The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #1

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the second biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: the trap of "gossip". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "gossip" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for gossip as it stifles and/or stunts our ministry and causes real harm to others."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #2

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the third biggest danger to our Children's  Ministry: the trap of "comfort". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "comfort" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for comfort when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #3

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fourth biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do. I said, "Having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do."

Today I'm writing about Danger #3 . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #4

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fifth biggest danger in your Children's Ministry: selfishness. I said, "Selfishness will stop your  Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for selfishness."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #5

Over the years I've served in Children's Ministry, I've had the opportunity to serve in churches where the Children's Ministry - and the church - were effective! Ministries where it was a blessing and joy to serve! Sadly, I've also served in churches where this was not the case. 

Some Things to Think - and Most Importantly Pray About for Sure

Over the years I have been writing this blog - and the website before it - I have had much to say about the things we could and should do when it comes to Children's Ministry. Today I want to write about some things we need to be careful we do Not do.

Lay the Foundation AND Teach the "Whys" - It Matters

More and more often we hear and read about leaders in the church around the world who are renouncing their faith. And not just leaders in the church around the world, but many of us have children, grandchildren, siblings who have turned from a walk with God. What is happening?

So How Can You Tell if Your Church Has a Vision, Passion and Plan For Your Children's Ministry . . . or Not?

We all want to think, and believe, the leaders in our churches understand how vital Children's Ministry is to the overall health of the church; but sadly in far too many churches this is not the case. You can clearly see this when churches add music staff while their Children's Ministries flounder without vision, passion, and a plan. Don't get me wrong; I believe music ministry can be a very effective way for people to use the gifts God has given them and certainly has a role to fill in leading people in praising God, but when 43% of people get saved before the age of 13 and less than 23% get saved after the age of 21 it is obvious how much it matters if our Children's Ministries are one of the primary focuses of the church.

Children Must Know and Walk with God Themselves!

I was reading in Judges 2 where there are some of the saddest verses in the Bible. It said; "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord  nor what he had done for Israel. Then the  Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them." 

Take Time to Listen . . . To Children, Grandparents/Parents & Volunteers

Your school year ministries are likely winding down, hopefully you are getting ready to engage children/families in your Summer ministry opportunities, and it is time to begin planning for the Fall and back-to-school as well; as you prepare, do not forget to take time to listen . . . to the children, grandparents /parents, and volunteers. It can be all too easy to just "pay attention" to what we think and then do the things we want to do, but ministry is about far more than our own opinions. We need to listen to others - and act upon what we learn. When we do, our ministries will be far more effective. Consider the following . . . 

Make Your Children's Ministry "More"

What does Children's Ministry look like in a typical church here in the USA? Well, it likely involves classes for children on Sundays and Wednesdays where they teach the "whats" - what the Bible says and therefore what we believe - at least throughout the school year. Some churches still hold a yearly VBS for four or five days/evenings in the Summer. Some churches plan special events throughout the year - typically opportunities for children and families to get together and do something fun together. For many, even most churches, this is what their Children's Ministry looks like - but it can be more.

Do All You Are Able To Do

I write often asking churches to do all they are able to do (which is often more than they are currently doing in all honesty) to connect with children who do not come to church with their parents. These are neighborhood children who may come on their own, or children who come with a friend or neighbor, or children who come with their grandparents. However they get to your church, they are there because they chose to come - and continue to do so only IF they continue to want to be there. These children matter. It matters if your church makes your Children's Ministry a place where they want to be.

2023 Great Cycle Challenge

My son loves riding his bike and he uses this activity to help others. One way he does this is by participating in the Great Cycle Challenge to Kick Cancer's Butt and fight children's cancer. Today I'm asking you to consider giving money to help him reach his goal - even a small amount is helpful - especially today as every gift is doubled today! This is what my son has to say about it - 

Why Should the Youth Pastor Care About the Children's Ministry?

Who cares about your Children's Ministry? Of course you do, your volunteers do, parents and grandparents of children care . . . today I'm sharing some reasons for the Youth Pastor to care about the Children's Ministry. Consider the following -

Some Facts About Grandparents and How They Impact Your Children's Ministry

I sincerely believe all churches should focus on engaging, equipping, and encouraging grandparents to pass on a heritage of confident faith to their grandchildren. There are reasons I believe this - some of them are . . . 

Why Another Curriculum? Why Deeper In for Children? - Make it Your Choice

Yes, I agree there are a number of excellent curriculum resources currently available for churches to use in their Children's Ministries, so why did I release Deeper In for Children? There are several reasons, but the biggest one is because  Deeper In for Children  does several unique things -

Children Are Leaving - What Are You Doing?

More and more families in your church are leaving the church, and their faith. This means more and more children are leaving your ministry. Now, some of these children are able to continue to go to church with their grandparents IF the children want to go. This is a big IF. Sadly, more and more children are deciding they do not want to be part of a church's Children's Ministry, so they do not go any longer. What do you do when this happens?

What Are You Doing About It?

I have written about Barna's study which shows Gen Z is turning away from their faith to atheism at double the rate of any previous generation - and Barna expects it to be triple the rate by 2030 - just over six years away. You are likely seeing this in your church as older children, teens, young adults, and young families stop coming to church. You are likely hearing it from some grandparents - but not all as there is a large sense of shame and failure a grandparent experiences when their grown children/ grandchildren turn away from the faith. So, what are you doing about this?

Trust . . . Takes Seconds to Break, Forever to Repair

Yesterday I posted about trust . . . it takes years to build . . . and shared ideas on how to build trust with the children, parents, grandparents, and volunteers in your ministry. Today I want to think about how to repair broken trust.

Trust . . . Takes Years to Build . . .

Trust is an essential part of Children’s Ministry . . .

• parents and grandparents need to be able to trust us
• children need to be able to trust us
• our volunteers need to be able to trust us
• we need to be able to trust our volunteers

So . . . today and tomorrow let’s take a look at trust. Trust takes years to build . . .

How do we build trust with parents and grandparents?

Make a Difference This Fall with Bible Maze Journey Events

Fall ministry is upon us and if you are looking for a way to do something which will engage the entire family, consider getting a Bible Maze Journey book.

It is essential to engage children in our ministries and whenever we are able to also engage the whole family, it is something which is well worth our time. We are losing our families - check an article in Christianity Today  which said; "Before COVID-19 shut things down in March 2020, the independent evangelical church averaged about 220 people a week. Almost two years after the church briefly suspended in-person services because of COVID-19, he says they are averaging about 150 people a week." We need to make our churches the center of community life and engagement once again. These books will help.

Are You Ready?

Fall ministries are about to begin and you may very well be working this week to be certain you have dotted all your "i's" and crossed all your "t's". You may be connecting with your volunteers to thank them for serving this year, let them know where/when you need them to be, and to answer any questions they may have. You may be double-checking your curriculum to be certain you have everything you need. There are so many things to do, but have you made certain you are ready for one very important group of children in your ministry? The children who come only "IF" they choose to come. These are likely the children who come with their grandparents because their parents no longer go to church. Are you ready for these children?

Make That First Contact Memorable!

As your Fall ministries begin it is so very important what you do to make the first contact with a visitor to your church and Children's Ministry a positive one, because first impressions are so important! Did you know the first ten seconds . . . yes, seconds . . . you meet and greet someone can, and usually does, impact the relationship you end up having with the person! I learned this, and five top tips for making a great impression from Maralee McKee's blog - Manners Mentor! I especially love tip three . . .