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My Church Can Dance: The Round Up

07 Tuesday Oct 2025

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No matter the temperature, when the calendar turns to October—it’s fall, y’all! The season of pumpkins, apples, chai, and college football is in full swing here in the South.

Last fall marked our first autumn as a church with both a name and a home. To celebrate, we hosted a family fun event called Pumpkin Palooza (you can read about that here!). We learned a lot—especially about how powerful personal invitations and social media can be. When we asked guests, “How did you hear about it?” the answer was almost always, “Facebook!” That came from our congregation sharing and commenting on posts the day before the event. It worked, so we did it again!

Other wins we repeated this year included the chili potluck, prizes that weren’t candy, and a short message to bridge the games and entertainment. We even started 30 minutes earlier to catch the sunset just right. Though it rained, we easily pivoted to Plan B and brought it inside to the Worship Center and the Social Hall.

One discovery from last year: while our musical guest was incredible, most community families left once the games stopped. So we prayed and asked, “What could we offer this time that people would stay for—and maybe even join in?”

Enter country line dancing! And just like that, The Round Up was born.

We found a fantastic local line dance instructor through Facebook who promised clean lyrics, simple moves, and fun for all ages. She delivered! In our conversations, she mentioned there are more and more line dances being designed for Christian music, so of course, she taught and closed out with, you guessed it: Church Clap.

The youngest dancer was four, the oldest was 87, and everyone—from dads to grandmas—hit the dance floor. Laughter filled the air as our multigenerational church family quarter-turned, clapped, and kicked up their heels together. We planned for 30 minutes of dancing; we went 45 and could’ve kept going!

Before the dancing started and while chili dinner was served in hundreds of styrofoam coffee cups with hundreds of spoons, the fun continued:

  • The CONNECT Team started conversations with fresh-popped popcorn.
  • The Children’s Team set up baby pumpkin decorating with jumbo black sharpies.
  • Youth gals painted faces with cacti and stars, while youth guys supervised the western inflatables—an epic 7-in-1 stagecoach & bank bounce house and a dual axe-throwing challenge.
  • Senior saints ran the ring toss, and Young Adults helped littles pan for gold nuggets in a kiddie pool of sand from last year’s nativity luminaries.

It was pure joy—families together, generations laughing, everyone moving and mingling.

The first line dance I ever learned was the Hokey Pokey: “You put your right hand in, you put your right hand out…” You remember! Our God invites us to do the same—to put our whole selves in. Through Jesus, He made a way for us, broken and selfish as we are, to be made right with Him. We won’t find satisfaction putting just a “right foot in” or a “left hand in.” He wants all of us.

And that’s what it’s all about.

“…a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4

Riding the Struggle Bus: I Want To Be A Prayer Warrior

30 Tuesday Sep 2025

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I love little books. They’re straight to the point, easy to carry, and packed with power because there’s no room for fluff. At the New Room Conference in Montgomery, I grabbed a stack of Field Guides for Daily Prayer and handed them out to parents and grandparents the very next Sunday. By 11 a.m. they were gone, and I’ve already ordered more!

I want to be a prayer warrior. But truthfully, my vocabulary is limited, and I get easily distracted. This Jesus-gal needs tools to help her pray.

This little 32-page guide, written and curated by Winfield Bevins and published by Seedbed, has become one of my favorites. It fits in the palm of my hand and offers anchors for prayer: daily prayers, morning and evening prayers, curated prayers, and even a 30-day Psalter. Winfield also created another little book gem I’ve used several times for intergenerational family small group study—Grow at Home: A Beginner’s Guide to Family Discipleship.

Other prayer tools that have marked me through the years and guided me include:

  • A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie (updated by Susanna Wright): a collection of personal prayers by famed theologian Dr. John Baillie organized in 31 morning and evening prayers with special Sunday prayers. A beautiful blend of praise and confession using the language of scripture on the right side of each page. I’ve added my own handwritten prayers on the left side of the pages with prayer lists and scripture breath prayers I’ve used daily for the last ten years. A couple of years ago I came across a 1960 copy of Dr. Baillie’s original manuscript which sits bedside for evening prayers. He passed in 1960.
  • The Power of a Praying Wife (1997) and The Power of a Praying Parent (1995) by Stormie Omartian: a collection of scripture prayers at the end of each of the 30 chapters with language for specific coverings for the most important people in my life. I have original copies so marked up they hardly hold together.
  • Hymnals: Nearly every hymnal has rich prayers tucked in the back—beautiful for both personal and corporate prayer. I have several from different denominations.
  • Praying for Your Husband/Child from Head to Toe by Sharon Jaynes: Scripture-based prayers that cover every part of the body—mind, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, knees, feet, and more. I discovered these treasures last year at the Billy Graham Museum. Wedding shower gifts include the husband one; baby shower gifts include the baby one.

