It's Thanksgiving and once again all over America we take a day and hang out with family and friends, eat entirely too much, watch some bad football games and plan our shopping adventures for later today because early in the morning was not early enough. Maybe for a minute we think about the Philgrams and the first Thanksgiving but then we go back to our traditions and celebrations. Several years ago I started taking a minute each Thankgiving to write down and think over what I am truly thankful for and check my thankful gage because just like I teach in Children's Church if you can be thank-full you can be thank-empty.
So here it is.... what I'm thankful for:
1. I am thankful for Jesus! I'm so thankful Jesus saved me, kepts me, protects me, loves me and ready does have a wonderful plan for my life!
2. I'm thankful for my family. Julie, Yancy, Cory, Sparrow and Whitney are truly God's gifts to me. They are not just my greatest sermon but my greatest accomplishment.
The greatest honor of my life is to be Julie's Husband, The kids' Dad and Sparrow's G!
3. I'm so thankful that I have got to spend my life serving God's people. For almost 40 years I've gotten to teach and to care for children and students.
I'm so proud of all the kids who are now adults who are following Christ but I'm also thankful for hundreds of Timothy's who are serving in the ministry.
4. I'm also thankful that when lot's of people my age are retiring I am getting to refocus.
I'm so exciting about getting to work with one of my best friends in the world again and serve as his Executive Pastor at Northstar Church. Plus I get to work with so many kidmin leaders with Infuse and theClub plus consult with Pastors and churches through Jim Wideman Ministries.
5. I'm also thankful for all the special relationships God has brought into my life with my Infusers and coaches plus all those who consider me a friend.
So Happy Thanksgiving everyone and if you are reading this I am thankful for you!
There are things I've learned I want to spend the rest of my life passing on to the next generation!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
What others are saying about infuse...
"I wish there had been something like Infuse when I started doing ministry 20 years ago. My desire to learn has always been strong, but I can honestly say that this program has propelled my personal and professional growth like no other conference, book or coaching ever has! Oh, and the biggest bonus of all is that you meet an amazing group of kidmin workers who will be lifelong friends and a support system for years to come. Please, please, please work toward attending one of these Infuse groups...you will NOT be disappointed!!"
Brian F.
Longview, TX
To say INFUSE has blessed me would be an understatement. Jim’s insight into leadership in all things – family, self, and ministry continues to grow and challenge me to be the leader God desires me to be. The friendships made through the retreat with fellow INFUSE members has proven to be amazing support in my prayer life, personal life, and ministry life. I am not only blessed by Jim but by the 30 other ministry leaders around the nation who I would have never met had it not been for the opportunities provided for me through infuse.
Bethany H
Napersville, IL
Infuse has been life changing for me and we are only half way through! I have attended my share of conferences over the last five years and have always walked away encouraged with good, practical advice to implement when I got home, but Infuse is different. Don't get me wrong, I have gleaned incredible ideas and practical advice about ministry, but more than that, I have been challenged to become a better leader. Bro Jim has provided practical, yet challenging opportunities to grow in my leadership and the guidance it takes to fulfill those opportunities. I almost backed out at the last minute because of financial concerns, but I am so glad I didn't. I have already gotten my moneys worth and more. If I had a choice of attending every children's ministry conference I could think of, or just doing Infuse again, I'd chose Infuse without even thinking about it. Bro Jim's passion for mentoring leaders and willingness to be open and transparent with those he leads is apparent from the moment you meet him. I am forever grateful that God has given me this opportunity to learn and grow from Infuse!
Helen F
Wilmington, NC
I've been doing infuse for many years as a participant and a coach and I learned more from being a part of Infuse than all the conferences I've ever attended all added together. That's how powerful Infuse is.Larry Hillman
Tampa, FL
for more information and to download an application for the March 2014 or September 2014 session click here.
Brian F.
Longview, TX
To say INFUSE has blessed me would be an understatement. Jim’s insight into leadership in all things – family, self, and ministry continues to grow and challenge me to be the leader God desires me to be. The friendships made through the retreat with fellow INFUSE members has proven to be amazing support in my prayer life, personal life, and ministry life. I am not only blessed by Jim but by the 30 other ministry leaders around the nation who I would have never met had it not been for the opportunities provided for me through infuse.
