Partnering With Parents - Part 2

What partnering means to me as a parent.

I have two teenage boys. Andrew is 16, Jake is 19.

Everything I said in my last post, Partnering with Parents - Part 1, is not just something I believe in because it is my job, or even because I love working with children and am passionate about helping kids know Jesus.

I also believe in partnering with parents because I am a parent who has been partnered with here at The Church at Argyle.

Before I was ever on staff, I was the Mom of two precious boys, and I needed help with this parent thing. Parenting is hard. I love being a Mom. It is the one thing, all of my life, that I was certain I wanted to do. But when you actually have a precious, helpless, living, breathing, human being, completely dependent on you... well, for me I realized very quickly, I needed help.

One of the ways God answered my prayer for help was when I found Argyle Christian Preschool and Kindergarten. My oldest, Jake, was four. I did what I saw as my duty and researched preschools in the area. I narrowed it down to four places based on research and word of mouth. I'll admit I was drawn to the schools that had brand new buildings and security systems with bells and whistles.

ACPK did not have either at the time, but I walked in the building and met the director. I can only describe it as a peace coming over me. I knew this was the place. I had never had that happen before.

I still looked at the rest of the schools on my list. However, I came back to Argyle. Here, I began to learn what it looked like and felt like to not just drop my child off at school but to be supported, encouraged, cared about - partnered with - as a parent.

I could do a whole blog about ACPK, but if you need a wonderful preschool for your 2, 3, 4 year old or Kindergartner, I highly recommend you call 904-778-4838 and talk to Terri or Sharon, or go to ACPK's website.

We had a church home before coming to Argyle. We loved it and loved the people, many of which I had known since I was a little girl. It was Jake asking about going to church at his school that brought us here for a visit. That, along with prayer that took me out of my comfort zone for what my children needed, turned into regular attendance and eventually membership.

The partnership has continued to grow throughout the lives of my children. First, children's ministry small group leaders in Kindergarten who made Jesus real, not just by the stories they told and activities they shared but by the way the treated my boys and the way they treated everyone. In the small group of a wonderful married couple, first Jake and two years after him, Andrew, accepted Jesus as their savior. From our conversations at the time I know that in their young minds and precious hearts, they knew exactly what they were doing.

They were not doing what they were told.

They were not following an alter call that 20 of their friends followed.

They had been taught about Jesus' love for them in a way that was so clear and real it gave them the childlike faith to say, this is what I want and I am ready.

They each prayed the prayer of salvation and were baptized here at Argyle. Each event was one of the happiest days of my life as a Mom! To this day I get emotional when I talk about these leaders and the impact they had in the lives of my children.

That impact has not stopped. Even though my boys moved out of that small group and into the next, each leader here has invested in my children. There have been student leaders along the way as well, who have given my child someone to look up to and want to be like while they are still young and still learning. This showed them that they have a purpose right now, not "someday". They went from elementary to junior high and their leaders took them out into the community to serve and encouraged them to find a way to connect right here. Jesus is as real to them and His love is as clear for them now as it was then.

With the guidance and encouragement of our High School Pastor and his wife, as well as that of our Senior Pastor, they both began serving in our church. Jake serves in our worship arts tech department and Andrew in our Youth worship band. Of course, both are serving with me in children's ministry. They are stuck with me! They honestly do a better job because I'm not the only one who holds them accountable. They serve with our Worship Arts in their areas of passion and giftedness because someone, besides me, believed in them and gave them a chance.

This summer, for the first time, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to our high school camp, BigStuf. This trip motivated me to write these blogs. Watching our leaders spend a week with our middle and high schoolers. Seeing existing relationships grow as we spent 24 hours a day together for five days straight. Watching them listen, laugh, cry, wait, eat, get tired and get grumpy together. See our kids understand that they are loved - no matter what. Watching them worship with their whole selves, get excited about how much God loves them and hear them say in their own words what they learned from the speakers, whether they were 12, 15 or 18. Watching them support and encourage each other as they shared their sins and fears with humility and courage. Watching them give and receive grace, trust and lean on each other as God's word teaches us.

