Jim Wideman
Jim is considered an innovator, a pioneer and one of the fathers of the modern family ministry movement. He is a speaker, teacher, and author, with over 40 years of experience in the local church. Jim is also an Orange Thinker and is helping to lead “NextGen Staff Solutions” by staffing the church with those who influence kids and teenagers. Jim and his amazing wife, Julie, have two daughters, and two grandsons (one here and one on the way.)
Using Your Summer To Gear Up For The Fall
Wednesday July 17, 2019 | Jim WidemanWhere did this year go? It seems like just yesterday we were talking about gearing up for the new year, then we were getting a jump on Easter, now it’s come and gone and we’re in the thick of summer. With camps, VBS and mission trips all planned, now is the time to use the rest of your summer to plan for the rest of the year. Read more
Succession Planning: Who will replace you?
Tuesday September 4, 2018 | Jim WidemanOver the years I have learned the hard way that doing the job alone, just doesn’t work. And not only does it not work, but it doesn’t produce fruit that lasts. If older Jim could tell younger Jim something today I’d tell him, it’s never too early to work on legacy. Every job I left […] Read more
Don’t Let Your Church Miss Seasonal Opportunities
Monday October 9, 2017 | Jim WidemanWhere did this year go? It seems like yesterday we were talking about starting this year off with a bang and here we are in the last quarter. I want to finish the year strong and to accomplish all that I need to, to make sure I don’t miss the opportunities ahead that October, November, […] Read more
Controlling Crazy
Monday January 30, 2017 | Jim WidemanLife can get wild and ministry can get crazy. When you don’t think things can get any busier, they can and they do. Often, busy is a relative term. What one person calls busy is not busy to another. The fact is no matter how you define busy it causes you to be deal with […] Read more
Conducting Effective Quarterly Reviews For Staff
Monday July 18, 2016 | Jim WidemanAll of us in ministry wear many hats. Within all of our individual responsibilities whether it be children’s or student ministry you’ll find many similar roles. We all must align key leaders, we all must champion every age group, we all gauge effectiveness and success, we all access ministry systems, and we all expand learning, […] Read more
STARTING OVER: The First 5 Things You Should Do, Plus 15 More
Wednesday August 26, 2015 | Jim WidemanYou’re about to launch a children’s ministry or you know the ministry you’re running needs a restart. But how do you begin a new beginning? How do you start a restart? Take this chance to learn from a leader who’s had to start over many times. Discover the most important things to do first—because how […] Read more
Avoiding The Pitfalls Of Volunteer Recruitment
Tuesday August 11, 2015 | Jim Wideman“Hey there, I’m no photographer, but I can sure picture you as a part of our volunteer team.” Okay, so that line may not win you any volunteers. But the truth is that we all need more volunteers, and there’s something people need to hear from you to invite them on board. So, how do […] Read more
How Your Church Can Create An Effective Safety System
Wednesday July 29, 2015 | Jim WidemanSeptember 11, 2001, lives were changed forever. I am convinced that it will never be like it was before that time. Security has been heightened in our country and continues to change. If this is true in airports, public buildings, stadiums and even in theme parks (anywhere there’s a crowd), I believe it should also […] Read more
Six H’s Of Self-Evaluation
Monday June 8, 2015 | Jim WidemanLeadership is a privilege but it also has its challenges. If I can be honest with you, of all the challenges I have faced as a ministry leader, without a doubt my biggest challenge is to lead me. What about needing workers? No, it’s leading me. What about leading up or ministry and family balance? […] Read more
7 Questions Every Kidmin Leader Needs To Ask Themselves To Grow
Thursday November 20, 2014 | Jim WidemanI am a question junkie! I’ve never met a question I didn’t like. Why? That’s simple: Questions make you think, questions make you evaluate and questions make you grow. I’ve also come to see questions cause you to learn as well as being a first step to change! In my opinion, there is no such […] Read more
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