Due to the insufficient registrations our leadership team has decided to cancel the Children’s Ministries University Online Live International Training Experience (CMUO LITE) this October. Registrations have not come in as expected. With the economy being so tight and our own budget challenged, holding the conference with so few in attendance would not be good stewardship.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you. If you were planning on attending or looking in online, take that weekend to spend time with your family and to relax. I trust that CMUO will continue to be your source for continued online training. Even though this event will not happen, we will forge ahead with plans to provide even more online training experiences that will help you in your ministry to His children. God bless you in your ministry.

- Dick Gruber

There is still time to register and receive the early-bird registration discount for the first ever Children’s Ministries University Online Live International Training Experience (CMUO LITE) to be offered October 9-11, 2008 on the campus of Valley Forge Christian College just outside of Philadelphia, PA. Join with children’s ministry leaders from around the globe to learn practical ways to connect deeper with God, your ministry skills, and others.

In addition to the inspiring general sessions, you’ll be able to choose from over 30 different hands-on workshop sessions covering a wide variety of practical children’s ministry topics. Those who attend on-campus will not only have the benefit of attending many fabulous sessions, but will be able to access recordings of all 30+ breakout sessions after the event is over. Online attendees will also enjoy access to archives of all general sessions and breakouts.

Logon to cmuolite.com for more details. Register before June 15th to receive the early-bird discount! Group and student discounts are also available!

We look forward to reserving your spot at CMUO LITE 2008! Would you like to help us continue to spread the word about CMUO LITE? You can click here to download a printable poster [PDF] to put up on your church bulletin board or distribute to your fellow children’s ministry leaders.

Looking for a printable poster that you can download and print out to help spread the word about CMUO LITE? A downloadable poster is now available.

You are invited to exhibit your quality children’s ministries items at the first ever live/virtual children’s ministries conference. CMUO LITE is already attracting live and virtual attendees from as far away as Australia. Check out our website and apply today. Exhibition space is limited.

Each exhibitor chosen for this event will not only have the opportunity to interact with conference attendees live on our campus, but will enjoy the benefit of becoming a charter member of our online exhibition hall.

Your business name and link will be placed in the online exhibition hall so that interested shoppers both on campus and around the world will be able to purchase your materials.

In Episode 7 of the Children’s Ministry Talk podcast, Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic conferences and training events. Dick shares the following acrostic in outlining his reasons for attending children’s ministry conferences and other training events:

Lifelong learner
Investing in future education always brings a return
Friendships are made and renewed
Enthusiasm is generated

We look forward to seeing you at CMUO LITE 2008! For more details, visit cmuolite.com.

Looking for a printable brochure that you can download and print out to help spread the word about CMUO LITE? A downloadable brochure is now available.

If you’ve not heard, Children’s Ministries University Online will be offering the first Live International Training Event (CMUO LITE) to be held October 9-11, 2008 on the campus of Valley Forge Christian College just outside of Philadelphia, PA.

While a few details still have yet to be finalized, this conference will truly be a first of its kind children’s ministry conference that you won’t want to miss! Here’s the top 10 reasons why you should mark your calendar now to participate in CMUO LITE 2008!

10. Networking with other children’s ministry leaders
One the the key benefits to any children’s ministry event is the opportunity to connect with other children’s ministry leaders. CMUO LITE offers an opportunity to start building your children’s ministry network with others not only in attendance on-campus but also online!

9. 30+ breakout sessions
An extensive exhibit area and full slate of top children’s ministry practitioners will be available during CMUO LITE 2008.

8. Knowledgable, inspiring speakers
Internationally recognized speakers David Boyd, Dick Gruber , Dale VonSeggen, and Jim Wideman will be sharing during the general sessions. These times promise to be filled with encouragement and inspiration for all those who minister to children.

7. Refreshing praise & worship
Gifted worship leader Kimberly Green will be leading refreshing times of praise & worship during the general sessions.

6. State-of-the-art training facilities
General sessions will be held in VFCC’s chapel and workshop sessions will take place in VFCC’s Cardone Hall, offering a first class training environment. WiFi access will be provided to all participants so that they can enjoy online access throughout the conference.

5. Archives of all sessions to be made available to registrants
Those who attend on-campus will not only have the benefit of attending many fabulous sessions, but will be able to access recordings of all 30+ breakout sessions after the event is over. Online attendees will also enjoy access to archives of all general sessions and breakouts.

4. Online community
All participants in CMUO LITE 2008 will receive a complimentary membership to CMUOnet, the online community of Children’s Ministries University Online, allowing them to participate in a variety of online activities and discussions with the presenters and participants of CMUO LITE 2008 before, during, and after the event. More details will be provided at the time of registration. In the meantime, current CMUO or former CMUO learners can access the CMUO LITE community via CMUOnet at http://cmuonet.org/cmuolite and begin networking today!

3. Attend either on-campus or online
Unique, flexible registration options are available, allowing one to either participate in the on-campus conference or in an online-only format. Registration for the on-campus conference includes:

>> 4 General Sessions
>> 7 Breakout Sessions
>> Exhibits
>> 2 Meals
>> Online conference community for networking before, during, and after the event
>>WiFi Internet access on campus
>>Access to archives of all sessions for download

Registration in the online-only version of the conference includes access to archive of recordings of all general sessions, breakout sessions, and the online conference community for networking with the speakers, presenters, and others participating in the event.

2. Earn 3 credits to put towards a 1 year certificate in children’s ministry from CMUO
Participants, either on-campus or online, wishing to earn 3 credits for participating in CMUO LITE will have the option to register for an elective CMUO course and complete a few additional assignments offering the opportunity to demonstrate how the skills learned are being applied in the local children’s ministry setting.

1. Connections
The theme for this event is “Connections” drawn from Psalms 78:72 - “And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.” You will be challenged to connect deeper with God, your ministry skills, and others.

We hope you’ll consider joining us either on-campus or online for CMUO LITE 2008! For complete details and to register online visit www.cmuo.com. Register before May 1st to receive the early-bird discount. Group and student discounts are also available!

General sessions will also be webcasted live for those who can’t attend. Stay tuned to the CMUO LITE blog for more details.

A great plugin has been added to the CMUO LITE blog that now optimizes it for viewing on the iPhone or iPod Touch.

For anyone who happens to have an iPhone or iPod Touch, please try accessing the blog and comment with your feedback on how the blog looks on your device.

The schedule for CMUO LITE 2008 has been finalized and is now available. To access all currently available details regarding CMUO LITE 2008, visit www.cmuolite.com.

A Jaiku channel for CMUO LITE has been setup for Jaiku users:

http://jaiku.com/channel/CMUOLITE

While the intention is for the CMUO LITE community and blog on CMUOnet to be the primary location for participants to network, we’ll be encouraging participants to utilize whatever technology they prefer in order to build their ministry network.

What other communication and networking technologies should CMUO pursue developing for CMUO LITE?