Imago Dei Kids

Remembering & Leaving

2010-01-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is our last day at Imago Dei Community. Below is the letter that was sent/given out to all the volunteers and families last week. This will be the last post for this blog. Thanks Imago Dei for the years of memories and ministry together for the sake of our children, our marriages and to glorify our King. Love, ~Karen

January 15, 2010

Dear Imago Dei Kids Parents & Volunteers,

As most of you know, my family is moving to Salt Lake City, Utah in February to help start a church with Kyle & Joy Costello and a team of people from Imago Dei Community. We’re excited about what God is going to do to build His church in Salt Lake, though we are very sad to leave Imago Dei, Portland, and our families and friends here.

Nine years ago we arrived in Portland and Imago Dei Community. God showed up in many ways then, and He has continually grown and blessed us. Among those blessings and growth has been my time pastoring children and families. What an amazing ministry!

When we arrived there were just a few families with kids, and we met in Schlatter Chapel. There was a clipboard that got passed around on Sundays so that people could sign up to watch the kids and play Veggie Tales in the basement. Gasp! We’ve come a long way in nine years.

One night at a leadership meeting, Rick asked us all to pray about what ministry we would like to start up. I knew immediately that children and families is where my heart was and where I wanted to serve – but I wasn’t a fan of children’s ministry. Rick asked me to go read my Bible and come back to him with all the ways God speaks about children in the Bible. I’m still so grateful for that response; I think most of the pastors from my past would have said, “Well, go make a really cool children’s ministry then!” We started with the Bible, and as I leave nine years later, the Bible is still where we base everything. Praise the Lord!

As I read, the theme that stuck out most to me in Scripture was that of integration. Children were a part of everything, a valued part of the church. Our vision statement was born out of that theme, and we’ve held onto it: As children belong to and are an integral part of our church body, we commit to coming alongside parents in the raising of them. Together our goal is to see kids come to know who Christ is, experience how He works in their life, and integrate them as important and valuable people in the life of the church.

We’ve worked diligently to create a place on Sundays and beyond that is truly safe for kids. Safe for them physically, emotionally and spiritually; safe for them to be who they are, to be part of the Imago Dei (image of God) and express themselves in that. Many teachers and leaders have been part of the process of forming kids’ hearts, teaching them the truth of scripture in creative ways and sharing their own faith journey with them. My memories of walking with you over the years are deep, and full of God’s power in how He has worked in your lives.

Many families have come through our doors, staying and growing as a family in Christ. I still remember the first Sunday when I wasn’t able to remember each name, each of your kids’ names any longer, and I cried. Being with you, watching you raise your children, crying with you over miscarriages and losses of life, celebrating with you at baby showers and baby dedications, praying with you over our “kid issues,” going with you to counselors or doctor appointments, sitting with you and your spouse in the middle of marital tension or reconciliation – these . . . these are the things that I will remember and miss the most. Doing life with you. And you doing life with me.

We have people, hundreds of people that care very much for our kids, for relationships with them and their parents and each other. These people are the face of Imago Dei to me and to you. Children have grown older and been baptized; parents have come to Christ; volunteers have discovered their gifting as a teacher or leader. We have all become more mature in Christ in these years of being church together.

I am leaving. I will be helping to start a new church and will meet new families and see Christ work again, and that is worth everything. But I will miss you. Leaving here is very hard for me, and though I am sad more often than I’d like right now, I leave grateful. So grateful in wonder at what God has done in all these years. Amazed at the Jr. High and High Schoolers I see who have grown up here, grown up under our care and teaching, our stories and crises, our being together and praising Him through it all. And I am amazed at how God has brought marriages back together, matured parents and brought many of you closer to Him through community with each other and with Him. Thank you, Imago Dei Kids, for allowing me to serve you and grow with you all these years. I cannot imagine a better experience to have spent in this decade of my life.

By God’s grace you are not left empty-handed, but with great people that you know and trust to continue on. Jeff Marsh is now Pastor of Families and will be overseeing all of nursery through high school, and parenting classes. Jeff is a good friend, father, pastor and leader. We’ve worked together for many years on staff and there isn’t a better person to pastor the families of Imago Dei.

Jen Taylor remains as an integral part of Imago Dei Kids. Jen has served faithfully with me for the entire nine years that I’ve been here. She started, taught and led elementary ministry for the first several years and most recently has been the leader and deacon of our entire front door ministry. Jen has a deep heart for children and is highly gifted. There isn’t anything Jen doesn’t know about Imago Dei Kids. With Jen, as well as with Jeff, I cannot imagine anyone more suited to carry on this ministry. She is a gift to us all and – other than me being bummed she isn’t coming to Salt Lake with us – I am overjoyed that she continues here in ministry to kids and families.

I will miss you all greatly. Continue on in faith as you raise your kids, support those that have kids and love one another. I look forward to hearing stories of what God is doing in you all in the months and years to come. I will visit often.

Love, thanks, peace to you, and glory be to God for His beautiful church,

~Karen Rogers

Former Pastor of Children and Families

Imago Dei Community

Observation of parents

2010-01-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Great blog post I just read on parenting here.

Advent Conspiracy Family Curriculum

2009-11-30T16:25:00.000-08:00

It is here! Family curriculum to take your child through the story of Christ's birth as well as the Advent Conspiracy themes. Simpler ideas for younger children are at the back of each section. Blessings upon you as you lead your family through Advent. See link below.

~Karen

Advent Conspiracy Family Curriculum

Imago Dei announcements are online!

2009-11-30T11:17:00.000-08:00

All Imago Dei announcements are online now - and in video! :) Check it out so you are in the know...

http://www.imagodeicommunity.com/article/spotlight/

Baby Dedication next Sunday!

2009-10-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

Baby Dedication Sunday is just around the corner! October 25th during all services.

Dedicating your child to God is a public sign that you are seeking to raise your children in the ways of Christ. There is a preparatory class the Sunday before (this Sunday, the 18th! 9am service in rm 150 near the auditorium) to explain what baby dedication is and is not. All involved parents or guardians are asked to be present.

RSVP to Neisha (neisha@imagodeicommunity.com) if you’d like to participate!

Early Childhood curriculum snapshot

2009-09-30T10:26:00.001-07:00

The preschool & 2's teachers got together last night to plan out the next 2 months of curriculum. We provide curriculum so it's not that they were working from scratch. But what they did is added to it and reworked it so that it reflected more of who we are as creative people made in the image of God and who response to God. Here is what they came up with. Here is what my 4 year old will be gleaning from the next 2 months. Thank you God for these people who care about the little things for little kids. There's nothing like young children "getting it" (learning about God) for the first time.

october

wk 1

Creation Day 1: Light & Dark Gen 1:1-5

Activity/Movement area: Blob

sensory: shadow play

Art: Light & Dark Painting

Need: black construction paper 8x11 & white paint (sponges for the 2's class)

Key Verse: Gen 1:3 God said, "Let there be light."

wk 2

Creation Day 2 Sky & Water Gen 1:6-8

Activity/Movement area: catching clouds with parachute/ bubbles

sensory: water

Art: Sky Collage

Need: blue construction paper

Key verse: Gen 1: 6-8 "God made the sky and water."

wk 3

Creation Day 3 Land, Plants and Sea Gen 1:9-13

Art: leaf rubs

Sensory: potting soil

Playdough - create things on land

Need: potting soil, printer paper,and coffee filters

Key Verse: Gen 1: 9-13 "God made the land, sea, and plants."

wk 4

Creation Day 4 Sun, Moon and Stars Gen 1:14-19

Movement: Moving Moons

Art: Sun & Moon Foam Balls

sensory: tin foil strips

Need: foam balls (talk to Jen about oriental trading), glitter, silver & yellow paint, flat pushpins, tissue paper- red , orange, & yellow

Key Verse: Gen. 1:16 "God made two great lights."

November

wk 1

Creation Day 5 Fish and Birds Gen 1:20-23

Movement: Bird walk

Dramatic Play: Bird Nests

Sensory Table: Eggs, worms

Art: Rainbow fish

Need: plastic eggs, packing strips paper, tissue paper white, blue construction paper in shape of a fish

Key Verse: Gen 1:20 "Let the water have fish and the sky have birds."

wk 2

Creation Day 6 Animals

Movement: Surprise

Dress up: Pet Vet

Art: Masks

Need: paper plates, construction paper brown, orange, and yellow

Key Verse: Gen 1: 24-25 " God made all animals"

wk 3

God made people so we can know Him/ Adam & Eve Gen 2:7, 20-23, 3:8

Movement: My Name

Art: Body Maps

Sensory: People

Need: butcher paper, crayons & markers, rubber bands

Key Verse: Gen 1:27 " God created man and women in His own image."

wk 4

God provides for us / The Garden Gen 2:8-15

water works

Art: My garden

Garden Scents

Need: koolaid (without sugar), & white card stock

Key Verse: Gen 2:15 "God put man in the garden to care for it."

wk 5-

Creation Celebration Gen 2:1-3

Art: Mural of Creation

Need: 11x17 white paper, Blue Paint

Key Verse: Gen 2:1 " The heavens and the earth were completed."

