RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I remember as a child there was a prize inside the cereal box. As soon as we got back from the grocery store, my brother and I would be digging in the cereal box to find the toy. We chose the cereal we would eat based on which box had the coolest toy. 

Today, breakfast cereal sales have gone down. Sales have fallen more than 15% in the last five years, from 2.47 billion boxes sold in 2021 to 2.14 billion boxes sold in 2025. 

So companies like Kellogs are reviving their cereal box prizes for the first time in over a decade. Kelloggs is putting collectible spoon figurines from Toy Story 5 characters in their cereal boxes.

General Mills is partnering with the Jim Henson company to put textured puppets in their cereal. In October, they will include characters like Count Chocula, Franken Berry, and Boo Berry.

Consumer demand is bringing the prizes back. Parents remember finding toys in their cereal boxes and now they want to share that experience with their kids.  Today's parents are increasingly looking for simple, screen free moments of play with their children. Something as simple as the toy in a cereal box is something they can do with their child.

So...think about this with me. 

What's the "cereal box prize" you can offer kids and families?

Remember...they are looking for simple, screen free moments to share together. 

One thing I have done is to send children home with a small "prize" or toy that ties into the lesson.  Here's an example. If I share a lesson about Daniel and lion's den, I might send home a small, plastic lion figurine and encourage the kids and their parents to use it to talk about the story and lesson learned. They can even act out the lesson at home using the lion and then talk about some key questions together.

Another idea is to give first-time guests a small toy or other gift on their second visit.  Send them a postcard after their first visit and tell them what they will get when they return. I have personally seen this work very well. It actually helped us go from 7% of families returning for a second visit to 38% of families returning.

You can also give families a small craft or activity they can do together.  Hands on activities are a big hit for kids and parents to do together. 

Another factor...kids have great buying influence when families are at the grocery store picking out food.  

Who is going to make the final decision on which cereal to buy?  Most likely, it will be the children. 

The same can be said about picking a church. Children carry great influence in deciding which church the family will attend. In most cases, they are the final decision maker. 

Remember...it's the small things that make a big difference.  

You wouldn't think a small toy in a cereal box would be such a big, determining factor in choices.  It's a great reminder that excellence comes from doing the small things well. The small things add up to excellence. 

Excellence is the whisper that comes from doing the small things well. 

As cereal box toys return, I believe sales for these companies will go back up. Kids love to discover prizes...even when it's just a simple toy in a cereal box.   

I believe if you follow this pattern, your ministry can also grow and retain more new families.

Your turn.  Did you love cereal box toys when you were a kid?  What are some more ways we can implement this into reaching and discipling families?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

This past week, a pastor that I have served with on a couple of ministry endeavors, resigned his church.  He and his wife are divorcing.  

I don't know all the details but it is obviously not good.  Somewhere along the way he couldn't get victory over his greatest leadership challenge. 

His greatest leadership challenge?  It's the greatest challenge that you and I face as well.  It's a challenge that will take you out of ministry if you don't know what it is and don't overcome it. 

The greatest ministry challenge?  Here it is...it's leading yourself well.  

Your greatest leadership challenge is the person you look at in the mirror."

I have found that the hardest person to lead is the person that looks back at me in the mirror.  Do you feel the same way at times? I believe we all do. Even the apostle Paul said in Romans 7, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.”

Can you identify?  I can. 

So how do you meet this leadership challenge?  How do you lead yourself well?  Here are some tips that can help you:

1. Know what your number one job is.  

Your number one job as a leader is to guard your heart.

 "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
Proverbs 4:23

Guard your heart against bitterness.  

Guard your heart against envy.

Guard your heart against disappointment.

Guard your heart against frustration.

2. Keep your eyes on Jesus. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."       Hebrews 12:1-2

 3. Know when your battery is getting low.

It’s easy to know when your phone is depleted, isn’t it? You see it and know to plug it in.                            

But we’re not as quick to know when our personal battery is getting low, are we? We ignore the signs of fatigue, frustration and discouragement. But to lead well, we must know when we are tired, restless and over-extended. Enlist other people to help you watch your personal battery level. Give them permission to speak into your life when they see you are running low. 