Bethany H
Napersville, IL
Infuse has been life changing for me and we are only half way through! I have attended my share of conferences over the last five years and have always walked away encouraged with good, practical advice to implement when I got home, but Infuse is different. Don't get me wrong, I have gleaned incredible ideas and practical advice about ministry, but more than that, I have been challenged to become a better leader. Bro Jim has provided practical, yet challenging opportunities to grow in my leadership and the guidance it takes to fulfill those opportunities. I almost backed out at the last minute because of financial concerns, but I am so glad I didn't. I have already gotten my moneys worth and more. If I had a choice of attending every children's ministry conference I could think of, or just doing Infuse again, I'd chose Infuse without even thinking about it. Bro Jim's passion for mentoring leaders and willingness to be open and transparent with those he leads is apparent from the moment you meet him. I am forever grateful that God has given me this opportunity to learn and grow from Infuse!
Helen F
Wilmington, NC
I've been doing infuse for many years as a participant and a coach and I learned more from being a part of Infuse than all the conferences I've ever attended all added together. That's how powerful Infuse is.Larry Hillman
Tampa, FL
for more information and to download an application for the March 2014 or September 2014 session click here.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Here's what Kidmin folks are saying about their infuse experience...
"My experience with Infuse has been both life-giving and life-changing. The years and years of knowledge and wisdom that Brother Jim has poured into us is PRICELESS! He has helped me to identify my strengths and weakness. And showed me how to lead through those. Brother Jim has challenged me to be a better leader, servant and parent and spouse. My ministry is better because of this. I have made new and lasting friendships that I will cherish always in this group. Do yourself, your family and your church a favor and join Infuse 8! The best decision that I have ever made in ministry was to work on myself.
Lena W.
Nashville, TN
Infuse means so much to me because it has strengthened my walk with God, my family and my ministry by challenging my priorities. It has taught me what is most important and how to protect it. Anyone who is facing difficulty in any of these areas, or just needs to shore up what they already have, should join Infuse and expect God to do great things!
Jonathan B.
Jonathan B.
Colorada Springs, CO
Infuse is a one of a kind experience. You get personal coaching from one of the pioneers of children's ministry and you build relationships with other kids pastors currently in the trenches. One of the most powerful things Infuse does is helps kids pastors contextualize what they learn through Infuse to the church they serve in. Most conferences are a one size fits all. Infuse is custom fit for you and your church. If you have been considering doing Infuse or something like it sign up today you will be glad you did.
Sam Luce
Utica, NY
Infuse is simply the best. Infuse provides you the opportunity to learn from the greatest children's leader of our generation. Bro Jim is so good at helping everyone grow as a leader, regardless of denomination or background. Bro Jim is a great teacher and mentor and I am honored to call him friend. The growth I experienced through Infuse has benefited all areas of my life and ministry.
Another benefit of Infuse is that, as opposed to a conference, you walk through this experience with a group of like minded children's leaders seeking to grow their ministry. These leaders will become a network of very close friends that you can call on for anything for the rest of your life. Not a week goes by that I do not contact one of my fellow Infusers.
What sets Infuse apart from other coaching networks is the retreats. These retreats provide you the opportunity to come face to face with Bro Jim, your fellow Infusers and the coaches as you walk through several focused mentoring sessions together. Personally I believe the most popular sessions are those held at Bro Jim's house. There is something special that happens when you are invited into someone's home. These sessions are relaxed which allows everyone to let down their guard and ask the questions that will help them grow.
If you are looking to invest in yourself, improve your ministry and grow as leader then Infuse is perfect for you!
Another benefit of Infuse is that, as opposed to a conference, you walk through this experience with a group of like minded children's leaders seeking to grow their ministry. These leaders will become a network of very close friends that you can call on for anything for the rest of your life. Not a week goes by that I do not contact one of my fellow Infusers.
