My granddaughter is reorganising her study area ready for recommencing school. She and her brothers are home-schooled with Distance Education and much of their learning content is online so technology is an integral part of their schooling. But Rachael still likes to set up her study area with printed organisers and daily planners. Colour coordinated pens and stationery are neatly stored beside her laptop and a handmade plant terrarium is displayed beside an inspirational framed quote and calendar.

It looks great! But, while she took time to present all her preparations, a warning 'ping' reminded her of a timed task she had set up to complete. Her smartphone indicated an incoming text message and she needed to click off Skype notifications from friends so that she could talk with me.  

Technology has its benefits and its drawbacks
​We have never been so productive, so busy and at the same time so distracted. Throughout history there have always been issues that have prevented us from doing what we set out to do. But, it’s never been as hard as it is today. When it comes to planning and organisation, technology has its benefits and rewards, but it also has its drawbacks.

The very fact that we have so many choices in terms of technology can also cause problems. Having instant access to family, friends, work and the rest of the noise can be overwhelming. Email, smartphones, mobile devices, laptops and other “screens” can get in the way of staying organized, even though the technology was originally created to make you more productive and organized.

The technology can actually cause you to feel pressure to do even more. No matter how amazing you are, you start feeling inadequate that you cannot do more. The technology ends up becoming more of a curse. Take heart, though; you can learn how to wrangle the technology and make it work for you, personally and in your ministry.

Apps to help plan and organise your ministry
There are many apps and programs and that you can make use of to help you plan and organise your time, tasks and ministry. You can become more organized even if it doesn’t come naturally. You can give yourself permission to do things differently. Here are some apps that may be helpful..

Plan, prioritise and organise
You can learn to capture what you need to do, break it down into logical steps, prioritise those steps, figure out what’s next and then get to work doing what needs to be done − without feeling overworked, stressed out, and out of control. You just need to have a plan of action and an understanding of why you need to do things in a certain way. Then you’ll finally really be organized. And a good planner can help.

In ministry, it's important to remember that you are not your ministry. Yes, your work with kids and families has eternal impact. But it's easy for ministry demands to take precedence over all other aspects of your life and family. It's worthwhile to take some time to think and work through your personal, family and ministry goals, as well as your ministry vision. It will help you keep everything in balance. And... although I love technology, I've gone back to using a printed planner. There is just something about writing out my tasks and to-dos, listing them on my schedule and ticking them off as I complete them. What do you prefer.. printed or device/app planners?

​My Brilliant Kidmin Planner
With this in mind, I've created My Brilliant Kidmin Planner- a downloadable resource that encourages you to set out your goals and ministry vision, as well as the important areas of focus in your life. eg family- home- ministry- personal development ..... The planner provides space for you to list these and include time each day/week to focus on some aspect or task related to these areas. You can find more about the planner here...

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This clip can also be viewed here...

​Here are some helpful articles and resources that may also assist you with your goal-setting and planning for this year:
​5 Unconventional steps to accomplish your goals- Craig Jutila
​The 2 most powerful words for reaching your goals- Michael Hyatt
​Make over your mornings- Crystal Paine (You don’t have to keep living life feeling constantly behind, overworked, and overwhelmed!)
​2016 Ministry Planner....  Set out your monthly programs, events, training sessions and monthly ministry focus for your own ministry plus important church dates.

Regardless of your personal situation, the best thing that you can do is to try some of the available tips, suggestions, and ideas.  Don't just hope that things will be better this year. Begin with a plan, set out the steps and tasks you will need to complete and keep with it. You can get and stay more organized in the age of distraction if you know what to do and have a plan and system in place.
​

It's the start of a new year filled with exciting opportunities to reach kids for Christ and to encourage families. Along with the start of this new year, is the renewed need to organise my ministry, my family and my life before everything revs up. I've lost count of the number of emails and articles about setting goals, organising and planning that have filled by Inbox. And....maybe it's just me, but I just can't get motivated!

​I know... I know... I should just start.....  I've even written about this and probably will again. But yesterday, and the day before, too, I've settled at my desk and completed, well, just small stuff. Or else, I've guiltily decided that I would work better at the coffee shop. (A caramelised cappuccino is motivational, right?)