My overwhelming emotion during the whole trip was gratitude.

I am grateful as a leader to know that when the children in my ministry leave UpStreet (K-5) and go to Crave (6-8) and then Impact (9-12), they are loved and led.I know their families have a group of leaders to help them know grace, forgiveness, courage and truth so they learn to trust in the One who created them.

I am grateful as a parent to have a family of leaders we trust, who will pray with us and pray for us. Leaders who have shown up faithfully and consistently in my son's lives, and earned the position of mentors and Godly leaders that my kids will talk to when they have questions. Leaders I can go to if there is an issue I need help with as a parent and who will come to me if my teenager has an issue that I need to know about. These are the people I will invite to their graduation. These are the people I will call when we need help.

Please don't miss this - we all need help. We are not meant to do any of this life alone.

I'll talk about some ways we can partner together in my next and final post in this series, Partnering with Parents - Part 3. If you're a parent at Argyle and have a story of encouragement for our leaders, please post it in the comments here. If you're a parent who wants to partner with us, email me at amygieger@iargyle.com and I'll get you connected with the right information and leaders.

You are not alone. We are better together.

Amy

Partnering With Parents - Part 1

Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger discusses our approach to Children's Ministry.

Partnering with parents.

We use that phrase in our children's ministry. 

What does it mean?

I can tell you what it means as our Children's Ministry Director. 

It means having consistent small group leaders, the same hours, every Sunday for the entire school year.

We do this because this is the best way for our children and parents to feel safe, to connect, to feel welcome and accepted, with a leader who is faithful and invests their heart and their time to care about each child and family in their small group. 

It means using curriculum that meets each child where they are, at each age and developmental level.

We do this so that they don't just adopt their parents faith, then lose it along the way.

Instead, they transition from believing what they are told, to understanding, choosing and living out their own, authentic faith and relationship with Christ.

It means providing environments where kids are allowed to move, play,be loud and ask questions.

We do this because this is how they are made and this is how they learn and grow.

It means finding and training and inspiring leaders to understand that EVERY child is made in the image of God.

We do this so that for at least the one hour per week they are here, they have a place where 

• they see and are shown God's love for them
• they are welcome and accepted
• they learn to give and receive grace
• they are valued and cared about

It means being intentional and consistent as parents and leaders about letting our middle and high school students serve alongside our dedicated adult leaders now, so that they realize they can lead and make a difference today, not someday when they are "grown up".

If we show them how and let them lead in areas where they are gifted now, they transition seamlessly from student leaders to adult leaders because they already know how.

They learn that they are important and capable, that God can work through them just as they are. If we wait to utilize their gifts until they are adults, they have been on the outside waiting to get in for so long that the steps they need to take to be a leader are overwhelming. The memory of being kept out is more vivid than the momory of wanting to serve.

This all works best when small group leaders and parents make the effort to communicate,
pray for each other and their children. It works especially when they reach out to each other in a crisis or significant change in the life of the family, good or bad, so that they can comfort, pray with, encourage and celebrate together with the child.

The final end of our Children's Ministry is when small group leaders and parents recognize their children's interests and gifts, then reach out to get them connected with a leader in that area of ministry as they enter junior high so they learn what it feels like to serve. They learn to think and care about someone besides themselves, 
to stop thinking about their own needs and problems for a while, and instead care about the needs and spiritual growth of their small group, their church and their community.

As a leader I am passionate about this philosophy because as a parent I have proof that it works.
I will share those examples in my next post, Partnering With Parents - Part 2.

Until then - if you are not already bringing your kids consistently during the same hour each Sunday I encourage you to change that starting this week.

If you have not reached out to or met your child's small group leader, I encourage you to make that happen this Sunday.

If you or your middle or high school student is not serving already, call or email me and I will help you find where there are opportunities in our church and community to start now.

We are better together,

Amy

A word from Rick...

