Update on KidMin Conference 2011

This past Monday and Tuesday I was invited to fly to Colorado by Group Publishing to help brainstorm ideas for Group’s KidMin Conference in 2011.  You may have read my earlier post.  Unfortunately, I had a scheduling conflict (realized after blogging about going).  So, I couldn’t make it.  Real bummer because was looking forward to it.  But my friend Patrick Snow was able to go and I had a chance to chat with him about the conference.  Don’t want to let the cat out of the bag before Group announces details, so I probably should be vague.  Bottom line…it is going to be cool.

The conference will be more relational than most out there.  Roundtable discussion in affinity groups.  Connect with others and swap ideas.  No more “information overload” like most conference.  It will be modeled in many ways after the SYM (Simply Youth Ministry) conference, but the focus is on Children’s Ministry.  You will be able to choose different tracks to go on.  It is going to be different in these ways and many others.

What I am also stoked about is the preteen ministry focus.  Not quite sure how it is all going to work out.  A lot is still on the drawing board.  But there will be some sort of preteen track.  The major issue I have with most children’s ministry conferences is the lack of a preteen focus.  Preteen ministry is so unique that much of what you hear a typical CM conference doesn’t apply.  Anyway, back to the 2011 KidMin Conference. You will be able to connect with others doing preteen ministry, hear what others are doing, share what you’re doing, hear a philosophy of doing preteen ministry and much more.

Even though I wasn’t at the meeting, I will still be working with some really fabulous people like Sean, Heather, Patrick, Rob, Nate and Jim to put the conference together.  These guys are awesome and I look forward to working with all of them.  They are collectively the brainchildren behind FourFiveSix, which is a group dedicated to helping your preteen ministry take the next step.  On a side note, all the co-founders of FourFiveSix met (except Rob and me) for an entire week a few weeks ago.  The idea was to talk about our plans for the next year.  All I have to say about that is….lots of good stuff happening.  Will keep you posted as time goes on.

For now, mark your calendar for Group’s KidMin Conference 2011 – October 7-11 in Chicago.

PreteenMinistry.net – Creative & relevant resources for preteen ministry.