What sets Infuse apart from other coaching networks is the retreats. These retreats provide you the opportunity to come face to face with Bro Jim, your fellow Infusers and the coaches as you walk through several focused mentoring sessions together. Personally I believe the most popular sessions are those held at Bro Jim's house. There is something special that happens when you are invited into someone's home. These sessions are relaxed which allows everyone to let down their guard and ask the questions that will help them grow.
If you are looking to invest in yourself, improve your ministry and grow as leader then Infuse is perfect for you!
Clayton Poland
West Monroe, LA
for more information and to download an application for the March 2014 or September 2014 session click here.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Infuse is not just another coaching program...
Back in 2007 I received new marching orders for my life. The Lord gave me a fresh desire to take what I’ve learned about children’s ministry and leadership and pass it on to the next generation of leaders. I began to look for ways to do this in addition to my monthly audio leadership resource I call “the Club.” I added blogs, began to host forums and discussion groups online and began to write for several ministry publications; yet I knew there was still something missing. It seemed like the more I did to mentor others the more people wanted me to come up with a way to personally coach and mentor them. That's when I began looking for a way to offer a mentoring service that was intensive yet affordable for most churches.
Infuse is not only the original kidmin coaching program but it is also the largest and most successful kidmin coaching program. It's also the only kidmin coaching program that is led by a certified coach. Another infuse advantage is that everyone of the coaches who help me has spent a minimum of two years with me in infuse and are all graduates of the program. Infuse also is the only kidmin coaching program that has an opportunity for a second advance session.
Infuse is not only the original kidmin coaching program but it is also the largest and most successful kidmin coaching program. It's also the only kidmin coaching program that is led by a certified coach. Another infuse advantage is that everyone of the coaches who help me has spent a minimum of two years with me in infuse and are all graduates of the program. Infuse also is the only kidmin coaching program that has an opportunity for a second advance session.
Mr. Webster defines infuse as: to instill a quality or skill in someone or something; to soak or pour into. This is what infuse has been about from day one, a way to pour into others what it’s taken me years to learn so they can be better leaders and accomplish more in less time. Infuse is limited to 20 selected candidates. Because of the high response I have had over the last few years for kidmin leaders be a part of infuse beginning in 2014 I will offer not one but two sessions of the infuse coaching program.
I’m excited at this place in my life and ministry to devote my full attention to infuse. Over the next few days I want to invite you to look over all the information and ask the Lord if infuse is right for you? I’d love for you to prayerfully consider this investment in yourself, in your dreams and in your ministry, I want to help you become the leader you want to be and pour into you the qualities and skills to make your dreams reality. I believe this is my chance to take what the years have given me so I can pass what I've learned on to the next generation of kidmin leaders.
Everyone does better with a coach. So far I have successfully coached 12 groups with right at 300 kidmin and stumin leaders going through the infuse program. The results have been greater than I could have ever imagined but more importantlly lifelong friendships and divine connections have been forged. (Also 3 KIDMIN books and counting)
I’m looking forward to being your KIDMIN coach!
I’m looking forward to being your KIDMIN coach!
Go to jimwideman.com and download your application to become one of my infusers. Infuse is better than a conference or seminar it's a six month, intense learning experience you'll not only learn from me and the other 10 coaches who help me but you'll gain friendships and relationships you'll have forever. Still have questions? Send me an email. What are you waiting for? There are cheaper coaching programs out there byt none have more proven results than infuse. Over the next few weeks you'll be hearing from actual kidmin leaders just like you who have gone through infuse. Let 2014 be the year you take a step to become a leader's leader!
Saturday, November 02, 2013
Preparing For The Forth Quarter
I'll never forget the night i walked the aisle during a Youth Revival at Westwood Baptist Church in Adamsville, Alabama and surrendered my life to the ministry. Jesus had gotten my attention earlier that year when someone got me thinking by telling me that "God had a wonderful plan for my life!" Those 8 words rocked my world then and 40+ years later they still rock my world.
