"Simply put, children learn from the people they love. And love is the result of getting to know one another—it's the result of relationships. Before our kids come to know Jesus, they just might need to know us first."
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When considering Kids Ministry - often times people just think of, “what can we do with the kids so the adults can have their service.” However, it is SO MUCH more than that. It is so much more than childcare! So how do you create a Kids Ministry that leaves kids begging their parents to bring them back?
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Encourage the single parent to make the child part of the process. You might give the child scriptures or stories about people in the Bible who had to move. Some of these little kids feel like nomads wandering around or like the children of Israel having to wander the desert.
The topic of self-care often brings up a myriad of responses within churches and Christ-followers. The concept seems overtly “non-Christian” to some of us. Think about it; the word “self” is included in the title of this activity we are often encouraged to consider implementing in our lives. And after all are we not directed, in Scripture, to die to self? So why would we want to spend time “caring” for self.
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Don’t stay in that place of burnout, excuses, exhaustion, and mediocre leadership. You will end up not leading the way God intended for you to lead. Your ministry will suffer. The teams you lead will suffer, and your calling will not be as fulfilling as it once was. Jesus desires so much more for you, and those you lead need so much more from you.
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It’s Sunday morning and Bobby shows up at your church. You start the intake process and suddenly realize that he may require some special support. He has special needs. But it’s okay, because you are ready! You have carefully thought through some of the potential challenges and safety issues and you have a plan. If you don’t have a plan, YOU CAN! Don’t wait until these kiddos come to put a strategy together. Be intentional and start thinking about it NOW! While disabilities may vary and can be mild or severe, here are 10 things for consideration to make your ministry a safe place for kids with special needs.
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Birth to 18 years of age + sitting, listening, and having someone minister to me = Adults who just sit and listen as someone ministers to them
Birth to 18 years of age + serving and ministering in the church = Adults who serve and a church without a leadership void
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The God-given gift of story in children begs the question: What would it look like if children understood that they are a part of the greatest story ever told—God’s story?
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Every children’s minister I know wants their ministry to grow. I believe God wants your ministry to grow as well. In order for your children’s ministry to grow you must be willing to grow in your leadership abilities. Individual growth always comes before corporate growth. The number one key to making growth happen as a leader is evaluation. Change will never take place without constant evaluation. If you don’t identify ways that you can grow as a leader you’ll never reach your next level.
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Camp is such an important piece in a kid’s spiritual journey. Many of us learned to hear the voice of God at camp, we were called into the ministry at camp, and we were filled with the Holy Spirit at camp. Let’s make getting kids to camp a priority for us, for their parents, and for them!
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How many of you have experienced that certain child that seems to create distraction, ignore redirection, and generate chaos in your ministry? A few faces come to my mind that meet those dubious criteria. Behavior always communicates and sometimes it shouts at us from the back row during worship time! Unfortunately, many times these undesirable behaviors are conveying trauma that too many children in our world have been exposed to in varying degrees.
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One popular discipline policy churches use is what is called the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” policy. In theory, it sounds reasonable but for many hurting children it is not reasonable or even fair.
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We believe very passionately that preteen students have a role to play in the Kingdom of God right now … not just later in the future sometime, when they have all their adult teeth, when they don’t ask annoying questions and can drive … but right now!
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If you are a missionary entering another culture you should know the most important first step … learn the language. I suggest that, as a leader, you see yourself as an immigrant into another world. Ask questions, seek to empathize and understand a perspective on the world that may be different than yours. So how do you go about being a missionary into the world of children?
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When you look at the callings of kids, remember, you have a life that is willing to do anything for the Lord. They are pliable and teachable, and they will become amazing leaders in your ministry just by giving them a little time each week.
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When things feel as if they’re spinning out of control, when everything within you is screaming to step in and step up to the challenge, breathe. Before you react, prior to lashing out, preceding your missteps. Just breath. And look to Jesus.
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It’s easy to get too goal oriented in kids ministry. Slow down! This isn’t about you. It’s about them. It’s not about getting from Point A to Point B. It’s about everything that comes between Point A and Point B. It’s not about getting to every activity in the lesson plan. It’s about pointing the preschoolers in your care to Jesus in every single thing you do and say. So, take a deep breath. Don’t get frantic when time seems to be slipping away and you’ve not gotten as far as you had planned in your lesson.
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Policies, procedures, standards, and systems don’t handcuff your teams, they free them. They grant the authority necessary to meet expectations. They empower volunteers to identify solutions within the parameters you’ve set, and they clearly define boundaries. I call this the infrastructure of EVALUATION.
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We must always strive to handle Scripture in such a way that brings eye opening joy and understanding to the hearts of kids. There are definitely things we can do to improve our presentations to provide optimum enjoyment and attention from the kids with whom we work without the need for unnecessary flash. We don’t need to add to the Bible or change it so much that it’s hardly recognizable.
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