Building Framework

Part of our vision for Family Life Ministries leaders is to "Show FRAMEWORK of a Christ follower."
This speaks of engaging and connecting with kids and parents. Building a foundation in the lives of families will help them connect with Jesus better and impact the world more.

As a newer parent I've learned that I value the truth regarding my daughter. Whenever she spends time with others or we pick her up from a baby sitter the first things we always ask, or at least what's always told to us, is normally about how she behaved.
We want to know was she fussy, did she throw a fit, did she listen well, etc. We're aware that she is often good and sweet, and that she can name lots of animals and often won't stop talking. Those are great things and we love hearing about them from other people.

But, mostly we want to hear about her actual attitudes and behavior to know what we can improve on. If you were to tell me that she was acting poorly or bit you three times these are things we need to work on at home.
In the same hand when she uses her manners and eats decently we want to praise her for being good.

As a leader in Family Life Ministries you can show love through giving parents these tiny details about their kids. They'll appreciate that you paid attention to their kids and care about their family.
If you notice that a kid was really interested in a story or paid attention well let them know. When their kid used their manners or helped a friend out. These are great things parents want to know.

Sometimes communicating bad behaviors can seem difficult depending on the situation and your relationship with the parent. I would advise to simply stick to the facts, don't let your emotions or opinions interfere. Their parenting style may be something completely different than your views on what may work for their kid.
Your role isn't to discipline a child, it's to connect with them and their parents.

The foundations built in this relationship will be truth, trust, and care. Your helping to show that this framework as a Christ follower is valuable in their lives.

We love each of you much and pray that your week goes well.

Showing Up

Hello amazing team, 

Let me start by saying Family Life Ministries simply does not happen without you.

Joe and I can plan, and create, and design, and work all week long. But at the end of the day - it's not until you SHOW UP that God begins working on hearts and families are blessed. 

Ministry is more than just SHOWING UP though. When you arrive to serve in Family Life Ministries you're helping to Impact Future Generations for Jesus and making a difference in little lives and their families. You're serving in a role designed to teach and inspire our most precious people. 

But SHOWING UP is often . . . not enough. As leaders your best tool is to be ENGAGED!

When I get home from work as often need 20-30 minutes to relax and regroup. But Piper hasn't seen her daddy all day and rotates around me like the moon around the earth. She follows me as I take off my shoes, as I go grab water, and when I finally sit she's not satisfied with sitting directly next to me. She has to be right on top of me and begging for me to pay her 100% attention. 

These are such critical moments in her life. If I chose to ignore her for 5 minutes when she most wants to be near me it can leave a lasting impression on her that I'm disengaged. 

Serving is all about ENGAGEMENT. How you respond and communicate to kids may not seem like a big deal at the time. But kids are going to connect with leaders who ENGAGE in them rather than just SHOW UP. When they grow up they may not remember every detail of the lessons you taught or be able to recite the entire "Lord's Prayer." But, they will remember a leader who was kind at all times, when someone was interested in them, and when someone showed them love. 

These lasting impression give them the best example of what a Christ follower should be like. They'll base so much of their walk with God on what they experienced in these early years. 

When you walk through the doors of Family Life Ministries we're expecting you to ENGAGE. 

Families depend on it. Think of this one hour as your chance to leave such an impact in these little lives that they desire to walk closer to God. How do you accomplish that? ENGAGE in them. 

Thanks again for all you do. We love you much and pray for you often!

Morning Worship Mondays -Oceans

...because you can never have too much of Oceans by Hillsong United.

Live Session Oceans

There is something so warming about this song that we can't get enough of in our house. Then all of a sudden chills come when you get to this part of the song:

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without boarders

let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.

Take me deeper then my feet could ever wander

and my faith will be made stronger

in the presence of my Savior."

Imagine the difference your week could be if we started our Monday off in the presence of Jesus. He wants to do the day with you! He wants to lead you and take you deeper even while you're at work or folding laundry today.

Just because you're back to your mundane don't push aside that feeling of Jesus being with you. His presence is the same on Sunday as it is right now while reading this post. Invite him in to your Monday and see what happens!

xo Ashley & Ben

Morning Worship Mondays

Hey Team!
Because everyone needs a little pick me up on Mondays…..

Vertical Church Band- Lamb Of God

and what better way then to hear a song about God's love story to us?

Follow the link to hear Lamb of God by Vertical Church Band.

Can't wait to see everyone & your families Friday for our THANK YOU Event and some family trivia at Doubles. Check planning center for more details OR if you still need to RSVP.

Happy Monday!

Connecting With Purpose

A new family walked into The Lil Rippers one Sunday morning recently. I could tell the kid was reluctant to come in the room. "Sure it looks fun, but there are a lot of kids, and honestly church is kind of a weird place anyway. I think I'd rather be home having fun on my own."
I could just see the thoughts pouring from his face.

