RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Are you struggling with an event or program that you feel may have seen its better days?

Are you considering quitting a program or event?

Do you feel the passion for a particular event or program is slipping away? 

Here are 5 questions to ask yourself.

Is this a sacred cow?

Over the years, churches tend to get attached to certain events and programs.  It becomes a part of the church's DNA...whether it's still working or not. 

Use wisdom when you start talking about getting rid of a sacred cow. There is a method to getting rid of a sacred cow. I talk more about this in my coaching program. 

Are we doing this just because it's something we've always done?

Sister so and so started the ministry or program in 1965. We've been doing this ever since then. A few families in the church are heavily invested in this program or event. They will get upset if you try to change or drop the said ministry or program.  They may even quit the church if you try to change this. 

What worked in 1965 may not be working today. But they continue to prop it up because they value tradition over effectiveness. 

Does this ministry or event pass the blank piece of paper test?

What is the blank piece of paper test?  Here it is.

A year after the event or program, can you write down the names of people who have been reached and have become a part of your church family? 

I know a church that is going through this now.  They have a program that they have been doing for 9 years. The program is well attended each year, but families are not being reached through it. In fact, 9 years into the program, they can only write down the name of one family that has been reached. They are having some hard conversations about whether they should continue to do this program.

If you can't write down the names of people who have been reached and discipled, then maybe you should try something else that will help you reach kids and families.

How are people voting with their feet? 

Is the program or event well attended?  Is attendance declining?  Are you only continuing because of a small group of people who value it? 

People vote with their feet.  If they are voting "no," then why would you continue to perpetuate it. 

Is this program or event causing us to be busy but not effective?

There is a difference between being busy and being effective. Just because you are busy doesn't mean you are effective. 

Sometimes the best thing you can put on your calendar is eraser marks. 

Less truly is more. You can do a lot of things mediocre or you can do a few things with excellence. 

Every year, I challenge you to sit down and take a hard look at all of your programs and events. Ask yourself these five questions. Make changes where changes need to be made.  Remember...the Gospel is unchanging...but methods are ever-changing. 

Don't get stuck in the past. Have the courage to make changes that need to be made. Be willing for a few people to get upset so that the ministry as a whole can move forward. 

We are on an urgent mission...to reach kids and families with the Gospel and to see them discipled.  We can't afford to waste time and resources on unproductive ministry. 

Dare to ask these 5 questions about everything you are currently doing and be willing to change as needed. Remember...the last 3 letters of trend is end.  

End what is not working. It might just be what you need to do to see God move in a new and fresh way.

As we prepare to enter a new year of ministry, there are some challenges we will face.  Here are the 5 biggest. 

Infrequent Church Attendance

We will continue to see families attend once or twice a month or even less.  

This has some serious consequences.  When parents choose to make church attendance an option instead of a top priority, kids will grow up and treat church attendance like an option you choose when nothing else is happening. 

What one generation deems as optional, the next generation will deem as unnecessary. 

Somehow we have to get through to parents and help them realize this.  I believe the earlier we can instill this into parents, the better they will set the right priorities.  Once kids reach elementary school and are entrenched in weekend activities outside of church, it is hard to see them readjust their priorities. 

I have found success in helping parents understand this when their children are in nursery or preschool ages.  This can be accomplished by being intentional to communicate this to young parents.  If they can make the decision to prioritize church in their child's early years, they can establish a godly foundation that will help them as their children grow into their elementary years.  

Here is the milestone class I created to help with this.  It is called Parent and Child Dedication Class.  You can check it out at this link. Don't let another dedication pass without having a class attached to it for parents to attend.  It will help you connect with parents and help them establish the right priorities. The class spends about 15 minutes teaching about what the dedication means and then 30 minutes teaching parents about how to raise their children to love Jesus.

Shallow Faith 

If a child only went to school once a month, what kind of education would they have?  They would obviously be way behind.  

The natural result of infrequent church attendance is shallow faith. 

The majority of children who attend church today are Biblically illiterate.  

We must be very intentional about what we teach.  Our lessons should point kids to Jesus and how to live for Him.  If I were to ask your church kids what they have learned in the last 12 months, what would they say? Would they be able to say, as a minimum, what they have learned and started living out in the last 12 months?  

I use Connect12 curriculum and the children can tell me from memory the main points we have learned in the last 12 months.  There are several keys that make this happen.  Check out Connect12 curriculum and you can see more about this amazing curriculum that helps kids develop a strong and solid faith foundation.  You can see more at this link.

Wrong Priorities 

This ties into the first point.  Parents are not making the things of God a priority.  Rather, the things of God are usually an afterthought.  

We must partner with parents and equip them to raise their children to follow Jesus and put Him first in their lives.  We know that most of what children grasp comes not from what we say, but from what we do.

The pastor of a church can be a big help when it comes to helping parents set priorities.  The pastor can teach parents about setting the right priorities.  When it comes to parents, the pulpit does carry a lot of weight.  Connect with your teaching pastor about this.

Lack of Volunteers

Every children's ministry faces this.  No matter the size of the children's ministry, it needs more volunteers.  

This will continue to be a challenge for all of us as we head into 2024.  But don't lose heart. You can build a dynamic volunteer team.  

In my book, The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams, I share some key steps you can take to build a great volunteer team.  It is the formula I used to build  a volunteer team of over 2,000 in 9 years.  You can get an ebook or paperback at this link.  

Unwillingness to Change 

How we do ministry continues to change with each passing year.  I am sure 2024 will reflect this as well.  

The challenge for many churches is they don't want to change.  They refuse to take a hard look at what they are doing and adjust as needed.  They keep doing the same thing the same way and wonder why they lose momentum each year.  

What we teach doesn't need to change.  But how we teach and communicate with kids and parents must change if we want to stay relevant and effective.  The "what" is not optional and cannot be put up for a vote.  But the how can be.

2024.  What other challenges do you see coming?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.