This has been something I’ve been thinking about lately. At Gateway we’re developing our “Online” strategy. Although people will be able to get weekend messages, I don’t think the team is heading in the direction of making the online experience a “virtual” church service with worship, message and special message from the web pastor. I think it’s going to be a unique experience. Pretty cool stuff.

At Gateway, our long term plan is that thousands, even tens of thousands, would be connected through our online experience. These would all be people who might not set foot in one of our campuses. This causes me to ask the question, “what about the kids?”

If you haven’t yet, watch the video below.

So, I think the video brings up a lot of really good points. Can kids who never/rarely set foot in a physical church still grow in their faith? Yeah! It’s certainly possible. In fact, it could even be better (Big emphasis on the word could).

What is it we Children’s Pastors want more than anything (other than a raise)? We want parents to actively engage in the lives of their children. I don’t think that kids just sitting in the room overhearing the online service is how it’s done. However, I do thing there is a real opportunity here. If parents want to be a part of an online service, then they’re actively engaging on the website. When they click on “kids,” then they can possibly be equipped to engage. Perhaps there is a video that plays intended for kids and parents to watch together that engages them in an activity or elicits response from both. Perhaps there is a pdf to print out that goes on the dinner table for questions around the table… or one that goes in the car for questions while driving.

So, I think that there is a great opportunity through this whole online venture that takes advantage of the most significant influence in the lives of the kids, their moms and dads.

M1035E allows you to select a date range to determine a desired attendance pattern. For my case, I wanted to isolate all the kids who have attended 3 or more times only during September and August. The great thing about this report is that you can select multiple activities. In my case, our services are set on 4 different activities, so this report was accurate even if the kids attended different services.

Then M1035E allows you to select the number of days from the end of the original range (in my case it was since September 27th) that the child hasn’t attended at all. So my MIA list was to find kids who have attended 3 or more times in August and September who have not attended in October. This was my hit list. When I first ran M1035E it only gave me parents names, home phone numbers, a household email and the last date they attended. I submitted a request to modify the report and it now displays the emails and cell phones of both parents as well as the activity and RLC the child attended on their last visit.

So, I’ve run the report and we’re distributing the data to small group leaders and room leaders of the activity/RLCs listed in this report. In the next few days our volunteers should have connected with all these kids just to check up on them and let them know they have been missed.

So, if you’re looking for a great MIA report, look no further. If you know of another, leave a comment!

All week I’ve been thinking about this day. I knew it was coming up. However, it was a busy day today and the day almost got away from me before I could post my anniversary post. I wonder how long I’ll be writing these anniversary posts.

What anniversary? Here’s last year’s 1st anniversary post. Here’s the post that started it.

It was two years ago today that I was let go from my role as a Children’s Pastor at Cross Timbers. It was abrupt and unexpected. I’d never been let go from a job before. I never imagined myself being let go from a job (I guess most people don’t). It wasn’t anything I did, but rather a financial situation that caused the dismissal of more than a dozen people.

However, it was a pivotal time for me and my family. I don’t know that I’ll ever forget this day. It was such a punch in the gut. I was angry. I was embarrassed. I was confused. I was sad. It’s amazing the depth of emotions we felt in that moment. The hardest part of all was knowing that we would have to leave the community we’d fallen in love with (my heart still hurts every time I drive through DFW). Even in the midst of all these emotions, I never doubted that God was doing something and had something better for us. I guess the hardest part was that I wanted to be a little more in control of the situation.

I don’t have to go into a lot of detail. Looking back it seems like ages ago. Now we’ve been gone longer than we were ever a part of Cross Timbers. I’m now serving in a fulfilling and challenging role at the absolute best church I’ve ever attended. More than any other place, I believe in the vision and heart of this community of Christ followers and I’m so excited to be here. In addition, I get to live in the coolest town in Texas, the coolest state of the Union. Could life get any better?

@karinpwilliams Hey, this song is the iPod song… I didn't know this was them. in reply to karinpwilliams #

@karinpwilliams Ha! Oh well, I'll not think any less of you for not watching the rebroadcast. in reply to karinpwilliams #

lovin' the rain. Slept in a little this morning and the rain is perfect for sleepin' in. #

Time to get my wedding on! Sorry, that sounded really dorky. #

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I’m going to be looking at some trends from the past four years (since I’ve not been here long enough to have the history). However, I do know that the flu bug has been vicious here. H1N1 has ravaged the state of Texas and there are a couple other flu strains that have been affecting our families. We’ve even had to change our well child policy this fall (we ask kids not to come if anyone in their family has had the flu that week) since H1N1 is contagious even before you know you have it. So although we usually experience a little bit of a decline in October and November, we usually don’t see our numbers take this big of a hit.

Has anyone else had a noticeable attendance dip that was out of the ordinary (especially if you’re in Texas)? Let me know as this seems to be the best way gather information from others. Feel free to post as comments or email me privately at kenny@childrensministryonline.com.

The winner? Kendra Golden! Woo Hoo!

But that’s not all. That may have been my last invite, but I’ve got friends, co-workers and staff who have or will soon have more invites. So in addition, I sent invites to three more randomly selected people who commented on my contest post. Those people are Todd McKeever, Chris Chancey and Erin English. Yeaaaa! More winners. Who knows, maybe I’ll send out a few more when I get them.

So, thanks to those of you who participated in my little contest. Even more importantly, thanks for being a part of this community!