Pat Cimo - Leading KidMin: How to Drive Real Change in Childrens Ministry

Pat has led childrens ministry at Willow Creek for more than three decades, and Matt has done incredible work through Awana. Leading KidMin captures their passion for developing leaders of our most valuable and vulnerable commodity: the kids who will someday lead the church of tomorrow. Equip your childrens team with their wisdom, and soak it up for yourself. The local church is the hope of the worldand when your childrens ministry is thriving, the ripple effect is felt for generations to come.

BILL HYBELS
Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

In our rapidly and dramatically changing culture, the church is one generation away from death. Children are the future of the church, and also very much todays church, and they are walking away from the church at an alarming rate. Simply hoping that every trendy new program that comes along will keep kids engaged isnt the solution. Kids ministry leaders have the most strategic position in the church, a unique vantage point from which to understand the changes that are needed to serve the churchs broader mission. Yet they are often not able to wield the influence necessary to implement that change. Whats needed is a major paradigm shift, both within the kidmin leader and within church leadership. Learn from this powerful book how to go from being a director of those who faithfully nurture the least of these to also being a church-wide change agent who enables the transformation needed to rescue the future of your church.

WESS STAFFORD
President Emeritus, Compassion International

Some of the most vital work of the church is done in childrens ministry. Veteran leaders Pat Cimo and Matt Markins offer practical advice to kidmin directors for refining your own perspective on your calling, and working with other ministry partners to make your efforts more effective for the Kingdom.

JIM DALY
President, Focus on the Family

There is no doubt that there is today a most incredible movement of the Holy Spirit in the world of Kid and Family Ministry. As this movement of God continues, what is most needed is strong and effective leadership. This book, by two of Americas finest experts in the field, will not only help you refine your leadership skills but it will give you the understanding of how to influence and implement change in helping families succeed. I highly recommend this book.

JIM BURNS
President, HomeWord; author of Creating an Intimate Marriage and Confident Parenting

There are amazing leadership books where great principles must be contextualized to your unique ministry situation and there are highly applicable ministry books that offer a how-to approach to practical ministry. Leading KidMin is one of those rare books that does both! What an excellent new resource for kidmin!

KENNY CONLEY
Leading KidMin Blogger and Influencer; NextGen Pastor, Mission Church, Gilbert, AZ

In childrens ministry, its very easy to get lost in the weeds with so many details to take care of. Leading KidMin is a well-needed addition to the ministry leaders toolbox as it challenges you to lead your leaders, and lead yourself, through the prism of the local church rather than cultural trends.

SAM LUCE
Leading KidMin Blogger and Influencer; Pastor of Families, Redeemer Church, Albany, NY

Leading a diverse team inside the local church toward a major paradigm shift is no easy task. It requires someone with great people skills. Add in some sharp, strategic thinking skillsthrow in passion, patience, and prayer. Pat Cimo is that kind of leader, and this book lets all of us benefit from her proven practical insights.

SUE MILLER
Orange Volunteer Champion

When I was a young high school student wondering if childrens ministry was the path God had called me to, Pat Cimo gave me the opportunity to lead and to be mentored by her. All these years later, she continues to serve as an inspiration and helpful guide for me and so many other church leaders, and I couldnt be more thrilled that together with Matt Markins, theyve bundled their expertise into book form so that all now have access to their wisdom.

AMY DOLAN
Family Pastor and Church Consultant, Willow Creek Community Church, Downtown Chicago

As a youth worker for so many years I know the value, and the challenge, of leading up. Im so thankful for Matts experience and wisdom helping kids ministry leaders do just that. Youre making a difference in kids lives, now make a difference in the life of the church.

JOSH GRIFFIN
Cofounder, Download Youth Ministry; Former High School Pastor, Saddleback Church

Pat and Matt have created something as practical as it is insightful. Much has been written about doing kidmin well. This book shows you how to lead kidmin well. You will be encouraged and challenged to evaluate not only your ministry, but yourself as well! If you want to lead for the long haul read this book!

KEITH FERRIN
Blogger, speaker, and author of How to Enjoy Reading Your Bible

Childrens ministry is about kidsand leadership! If you want to make a significant impact, you must know how to chart a visionary course that volunteers will passionately follow. And charting the course often involves leading through change. I am excited about Matt and Pats new book. It offers practical steps to help childrens ministry leaders guide their ministries to new levels of effectiveness and fruitfulness.

DALE HUDSON
Director of Childrens Ministries, Christ Fellowship Church, Palm Beach, FL

Ive seen both Pat and Mark in action as leaders. They understand the vital role of childrens ministry instilling strong faith in the next generation. We all know that parents are the main influence on a childs spiritual journey. But the church is the main influence on parents. Leading KidMin offers seasoned wisdom on how to leverage that influence well. Read and glean!

KURT BRUNER
Author of It Starts at Home and host of DriveFaithHome.com

Leading KidMin is a valuable resource for leaders that are interested in developing themselves as leaders first and foremost. In todays current ministry climate where an overemphasis is placed on results, Leading KidMin leads one back to the often overlooked, singularly important notion that who we are becoming as leaders in Jesus Christ is the key to flourishing ministry. This is a book rich in wisdom that you will find yourself returning to over and over again.

NANCY J. KANE
Associate Professor, Moody Bible Institute

2016 by
PAT CIMO AND MATT MARKINS

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, U.S.A. All rights reserved.