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Why I Stopped Blogging – and What Brought Me Back

Kathie Phillips Leave a comment

After almost 3 years of not writing or publishing a blog post, I resumed writing in this space a few months ago. I thought I’d pause to catch up and share why.

Let’s Start at the Beginning

I started this blog back in May 2012 (you can find my first post here) after months and months of deliberating if this was a space I wanted to enter. (I am an introvert and a pretty private person, so sharing on the internet was WILD to me.) At that time, kids ministry blogs were pretty popular, with most having (from what I could tell) pretty good traction. I wasn’t sure if I, unknown in the kids ministry world, would stand a chance at making a name for myself. I was afraid of failing. But I bit the bullet and dove in, writing from my ministry perspective and hoping that others would join me for the ride.

After a while, my posts caught the attention of several influential leaders and organizations, many of whom invited me to write guest posts for their publications. Over time, I was also offered freelance projects and speaking engagements that blew my mind. It really was a dream come true for someone afraid of putting herself out there.

Then…A Few Shifts

In 2021, during the tail end of the global pandemic, I recognized a personal shift when I assumed my current role as our church’s Senior Next Gen Director. I was transitioning into that expanded role during a time that our church was also in a season of transition. I felt ill-equipped to share anything of value. (In retrospect, that statement is quite laughable now because I learned SO much in the first 6-month timeframe!)

The landscape of sharing online had also shifted. More online content became video-based (think Instagram reels) and since I dread being in front of the camera, this made me feel as if my delivery method was outdated, unneeded, and unsustainable.

I felt like I had nothing to say, but at the same time…

I felt like I had a lot to say, if that makes sense. I felt like a lot of things that I wanted to talk about would have been fruitless or not appropriate for the internet (mostly that part lol) so I just said nothing.

I was also grieving the loss of my beloved grandmother and literally hit writer’s block – HARD!

Why I Came Back

I missed blogging. I enjoyed many years of regularly posting and had developed a system that worked well for me. I intentionally held on to my blog domain name with the intention of returning at some point. I’d do a few random reviews here and there, but that was about it. After posting regularly for the past few months now, I feel a spark re-ignite…and my ‘Drafts’ folder has some gems that I’m looking forward to developing.

While video-based content (podcasts and reels) is still super popular, I realized that this is MY form of content creation. I enjoy being able to write with no pre-established parameters. I also still have a pretty solid number of subscribers and Facebook page followers who are viewing my content, so I want to show up for you and them. (Be sure to follow along on Facebook if you’re not already.)

I will close with this…

The children’s ministry and Next Gen spaces are still vibrant, thriving communities, probably even more so than when this blog started 14 years ago. Leaders still want practical help for their week-to-week, day-in and day-out ministry roles. If I can play a role with that, even a small one, that’s worth it in my book.

I’m so grateful for this little community I’ve built. Thank you for being here. Great things ahead!

Let me know in the comments what topics you’d like to see me cover.

What I’m Working On This Month (September 2026)

Kathie Phillips Leave a comment

Happy September! We are approaching my favorite time of year (fall) and I couldn’t be more thrilled! We’re also winding down my busiest time of year (February – September), and I am ready for a little bit of a slower pace. With our ministry year kick-off happening in just a few weeks, I still have quite a bit of a workload to work through before that can happen. In fact, some of what I’m working on is carrying over from last month.

Here’s what I’m currently working on:

Finishing September Curriculum Edits

I am a little behind on this, but since our program year starts post-Labor Day, I do have a little bit of time to finish (and I mean a very little bit).

Promotion Sunday

On September 13th, we’re promoting our kids to the next class based on their age or grade, so we’re busy making final preparations for that. (Here’s a more detailed look at how we prepare.)

Meeting With My Key Leadership Team

Last month, I shared how I’m building a leadership team called “Team Champions”. The team is complete and our first meeting is scheduled for this Sunday. We’ll review our purpose, dream about the future, look at the next three months’ curriculum themes, and brainstorm how we’d like to bring those themes to life. I’ll share more details in a future post about who is on the team and a few goals I have for us.

Meeting With Our Spiritual Formation Director

One of my key roles as Next Gen Director is to provide families with opportunities for connection and spiritual formation. Each year, I meet with our Community Life/Spiritual Formation Director to brainstorm classes/workshops that would be beneficial to families with kids and students. This has looked different over the years, but since we have a new Spiritual Formation Director, this is all brand new to her. I’m looking forward to putting our brains together!

