The Two Types of Leaders Every Child Needs
Wednesday April 12, 2017 | Kristen IvyWhich phase of a kid’s life do you think is more important? There are actually two answers to that question. . . Answer 1 The phase that should matter most is the one you are working with now. In other words, you should learn to champion the age group you work with so you can […] Read more
Why Your Ministry Needs a Champion
Wednesday April 5, 2017 | Kristen IvyIf you’re reading this article, more than likely it’s because you influence children or teenagers. That puts you in a unique tribe of leaders who spend every week teaching, programming, and leading the next generation. It also means it’s up to you. You are in a position to change how adults in your church see […] Read more
The 3 Elements of Every Phase
Wednesday March 29, 2017 | Kristen IvyEvery phase has its own significant relationship, present realities, and distinctive opportunities. So we have to pay attention. We have to do our homework. We have to show up consistently. We have to rally the church to know the kids matter at every phase. Read more
Why Kids Need More Than Just Their Parents
Wednesday March 22, 2017 | Kristen IvyIf no volunteer can ever know what a parent knows, then why recruit anyone to help with kids and teenagers? It would definitely make things easier if you could just tell parents, “Since you know more than we can ever know, and you have more time than we will ever have, and you care about […] Read more
Parent and Small Group Leader: A Child Needs Both
Wednesday March 15, 2017 | Kristen IvyLast Friday you put on some tunes and busted a move in front of your totally-mortified middle school sons. Then tonight they came home from the dance doing the sprinkler, just like you taught ’em—only they gave credit to Jeff, their small group leader. What gives? And it’s not just your own kids, either. One […] Read more
The One Thing Every Kid Needs the Most
Wednesday March 8, 2017 | Kristen IvyAll kids need the same thing. Kids who are black, white, Asian, Hispanic. Kids who are fostered or adopted. Only children, middle children, and youngest children. High risk, special needs, gifted, introverts, extroverts, strong-willed, or mild-tempered . . . All kids need the same thing. Actually, it may seem like kids need a lot of […] Read more
How to Read Kids’ Minds at Every Phase
Wednesday July 20, 2016 | Kristen Ivy“Read their mind” is just another way of saying every leader needs to understand what’s changing mentally and physically. Kids and teenagers don’t think like adults. So it’s the role of a leader to keep presenting, keep translating and keep creating experiences until someone has learned what they need to know. When you know how […] Read more
Important Mental and Physical Changes That Happen at Every Phase
Tuesday June 7, 2016 | Kristen IvyIn Deuteronomy 6, Moses addressed the nation of Israel and made a passionate plea to “impress” on the hearts of children core truths that relate to God’s character. Some translations use the phrase “teach diligently.” The phrase can also be translated to mean “to cause to learn.” He wasn’t advocating a lecture-based, Torah literacy program where […] Read more
Sexual Integrity Through the Phases: Helping Parents Navigate Sexual Integrity At Every Age
Thursday March 10, 2016 | Orange Leadersby Dr. Jim Burns and Kristen Ivy Authorities in the area of sex education tell us: “The more positive, value-centered sex education kids receive from home, the less promiscuous they will be.” That sounds simple enough. But a majority of parents didn’t receive healthy conversations about sexuality from their parents. So they don’t have a […] Read more