End of Summer Announcements!

2009-08-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today (Aug 30) is the last day of Summer Electives! It’s been one of our best summer’s ever as far as quality in teaching, line up/variety of classes, and involvement from staff, pastors and mature adults in our community. Kids have gotten a great view of the bigness of God and how He is at work in all aspects of life.

Next Sunday (Sept 6) all elementary kids will be IN SERVICES with their parents. We will not have elementary ministry going on. Have fun worshipping together before back to school craziness begins.

Regular Imago Dei Kids elementary ministry starts Sept 13th. 10 returning teachers are excited to serve and know your children this fall. Please take some time on the 13th to meet your child's teacher!!! Would be great to have a few more teachers to lead small groups or people that are great at leading all group games or being part of worship. Let Karen know if you are available. karen@imagodeicommunity.com

Parent subs needed throughout the year. We are gathering a list of parents who can sub in for teachers throughout the year. If you are not able to be on a regular Imago Dei Kids rotation but could sub in from time to time to cover a teacher who needs a week off, please let us know. Jen@imagodeicommunity.com

Sunday Sept 27th is our Fall Elementary Parent Meeting!!! It is during the 11am service in the Library. Please make this a priority to come and be together as parents and hear the vision of Imago Dei Kids and what we are teaching your child this year.

Camp

2009-08-04T00:54:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I was asked to be the camp speaker for a week at Camp Tadmor. It was for Jr Camp so it was 220 3rd-6th graders. None of which I knew. I had never been to a week long camp before nor had I ever spoken that many times in a row for that many kids in that age group. I'm more familiar with Sunday to Sunday. Or a one time, evening/Saturday deal. As many years as I've worked with kids and parents I felt suddenly very out of my element. I was pretty nervous - panicked as it were.

The first night I got introduced as a "he" only because the program staff hadn't met me yet and assumed I was a male speaker. So my nerves were pretty thrown and I did my best to recover and get the kids excited about having a woman speaker. But I came back to the lake house that night (where my husband, son and I were staying) and was about in tears regardless. I was up till 1:30am planning my talk for the next night and was pretty sure I was invisible and was going to SUCK at speaking.

But God surprised me as He often does. At my low points I was on my knees exasperated with planning and worrying and told Him it was a mistake that I was there and somebody else should come or at the very least I should go home. So God came and did what I could not. Be Himself in the midst of counselors, kids and staff.

On the 2nd night I spoke about Sin and how we aren't perfect. 3rd night was all about Jesus and who He is and how much he LOVES us. Loves you. Loves me. I was starting to love speaking to this group of kids but was concerned that their hearts weren't engaging. By the eve of the 4th night I asked counselors what God was doing in their cabins (as I had every night but only general comments had come thus far) and expected more of the same as in nights past (general niceties). But suddenly hands were raising and counselors were all chiming in passionately. A child had received Christ the night before! 3 kids in another cabin. An entire cabin received Christ and danced around saying they wondered if the angels were dancing with them! Another gal told her church counselor that because I spoke she learned that Jesus is for everyone...she always thought He was just for Christians. She received Him and told her counselor the next morning she felt "new". An hour or so later I was to speak on new life and how it changes everything.

I was in tears at the counselor meeting and couldn't hide my surprise at the kids response. Together with the counselors we celebrated and talked about allowing God to speak to the kids and not get in the way with ourselves. Suddenly speaking wasn't scary and I was getting to know the kids and it was an absolute privilege to be sharing the gospel with them all.

After that it felt to me all mayhem ensued in the realm of what God was doing in kids and counselors hearts. We had a worship night that night and the kids were way into it and praising like I'd never seen a group worship. We shot up colored/silver butterflies over the kids symbolizing life, had ballons bouncing everywhere and just celebrated. The last night I spoke on loving others and we talked a lot about when our heart breaks for someone and when the moments are that we most feel loved. By the time the week was over I estimated 40-50 kids had received Christ or rededicated their lives! I've never seen anything like it. It changed me in many ways and gave me much more confidence to speak again. But more it re inspired me to come home and be with our local church to be in the lives of our kids who are growing up here.

For sure I'm taking our kids to camp next year. And for sure I'm coming home again refreshed and excited to be part of what the day in and day out life in Christ looks like with them. Thanks Camp Tadmor for a chance to speak and see God work.

Beautification!

2009-07-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

One of the summer elective classes for this Sunday - awesome idea!

Elective Class Name: Beautification

Class Limit: (girls only)

Opening Activity: Soaking fingers in Palmolive!

Elective Course:
We ladies are going to push back our cuticles, file down our rough edges and paint our nails! We are also going to make a natural face scrub to take home with us.

Truth Piece:
Scripture:
Ps 139.13-14 I am God's work, and His works are wonderful!
Luke 12.7 God knows everything about me, and still, I have so much worth to Him!
Ps 45.11 The King is enthralled by my beauty, so I will honor him because he is my lord.
God uses the bible to talk a lot about what He values as beautiful in us. Dive in and find out how you can please our Lord with your beauty!
I Peter 3.3,4 [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Main Theme/Character attribute:
God loves us and thinks we are beautiful! The beauty that God sees in us is unconditional, and is far greater than anything beautiful we can create. The value of beauty that is ascribed to us by God, being His creation, is far greater than the world's value of beauty. To know and believe God is to know and believe that we are beautiful to Him...not because of how we look or what we wear or what gifts and talents we have. We are valuable to Him and beautiful because we are HIS, and His creation.

Parent Handout for at home conversation:

Portland is a city full of opportunities to think and talk about what BEAUTY really is. Look around and you’ll see many examples of a false, short-lived, dead-end kind of beauty authored by the World. Talk about where the world’s beauty falls short in fulfilling our deepest desire to know and believe God, and then talk about the true beauty that comes only from God, and feeds our hearts and draws us closer to Him…

Stories from last week

2009-07-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

This week up for elementary summer electives is:

9am:
Performance group of high schoolers comes to share the with the kids via drama, games, etc.
11am:
Telling stories through drama (kids learn to act)
Martial arts/self defense
Singing & history of worship

STORY from last week: Last Sunday a mother from our community made pizza dough with the kids and taught on the bread of life. Our friends from California were up visiting and their daughter went to this cooking class. Our friend Rob was so impressed with the take home ideas and the dough that was sent home that their family made pizza that night for dinner! Rob sat at the table talking to his kids about the suggested scripture and theme on her parent handout. It is so awesome to see parents get empowered to have discussions of faith with their kids!! It is so shaping for our kids to get an inside look into the lives of people in our church and in turn for that to spur parents onto sharing their own story with their kids.

Summer Electives have started!

2009-07-06T17:00:00.000-07:00

Elementary Summer Electives
God + your passion + our kids = Real Life Learning

Every summer, we extend an open call to our Imago Dei Community to come and live out a piece of your story with our elementary children. We offer elective style classes and children choose what class they would like to take. The classes are taught by YOU, our church community. All of life is sacred. Your passions and pursuits are all done before God. Our desire in Imago Dei Kids is to connect God to our world.

This week's classes taught by people in our congregation were (July 5th):

Vegetable Painting (Making prints with vegetables, learning about how to eat healthy and take care of our bodies)

Make a Joyful Noise (worship class where kids got to make their own instrument, learn how to use it and sing worship songs with a gifted leader)

Making Smoothies (This week's most popular class of course, kids made different kinds of smoothies included some with spinach! Learned how to eat well and treat their bodies)

Adventure on the Bus (Our class for older kids this week. They totally went and rode a bus route and talked about the adventures of life God allows us to experience)

Next up for Sunday, July 12th:
- Stewardship (learn how to organize, spend and save your money!)
- Soccer!
- Poetry with all 5 senses
- Cooking

Make It Personal!

2009-06-18T16:09:00.000-07:00

I'm quoting again. This book has some good words though. Check out this segment by Reggie Joiner in a chapter about making it personal with kids:

Kids already have a front-row seat to their parents' lives; the question is, what are they watching? Is it just a show? Or is it real-life adventure where they see courage and passion to overcome personal obstacles? Parents must show them what it is like to pursue a better relationship with God. Show them what a committed, loving marriage looks like. Show them how it looks to prioritize Jesus above anything else. Show them what it is like to reject the materialism and consumerism of this world. If parents want their children to have it in them, they have to see it demonstrated.

Kids need to see their parents
struggle with answers,
face their weaknesses,
deal with real problems,
admit when they are wrong,
fight for their marriage,
resolve personal conflict.

