Supplies, Room Names, and Learning to Listen

I’m in Sioux Falls today, getting ready for another preview event for Faith Alive’s new Dwell curriculum. It’s always fun to visit other churches and see what they do. Last night Shannon, from New Life Reformed Church in Sioux Center, Iowa showed us her building and talked about the children’s ministry there. Here are a few neat ideas I picked up from Shannon and others who attended last night’s preview event:

• Room Names—When New Life expanded to create more ministry space they named all of their rooms after God’s people in Scripture. Room names appear in order, beginning with people from the Old Testament and moving into the New Testament. Kids, teens, and adults might meet in the Moses, Esther, or Mark room.
• Learning to Listen—One pastor I spoke with after the event described something unique that his church does for 6^thgrade Sunday school. Sunday school occurs after the worship service, and the group spends the whole time discussing the sermon and talking about how to apply it. The goal is to help 6^thgraders learn to listen and engage in worship in a meaningful way.
• Supply Closet Heaven—The supply room at New Life Church would make your jaw drop (at least it did mine!). Clearly labeled cupboards full of beans, yarn, markers, and popsicle sticks. Leaders' mailboxes filled with take home papers and other elements that leaders need for their sessions. And a double shelf full of plastic bins, each labeled with the room name so leaders can pick them up and stock them with weekly supplies.

How does your church identify its rooms? What supply system has worked for you? Have you tried programming that helps young teens engage with the service? Please post your ideas below!