Some days it’s especially hard to find the right words. Like the last several weeks—like when I need help living out James 1:19, being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” These guides help me stay steady and focused, like navigational beacons to keep my eyes on Jesus throughout the day.

And I’m grateful. Because even when I may not have the words, the Lord hears the prayers, and groans, of His children. Lots of groans lately. He equips us to grow closer to Him and strengthens our trust muscles with every whispered prayer.

What prayer tools are you using?

In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. Exodus 15:13

2025 New Room Conference

23 Tuesday Sep 2025

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The New Room Conference, hosted by Seedbed, is an annual gathering of Christians hungry for spiritual awakening. Named after the first Methodist meeting house founded by John and Charles Wesley in Bristol, England, the conference blends worship, prayer, discipleship, and stories from the field (global church) to stir renewal and ignite an awakening through the ancient holy habits of faith.

This year was my second time attending, and I came with great expectations—to pray deeply, sit in Scripture, share table life with friends from Macland Community Church, sing from my soul, and let the Holy Spirit rekindle my fire. And the Holy Spirit did not disappoint!

Here are five takeaways that marked me:

  1. “Darkness sticks to everything.” ~ J.D. Walt
    Evil has no fear of God. Yet I will not shrink back but walk boldly into every room, knowing Christ’s light is already there.
  2. “God is good all the time. All the time God is good—FOR THAT IS HIS NATURE. Wow!” ~ David Watson & Tara Beth Leach
    A fresh twist on a familiar phrase. Yes, we’ve starting this in kids’ Sunday school!
  3. “I believe Jesus is right about everything.” ~ Andrew Forrest
    Peace comes when we live God’s way. Loving first—even those who hate us—means moving forward, terrified but with open arms. What other option do I have?
  4. “Ask for God’s ‘No.’” ~ Jon Thompson
    God’s “no” is often His best gift, learning contentment and rebuking coveting. Trusting His limits is trusting His love. God saying, “Yes!” is not normal.
  5. “I wait on tables.” ~ James Aladiran (confirmed by the Spirit in me)
    Like Acts 6, my role is to serve with excellence so my pastors can not neglect the Word of God. Humility is leadership.

Along the way, I met amazing disciple-makers—from Louisiana to Mississippi to Georgia—sharing stories, ideas, and encouragement. Out of those connections, the fabulous Allison Vandenbergh and I began to design a two-day gathering in March 2026 in Albany to explore the “Ruts, Roots, and Rhythms” of ministry with children and families. Stay tuned!

The Spirit is moving. My heart is full. And my fire is stoked.

“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7

LifeWise Academy: Let’s Go!

16 Tuesday Sep 2025

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I first learned about LifeWise Academy two years ago on Dr. Michael Easley’s Ask Dr. E podcast in August 2023 when founder Joel Penton was a guest. I was immediately interested and conversations started! Several members of our church leadership team also heard the episode, and now—by God’s grace—we’re on the ground floor of bringing LifeWise to our county and throughout our state, Georgia.

LifeWise Academy was inspired by a program launched in 2012 in Van Wert, Ohio, where an incredible 95% of local elementary students participated in Bible education during the school day. Joel Penton took that model and designed a replicable, scalable system that equips communities with “plug-and-play” tools to launch and sustain effective Bible education programs.

Yes, you read that right – during the school day, not after school!

How is that even possible? Back in 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Zorach v. Clauson that Bible education during the public school day is constitutional and legal in all 50 states—as long as three conditions are met:

  1. The program is held off school property.
  2. The program is privately funded (no government funds).
  3. Parents give permission for their child to participate in the program.