Children need to see their parents make relational, emotional, and spiritual growth a priority. If parents don't make it personal, it may never be personal for their kids. Some of my favorite stories through the years have been told by children of single parents who watched their moms or dads overcome difficult obstacles. Don't forget that God is writing a story in the hearts of parents, a story of redemption and restoration. One of the most powerful things that children can see is God at work in the lives of their parents, but they can't see who their parents are becoming if they never see who they were in the first place. Otherwise, how will they know the difference God has made and continues to make in their parents' lives? It is the firsthand look at that difference that will give them hope for their future and faith in what God can do in them.

Uber challenging. I am noticing as I parent my son that I always try to be my best around him. If I curse my first response is to cover it up and pretend I didn't rather than just apologize and tell him why it frustrates me that I do that. When I'm having a bad day I ignore him or hide my face from him rather than just talk about how I'm feeling. On the days when I just let it all out - we have the coolest conversations. Being vulnerable with our kids - letting them into us. That's how I want to live. I hope we'll be friends later in life because of it, and I hope more that He sees the God of the universe playing out in me (somehow, someway).

Family Rhythm

2009-06-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about rhythm lately - something my husband and I have been intentional this past year on building into our lives. We started Sabbath-ing a year or two ago, taking Fridays completely off from the world. We don't ever schedule anything then and we do whatever we want to - many times just resting and playing at home. That's become a rhythm. The other thing we've been building this year is being home more nights than out. This is something we want our son to grow up noticing and valuing. For some this may seem like a no brainer, but being pastors - it's easy to be out every night if you keep saying yes. These things have built some consistency and sense of home that we all really needed.

I'm reading a book called Think Orange. It's a book about family ministry - about the church and family coming together. I'm pretty stoked on it. The "Orange" references are overdone, but once you get over that - it's a good read.

There's a lot in it and I may post more later - but where I'm trying out some new skills in my own family right now is regarding family times. Deutermony 6:7 is something we read and say a benediction over our families with at every baby dedication and then hope that we all follow in the years to come.

"Impress (these commands) on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

Joiner makes the point that:

"it's not enough to spend time together as a family if a family's time together is never meaningful or strategic. It's not just about quantity, and families can't make up for frequently missed opportunities by going on a nice vacation once a year or by spending several days together during the holidays. And it's not just about quality - families have to to be both intentional about how they spend time together and consistent about how often they spend time together. In short, they need to create a rhythm. As leaders, we should act like Moses and encourage families to get in sync with the natural patterns that already exist in life. We need to help them find their beat and see their time as an opportunity to celebrate God's story."

So this is his attempt to break it down for us - to remind us of what we value so deeply, intimacy with our children:

MEAL TIME When you sit at home
Focused discussion as a teacher to establish core values

DRIVE TIME When you walk along the road
Informal dialogue as a friend to help your child interpret life

BED TIME When you lie down
Intimate conversation as a counselor to listen to the heart of your child

MORNING TIME When you get up
Encouraging words as a coach who gives a sense of value and instills purpose

I'm pretty excited about it - this simple reminder of scripture that I hold dear but worry that I don't live out well enough. The fact is all we do these things. No matter what is going crazy in our lives; we all wake up with our kids, drive them around, eat dinner with them and go to bed with them. The rhythm of making those times sacred and real - gets me excited. Peace to you as you live a life of faith with your children.

Summer Electives!

2009-06-14T16:59:00.001-07:00

We are getting close to kicking off the summer here at Imago Dei Kids! It all starts July 5th. This is when:

1. All our 5 year olds that will be Kindergarten age move up to the world of elementary to make space for all the preschoolers that are growing up. This also gives the new Kindergarteners a chance to get used to the elementary program before the fall so there isn't one more transition for them in September when they are already saturated with change at home starting a new school.

2. Our graduating 5th graders that will be in 6th grade in the fall, begin participating in the Jr. High ministry. Leaders came down to meet them today, and next week we'll take them on a field trip to the Jr. High room where they can see what it's really like.

3. This is also when we kick off Summer Electives!!!!! Our regular teachers and leaders are off for the summer. This is the one focused time a year when we invite all of our Imago Dei Community to come and teach the kids once or twice during the summer. Something creative that fits a passion they have (cooking, sports, biking, drawing, clay, graphic arts, you name it) while tying it in to the character of God. The kids LOVE this time of year as they get to pick their own class (usually 3-4 classes going on simultaneously during each service)! And adults get that don't normally see our children's ministry get to try their hand at playing a part. We still need 30 more people to be a part of this!! So please help spread the word and consider teaching a class yourself. My teachers and myself will help you develop the curriculum so you can successfully transfer your passion to the kids. Contact me at karen@imagodeicommunity.com for more info.

4. Lastly this is when we invite all the nursery and early childhood parents to come teach in their child's class for one service this summer. We give the regular weekly teachers 4-5 weeks off in the summer and need help filling their places. Since parents are the primary discipler of their child it seems to go hand in hand to have the parents BE the teachers during the summer. Other teachers and myself will help each parent with the curriculum and coach them on how to teach a group of kids. We still need 40 more parents to help with this! So please let us know if you can come teach for a day. Contact me at karen@imagodeicommunity.com

As if all this isn't enough, this is also the week (July 5th) where we go to just 2 services for the summer. We'll be doing a 9am and 11am service only. Though this change is actually very welcome for Imago Dei Kids!

Happy summer planning and vacationing to you all. On the weeks you are in town consider jumping in to teach a special class for the summer!

The godly adults that bless us

2009-06-03T22:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had our last meeting of the year with our elementary team. I had to arrive late due to an emergency so I asked one of my leaders to get the fire pit burning, S'mores out, and to invite the teachers to pray.

I arrived to a group of 12 people praying for our kids, for each other, and for God to change them. Have you ever arrived late to a meeting you set up and found the whole group praying honest prayers? It's really something.

So we spent the evening evaluating the ministry. What went well this year, what inspires them, what needs improvement, etc. I'm still trying to articulate what it was that moved me so. I mean we had quite full lists of pros and cons. But I think it was the eagerness each teacher had to share! All but one chimed in more than once and had significant contribution to make. This isn't a passive group or another meeting to get through for them. This was how are we going to love these kids well and be the church to them?

I feel I have made some good friends this year with this group. And they with each other. These are good people. Solid character, mature in their faith. A deep love for the church, in it's wholeness, including the kids.

New Set Up

2009-05-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

As promised, a picture of the new gym set up. Of course, it's not so new anymore. :) But we still like it. Thanks to Dan Young the architect who helped make the maps that the set up team can actually use (they weren't too fond of the maps with pretty pictures we used to make).

You can't actually see all of the classrooms here. But what you can see is the 1's and 2's rooms with new playground area. It's working really well. On the sides not shown is the large preschool room (on left) and the improved mothers room, snugglers room and scooters room (on right). Also not pictured is the family hang out area with video feed and the parent resource tables. We are enjoying the new set up!

We Fall Down

2009-05-22T10:26:00.000-07:00

This video is from one of our families. It's their son singing a solo at the closing ceremonies night at Awanas. Now, I think he sings quite well - but that's not the only reason I asked his mom if I could post it here. First off, his mom is playing the piano. Which makes the whole video less about Samuel and more about God to me. There is a sense of worship here. And really the thing that moves me the most is the song he's singing. It's a main stream song sung on the radio, churches and in home and on CD/mp3 players. And he knows it. In fact he's MEMORIZED it. I work with several worship leaders in Imago Dei Kids and often the question comes up about which songs kids can actually sing. I usually respond that kids can sing most any song. It seems we all sell kids short on what they can actually understand and are able to do. This kid, Samuel, displays for me the maturity and ability to grasp not only lyrics to a song but worship to our King at a young age. May all of us parents be encouraged that our kids can understand and be part of much in the life of Christ.

May 2009 - Samuel sings solo from Theresa Frazee on Vimeo.

May Newsletter

2009-05-21T10:44:00.001-07:00

Check out our Spring/Summer newsletter - has what we are doing with curriculum, dates for summer, invitation to serve this summer, and resources. Happy reading!

God is big, we are smaller now

2009-05-14T01:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight was the 2nd week of an all church prayer night we've held. 2 weeks ago our lead and founding pastor, Rick, announced in the sermon that Imago Dei Community was shutting down all activity, programs, meetings, etc for a month. To pray. Once a week, all together as one body. A reminder to us all that this is God's church, not our own, and that it's time we start loving each other.

So we've been praying. Last week 700 people showed up to pray! Kids were running around past bedtime in the family rooms as parents and community members swapped off caring for them so the other could go and pray. One wife described the night to me as "humbling".

Tonight we gathered again. Less people, less kids. Which seems so typical of prayer - what is it about prayer that loses people's interest? Like I should talk. Prayer is often hard for me. Praying in groups of people you don't interact with all that often - even harder. Until you do it. And then WHAM! I'm hooked. All in and can't wait till the next one.