Supporting Our 6th Graders as They Transition Into Student Ministry

Helping our 6th graders successfully transition into student ministry is one of the ways our Next Gen staff team collaborates, so my presence at our 6th grade move up event is important. I’ll have a pretty low-key role, but being a familiar face to students and their grown-ups helps to make the transition go as seamlessly as possible.

I’m sure your September to-do list is just as long (if not longer) than mine! Now it’s your turn. What are you working on this month?

Plan Year-Round Family Ministry Events With Ease

Kathie Phillips Leave a comment

If you’re like many Children’s Ministry leaders, you’re probably thinking through and planning your yearly ministry calendar. Events such as VBS, camps, baptisms, dedications, game nights, retreats, parent workshops, and many more are probably some that you’ve included.

Thinking about an entire year’s worth of events can be a daunting task, let alone planning them. The challenge is even greater when you want your events to be more than just events. You want them to be intentional discipleship events that engages the whole family and provides lasting memories. If that’s something you’re looking to create, then Team Family: Book Three, a newly-released resource from Group Publishing, might be an answer to your prayers!

Product description from Group’s website:

Team Family Book Three will help you and your church effectively reach and engage families of all shapes and sizes! You’ll get a practical year-round strategy (formatted around the four seasons) for partnering with today’s families to strengthen their faith and their relationships with each other, with you, and with Jesus.

The resource includes four seasonal themes: Calm & Bright (Christmas), Forgiven (Easter), Humble Heroes (Summer), and Here 4 You (Fall).

Here are a few things that I love about it:

  • Each theme incorporates not only an event for the entire family but also an outreach component.
  • The ideas for each theme also include easy-to-follow instructions and basic supplies that you likely have on hand, making them cost-effective.
  • There is a section for notes so that you can customize the material to fit your church’s context and budget.
  • Supplemental take-home resources that reinforce each theme are available for an additional purchase. Many come in packs of 10, which again keeps it cost-effective.
  • The guide includes an access code to download the resources in a digital format.

My daughter and I have had the honor of contributing to Team Family Book Two as well as Team Family Book Three, so I stand behind this product. (Disclaimer: This post is not a paid promotion. I just really love this resource!)

Be sure to check out Team Family Book Three and see what might work for you.

Leave me a comment and let me know what events are on your ministry calendar for the upcoming year!

Great Back to School Resources For Kids & Families

Kathie Phillips Leave a comment

Back-to-school season is one of my favorite times of the ministry year. I love shopping the sales (my children are grown but I shop sales for ministry-related items) and the start of a new school year brings a reset of schedules and rhythms.

This season is a very good time to provide practical resources for our families as they settle back into post-summer rhythms. I love the process of looking at resources and deciding which ones we’ll provide to our families is one I enjoy.

Children in our area of the country are returning to school as early as next week, so I thought I’d share what we’re providing to our kids and families. These items will be provided in person (on our Back-to School Sunday) and digitally (with links to purchase or download) through our September family newsletter. (I have linked ones that are available. Email me if you’d like me to send one that’s no longer available.)

Preschool Family Resources

  • “Creating a New Back to School Rhythm – Preschool” handout (this is an old resource from Parent Cue – it is no longer in print but one that I really like)
  • Lunch box notes that I found online (we’ve done a mix of scripture-based as well as just-for-fun ones)

Elementary Family Resources

  • “Creating a New Back to School Rhythm – Elementary” handout (this is an old resource from Parent Cue – it is no longer in print but one that I really like)
  • “Bullying Conversation Guide for Parents” from Parent Cue (no longer in print)
  • “Anxiety Conversation Guide” from Parent Cue (no longer in print)
  • Back-to-School Scripture Fighting Cards from LifeWay

Additional Family Resources

For Kindergarteners – 3rd Graders

For 4th & 5th Graders

In previous years, we’ve provided backpack tags, journals, leftover widgets from our curriculum provider, and other small toys. Every year looks different, but the goal is to provide quality, Christ-centered resources for parents and some sort of scripture-based items for the kids.

What items are you providing for your kids and families? I’m always on the hunt for great resources, so share them with me!

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