One of the most profound statements about the Holy Spirit is found in Benny Hinn's book "Welcome, Holy Spirit" where he quotes Kathryn Kuhlman telling of her relationship with the Spirit of God. Let me share this thought taken from page 28 " ... Kathryn Kuhlman looked out over those seated in the audience for her healing service and said of the Holy Spirit, 'He's more real to me than you are.'"
How real is the Holy Spirit to you? For many, the Holy Spirit is Someone that they kind of know exists but can't provide much information about Him. To others, He is just a part of a religious creed recited in church services. Others have reduced God's Spirit to nothing more than a force or mystical, invisible entity.
I know that this blog entry isn't very lengthy. It doesn't take many words to ask you to examine the realness of the Holy Spirit in your life. Can you join Kathryn Kuhlman in stating that He is more real to you than the flesh and blood person sitting in the room with you right now? If not, do yourself a favor and get to know the Spirit of the living God. In doing so, you'll never ever be the same again.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Monday, July 23, 2012
Ever Think About Quitting the Children's Ministry?
Ever get discouraged while working in your children's ministry? If we are honest, every one of us will have to admit to allowing discouragement to raise its ugly head and try to convince us to quit. It's easy to have a pity party because no other ministry in our church truly understands all that we do or the hours that we spend. This ministry can deplete our energies, enthusiasm, and, sadly, even our joy. At times, your natural instinct will cry for you to hand this ministry off to some other person. Can you identify with any of this?
It's always amazing to me that when these times come (and they DO come), God always sends a gentle encouragement that will enable us to keep on keeping on. For example ...
* A couple of weeks ago at a Phat Sat (going to a local amusement park and then a county pool), Vickie and I were talking to a sweet little girl. In the conversation, I complemented her and told her that she was a beautiful little girl. I then asked her if any other person had told her that day that she was beautiful. After hearing her reply of no, I asked, "Didn't your Dad or Mom tell you?" Again, her answer was no. A little later she pulled me to the side and told me that both her Dad and Mom were in prison and that I was like a Dad to her. I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* A few days ago, I had a mother tell me that her ten-year-old daughter had never known her father. When the mother found out that she was pregnant, the father fled. The mother looked at me, and, with tear-filled eyes, said, "Pastor Billy, my daughter looks to you like a Dad." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* I had a mother tell me, "Pastor Billy, my son told me that when he grows up, he wants to be a policeman, a fireman, or a Pastor Billy." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* Some time ago, I had a mother tell me, "Pastor Billy, my children told me that they love their Dad but wanted to know if Pastor Billy could come and live with them too." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
Is this ministry labor intensive? Yep. Is this ministry energy draining? Without question, yes! But quit? Are you kidding me? Only heaven has an accurate record of all that is being accomplished week after week. Pardon me. I'm going to end today's blog entry so that I can get back to being a Children's Pastor. One more kid needs some of Pastor Billy.
It's always amazing to me that when these times come (and they DO come), God always sends a gentle encouragement that will enable us to keep on keeping on. For example ...
* A couple of weeks ago at a Phat Sat (going to a local amusement park and then a county pool), Vickie and I were talking to a sweet little girl. In the conversation, I complemented her and told her that she was a beautiful little girl. I then asked her if any other person had told her that day that she was beautiful. After hearing her reply of no, I asked, "Didn't your Dad or Mom tell you?" Again, her answer was no. A little later she pulled me to the side and told me that both her Dad and Mom were in prison and that I was like a Dad to her. I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* A few days ago, I had a mother tell me that her ten-year-old daughter had never known her father. When the mother found out that she was pregnant, the father fled. The mother looked at me, and, with tear-filled eyes, said, "Pastor Billy, my daughter looks to you like a Dad." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* I had a mother tell me, "Pastor Billy, my son told me that when he grows up, he wants to be a policeman, a fireman, or a Pastor Billy." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
* Some time ago, I had a mother tell me, "Pastor Billy, my children told me that they love their Dad but wanted to know if Pastor Billy could come and live with them too." I think that I'll keep on keeping on.