​So... today, I've decided to take positive action and add a real boost to my enthusiasm! I'm adding some brightness to my working space and creating an area that will jump-start my day.  Want to check it out?

​There's what I've added... 10 simple things that are fun and bright and have really made a difference.

1. 2016 KIDMIN CALENDAR
​This one is actually part of the 2016 ministry planner that I've created to help plan and organise your monthly programs and events for your ministry. But I've made the calendar available to download below. Print it off and add to your folder/binder or frame and place on your desk.

2. RAINBOW WALL MOUNTED ORGANISER
​This fun and brightly coloured organiser is just perfect for storing those little items that frequently go astray. Mount it on your wall and you'll never lose them again. And I love the rainbow colours!

​3. MY BRILLIANT KIDMIN PLANNER
​The 'My Brilliant Kidmin Planner' is 135+ pages for organising your children's ministry and your personal and family tasks. Keeping family and ministry balance takes intentional planning and these pages help to keep that crucial balance and focus. Add all your tasks and events into these planning pages and keep on-top of all your commitments.
​

​4. KEYBOARD RESTS AND ACCESSORIES
​Thecolourful choices of keyboard rests are not only fun, they're practical. They're filled with flax seed and include the matching mousepad. From Etsy stores

5. DECORATIVE, AND FUN, CANDY CONTAINER
Although this looks just like a zip-seal plastic bag, it's actually a glass container. It's also just the right size for JellyBellies... too much bigger and I'd be overdosing on jellybeans.

​6. INSPIRATIONAL WALL ART
​Add a spot of inspiration with the addition of a framed inspirational quote... or you might like to add a poster from your current kidmin program. You can also check out some of the kidmin posters on my Pinterest board.

7. SCENTED PASTEL GEL PENS
​There's nothing so exciting as new pens and paper! Well... I think so, anyway. And these ones from Smiggle are pastel gel pens. There are also neon colours if you're really after something vibrant.

8. SCENTED HIGHLIGHTER PENS
​These highlighter pens are alsobuildable highlighters, so you can use them and play with them, too. But keep a close eye on them or you may find them disappearing when others discover your fun stationery.

9. COLOURFUL DESK LAMP
​Add a splash of colour with a colourful desk lamp. Not only is it bright and cheery, it also provides extra light to ensure that you aren't straining your eyes as you work.

10. INSPIRATIONAL MUG
​Don't stop at redesigning your desk and work space. How about an inspiration coffee mug?

​Are you feeling more motivated, now? Ready to start anything? Excited about the plans and goals that you have set out for this year? I really hope so. I know that I'm now going to  play some motivational music and get started right away!

Key takeaways from this article:

• Read more information about The 2016 Ministry Planner​
• Buy a copy of My Brilliant Kidmin Planner.. see below
• Like NewChapter
• Check out NewChapter on Pinterest
• Read the latest book review
• Get regular newsletter updates about kidmin ideas and resources

You might also be interested in:

The year is rapidly drawing to a close. In fact, emails, online stores and shopping centres are highlighting the days remaining until Christmas. I noticed, with a shock, that the countdown is listed now in days, not weeks.
So I'm sure that, likewise, your ministry events and programs now focus on the upcoming Christmas holiday season and the end of the year.

Some churches and ministries take this opportunity to review the year and look toward the future. But, before you embark on an extended planning session within your ministry or with the church leadership team, check out these 5 planning tips.
​

1. SET GOALS
It's easy to focus on the programs, the events, the tasks and the details of ministry. But you need to set specific goals in place first. Start your planning with your ministry vision and mission in front of you. Now, you can set your direction and goals within the context of your mission. And too, you have a framework for further planning and organisation. Remember to include prayer as an essential part of your planning, not just during your planning session. Pray and think through your ideas and thoughts concerning your ministry even before you formulate them into plans. There is adage that states, 'If you know how you did it, then God wasn't in it!' I think there is a lot of truth in that. Sometimes, we make our plans and then ask God to bless them instead of asking for His help and guidance first as we plan and prepare for ministry planning.