This has been legally available for over 70 years, but most local churches have never even heard of it. I’d never heard of it! LifeWise wants to change that by offering a clear, replicable model for elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide—including right here in our community. Right now there are more than 1,000 LifeWise Academies in the United States and growth is exponential.

The biggest obstacle? Simply a lack of awareness.

That’s why we’ve scheduled two 30-minute interest meetings before Wednesday night family programming this fall to start spreading the word.

LifeWise recently hired Paige Dees as State Director here in Georgia. She leads a LifeWise Academy program herself, partnering with the Atlanta Public Schools, and is an incredible resource. I’ve also connected with leaders in Bartow County (partnering with multiple churches), along with other children’s ministry leaders in Ohio. Right now:

  • 13 school districts in Georgia have Steering Committees (including ours!)
  • 85 districts have signed petitions
  • 9 Georgia schools are confirmed with fall 2025 enrollment already at 568 students

That means 568 students will be engaged in Bible education every week during their school day in the state of Georgia. Amazing!

Since its first two programs launched in 2019, LifeWise has grown to more than 1,000 schools nationwide in 2025. Their “secret sauce”? Staying gospel-centered and pursuing excellence in every detail—because they know they represent the King.

Not only does LifeWise have a top-notch curriculum focused on Bible literacy, but they also have a proven plan to help churches launch successfully. Intentional. Clear. Doable. Ten incredible steps to launch.

Just imagine: 50 million public school students across the nation learning God’s Word during their school day.

Churches, family ministry leaders, children’s pastors—we can do this together!

  • Do you have parents in your community who work Sundays (medical, law enforcement, hospitality, retail)? → Get started here.
  • Do you have a school nearby, within walking distance? → Get started here.
  • Does your church not currently have children? You can still partner in countless ways! → Get started here.
  • Do you have a church bus that sits idle during the week? → Get started here.
  • Do you want to be part of a national movement of gospel impact? → Get started here.

Want to talk about it? Go here or reach out to me directly at dedereilly@comcast.net.

Say “YES!” and get started here. We’ve been given an open door to fulfill the Great Commission. Why not? Now’s the time!

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

When God Answers With Apologetics

01 Monday Sep 2025

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In 2019, I stumbled upon a whole new world—apologetics! A fresh book had just been released by Hillary Morgan Ferrer called Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies. I devoured it cover to cover, and before long I was following public apologists on YouTube and social media, soaking in all I could learn.

At the same time, I began praying for a ministry partner among the families I served. I knew the Lord was preparing us for what was ahead, and that equipping families in apologetics would strengthen our faith for the cultural and spiritual choices we’d all soon face as a Body of Christ.

Apologetics simply means offering a thoughtful, reasoned defense of the Christian faith. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

In 2020 I attended an online conference on a Friday and Saturday offered by Women in Apologetics and I was energized, continuing to pray fervently for that partner. I’ll never forget how I pounded a TV tray in my bedroom, in tears, shouting praises to the Lord for opening this door after what He’d revealed to me across a screen.

By fall 2021, the Lord answered my prayer and provided that ministry partner. A quiet hallway conversation started an incredible journey. Together we launched a Tuesday-night women’s small group and began weaving apologetics into our Sunday discipleship with 3rd–5th graders and their leaders. God blessed that step of obedience with clarity, excitement, and momentum.

And then last Thursday—what a full-circle moment! Hillary Morgan Ferrer herself came to speak at a nearby church. Six of us enjoyed dinner beforehand and then joined a sanctuary of men and women eager to learn.

I took pages of notes, but four of her insights especially stuck with me:

  1. Use apologetics tools—like asking good questions—to lower the temperature of culture and bring back civil dialogue. That’s one way we can shine as set-apart people today.
  2. Moms usually get questions first. Mama stands to equip their children for what is true and false in the world, so let us ROAR like a Mother. Our kids (biological, adoptive, spiritual) need to hear us both affirm the truths and reject the lies.
  3. “Faith in Jesus saved my life, and apologetics saved my faith,” as a preteen.
  4. The “Founder’s Effect”—the first person to introduce new information often becomes the “expert” in the minds of those who heard it. Go back to #2 above.

