RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY: #childrenserving

Showing posts with label #childrenserving. Show all posts

10 Ways to Get Kids Involved in Serving at Church

7:09 AM Dale Hudson

A few weeks ago...January 1 to be exact, I was teaching the elementary large group lesson at my home church.

(If you haven't taken a look at my curriculum, Connect 12, you should check it out at this link.)

It was New Year's weekend, so some of our volunteers were not there.

I was going to use a computer clicker (or whatever you call it) to advance the slides while I taught. But then I got an idea. Why not ask one of the kids to run the slides instead? They should be able to do this with no problem...they live in a digital world and many of them know more about technology than we do.

I asked one of the kindergartners if he would like to help me run the slides for the lesson. He eagerly responded and sat down at the computer.

He proceeded to click on all the slides on my cues and never missed a slide. Coming out of that, I am setting up a schedule where the kids (and yes...even kindergartners) can sign up to serve as the tech person.

Once the child finished up with the lesson slides, I could tell he was excited about the opportunity to serve. It reminded me of the importance of giving children the chance to make a difference.

There is something about serving that ignites your faith and helps you grow as a Christ follower. In my new book, Fertile Soil, I talk about how serving is a key factor to seeing kids follow and serve Jesus for a lifetime. You can get the book at this link.

Let's talk about 10 ways you can get kids involved in serving at church.

1. Greeting.

2. Tech and sound system.

3. Cleaning up after service.

4. Writing miss you cards to children who didn't come to weekend services.

5. Helping take up the offering.

6. Singing on the praise team.

7. Serving with their parents in a preschool classroom.

8. Leading part of the service. Lead in saying the Bible verse. Lead in repeating the main point of the lesson.

9. Helping in large group by being in skits, helping teach the lesson, helping with game time, etc.

10. Passing out activity sheets, take home papers and other lesson handouts.

As with anyone, if you want children to serve well, then provide them with a job description, hands on training and what the wins are for the role.

Your turn. What are some other ways kids can serve at church? What are you doing to get kids serving in your ministry? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Let the Kids Lead

9:44 AM Dale Hudson

It's time we start giving kids the opportunity to lead in the church.

As you look through Scripture, you will see that kids were often given the opportunity to lead.

Here's an example found in Matthew 21.

...and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things He did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. "Yes,” replied Jesus, "have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
Jesus was all for children helping lead the way in the Temple that day.  And I believe He is also for kids helping lead the way today.  
Here are a few things to consider about this. 
1. There is no "Jr. Holy Spirit."  Kids can be led and controlled by the Spirit of God just like any adult can.  Throughout scripture we see kids being used by God.  The boy giving his lunch to Jesus.  David defeating Goliath.  The little maid helping Naaman get healed.  As we just read, children leading the way to praise Jesus in the temple.
2. Kids have a heart to serve.   Have you ever asked a group of kids who would like to help with something?  Hands will shoot up everywhere.  Kids naturally have a heart to help others.  It is when they get older, that they stop raising their hand as often.  Why?  In some cases, they have been told they are too young.  That they don't have the abilities needed.  That they should sit still and be quiet.  That they have to wait until they are a certain age.  This type of treatment causes kids to eventually stop raising their hand and saying "no" to serving as adults.
3.  Kids will act like kids.  Kids are wired to move.  They are full of energy.  Don't expect them to turn it off when it's time to serve.  This may mean putting them in a role that allows them to use their energy.  It might be helping with worship so they can jump around.  It might be helping lead a fun, energetic game or activity.  Instead of squelching them, help them grow and flourish with the gifts God has given them.  
4. Make a list of the different ways kids can lead in your congregation.  Take the initiative in this and create a list of ways kids can serve at church.  Share the list with kids who want to serve and help guide them into a role that matches their gifts and talents.
5. Provide them with coaching and feedback.  Don't stick them in a role and forget about them.  Be intentional about encouraging and challenging them.  Use this as a time to help them grow spiritually.  
6. Realize that kids who serve are more likely to not walk away from the faith when they get older.  Stats show that kids who get involved in serving are less likely to walk away from their faith when they are grown.  There is something about serving that activates your faith.  That brings a passion for Christ into your life.  That brings joy as you watch God at work through you.  
Your turn.  Do you give kids the opportunity to serve at your church?  What are some roles you allow them to serve in?  What are some other guidelines you follow for kids serving?  Share your thoughts, ideas and insight in the comment section below. 