2. BALANCE YOUR EFFORTS
Planning can be exciting! It's great to brainstorm ideas, programs, events and possible directions in which your ministry and your church could be heading. Don't attempt too much at once. Open your ministry planner with the year view before you. Set your priorities in place first. Then consider other options. Spread events and programs evenly throughout the year, making sure that you have remembered specific days and events that will already be a part of your year planning- Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter etc. 
​

3. CREATE ORGANISATION SYSTEMS
Your planning will be more effective if you have systems in place that will enable you to take your ideas from planning to implementation. It's great to plan. But then you must do something with it. A good organisational system will enable you to set out your plans within realistic time frames to develop these ideas plus the resources required to implement your plans.
​

The 2016 Ministry Planner helps with all your ministry planning:  year-to-a-page, month-to-a-page highlighting your month's focus, prayer needs, special events/programs ideas and notes, plus a list of special days and events throughout the year to include in your plans. You can read about it HERE.
​

4. COMMIT TO YOUR PLAN
I know this seems a 'given.' But it's easy to take the time and effort to carefully organise your efforts for the upcoming year before filing it carefully away and forgetting it.  Share your plans with your team and encourage their discussion and involvement. Commit to doing it! Take action!
​

5. KEEP IT TOGETHER
​It's helpful if you keep your planner with you. Consider placing it with your other weekly and daily ministry planning and add to it whenever necessary. (My Brilliant Kidmin Planner coming soon!) Make it a regular habit to check, review and refresh your plans.

So much to do...
There's the children's Christmas program to plan and organise, the Christmas kids' item to practise, decorations to put up in the kidmin area, gifts to prepare for all the wonderful kidmin volunteers, Christmas music to choose and play, ... and the list goes on.

It's easy to get caught up in all the planning, preparation and excitement of Children's ministry at Christmas. We know that, at the heart of this busy season, there is so much more: God's love for us. But sometimes we spend so much of our time and energy sharing this message to your church family and kidmin that we forget it's also a message for us.

Take some time to capture the joy of God's love for you... hold the peace of this season close as you focus on your own family Christmas and creating some wonderful memories for your family.

I know what you're going to say: You don't have time. You'll do it after you've organised everything else.

Well..... here are just a few resources that will help you. I hope that you can use them to focus on the wonder of the Saviour's birth and the peace He brings to our own busy lives.  ​

1. FAMILY CHRISTMAS PLANNER
These free planners help you to focus on all that you want and need to accomplish in the lead-up to Christmas. The planners also provide ideas and suggestions for changing a 'Martha-style' Christmas of tasks and jobs and things to complete to a 'Mary-style' celebration with room for the important things- developing meaningful family traditions, Christmas joy and peace and even, relaxing.
​

2. CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
Yes, we know the Christmas story well. We carefully take time to tell the story in meaningful ways to those in our children's ministry. But we also need to reread and capture again the joy of the season for ourselves. Perhaps you would benefit from seeing it from a different perspective. Take a few moments to check out the Christmas devotional, Advent in Narnia.' If you know and love the stories by C.S. Lewis you wILL enjoy this devotional. Certainly, the cold winter landscape of Narnia with the people watching and looking for a king is the perfect parallel for the Christmas story. ​
The author states: "My purpose in writing this book is not to help you know Narnia better but to know God better.... I hope that by spending a little time in Narnia, this Advent, you will get to know Aslan- and Jesus Christ- better, and to prepare for Jesus' birth at Christmas all the more richly for it."
​

3. FAMILY ADVENT CALENDAR
I've found that there are plenty of commercially produced Advent calendars. Start a new family tradition. Explore the Christmas story a little each day as you prepare to welcome the Saviour. Share together the excitement of counting down the days to Christmas with a handcrafted Advent Calendar. Use this as an opportunity to retell the real Christmas story of the hope, peace, joy and love to be found in the Saviour in the manger. 
This article describes how to make your own calendar that can be used year after year and become a family tradition. And there are other printable versions to check here....... and also, here.
​You could also use a Christmas Advent app. You'll find some suggestions here.