4. Spend time with Jesus. 

The discipline of spending time with Jesus is not always easy. If you’re like me, it’s easier to drive a car than it is to wait patiently at the gas pump while it’s filling up. I don’t have time to sit and wait for the car to fill up...I’ve got places to go...things to do...people to connect with. But remember, you can only skip the gas pump for so long before you run out of gas and become stranded on the side of the road. It’s the same spiritually. You have to slow down and get filled up by Jesus if you’re going to keep
going spiritually.

5. Stay teachable so you can remain usable. 

Don’t let success turn you into a know-it-all. Be a learn-it-all. Keep a humble, teachable spirit. Be a leader who is always learning. Learn from everywhere you go and from everyone you meet. When you are open to it, everyone and everything can be your teacher. If you want to be an expert, you have to keep a beginner’s mindset.

6.  Encourage yourself.

There will be times when you get discouraged because things aren’t going as planned. Times when your vision for the ministry is met with mumbles and grumbling. Times when it seems nothing is working. Times when things are going so bad that you’re a step away from quitting. Times when you are at the end of your rope and are about to let go. And there will be no one to help you. No one to turn to.

When this happens, do what David did. He got alone with God and encouraged himself. To lead yourself well, you must get to the point where your encouragement doesn’t have to come from outward sources, but rather from inward.

“And David was greatly distressed: for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons, and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.”                     I Samuel 30 21

7.  Pace yourself.

“ Greatness in ministry is not measured in years, but in decades.”
 

Did you know that over 1,500 pastors quit the ministry every month?  There are a variety of reasons why this happens. Some quit because of moral failure. Some because of doubting their calling. Others for financial reasons. And some quit because they are burned out. Exhausted. Weary in well doing.                  

We must remember that God has not called us to be successful. He has called us to be faithful. And if you’re going to be faithful and go the distance, then you’ve got to find a pace that you can maintain.

Follow these 7 tips and you can finish well. 

These 7 tips are from my book "Lead Well in Children's Ministry."  It is available as an ebook or a paperback book.  You can get it at this link.

A few weeks ago I was in Seattle for a conference and was able to stay over and visit churchome.  Churchome is pastored by Judah Smith.  

I was able to take some pictures of their children's areas and wanted to share them with you. 

It's a good thing to visit other churches and get ideas from them. I tried to do this at least twice a year when I was working as a full-time children's pastor.  

Here are some pictures of the ministry.  While you can't see the intangibles in a picture, you can get some ideas.  So...without further review...I'd like to introduce you to churchome kids' ministry facilities.

We know that delegating is a key part of leading well.  If you don't learn how to delegate or refuse to delegate, then you will limit your leadership.

Successful leaders are effective delegators.

But understand this - there is a big difference between proper delegation versus just dumping work on people.  

Which do you do?  Delegate or Dump?  

Let's look at some key differences between the two.

Delegating is giving up some control and assigning tasks to others...normally to the people that report to you.  And good delegation not only assigns the tasks, but also gives people the authority to make decisions without smothering them.

Dumping involves dumping tasks to the people who report to you.  Normally these are tasks that are boring and uninteresting.  It's assigning the work but not providing the tools or authority so the person can take control of the process.

When you dump something on a team member, it often leads to negative outcomes.  But when you delegate properly, your teammates will feel valued and will own the work.

As a leader, if you delegate well, it will free up time that you can spend focusing on tasks that only you, as the leader, can fulfill.

A sign of dumping is this - you dump the tasks on your team mates without giving them proper direction or guidance on how you want it accomplished.  This leads to them not finishing the task with the proper outcome.  But before you point the finger at them, look at your leadership.  Are you setting them up for success to begin with?

Delegation makes sure the team member understands the task you are asking them to complete.  Dumping doesn't take the time to help the person understand what is needed to complete the task.

Delegation matches the task to a person who has the skills and knowledge to complete the assignment.  Dumping assigns tasks randomly without finding a person who is a good fit for the task.

Delegation provides "follow-up."  This means the person offers support, encouragement, feedback and proper instruction along the way.  Dumping says "good luck with that."

Delegation uses the task to help build up the team member assigned to it.  Dumping uses the team member to complete what you need done.  The team member ends up feeling used instead of feeling valued.  Delegation builds people.  Dumping disheartens people.