Dear Argyle- September 5 was an incredible day at Argyle! What a beautiful thing it was to see the different parts of our body work together as one. I am so thankful for and proud of our KidStuf Team, our Greeters and Ushers, Dan and the Chairmen, Leroy and the Kitchen Team, Amy and the Children's Ministry Team, Beth, David and Kim for capturing the event with photos, Tommy and Ricky for building the Snow Cone House, Leroy's Dad for donating the Snow Cone Machine, Leroy's brother, John, who delivered the machine and everyone who stepped up to cover all of the costs of the day so that we could offer everything without charge. Over 600 attended and everyone enjoyed a great show, food, fun and Christian fellowship. It doesn't get any better than that! Two weeks ago, 30 wonderful people became members at Argyle with two coming for baptism. God is good! See you Sunday, Rick

Why The Church Needs To Change When Jesus Hasn't...

Here is a link to a post on Perry Noble's blog you need to read.

He is the Pastor of NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina. He is just as passionate about God and being real and relevant for Christ as our own Pastor Ken. Perry's style is different but his message is the same.

The message is - we are here to reach people for Christ, not to protect ourselves in a Christian bubble. The people we are trying to reach are those who do not know Jesus yet.

The church should be a place where believers greet and welcome people, children, families, who are looking for Jesus. We are not trying to make people more like us; we are introducing them to Jesus so they can build a relationship with Him, choose to ask him to dwell in their hearts and become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Perry doesn't pull any punches so please get past the language and hear the message, see this child through Jesus' eyes.

This is our job every week in the children's ministry. This is our job every day in a world looking for Christ but being criticized by Christians.

 Amy Gieger
Children's Ministry Director

Why We Do It... A Guest Post

What a great service Sunday. Thanks so much to all of you for all you do!

I am guilty of taking for granted that our church will be there and will be great. Pastor Rick will have great music. The Worship Team will be great. Pastor Ken will have a moving and inspiring sermon. The KidStuf actors will rock.

I'm thankful that I can do my little part and serve as a baby toe in the church body. I tried doing "Word" in KidStuf and was sick with worry about remembering my lines every Saturday night. I tried being a lead teacher; again, I was sick with worry every Saturday night, and dreaded it, and knew that wasn't right.

But I can DANCE and smile. So I am happy to dance on the KidStuf floor and serve as the STAIRMASTER, keeping kids off the stairs and stage and go shhhhh to the noisy ones during the show.

I can dance in UpStreet too (its like a free aerobics class). And I CAN easily be a friend and listener and provide Jolly Ranchers to kids in UpStreet and assist crazy fun Don Eldridge in his kids small group. I'm so thankful to him for figuring out the curriculum and lesson, which boggles my mind many times. I'm happy to say shhhh while he speaks and to play the games, especially those boy vs. girls competitions that can be so riveting.

It's EZ to hug, smile, chat and encourage little ones and listen to their stories about a lost tooth, good grades, winning a soccer game, and to meet their friends and relatives.

I guess I'd like to inspire those folks who think they don't have a place at church that they do! Even if you aren't as comical as Kenny, eloquent as Mr. Dwight and Mrs. Linda. Even if you aren't a musician like the amazing Bass family and that awesome teenage drummer girl Cameron or you don't sing like Arlette (ssss..Stepping Stone). Or you are not actors or actresses who can remember lines and get on that KidStuf stage without vomiting.

Keep searching till you find your spot. Try things and if they don't work. Try something else until you find a comfy space, like I have.



Mary Maragy

God's Word - Weapon or Protection?

I had someone ask me this week, "Is it ever inappropriate to share God's word with a child and if so at what age?"

On the surface this is an easy question; right? Given some basic Bible knowledge, it's always appropriate to share God's word. However, with a little deeper knowledge of the Bible, there are some stories and verses that, in my opinion, are not age appropriate for children 4 and under or even some of the elementary aged crowd. Yes, I realized this was a loaded or trick question but from the person who asked it the trick was their motive. They worded the question to serve their purpose. They were also attempting to use my position in children's ministry to force my answer; i.e. "As a children's ministry director, at what age do you believe it inappropriate to share God's word with a child?"

