other kidmin leaders from other churches and see if you can organise to share books and resources? You're probably concerned that you'll never see the book again.Certainly, when you're busy, it's easy to forget who has borrowed a particular resource. Ask that they add their name to a list or form that notes the book they have borrowed. Another suggestion is to use an app to track this information. You'll find 'Book Crawler' or 'My Library' will allow you to easily enter information about your books, movies and CDs via the internet. You can enter a 'loan status' when a resource is borrowed to keep track of the book.

A free printable label
Last... don't forget to label your resources so that it's easy to note those resources that are borrowed- a visual reminder to return the book or dvd.
I've included a simple design that you can print onto sheets of Avery labels. Print the labels... add your name and contact info....& adhere to the back or inside cover of your resource.

Check out the sample list below of reading material that I'm planning for this year. There will be others, I'm sure, but this is a good start if you haven't begun your own reading list yet. It's presented in slideshow format so you'll need to click through to the next suggestion using the arrow. Please add any other books that you've enjoyed to this list, too.

Tracking your mileage is easy with this free printable. Find out 'how' and 'why'.

Recently, I started tracking the number of steps I take each day. After months of relaxing in the evening and watching others pound the pavement and extend herculean efforts towards fitness, I realised that maybe my goals, too, should include a healthier, fitter 'me'. So I decided to try the simple, though effective, challenge to take 10,000 steps per day.

10,000 steps seems a huge amount
At the outset, I was a little daunted. After all, 10,000 seems a huge number of steps. But you know, if you're like me, running around for children's ministry, organising teams and programs, locating resources, setting of ministry areas, meeting with volunteers, searching for missing equipment, picking up materials for displays and promotions and, do I need to go on.... I pass that daily target of 10,000 easily!

And, it's no different when it comes to your car. You're probably thinking, "I don't use it much. There's no need to track the mileage. I can't be bothered."

It all adds up
Yep... I understand. But honestly, just like my daily steps, it adds up. Check it out for a week and see. You'll probably be surprised. . Let's face it, when you use your vehicle for business/ ministry, those miles can add up to a sizable deduction on your tax return.

OK, maybe you're not paid for your ministry work. It's still good stewardship of your personal finances to keep track of this mileage.  Remember, it's costing you money in petrol as well as wear and tear on your vehicle. You might find it's worth mentioning to your church leadership team. After all, I'm sure they appreciate your ministry passion and involvement. This may be a simple way to encourage and support your ministry. They might suggest providing you with a fuel card or perhaps another way of assisting you with these ongoing costs.

What counts as business/ ministry mileage?
Here are just a few ways that you use your vehicle for ministry without even thinking about it....

• driving to the stores to pick up resources and supplies for your ministry programs and events.
• driving to planning/ leadership meetings
• attending ministry conferences or networking events
• visiting families
• driving to the post office to mail 'Get Well' cards for kids, letters to visiting families or family newsletters
• driving to the office supply/printer for copies of event flyers or banners

How do you track and record your mileage?
The best way is to keep a log of those times that you use your personal vehicle for business/ministry needs. You'll need to include the date, odometer readings of each trip, the purpose of the trip, the destination and any other expenses incurred such as parking fees, tolls etc.

FREE mileage tracker form
Some people prefer to use a printed mileage tracker and note this important information each time the car is used for ministry. If you're comfortable with this method, you might like to download and print the FREE Mileage Tracker below. Print a number of copies, attach them to a clipboard and place it in your car along with a pen so that you can easily note these details whenever necessary.

Apps that track mileage
But, there are also some helpful apps that will make reporting your mileage easy. Many of them will record the information about each trip automatically, so these are well-worth investigating. Here are just a few options. Hover over each for more information and click the image for the link:

It's surprising, and a little frustrating, how much admin is built into children's ministry. Hopefully, this important task shouldn't take too much of your valuable time, especially if you incorporate one of these helpful tools to organise and record these ongoing expenses. Take a few minutes to check it out...

Download your FREE mileage tracker below...

Read more here...