Christians Serving the Poor – Are We Arrogant?

By Wanda Parker

KidTrek Training
 February 3-11, 2009

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of hosts, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

“But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”  Malachi 4:1&2

Yes, I know verse one is speaking of non-believers being arrogant – but do we need to question and examine our hearts when arrogance creeps up?  Are we even willing to admit we are arrogant?

“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you …”
II Peter 1:10

Several years ago I read the testimony of a woman who had grown up in a wealthy family.  She said she chaffed at the attitude and arrogance her family had towards the poor.  She was determined she would not be like her family – she would serve the poor, she would live amongst them and be one of them. 

One day as she sat with her neighbors and friends in the ghetto she suddenly realized she was as arrogant now towards the wealthy as her family had been towards the poor.  She wrote that she had had to examine her heart and her motives for serving the poor. She realized how cunning Satan is as he draws us away from God.

I think that the key in the Malachi passage is “you who fear My name.”  Do I fear God?  Do you fear God?

It is easy to make serving the poor an idol. 

It is easy to get caught up with pride, “Look at me, I’ve lowered myself to serve these needy people. Aren’t I great?” 

As this attitude builds in my heart I refuse to come with fear and trembling before God, I refuse to submit to the Word of God, because then I have to admit the sinfulness in my own heart.  If I am honest with myself at this point the truth is I am more interested in making myself look good, making myself feel good about myself than I care about the needy. 

It is at this point the poor become my idol, because the poor lift me up and make me look grand to those around me. It feels so good to hear things like, “Wow, I could never do what you do.”  “You are so humble to serve the poor.”  The accolades can go on and on and it feels so good.

If the accolades don’t come I can give them to myself – “I’m the only one that cares about the poor.” etc. etc.

What is more evil than using the needy to lift myself up?

Who, what god do I truly worship?   Who, what god do you worship?

If you want to know what KidTrek believes the poor need click here

KidTrek Training

By Wanda Parker

 KidTrek Training
 July 14-22, 2009 and October 6-14, 2009

KidTrek training is the most comprehensive training for Christian after school ministries that I am aware of.

It is 8/80 – eight days and over 80 hours.  It is intense!  It is thorough!

Dr. David Duboise, professor and researcher on mentoring, says that faith based after school programs often fail because the workers don’t know or understand child development.  By the end of the 8/80 you will have a good understanding of child development.

One attendee said this at the end of KidTrek Training

“This week has been an eye-opening experience of awesome learning, frustrated realization, amazing encouragement and being stretched beyond what I thought possible.  It is rare that a vision can be so catching – it is because it comes from how Jesus did ministry!  KidTrek offers my ministry not a quick fix or curriculum to fill time but an outlook on ministry that requires complete surrender and reliance on our Lord.  It will not be easy but so worth while to reaching kids and families with the truth and love of Jesus!

Thank you!

I caught it and now have the task to infect others”

Roxanne, First E.V. Free Chicago

 

KidTrek Training may be intense but it is never boring.  If you want to see some pictures from various trainings click here

 

Research is telling us today that most mentoring programs are failing, most after school programs are not   getting results.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.  The same research tells us that it is possible to make a lasting result in the lives of kids. 

 

KidTrek training is based first and foremost on what the Bible says about nurturing children, Deuteronomy 6. Secondly the training is based on what today’s research says kids need for lasting change.  Amazingly – they agree. 

 

For more information on training click here

For KidTrek Training Registration Form click here  As of today we have 11 spaces available.

For a testimonial of the February 2009 Training click here

How To Start An Afterschool Program #5 – Preparing the Environment, cont.

By Wanda Parker

 KidTrek Training
July,2009

For previous postings on starting an after-school ministry  click here  and click here and here

PREPARATION

What is the difference in the environment of your classroom when you run in frazzled, cutting out crafts as the kids are entering – as opposed to having everything together when you arrive so you can spend time with the kids as soon as they enter?

If you are not prepared you set the tone for the day.  Don’t get upset with the kids if you have discipline problems that day.  The problem isn’t with the kids it is with YOU!

A CLASSROOM OR A CLUB HOUSE?

What do you think of when you hear the word classroom?

What do you think of when you hear the word club house?

When I think of a classroom I think of sitting, staying in MY space, little or no interaction with others – not even the teacher.  I think of dull, boring.

When I think of a club house I think relationships!  Fun, active, dynamic.  Lots of interaction.  I look forward to being there.

The most important part of an after school ministry are the relationships that are built.  The kids need adults -Click here to read of the adults kids need.

If you are going to build those relationships, if you are going to share from your heart you need to get the kids down on the floor and you need to be right down there with them. The only time they should be sitting at a table or stiff back chairs is when they are doing homework, tutoring or perhaps a craft for which they really need a table.

Tables keep the kids separated from you.

You have to be vulnerable – share who you truly are.  Be real!  Life isn’t always good for you is it?  Then share the reality of life and how you survive.  You will be amazed what they will share back.  Wow!  How the environment changes when adults are real with the kids.

Have space for active games. 

How is the space decorated?  Is it kid friendly?  Let them decorate.  Stick some bean bags in a corner where they can curl up with a good book.  Kids love color – are your walls welcoming for kids?

Think through the space you will use and how you will make it inviting.

Starting An After-School Ministry – Preparing the Environment #4

By Wanda Parker 

                                                                               KidTrek Training
                                                                               February 3-11,2009

For previous postings on starting an after-school ministry  click here  and click here and here

God took me from serving the poor for a time to serve the wealthy – it was a time of great learning for me.  During those years I served as a Children’s pastor in several large churches.  It was in one of those churches that I learned how important the environment is for children.

Our nursery was in a huge room – there were lots of babies.

Then our two-year old class got so big we needed to split it so we needed the space the nursery was using – the infants were moved to the smaller room.

The first Sunday after the switch I was amazed as I walked into the nursery and there were no crying babies.  Sunday after Sunday it was the same, there was a peacefulness in the room.  In the large room the babies cried a lot.  It was as though being in that smaller space provided them with a sense of security.

ENVIRONMENT IS IMPORTANT WHEN MINISTERING WITH CHILDREN!

As Jesus communicated with man He used the environment around Him.  He made us aware of the environment within His Word.

Imagine the scene where Jesus washed His disciples feet, or as He sat on the mountain side teaching the Beatitudes.  What pictures do you have in your mind of Christ walking through the crowd when He was touched by someone?

When we read the bible we get a sense of the environment of that day because He used the environment to teach.

WHO IS RESPONSIBE FOR SETTING THE ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR AFTER SCHOOL MINISTRY?

• Every adult who is at the center – doesn’t matter their area of responsibility
  • Who are you?
    • What is your relationship with the Triune God?
    • Study II Peter 1 – ponder vs. 10 – are you chosen based on Peter’s challenge in the previous verses? 
      • Don’t ever expect to see lasting results in your ministry if you yourself aren’t walking the talk in your deepest inner being.
  • Attitude
    • As you prepare to go to the center what is your attitude?  Do you want to go?
      • What do you think the kids feel when they are around a grumpy, negative, depressed adult?  Will that make them want to be there?
    • If you don’t want to go to the center ask the Lord to change your attitude.
    • Pray for joy and enthusiasm.
      • Ask the Lord to show you why you don’t want to go.
    • Shout out loud
      • When you think enthusiastic
        Then you’ll feel enthusiastic 
        WOW! Am I enthusiastic!

I will write more on the environment of an after school ministry next time.  Let me know what you think – also areas you would like to hear more about.