Why Kids Are So Clingy Right Now

9:06 AM Dale Hudson

Have you noticed that kids are extra clingy recently?

You are not alone. Many parents are dealing with clingy kids.

So why are kids so clingy?

The biggest reason is obviously because they are living through the COVID pandemic days.

When kids feel threatened it can cause anxiety. And when kids are nervous or unsure, they will cling to their parents to feel safe.

"One major reason why kids cling to their parents is because they are trying really hard to help themselves feel safe and comforted."

Dr Steven Meyers, Professor of Psychology, Roosevelt University

Clinging is a child's effort to cope with all of the changes and uncertainty in the world.

Normally we think of a clinging child as a toddler or preschooler. Think about the times you've had a younger child cling to mom and dad when they were being dropped off at their church classroom. Why were they clinging? They were trying to deal with the uncertainty they were feeling inside.

But in the current situation we find ourselves in, even older children, who are normally more independent, may become clingy as well. This may look like them following you around the house or come crawling in the bed with you at night.

Establish routines. This will look different from when kids were in a school building all day. Creating these routines does two things.

1. Routines give kids a sense of security. It provides kids with an established structure for what happens each day.

2. Routines help kids stay on track with their school work.

Spend extra time with your kids. Make it fun. Board games. Toys. Video games. Telling jokes. Reading stories. Give them your undivided attention during this time. This will help keep them emotionally healthy.

Chores. If you already had chores for your kids, then continue them. If you don't, now's a great time to establish some chores for your child. Keep track on their involvement and reward them when they do a good job.

Model the behavior you want to see. Kids are very perceptive. They turn to you for direction on how to respond. They pick up on your emotions. If your emotions are making them uneasy or afraid, then they will cling to you even more as they look for reassurance.

Model confidence and calmness. This will help your children feel more secure and calm themselves.

They need you right now. Kids are sad about all the changes they have experienced. Think about it. No school, can't see their friends, no sports or music classes, etc. As far as in person contact, you're all they've got in many cases. Be there for them!

p.s. Don't forget to sign up for our upcoming online webinar. You can register at this link.

10 Great Ways Kids Can Serve at Church

9:39 AM Dale Hudson

Did you know that studies show that kids and teenagers who serve in their local church are far less likely to walk away from their faith as they get older?

The Bible reminds us of this in James 2. Here's what it says...

Just as the body is dead without breath,so also faith is dead without good works.

Good works lead to a faith that is alive and vibrant.

The verse also compares someone who has no good works to a person who has no breath and is dead.

What is the difference between a child/teenager who has dead faith and a child/teenager whose faith is alive and vibrant?

Good works.

I remember when I was a teenager in high school. I was attending church, but was not serving. Looking back I would have to say my faith was bland at the time. All I cared about was my car, girls and sports.

But that all changed when my youth pastor asked me to serve in children's ministry. At first, I said "no" but he kept asking and eventually I agreed to come in and check out the children's ministry. As I began serving, my faith was transformed. I moved from being a nominal follower of Christ to being a passionate, mission-driven follower of Jesus.

What made the difference? Serving. Good works.

I shared that story with you because I want you to see how impactful it is when you get kids and students involved in serving.

Let's take that premise and look at 10 specific ways kids can serve.

1. Preschool. Children can serve alongside their parents in preschool ministry. In this situation, the child can help pass out crafts, snacks and interact with the preschoolers in a positive way.

2. Help the teacher clean up the classroom after services are over. Parents can also serve with their child in this capacity.

4. Sing on the praise team and help lead worship. A few times a year, you can give kids the opportunity to lead worship in the adult service.

5. Help direct traffic with their father or mother. Of course, the child should be equipped to help with this and safety measures should be in place.

6. Prepare crafts and other classroom elements together during the week.

7. Be an actor in a skit.

8. Put together thank you packages and deliver them to local police officers, firemen, nurses, etc.

9. Write an encouraging note to men and women who are serving in the military.

10. Join in community service projects. Paint the house of a widow. Clean up the yard of a single parent. Help clean up a local park.

One important thing to help kids understand is this.

When we serve, we are not just "doing a chore." Rather, we are serving in the name of Jesus. It's not just a good work, it's a God work.

If you want to see the kids and students in your ministry stick with their faith, then get them involved in serving. It will change their life and help them love and follow Jesus for a lifetime.

Your turn. What are some other ways you involve kids and students in serving? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.