*** Use this simple, effective way of emphasizing the importance of Jesus, in the days leading up to Christmas, with your family. I think it might just become a favourite family tradition.
​

4. A MEANINGFUL GIFT-GIVING IDEA FOR FAMILY
Yes, searching for and buying Christmas gifts can take a huge amount of time.. and stress. Here's a gift idea that is simple, takes little time and can be done from home. It's the perfect gift idea for your parents or other family members and it's something that will be appreciated long past Christmas Day.
​

5. CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND CAROLS
As a child, I loved waking up on Christmas morning hearing Christmas carols playing. I even prefer to linger in shops that are playing beautiful carols rather than other Christmas music. But, if you're like me, you spend a lot of time finding music for Christmas for your kidmin and run out of time to source and buy Christmas arrangements for yourself and your family.

Life Church has free downloadable music that you can play online or download and listen to whenever you want. You'll find the music here.... and another collection here.

I hope these resources will help you plan and prepare for your own family Christmas celebrations. Plan ahead this year to find time with your family to focus on the wonder of Christmas.

Are you struggling in your children's ministry? Wondering whether you're making a difference in children's lives? Looking for ideas that will connect with today's kids? Sure, exciting programs that connect with kids are important.  And yes, organising special family events is great. And kids love hands-on activities and games that make the lessons come alive for them. 

But there's something that kids are desperately seeking.... and you can provide the answer.  Kids are looking for someone who cares about them, who supports and encourages them regardless of what they say and do and .... yes, listens to them- really listens. Are you that person?  Are you a caring listener for these kids?

Today’s rapidly changing technology has produced an immense focus on online connection.  We're obsessed with knowing instantly the latest news, updates and trends available on our sophisticated devices. But there’s a downside to all of the gadgetry—unprecedented distraction. Some of today’s biggest diversions come in these tiny packages: smartphones, tablets, mobile gaming devices. As a world, we’ve never been more connected —or further apart. 

But what does this mean for your kidmin families and those kids in your groups, especially the ones who quietly slip almost unnoticed into your programs and events? 

When parents and other adults are constantly linked to email or Facebook, how much is left to connect and listen to these children?

In the business of life and the distractions of the ever-present mobile devices, parents frequently just tune out when the kids are talking. We've all done it. When you're tired or focused on other tasks, it's easy to just make the noises that sound like you're listening, but your mind is far away.  Listening well to anyone is important and even more so for children. It means being willing to turn the television off, forgetting Facebook until later or ignoring the latest email notification to focus on a child. 

Guidelines for Good Listening Skills:

1. Be interested and attentive. Children can tell whether they have your attention by how you reply or, for that matter, don't reply. It involves looking at the speaker; getting down on eye level so that you can maintain eye-contact.

2. Encourage talking. Some children need an invitation to start talking.  Children are more likely to share their ideas and feelings when others think them important. Ask questions to clarify all that they are saying and to draw them out. Quiet, introverted kids are often overlooked. Encourage each child to talk in a small group environment.

3. Listen patiently. People think faster than they speak. Children often take longer than adults to find the right word.  Listen as though you have plenty of time. Don't correct their grammar or use of language. When you listen to children, patience is a virtue.

4. Hear children out.  Avoid cutting them off before they have finished speaking.  It is easy to form an opinion or reject children's views before they finish what they have to say.  It may be difficult to listen respectfully and not correct misconceptions but respect their right to have and express their opinions. Reflect back your understanding of what's been said so that you are clear of what's been said. It  also demonstrates your desire to fully understand them.

5. Listen to non-verbal messages. Many messages children send are communicated non-verbally by their tone of voice, their facial expressions, their energy level, their posture, or changes in their behaviour patterns.  You can often tell more from the way a child says something than from what is said.  When a child comes in obviously upset, be sure to find a quiet time then or sometime later, to sit down with them and lsiten.. Good listening will often reduce tension and solve problems.

Download and print the infographic below and pin it up as a reminder to be present and available to listen to kids.

Good listeners listen with their heart, and isn't this what God would expect of us? What better way to show God's love to the kids in your children's ministry than to take time to listen attentively.

It's one of those essential, even crucial, kidmin tasks that needs to be done each term or quarter. But it's also something that most kidmin leaders/ coordinators dread.... organising the rosters. Aghhhh...

