Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter Printer-Friendly

July 2004

Dear Christian Leader,

Welcome to the latest edition of the Pioneer Clubs eNewsletter, where we provide resources to help you build your Pioneer Clubs ministry.

This month we’d like to encourage you in your children’s ministry efforts and give you data and ideas for elevating the importance of children’s ministry in your church.

Why Children Matter

More often than not, what a person decides about truth, sin, forgiveness and eternal consequences during the preteen years is the same perspective that person carries to the grave....
–George Barna, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions

In his recent book, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, George Barna discusses research that led him to the conclusion that ministry to children should be a church's #1 priority. Investing in children's lives, he says, is the way to have the most lasting influence on the world. Pioneer Clubs agrees!

Just why are children–and ministry to children–so important?

God says children are highly important to him. Let's agree with God's opinion! Just think of Jesus' words in Matthew 18:5-6: "...Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
Each child is unique and has special gifts.. Each child is created by God, in his image, to do special things in the world, both now and later as adults. The church and the world need children in order to continue–and they need children of high morals and Christian character in order to continue well.
People tend to make up their minds about God early in life. Children are impressionable. They soak up the beliefs and opinions around them–opinions (good or bad) about themselves, God, and the world. Barna writes, "Most children are bombarded with cues regarding their eternal condition and fate, and they develop a rather deeply held perspective on the matter prior to entering high school." Children need us to "catch" them in time to give them the truth.

Since you are ministering to children through Pioneer Clubs, you know children matter! We appreciate and support you and want your church to do so, too! Why not plan one or more things for this fall to help your church's leaders and congregation get behind you and make children's ministry a top priority?

6 Ways to Elevate Children's Ministry in Your Church

Sermon. Ask your pastor to preach a sermon on the worth of children. Give the pastor statistics to use from George Barna's research about how early in life people make up their minds about God. Provide statistics and stories about your Pioneer Clubs ministry as well.

Possible sermon topics:
- boy with the loaves and fish
- the boy Jesus growing in wisdom, stature, favor with God and people
- Jesus welcoming the children
- Naaman´s servant girl
- Jesus saying we must become like little children (children can be examples to adults)
Regular Service. Ask for children to be made part of the regular teams of ushers, greeters, musicians, and so on. Even quite young club members can do these jobs if they serve alongside an adult "buddy" or mentor. Help interested club members practice, and have them wear their club outfits on the days they serve.

If children regularly serve in church,rather than just during a special event when it's seen as cute, the congregation sees that the church really means it when they say that children are important members of the congregation.

Commissioning Time. Plan an official commissioning time for your club leaders at the beginning of the new club season. This will show the congregation the high value you put on the leaders and the work they do with the kids. Ideas:

Hold a special prayer service, and let the congregation pray for God´s guidance and wisdom for the club leaders.
Have the pastor dedicate the leaders during a worship service. The Promoting Your Club Program book (catalog #2771) contains a sample prayer to help you think of what elements to include. The pastor could also present leaders with Pioneer Clubs shirts (catalog pp. 24-25) and pins (catalog p. 21) as tokens of appreciation.
Hold a reception after the service in honor of the leaders.

Bulletin/Newsletter Spotlight. Include something about club in every church newsletter or Sunday bulletin. Show the value of club by telling what each age-group is learning. Tell brief stories of how club made a difference for a child or leader. (Be sure to ask permission of the story's subject.) Include quotes from children, such as "At club I found out that God/Jesus" or "I decided I want to (something the child wants to change in his/her life)." Also include quotes from the leaders or parents about how they see God at work in the kids, and so on.
You might use Pioneer Clubs' customizable bulletin inserts (catalog #6772), which explain the ministry of Pioneer Clubs.

(Option: Adapt these ideas for a club bulletin board in the narthex.)
Pastoral News. Work at getting the pastor, youth pastor, and any other members of the pastoral team 100 percent behind your Pioneer Clubs ministry (if they’re not already). Don’t be content with running a “babysitting” service or “invisible” program! Pastoral support speaks volumes to the congregation about your club’s value.

Try sending notes to the pastors, telling how God is working in club members' and club leaders' lives. Be specific. Rather than just saying, "God really touched Jordan's heart last week at club and we saw such an attitude change this week," try something like this: "During Bible Exploratin last week, all of a sudden Jordan said, 'I get it! Jesus is kind to us, so he wants us to be kind to our friends.' This week we had the priviledge of seeing how God is working in Jordan. Instead of laughing (as we usually expect), yesterday Jordan ran for paper towels to help out when Sam's juice spilled."

Pastoral Invitations.
- Extend an open invitation for the pastoral team to show up at club any week.
- Invite the pastors to join in a specific club meeting now and then. Tell them one or two things that will be going on, to catch their attention.

Changed Lives
One morning as I was cleaning the breakfast dishes, I heard my 8-year-old daughter say, "I am a child of God."

I turned to see her admiring her purple satin bookmark with the gold cross on it. She had received it the night before at Pioneer Clubs. Her leaders had presented each child with a Bible bookmark and called each of them by name: "This is for _______, child of God."

I said, "Do you like your bookmark, honey?" She said, "Yes, it makes me feel so special."

About a week later my daughter said, "Mom...you know that last night of Pioneer Clubs?"

"Yes." Why is she asking about Pioneer Clubs? I thought. Last week was the last meeting.

"Well, I just felt so much love. I just loved everybody! I just felt like I loved everybody that night!"

This made me smile and I realized this was one of those God moments–a moment when I see and feel God's presence in my everyday life. I am so thankful that my daughter has had the opportunity to be a part of Pioneer Clubs this year. She has learned more about her Bible, memorized a few verses, had lots of fun with friends, but most of all, she felt loved this year. She felt God's love for her and for her clubmates in Voyagers. –A mom at Community Covenant Church, Eagle River, Alaska

Today’s Kids...
. . .need to develop a worldview based on biblical truths and values. Bible Exploration Applications help club members discover how the verses they're studying relate to everyday choices they make. You could also ask kids to think of current events that could have better outcomes if people applied the verses being studied. Ask kids how following the verses would make a difference.

Announcements

Autumn Kids for Kids Hike

Did you miss the Spring Kids for Kids Hike? Then join us this fall for the Autumn Hike! Our official autumn hike date is October 16, 2004 (or whatever date best suits your club). An autumn hike makes a sensational kickoff for your club year. It's also a great way to increase your club's visibility and to get unchurched kids involved early. All the information you need is at Pioneer Clubs' Web site at www.pioneerclubs.org, or call 800-694-2582 and ask for the Development Department. If you're in Canada please call 800-465-5437.

Pioneer Clubs CANADA

Early registration special. Complete your registration by October 15th and receive $2 off each child registered.. Call 800-465-5437or email info@pioneerclubs.ca for more information.

Reflections

""Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in...?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' " –Matthew 25:37-40

Lighter Side

"As we [began our Pioneer Clubs meetings last year], we were reviewing the club motto, "Looking unto Jesus," using the illustration from the Talks That Teach book of riding a bike. We have to look where we are going when we are riding a bike.

I asked the Pathfinders why we need to keep "looking unto Jesus," and 7-year-old Gwen replied, with the simple wisdom that only a child can have, "Looking to Jesus keeps us from bumping into the Devil." I think she gets the message! --Julie Helmer, Trinity United Methodist Church, Disputanta, Virginia