Okay, I admit that the title is corny, but I simply couldn’t resist. “Consider using children’s books that aren’t categorized as religious” didn’t have quite the same ring to it!

Many individuals in your congregation have a spiritual story to tell, but often they may not wish to do that orally. A writer's workshop can be an effective tool for teaching individuals how to crystallize their beliefs, reflections, and stories...for themselves or for others. Here's an example of a process you might use:

I notice a temptation when teaching children about prayer to fall back on the “traditional” teaching that when we pray, we fold our hands and bow our heads. While there is nothing wrong with praying with folded hands and bowed heads – quite the opposite, as it can help us focus and center ourselves – we do children a favor when we introduce them to other attitudes of prayer.

 Next time you sit down with a group of friends at a restaurant that has table tents, notice exactly how long it is before someone picks it up to read it. Chances are, someone at the table will scan it shortly after sitting down to see what appetizers, drinks, or specials are available. Table tents are one of the most effective forms of advertising or communicating information because they combine a) a captive audience b) an unusual shape we see less frequently than squares and circles and c) imagery associated with something basic to our existence.

Table tents work in plenty of other places besides restaurants, too. Next time you're looking for a creative way to get the word out about something, try a table tent. For example...

January is a popular time to kick off a congregational "read the Bible in a year" program. Such endeavors are certainly entered with the best of intentions and can be a good approach to encouraging daily devotional time.

Two major problems plague such efforts, however...

Providing children with opportunities to serve nurtures their natural generosity. Several years ago, the third grade Sunday School class at our church began a prayer bracelet ministry as an extension of the church’s prayer shawl ministry. Making prayer bracelets is a service project that both younger and older children can participate in and it can be a short-term or a long-term project.

I’m sure that plans are in place for your church’s Advent and Christmas ministries. How are your plans for New Year’s Eve coming along?

The utilization of mentors can be helpful in many ministry areas in the local church, including newcomer integration, confirmation programs and lay leadership development. A mentor/mentee relationship provides an arena for connection and collaboration and opportunities for growth in both parties.

Internet marketers have lots of tools at their disposal to determine which web pages you visit on their sites, what gets you to make a purchase, and how long you stay on a particular page. One of those tools is called split testing (or sometimes A/B split testing.) ...