Oh, how faithful the Lord has been on this journey—from a book in my hands to a fire in my soul to a ministry that equips families with truth and love. And a ministry that equips disciples of Jesus to engage in healthy conversations about a faith in Jesus that is worth defending.

“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:17

Tailgate Party: Setting A Re-entry Marker

01 Monday Sep 2025

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One of the church consultants I follow on social media recently said, “The sabbatical is over. It’s time to put away the resort wear and pick up the clipboards. It’s time to prep for fall.”

He encouraged churches to set a re-entry marker—a clear, exciting moment to help people shift out of summer mode and back into a rhythm of worship and ministry. The key? Name it, hype it, and invite people back with clarity and expectation.

In the past, “Promotion Sunday” filled that role, but we decided to try something new this year: a Tailgate Party on the Sunday evening before the kickoff of college football. It was the perfect re-entry marker for our intentionally multigenerational congregation.

Each ministry hosted a tailgate with games, activities, and ministry info—like a ministry fair, but with all the fun of a tailgate!
Children’s Ministry: decorated megaphones and fan flags with fabric markers
Engage Team: pickleball matches
Youth: face painting with team logos + free popcorn
Family Ministry Dinner Team: a dessert potluck
Men’s Small Group: boiled peanuts
Men’s Ministry: grilled hot dogs
And, of course, corn hole everywhere!

A gifted lay leader shared a great devotion about hydration (timely, since it was HOT!), and we played a game at the volleyball court that our youth had learned while serving at an English Camp in the Czech Republic.

Everyone left with a church-logo drink cup (thanks, Imprint.com!) and plenty of ice water to stay cool. Best of all, folks came dressed in their favorite team gear—hats, shirts, and jerseys—which made for lots of fun conversations. Now we know who’s rooting for who, and new friendships are springing up in hallways and parking lots as people swap football stories.

We learned a few things too:
* We’ll move the microphone and speakers to a better spot under the trees.
* Next year, we’ll add a corn hole tournament (because with that many boards, how could we not?).
* We’ll start 30 minutes later to enjoy more shade.

The following Sunday, I noticed something beautiful—people lingering after worship, chatting about the weekend’s games, and connecting in new ways. Folks who might never have struck up a conversation before now had something in common to share.

That’s what this re-entry marker was all about—connection, community, and coming back together with joy and intention.

So, what did your church do for its re-entry marker this year?

“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.” Psalm 47:1

Please Bring Your Littles to Church

26 Tuesday Aug 2025

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I don’t know how else to say it: Please bring your littles to church—please, pretty please!

When my parents divorced when I was ten (they separated when I was eight), my world was unstable, uncertain, and unreasonably messy. One thing remained steady: the local church.

Every single week at that little cinderblock church—always under construction—God’s people showed up. They smiled with joy, fed me cookies and Kool-Aid, celebrated with a shiny star on the Bible verse chart when I memorized Scripture, and even let me sing the offertory solo from the hymnal. When life was especially hard, someone always slipped an arm around my shoulders to check in, or to pray with me at the altar. By the end of each Sunday, I was ready to face another week.

And that wasn’t even my first experience with the church.

When I was five, my dad suffered a heart attack and had to be hospitalized far away. While he was recovering, a brown paper bag of groceries quietly appeared on our doorstep each week from a nearby church. When Daddy came home, my parents started taking us to that church and even taught Sunday school for a season. Later, life shifted again, but when my parents dropped me and my brothers off at that little cinderblock church after the divorce, the people of God remained the steady, safe place.

Friends, your littles’ world will be rocked one day. That’s just how life goes.

The church gave me something priceless: the liturgy (a set of forms, words, expressions) of faith in a mighty God who created me and would never leave me. Words for grief and disappointment. Habits for hope. Practices that pointed me to God’s goodness when nothing else felt steady. They taught me to be content in whatever circumstance and how to forgive. Week after week, the family of faith helped me know—deep down—that God is great, God is good, and God is faithful.

As much as you want to be the rock-solid model of faith for your kids—and yes, you are their most important teacher—there will come a day when Mama and Daddy aren’t enough. Who else will they turn to? How will they know the language of prayer, the rhythm of worship, the truth of Scripture, the grounding of contentment, the tools to release bitterness, the repeated practice of God’s grace and forgiveness of self and others, unless the whole church helps build that toolbox with you?

