This past weekend, I had the opportunity to speak at a children's ministry training event at First Baptist Church of Rogers, Arkansas.
My friend, Shay Caldwell, is the children's pastor there. He is a great leader and I was impressed with all that God is doing through the ministry there.
Here are some pictures I took. I trust they will inspire you and challenge you to go all out to reach kids and families.
As you lead in children's ministry, it's important to keep in communication with your pastor.
I would encourage you to request a meeting with your pastor a minimum of once a year. If you are already doing this, that's awesome.
Here are the questions you can ask.
What is your vision at this time for children's ministry?
How can I best minister to the families of our church?
What are some key teaching topics you'd like to see kids learn about this year?
How can we best support you as a ministry?
Is there anything new that you'd like us to consider trying?
Is there anything you feel needs to be changed or tweaked or stopped?
Is there anything you feel we are missing?
What are some wins for us this year?
What does success look like for our children's ministry?
Often children's ministry leaders are hesitant to request a meeting with the pastor. This may be because they feel like doing this is not important. Or they feel like the pastor is not interested in children's ministry enough. Or they feel like they would be bothering the pastor.
Trust me. Your pastor would welcome this. It only takes you taking the lead and initiating this.
Our goal should be to translate our pastor's heart and vision into the children's ministry.
Your turn. Do you currently meet with your pastor about children's ministry? Why or why not?
If so, how often?
What other advice would you recommend for meeting with the pastor?
Share your ideas and insight in the comment section below.
This past week I was in Orlando, speaking at a children's ministry conference.
My good friend, Heath Bryant, is the children's pastor at First Baptist Orlando. It is an amazing church that is highly committed to reaching the next generation.
They recently opened up their new children's ministry area. I stopped by for a tour and it is one of the best kidmin spaces I have ever seen.
Below are some pictures I took if you'd like to see it.
For many years, I have been an advocate of creating great spaces for kids. Here are some reasons why...
As you look at these pictures, you might be thinking "Our church could never afford to do something like that."
Let me encourage you. Do what you can with what God has given you and He will bless you for it. In one of the first churches where I served, we had around 40 people on Sunday with maybe 2-3 kids. The kids ministry met in the basement in an old dusty room. It was literally the only space available. I looked at that empty room and thought "I have no money to decorate this, but let me see what I can do with no money.
I decided to make it a clubhouse theme. I went out in the woods and found some tree limbs that had fallen, some leaves, etc. and attached it to the entry door. I also made a sign that said "welcome to the clubhouse."
The Lord began to bless that little children's ministry and we started growing.
Here's a word for you. Do what you can. Take what God has placed in your hands and use it as best you know how for His glory. Remember, the boy with the lunch had very little to give but Jesus took it and did a miracle with it.
Whatever you can do....go for it. It might be as simple as bringing in some kid-friendly paint colors or making some props for the teaching area or hallways. And don't sell yourself short. Dream big. Share your vision with your pastor and other church leaders. Take a step in faith because you never know what God may do.