Whenever a new visitor comes through our doors I try my best to meet them and spend a minute or two just introducing myself and the room. But, more importantly is getting to know the kid. It's often so difficult to remember the names of kids, especially when we have 50-60 in one room at times. I'm convinced there are kids who have been attending for several months and I couldn't tell you their names if you paid me. The new Digital Check In system prints off stickers with names thankfully, so that's not really an issue anymore.

Getting to really know a kid or connect with one is another level though. In the situation I mentioned above, which is pretty common, I made it a point to remember this kid's name. I also focused on him and asked specific questions about what he liked to do. "Do you like sports, or movies, have ever tried surfing, do you play video games, what's your favorite thing to do when you get home from school?" These little hints helped to get to know him and once he mentioned ONE small thing I could latch on and just stick to that.
He said he liked skateboarding. I know a thing or two but not expert level info on skateboarding. We chatted about it for a minute mainly focusing on him.

The next Sunday when I saw him in the hall all I had to say was "Hey _____, did you get to skateboard a little this week?" His face lit up. It was screaming "He remembers me!"
Remembering ONE small thing about a kid can change their perspective on leaders, church, you, God, adults, and so much more. It proves that you can be relevant and care about their specific life.

It's part of our VISION to Impact Future Generations. What better way than to actually CONNECT with them?
How many kids do you know? This Sunday memorize one child and one thing about them

3. Show FRAMEWORK of a Christ follower     c.   Engage & Connect with kids & parents :: attend events with kids.

Thanks for being intentional every Sunday you serve!
Ben & Ashley Kingdon

Morning Worship Mondays

Didn't you just LOVE the new song our band played on Sunday monring?
I sure did!
Here's the original version of the song, Unstoppable God, by Elevation Church. Just a little Monday morning pick up to remind you that He reigns, UNSTOPPABLE in every moment of your day. Hope you're having a great one!

Unstoppable God by Elevation Church

Ashley & Ben

Morning Worship Monday

As Ben and I have been dreaming of our year and the things we want to incorporate and share with you  in the next

325 days

7809 hours

468570 minutes

28114192 seconds

left of 2015. 

We thought of training, events, success stories, and tips, but something stood out. Worship. Looking back, in times when we've grown deeper in our faith we realized how BIG a part worship played in drawing us closer to the person that Jesus is.

We want to share that with you.

So on some Mondays we will send out Morning Worship Monday posts. You'll never notice the impact "background noise" can make in your day at work in your headphones or at home with the kids until you make that "background noise" worship music.

So, today, enjoy this beautiful song called Jesus We Love You by Bethel Church.

follow this link:

Bethel Worship -Jesus We Love You

Hoping you have a great day today. Thanks for all you do!

Ashley & Ben

Vision Casting

2015. It's still weird to write, say, and think that this year is already here.

As I look back at the past year I'm impressed by what God did through Family Life Ministries. I feel blessed by what God did in my own personal life. And I'm excited about what God will do over the next 12 months.
But as I look back it also forces me to look forward as well. I look back to see where I'm coming from to project what the future may look like. When I finally look back on 2015 I want to be able to say "I'm closer to God this year then I've ever been!"

In The Lil Rippers we've been teaching something similar and to be honest it's not an easy task. We have jobs, families, school events, work events, church events, life events (I'm abusing the word events now aren't I?), etc. We're busy people and to take a step back and choose to spend MORE time with God seems impossible.

The truth is giving God MORE doesn't always mean more time, money, or even energy. Sometimes it just means more faith, more trust, more appreciation, or more invite in your life.
Getting closer to God can be as simple as recognizing Him in the small things every day. It could be deciding to pray each day when you wake up and go to sleep. Or it could be finally making that phone call you've been putting off.

At Coastline Community Church we have a 4 part Vision. Part of that Vision is "To Impact Future Generations For Christ." This makes our job simple, everything we do should be to impact future generations. If you walk in the office and catch me responding to an email, see me buying things at Walmart, or hear me talking to someone on the phone - it's because I want to value the time given to me this year to impact future generations.
If I can stick to that one goal throughout the year it makes decisions much easier. If it doesn't align with my the Vision it may not be important enough to pursue.

Further, each ministry within Family Life Ministries has their very own 3 part vision. When it comes to the individual ministries, we focus on those 3 things all year long. You can check out the Vision for volunteers and kids on our blog page under the "Volunteer Vision Plan" tab if you're interested.

As you plan your year or dream of what could be ahead - allow God to speak to your heart and cast Vision in your own life!

James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, people will perish."

We love you each much and are praying for you and yours!
Ben and Ashley Kingdon
Family Life Ministries