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.)
Four Values of a Team
Wednesday August 20, 2014 | Jim WidemanNo matter how great an individual player you are, a team can make you or break you. As a children’s pastor, I have worked hard assembling and developing my teams. My least favorite times in ministry have been on staffs where everyone did their own thing, not functioning as a team. A team can always […] Read more
Evaluating Yourself as a Leader
Monday June 23, 2014 | Jim WidemanAll children’s pastors want their ministries to grow, and I believe God wants them to grow as well. For this to happen, we must be willing to grow in our leadership abilities. Individual growth always comes before corporate growth. The key to growth as a leader is evaluation. Change will never take place without constant […] Read more
Getting Along With Grown-Ups
Tuesday May 27, 2014 | Jim WidemanMost children’s and student ministry leaders are more comfortable in relationships with young people than with adults. However, if you cannot lead and impact adults you’ll never have an outstanding ministry to families. Following are 12 tips for dealing positively with adult volunteers and co-workers. 1. Realize you need help. You must allow others to […] Read more
Wanting God’s Best for Your Children
Monday July 8, 2013 | Jim WidemanPsalm 112:1-8 (NIV) tells us: “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. . . . Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no […] Read more
Leaders are Problem Solvers, Part Two
Tuesday June 18, 2013 | Jim WidemanClick here for “Leaders are Problem Solvers, Part One.” Like it or not, you’ve got to be a problem-solver. People who serve under you already see you as a problem-solver—and they need you to take on that role. For most of us in children’s ministry, problem-solving isn’t our strongest skill. We’re wired to be caretakers. […] Read more
Leaders are Problem Solvers, Part One
Tuesday June 11, 2013 | Jim WidemanWant to test the measure of a leader? Throw a problem at him or her. Most people, when they come face to face with a problem, immediately look for someone else to solve it. We all start out that way. As children, when problems came our way, we called for our mamas. And that was […] Read more
Keeping Life Simple: 18 Steps to do When Life Gets Crazy
Tuesday May 28, 2013 | Jim WidemanLife can sure get wild in the ministry. Have you ever noticed how just when you don’t think things can get any busier they do? We’ve all been there, but really and truly busy is a relative term. What’s busy to me might not be busy to you and what’s manageable to me might be […] Read more
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