Ok, well this post started as a comparison between Jim Wideman and Apple (I’ll write that later) – there are a lot of similarities; but I decided to write a blog about why Jim Wideman is one of the greatest men I know and someone I am honored to call a friend. Bro. Jim’s pretty humble – of all the people out there who deserve not to be humble he’s one – but he’s really down to earth without the slightest hint of egotism.  So he’d probably just as soon have me not write this…but it’s been on my heart for a while so I’m going to do it.

I remember the first time I saw him.  It was a KOTM Children’s Ministry Regional Conference in 1995 at Grove City Nazarene in Grove City, Ohio – I was 19.  I went to all of his sessions – I loved how he taught – I loved what he taught.  It just resonated with me.  As a young man in Children’s Ministry he represented what I considered the pinnacle of a Children’s Pastor.  I ate up all the Bro. Jim stuff I could find – I listened to the club, when I went to a conference he taught at I went to his sessions, I read his books – I loved anything Bro. Jim.

For years I followed his teaching from a distance.  Then I got to go to DREAM…man I was as happy as a pig in slop.  I was in the house that Bro. Jim lived in…I know a lot of old school folks loved the Children’s Ministry because of Willie George’s influence, but for me it was all about Bro. Jim.  I got to DREAM a day early so I could have some extra time at the church.  I kept an eye out in the halls for Bro. Jim – so I could say hi and have a chance to speak to him.  I paid the extra money to have lunch with Bro. Jim – I asked him so many questions during that lunch and I sat with him so long that I was the last one left.

When Bro. Jim was anywhere near where I was I made every effort to go listen to him…(I’m starting to sound stalkerish here…) I think you get the point – I was a Bro. Jim disciple.  I wanted to be Bro. Jim – God healed me of that.

Then one day I got an email – “Here’s my cell number give me a call. -BJ”

WOW! I was floored!  Bro. Jim wanted to talk to me…

So I got ready for the call – I wrote down a list of questions I wanted to ask him…it was like 2 pages long.

From there it has just gotten better…I kept calling he kept answering.  Bro. Jim is an incredibly generous person – he gives without expecting things in return.  He gives his time and resources to those who need it and want it.

There was a blog I read today listing people they want to meet in 2010 – Jim was first on the list.  I emailed the writer and told him Bro. Jim’s easy to talk to – just call and setup an appointment.  Yep that’s all it takes – he’ll pretty much talk to anyone.  Why? Because that’s the kind of man he is…

New to CM?  Under 30?  Can you pray?  Then you can be a member of The Club for free…yep – if you’re under 30 and pray for Bro. Jim he’ll give you The Club free. Why?  Because that’s the kind of man he is…

Bro. Jim’s love for Children’s Ministry has driven him to invest in Children’s Pastors with everything he has.  Heard of Infuse?  A year to be in deep relationship with unprecedented access to Bro. Jim – Why?  Because that’s the kind of man he is…

In Children’s Ministry he has been the single most influential person in my life.  I loved it the day he referred to me as one of his Padawan’s…later he called me one of his Timothy’s.  I’m not saying this bragging – I was a Children’s Pastor at a church of 200 when we started talking…why would he even give me a thought?  Because that’s the kind of man he is…it had nothing to do with me.

But beyond all that he has invested in my life as a Children’s Pastor; I am more proud of my friendship with him. As a friend he is supportive, encouraging, and genuine.  It has been one of the top 5 experiences of my life having him for a friend – Why would he want to be friends with me?  Again – it has nothing to do with me – It’s because that’s the kind of man he is…

Bro. Jim is an icon in Children’s Ministry and I pray for years to come that he continues to lead the way.  I also pray that God blesses him even more than he has blessed others.

Ok…I already have several copies spoken for, but I’d like to give away a couple more…

(Repost)

Have you ordered your copy yet of Jim Wideman’s KidMin Leadership?  If you haven’t, you should!  It was released last week and can be ordered here.  Keep reading to find out, too, how you can win a free copy.

