Thanks to J12's Gregg Johnson for inspiring today's great idea (which is really just a word): MORE. Preteens are ready for more...are we inviting/challenging them to MORE? Sean talks about how your ministry can give preteens "MORE" opportunities.

Thanks to J12's Gregg Johnson for inspiring today's great idea (which is really just a word): MORE. Preteens are ready for more...are we inviting/challenging them to MORE? Sean talks about how your ministry can give preteens "MORE" opportunities.

FFS442: DISCIPLESHIP IDEA: "More"

Rachel Hatt from Mustang UMC introduces us to a superfun event idea, the Foam Party. Many preteens love a good water-themed event - here's something to take your next water event to the next level: FOAM!

Rachel Hatt from Mustang UMC introduces us to a superfun event idea, the Foam Party. Many preteens love a good water-themed event - here's something to take your next water event to the next level: FOAM!

FFS441: EVENT IDEA: Foam Party (with Rachel Hatt)

Have you ever thought about how we tend to take a snapshot of a person and then forever think about that person in that way? Today on the podcast, Sean explores what it would mean to switch our thinking from snapshot mode to VIDEO mode, and the benefits of it. By looking at Jesus' examples in relating to Zacchaeus and Bartimaus, we see that just having a view of preteens as growing actually helps them to grow!

Have you ever thought about how we tend to take a snapshot of a person and then forever think about that person in that way? Today on the podcast, Sean explores what it would mean to switch our thinking from snapshot mode to VIDEO mode, and the benefits of it. By looking at Jesus' examples in relating to Zacchaeus and Bartimaus, we see that just having a view of preteens as growing actually helps them to grow!

FFS440 DISCIPLESHIP IDEA: Switch to Video Mode

Ladies and Gentlemen: REstart your engines! In ministry, there is a lot of restarting: programs in the fall, planning for camp, weekly service planning. Just when you've finished something, it seems there's something to restart! All of this "restarting" can wear on a person, especially given the spiritual dimension of our work. Today Sean talks with Joni Lum from Riverside, California. Joni shares some encouragement for those who are tired of restarting. Don't give up; restart the engines!

Ladies and Gentlemen: REstart your engines! In ministry, there is a lot of restarting: programs in the fall, planning for camp, weekly service planning. Just when you've finished something, it seems there's something to restart! All of this "restarting" can wear on a person, especially given the spiritual dimension of our work. Today Sean talks with Joni Lum from Riverside, California. Joni shares some encouragement for those who are tired of restarting. Don't give up; restart the engines!

FFS439: LEADERSHIP IDEA: Restart the Engines

 Do you ever have doubts...I mean questions...about the topic you're teaching on? Do those unanswered questions ever trip you up as a teacher? Today on the podcast, Sean addresses this issue and offers a tension-filled solution.

Do you ever have doubts...I mean questions...about the topic you're teaching on? Do those unanswered questions ever trip you up as a teacher? Today on the podcast, Sean addresses this issue and offers a tension-filled solution.

FFS438: TEACHING TIP IDEA: Speak what you know; seek what you don't

Lifeway research recently examined the top predictors of spiritual health among young adults: #4 on the list is that they primarily listened to Christian music as a kid! On today's podcast Sean talks about introducing preteens to God-honoring music during the impressionable preteen years, when many kids are starting to take ownership of their musical tastes! Peabod, recording artist from Seattle, joins Sean on the today's podcast. Thank you, Peabod, for providing all of the background tracks for today's podcast. You can find out more about Peabod at PeabodRaps.com.

Lifeway research recently examined the top predictors of spiritual health among young adults: #4 on the list is that they primarily listened to Christian music as a kid! On today's podcast Sean talks about introducing preteens to God-honoring music during the impressionable preteen years, when many kids are starting to take ownership of their musical tastes! Peabod, recording artist from Seattle, joins Sean on the today's podcast. Thank you, Peabod, for providing all of the background tracks for today's podcast. You can find out more about Peabod at <a href="https://www.peabodraps.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PeabodRaps.com</a>.

