brennaphillips.com

Seriously, does the U.S. government really think that lengthening the school year further into the summer months is going to have that much of an impact on a student’s education and achievement goals?  I don’t think so. This topic has been discussed for years. It’s not how much time students spend in the classroom; it’s what they do while they’re in the classroom. Some students learn on different levels, with different methods and techniques. They need to be taught in different ways …teaching a topic in a variety of ways and methods, by repetition. Longer school years will not make that much of a difference.

Here is the link for the article about longer school years.

Tags: Educational by Brenna Phillips
1 Comment »

order your calendar today

I have developed a children’s ministry calendar that is now available for purchase at Lulu.com. Each month shows images and scripture of events, activities, and mission adventures throughout a year in Children’s ministry. Calendars are $16.99 each. The proceeds from the sale of each calendar will go towards future children’s missions.

Purchase your calendar today!

Tags: Educational, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
1 Comment »

I am loving the songs by 33 Miles more and more. The lyrics from “Jesus Calling” song means a lot to me these days as I try to hear God’s voice and follow His path. Sometimes things feel like pouring rain and thunder and lightning and it feels like the sky is falling all around me, but Jesus is calling; He’s right there with me.

Here’s the chorus:

When you see the rushing wind, feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now as the clouds roll in
You’re blinded by the lighting
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying it’s okay
You’re not alone, you may be scared to death
But I won’t let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling

33 Miles \”Jesus is Calling\”

Tags: Personal by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

End of summer-beginning of fall butterfly in Delaware

This afternoon I sat on the back patio reading, enjoying the end of summer-beginning of fall light breeze and sunshine. I love things in nature! The beauty of God’s creation! Here is a picture of a big butterfly enjoying his own butterfly bushes.

Tags: Educational, Ministry, Personal by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

Back in the day of my elementary school years, we participated in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag. Some students were not required to participate because of family religious reasons, but there was no big deal made about their personal decisions. All of my personal friends participated and I do not recall any students in my classes not participating; however, that was many years ago and a different time, location, and generation.

There is a campaign to issue a warning before the Pledge of Allegiance. Is this any different from giving students the religious option of choosing not to participate in saying the pledge? America is “one nation under God.” Our historic American leaders consulted God in many decisions. Do you say the pledge, do your kids say it at school?

Click the link below to see the campaign on the pledge warning:

Pledge

Tags: Educational, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

Here is the latest Children’s Ministry Think Tank question.

How do you teach the doctrine of sin to children without harming their self-esteem? Especially with preschool children, how explicitly do you teach them about their own depravity? How do parents in your ministry respond to these issues?

The Bible speaks clearly about obedience. We have a great responsibility to be obedient to God. We can learn from the kings who ruled Israel and Judah that there are consequences for having a lack of obedience. Some kings began their time of reign as good kings who followed God’s ways but somewhere along the way, they lost their focus and traveled down the wrong path leading them to destruction and often death.

How do we teach sin to children? We teach them that it is our responsibility to be obedient. We love God; therefore, we are obedient to follow His ways. When we lose that focus and are not obedient to God then there are consequences and punishments.

We are obedient to God by being obedient to our parents, grandparents, teachers, and other adults. When we mess up and are disobedient, that is called sin. Sin separates us from God. Sin can be big, like stealing something that doesn’t belong to us or hurting someone else even as far as death. Sin can be something smaller, like saying unkind words to someone or treating others badly. God loves us but He hates sin. God wants us to follow His ways and obey His commandments and rules.

Think about a river. As the water flows in a river, it picks up dirty mud, trash, and pollutants along the riverbanks. This trash floats in the water making it very dirty. Sin is the trash in our lives that makes us dirty. The cross upon which Jesus died is our bridge across that “dirty river.” When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we are walking across that bridge to God where we are clean and free from sin again. It is our responsibility to be obedient to stay clean and follow God’s ways and commandments.

The parents of the children involved in the children’s ministry at my church have not had any responses to teaching about sin. They are appreciative that I teach their children on their levels of understanding.

To read responses from other children’s ministry professionals, click this link.