Here are what some of my favorite kidmin people have to say about this book:

“Even beyond the words and messages in this book, the very idea behind this project is significantly pow erful. Jim Wideman’s books and talks have profoundly influenced kidmin. In these pages, you’ll read timeless principles he teaches that have been put into practice with much success. This book should give any kidmin leader great hope that if they put these things into practice, they’ll see success as well.”

“There are lots of leadership books out there, but when I come across one that is written by kids’ pastors for kids’ pastors, it gets my attention. I love the fact that this book is not full of theories; it is full of actual experience founded in biblical truth. Every chapter provides a different perspective that cumulates in one voice calling children’s pastors and church leaders alike to up their game and lead; because what we do is eternal, and the Gospel demands it.”

“A book written for leaders by leaders, but not just any leaders—these are ones worth listening to. This is an incredible resource that will save young kidmin leaders like myself time, energy, and pain.”

So, want your own copy?  Leave a comment below with a short sentence sharing YOUR favorite kidmin leadership principle.  If you want a bonus entry, tweet the following: @spencerclick is giving away a free copy of #kidmin leadership at http://bit.ly/jCFxFo

Can’t wait to put this book in your hands!

How many of you have an old pair of shoes you like to keep around just because they feel so comfortable to wear? I’m sure tucked in your closet, safe from your spouse’s attempts to throw them away, there’s an old pair of gym shoes hiding. When your wife asks what the source of the smell emanating from the closet is – you plead ignorance.

Admit it – we like things we know will fit and are comfortable. We like to know when we put on a shoe, shirt, or pair of pants it is going to fit right. Here’s the problem with the old shoe, shirt, or jeans: they look old, ratty, and worn out. They may be comfortable, but they may not be the best to wear in public.

Old shoes are not the only things we need to check occasionally for freshness. In our personal life, professional life, and spiritual life we need to make sure we’re not just settling for what is comfortable. People as a who will return to what is easiest, the proverbial path of least resistance. And I’ll admit there are seasons when easier is better, but this cannot be our whole life. If we never learn to press through problems, if we never seek growth, if we never question what has become the status quo in our own life we will never grow.

We’ve already gone through the whole being a growing leader series, so you can read back through that if you need to – I want to look at one thing that will help us from returning the lowest common denominator in life. “Wait a sec! There’s one thing that can help us overcome and grow?” I’m glad you asked…what is this magical, miraculous, wonder product? Accountability. Accountability can help you grow. Accountability can help you overcome. Accountability can help you succeed where you’ve failed before. (Sounds like I’m selling accountability doesn’t it?)

On our own, we are going to drop back into our old patterns or ruts. My friend Jim Wideman says a rut is a grave with the ends kicked out. Accountability, with a mature individual who will help you stay on task, will help keep your goal in front of you. Knowing you are going to have to talk to someone about your success or failure on a regular basis does wonders for your focus on the task at hand.

Don’t believe me – try this little challenge. Think of a goal you’ve had for a while; something you’ve tried to do on your own and have failed at over and over. Now think of a mature friend, peer, or mentor who would be willing to ask you once a week how you’re doing on the goal. Then talk to them. Track your progress over the next six weeks and you’ll be amazed at how well you do. And remember an accountability relationship is only helpful if you are actually honest with your partner.  Choose wisely and you will see improvement. “Inch by inch is a cinch – mile by mile is a trial.”

The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here’s a high level summary of its overall blog health:

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads Wow.

Crunchy numbers

The Leaning Tower of Pisa has 296 steps to reach the top. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2010. If those were steps, it would have climbed the Leaning Tower of Pisa 4 times

In 2010, there were 18 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 22 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 3mb. That’s about 2 pictures per month.

The busiest day of the year was November 1st with 39 views. The most popular post that day was Proud or Prideful?.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were mail.yahoo.com, facebook.com, childrensministry.com, mail.live.com, and ministry-to-children.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for railroad crossing sign, railroad crossing, railroad sign, spencer click, and philippians 2 painting.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Proud or Prideful? November 2010
11 comments and 1 Like on WordPress.com,

Margin and Team work July 2010
10 comments

Eureka! and a paradigm shift…. August 2010
2 comments

The Best is Yet to Come August 2010
5 comments

Are You A Growing Leader September 2010
6 comments