FFS437: SERVICE ELEMENT IDEA: Introduce Preteens to Music

FFS436: LEADERSHIP IDEA: Using AI to enhance your preteen ministry

Each Spring as midweek services at Destiny Church are wrapping up, the preteens have 1 extra Wednesday night that is UNLIKE any other! It's KIDFEST! Today on the podcast, Sean talks about this annual event, and why it's a win/win/win/WIN!

Each Spring as midweek services at Destiny Church are wrapping up, the preteens have 1 extra Wednesday night that is UNLIKE any other! It's KIDFEST! Today on the podcast, Sean talks about this annual event, and why it's a win/win/win/WIN!

FFS435: EVENT IDEA: Kidfest

Have your preteens ever acting poorly and you blamed yourself? Well, maybe it wasn't you...maybe it was something as simple as the weather. On today's podcast, Sean discusses times when it's actually appropriate to "blame it on the rain," the wind, or ???

Have your preteens ever acting poorly and you blamed yourself? Well, maybe it wasn't you...maybe it was something as simple as the weather. On today's podcast, Sean discusses times when it's actually appropriate to "blame it on the rain," the wind, or ???

FFS434: DISCIPLINE IDEA: It's Not You...It's the Weather

Last Sunday, while teaching the preteens, Sean experienced a moment of clarity as he saw - really saw - a preteen in the room whom Sean hadn't acknowledged all morning. It reminded him of an important truth that he discusses on today's podcast.

Last Sunday, while teaching the preteens, Sean experienced a moment of clarity as he saw - really saw - a preteen in the room whom Sean hadn't acknowledged all morning. It reminded him of an important truth that he discusses on today's podcast.

FFS433: TEACHING TIPS: Teaching WHO over WHAT

Looking for great (game, object lessons, worship, volunteer celebration, etc. etc.) ideas to take your preteen ministry to the next level?  This podcast is created and curated by FourFiveSix.org, a community of leading voices in preteen ministry.  Our goal is simple: a short (4,5, or 6 minute) podcast a few times a week (4, 5, or 6 times) that gives you a quick, easy, free idea that you can use in your preteen ministry THIS WEEK.  Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Want to get more great ideas right now?  Come join the community of preteen leaders at fourfivesix.org

So many great ideas for preteen ministry!

Great ideas

WOW….Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry Podcast is flat out awesome. Good production quality. Easy to listen. Very impressed Sean. Keep bringing it.

GREAT JOB!

Looking for great (game, object lessons, worship, volunteer celebration, etc. etc.) ideas to take your preteen ministry to the next level? This podcast is created and curated by <a href="http://FourFiveSix.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FourFiveSix.org</a>, a community of leading voices in preteen ministry. Our goal is simple: a short (4,5, or 6 minute) podcast a few times a week (4, 5, or 6 times) that gives you a quick, easy, free idea that you can use in your preteen ministry THIS WEEK. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast? Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Want to get more great ideas right now? Come join the community of preteen leaders at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fourfivesix.org</a>

FourFiveSix.org: Great Ideas for your Preteen Ministry

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Heather Soukup about the Family Photo Christmas Card Prayer Wall. Heather discusses the bulletin board she has above her desk in her office. It is a 4’x6’ board and on it she has saved and trimmed down the family photo Christmas cards, leaving the picture and the names. The pictures are either families in the ministry or volunteers in the ministry. Having the pictures is a remembrance of who they are serving and helps to focus on why you are doing the ministry you are doing. It is a great way of having a visual to look at that you can be reminded to pray for that family and their students. If you would like more information from Heather here is her contact information. She can be reached through Facebook by clicking here or via her email: hsoukup@efccl.org. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Heather Soukup about the Family Photo Christmas Card Prayer Wall. Heather discusses the bulletin board she has above her desk in her office. It is a 4’x6’ board and on it she has saved and trimmed down the family photo Christmas cards, leaving the picture and the names. The pictures are either families in the ministry or volunteers in the ministry. Having the pictures is a remembrance of who they are serving and helps to focus on why you are doing the ministry you are doing. It is a great way of having a visual to look at that you can be reminded to pray for that family and their students. If you would like more information from Heather here is her contact information. She can be reached through Facebook by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heather.e.soukup" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">clicking here</a> or via her email: hsoukup@efccl.org. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 364: Parent Connection Idea: Family Photo Christmas Card Prayer Wall