So tonight my blogging friends - was wonderful being with a community of believers you love! Seeing Rick get emotional as he thanked God for saving him and for doing more than he ever dreamed or imagined with this church - was inspiring. So inspiring that the thanksgiving opened up. People stood and praised God for all kinds of things - not specific to their own situations so much - but praising God for our church, for each other, for what God is, has done and will do.

Then some people came and shared what God had placed on their hearts for us to be praying about. One shared about the desire of the heart - and how God is our ultimate desire. We all got in groups and prayed over that. Which led to more thanksgiving but also some repentance of how we just don't desire Him much sometimes. Another friend shared about giving of money and time. And if we have not much of either maybe it's time to reevaluate some things and trust God. She was so humble but passionate and inspired us all to pray about that. Again, prayers of repentance lifting up all over the room.

Toward the end I just started listening as the prayers of the people, our people, our friends, the church - rose into one voice. And it sure sounded sweet to me. I looked up at the old wooden rafters where people had prayed for years and years and decades or longer in the same building before us. I imagine it was sweetness to God's ears. We, this broken group of people here in Portland, prayed in unity and unison for a common purpose. To know God, to desire him, and to love His people.

I was in tears by the time we ended in worship and went and grabbed my son from the play area and brought him in to sing with us because I wanted him to experience it. Which, of course, he wasn't interested in as it was an hour and a half past his bed time. But he did for the first couple minutes immediately sense something. My husband nudged me and I looked back to see his little 4-year-old hands raised and eyes closed. We both looked a little surprised but then noticed that the room of people was doing the same, he was copying. Or maybe there was some semblance of Spirit flowing through him. I don't know. But in my heart was an overflowing thing happening. I was grinning and hugging everyone. The Spirit of God I believe - and you could see it over most all the faces. We are becoming one family again. I'm so glad to be part of this family. There is much more work/prayer to do. Many friends have not come to pray and some are suffering in isolation critiquing the church. But tonight many changed and loved each other again or perhaps for the first time.

God is so much bigger than us and it's truly an inspiring and humbling thing to see it in the physicality of a people learning to love each other and lay themselves down for the sake of something much bigger. I'll be there again next Wednesday.

Thoughts on friendship

2009-05-01T01:27:00.000-07:00

This last month at our teacher meetings I've been burdened to teach on friendship. It seems to me that community is sometimes a word that is either overused or more likely misunderstood. Many times I've talked to people about their disappointment in a home community or a ministry. Their marriage tanks, the group splits up, you name it - something happens and they are crushed. The expressions I hear from so many is "it doesn't work", "we need a closed group", "no one really knows me". As if community or ministry is somehow a method and that there is a stepping stone process to achieving it. Which ultimately, is a failed process and why doesn't the church come up with something better?

I have to ask, isn't what you're describing friendship? There are many things about community that are great and what God asks us to give ourselves to. But something He consistently asks us to in it is to love and be loved. To give and to receive. Friendship. Community can not replace deep friendships, and deep friendships seem to be what we are all asking for. Have a listen to Kyle Costello's sermon last week for a deeper look into that.

I am convinced that most people who call themselves a Christ follower authentically want to grow and be a person of godly character. But the how...seems to escape us all from time to time. In Ephesians 4 Paul speaks of living as children of light. It is this picture of what it looks like to be a person filled with Christ-like character and in it, he points out that we are to speak truth to one another. Really the entire section brings up unity and being together. We aren't in this alone. It is very difficult to see the fruit of godly character all by yourself. Sure there are disciplines, some that I need to grow in. But overall what I read in Ephesians (and most anywhere in the bible really) is that we need each other. Or at the very least that we are stuck with each other and there can be great benefit and beauty in it.

In a book that I have been challenged on a lot this year called, The Ascent of a Leader, the authors speak of this character. This godly character that it takes to lead others, and how if you want to start on the road of growing this way (in godly character) - that you better surround yourself with some good people. Certain kinds of people. Friends. These are people who:

- Are ordinary people who are willing to tell you the truth, and who will also receive the truth from you
- People who are willing to have fun and dream with you
- People who believe in you

Get to know these people as intimately as possible. Let them know your goals, your dreams, and your struggles. Perhaps more important let them know how you FEEL about your goals, dreams and struggles. Let them know how you feel about them and their own passions.

Best environments are produced when a core group of people commit themselves to each other for life, no matter what.

Even for a definite/defined period of time. It's called FRIENDSHIP. Committing time creates opportunities for vulnerability. Vulnerability builds trust, and sooner than we think we will be able to encourage one another toward spiritual maturity.

So I think it's time we ASK SOMEONE(S) to walk with us. Someone we respect or want to be more like. Compliment them by asking them, but be clear what we want. Don't apologize. Just ask them to walk with us and tell them why we want to walk with them. Part of living in community is having some deep friendships. We all want those but are scared to start. It's so scary to ask someone to love us. But it's what Christ is calling us to and a sure start to becoming people of godly character I think.

May God give us courage.

Teaching Teachers

2009-05-01T00:51:00.000-07:00

It has been humbling and also inspiring to watch our teachers and leaders grow this year in their relationships with Christ and in our community. Each week I get the opportunity to share again with a different group our heart and expectation for them as teachers and leaders for our kids. The call is that it has less to do with their skill level in teaching or in any leadership that they offer, but rather the life in Christ that is in them. That this life would spill over and pour onto our kids and all those they have influence over (volunteer helpers, parents, etc). Simply - that their presence, who they are, is enough.

Who these people are in Christ is everything - especially considering kids learn by watching and look to those they admire. Kids can see through fancy teaching skills and a churchy fakey affection. They know when they are loved. So I am thankful for the people God continues to bring into this ministry and for the opportunity to remind them that it is who they are that matters more than their skill. Skill can be taught. Life in Christ has to be received and then given away.

From the mouth of babes

2009-04-14T13:03:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of observing one our 4th/5th teachers with her group of students. She was presenting the gospel and helping them grasp the death of Christ and also his resurrection and what new life means. It was the first sunny day in Portland that we'd had in awhile and it was even warm. So after they had read scripture and had a discussion she took them outside and gave each one a journal. She asked them to write a poem or thoughts about new life. Here are some of my favorites:

- Life is full with many things to love the world with

1. She used a lot of verses to say what she means
2. Life gives life to other life
3. Life is not painless
4. Christ has power
5. John the baptist preaches about Messiah
6. No fear in love
7. We hide in pain and sin
8. He sends invitations to receive
9. Look in the face of Christ
10. Christ will shine in our darkness

New Life, by Haiden
You'll have a new life when you die. You'll either go to heaven or hell, it all depends on what you believe in. Whether you believe in Christ or not. You make the decision.

New Life! by Annie
Some of the signs of new life is like new grown baby trees. But Satan will want to destroy the new life of that tree and have it look like the leaves that are on brown and on the sidewalk getting stepped on day after day. But Jesus will destroy Satan and have that leaf blow into acres of new dirt. And Jesus will make the wind blow the dirt onto the leaf and Jesus will have it rain and that leaf will grow into a tree that has flowers all over it and will produce fruit. The end.

Good Friday & Easter Sunday

2009-03-31T18:22:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,
Please note that for Good Friday we'll be doing Imago Dei Kids at the 6:30pm service only. Nursery like usual in the gym, and then a mixed age group in the gym of 2-3 year olds in one room and 4 years and up (2nd grade max) in the big room. We'll be doing special art projects that night, a storytelling of Jesus death and burial, and some live worship. See you there! If you are a cleared Imago Dei Kids volunteer let us know if you can help that night as we'll need some extra hands. karen@imagodeicommunity.com

EASTER SUNDAY we'll run all 3 services like normal for Nursery and Early Childhood. Elementary kids will be IN THE SERVICE, so no class for those kiddos. Have fun celebrating the risen Christ together in the service.

This is usually our biggest Sunday of the year. Please spread the word to all parents to come to the 9am or 12pm services!!!!!!!! We just don't have enough room at the 10:30am for everyone. If you are a cleared volunteer and can help an extra service on Easter we could sure use you!! Please let us know if you are available to help.

Thanks everyone! Happy Easter - He has risen indeed.

Marriage homework

2009-03-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Recently Rick preached a sermon that God seems to be using to change marriages. In it Rick expounds on Paul's exhortations concerning marriage in Corinthians chapter 7. He encourages us to consider how Christ gave His life for the church- His bride- as the model for a God ordained 'mutually giving' marriage. Give a listen here.

