It’s easy to get lost in the checklist: snacks out, lesson printed, chairs set, attendance logged.

Ministry is full of moving parts, and sometimes it can feel like you’re running a mini event production company every week. But the moment a child walks through the door, none of that matters as much as one simple, soul-deep question:

Are you leaning in?

Leaning in doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It doesn’t mean being perfect or nailing every part of your lesson. It means you’re present. Fully here. Spirit open. Eyes soft. It means that while you’re holding the clipboard, you’re also holding space for the child in front of you.

There’s a moment that happens almost every Sunday—maybe you’ve felt it. A child walks in late, head low. Or maybe they’re extra loud and pushing boundaries before you even say hello.

Your lesson plan says one thing, but your spirit whispers another: Lean in.

Maybe what they really need is just you—locked in, undistracted, and aware. And trust me, I get it: sometimes it feels like the whole room needs you to lean in at once. Be patient with yourself as you navigate and discern how to proceed as the Holy Spirit guides you in a different direction.

Leaning in means slowing down to see.

When Jesus saw Zacchaeus in the tree, He didn’t shout, “Get down from there!” in a harsh tone,

or say, “Hey, I’ll catch you next week when you’re not in a tree!” He stopped. He looked up. He called him by name with an invitation for connection that changed his life. That’s what leaning in looks like.

In Children’s Ministry, leaning in might look like kneeling next to a child during worship or just standing in silence with them, praying with them, or giving them a smile that breaks down their exterior walls. It might look like gently asking, “Hey, are you okay today?” instead of, “Why aren’t you listening?” It’s choosing connection over control. Relationship over results.

And when we slow down to see, we give kids what they desperately crave but rarely get: to be noticed, not managed. Connected—not isolated or alone.

What is connection?

In the context of ministry, connection means creating a moment where someone feels truly seen, safe, and significant. It’s not about fixing or teaching—it’s about being fully present with someone so they know they matter. Connection is the bridge that carries love, trust, and truth from your heart to theirs. Often, it starts with a pause, a look, a gentle word that says, “I’m with you, right here, right now.”

Leaning in doesn’t ignore the plan—it prioritizes the person.
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Yes, your prep work matters. Yes, structure is important. But kids won’t remember everything you taught them. They will remember how you made them feel in the middle of their meltdown, their silliness, their questions, and their quiet.

Ministry isn’t a performance. It’s a presence.

So, pause. Notice. Let the lesson flex if needed. Let the Holy Spirit interrupt your flow if it means a kid gets to feel known—even for five seconds. Lean in with your eyes, your posture, your tone, and your time.

Leaning in teaches kids that they matter more than their behavior.

This is big! When we lean in instead of react, we’re telling kids: You are not your outburst. You are not your noise. You are not your situation.

You are a whole and amazing person, worthy of love and dignity—even before you get it all together.

This is how we mirror God’s heart to everyone. He leans in to us constantly—in our mess, in our questions, in our least presentable moments. When we do the same for our kids, we invite them to experience a kind of love that doesn’t flinch.

Leaning in doesn’t stop with kids—it includes your team, your family, and those around you.

That new volunteer who seems unsure? Lean in and tell them they’ve got this. The faithful helper who always does the cleanup without being asked? Lean in and tell them they’re appreciated and that their efforts don’t go unnoticed. The leader who hasn’t smiled in two Sundays? Lean in and ask if they’re okay. Let them know they are seen and loved.

Sometimes the people who need to be seen most aren’t the loudest ones in the room. They’re just waiting for someone to pause and say, “How are you really doing?” Your willingness to ask—and wait for the answer—can change everything.

People don’t just need direction; they need connection.

Leaning in requires slowing down when everything around you says to hustle. But if Jesus modeled anything in His ministry, it was that people come before plans.

So, this week, in the swirl of check-ins, games, Bible lessons, and goldfish crackers, ask yourself: Can I lean in while leading?

This kind of leadership isn’t loud or showy. It’s faithful, intentional, and comes from being present.​

Tish Striegel has served in Children's Ministry for over 25 years and is currently the Children's Pastor at Hill City Church in Southern Indiana, a suburb of Louisville, KY. She graduated from the inaugural KidMin Academy class in 2016. Tish is the author of four books: My Journey to Wholeness, Truth About Baby, The Truth About Me, and The Truth About Me: Preteen Edition. She is passionate about children’s and family ministry and loves good coffee, writing, and helping others realize their potential. She and her husband, Tim, have been married for 30 years, raised three children, and are currently enjoying being grandparents to eight grandchildren.