Early in 2007 the Lord began to stir in my heart that I was going to spend the rest of my life putting into younger leaders. I have to admit that I don't always fully understand what things mean. Sometimes I am told something for me to know and then I have to trust the Lord to give me the next step to walk it out. About six months later God led me to resign my church of seventeen years and embark on a new assignment. That assignment led to what has been some of the most fruitful times of ministry, not just in a local church but also throughout the body of Christ that I have ever experienced. About eight months ago the Lord began to prepare me for another part of my journey. Several years ago I read Bob Bufford's book Halftime about moving from success to significance. It's a great book that I highly recomend for anyone to read especially if you are in your 40's or 50's. Back in March I began to ask myself some questions about if I was truly pursuing significance in my life and using my gifts, talents and abilities the way that I should in the forth quarter of my life.
I love football. There is nothing like the feeling right before the start of a game when you see the crowd, take in the atmosphere and run through the big sign the cheerleaders made and start the game. Then there's the first quarter, then the second then the halftime. The halftime is the difference maker and gives you a second chance to run back out there (this time with less fanfare and no sign) and just get to work being more intentional and getting what needs to get done, done! The best I can tell as I try to decern my life, it's late in the 3rd quarter and I want to enter the 4th quarter with my head and hands lifted high with 4 fingers up chanting 4th quarter!
Several years ago I learned that in order for me to allow the Lord to lead and order my steps as He has promised to do in His word, I had to think in steps. I'm not sure why I'd rather think in leaps and jumps but it's the steps of the righteous that are ordered by the Lord.
A few weeks ago I took a step that I believe was ordered of the Lord to resign my staff position at World Outreach Church. I am curently coaching 45 leaders in Infuse, + all the other ministries and services I offer through Jim Wideman Ministries. I am also building some partnerships with some other ministries and churches throughout the US that I believe in to consult and work with. I am not retiring, I'm re-focusing. I have been amazed at the way God has opened doors for me to use the gifts He place in me for His purposes. I am so thankful for saying yes to the call of God on my life years ago and also today and look forward to seeing what Jesus has in store for me in the days ahead. I know in my heart, God is not done with me! My best years are ahead and Jesus is going to build His Church and I am thankful that I can be a part of what He is doing in these last days!
More to come...
Early in 2007 the Lord began to stir in my heart that I was going to spend the rest of my life putting into younger leaders. I have to admit that I don't always fully understand what things mean. Sometimes I am told something for me to know and then I have to trust the Lord to give me the next step to walk it out. About six months later God led me to resign my church of seventeen years and embark on a new assignment. That assignment led to what has been some of the most fruitful times of ministry, not just in a local church but also throughout the body of Christ that I have ever experienced. About eight months ago the Lord began to prepare me for another part of my journey. Several years ago I read Bob Bufford's book Halftime about moving from success to significance. It's a great book that I highly recomend for anyone to read especially if you are in your 40's or 50's. Back in March I began to ask myself some questions about if I was truly pursuing significance in my life and using my gifts, talents and abilities the way that I should in the forth quarter of my life.
I love football. There is nothing like the feeling right before the start of a game when you see the crowd, take in the atmosphere and run through the big sign the cheerleaders made and start the game. Then there's the first quarter, then the second then the halftime. The halftime is the difference maker and gives you a second chance to run back out there (this time with less fanfare and no sign) and just get to work being more intentional and getting what needs to get done, done! The best I can tell as I try to decern my life, it's late in the 3rd quarter and I want to enter the 4th quarter with my head and hands lifted high with 4 fingers up chanting 4th quarter!
Several years ago I learned that in order for me to allow the Lord to lead and order my steps as He has promised to do in His word, I had to think in steps. I'm not sure why I'd rather think in leaps and jumps but it's the steps of the righteous that are ordered by the Lord.
A few weeks ago I took a step that I believe was ordered of the Lord to resign my staff position at World Outreach Church. I am curently coaching 45 leaders in Infuse, + all the other ministries and services I offer through Jim Wideman Ministries. I am also building some partnerships with some other ministries and churches throughout the US that I believe in to consult and work with. I am not retiring, I'm re-focusing. I have been amazed at the way God has opened doors for me to use the gifts He place in me for His purposes. I am so thankful for saying yes to the call of God on my life years ago and also today and look forward to seeing what Jesus has in store for me in the days ahead. I know in my heart, God is not done with me! My best years are ahead and Jesus is going to build His Church and I am thankful that I can be a part of what He is doing in these last days!
More to come...
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