I'm Excited About CPC12 in San Diego!

It's no secret I love California, it's one of my happy places! It's also no secret I love a good #kidmin conference. Put those two statements together and you'll understand why I'm excited about CPC12 in San Diego. Besides being about to connect with some of the greatest minds in Children's Ministry I just love getting to hang out with everyday folks who love working with kids and who want to grow and be more effective. I'm also excited about the KIDMIN GENIUS BAR powed by Infuse. This is an idea I bowered from the folks at the Apple Store. Michael Chandley and the INCM folks provide a space where Children's Ministry folks could sit and talk about ideas, dreams, problems in ministry, etc and get answered from folks with experience. If you will be attending #CPC12 stop by the KIDMIN GENIUS BAR. We'll be open to serve you during all Exibit hours. We're located inside the Jim Wideman Ministries booth space. Please come by and see us, we're here to help!

Why You Should Use Your Conference Money on Infuse

Today I'm honored to have someone I truley believe God has placed in my life. She is more than a student or even a friend. She's like one of my kids. Not only is Jenny Funderburke one of my past infusers she is now one of my coaches and a big part of team Jim.
I hope you'll checkout her blog @ http://jennyfunderburke.com/blog/
I love conferences. I really do. When the opportunity to do the Infuse mentoring group with Jim Wideman, I had a big choice to make.  It wasn't cheap, but I realized that for the money I could spend at a conference (after you add in flight, hotel, conference, food, etc...), I could participate in Infuse.  I made the choice to do Infuse and without a doubt, it was the wisest choice to make.  See, I quickly discovered that the things I loved about conferences were present and much, much better in a coaching environment.  Here's a few:

-  Quality teaching:  Infuse includes group phone calls each month and two retreats which all include concentrated and targeted teaching from Jim Wideman.  But, you aren't learning in a group of 200 or 2000.  He intentionally creates question and answer time and you can email questions in between occasions.  I learned so much about leadership, ministry, volunteers, structure, relationships, priorities, time management and more!  But I also got to ask for advice about specific situations and problems I was facing.

-  Networking:  I love meeting people at conferences, and I had no idea the impact of the relationships I would form through Infuse.  When you meet someone at a conference, you might have lunch or exchange email addresses.  But, through Infuse I was connected for several months to kidmin from all over the country, from all sizes of churches, and from a wide variety of denominations and perspectives.  This opportunity did a couple of things.  First, my eyes were open beyond my own little world.  Hearing what others were doing, their challenges and their successes, was inspiring.  Second, I formed ministry friendships through my group and coaching other groups that I now can't imagine doing ministry without.  In ministry, Spencer Click is like the big brother I never had.  Jen Galley and Sara Richards are constant sources of encouragement.  Sam Luce always has wise and encouraging advice.  Kenny Conley is always ready to tell me what to do. :)  These and many, many others are invaluable friends who celebrate during good times and pray during tough times.  I had no idea how much I needed this community outside of my own church.

-  Resources and new ideas:  Don't you love going to conferences and discovering what all is out there?  During Infuse, I do think I found out about more ideas, resources, and tools that I could really use than I found at conferences.  And I didn't have to go through an exhibit hall.  The difference is that I learned from people who were not selling, but were really using and trying and implementing these resources in their ministries.  When I encountered a problem or needed a resource, I had a wealth of people to ask about what was out there and what their opinions were.  When we began multi-site, I had people that I knew I could call and ask about what to buy and what was out there.  

-  Getting away:  Let's be honest that one thing we enjoy about conferences is that we get to get away.  We can unplug from church world and normal life for a few days.  We can be fully immersed in kidmin for that amount of time.  The two retreats that are part of Infuse provide that.  Lots of good food, laughter, and the opportunity to think kidmin for two days straight gave me the chance to be refreshed and go back to my ministry excited to go forward.

-  Made better at what we do:  Sometimes we go to conferences looking to learn or buy that "magic bullet" that is going to make our ministries better.  In Infuse, we spent months focusing on the small and personal things that we can be better that will in turn make our ministries better.  The benefit to Infuse being more than a three day conference set up is that it is a process.  Through teaching and growing with others, you have the time and opportunity to evaluate yourself, your calling, and your ministry.  And you learn hard things that you've got to do better.  There may not be a "magic bullet", but it is change that sticks because it is change that comes from a process.  

