Mr. Mark's Classroom

Interview with Dr. Karen Kennemur, Childhood Ministry Professor for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Kennemur discusses the ever popular question- “How to Retain Workers”.  This is a common concern for anyone leading children’s and preschool ministry.  I really appreciated her wisdom and I think you will too.  The books she references are Good to Great by Jim Collins and the Leading Like the Shepherd by Dr. Kevin Leman.  She makes several good points and realizing we are programing for two groups (kids and teachers) brings better clarity to my planning.   How are you building relationships with teachers? How do you deal with teachers that quit or just stop showing up?  I’m looking for solutions that are legal! (wink, wink)

Finding more workers is an unending job.  I share some ideas and some experiences I’ve encountered through the years and what I’m up against now.  I wish I could say, “Drive over the Staples and buy an Easy Button and all your worries will be over".  There is no magic wand and we still need an army or workers every Sunday and Wednesday. Find the handout for this podcast by clicking here. What are some ideas you have used to enlist workers?  What works and doesn’t work where you live?

Working with parents as teachers in your ministry or partnering with them to guide their child on his spiritual journey can prove to have its challenges.  I interview Allison Kizzia, Childhood Ministry Specialist for the Arkansas Baptist Convention, to share some insight with us. What challenges or solutions have you discovered when dealing with parents in your ministry?

This episode involves a message from a children’s ministry leader who has been serving for six months and doing it all herself.  She is exhausted!  I discuss some ideas from my experience for equipping others so they can take hold and help carry the load. See my written response to this minister by clicking here. I would love to hear from other suffering leaders or experienced leaders.  What would you add to my response?  How are you hurting in ministry?

In this episode, teachers will discover the value of listening to children and building relationships.  Evaluate your ministry to see if you are a good listener.  Make adjustments to be able to connect to kids, parents and other workers by taking time to listen.  See this blog post under leadership or by clicking here. How are you doing as a listening teacher? What are some ways you build in time to listen?

In this episode of Mr Marks Classroom Podcast we will hear from Allison Kizzia, Childhood Ministry Specialist for the Arkansas Baptist Convention, concerning ministry with Millennial Parents.