Have you ever used God's word as a weapon? I mean, a weapon to justify your actions or to make someone else feel guilty? Have you ever used it to win an argument even if you knew you were taking His word out of context to do it? Maybe pulling out the verse about wives submitting to their husbands to "put a wife in her place" (Ephesians 5:21-33; read the whole thing) or the verse about money being the root of all evil, to blame money instead of our greed. The verse says the "...love of money is a root of all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). I've had to read it myself.

I have so much yet to learn but in my relationship with Christ, He has never used His word to hurt me. His word builds me up, corrects me, comforts me, directs me, (directs me again and again) and gives me strength, grace, peace, joy, conviction, wisdom and love. His word is for protection against evil. it is an integral piece of the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). It is not ever to be mistaken for a weapon used in personal gain or justification.

So- let's think about how we use the Bible. Is it an every day part of life? Is is something only heard about on Sunday? What about only when there is one of those "controversial" stories in the news?

Please take the time to read it today and this week. Not just a verse or two or even a chapter- how about one whole book of the Bible? The books referenced above are some I would recommend, but really I suggest reading where you are led. Pray for God's guidance before opening the Bible. I'm genuinely interested in learning what you have to say about what you find.

And as for my answer to the question: As a children's ministry director and child of God I believe if you are sharing God's word to share His love, then there is no age limit. Pray with me that we continue to learn and grow in His word and will.

Wisdom and Joy in Christ,
Amy

Can I skip this season and say I didn’t?

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV).

I was reading my devotion this morning and this was the verse that inspired it. The devotion was about a mom who is homeschooling her children and on that day felt like she would never get past the lesson they were learning that week. We all know how that feels. It may be the assignment we have in school, the particular job/account/mission we’re assigned to at work, the age of our children and the specific difficulties that come with it, (you know potty training or junior high or dating, etc.), the stage our marriage is in right now, our health or the health of a loved one, or the state of our finances. Some days it feels like we will be there forever and we so desperately wish to be through it, over it, even just away from it for a while. We want to escape- right?

I was feeling like that myself this past week and then I went to an early childhood education conference on Saturday. The keynote speaker was a woman who has been in early childhood education for more than 30 years. She shared specific instances God has used in her life where there have been parents who seemed as though they were so far from God and from being good parents that no matter how she tried to help and care about their child and family nothing seemed to change or reach them. Time after time they would show up late or walk in high on something, send their children to school in the same diaper they had left in the evening before, etc.  She would get so frustrated and discouraged that she would finally decide to tell them they could not be in her school anymore. She would get to the point where she was telling God, “I’ve helped all I can.” “I’ve tried hard enough. I’m done!"

Of course, that was the point where that family, that Mom or Dad would finally ask for help, or open up and want to know more about Jesus. She was honest enough to say how hard it was to put her anger aside at that point. To not look at them and say, “Oh, now you want help?”. But, praise God, she would stop, let go of how she was feeling and let God work through her to say "Yes, He really does love you. It really is as simple as He says it is. He loves us, He sent His son to die for us and all we have to do is admit what we already know about ourselves and choose Him."

There were some amazing stories of life change and Godly restoration and healing! Each story was a clear reminder that He can do anything but is so often patiently waiting, while preparing the way for me or you as believers to share Him. He is waiting for us, as the ones who have lived in His love and forgiveness, to be the salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16 NIV). Preparing us through these seasons of testing to be the person that is trusted with the question, “Is it true? Is it true what you are teaching my child? Is it true what I see by how you live your life? Is it true what the Pastor says?"

Rest in His love today and remember with me that no matter what season we are in we can trust God’s timing and purpose. We can trust Him to show us grace so that we can show it to others. We can trust His forgiveness so we must forgive. We can trust Him to speak when we are out of words. We can trust Him to use even us, in our weakness, to show others how to reach Him and find what we’ve found- peace, restoration and hope.

