Our church recently took a fresh look at our Core Values. I know, I know, it doesn’t sound super exciting but it was oh, so important! We put in hours of prayer and discussion about what our church is committing to prioritize above all else. As the Kids’ Pastor, I was thrilled to see “Investing in the Next Generation” make our shortlist! But this led to two VERY important discussions:

1) WHO is the Next Generation?
2) WHAT does it really mean to invest in the Next Generation?

Who is the Next Generation?

As a Kids’ Pastor, it’s easy to pigeonhole the Next Generation to Kids or Students – but truly, to be a church who values the next generation – we need to be investing in multiple generations. A church that values the next generation is always asking the question, “Who’s Next”? Who is our next Student Leader? Small Group Leader? Ministry Leader? Elder or Staff Person? When we consider the Next Generation in this way, we see multiple layers of discipleship and investment that trickle down to every generation in our church family and leave the Church better than we found it.

What does it really mean to Invest in the Next Generation?
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​It’s one thing to SAY we value the next generation, it’s another thing actually to do it! Our discussion led our leadership to evaluate if we’re really walking the talk when it comes to this important core value. Here are *4* ways our church is committing to Invest in the Next Generation:

1. Discipleship – Every ministry is an opportunity for discipleship – Adults to Kids. Discipleship is NOT just a sub-ministry for adults; it’s MORE than a Sunday School class or Small Group Program, it’s the formula for how we do EVERY ministry. It means we never do ministry alone. Future leaders are prayed for and with, formal and informal training opportunities are provided, team leaders and co-leaders are always brought along and given opportunities to lead.

In the context of our Kids’ Ministry, it looks like this: Elders and the Lead Pastor disciple the Kids’ Pastor, who disciples Team Leaders, who disciple Service Leaders, who disciple Student Leaders who disciple kids. (Side note: If you aren’t utilizing Student Leaders, you’re missing out because they’re amazing! But that’s another blog post for another day.)

2. Budget – This probably seems like the most obvious way to “invest” in the next generation, but sometimes it is easier said than done. At first, we might just think of having enough money for curriculum or VBS, but to really Invest in the Next Generation we need to make sure we’re also setting aside funds for training, conferences, encouragement and growth resources for future leaders of every age.

3. Service – It’s a lot easier to put the Next Generation on your budget than it is to put it on your Google Calendar, but a church who truly values the Next Generation will have senior leaders hosting Young Adult Small Groups, being on the teaching rotation for youth group or holding a baby in the nursery. And they should encourage the rest of the church body to join them!

4. Talk Time – It’s called a “Bully Pulpit” for a reason, folks. When your pastor talks about something, it takes on a whole new weight. So, let’s make sure we’re talking about what we care about – in this case, investing in the next generation! This can look like using a story from VBS in the sermon, publicly praying for new leaders, allowing students to lead elements of the service, and so much more. This is one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways for a church to communicate that they are serious about Investing in the Next Generation.

I’m excited to see where our church will be in 20 years because of our leadership's decision to truly invest in the next generation. What are some other ways we need to consider investing in the next generation? I’d love to hear your ideas! I’m praying this is encouraging food for thought for all my KidzMatter Family!

Annie Double has been the Kids' Ministry Director at Judson Road Christian Church in Kokomo, Indiana for 13 years. She loves traveling with her family, snuggling her dog, Charlie, & serving with the best team ever.
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