Let me encourage you not to think "I can't do Infuse because it is too expensive".  Consider what you can sacrifice to make it a reality. You may be stuck like i was.  You may need a network of kidmin friends to learn from. You may need the process of determining how you can lead better.  We all need a coach and people speaking into our lives.  I challenge you to find a way to make Infuse happen.  You (and your church) will be glad you did.

Why I Go to Conferences... Part 5-#CPC12 Orlando continued

The final day of #CPC12 started early again with some of my wonderful infusers helping me get set up for another busy day of teaching and helping others. My first workshop turned into my favorite of all the ones I taught. It was entitled "We're All In This Together- 10 things I do to network, lead, and learn from others." I enjoyed this on I believe I'm going to re-teach it on the my next theClub lesson in February. (Remember you can download theClub monthly audio leadership lessons free if you are under 30.) My next workshop is one of my life messages "How To Be A Problem Solver." This is one of my favorite teachings to teach.  With all my sessions behind me I still was not completely done, another new feature of #CPC12 was the Networking Lunches. I sat with a table full of leaders and let them pick my brain over lunch. My infusers also maned several tables. Isat there until people were all questioned out. I then headed over to the Kidmin Genius Bar. (Which I never made it to yesterday) When the exibit area shut down Julie and I ran to do a little shopping at the outlet mall then we headed back for the last session of helping folks at the Genius Bar. My good friend Jonathan Cliff and INCM board member came over and hung out and helped folks at the Genius Bar. The time flew by and the next thing I knew it was time to pack up and say goodbye to everyone.  I only had a few boxes to ship back to Nashville so the Kidmo Guys let me put them on their truck. Saturday we got up early and flew home. The plane was full of #CPC attendees all of us had one thing in common we were served by the staff of INCM and had a wonderful time and learned a ton. I am looking so forward to #CPC San Diego. You still have time to register.

I'll be speaking at 9 more conferences this year then I'm going to take a break from conferences in 2013 and only do infuse. I hope to see you at one or more of these remaining training events. For a complete list, click on this link.

Why I Go to Conferences... Part 4-#CPC12 Orlando continued

Thursday got started with a bang I taught three workshops in a row plus hosted a table at the Networking Lunch. The 3 workshops were Stretch-Structuring Your Ministry For Growth- (Based off my new book.), Leading Multiple Ministries, & Raising The Abilities of Those You Lead. Want my notes? You can download them here. I never made it to my booth or the KIDMIN GENIUS BAR. Thank God the infusers were there and had everything under control.
My family and I got to be a part of the afternoon General Session with my good friend Reggie Joiner. It was so good to catch up with him back stage, Reggie knocked it out of the park that afternoon as he always does. Before Reggie spoke Michael did an interview with my family. I am honored to have a family like mine. Julie and I have worked hard to reach the kids who lived at our house as well as the ones at the church. I have always felt my family was my greatest sermon. Unknown to me, Michael had asked Yancy to write a song for me and perform it for everyone. It was wonderful. Here's what she wrote...

BRIGHTER

When your heart is filled with gratitude,

What do you say?

Do you write a letter or pick up the phone,

So they'll hear it right away?

Cause there's one whose always been there since my very first breath

There's a lot of thank yous now overdue that are running through my head

It's not just what you said but how you chose to live

You've made a lifetime of memories

And your time is well spent

Cause you taught us to Love, love one another

Love, love God's people and Love God's word with all our heart

Do what's right at any cost Give, Give with open hands

Fight, press on to win this race God made for you

Do what He has called you to

If every child had the parents I have, the world would be much brighter

It's not about being perfect or always right

You're the first to admit you're still learning and lay down your pride

but You care about your family and this world God made

and we're all better because of the seeds

you've planted each day

It's not just what you said but how you chose to live

actions speak louder and your volume is cranked to ten

Cause you taught us to Love, love one another

Love, love God's people and Love God's word with all our heart

Do what's right at any cost Give, Give with open hands

Fight, press on to win this race God made for you

Do what He has called you to

If every child had the parents I have, the world would be much brighter

thank you for believing in me and saying I'm proud of you

and all the things you gave up so my dreams could come true

There’s a part of me that’s just like you

And I want to make you proud, the words you spoke brought life to me

and I want to thank you now

Cause you taught us to Love, love one another

Love, love God's people and Love God's word with all our heart

Do what's right at any cost Give, Give with open hands

Fight, press on to win

This race God made for you

Do what He has called you to

If every child had the parents I have, the world would be much brighter

If every girl had the daddy I have

This world would be so much brighter

Yancy

©2012 Dried Rose Music (ASCAP)

