An approach that I have found useful when faced with a challenging subject is to read a children’s book – regardless of whether I am talking to children, youth or adults. I once heard it said and I believe it to be true that a good children’s book is written for all ages. A book can be a wonderful way to open a conversation, particularly when people might initially be at a loss for words.

From time to time, I work an overnight shift at the homeless shelter in my community. I've noticed something striking: it's a "Drop and Go" site for many people who support it. By that, I mean that it is quite common for individuals to drop off donations and immediately leave. (Some even simply leave the items on the porch and do not even pause long enough to ring the doorbell.)

Far fewer are the folks who have deeper, more meaningful interactions with the residents there, or with the problem of homelessness in general. I am glad so many people in the community give generously to the shelter and to other service-oriented organizations, but I firmly believe that discipleship calls for ever deeper involvement with the poor.

I hope that by now you have realized that Ash Wednesday, and therefore the beginning of Lent, is only two weeks away. For some people Lent has traditionally been a time of “giving up” something – a symbolic sacrifice to help remember the sacrifice that Jesus made. Others use Lent as a time of “adding on” – doing extra acts of love and service to celebrate Jesus’ act of love when he died on the cross. However we choose to experience Lent, it is an opportunity to become more intentional about our spiritual life and encourage those we are in ministry with to do the same.

Ash Wednesday, the day that serves as the beginning of the church season of Lent, is February 25th this year. Many churches have Ash Wednesday services, but far fewer offer other events on that important day in the church year. Here's an idea for a special activity that is fairly easy to put together and which will be very meaningful for anyone who chooses to participate in it - a "Plan Your Own Funeral" workshop.

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.