So please, bring your kids to church. Not just for Sunday mornings, but for the gift of relationships that will hold steady when life shakes. Start early. Stay steady.

There’s more for your kids at church beyond edu-tainment. And there’s more for you, too.

I’ll save you a seat.

 “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:22-25

Living the Life I’ve Prayed For

19 Tuesday Aug 2025

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Mr. Bob and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary this year, a few weeks after the actual date, on Hilton Head Island — one of our favorite places in the world. We enjoyed dinner at Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte and soaked up the music at The Jazz Corner, both sweet reminders of our roots in south Louisiana.

We always take two weeks away, because I know myself — it takes at least a week for “the office” to quiet down in my head. By the second week, I finally begin to rest, breathe deeply, and reset. This year’s trip gave me space to step back after a full summer of ministry, a month of school-year calendaring, and the holy work of setting new personal and spiritual priorities for the months ahead.

Vacations are more than time off for me — they are a turning of the page. From one season into the next, I pause with intention and remember: “This is what I prayed for.”

Prayers Answered: I prayed for our whole family to live nearby so that Mr. Bob and I could be available, helpful, and part of our children’s and grandchildren’s stories of faith and life. God has answered that prayer with a resounding YES! I’ve already set aside upcoming time off to line up with school breaks so I can be even more present and available with them.

Ministry Highlights: Ministry outside the church walls takes planning, muscle, and energy. This summer, I was blessed with two high school interns who carried tables, rearranged furniture, jumped into staff meetings, helped lead in worship, and asked all the right questions. They learned the “why” behind the “what,” and I watched holy confidence take root in each of them. Both will continue serving in the fall, though in different ways.

Last summer’s young adult intern is now flourishing on the Women’s Ministry Team, leading a middle school girls’ group, serving as the adult lead for confirmation, and co-leading an Abide Lab on prophetic prayer. Watching these young leaders answer God’s call fills me with excitement for sharing Jesus with neighbors, nations, and the next generation.

Holy Surprises: Not everything this season was weighty and serious. At one of our Driveway Parties, a host offered iced cold brew coffee with half-and-half. This lifelong tea-drinker gave it a try … and now I’m hooked. My daughter calls it “the dark side.” I call it “where has this been all my life?!”

Table Life: Today, I’m back in the office, still debriefing. Our Tuesday staff meeting is offsite this week, which feels like a grace-filled extension of my reset at Hilton Head.

With every new season comes a chance to reflect, recalibrate, and rejoice. I step into this one grateful for 41 years of marriage, the nearness of family, the growth of young leaders, and even the joy of discovering a new tasty beverage in iced cold brew coffee.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

A Robust Faith Requires More Than An Hour Each Week

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

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“The local church has adopted the language of our education system, but not the practices,” Rev. Jeremy Bannister shared at the Discipleship Begins at Home online conference.

Think about it: our schools have clear academic standards, sports teams run regular practices with conditioning, and every extracurricular activity has accountability built in. But when it comes to discipleship — the actual following of Jesus — the same clarity, structure, and measurable growth often isn’t there.

As leaders in the local church, we are called to equip the saints — helping followers of Jesus grow strong and reproduce their faith so that the world is transformed through transformed disciples.

And on the front lines? Parents and grandparents.

They know the goal: for their kids to love Jesus with their whole hearts, for their whole lives. It’s our role as Christian educators to give them tools, developmental benchmarks, and a realistic picture of what it takes.

Here’s the truth we have to tell:

  • One hour of Sunday School will never be enough to build a resilient faith for the other 167 hours of the week.
  • Most curricula focus on “God made you” and “Jesus loves you” — wonderful truths, but repeated without deeper engagement year after year, they don’t prepare kids to face a loud and angry culture.
  • Many parents and grandparents haven’t been discipled themselves with clear standards, commitments, or practices that build spiritual confidence for the long haul.
  • Our own discipleship must grow stronger. We need to model holy habits: systematic Bible reading, tithing, serving, having meaningful conversations, asking good questions, and staying rooted in Christian community — not just because our jobs require it.

We must ask ourselves: If every disciple of Jesus was just like me, what would God’s kingdom look like on earth?

Here’s the good news: now is the perfect time to restart.