Michael and the INCM then awarded me the first ever Legacy Award for my lifetime achievement in children's ministry. It was one of the most humbling days of my life and one I'll remember for the rest of my life. I was so blessed and honored. Thank you so much INCM!
The service ended with everyone having a night on the town, my family and I went out to celebrate together then when we got home my good friends Sam and Sandra Luce came over and hung out until I couldn't hold my eyes open any longer. There was still one more day and I'll tell you about it later.

Why I Go to Conferences... Part 3-#CPC12 Orlando

#CPC12 in Orlando was my first conference to be a part of in the New Year. I was so excited to be a part of this year's event. Michael Chandley and the staff of INCM had really worked hard making some changes to the event. When a friend asks for your help this old country boy isn't going to turn them down. I'm not sure how many CPC's I've attended. I've attended more than I've missed since 1980. I've seen a lot of changes over the years! some of the changes I've seen has not thrilled me but the changes I saw in action @ #CPC12 were the best I've ever seen. I love the new look, the new website, the phone app and more but one of my favorite changes were the launching of the 5 Inititiatives of INCM...  The five initiatives are meant to identify bright spots in the church worth replicating. They are a starting point for beginning to set an international standard for Children’s Ministry. Obviously, no one person or group can fix everything that is broken in kidmin, however the INCM is encouraging all of us in children's ministry to work together to focus on key issues that will make a lasting impact. Here they are:

1. Impart God’s truth to this generation

2. Provide a safe and relevant environment
3. Communicate with families
4. Network with a community of leaders
5. Pray for the international children’s ministry community.

My #CPC12 experience started on a high the day before we were to leave for #CPC my favorite team the ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE won it's 14th College Football National Championship. After that big game and trying to prepare for my workshops I found myself up all night. I couldn't sleep.  The next morning we loaded the car and headed to the airport. Julie, Whitney, Yancy, Cory & Sparrow were going in a day early so we could play at Disney before we went to work.


Wednesday morning we set up our booth spaces as well as the KIDMIN GENIUS BAR. The Genius Bar was an idea I came up with @ the KIDMIN EXPO that my good friend Roger Fields hosted in Lexington. Chandley saw it and wanted me to do it at #CPC. This was a co-venture of CPC & Jim Wideman Ministries. Several past and present infusers volunteered their time to come down and offer free advice and help to all the attendees.  It was hard to set up for all the people coming by to say hi. One of my favorite things about CPC is it's like a giant KIDMIN family reunion.  As soon as the exhibit area opened the Genius Bar was busy. (Another set of infusers are coming out to #CPC12 San Diego to help me help KIDMIN folks there.)
We talked and prayed with folks until the exhibit area closed. I was ready for bed because I had a big day ahead of me on Thursday. But if I went home right now what I learned from networking, and spending time with old and new #KIDMIN friends would have been worth my trip so far!


more to come...                                                                  

for more about #CPC12 checkout this great recap video

Why I Go to Conferences... Part 2 Revisited

I still attend conferences for these same reasons. Number one to learn. Number two to network and meet people and number three to find resources and helps to aid my ministry. But I’ve also learned two more important reasons to attend a conference. The forth reason I attend conferences are that it is good to get away and listen to God. Jim can’t you hear God in your own town. Yes, but there’s some real benefit to leaving the cares and responcibilities of the local church and just get away. It’s really the same benefits of getting kids to get away from their normal lives and go to camp and listen to God. Some of the most important conferences in my life that I attended were not life changing because of the information I learned or received but because of what God confirmed or spoke to my heart. It’s good to get away and listen, to pray to expose yourself to different or new thinking and let God so a work in your heart.

I also attend conferences to be exposed to bigger thinking and vision. I believe that there is nothing more contagious than a God inspired, Spirit lead vision. I’m the type learner that it helps me to see something with my own eyes. It’s easier for me to grasp by seeing than just hearing or reading about it only. Seeing a big vision in action has always helped me to catch the vision. I think that big vision is easier caught than taught and that being exposed to a larger vision than what you presently have and open your eyes to the possibility of “I can do this too!”

