What if there were some simple solutions that would help you create a culture of connectedness? Consider the following ideas that have been proven at the NLRC children's ministries office and around the nation. You can begin implementing these ideas almost immediately. At the end of the day, a tightly connected and healthy team is critical for ministry. Make the culture of connectedness something of high importance for you and your team.

Tony Dungy, coach of the Indianapolis Colts and Super Bowl Champions, wanted to win but was more interested in his players succeeding in life after football. We need to be that way with JBQ. The real win will be 10 or 20 years from now, when we see the children we coached or parented doing awesome things for God. Let's raise up some faithful men and women for God!

What if you were to take time today to drive around your community asking the Holy Spirit to lead you to places where kids gather but have no one sharing Jesus with them? As you find those places, could you begin trust your Heavenly Father for a solution to meet them where they are?

When it comes to the way we do children’s ministry, consider the shift that takes place from each generation to the next. It would be insane to believe we can keep doing the same things in a changing culture and expect to receive the same results. In many ways, it would be even more insane if we were so content with the effectiveness of past practices that we kept doing the same things over and over. After all, there is always room to improve.

In a culture that seems to get busier and busier as each day passes, time is precious. A.W. Tozer once said, “When you kill time, remember that it has no resurrection.” Time is not something that we are able to get back, so we must treat it like a commodity.

Nowadays, everyone (okay, not everyone, but most) starts their day off with a cup of the sacred bean in some form. Drip coffee from the Mr. Coffee pot at home, an overheated latte from Starbucks, or some frozen concoction blended with a lot of sugar and a hint of coffee. Coffee “fuels” many of us and helps get the day started right! I want to ask this question: Is your kids ministry fueled by coffee? Below is an acronym that will help you find out…