Amy Gieger
Children's Ministry Director

Listening To My Own Advice (as said to my kids)

I make my sons do workbooks over the summer. Actually, I am the enforcer but it is my husband who is so passionate about them maintaining brain function. Most days in the summer, they come to work with me so I get to be the one to tell them why, and hear them complain and try to negotiate. Yes, there are days I don't make them or when my husband holds me accountable that I want to say a few not so nice words about his big ideas. But most days, I suffer through and actually survive being the mean mom.

The reason I agreed to be the enforcer is because my husband is right (I'm not afraid to admit it). He is the better educated, more motivated and disciplined one of the two of us, with four degrees (seriously, four!) and his own business to show for it. While he never uses that against me, I have a lot of respect for him and that reality. I want my kids to have every chance to learn and be better at studying and getting the whole concept of pushing past the "I don't want to", to the "wow, that was worth it." That actually does happen with them occasionally. Praise God!!

The listening to my own advice is the hard part. The part where God steps in and speaks to me and says, "Did you hear what you just said to your son? Do you practice what you preach?"

For example, this morning other staff members/teachers had their children with them and my kids were doing their workbooks, knowing that their friends were waiting on them or playing without them. They were whining and negotiating and manipulating their socks off to get out of having to do any or all of the pages, and I wouldn't budge.

My oldest is the worst about it, going as far as to try to say he had done more pages than he could have in the time they had been working and his brother was calling him on it. I stepped in with "focus on your own work, you are not the parent" to the youngest and "do the right thing" to my oldest. I added, "this is not for me, it is for you. This is to grow your brain and ability to learn so you can be all God wants you to be. This is your job. I have to do things all the time that I don't want to do to keep growing and learning." What a great mom lecture!

Right after all that came out of my mouth, looking at my son eye to eye, that voice in my head said, "Did you hear what you just said to your son? Do you always do what I ask you to do to keep growing and learning?"

If you read my last blog, you know I do- sometimes. But I know I don't do it all of the time. Okay, nobody gets it right all the time- I know that. But I've learned to listen to that voice and stop and evaluate and ask, "what difficult or important thing am I putting You off about, Lord? Is there something more I could and should be doing to learn in my relationship with You and who You are growing me to be?"

Some answers come to mind, like "Where is your consistent quiet time with Me? I reminded you three times this morning and you put it off" and "Are you really trusting Me to provide for your ministry and setting your church and community on fire about Me?"

"We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us." (Philippians 4:13) You don't have to walk very far down the path with Him to not just hear that verse but to know it's really true. Why do we still put Him off? I'm going to stop typing now and get into His word like I should have this morning so I can get closer to starting that fire!

What is He speaking to your heart about so that you're going to stop reading and start doing?

Grace and Strength in Christ,
Amy

Reading is "Fun"damental...

Do you read? For fun, for education, only when you have to, never?

I am a fun and/or learning reader. Of course, for fun is the easiest and to read for learning at this stage in my life usually fueled by something God is leading me to, something I need to know about for my children or a subject or title that I've been encouraged to read by someone I respect.

Most of the time reading is my "escape", my quiet time, something I do for myself kinda thing. I'm trying to pass on this love and value of reading to my children. My two boys and I frequent the library. We even know how to work the self check out. Seriously!! This summer we've been reading poetry and listening to more audio books but the most valuable book I'm reading with them right now (though it is taking us a few months to get through because I read it at bedtime on the nights that I am not so exhausted I can't see to read) is a book by James Dobson on adolescence. It brings up a lot of topics and issues I am uncomfortable with but God has impressed on me how important this time in their lives is and that if my husband and I (he's is talking to them too) are not talking to them about this stuff then they will form their opinions and morals from people who are not uncomfortable talking about it. Do I even have to go there to tell you why I need to be pro-active against that???!!!!

I have always been a reader, even when I was little. I know it has a lot to do with my parents reading to me every night at bed time. That was a time I looked forward to every day (though going to sleep was a completely different story back then). I enjoyed the stories, the time with my Mom and/or Dad, the comfort, the questions, the just one more story pleeeaaaase! It was a great help as I learned how to read, expanded my vocabulary and realized that a good book could make any day better (especially a bad one). I am a HUGE fan of reading with my kids and I highly recommend it for every parent and child.