Below are the questions he poses for all of us to answer together with our spouses. My husband and I did these and it was really good, hard, and is still now helping us address some things that needed to be. As I oversee children and families here it is hard not to notice when there is a season to focus on marriages more than others. This is one. Perhaps due to financial hardships and loss of jobs or hours is causing more marital tension? I think that is a big part. But the overall inquiries our pastoral staff is getting regarding marriage counseling and being in community with other believers to walk them through marriage issues is very high right now. Which is good. It's time to start talking about what many of us aren't talking about - what's going on at home, and with our spouse. For the sake of our kids. For the sake of our marriage, which God desires very much.

So for those of you that missed this sermon, or have not yet done the homework questions :), I encourage you to dive into with your spouse. Grace to us all as we reveal our hearts to one another.

What are your desires? (touch, time, talk, serving, gifts, etc)
How have you seen sex as a you owe me rather than an I owe you? (repent)
What would change in our marriage look like? Dreaming together.
How can you best serve each other to avoid sexual temptation?

Angry Conversations with God

2009-03-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

I am reading this book by Susan Isaacs called Angry Conversations with God. I think I like it. It's reminding me of a hundred conversations I've had with people over the years and several I've found myself having with God from time to time. Mostly it feels to me to be a walking this woman through the seasons of her life that were the most painful for her in her relationship with God and others. Through it it's helping her to see where she has blamed God for it all and how it ends up - He wasn't the one to blame at all.

I have not finished it yet, but am getting close. I'm not sure the book has captured the whole gospel of who God really is. But it doesn't seem that was her aim. Rather, I think it will be one I will recommend to those that have gotten spun out in faith and in church and are finding themselves bitter and distant from God and other Christ followers. Most of the story is about her struggle in singleness as well. It provides a way back to what is real and true. A gentle journey through the pain to the eye to eye, ear to ear time with God.

Susan Isaac is speaking at Imago Dei on April 3rd at Evangel campus. I'm thinking I will go to hear her. She's a professional actor and comedian and funny as snot. So I'm hoping for some humor but also to see how well she can articulate transformation and community of faith. Come and check it out.

It's almost Easter

2009-03-16T00:11:00.001-07:00

It's coming on Easter and I'm hanging in waiting.
There is a kind of grief that proceeds this holy day, if you let it in. And I admit I don't like it.
Not one bit do I like this pre-Spring anticipation. I want to. But I absolutely do not.
This is the season before the beauty comes. Where we prepare and wait and wonder. But new life has not sprung yet. The dark is still here even as the blades of grass and the buds on the trees hint at what is to come. It's raining. It's cold. There will be a death to consider before there is life.
If I am really trying to enter into the amazing miraculous holiness of the season - I enter into this thing called Lent.
I do not like Lent. Yes, mark it down and chat amongst yourselves. Karen Rogers is NOT a fan.
Even the mention of it at staff meetings or the sudden planning of an Ash Wednesday service puts me on defense. It's coming. That amazing day that is the pinnacle of the year and of my faith. But it will not come without a cost.
This season represents more pain than I care to write about. Simply put, a lot of loss has happened during these months in my life. The same months, for many years, have been very painful. So that just complicates Lent i think for me.
And yet, I feel compelled, even inspired to engage in what it must have been like to walk with Jesus during those final days and hours to the cross.
How is this Lent season for you I wonder? Because for me it is downright awful. I cry more during this season. Am kind of depressed. Usually confused wondering what is wrong with me and why I'm so hormonal.
One year I watched Mel Gibson's The Passion. 2wice. I bawled my face off both times, the first time my head in my lap in the theater crying uncontrollably after the lights had come on. The images still ring in my view when I allow them in.
I see His face a lot lately. Glimpses just. Maybe even a sound or a thought. Is He hurting? He looks sad. I feel His heart beating in mine, and I shiver. Can I hear Him breathing?
It's coming. And I cannot stop it. He's going to die all over again and I've been asked to relive it. Year after year.
Sacred. Holy. He was alone. He did something I will never understand. It hurts to think about it. To let it in is painful. A revisiting of my own hurts. But moreover - an entering into His.
I can NOT understand why Christ would die for us, for me. It is utterly God to do such a thing so absurd and sacrificial.

And then there is Easter. It is coming and I feel it's warmth on my skin even as I am grieving. To consider Easter answers the begging question I have of why in the world He did what He did. It is so obvious and so wonderful. A few years ago I came across this passage. I'm sure I'd read it many times before but that year, something came over me intensely as I realized for the first time what it was to really take in the resurrection, after the grief of His death.

Now it is my every year passage that brings me to His feet in both His death, and His forever life that beats in me. May it bring a similar joy to you in the depth of your being as you read. There is something indescribable and humbling about being truly known, and hearing His voice. I am doing my best to enter into this Lenten grief right now. But I am very much awaiting Easter morning when I hear Him call my name and remember what He has done and how very much alive He is, and we all are.

Peace to you as you do your own dealings with Lent.

John 20:10-18 (New International Version)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹⁰Then the disciples went back to their homes, ¹¹but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb ¹²and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

¹³They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." ¹⁴At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

¹⁵"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"
Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

¹⁶Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).

¹⁷Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

¹⁸Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her.

Imago Dei Kids workday

2009-03-15T23:09:00.000-07:00

We had our first workday in years this Saturday! Thankful to be able to get into the gym on a weekend. Almost 40 teachers and leaders came out to clean out all the storage cases we roll in each week and to rethink the way our set up looks. Will get some pictures up of the new look soon, but here's some fun shots of some leaders working on it all.

Thanks everyone who helped get it all done. It looked great today and had a nice open and displaying of what we are about feel. Now can someone explain why we had a sudden explosion of kids coming today? I think we had our largest kids day ever!

Spread the word - please attend the 9am!!!!! We're opening a new room at the 12pm too so there is plenty of room at either of those services. The 10:30am is FULL.

A little redemption goes a long way

2009-03-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

Today – a woman visited our church with her husband and child, someone I have history with and used to be a part of our community. I haven't seen her in years. The last time I saw her she was angry and hurting and asked me for counsel. My son was just an infant at the time and we sat in my living room while he slept. I read the bible to her and spoke what I felt to be what God would say to her. She did not like it and was not happy and told me she would divorce her husband anyway and that she disagreed with everything I'd read. She seemed very disappointed the bible didn't say what she hoped it would. She left miserable and angry.

Several months later she got in touch with me to say that she’d had a change of heart due to what we talked about and was moving to Korea to be with her husband who had left. This was shocking and amazing news! I wondered more what had happened but she was unable to find time to hook up before she left. I didn't hear from her for a couple years. I’ve always wondered what happened.

This past year she got in touch saying that they (she and her husband) were in Oregon now and had a baby and were doing well!!! I still hadn't gotten the whole story but was thrilled to hear the news and told her I'd love to see her someday.

Today...they came to Imago Dei and found my husband and I just to share with us what God had done in their marriage. Wouldn't you know it that my husband and another elder had met with him a few times back in those hard days they had too? I never even knew that (or maybe I've forgotten). So there we were in the hallway at the end of the day him telling my husband his story and she telling me hers. It was all I could do not to cry, to shed some tears of joy on their behalf.

She stood there looking like a completely different woman than the one who sat on my couch all those years ago. She was holding her adorable baby girl and sharing with me what God had done in her heart. Something only He can do. Nothing I could ever take any credit for. Just Him pursuing her, and she going home to be with her husband. And they - just so thankful for their daughter, and for each other, and for Christ.

This frames my week. I am ready. Bring it on - a little redemption goes a long way doesn't it? This is what we live for.

Community

2009-02-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

This is something I found posted on a Mom's blog last night, I loved it so much I thought I'd post it here for you. I couldn't say it any better.

Confessions of a homebody

I tend to be a homebody. I could stay at home for weeks on end with no outside contact and be perfectly happy (that's probably why I never answer my phone). I have plenty of things to keep me busy or at the very least waste my time. Something new is always going on with the boys so the novelty rarely wears off. Knitting is a perfectly happy solo adventure and yet...I find myself drawn towards community.

Don't get me wrong, I spend plenty of time at home but I find myself spending more time with others. Why would a perfectly happy homebody spend time with others? Because relationship nourishes me in a way that I can't do myself. My relationships with others force me to look beyond myself, to be dependent, to enjoy time rather than just pass the time. I tend to want to do everything by myself but for me, that is empty arrogance. There are actually very few things I can do by myself, for everything else, I need community.

Raising the kids cannot be done by myself or even just with the help of my spouse. I depend on community to grow with the boys and show them that families are all beautifully different. I appreciate all of the clothes we've gotten as children in our community have outgrown them. I value the time my community has spent looking after my kids but more importantly, investing in them and loving them completely.

Personal growth cannot be achieved by myself. I depend on others to hold my hand and hold me accountable. I appreciate all of the women who have spoken truth into my life out of love. I deeply value my community for showing me that God's love and grace have a deep and meaningful place in my life. I can humbly say that I am not the same person I was two years ago and that my life has been drastically changed because of God and my community.