Is this ministry labor intensive? Yep. Is this ministry energy draining? Without question, yes! But quit? Are you kidding me? Only heaven has an accurate record of all that is being accomplished week after week. Pardon me. I'm going to end today's blog entry so that I can get back to being a Children's Pastor. One more kid needs some of Pastor Billy.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Kids, They Want to Have Fun
Years ago, there was an extremely popular song that stated "Girls, They want to have fun." To be honest, those few words are the only words that I know from the song. But, that's enough to remind me that girls (and, if the truth be known ... boys) want to have fun.
If that is true (and it is!!!), then the element of fun should always be a part of the equation in ministering to children. In our children's ministry, we always utilize a fun-filled action-type game to start off our services. This game brings an end to the children visiting among themselves and brings focus before going into our time of praise and worship. Then later, we do some type of game to help the children with the memorization of the Bible verse. Fun is an essential part of our service.
You might be thinking this thought, "What in the world does fun have to do with a blog that primarily deals with the Person and work of the Holy Spirit?" I'm glad that you had this question. The answer is EVERYTHING. The Holy Spirit isn't opposed to you having fun in a service. In fact, He encourages it. He knows that people (including children) are spirit, soul, and body. He knows that an effective ministry engages and touches all three parts of the individual. ALL three aspects of ministry are important. If you eliminate or omit touching one of the three parts of the child, you are essentially trying to rest upon a three-legged stool that only has two legs. If you are able to sit on the stool, it won't be for very long and it will be mighty uncomfortable.
Let me take it a step further. In addition to having fun as a part of a service, why don't you occasionally have a service that is ALL fun. Am I being heretical? NOPE! After completing a teaching series or perhaps once a quarter or even once every other month have an unbelievably, unforgettably wild, crazy, exciting ALL fun service. For example, this weekend we are having a Chill Weekend where we are showing the new VeggieTales Penniless Princess DVD and serving snow cones to the kids. Later, we are having Shine Weekend where the boys and girls will showcase their talents. I'll add in my humor to what they do by trying to imitate their talent. It'll be a hilarious weekend. How about having a Super Sloppy Double Dare weekend where you will watch a new 30 minute DVD and then ask questions and play Double Dare based upon the movie. The kids will never forget the weekend as they wind up participating in and/or watching some really sloppy games played by those taking physical challenges.
Let me go one more step further. Why does "ministry" have to be contained inside of the church building? During these summer months, enjoy connecting with the children outside of the church. Once in June and then again in August, the midweek Bible clubs that meet during our Wednesday night service go to a local swimming pool. Spiritual? You betcha! Every kid in the church wants to lay hands on their young (55-year-old) children's pastor. It's a night of memory-making fun and a time to connect in a whole new way. What about pushing the lesson aside and serving snow cones one hot Summer Wednesday night? Is this spiritual? Yep!
This blog entry is far longer than I had planned. But, it is needed. Have some fun. Make some memories. Connect. Bond. Touch all three parts of the child ... spirit, soul, and body. These OCCASIONAL all-service fun times will open the door for greater "regular" types of ministry. Try it. I guarantee that your boys and girls love you, the church, and being a Christian a whole lot more!
If that is true (and it is!!!), then the element of fun should always be a part of the equation in ministering to children. In our children's ministry, we always utilize a fun-filled action-type game to start off our services. This game brings an end to the children visiting among themselves and brings focus before going into our time of praise and worship. Then later, we do some type of game to help the children with the memorization of the Bible verse. Fun is an essential part of our service.
You might be thinking this thought, "What in the world does fun have to do with a blog that primarily deals with the Person and work of the Holy Spirit?" I'm glad that you had this question. The answer is EVERYTHING. The Holy Spirit isn't opposed to you having fun in a service. In fact, He encourages it. He knows that people (including children) are spirit, soul, and body. He knows that an effective ministry engages and touches all three parts of the individual. ALL three aspects of ministry are important. If you eliminate or omit touching one of the three parts of the child, you are essentially trying to rest upon a three-legged stool that only has two legs. If you are able to sit on the stool, it won't be for very long and it will be mighty uncomfortable.