So reading came easily, made sense, and helped me perform better in every other aspect of my life (except maybe for calculating math in my head). You might say, well Amy, "miss reader pants" reading is not fun for everyone. No- really? Why in the world not?

Okay, okay, I do know that a big part of my life has been spent with children. I know that we all learn differently and not everyone is made with the "YAY reading" gene. What I have learned though is that everyone loves a good story. Their definition of what a good story is may be different and some would rather watch or hear than read but everyone loves a good story. We love to be drawn into another world, shown how someone is getting through something we can relate to, live vicariously through someone else's experiences and most of all be INSPIRED by someone else's life, career, battle, perseverance, compassion and love.

SO... I challenge you to find something to read or listen to or watch that inspires you today! The Bible is the first book that comes to mind to recommend, but there are many books out there that God can use to love and grow and inspire us if we let Him. He is in all things you know. :-)

Better yet, share the most inspiring story of love and sacrifice ever told, the story of the cross, with someone who has never heard it. How about someone you know who has heard it. Could be the start of a conversation that includes someone's inspiring story you wouldn't have heard otherwise...

I'd love to hear what you're reading or listening to and how God is inspiring you!

Peace and Love in Christ,

Amy Gieger
Children's Ministry Director

Super Size It?

I just got back from McDonalds (sorry, Chick-fil-a). They have a drink special going on- any size for a dollar. I thought to myself- why would anyone not want the biggest size? Get more bang for the buck?

Then it occurred to me- isn't church a lot like that? We want the biggest, the shineiest, the most. Then a little girl got a drink- and she couldn't handle the biggest one- it was too much for her.

So, maybe church isn't a one size or one style fits all. There is room in the Kingdom for all of us.

Ken Dyal

Another reason we do what we do...

I just spent a few minutes, along with Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger, with a mom who was in the office with her two daughters to discuss baptism.

Mom was raised in another faith, but as an adult felt an emptiness, heard the Gospel, and came to faith. Recently coming to Jacksonville, she was attending a church that was meeting her spiritual needs, but was boring her children stiff. She was looking for a church that would speak to her kids; a friend invited her to Argyle and KidStuf.

This is a Christian family, the kids are in a Christian school, and there was never any doubt that the kids were going to hear the Gospel, and see it demonstrated daily. The question was- were they going to hear it in a way that excited them and engaged them and gave them an age-appropriate approach to life change.

I guess we know the answer- they were here to discuss baptism. Just another reason why we do what we do here at Argyle.

Hal Hunter

Something new...

is happening beginning Wednesday evening, January 7.

When we did the recent survey, one frequent thing we saw was a desire by a wide range of people to do something more as a body than Sunday morning. Of course, we believe that our various Small Group environments are the best place to deepen community and grow spiritually, but not everyone has yet connected with a suitable group. There are also people who want more opportunity to meet other members of the larger Argyle family socially, and want more opportunity to learn from Pastor Ken.

For all these reasons, we are now doing the Wednesday Night Connecting Point. On the first Wednesday of each month, we will gather for a great family dinner served by Chef Leroy and his Kitchen Elves. Right afterward, we will have an age-graded environment for our kids age 6th grade and younger. Children's Ministry Director Amy Gieger has arranged for a real learning and fun opportunity for our kids; it's not just child care.

While the kids learn in a safe, nurturing place the adults will spend some time with Pastor Ken as he takes us more deeply into his current teaching series. We will also have time to discuss these questions in a more intimate environment with 7 or 8 others. The best part is we promise to be finished promptly at 7:30 pm.

We will begin serving at 6:15, but the doors will be open for coffee and chat at 5:30. Kids can move to their area beginning at 6:30; we will serve until 6:45 and begin the discussion then.

The first menu includes Chef Leroy's World Famous BBQ Pulled Pork dinner, with green beans, baked beans, coleslaw, and assorted drinks and desserts. Adults eat for $4, kids 6th grade and younger only $2.

We have about 115 people on the fix food for me list for January 7, and we are excited about the buzz already developing.

We would love to hear back from you with your ideas and opinions.