Love is nothing when it is isolated. Love is everything when it is celebrated, shared, lived, and given away. Love has no reference point without community.

All of this is a way of letting you know that this happy homebody is choosing community over isolation one step at a time...

2009-01-12T00:26:00.001-08:00

Something is happening again that is at the core of what we started this ministry on. I've seen waves of it in the 8 years that I've overseen children and families. Our vision has always remained the same, our philosophy of ministry consistent. But there is something deeper which encourages me unlike any of the rest of it. Some seasons it's just harder to find, and others - very prevalent. This is one of those seasons.

I'm having trouble figuring out what to call it. So I'll try the word ownership. And also life giving. 2 words seemingly different - but they both fit very well together when working with children. I see the words playing out on the faces of our volunteers and especially our teachers. When someone is unloading their car or carrying a bag full of goodies that they have prepared just for the kids - you see it. But even more so you see it on their faces when they are knee deep in teaching. They are grinning or have that twinkle in their eye that lets you know they have something up their sleeve that they can't wait to share. They are delighting in the fact that the kids get it, or maybe just delighting in the kids themselves. Or maybe just delighting to be part of the process.

Today I saw a teacher's face after she left her hour with the kids, it was just priceless. She was full. Of life, of God, of friendship - maybe all three. She didn't talk about it but you could see it anyway. It was for her, she didn't need attention for it or affirmation that she did well - she just enjoyed what happened today. And that's where those words really hit my heart lately. When people are owning their class, their time with the kids, their part in their lives - it shows. But then when it becomes life giving, well that's when you can see it filling them up and changing who they are.

I've always thought the most beautiful people to work with are those that work with kids - and really love it. Sometimes people work with kids and they know they are good. So good that they get their strokes from it and unintentionally isolate others from getting access to what they experience. Others, just don't enjoy kids. They try and they pull out all their tools of how to's - but they don't really find much meaning or joy from being with them. But then there are those that get surprised by kids. The ones who had no idea what they were getting into and WOW - it's really amazing! Others humbly offer what they have to give each week but mostly they come to receive and learn from kids as they give. These people, the ones that are changed by being with children- are beautiful to me. They smile more, can connect life and scripture and theology in depth, and are just fun and silly.

I'm glad for who God is providing and for all those that are enjoying the process of being changed by kids even as they are honest and teach kids about real stuff. This is a good season.

Ministry Mantra

2008-11-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

There is a book called God, Marriage and Family by Andreas Kostenberger that I use often as a reference. In the chapter regarding family I have found what consider my mantra for the ministry to children.

Overall, then, we learn from Jesus that we should not look down on children because they are not fully grown and hence are of lower social status than adults. Like Jesus, we should treat children with respect and dignity, as unique and precious creatures made by God and valuable in his sight. What is more, contrary to our natural inclination that may tell us that we can learn nothing from children and that the relationship is strictly one-way from parent or adult to child, we should look at children also from the vantage point of desirable kingdom traits that may exemplify in a more pronounced way than we do ourselves. This is one way in which God defies the wisdom of those who are wise in their own eyes, and the pride of those who think they are something in and of themselves (Matt. 11:25-27; 1 Cor. 1:27-29).

Ministry to children, therefore, should be conducted in a humble spirit of service rather than in a patronizing manner, and should be viewed as a privilege rather than as an undesirable chore left to those who are unable to attain to a higher calling. While children have much to learn, they also have much to teach us, if we are humble enough to listen to them and to observe them. Their simple faith that takes God at his word, their believing prayer trusting God to do what they ask, their willingness to explore new things and to follow the lead of another - these are but a few examples of qualities in children that adults will find inspiring and worth emulating. By repeatedly pointing to children as models of kingdom values and attitudes, Jesus elevated those who are lowly in this world and humbled those with status, power and position.

Sacred Parenting

2008-09-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

This is a fantastic book on what parenting truly is - and isn't. Gary Thomas is a great author and speaker, both Kevin and I have had the privelege of hearing him. If you are struggling or want to grow more with your parenting, or your marriage - Sacred Parenting, and Sacred Marriage are essential books for a wake up call and encouraging exhortation to what you are really called to.

Here are some excerpts from the first chapter in Sacred Parenting that I think open it up to the heart of the matter right off:

Why have children? Sadly most of us end up having kids for superficial reasons. Yet these motivations, as noble as they may sound, are still narcissistic at the root, based on an ideal notion of children and a romanticized view of what family life is really like.

Before long I discovered what every parent has discovered: babies come to us as sinners in need of God's grace and as dependent human beings demanding around-the-clock care. This reality will melt sentimentality and our romanticized notions of family life before we reach the end of the very first jumbo pack of Pampers!

We need something more concrete, something more eternal, to see us through the challenges of parenting. The best reason to have kids - the one reason that will last beyond mere sentiment - is so simple that it may not seem very profound: God commands us to have children (Genesis 1:28).

In other words having children isn't about us - it's about him. We are called to bear and raise children for the glory of God.

Here's a thought: Let's accept that both marriage and parenting provide many good moments while also challenging us to the very root of our being. Let's admit that family life tries us as perhaps nothing else does; but let's also accept that, for most of us, this is God's call and part of his plan to perfect us. Once we realize we are sinners, and that together, as a family, we are to grow toward God, then family life takes on and entirely new purpose and context. It becomes a sacred enterprise when we finally understand that God can baptize dirty diapers, toddler's tantrums, and teenagers' silence in order to transform us into people who more closely resemble Jesus Christ.

This isn't my ministry

2008-07-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

One of our teachers shared this story recently about how God provided something as simple as food to help them really understand how they are to serve in ministry to others:

Thursday, July 3rd, I'm meeting with my coach for my volunteer leader position as a Two's leader at Imago. I'm telling her the ways that I want to be a better leader, and love on my team more and give them bonding experiences by doing things like...having them all over for a BBQ. But the thing is, my husband is between jobs right now, and we're taking frugal to a whole new level. I'm pretty sure hamburgers for a crowd isn't a real priority for us. So we brainstormed some pretty cool ways that we could get together and bond anyway, and I went away hopeful. But God heard my heart...

Next night...we come home late from watching fireworks out in Gresham, and what is sitting on our porch, but a cooler-full of hamburger patties, cheese slices, buns and chips! I instantly thought, "woah, that's a lot of hamburgers" and then, "now I can have my Two's bbq!" But I didn't want to squander the wealth of food that God had given us in a time of need, and again, I want to keep my priorities straight...feed the family first, right? As we were going to bed, we talked about this blessing of beef...60 hamburger patties in all! My husband says something that made me laugh and cry at the same time: "God has entrusted us with 60 patties!" I wrote it on the white-board I have hanging in our bedroom (I'm still redecorating). God has entrusted us with 60 patties. That's more than what we need to feed our family; do we really want to eat cheeseburgers for 10 days straight? OK, not that we'd have to eat them all at once, they're frozen of course. But still, that's a lot of meat for folks who weren't big red-meat eaters before. So I thought I'd mention my BBQ aspirations to my husband. I didn't want to sound self-serving with the provision God had given our family. But he agreed: I needed to have that BBQ. We cried and thanked God as He spoke to us:

This isn't my ministry, and the passion in my heart was not created by me. I have already come to a point of doing this because I love God, and He's asked me to do it. Because He has shown me that he loves me, I desire to love others. Because of the way He's created me, I will lean toward loving people in certain ways, like feeding them. God knows I love to cook for people, to gather 'round and take care of some practical needs. Having a BBQ isn't about me and my objectives and how I manage my grocery budget. It's about how God wants to speak into our lives through community. If He wants a BBQ to happen, He will put it on my heart and He will make it happen. He will even shop for the burgers: He will speak to someone in our community because He knows they will listen, and He will tell them to give the leftover 4th-of-July burger supplies to the us!
Leading the Two's Room is not just my calling. I am part of a family, and whatever I do in ministry effects my whole family. Whatever is happening with the family effects the ministry. So whether or not anyone else is on the front lines of the ministry, we, our family, are partnering together to lead the Two's Room. If God has laid it on my heart to have a team BBQ, it is not selfish to bring that idea to the family, it is appropriate. And as is fitting, we will love on the Two's team as a family. This may seem obvious to the spiritually healthy married couple, but for a family that's experienced years of addiction and abuse and plain 'ole cultural brainwashing, this is a [brighter] light shed on the way God designed things to work, and we are seeing what a beautiful creation He's made in marriage and family. Our family is a team, and we talk about that a lot...but it mostly has a lot to do with cleaning the house and sticking up for each other on the playground. But to think about how that applies to supporting each other in the ways that God has called us to serve Him...it's much different (and may I say more special?) than the way we might support a missionary, or support an orphan overseas. To support each other as a family is opposite of the American culture's ideal of autonomy, even within the family. I don't think that was God's intention for family, but I'll let that roll around in your head a bit and see what He says to you......

