Over the past several weeks I have been working almost full-time to prepare and execute the large group environments for our summer camps, Hot U Jr (for 3 year olds - entering Kindergarten) and Hot U (entering 1st grade - entering 4th grade). Summer camps are fun and exciting but they pose a challenge for me because I do not spend the summer preparing for the fall. I have been carving out additional time early in the morning or when I'm eating lunch to think through some fall training materials for my elementary small group leaders. Here's four C's that I think will help shape those materials.

I've learned so much from the Learning Leaders Fieldbook created by the MASIE Center that I had to create a blog series to share the insights. You can check out Part 1 of the series here. The MASIE Center created the fieldbook to focus on the creation, role and function of a Learning CEO.

As a pastoral leader, it's part of my calling to offer comfort, support, and care for the families who are acutely affected by loss and tragedy. When I started out in ministry, I really did not know how to approach families in these tough situations. But after 6 years in ministry, I've learned a crucial lesson.

How can we develop as leading learners in our faith communities? What will it take to establish ourselves as leaders of learning?

Get the most out of your time in brainstorming meetings by following some simple rules.