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| December 2006 Vol. 1, No. 5 |
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Welcome!  
Enlarging God’s Kingdom One Friend at a Time! Three girls in my Pioneer Clubs group stand out for their eagerness to invite friends to club. So far this year, each has brought a neighborhood friend. Kids naturally want other kids to share in their fun. What the girls may not realize is that even at a young age, they are instrumental in outreach—in being part of the Great Commission to invite others to hear about Jesus. I trust the same thing is happening at your club. Over 45 percent of the kids who attend Pioneer Clubs aren’t members of the church that sponsors the club. More often than not, these children draw their parents into church. I’m continually amazed that the simple question “Wanna come to club with me?” starts the ever-widening circle of relationships that ultimately builds God’s kingdom. In this issue, we’ve included 12 top-notch ideas to make outreach a natural part of your Pioneer Clubs ministry this year. Christmas is the ultimate outreach—God reaching out to us through his Son. Merry Christmas, and may the New Year be filled with the bountiful blessings of his glorious grace. Blessings!  Judy Bryson President, Pioneer Clubs Carrie Chudkowski, club coordinator at Calvary
Chapel of Old Bridge, Old Bridge, New Jersey, came
up with a fundraiser that not only exceeded their
financial expectations but also shared the message
of Christ during the Christmas season. She explains:
“With twice as many kids in our Pioneer Clubs program as last year, we were short of funds, so I started thinking about a fundraiser. As I considered the options, I wanted something that would glorify the Lord. The idea: nail ornaments, using cut iron nails reminiscent of those on the cross." 
Bibles are being studied. Club members are busy with
activities. Awards are being earned. Kids are
laughing and making new friends. But don’t keep the
fun to yourself! To send us your stories and digital
photos, click
here.
Pictured this month are the Pioneer Clubs members of the Moundville United Methodist Church in Moundville, Missouri. November 15 was a club-wide service project night where club members filled boxes for the Operation Christmas Child project. Christmas is a time when many think about the church
and faith, making December a perfect month for
outreach. People are seeking, and members of Pioneer
Clubs have the best possible gift of all to
offer—Christ.
So how do you work an effective outreach into your Pioneer Clubs program? Below are 12 terrific ideas that will make outreach a natural outflow of your club.
No doubt about it—children do wild things sometimes.
It may be from high spirits, boredom, wanting
attention, or a host of other causes. Often it’s not
even misbehavior; it just happens to get on your
nerves at the time. Here’s the secret to successful
Pioneer Clubs meetings—80 percent of your success in
club depends on your preparation. Mother was right:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Here are nine checkpoints to make sure you’re ahead of the game and ready for a super Pioneer Clubs meeting.
Christmas Hunt (appropriate for preschoolers) Scatter many paper candy canes, ornaments, and stars around the room. At a signal, players run and collect these. While collecting, they may trade if they wish. At the end, add up the scores: candy canes, 10 points; stars, 15; ornaments; 5. (Don’t tell players the values until the collecting is done.) This game may be played by individuals, pairs, or teams. Register today for Pioneer Clubs training
teleconferences coming this January. Whether
you’ve been leading
club for a number of years or are new to Pioneer
Clubs this year, one of these convenient training
sessions will be just right for you. The following sessions are scheduled for January: Basic Training Learn what every leader needs to know to run a fun and effective Pioneer Clubs ministry! You will need plan books and handbooks for this session. Thursday, January 4, 2007 7:00 p.m. (CST) Leader Recruitment and Retention Learn how to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers—and keep them volunteering! Thursday, January 18, 2007 7:00 p.m. (CST) Group Discipline Learn how to identify unacceptable behavior, encourage positive behavior, set standards appropriate for the age level, and establish rules for your group. Saturday, January 20, 2007 10:00 a.m. (CST) Mark Your Calendar for Pioneer Clubs Sunday
2007 Pioneer Clubs Sunday is an opportunity for your club members to shine! This year’s theme is “Friend of God.” While the official date is February 11, 2007, you are welcome to celebrate Pioneer Clubs Sunday whenever you wish. We’d love to hear about your plans. Please contact us at vbreckenridge@pioneerclubs.org. |
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| Copyright (c) 2006 Pioneer Clubs All rights reserved. PO Box 788 Wheaton IL 60189-0788 | ||||||||||||