         Just a few weeks ago I had the previledge of attending #CPC12 in Orlando. It was one of the best conference experiences I've ever had. Over the next few days I'm going to write about my CPC experiences and some of the highlights. I'm looking forward to being at #CPC12 in San Diego, if you have not made up your mind to go, I hope you will. You still have time to register.

still more to come...

Why I Go to Conferences...Revisited

I started to entitle this post “Confessions of a conference junkie!” You see my name is Jim and yes I am a conference-a-holic! This is where I hear you say “Hi Jim!” I’ve been attending conferences a long time, a really long time. Now that I add it up, I’ve been attending some type of conference every year for almost four decades. Big ones, small ones, one day ones, multi-day ones even “come spend a week with us ones” and then if that was not enough I started speaking at conferences in 1980. You would think this would scratch my conference itch but then not only did I keep attending conferences and speaking at conferences I started hosting conferences that only lead me to the hard stuff , organinizing and putting on conferences. Yes you could say I have a serious conference addiction.

            Conferences have played a big part in the formation as well as the success and longevity of my ministry to children.  The first conference or seminar I attended was shortly after being drafted to minister to children, it was a puppet seminar put on by Puppet Productions and it immediately made a huge difference in my ministry. There was something about the experience that just made it easier to grasp the concepts being taught. Seeing what they were presenting in action plus being able to purchase much needed supplies and props was a huge benefit for me. I started seeking out other conferences to attend locally in my city. It didn’t matter to me what denomination or group was putting on the event if I could learn just one thing that I didn’t know before the conference I viewed it as a success. As I started applying what I was learning the next thing I knew others where asking me to come teach what I was learning. The first additional benefit I realized was that not only conferences where a great place to learn they were an even better way to help you connect and network with others who shared similar interests and callings and who where also on a quest of growth and excellence.

          The first national children’s ministry conference I heard about was the Fellowship of Christian Magicians Conference. (It was much more than magic, there were workshops on every type of ministry performance methods to children there where back then) I wanted to attend so badly but my church did not have a conference budget so I remember getting the brochure listing the workshops and workshop speakers and after the event I looked up some of the presenters phone numbers and called them and asked them about their workshops and asked for any notes or cassette recording they had I could get my hands on them. One of the people who took my call and sent me his notes was Dick Gruber. Dick thought I was some” country bumpkin” from the south calling him up asking him to teach me “how to do clown ministry over the telephone.” Not only did I find out what I wanted to learn but it was the start of a wonderful friendship. (32 years later I got to mentor one of Dick's sons in infuse for a year and a half, what a honor!) In fact, most of the dearest and best friends I have on this earth I met at a conference. 

more to come...

Why I Go to Conferences... Part 4

This blogger segregation really underlined what I was teaching on in my next breakout "Aligning The Children's and Student Ministry Departments." I think this was the best breakout I did at Orange. I had over 1000 in attendance and it was very humbling. I later hosted a lunch that featured churches who brought a group to Orange. I spent a lot of time with Student Ministry folks at the lunch and then also that night at the Student Ministry Meet-Up at Dave and Busters. The highlight of the day came with another non-Orange learning opportunity by having breakfast early with Sam Luce, Kenny Conley, Matt Mckee, Gina McClain, and Jonathan Clift. Sam and Kenny set this up long before the conference. It was wonderful meeting with these 5. The next day I started with another breakfast with Matt Payne and his student pastor then I did by final breakout of Orange 11 "Recruiting Secrets That Work" It was received well but I've never taught on recruiting that didn't get a good response.  The big highlight of the day came by me getting to spend time with Anthony Prince and JC Thompson. These are two young guns I've been watching and learning from online but had never got to really spend any time with. I was impressed in fact I can't wait to spend some time with both of these guys again. I also got to spend a little time with the Granger guys. (Looking forward to learning more from DC and Ted.) After a quick trip back to the hotel to pack Julie and I loaded the car grabbed Sam Luce and took off for Tennessee. Usually after a conference I am worn out but Orange 2011 energized me. The only thing that was missing for me was any Reggie time. I learned what I wanted to learn and got to connect with some amazing leaders. I can't wait until Orange 2012!