It generally involves checking with all your volunteers to see how often, in what department, and in what capacity, they'd like to be involved for the term. This usually means pages of sign-up forms and other information to sift through, only to discover that many of your volunteer team have not completed or returned the forms and that you'll need to chase the information. You'll need to find out if there are particular dates when they will be unavailable. And, if any of your volunteers is involved in other ministries, you'll need to check that the rosters don't conflict.

I'm sure that you, like many others, have muttered to yourself, 'There must be an easier way to organise these rosters!'

Actually, there is!
Programs like VolunteerSpot provide simple online or mobile planning and sign-ups.
They are easy to use. There is no need for special emails or ringing around to find out which dates are best for volunteers or when they will be unavailable. You'll find no need for signup sheets and no missing information. And... reminders are sent out automatically. Plus.. it's free!

Using this program, you can set up the groups, classes, lessons or events and the number of volunteers required.  Volunteers sign up with a few clicks, no registration or passwords required, and just choose the dates, times and events they wish to be involved in.

Yes.. there will be an initial period of acquainting yourself and your team with the new program, if you decide to go with it. But after that, you'll find your life so much easier. You'll be able to involve volunteers by email, website link, Facebook or Twitter.  But, more than that....

• It's safe and secure.
  
• It's easy to schedule volunteers for the same day and time every week/month simply by scheduling repeating spots.
  
• You can include lists of items you need leaders or helpers to bring or donate to your events or program with a  quick item entry.
  
• Volunteers can request replacements or substitutions of some other volunteer, themselves, using the program if they're unable to make their volunteer commitment time-slots. (Imagine how this alone would save you worrying about finding a last-minute replacement for Sunday mornings.)
  
• Easy email options provide you with tools to communicate with individual or groups of volunteers regarding particular programs and last-minute details.
• Online videos help acquaint you with the program and how to implement it to the best effect.,, see here

If you're introducing this new process, make sure that you give everyone time to become aware of the changes and why. Explain via letter, newsletter, email, via announcements, during meetings and in person. Offer to assist anyone who is struggling with the new system.

If, however, you're looking for a church management system that offers comprehensive church management services with volunteer management and scheduling included, then online systems such as Elvanto might be an option. The features are quite extensive, but it is not a free program. The price is determined by the number of active members within your church.

“An educated man should know everything about something and something about everything.”  -C.V.Wedgwood
(This article contains affiliate links at no cost to you.)

Back-to-School time for many..
Yes, it's that time of year for many when children and teachers must transition back to school. And, in your children's ministry, this may mean an exciting event to help ease this return to school or just a simple acknowledgement of this event in the lives of children, families and the teaching profession.

Looking for a slide or image?
 So.. you may be simply looking for an image or powerpoint slide to promote this special event. In which case, look no farther. Free promotional images and slides are listed below.

Looking for ideas?
If you're searching for ideas or inspiration to create something more interactive, you can find plenty of ideas and resources below and pinned on the Pinterest Back-to-School board.

Looking for resources to create your own graphics?
But, if you're wanting to create your own images for promotional materials and would just like some help, then check out the following information. With a bit of help some from terrific online programs, you can create spectacular results in no time.

For example, you might have an image that is.. well... it's ok, but just lacking a bit of punch. Look at the before and after photo I took for my grand-daughter. She needed an image for an article she was writing, but it was late afternoon, the light was not good. Ahhh... So I went on PicMonkey- added some brightness and a filter- included some wording, a border and.. voila! The image on the right looks so much clearer. If you need a great image, work with PicMonkey. It's fun!

So... how do you do it?
1. First.. you'll need to download the program- easy! Click on the above Smilebox link to find it. Now, click through the slideshow below to find out how easy it is to make these graphics yourself.

You've finished! .That's it! You can now insert this image in any promotional material you want- powerpoint slide, printed material.. whatever.
Have fun!If you want to learn more about using Smilebox to create a movie clip, you can find instructions in this previous article.

In summary.........

*Disclosure: Some links in this email are affiliate links meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may get a commission if you make a purchase.
 Thanks for your support in this way!