I have failed at this several times over the years.  I specifically remember a time when a team member called out sick on Sunday morning.  Desperate, I was looked for someone that could lead that room as a substitute.

I had a young man who had just started serving in a 5th grade group.  When I saw him, I thought, "There is the answer for this dilemma.  I will pull him into the other class as the sub teacher...even though he has no experience and hasn't looked at the lesson.

I moved him over and somehow he survived the hour.  But that was about it...he just survived. And that was my fault.  I had dumped this on him instead of delegating it to him by providing the proper training ahead of time. 

As I followed up with him, I found out that he felt used.  He felt de-valuated because I had not offered him the necessary training and had just shoved him into a room.  

I knew he was correct and I apologized to him.  It taught me a valuable lesson about delegating vs. dumping.  

Do you also see the difference?  I hope this has been helpful.  Learn to delegate properly and you will see your team members serving with a smile on their face.

p.s. Have you read my book "Lead Well in Children's Ministry?"  Check it out at this link.  It will help take your ministry to the next level.

The point is this - every one has experienced some type of emotion while on the ride.  

Each Sunday kids and families come to our ministries.  And here's the question to think about.

How do kids in your ministry feel when they go home from church?

Here are some emotions and feelings you should strive for every child to feel when they go home after your church service or program. 

Welcomed.  They should be made to feel at home.  Even if it's their first visit.  This happens when everyone they meet makes them feel welcome.  It not just the greeters' job to make them feel welcome.  It's everyone's job.  No one person owns the guest's experience.  Their experience is the accumulation of everyone they come in contact with. 

Accepted.  Not looked down on.  Accepted.  Not ignored.  Accepted.  Not judged by what they are wearing or not wearing.  Accepted.  Not compared by what kind of car they drive.  Accepted.  Not left out.  Included.  Not frowned at.  Smiled at.

Excited.  The last thing you want is for kids to come home and say, "It was boring."  Rather, you want to see them come home excited about what they experienced.  It's okay to have fun at church. This is not about content, but rather the way the content is delivered.  Kids should leave feeling like they can't wait to come back next week.  Kids will experience excitement when your lessons are age appropriate, fun, hands on, interactive and a dialogue rather than a monologue.

Cared for.  Every kid and family should have someone who cares about them.  Someone who knows their story.  Someone who is intentional about asking how they are doing.  Someone who knows when they are absent and checks on them.  Someone who encourages them when they are going through a tough time on the journey called life.  

Loved.  Every child wants to know that God loves them.  And God often expresses His love through his servants.  Be a conduit of God's love for them.  Look at them instead of past them.  Love them like family.  Love them with a       I Corinthians 13 love. 

Prayed for.  Every child should hear their name called in prayer each week.  The best way to see this happen is to make sure they are in a small group (6 to 8 kids) with a caring leader.  Ratios are so important if you are going to see this happen consistently. 

Reverence.  As I mentioned above, I believe church should be a fun place for kids.  And that fun should also contain a time of feeling reverent before the Lord.  Lead them to be still and quiet for a few minutes. Invite them to talk to God quietly by themselves.  After a minute or so, invite them to simply sit there and listen.  What is God saying to them in the stillness of the moment?  As you usher kids into the presence of God, you will be amazed at how He will work in their life. 

Closer to God.  Our prayer should be this - every time a child and family leaves church, they should feel closer to God. 

Empowered. Children and parents should walk out the doors feeling empowered to make a difference for the kingdom.  As we equip them, they will feel empowered.  As we encourage them to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and not their own power, they will leave ready to change the world. 

Your turn.  What are some other things kids and families need to feel when they go home after church?  Share them in the comment section below.

A large percentage of churches took their children's ministry classes, services and events online.  And in many cases, they didn't have a choice since the adult services were meeting online as well.  

I'm thankful for the many, many hours children's ministry leaders have been putting into their online content.  It has removed the 4 walls of the church and made the content available for the entire world.

I've talked with many churches who say they are going to continue offering online services for kids even when the pandemic has subsided.  That will be a noble undertaking for sure.  

But before we decide to keep providing kids' content online, I believe there are some questions we must ask ourselves. 

