Registration
Registration is $100 per person. Please be advised that attendees need to provide their own bed linens.
Click here to register online now.
Retreat Leader Patty Smith
Known as “the unconventional church lady,” Patty Smith inspires preschool/children’s ministry leaders to think differently and act differently as they reach children and families for Jesus Christ.
Having served in preschool/children’s ministry leadership for two churches, Smith eventually became senior product developer for Children’s Ministry Resources at Group Publishing. She has written books, curricula, and has developed interactive media. Smith also has created workshops for regional and national events. In addition to Group Publishing, she has served as contributing author for materials by Abingdon Press and Rethink Church.
Her most important ministry is being the mother to three boys—Zack, Connor and Patch.
Schedule
| Thursday | ||
| 11:00 to 12:00 | Registration and Check In | |
| 12:00 to 1:00 | Lunch | |
| 1:00 to 2:00 | Session #1 | “Rock Solid Ministry: Defining Your Goal: What’s the Prize in You Kidmin?”What is the gospel imperative for your ministry? Why does your children’s ministry exist? How do your core values (key principles) bring your ministry to life? What ministry opportunities bring your why and how to life? This session will help you formulate a measurable, personal, ministry growth plan to guide ongoing success for your ministry. Participants will explore how to set up a ministry action plan that can be customized to meet their church’s purpose. |
| 2:00 to 2:15 | Break | |
| 2:15 to 3:15 | Session #2 | “Rock Solid Kids: Top Ten Ways to Reach a Child”How can you keep up with what is effective, what is hot and what is working with ever-changing elementary-aged kids? This breakout will clue you in to the latest techniques for grabbing kids’ attention, managing classrooms with multiple ages and making learning memorable. Plus, we will give you insider secrets to what parents of kids this age need most and how you can partner effectively with them. |
| 3:15 to 4:00 | Break | |
| 4:00 to 5:00 | Session #3 | “Rock Solid Volunteers: Train for Endurance and Success”Your children’s ministry volunteers want to succeed! In this workshop, you’ll explore the key factors that motivate people to serve. You’ll get a successful training strategy that will tap into these motivations, equip your volunteers and increase their desire to serve God. Walk away with a clear process for evaluation and feedback. |
| 5:00 to 6:00 | Dinner | |
| 6:00 to 7:00 | The Speed Meeting Experience | |
| 7:00 to 7:15 | Break | |
| 7:15 to 8:00 | The Small Group Experience | |
| 8:00 to 8:15 | Break | |
| 8:15 to 9:00 | The Worship Experience | |
| Friday | ||
| 8:00 to 9:00 | Breakfast | |
| 9:00 to 10:00 | Session #4 | “Rock Solid Leader: Keeping Your Eye on the Goal: Learning How to Not Drop the Baton in Ministry”How do you keep focused on Jesus when you are drowning in things to do for ministry? This workshop will give you practical steps to push through the natural stresses of the ministry marathon in order to understand healthy boundaries. Explore ways to create breaks in ministry when there seems to be none. Defeating burnout for you and your team members can happen! Health for your team starts with health for yourself. |
| 10:00 to 10:15 | Break | |
| 10:15 to 11:30 | Sharing Your Best Practices “Show and Tell” | |
| 11:30 to 12:00 | The Closing Experience | |