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about a leader meeting that is focused on expectations. Last year Elevate implemented a meeting schedule with their volunteers once a month. This meeting takes place on a Sunday after church and involves lunch brought by different leaders each time. The first meeting of this year involved taking the leaders step by step through a service explaining their roles. Sean explains that these our guidelines of what we would like our leaders to do but would hope that they go beyond what we ask of them. Sean feels that leaders sometimes feel that they need permission to do things and therefore wont step out and do something and instead will just stand there. These meetings can be something as simple as giving the leaders basic information about their roles to something more in depth like mandatory reporting guidelines. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about a leader meeting that is focused on expectations. Last year Elevate implemented a meeting schedule with their volunteers once a month. This meeting takes place on a Sunday after church and involves lunch brought by different leaders each time. The first meeting of this year involved taking the leaders step by step through a service explaining their roles. Sean explains that these our guidelines of what we would like our leaders to do but would hope that they go beyond what we ask of them. Sean feels that leaders sometimes feel that they need permission to do things and therefore wont step out and do something and instead will just stand there. These meetings can be something as simple as giving the leaders basic information about their roles to something more in depth like mandatory reporting guidelines. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 352: VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT: Monthly Volunteer Leader Meetings

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Michayla White, Executive Director of INCM, about eliminating unnecessary expectations. There are expectations that we put on ourselves that God does not put on us. The expectations that we put on ourselves will never be as nice or merciful as those that come from the Father. Take a time and step back and seek what the Lord expects of you. Spend some time in Matthew 11 and spend time with God in his presence and allow him to speak to you. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Michayla White, Executive Director of INCM, about eliminating unnecessary expectations. There are expectations that we put on ourselves that God does not put on us. The expectations that we put on ourselves will never be as nice or merciful as those that come from the Father. Take a time and step back and seek what the Lord expects of you. Spend some time in Matthew 11 and spend time with God in his presence and allow him to speak to you. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 368: LEADERSHIP IDEA: Unnecessary Expectations

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Chip Henderson on the best way of ministering to preteens is by stepping into their world. To really connect with preteens you need to be culturally relevant to them. When you use things that they are aware of in their world, like current video games, in your message or when you are speaking to them they can relate to it better. Knowing what is popular for them and adding it in as an object lesson will help them to be more engaged in what you are telling them. This is something that can also be helpful in small group questions as well. Chip explains the Cup O Noodle reference and how effective for his preteens using that idea in the question made it that much more relevant. Making current video games they are playing live action games can turn an activity into something they will enjoy more than playing the go to of dodgeball or shuffle your buns.   Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean speaks with Chip Henderson on the best way of ministering to preteens is by stepping into their world. To really connect with preteens you need to be culturally relevant to them. When you use things that they are aware of in their world, like current video games, in your message or when you are speaking to them they can relate to it better. Knowing what is popular for them and adding it in as an object lesson will help them to be more engaged in what you are telling them. This is something that can also be helpful in small group questions as well. Chip explains the Cup O Noodle reference and how effective for his preteens using that idea in the question made it that much more relevant. Making current video games they are playing live action games can turn an activity into something they will enjoy more than playing the go to of dodgeball or shuffle your buns. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 358: Service Element: Cup O Noodle & Mario Kart