Tags: Ministry by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

We gather today to remember our dear friends who have recently parted ways. No longer are we encouraged to be in close friendship and togetherness. yikes! The H1N1 virus is winning the relationship war. We should all just take precautions against germs and diseases and wash our hands.

Read on…

Tags: Educational, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

I’m a Children’s-Family Minister. I love children’s-family ministry. I’ve worked in children-preschool ministry for many years, going on 16 years now. I’ve held many positions:  paid positions, volunteer positions, children’s ministry only positions, children-preschool ministry positions, church staff positions, school teaching positions, year-round positions, summer positions, positions in large churches, positions in small churches, positions in churches with rented facilities, positions in house churches.

I currently work as a volunteer Children’s-Family Minister at our church. Our church has one part-time paid staff member, the senior pastor. In addition to my children’s ministry responsibilities, I teach early childhood students at an early childhood learning center. That position is both fun and difficult at the same time. Teaching is fun and it is exciting to plan fun ways to teach the developmental basics to early childhood students. There are those daily challenges of early childhood behavior issues as well though. But this position allows me to be out in the field working with children and families with whom the church should be ministering.

Some people say, “oh, if those non-church positions weren’t paid children’s ministry positions, then they weren’t real positions.” But I say, “oh, but they are. I learned more about ministry in my non-church staff positions than I did directly on a church staff.” It is my belief that ministry leaders learn more about how to do ministry by working in the “real world” along side “real people.” Ministers learn how to be real people. They learn how to interact with others. They learn normal language. They learn normal actions. Every minister should be out in the world investing in the lives of others.

Today we journeyed to New Jersey to have lunch with our friend Len Sweet. What a joy it is to visit with him and enjoy a new adventure each time we meet! He is such a down-to-earth guy with encouraging words to share. Thanks a bunch, Len!

Delaware Valley Baptist Church

On our way back to Delaware, we decided to re-program the GPS to lead us to my old house. I was born in Willingboro, New Jersey, but moved away when I was 5 years old. Much of my time there is fuzzy in my mind and I’m going on memories from family pictures and stories but those were good years. Mom and Dad were recently married when they moved to New Jersey to help with a new church plant. My preschool years started in Delaware Valley Baptist (Willingboro) and Southside Baptist (Mt. Holly). Both of these churches have changed with many different leaders, different emphases, and different paths over many years, but these were special times in the beginning of my family life as mom and dad were my first preschool teachers, later leading me to follow God’s call to lead others in the ministry of children-preschool-families. I am blessed to have had those early teachings and treasure those years very much. May God continue to teach me everyday how to minister to those with whom he places in my path.

Tags: Educational, Ministry, Personal by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

I’ve done many children’s sermons in worship gatherings at church. They can be very effective in teaching children, involving children in the family worship gathering, and adults have been known to learn from them as well.

Here is a post on children’s sermons as a part of worship gatherings. “Let the children come and show us the joy of multi-generational church.” Below is a list of why churches should include the children’s sermon in their worship gatherings:

The children’s sermon…

a) is often a valuable way to include children in the liturgy, especially with skillful use of the Christian year, lectionary and various catechetical questions.

b) creates interest in the larger worship service that can translate into greater attention, participation and good behavior.

c) often provides a useful extension of the sermon to the adult congregation through an object lesson in the children’s sermon. (Anyone ever notice that quite a few stewardship sermons find their way into the children’s lesson?)

d) builds rapport between the minister and children, making him/her more accessible.

e) assists in children listening to and understanding the sermon.

f) provides a good transition point to a time when children leave the worship service for their own class or worship time. (In the Anglican church I sometimes attend, the children leave and then return at the closing hymn.)

g) helps us remember that all preaching need not be complex, long or overly “preachy.” A good object lesson in the context of scripture is very helpful to many adults, youth, etc. I know that all sorts of Christians say the children’s sermon is their favorite time in the service.

Tags: Ministry by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »

I have read many articles recently on success and people trying to define success, especially success in ministry. Success is not all about the numbers. Get this e-book for only $1.25 —less than a Starbucks drink— and see the definitions of success!

Here is the link to get the e-book.

Tags: Books, Educational, Ministry by Brenna Phillips
No Comments »