9 after 9

For the past 9 weeks we’ve held 4 Services each Sunday at OLC.  I figured I’d take a quick moment to mention 9 things we’ve learned in KidVenture since this grand endeavor began.  (Note:  I almost named this post “10 approaching 10″…but top ten lists are boring.  9 is the new 10.)

1. It’s worth it. Yeah, it’s tough.  Yeah, it’s challenging.  But we are doing whatever it takes to reach more people/kids/students/families in Cville.

2. Our pastor may be on something illegal. Seriously, preaching 4 straight sermons in a row?!  We pray for that dude!

3. OLC volunteers keep stepping up…and then some. No matter the challenge thrown their way, more and more leaders keep rising to the occasion.

4. Teamwork is crucial for survival. This starts with the staff and filters down to every volunteer.  There is no room for “my ministry” vs. “your ministry”.  (We’ve been blessed to see solid teamwork and sharing of ideas and resources.)

5. Don’t forget to double it! With 2 identical adult services and 2 identical elementary services, you have to constantly remember to double whatever (video, illustration, handout) you do.  Tip of the day:  Double your volunteer appreciation as well.

6. Examine numbers and trends. (I’m mainly putting this one in to appease our Executive Pastor…he’s a systems guy.  lol)  Charting attendance patterns with 4 time offers (9:30, 10:00, 10:45, 11:15) can help shape future endeavors.

7. Craziness can drive core basics. In the middle of shuffling volunteers and moving around preschool rooms on a weekly basis (early movie times) and managing 17 toddlers in tight quarters during a hour…you find yourself constantly coming back to the core principles of your ministry and asking, “Are we accomplishing our God given goals in the lives of these kids?”

8. Every service matters. Just because the first service may run x # of kids below the fourth doesn’t mean that it’s less important.  No matter the time or who’s hosting the environment or the attendance in the room, EACH and EVERY moment in front of kid sharing God’s love matters immensely and deserves our very best.

9. Just the beginning. Ok, so we got a slight handle on this whole 4 service gig.  What’s next God?  All move to the House of Rock when it’s ready?  Multi Campus?  You say it, we obey.  Let’s go!