Owning and Repenting

2008-06-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

A friend is going through one of those crazy times in life and ministry right now where she's not sure how she got where she is or how to get out. God has been speaking to her steadily and bringing much clarity which has brought upon repentance as well as joy and praise. It's been a privilege to watch even through her tears, because she is being set free to really live again.

This is what she has allowed me to share. A piece of her heart, so that you may be encouraged that managing, taking complaints to the top, and being a worker bee - is a dead end in leading others. Life, joy, the work of God - comes from deep change and allowing others freedom to create and step in.

This is what she writes to her leaders (followed up by connecting with them):

I want to share a little of my life with you guys. Over the last week or so God has been showing, challenging and growing me so much. He's revealing some of my misconceptions and disbelief's about Him. I'm finding I don't actually believe the truth about his character. And with that, I have misconceptions of myself and how He sees me. Over the last few weeks He has been revealing some of those unbelief's/disbelief's to me, and gently correcting me. I've had to confess, and then seek Him, which is one of the very issues I have been learning about - not wanting to seek or ask of God.

I want to share all this for 2 reasons. One to be open to what God is teaching me, doing in me, and share my life with you as you do with me. Two, because my sin effects you and our ministry. I see that when I lead I pass these doubts about God onto you, how can I not? It might be by taking away things you are gifted at, made to do or stepping in to take over in places maybe God is trying to reveal something to you or your volunteers hearts. In my unnecessary protection, I don't want to see you burdened at all and so I overcompensate.

I want to apologize for creating an environment that is not healthy, where i am not leading well, and where i just keep creating systems and such when I really need to let the internal burdens i carry go (sometimes to just to God, sometimes to you, sometimes to my leaders, to other staff, etc) and then stand back look at what we are doing, why we do it, and what I'm made/called by God to do in this ministry.

So, that is what I am doing, digging my way out and answering some questions. The biggest of which is why? Why am i doing what I'm doing? When I looked at all the words that came out as I answered this - people was the theme. I care for people! I want them to be taken care of, inspired, helped, and known. And I know you want the same which is why you are here.

I am so thankful for you, for your faithfulness, your love for the people God has brought us, your hard work, and the grace you have for me. I am blessed. Please pray for me as I learn to believe that God wants me to lean into Him and ask Him for help, and that this ministry doesn't revolve around me and my efforts.

My friend is beginning to be free from a cage of burden and to do lists that she had created and led her team in. She has not blamed staff, quit without going through the process God wanted to do in her, or shuffled all her responsibility onto her team. She instead...repented. Which doesn't mean asking forgiveness and doing the same. It means turning around. Simple, yet something many of us struggle to do. I'm looking forward to watching her team create and dream and listen to God's heart as they lead people.

Thank you friend for reminding us all the importance of owning, repenting and the humble attitude of a leader that frees us all.

From the mother of a 2 year old

2008-06-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wendy - Thank you for taking the time out to email me, that sounds right up my son's alley. He has been talking about "church" lately, and I have to give you guys some great high fives because he tells me about "sing Jesus" and "love Jesus" and it is so sweet. To see him loving to stay at church is such a difference from the past. oh yea, another story. We pray as a family (all holding hands together) but sometimes he holds his hands to himself and the only place that he has learned that is from you guys. To know that my son is praying outside of home, is beautiful.
Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for being consistent caring and most of all loving my little guy. I cannot tell you how much that means to me.

Thank you 2 year old teachers! I love you! God is breaking through and drawing kids to Himself.

Kids on mission

2008-06-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

One of my staff, Adam Parent, shared this with me about some movement God is doing in our kids hearts:

Several weeks ago for our Sunday morning K-5th grade community, Joni Kabana came and shared about Torina’s world (a book she wrote/took pictures for about kids in Madagascar). While sharing several kids asked her what they could do to help? Some asked if they could bring clothes, some school supplies, etc. Joni – responded with “of course you can” – this began the ball rolling of kids bringing in clothes and school supplies to donate to these children. They started pouring in the goods on Sunday the week after Joni spoke.

The week following, the Hotchkiss family came and shared about the well project they have been helping with over in Rwanda. They have partnered with a school to help build and repair a well. Lisa Hotchkiss had the idea to ask kids to earn $ for the well project by doing special chores as opposed to just asking their parents for the money. I thought it was a great idea and so advertised it to our kids and parents. The money brought in this past week are a result of the extra chores worked on by the kids of Imago - $167 the kids have brought in thus far!

The same Sunday that the Hotchkiss family came, Amy Boles (one of our 4th/5th grade teachers) came up to me and had the idea while she was talking with her class about earning money and matching the funds they earn. She wrote a letter to the other teachers seeing if they wanted to partner with the kids. So now there is more money coming in from the teachers after finding out what the kids in their class brought in.

We also made a banner for the school in Rwanda – and cards and pictures for the kids in Madagascar that we will be sending off with the $$ and the clothing/school supplies. Absolutely cool – how that all came together.

(Pictured above is Christy, Adam's wife who delivered all the supplies the kids had put together)

I got to oversee elementary a week ago in Adam's absence. I was amazed and even humbled listening to the kids talk about what they did to earn money that week and why they wanted to. The kids told me all about the well that had broken in Rwanda at a school and how the kids there had to drink gross water now. So there I stood with a pink bucket where they brought their hard earned cash - some of them having no idea what they were doing as they threw a $20 bill in, and others coming with $2.67 all labeled and in a Ziploc baggie very carefully placing it. Parents were curious if the kids raised much of anything and asked when we are sending supplies over and how else they can help.

Fascinating to me. A curriculum we wrote out of our church's value of missional journey - we made a segment about global community. And we prayed and invited others in whom we thought would have a unique and real perspective on what it looks like to care for others in other parts of the world. And the kids NATURAL response with little adult initiation is...WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? HOW CAN I KNOW THOSE KIDS? I hear stories of kids at the grocery store with their parents and the subject comes up that kids in Africa need school supplies too. Next thing you know they are coming home with 2 backpacks, and double sets of paper, pencils and folders.

The cards! Oh i wish you could see them, I'll try and hunt down pictures. Our kids have made cards to kids in Madagascar and Rwanda for the last several weeks. They want to send a bit of themselves over with all the stuff. Many have asked to be pen pals. One card is my favorite so far - Breanna wrote in green marker something to the effect of: "Hi, you're probably wondering why I am writing you. I live in USA in Portland and God is Jesus and Jesus died for our sins so we could be with God forever. Would you like to be pen pals?". I wish I could be across the world to see the face when a child reads Breanna's card.

Kids hearts are motivated and moved to act and to be selfless in as much way as they can. And all we did was say "we value this, it's what the bible says to be about". And the kids come up with the response. I'm so proud of them and so grateful to God for moving in ways we couldn't have come up with.

Please Don't Sit on the Kids

2008-05-29T18:17:00.001-07:00

For all those who are always wanting more tricks of the trade and ideas for how to manage kids and apply consequences when necessary - this book is for you. It's called Please Don't Sit on the Kids.

It's a great tool (and super easy read) for how to get kids to listen, how to remind them of behavior to avoid, how to TALK to them when they are misbehaving, and how to spot possible misbehavior coming on BEFORE it happens so you can lead them into something better.

Read a chapter online, or buy the whole book and highlight the parts you love. Share it with your friends, make copies for people on your volunteer team, or just implement ONE THING in it the next time you are with kids. I promise you it will be helpful in understanding kids a bit more.

Love to you all.

I'm at home in the eyes and hearts of these people

2008-05-27T12:05:00.000-07:00

We all long for places to be known, to have people say our name with delight when we walk in the door, and to feel…home. Now there are a few places in my life where i feel like I'm home, but today I will share about one of them. My church home, specifically, our children & family ministry. Often people ask me why I love what I do, don't I get tired of it? Here's my response to some of that:

Each week I walk down the hall toward the kid’s area on Sundays I hear the voices and excitement rise. You can feel it way before you ever get to the door. You can feel it in the parking lot if you follow a family in. It feels much different than the feeling you get walking in to the auditorium for the service. Though that has it's own beautiful homeyness. But here there is always a child to greet you when you come in, yelling your name and smiling! Sometimes I'll be in the middle of a conversation with someone and a little child will have themselves wrapped around my leg like they haven't seen me in forever. And occasionally (like this Sunday) I'll look down and the child hugging me isn't one that I know! Who does that? No one. Not one in my life does that except the sweet children that I get to be with. Nothing can make you cry faster than a child that loves you passionately for absolutely no good reason. No wonder Jesus was such an advocate of children. Well, more than an advocate - He tells us to be like them. My I have such a long way to go....I am learning. Always learning.