Let me take it a step further. In addition to having fun as a part of a service, why don't you occasionally have a service that is ALL fun. Am I being heretical? NOPE! After completing a teaching series or perhaps once a quarter or even once every other month have an unbelievably, unforgettably wild, crazy, exciting ALL fun service. For example, this weekend we are having a Chill Weekend where we are showing the new VeggieTales Penniless Princess DVD and serving snow cones to the kids. Later, we are having Shine Weekend where the boys and girls will showcase their talents. I'll add in my humor to what they do by trying to imitate their talent. It'll be a hilarious weekend. How about having a Super Sloppy Double Dare weekend where you will watch a new 30 minute DVD and then ask questions and play Double Dare based upon the movie. The kids will never forget the weekend as they wind up participating in and/or watching some really sloppy games played by those taking physical challenges.
Let me go one more step further. Why does "ministry" have to be contained inside of the church building? During these summer months, enjoy connecting with the children outside of the church. Once in June and then again in August, the midweek Bible clubs that meet during our Wednesday night service go to a local swimming pool. Spiritual? You betcha! Every kid in the church wants to lay hands on their young (55-year-old) children's pastor. It's a night of memory-making fun and a time to connect in a whole new way. What about pushing the lesson aside and serving snow cones one hot Summer Wednesday night? Is this spiritual? Yep!
This blog entry is far longer than I had planned. But, it is needed. Have some fun. Make some memories. Connect. Bond. Touch all three parts of the child ... spirit, soul, and body. These OCCASIONAL all-service fun times will open the door for greater "regular" types of ministry. Try it. I guarantee that your boys and girls love you, the church, and being a Christian a whole lot more!
Monday, July 9, 2012
The Holy Spirit is My Partner!
I recently was going through some files on my computer and came across a letter thanking us for a national Ignite the Supernatural Conference. Allow me to share just a brief portion of the letter ...
"And I wanted to tell you that the conference was amazing. I gleaned so much,
but the biggest thing was a new revelation of the Holy Spirit. At some point,
it hit me: the Holy Spirit is my partner! I didn't feel inadequate anymore.
Leaving the Ignite conference, I felt as though I was leaving a marriage
conference...and it has been such a wonderful time since! My life was
transformed--there is a lightness and a boldness in me, and an awakening to the
Holy Spirit. I am excited to wake up and fellowship with Him and partner with
Him in ministry, instead of trying to do it myself. Things I had known in my
head became real in my heart."
I'm back with you. I'm sharing this excerpt from the email with you because I believe that it is important that we continually reexamine our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to be "our partner"? As our partner, we are allowing Him to co-teach alongside of us. As our partner, we are allowing Him to provide direction from His perspective. As our partner, we are allowing Him to be an extra set of eyes and ears, revealing to us information about our children that our narrow vantage point wouldn't/couldn't see and hear. As our partner, He overshadows our inadequacies and enables us to powerfully impact children's lives.
Now, turn off the computer and take a few minutes to dialog with the Holy Spirit. This would be a great time to convey your need and dependence upon this One who has been sent to work alongside of you. I guarantee that the children in your ministry will thank you for doing so!
One more thing ... would you like for us to conduct a Friday/Saturday regional Ignite the Supernatural Conference at your church? For more information, please write me at billy@billyburnsministries.com.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Meet My Friend, the Holy Spirit
Just a quick question which is inspired by my recently reading Acts 19. If the apostle Paul were to visit your church as he did the church in Ephesus and ask the question, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you've believed?" would the boys and girls in your Sunday school class or children's church or mid-week Bible club give the same answer as the Ephesians?
Let's be honest. In most churches, children would echo the response of the Ephesians, "We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." I'm talking about churches that fall under the category of being Pentecostal or Charismatic.
Take this challenge. Please, please, please, please (I could keep typing this word over and over again) introduce your boys and girls to this Person who has been called to walk alongside of them. Allow them to meet and fall in love with this Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener and Standby. Your children and your ministry will never ever be the same again!
Need some help in making this introduction? I'm always just an email away. billy@billyburnsministries.com
Let's be honest. In most churches, children would echo the response of the Ephesians, "We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." I'm talking about churches that fall under the category of being Pentecostal or Charismatic.
Take this challenge. Please, please, please, please (I could keep typing this word over and over again) introduce your boys and girls to this Person who has been called to walk alongside of them. Allow them to meet and fall in love with this Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener and Standby. Your children and your ministry will never ever be the same again!
Need some help in making this introduction? I'm always just an email away. billy@billyburnsministries.com
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