Connect Groups are
another one of the unique elements at the KidMin conference. No
matter who you are, where you're from, or what kind of ministry you
have, there will be folks at KidMin who have something in common
with you. Connect Groups give you the chance to, well, connect with
them. There are 21 different Connect Groups for all shapes and
sizes of ministry!
First 2 Years in
Children's Ministry
Just beginning your adventure in children's ministry…and figuring
out the ins and outs for working in the church? Then this is your
group. Connect, build relationships, and network with others who
are in the same place as you…you'll get the chance to share,
explore, and encourage each other in living out your calling.
.
Children's Ministry
Veterans (10+ years)
Have you been there…done that…for 10+ years? Then this is the
group for you! Connect, network, and share with others who have
seen it all and keep coming back for more. Renew your passion,
encourage each other, and leave energized to continue in your
calling to children's ministry.
.
Large-Church
Children's Ministry
Leading a larger children's ministry can be a different animal.
You have your own unique challenges and opportunities. With this
group, you'll get the chance to connect with and share what works,
what doesn't, and what's yet to be discovered when it comes to
children's ministry in a large church.
.
Small-Church
Children's Ministry
Small church children's ministries have their own dynamics,
challenges, and opportunities. Wouldn't it be nice to connect and
build relationships with people who share your same joys and
frustrations? Join with other small church leaders and connect on
the ins and outs of small church children's ministry.
.
Rural Children's
Ministry
Are you serving in a rural community where you don't necessarily
have all the children's ministry offerings found in the bigger
cities? Probably working through some of the special challenges of
a rural community? Find yourself getting extra creative to make
things work for people who are spread out over a broader area? Then
this group is for you!
.
Urban Children's
Ministry
Ministry in the city can be especially tough, rewarding, and
wearing all at the same time. You work with kids who come from some
tough communities, and you fill their hearts with Christ's love.
This is your group to share and discover best practices for the
evolving world of urban children's ministry.
.
Early Childhood
Ministry
Ahhhh…those adorable little smiles will stick with you all week
long. You guys are the first ones to share about Jesus with little
ones. This role is a blessing and challenge as you never know what
each week will bring. Share and explore with others who work with
this age group. You'll get to connect on what works and what
doesn't, and explore why this age is so critical.
.
Preteen
Ministry
Looking for a quick guide to understanding preteen ministry?
Wondering the best ways to reach them during this awkward and
unknown time in their lives? Connect with others who are in
ministry to preteens and share, explore, discover, and brainstorm
how to best reach this age level in ways that'll stick with them
for life.
.
Family
Ministry
Partnering with parents is what we want to do…how do we make that
happen? Grapple with others in family ministry and explore how to
partner with parents in their children's faith journey. Discover
how to help parents realize they're the primary faith influencers
in their children's life. Leave with connections and ideas to use
when you get home.
.
Multi-Site
Ministry
Do you know how to be in multiple places at once? In this Connect
Group, you'll meet others who are challenged by the same feeling of
needing to be everywhere at once and how that can be amplified when
your ministry has multiple sites. Learn how others do it, and leave
with ideas and inspiration on how to make it all happen.
.
Burned Out in
Children's Ministry
Are you at the end of your rope? Ready to throw in the white flag?
This is the Connect Group for you. Hear from others who've been
there and back. Connect and build relationships with others like
you who are still there. Feel encouraged, supported, and renewed in
your passion for what Christ has planned for you in ministry or
beyond.
.
Special Needs
Ministry
Kids with special needs need love, too! And that's why you're in
this group, because you know and embrace that. This group knows it
isn't always easy and will encourage you with many ideas, insights,
and tips that will help ALL kids know that Jesus loves them. Thank
you for what you do to make sure EVERY kid gets to experience
Jesus!
.
Thriving in
Transition
There are many types of transition when it comes to children's
ministry, including beginning a job, switching churches, kids
growing up and changing to youth group, having kids of your own,
pastors leaving and coming, and so many more. Come, network and
learn from each other's experiences and be encouraged for working
through transitions both now and in the future.
.
Volunteers in
Children's Ministry
You're AMAZING...Thank you for ALL you do to help kids know and
love Jesus! You're essential to making every children's ministry
aspect work and a key part of the team. We NEVER want to hear you
say you're "just a volunteer," because you're so much more! Connect
with other volunteers to share the good, the bad, and the ugly when
it comes to being volunteers.
.
Bivocational
Ministry
You're pulled many directions--from your relationship with Jesus,
to your relationship with your family, to your job, to your
ministry and more. How do you balance it all? Ask others in the
same place as you in this Connect Group. You'll get to hear what
works--and what doesn't--and find encouragement.
.
Married to a
Children's Minister
Being married to a children's minister can definitely have its ups
and downs--ranging from late nights not seeing your spouse to
living with supplies spread everywhere. This is your group to
connect and build relationships with others who know and get what
married-to-a-minister life can be like. You'll get to share and
encourage each other.
.
Canadian Children's
Ministers
This is your chance to connect with other children's ministers from
Canada…you'll get to share successes, struggles, opportunities and
more that are unique to Canadian children's ministry. Plus
experience networking opportunities that'll follow you home.
.
KidMin
Students
Are you studying to be a children's minister or have some role in
children's ministry? Then use this group to connect with other
students who are here to learn about what's to come. Share stories,
successes, failures, relationships, and more from your journey to
children's ministry. Figure out why you're doing it all, and leave
energized and excited to start your journey.
.
Senior
Pastors
Connect and build relationships with other senior pastors, and
explore how you can partner with your children's ministry. Discuss
what you're doing to support and empower your children's ministers.
You'll hear from other church leaders who know the difficulties and
blessings that go along with being a senior pastor.
.
Men in Children's
Ministry
You're part of the not-so-silent minority in children's ministry.
And you face unique challenges and joys. Build a network of peers
who get it! This group will be great for bouncing ideas of how to
overcome obstacles, sharing ministry successes, and so much
more!
.
Women in Children's
Ministry
Being a woman in ministry has its own unique pros and cons. This
group will help facilitate connections and give you the chance to
process with other women. Sometimes you just need girl time…whether
to build friendships, bounce ideas off of each other, or simply
share in the ups and downs of being in ministry as a woman.