  • Find an accountability partner and begin reading the Bible systematically. Once kids can read chapter books, they can read a chapter of the Bible. Begin with Luke — a clear, narrative account from Dr. Luke’s interviews with eyewitnesses. Use an easy-reader Bible and simply read aloud.
  • Explore resources from The Next Generation Ministries — their Discipleship for Life plan gives age-by-age holy habit practices from birth onward. There’s also a 5-year plan for older kids, teens, and adults who want to intentionally start (or restart) their discipleship journey. These are in our Family Resource Center.
  • Grow into regular, systematic tithing — prayerfully decide together as a family what that looks like.
  • Co-lead a small group Bible study — pairing with someone older, younger, or in a different life stage to grow together in relationships, Scripture, and accountability.
  • Offer parents and grandparents clear, doable discipleship metrics — daily Bible reading and prayer, weekly fellowship and giving, monthly service — along with conversation prompts to make faith a natural part of life. Launch it with a Parenting with a Purpose class, then follow up with a simple, “How’s it going?”

So, how is it going? The invitation is here. The tools are ready. The time is now. Let’s equip the saints to grow resilient disciples — at home and in community — who robustly follow Jesus for life.

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Ephesians 4:11-12

An Updated Family Resource Center With Tools-to-Go

05 Tuesday Aug 2025

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I believe some of the stickiest faith moments happen at home — in familiar spaces, with familiar faces. Me and all the research. While we may get just one hour a week with the littles if they come to church, the family gets nearly 50 together. That’s why equipping families with simple, meaningful tools (not just another thing to do!) is a big part of our discipleship plan for littles, middles, and talls.

We’ve added a wheeled shelf of goodness to a narrow little hallway — right where families check in and check out for programming. It’s packed with faith-forming resources we’ve already been using behind the scenes, and now we’re rolling them out (literally!) to share.

We do have a fabulous church library and it’s one of the most used spaces on campus. This small family resource center gives families easy access and it’s super convenient.

And as items disappear (yay!), we’ll replace them with fresh, thoughtful tools based on the real-life hallway conversations of what are families talking about.

What’s on the shelf for the beginning of this school year?

Clear signage that items are free to take – I gleaned the design from the fabulous Amber Pike of RenewANation which offers the Family Ministry Academy which I can’t say enough great things about. Their new cohort season begins in October.

“Are My Kids on Track?” by Christian family counselors Sissy Goff and David Thomas
Remember those milestone checklists at the pediatrician? This book is like that—but for hearts and minds, not just height and weight. It’s a go-to guide for raising emotionally, socially, and spiritually healthy kids.

Catechism Books — Faith Q&A for the Whole Family
The word “catechism” means to teach with questions and answers—and Christians have used this method for centuries to pass down the truth of the Christian faith. We’ve stocked two favorites:

  • Foundational Truths: A Modern Catechism – Beautiful and accessible for parents, grandparents, and older kids.
  • The New City Catechism – Pocket-sized, app-available, and great for on-the-go moments like carpool, waiting rooms, or the sidelines of life. These were gifts to all of our elementary families on Promotion Sunday.

Two Discipleship Blueprints — Because Faith Has a Framework
Our faves from Rev. Jeremy Bannister and The Next Generation Ministries:

  • Discipleship Begins at Home: For Littles – A year-by-year guide to nurturing holy habits from birth onward.
  • 5-Year Plan: For Teens & Adults – A roadmap for walking alongside your middle & high schoolers (or even yourself!) in Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, service, giving, and more.

“Count Yourself Calm” – A Read-Aloud for Big Feelings
This playfully illustrated book helps children breathe, pray, and reflect on God’s goodness—especially when emotions are high. It’s calming, Christ-centered, and a great resource for mental and spiritual health for everyone.

HomePoint Resource Guides for Families with all ages and stages
These straight-talking, grace-filled resources from D6 I first experienced at Children’s Pastors Conference provide wisdom and encouragement for navigating life’s big transitions through a biblical lens.

As these treasures are taken, we’ll keep replenishing with tools that support whole-family discipleship – body, mind, spirit, and soul. Because the One who made us has a plan for helping us flourish, even in this temporary world.

What does your Family Resource Center look like?

“May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.” Psalm 20:2

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