Here, my Sunday home, is where I walk in and always see a good friend to connect with, as so many of my closest friends work with our children. I absolutely love that I'm not the only person who finds extreme beauty and life in the halls and classrooms where our families walk. Working alongside friends is the best way to work I think.

Here is also where I am greeted at the door to our children's areas by guys I know and trust who are on security duty. I often catch myself grinning as i pass by. They must think I'm crazy, or maybe mocking them. But all i can think of is that these are the men who will take a hit if some crazy comes after our kids. I never want to think about craziness, violence or trauma. But it's happened. In schools, in churches, and in the communities and homes of friends that I love in Africa. So, when I pass by these men I am deeply thankful for them. They are husbands and fathers to the women and children that I know well. But they are also strong and valiant to me as they represent the heart in us all to truly lay down our lives for one another.

This, my church home, is where I see parents faces as they leave their child for the first time, the 100th time, or as they come back to pick them up and listen to the teacher tell about what their child learned about the Gospel...today. I love their faces. Some of them challenged, others insecure, some confident and almost giving the teacher the blow off of "yes yes, we teach him that at home". Some cry and share about how hard things are at home right now. Others ask the teacher how in the world they got their child to pray, and the teacher explains that she didn't....and it occurs to the parent that maybe they are teaching their child something about the God of all after all.

It feels like family to be there for some of the important moments, to remind parents of how special and fun their child is, to develop friendships that have lasted the test of time. Some days I find myself in the home of a young couple who has just lost their baby. We weep, hold each other and then...pray hope for the future as Christ promises to redeem everything, someday. Others I sit with a father and his daughter in my office as she shares how she thinks she might be being abused by her brothers when her dad isn't home. Tears fall down her cheeks and her hands shake cause she's nervous, but in the end dad is taking his whole family to counseling and refuses to be passive - he advocates for his daughter. There are the moments of holding someones brand new baby during a baby dedication and see the parents eyes as they share about how amazing this child is that was given to them, and their vision for who they want to be as parents, as community, as home. There are moments when a mother breaks down with a teacher and shares what is really going on. A child sits with a mentor and confesses that she lies and wonders if it's a sin, and is so surprised and relieved to hear that there is forgiveness and a loving hand to walk her through it. Mom and Dad leave a parenting class and realize for the first time that they HAVE to be on the same page if they are going to survive these foundational years. The stories...well they are endless. But they are stories of my people. Courageous, bold, humble, valiant, pure, open people.

I’m home in the eyes, laughter, tears and hearts of so many great people. I am so proud of them but also SO grateful that they hold me close in my own moments of grief and confusion. Thank God for family.

Expectations?

2008-05-26T01:55:00.000-07:00

I've been talking to a lot of you lately about what your experience has been with our kids. What do you love, what drains you, and what can we do better? The feedback hasn't been what I expected. In fact what is expected? seems to be the key thing a lot of you are wondering. The vision is indeed huge and can be overwhelming as we often feel not up to the task. I mean, it's beautiful and I believe in it and "you guys" are doing a great job. But me? I have no idea how I fit into this. I have little to bring to the table, what are you guys expecting from me?

Here is the CHILDREN'S MINISTRY FOR DUMMIES guide for you. :) For all of you who have wondered what we expect from you as we talk passionately about our vision, this is for you!

First - our vision & philosophy of ministry. Read it, absorb it, let it overwhelm you... Then read the rest of this. It's on this blog on the left...click and read.

What are we hoping for as you work with our children, their parents, and all the people that serve with us?

Let it change you

Every encounter with a child or parent ought to rock you somewhere deep if you allow it. An African child's drawing about what community is to her. A mom beginning to cry as you tell her for the 2nd time that month that her child didn't behave well - and she shares that things have been really hard at home. A typically withdrawn child praying and holding hand with another person for the first time, you find yourself peeking just to see if it's really happening (he's not leaving....he actually wants it!)! A child you don't know and have never seen wrapping themselves around your leg and grinning as they are so excited to see you.
Fight hard not to get sucked into the details and busyness of the short time we have with the kids. Challenge yourself to share with your friends or your spouse something that you saw or learned today by being with the kids or the people you serve with and WHY IT CHANGED YOU. Let it in. It is there, with children it's always there. Cry, smile, put your hand on someone's shoulder, ask someone to listen. There is nothing so immature and childlike about the gospel that should tune you out. If the lesson is Jesus walked on water - well then hey, HE WALKED ON WATER!!!! Talk about it all day with the people you know.

See and advocate for the kids and people you serve

Today a teacher told me about one of our kids in her class that plays the violin - proficiently. I didn't know this child even played an instrument. How would I? I can't know all the children. But through you, I do. As teachers and helpers and leaders in and around the classrooms you know things about our kids that no one else does. You know things like: Isaiah does NOT like paint (too messy), Joshua is a crazy serious reader way beyond his grade level, Anna not only loves to sing but has a beautiful voice. Keep noticing and listening to all these personality traits and passions of our kids! It's the beginning of us recognizing and affirming as a faith community how God has designed them and gifted them. So post something on z-loop about the things you notice in the kids you encounter. Write an email to your teacher or coach about what you see. When you hear a leader ask if anyone knows kids that would be interested in doing a reading in the services, being part of worship, or a family that would be willing to help a single mom - VOICE IT. You are the people that advocate and voice for our kids and parents.

Do it as a team

As with most things in life it's more fun to do it with someone than go solo. Every position we have in our ministry is part of a team. There aren't any exceptions. So check out your z-loop and figure out who your teacher or coach is! These are the people you ask for clarity and help from. These are the people that really want to know what you are experiencing, how it is changing you (or how you wish it were), and what you see in our kids and parents.
Invite members on your team to be part of what you are in your life.
Host a bbq for everyone on your team and just go around and hear each other's stories.
Have a brainstorm session where all you do is talk about what could be.
Throw a party for the kids just because, and plan it as a team before the staff ever has a chance to think up the idea first.
Point is...don't volunteer for a Sunday slot alone. There are people on every team that would love to have someone be interested in them and trade thoughts with. Try not to wait for someone to come initiate with you - go to them and find out who they are and what part of the team they play in.

Should I be doing this?

2008-05-26T00:53:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to meet with our 4th and 5th grade teachers at my home. I thought it would be a time to cast vision for what our mission is for our older kids and how we can move toward that vision sooner than later. And I did that, and they politely listened. But the direction our time took turned out to be more about them as teachers and followers of Christ than it did about what we are aiming toward for our vision. Maybe in the fall we can talk about that! :) But here's what came out of today: We all want to know why we are doing what we are doing, and who called us to do it.

As these great people were vulnerable and honest enough to share about their shortcomings and how they wish they were a stronger teacher, and all that is hard and confusing - it became obvious the struggle we all have. "I am not enough, not near enough. Maybe I shouldn't be doing this. The kids deserve so much better."

I sat back in my chair and listened for a while as I tried to discern what I was hearing and how to communicate to them what God wanted them to hear. And then it hit me. And I had trouble concealing the smile that was forming on my face as I remembered our beginning. The beginning of our church that is.

Those same words and fears and inadequacies came out of all of our mouths and hearts in the early days. Our staff consisted of Rick, Jeff and Beth. None of which were full time. Joe was an intern and I was volunteering my time to start up kids ministry. And that was our staff that met in a very small room (we called it the couch room - which i think lasted a whole 2 months until we added staff and is now the space of i think the 7th person's office since it has been the couch room) in the Burnside offices. I am not enough. Should we even be doing this? Our people need so much more. These came up as questions and phrases a lot during those first years. But the answer was always the same.

You are who God has brought to us. For the sake of His people. His children. YOU aren't enough. Not even close! Should you be doing this? I don't know - but there isn't anyone else in line to take your place. There certainly wasn't when we all started the church. And there isn't now as we continue on. The vision remains the same for us all. And it's the vision that drives us to keep going. If we stop the vision dies. Yes, our kids deserve more. Our people need more! But this is what we have to give, and it has to be enough. The entire gospel hinges on a few guys being willing to keep going. They probably often wondered if they were enough and were embarrassed of their liabilities. They were an unlikely group of men and women, issues and baggage and maturity all questionable. But by God's Spirit through Christ - they were enough because God is.

Somehow through the meager offerings of ourselves that we have to give - God shows up and does dramatic, life changing work in people. In kids, in parents. You may never be trained enough, educated enough, or gifted enough to feel like you are making a difference. But if you live there you may always be disappointed in ministry, because it is about you. If we are truly going to TEACH children and shepherd people - I'm pretty sure it won't have much to do with us. The power of Christ is awing when you offer what you have. It's all He asks for, all of you. He doesn't ask for it to be great or perfect, educated or even all that spiritual. He just asks for you give yourself away for the sake of others.

Our 4th and 5th grade teachers are learning to do this. Learn from them, ask them about what they are processing as they learn to teach.