I love creating children’s ministry curriculum for a variety of settings—whether it’s Children’s Church, Sunday School, baby book clubs, milestone events, baptism classes, First Communion preparation, or at-home family devotions. What I’m most passionate about is equipping parents and grandparents to nurture faith at home. This fall, the Children, Youth, and Family team at my … Continue reading My ABC’s with Jesus
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What Makes My Church Special to Kids
Today I wrote a letter to the families at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, who attend the Minneapolis campus. While we can't meet the needs of every family, I think we do a good job on providing opportunities for kids in worship. Below is what I wrote: What Makes Bethlehem Special for Kids – … Continue reading What Makes My Church Special to Kids
VBS – The Generosity Project
If you are looking for a fun stewardship event to host this fall, check out the Generosity Project here. It is curriculum designed for congregations to talk about money, value, and faith intergenerationally. As a contributing writer to the Generosity Project, the CYF team at Bethlehem and I decided to create a Vacation Bible School … Continue reading VBS – The Generosity Project
A Storytelling Directory
One thing I have been working on for my DMIN from Portland Seminary are a couple of prototypes for projects. One project I am thinking about creating is a Storytelling Directory. Below is the entry essay and a couple of simple audio storytellings. By no means is this a complete project. Thank you for checking … Continue reading A Storytelling Directory
Parenting is a Calling
Parenting is a calling. It's a fact. But I could also add parentheses in front of that statement because families come in all shapes and sizes. The parentheses can be (co)parenting, (grand)parenting, or (foster)parenting, and those are callings, too. So when I use the term "Parenting is a calling," please insert a parentheses as necessary. … Continue reading Parenting is a Calling
Unexpected Death
Another death happened today. My friend's dad died. Not by cancer, not by old age, not by overdose. Just life happened, and death is a part of life. But what is so hard about death is that it comes when you are not expecting it. Death can sneak up out of nowhere. Now, I am … Continue reading Unexpected Death
Inside Out Jesus
Have you seen the new Inside Out 2 movie, where Riley turns into a teenager? I loved it so much that I was inspired to write Inside Out Jesus, a confirmation curriculum. But just like Riley's emotions realized it's better to work together. other pastors and youth directors have joined me in writing. The curriculum … Continue reading Inside Out Jesus
Children’s Ministry Offerings 2024-2025
As Family Pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church - Twin Cities, I am always cultivating new programming or revising it. We have traditions like 3rd Grade Bibles or First Communion classes, but I also like to try new things to see what works. We are a multisite church, and ministry does not look the same at … Continue reading Children’s Ministry Offerings 2024-2025
What I have learned my first year in a DMIN?
According to Rev. Dr. Len Sweet, my paper resonated with what we are studying in semiotics, church, and culture. Check out what I have learned: Introduction A couple of years ago, I had a semiotic experience in Target with this woman, Ilene. I did not know Ilene, but we shared niceties in the line. Once … Continue reading What I have learned my first year in a DMIN?
Church Family in the Park
People long to belong. (Check out this article.) Parents at church are no different. They want to know other church people! Church is one place that all ages can make friends. Community is one of the reasons a person, or couple, or families join a congregation. Church friends are important to children and youth. By … Continue reading Church Family in the Park