Calling all KidMin Procrastinators!

I can't imagine that I'm the only kidmin director out there who procrastinates, am I?  I tend to think of it as working better under pressure!  Well here we are, the final day before the final day to register early for KidMin 2011 and SAVE a bundle for being an early bird. :)  If you haven't signed up yet, just do it!  I'd love to meet you there!

I am a conference newbie.  There, I've admitted it.  Although I have been a kidmin director since 2004, I have attended 3 ministry conferences in that time, and been a speaker at all 3.  So I guess that means I actually haven't "attended" a conference yet.  Well, why not make this the first one? 

KidMin 2011 has me just captivated for some reason!  Actually I think there are many reasons.  But here are a few...

•  GROUP!  If you know anything about Group, you know that they do EVERYTHING top notch!  I love Group, and will continue to promote them as long as they continue to be the excellent organization that they are.  Because their name is involved, this conference is guaranteed to be different, and in a great way!
• CHICAGO!  Never been there, but I hear they have great pizza, and I love pizza!  It's worth the trip for that, don't you think?
• SACK CHAIRS!  When I read the word "naps" in the brochure, I got very excited!
• MARINATE!  I hear that's just what I'm going to do in fresh ideas and topics that really matter.  This has me interested...
• SPEAKERS!  I am friends with many of you on Twitter and Facebook, and haven't yet met you in person.  That needs to change. :)  

In all seriousness, I am going to KidMin for two main reasons.  First, because I need to be re-fueled.  If you are a leader and you don't re-fuel, not only will your tank run dry, but so will the tanks of others in your ministry that depend on you.  This conference offers time to feed my soul, & also time to explore topics that really matter to me in my ministry.  Second, and what has me bouncing in my chair, is time to CONNECT!  Have you read about the Connect Groups?!?  Connect Groups are a time for conversation with others who have similar ministry needs.  The fact that Connect Groups take place in sack chairs is just one perk (and yes, I will save the nap for later!).  In these groups, we can be casual, dig into discussion about what matters most in our ministries, and also get to know one another on a personal level.  I plan to walk away from KidMin having learned a lot about the ministries of my new friends, AND also about their lives in general...Who likes to run like I do? Who likes to work in their garden?  Who is a world traveler?  Who has a pet iguana waiting for them back home?  Building strong relationships with one another is something God calls us to do, and I know we will do that at KidMin 2011!

I can't wait to meet so many of you! It's exciting to know that when we go back to our ministries after the conference is over, we will be bringing a piece of each other with us!  Our impact will be greater, as our relationship with Jesus will be deepened, and we will share that with others in our own ministries.  Very best of all, we will impact the lives of KIDS, all for JESUS, bigger and better than ever before!