in|view | Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Brendon and Cathie Clancy have a greatly encouraging children's ministry that sees them helping children and parents alike engage with God in worship, songs and life right across the globe. We explore some of the facets of their ministry here at in|view.
IS MINISTERING TO CHILDREN MORE EXCITING THAN MINISTERING TO ADULTS?
BRENDON AND CATHIE // Well yes and no. The Yes is that when you minister to children you can teach them as you minister. They are hungry to know what is happening and they are attentive to instructions. You can take the time to explain the flow of the Spirit and they really enjoy and respond to that. When ministering to adults you just don't go there fully with teaching, but we LOVE to minister to adults as well. It's just different.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN CHILDREN'S MINISTRY?
BRENDON AND CATHIE // We have both taught children in schools since the 1980's BUT when we came back to the Lord in 1992, it changed everything! Because we were teachers, our Pastor threw us into Kids Church very quickly - we were willing to go! We soon found that the kids knew the Bible better than us so we had a lot of fun and laughs as we discovered the Word of God together.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO START A SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN'S MINISTRY?
BRENDON AND CATHIE // Pray! // Love the kids // Have Fun // Get great Praise and Worship songs // Build and teach with vision // Get our OKTV Curriculum - it's fantastic! // Enjoy the journey
WHAT IS THE SECRET TO ENGAGING CHILDREN IN MINISTRY?
BRENDON AND CATHIE // Prayer and great attention getters! Be fun and let the anointing flow.
BRENDON, YOU HAVE WRITTEN WELL OVER TWO HUNDRED SONGS. WHAT DOES THE PROCESS OF WRITING A SONG LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? DO YOU SET ASIDE TIME TO WRITE OR DOES THE INSPIRATION JUST COME UPON YOU AT ANY TIME?
BRENDON // Mostly l set aside a time to write. Cathie has projects for me also. She has many themes that she would like a song for, so l sit down and out it comes. There are also moments in my personal worship that inspiration comes and a flow of a new song forms.
CATHIE, WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES (IF ANY) BETWEEN WRITING SONGS FOR CHILDREN AND WRITING CONGREGATIONAL WORSHIP SONGS?
CATHIE // For me they are one and the same. I wake up with songs and worship the Lord with them. Young and old seem to enjoy ministering them back to the Lord.
YOU HAVE A VERY BUSY MINISTRY SCHEDULE. HOW DO YOU RELAX?
CATHIE // I spend time with my family! My grandkids are my greatest source of joy. I also love to walk on the beach and exercise.
BRENDON // Walking, tennis, spending time with our Grandkids, family, spa and music.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MINISTRY TIMES WHERE THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG? HOW DID YOU MOVE ON WITH THE MINISTRY TIME WHEN THESE UNEXPECTED THINGS HAPPEN?
CATHIE // We were in Singapore with four thousand people in the congregation. I came off stage between songs and missed my cue for the next song. I heard Brendon singing the first verse in my key and l was supposed to be in the middle of the stadium with the spot light on me. I just walked out after a minute and joined Brendon vocally - he let me take over and l don't think anyone really noticed... Well... except the stage manager!
WHAT HAS BEEN ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE TIMES OF MINISTRY?
BRENDON AND CATHIE // One of our favourite times of ministry happens at our International School of Worship (iSOW). The mornings are set apart for just praise and worship. To see the children and youth freely give their hearts, voices and bodies to God is the greatest joy for me. We can imagine what it does to the heart of the Father. He deserves all of it!