14 Ways to "Blow" Your Children's Ministry - Stop Showing Love

If we are in Children's Ministry, we love others; right? After all, we wouldn't be in ministry if we didn't, right? Well . . . while we likely do actually love others, and may be quite proficient at "saying" we love others, do we actually show our "love" for others? There is a significant and very real difference between "saying" we love others and actually "showing" we love them. If you are actually only talking about love, you are "blowing" your Children's Ministry.

 Consider the following . . . 

• Do you put limits on how much, how often and in what ways you show love?
• Are you quick to say things like, "I've given my all"?
• Do you exaggerate what you actually do to make it sound like you are giving your all when in reality you are not?
• Do you talk about loving others, but do not actually do anything tangible to show your love? For example, if you know a volunteer is ill, do you show up at their door with even a can of soup? 
• Are you quick to claim, "boundaries" when it comes to showing love to others?
• Do you show love to children by being certain you send a card each and every time they are absent so they know they were missed?

These are just a few questions to think about, but when it comes to really showing love to others, Jesus is our example. He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  (John 13:34, 35) He also said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:12-15) And of course, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus set the example of showing His love by doing something which cost Him. He did not say anything like, "I've given my all and can't give anymore." He gave His all and He calls us to follow His example and love others as we love ourselves. 

So, what can we do if we have only loved others with words and not our actions? Another easy question to answer. Step it up and show love by our actions.

And the "bonus" to doing this?  "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."