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about the use of electives in between services. In Elevate we have two services, and we have about 20-30 kids that will stay for both services. This gives us about 45 minutes in between the services where chaos can occur unless we are specific about our planning. What we decided to do was to have electives that are run by our 9 am leaders. 3-4 leaders each week will stay and have a different activity. The kids will decide what activity they want to participate in and they stay with that leader in that activity for the next 20 minutes. This allows the 11 am leaders to arrive and get set for pre-service time. Another key take away from this is the by in from the leaders running the activities. They are owning their ministry every week. Additionally, it solves the chaos issue that was occurring by keeping the preteens occupied during that in between time. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about the use of electives in between services. In Elevate we have two services, and we have about 20-30 kids that will stay for both services. This gives us about 45 minutes in between the services where chaos can occur unless we are specific about our planning. What we decided to do was to have electives that are run by our 9 am leaders. 3-4 leaders each week will stay and have a different activity. The kids will decide what activity they want to participate in and they stay with that leader in that activity for the next 20 minutes. This allows the 11 am leaders to arrive and get set for pre-service time. Another key take away from this is the by in from the leaders running the activities. They are owning their ministry every week. Additionally, it solves the chaos issue that was occurring by keeping the preteens occupied during that in between time. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 355: PRESERVICE IDEA: Electives Between Services

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about a concept while working with preteens of knowing what you expect versus what you hope for. When you are talking about things in ministry like inviting friends, baptism or worship. Your tone when asking things of the preteens can really determine if you are demanding something of them or inviting them to join you in doing it. When it comes to behavior it is ok to be demanding in your tone. When you think about that concept, how are you approaching baptism, communion and even salvation response. If in our tone we are demanding these things there is no real meaning or purpose to the preteens because they are doing as ordered. If preteens are just being compliant then there is no value in worship, baptism, communion or a salvation response. A preteen who is just being compliant is not taking ownership of their faith.   Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean talks about a concept while working with preteens of knowing what you expect versus what you hope for. When you are talking about things in ministry like inviting friends, baptism or worship. Your tone when asking things of the preteens can really determine if you are demanding something of them or inviting them to join you in doing it. When it comes to behavior it is ok to be demanding in your tone. When you think about that concept, how are you approaching baptism, communion and even salvation response. If in our tone we are demanding these things there is no real meaning or purpose to the preteens because they are doing as ordered. If preteens are just being compliant then there is no value in worship, baptism, communion or a salvation response. A preteen who is just being compliant is not taking ownership of their faith.   Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 360: Leadership Idea: Invitation vs. Demand

Christine Bailey

Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Christine Bailey about peacock feathers and rubies. Through the use of peacock feathers Christine was able to visually explain to the preteens in her ministry that each person is unique and different. In addition, she showed the preteens her ring which had a ruby in the center. She tells the story of how she took it to two different jewelers, one that said it was fake and another that polished it up and told her that it was real. Through both these visual items she was able to explain to the preteens that their flaws and imperfections are what make them unique and special. Those flaws and imperfections is what God uses in your life to do amazing things for him. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at http://fourfivesix.org/.

Today on the podcast, Sean talks with Christine Bailey about peacock feathers and rubies. Through the use of peacock feathers Christine was able to visually explain to the preteens in her ministry that each person is unique and different. In addition, she showed the preteens her ring which had a ruby in the center. She tells the story of how she took it to two different jewelers, one that said it was fake and another that polished it up and told her that it was real. Through both these visual items she was able to explain to the preteens that their flaws and imperfections are what make them unique and special. Those flaws and imperfections is what God uses in your life to do amazing things for him. Have a question about preteen ministry or a unique preteen ministry idea that we can feature on our podcast?  Send it to podcast@fourfivesix.org. Looking for a great community of preteen leaders that you can plug into? Join us at <a href="http://fourfivesix.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://fourfivesix.org/</a>.

FFS 354: LESSON IDEA: Peacock Feathers and Rubies (with Christine Bailey)

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