Fear Not Parenting in the Present Age— In our house, the evening routine includes watching the local news before we turn in. I’m often ready to shut off the TV long before the half-hour newscast is over, as coverage of national and world circumstances gets harder and harder to watch, especially when [...]
Fear Not Parenting: Encouraging Parents to Parent without Fear— I just heard about another school shooting. My neighbor told me her daughter brought home a pornographic book from the school library. A friend had to pull her child out of school because he was bullied so badly. Those great little fruit pouches [...]
God Never Stops Hugging You - Once a month during the school year we have a program called “First Wednesday.” On the (you guessed it!) first Wednesday of the month, we switch up our midweek Bible study and do a topical study with three different age groups. Staff members come and teach [...]
Modeling Worship to Families - Our actions and words matter as leaders in the church. This is especially true in the pew. Know it or not, we are being watched by the children of our congregation as an example of how to worship. This being the case, a question I often wrestle [...]
Growing as a Teacher- Knowing the audience here, I know I am not alone in saying that teaching covenant children in the church is hands down one of the greatest joys we have in this life. As I sit at my desk and look at the wall where we display what we’ve [...]
The Joy of the ‘Aha’ Moment- We’ve all experienced it. There is a moment when you see the lightbulb go off for someone. There is a new understanding that often shows on someone’s face as they contemplate their newfound clarity. This someone may even be yourself. It’s beautiful when the Holy Spirit [...]
Teaching Children to Read with Discernment— When my three children rode off on their bikes for the first time on their own, I took a picture and promptly called my mom. This felt like a Big Moment. And yet, that Big Moment didn’t come out of the blue. My children had ridden [...]
Potluck Provides New Friendship!— The children’s ministry leadership training retreats are not just a time to be equipped with wise teaching and connected to excellent resources. They are an opportunity for the spirit of God to work and move in profound and creative ways. My first prayer as I prepare for the [...]
Why And How We Teach Our Children To Pray— My 15-month-old son Ezra has recently been throwing his hands up to motion “touchdown!” Neither his father nor I sat down and taught him to do this, but it makes sense. It is fall, football season is here, and the Burton family watches [...]
A Vision for Visiting Families— “Where are your shoes?!” “We’re going to be late—just get in the car!” “Are any of my friends going to be there?” “I don’t want to go!” “I’m hungry. Will there be food there?” These are just a sample of the “conversations” that a new family, or [...]