Hal Hunter
Ministry Pastor

Some Win Statements In Children's Ministry...

One of our primary ministries at Argyle involves our kids. We have a lot of them in our family, and they are important to us. Click here to read about our Children's Ministry strategy.

Amazing Place is our environment for preschool kids. A win here is a kid who comes out of this environment knowing-

• God made me
• God loves me
• Jesus wants to be my friend forever

UpStreet is our environment for kids K-6th grade. We want them to learn that-

• I need to make the wise choice
• I can trust God no matter what
• I need to others the way I want to be treated
• Jesus loves me so much He wants to save me forever

KidStuf is our high energy stage environment for kids and their families. It is a place that gets kids excited about God and what He is doing in their lives. A win in KidStuf is a kid who gets excited enough to drag his parents and friends to church.

Another win is when we see families growing together. We want to partner with parents; we can never replace them in developing their kids spiritually. Family Times is a resource we encourage families to use to help their children in the rest of the week when they aren't here.

Something neat I want to share...

Something really great happened last night at our house. I was playing a game with my four year old granddaughter, Lilly. We were "talking to God" on the cell phone. Her eight year old sister, Savannah, was watching.

During the conversation, Savannah started telling me the Biblical story of Esther. She floored me! She knew the story, the names, the details, everything. She was able to tell the story better than I could!

I asked her, "How did you learn about Esther?" She looked at me and said simply, "In UpSteet."

You need to understand what happened here. The pastor's granddaughter didn't learn this Bible story as his knee- she learned it in the UpStreet environment. Dedicated people working with not only Savannah but with dozens of other kids communicated Biblical truth. A complicated story was presented in a way that made sense to an eight year old and made a lasting impression. She didn't memorize the story- she learned it. She learned it so well she could explain it to her granddad.

I am grateful that God has gifted our fellowship with people that have a heart for kids. I am grateful that my grandchildren learn from people who love kids and know how important they are to God. I am grateful that we are able to make a difference in the lives of not only my family but the lives of so many more families in our fellowship.

I am constantly amazed at the people God sends us. I am thankful, every day, for the gifts He has given our fellowship. Thank you to all the people who are working in our children's ministries.

Next time you wonder if what we do here at Argyle matters - think about these kids. It matters. It matters a lot.

Ken Dyal
Senior Pastor

SummerStuf Stuf...

We are adjusting to the new summer schedule here at TCAA and there is still some confusion in the Children's Ministry. I hope if you are a blogger/blog reader this will clear up some of the fog.

There are Children's Ministry small groups for both Amazing Place (babies - 4 year olds) and UpStreet (Kindergarten - 6th grade) at 10:00 during the Worship Service.

Our 6th graders have moved up into the student ministry but all of our other ages still meet in the classroom they were in during the school year. We will not move everyone else up into their new grade/classroom until the fall. So, if your child just finished 3rd grade, they are still in the 3rd grade room upstairs. If they turned 2, 3 or 4 on or before September 1st, 2007, they are still in the same classroom downstairs, etc. We are using the same classrooms and curriculum, rather than purchasing a separate curriculum for the summer months. Some of their leaders during the school year have taken a break and God has led some new leaders to serve during the summer! I know this makes the transition even a little crazier but they all have a background check along with a servants heart and attitude and I pray you will encourage your children to be patient and helpful as any new leaders, really all of us, become comfortable with our SummerStuf schedule and small group routines.

I pray for your continued patience and support as I am combining old and new, learning what works and what doesn't and being open to God's leading and will even though it continues to mean change and growth as much for me as for all of our leaders and children. I take very seriously the responsibility of our ministry to build a foundation for your children in God's Love and Word and to partner with you as parents to have another adult in your child's life that will say the same thing you would say in growing them into young men and young women for the Lord.

He is so good to provide and we are blessed with each leader, "veteran" and "rookie", student and adult!! As a parent and/or member, if you are led to serve or have any questions or comments please contact me at 777-1238 or at my email address amygieger@thechurchatargyle.org.

Amy Gieger
Children's Ministry Director