August, in the southern hemisphere, means the end of winter. Hooray! There are always plenty of activities, family and community events and fun in August, too. But August always reminds me of fireworks. It's because my son was birth in August and no, most people don't experience fireworks on the birth of their child. But actually, I did with Ben. He was born during the week of Brisbane's Exhibition (read 'showday) and the hospital is just around the corner from the showgrounds. So, Ben was born as the evening fireworks exploded into the night sky. 

Actually,  I think enjoying fireworks would be a great thing to do in August but there are plenty of other things to focus on for your kidmin during August. I've included a list  below of just 10. But before I start, I'd like to mention a little about using social media to enhance your children's & family ministry.

Social Media and your children's ministry
 I've written briefly of the benefits of setting up and using a kidmin Pinterest board to connect with families. And it's easy! But there are other platforms that you might consider using- Facebook, Instagram and more. Social Media can help you develop a connection both to those in your church family and to the wider community. It's also a wonderful means of connecting, even training your leaders and volunteers. Michael Chanley states: 'When we engage in community, whether online or in person, we allow God to connect us to people who will challenge us and inspire us to do better in our unique calling.'

You might like to read more about social media trends that you should consider for children's ministry. If you're not doing it already, you might like to consider setting up a page for your children's ministry.

Social media content
One of the difficulties many find is that of sourcing ideas and fun content to include regularly on their ministry social media pages. Now, there are Bible verses that the kids are learning that you could upload, images of craft activities, games and Bible lessons that can be included. (Just omit any images of the kids.) You can highlight upcoming events. You can mention training events, conferences or relevant meetings. You could include links to helpful parenting articles or kids' activity pages. You could link through to movie reviews or great resources, like family devotions,from your Christian bookstore. But what else?

Think about including interesting community news or upcoming events, as well. Build your social media page into a valuable go-to resource that connects  the church family and community.

With this in mind, consider the following list for your ministry during August. Now, obviously, not all of these special dates will be accurate for your country/location but you might like to mention the date and create a fun focus anyway for your kidmin kids and families. 

2. Plan some special family events for National Family Fun Month.
Now again, this will not be the same for every ministry, depending on where you live. But even if you don't have a Family Fun Month nationally declared for August, why not declare one yourself for your church/children's ministry and start planning some great events for your families this month?
 Here are just a few ideas to get you started.


3. Raise awareness of the homeless during Homeless Persons Week- August 3-10.
This is a growing concern within most communities. Do a little research within your area and highlight those organisations and people who are working to assist the homeless. It may be an opportunity for you to raise awareness of ministries within the church who are assisting and even to encourage others to join them in this outreach/mission programme.

4. Buy a cup of coffee on CafeSmart Day- August 7. This day is organised in conjunction with Homeless Persons Week. Participating cafes donate $1/cup of coffee sold to fund local projects that benefit the homeless. Check out the Facebook page... but if you can't be involved in this, it might be a great idea to promote something similar within your area. Check with local cafes and see if they'd be willing to participate. Or, a simple link on your social media site to donate to the homeless might be an alternative option.

5. Wear your jeans to work on  Jeans for Genes Day.- August 7. 
Involve yourself and encourage others to wear jeans as a fund-raising event for Children's Medical Research Institute. Highlight this on your social media platforms and perhaps post some images of church staff in their jeans..

6. August 9: Celebrate International Day of the World's Indigenous People.
Highlight this on your social media pages and perhaps include an article link or images that reflect God's love for all people of all nations. You might be able to highlight the work of church ministries within your community or overseas, too. Add some photos of the work to your social media.

9. World Humanitarian Day- August 19.
Is your church/ministry involved in mission work through World Vision or Compassion or similar? Highlight this mission work and list some of the prayer needs they are currently experiencing. How about considering the Step into My Shoes experience for families or groups? Or.... include a link for kids to do more than just read about kids in another culture, they complete online activities.

10. World Mosquito Day- August 20
World mosquito day honours the malaria work of Sir Ronald Ross.
Download the image and use it to encourage donations to fund mosquito nets to areas of the world fighting malaria. This can be done through World Vision and other organisations so provide a link for these donations or organise it through your church website.

.... 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...

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