1. Is it sustainable?  Do we have the ability and resources to continue doing this long term?  

2. How can we get an accurate picture of how many are engaging with our content? 

3. Is online the best tool for kids to grow spiritually?  

4. Are we okay with families attending online instead of in-person?  What are the pros and cons of both?

5. What affect or changes will it have on our overall children's ministry?

Personally, I believe there is no substitute for in-person children's ministry.  There's a reason why the Bible says this in Hebrews 10:25.   

"And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near."

And then there is this verse found in 1 Thessalonians.  

"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face."

I believe kids need in-person classes, small groups and services.  I believe churches should go back to offering this as soon as it is safe and doable.  Notice again what it says in Hebrews.

 "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near."

1. In-person services, events and small groups are the best way to see kids grow spiritually.  Kids need to hear a dedicated leader say their name and personally interact with them each week through questions and statements.

2. Relationships are formed and built when kids and leaders connect face-to-face.  Yes, parents are the biggest influence in a child's life.  But I have also found that God will send along another person who backs up what you are saying and helps you influence your children to the right way.

3. Discipleship happens through relationship.  Kids grow faster when they have someone teaching them and investing in them in-person.

4. Ministerial care best happens face-to-face.  Kids and families can be encouraged and prayed for by name and be seen face-to-face as Paul reminds us.  

5. When you meet face-to-face, there are people who can hold you accountable. People who can challenge you.  People who teach you and help you apply God's Word to your life.  People who will call you out when you begin drifting.

Should we stop offering online services and groups for kids?  I'm not saying that.  I do believe it is a great tool that God can and is using in the lives of so many kids and families. 

I don't believe it is an either or.  I believe both are great tools God has given us to reach and disciple kids and families.  

That being said, I do believe the in-person model is what our main focus should be.  How long will it take us to immerse ourselves back into this model?  I'm not sure.  But I do know we were made for internal fellowship.  

Can you do both online and in-person services long-term?  Maybe, but if it comes down to a choice, I would choose in-person every time.

Your turn. Would love to hear what you have to say about this? 

Are you still volunteering in children's ministry during the pandemic?  

Do you feel safe and protected when you serve?  

Do you believe kids and families should attend in person?  What are the pros and cons of this?

Share your thoughts, experiences and findings in the comment section below.

Today's kids are living in the shadow of Covid-19.  They face challenges and opportunities that most of us never faced when we were growing up.  

Let's take a closer look at the unique traits and situations that are defining today's kids.

These stats and findings can provide relevant topics for kids' lessons, parenting classes and more.

A recent report from Kidscreen revealed that...

29% of families are facing financial strain.

27% of kids are struggling with the "new normal."

22% worry about their family.

37% worry about their families' health.

17% worry about their own health.

26% worry about their friends.

30% say their are bored most of the time.

47% are unsure how long they have to stay at home.

Kids ages 6 to 12 describe themselves as...

• depressed or sad - 11%

• stressed or overwhelmed - 10%

• mad or frustrated - 7%

•  scared or worried - 6%

Issues kids are concerned about...

• racism

• gender equality

• human rights

Kids miss their friends, but are keeping in touch with...

• phone calls - 38%

• FaceTime - 37%
  

• texting - 32%
  

• Zoom calls - 28%
  

• video game chats - 27%

• social media - 23%  

32% of parents say they have grown closer to their children during this pandemic. 

15 million were out of school due to the pandemic in the month of April.

3 out of 4 kids around the world are still unable to access remote learning because they live in rural or poor households.

77% of parents took over their child's education through homeschooling.

1 in 4 elementary schools did not implement any digital learning solutions.

37% of parents say they have struggled to find a balance between teaching and working.

How kids are spending their time...

29% - using a camera

27% - playing video games

65% - using a smartphone

82% - watching TV

36% - reading a book

48% - playing outside

11% - hanging out with friends

Top activities families like to do together...

69% - watching TV or movies

67% - cooking and baking

62% - playing video games

61% - playing cards or board games

51% - building things with Legos and models

52% - art crafts and projects

What is selling?  Top 3 brands among kids 6 to 12 years old.

YouTube

McDonalds

Oreos

Consumer spending 

video games increased by $700 million dollars in the first quarter

skateboards -  107%

arts and craft supplies - 11%

books - 117%

webcams - 116%

activity books - 458%

puzzles - 37%

non-fiction books and school books - 127%

outdoor sports and toys - 27%

keyboards - 62% 

This data provides great insight into the lives of the kids of 2020.  I would encourage you to take these findings and use it as a guideline as you prepare lessons, activities, games, etc. for both your online kids and kids who are worshiping in person.  This list is a great resource for teaching topics, skits, games and other parts of your kids' worship.

Remember...today's kids are not yesterday's kids.  Things are much different than when you were a kid. We must be willing to adapt and make changes to be relevant for today's kids.

Each year, across the nation, thousands of churches close their doors.  

The numbers vary from report to report, but most agree that at least 6,000 churches are shutting down each year. 

I have visited many small, dying churches over the years.  And I have found the churches that are dying have a common issue.

Here it is - they are not reaching the generation that is coming behind them.  

I was at a small dying church a few months ago and they had no children in their church.  No babies, no elementary students and no teenagers. 

I thought to myself, "Unless something changes, this church is terminal.  It is just a matter of time until the older generation has passed and the church will have to close its doors."

Take a close look at all the churches that are dying and you will most likely see few, if any, children or teenagers.  

Where there is no crying, the church is dying.

If you want your church to continue to grow and flourish, then you've got to effectively pass the baton to the next generation.  

Here are some practical steps you can take for this...

Realize it is your responsibility to pass the faith to the next generation.  Look what Psalm 78:4-7 says.

"We will not conceal them from their children, but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength and His wondrous works that He has done. For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers that they should teach them to their children, that the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, that they may arise and tell them to their children, that they should put their confidence in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments."  

Inspire older generations to see beyond themselves and encourage them to leave a legacy.  We must help the older generations catch a vision for investing in the next generation.  Explain the "why" of reaching the next generation.  Help them see this...

An inheritance is what you leave for the next generation.  A legacy is what you leave in the next generation.

See the difference?   

Everyone one wants to know that their life meant something. That they left the world a better place.  That the next generation grabbed the faith baton you were handing them. 

Give the next generation opportunities to serve and make a difference.  A key way to engage kids and students is to give them opportunities to serve now. Studies show that kids who are involved in serving stick with their faith.  When you invite young people to serve, you are offering them an opportunity to not just be the church of tomorrow, but also the church of today. 

Serving is a major factor in seeing kids grab the faith baton. If we tell kids they have to wait until they are adults to serve, then they may not be in church to serve when they grow up.  They will be simply following what we told them when they were kids.  Sit still and be quiet. You have to be an adult before you can serve. And then as adults we wonder why they are "sitting still and being quiet?"  It's because that's what we told them to do when they were kids.

Target unchurched families with children.  Churches that turn things around and make it, will be churches that are effective at reaching unchurched children and their families.  

Think of ways you can reach today's kids.  Be willing to go outside the box.  Is it more big events that target the unchurched?  Is it getting members excited about inviting their unchurched friends?  If you are going to escape closing your church doors, then you've got to reach people with the Gospel.

When was the last time the baptismal waters were stirred by new believers?  Especially young couples with kiddos.

Be willing to sacrifice your interests and preferences for the interests and preferences of the next generation.  Let's take a biggie - music.  Music is generational.  It makes sense that the older generations are drawn to the songs that were popular when they were growing up.  Hymns to be specific.  

There are some hymns that still work today, but the vast majority don't connect well with today's kids and students.

I was recently at a church for their morning service.  They had a decent number of teens sitting together in the front.  But I noticed that during the worship that none of them sang.  They just sat there.  Is that their fault?  I don't think so.  If the church would use contemporary music that reflects the music genre that they listen to, you would have their attention and they would be singing. 

But for that to happen, the older members of the congregation have to be willing to change. In some churches, they are just not willing to make that jump for the next generation and it very obvious when you take a close look. 

Churches that are growing are churches that have been willing to set aside their preferences and do whatever it takes to pass the faith to their kids and grand-kids. 

Is your church dying?  If so, are you willing to change?  The death knoll is sounding for many churches. Don't let that be your story. 

Your turn.  Why do you think so many churches are dying?  What steps can be taken to revitalize these churches?  Share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.