RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I am thankful for technology that is enabling us to share the Gospel with the entire world through the www.

During this pandemic, many children's ministries have taken their message online to continue reaching and teaching kids.  

Some have been somewhat successful while others have not attracted very many viewers. 

We are also seeing hybrid models where children's ministries are offering both online and in-person services. 

All things considered, I believe there is nothing like in-person ministry.

In-person ministry where each child hears their name spoken.

In-person ministry where children are prayed for.

In-person ministry that enables children to interact and learn from each other.

In-person ministry where the presence of God fills the room. 

In-person ministry where children can feel the energy and excitement of being together in one room.

In-person ministry that helps kids build stronger relationships. 

In-person meetings are more productive.  Did you know that on average, an in-person meeting will generate about 13.36 ideas, whereas a virtual meeting will only generate around 10.43?

In-person ministry allows volunteers to make direct eye contact with children.

I believe it is easier to show children that you care with in-person meetings because they can better see your facial expressions.  Plus they can better feel your compassion and heartbeat for helping them grow up to love Jesus.

In-person ministry better helps you build credibility and trustworthiness with the children.

In-person communication and services are needed because the more important a meeting is the more effective communication you need.  We have the most critical, life-changing message in the world.  The message that Jesus was crucified, died and rose again so we could be forgiven.  The higher the stakes and the more critical the conversation, the more you need close proximity to communicate effectively. 

Online meetings and services are here to stay. And let's be honest.  They are easier and more convention to have.  But I believe that as the Covid19 situation continues to improve, we should opt for in-person as much as possible. 

Your turn. what are your thoughts about in-person services vs. online services?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

While many families have returned to church during and following Covid-19, there are many, many who have not.  

Covid-19 has caused significant changes in families' church attendance patterns.  Many churches have seen their attendance drop by 60%.

96% of churches have turned to online services during the pandemic.  Online attendance tripled.  6 out of 10 people started attending remotely.

And for the first time, a large number of churches started offering online services for children.

Fast forward to today.  Many churches are seeing people slowly return to in-person services.  Personally,  I believe it is critical for children to return to in-person worship.  

Here are 10 reasons why. 

#1 - The Bible tells us to gather in person.  The Bible is very clear about this.  Hebrews 10:25 says...

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.

Church is not optional for believers.  We are encouraged to be consistent in our attendance. As children grow up, we must help them understand and be committed to being part of a local church.  The local church is the vehicle God has given us to grow and together impact the world with the Gospel.

#2 - Children need to be connected to caring leaders who they see in-person.  Yes. Parents are the most significant influence in their child's spiritual life.  But God will also send another person of faith into their life to help them grow and mature as believers.  And that person is usually found at church.  A pastor.  A small group leader.  A teacher.  A mentor. 

#3 - Children need to be taught the Word of God so they can grow in their faith.  Yes. Children should be taught God's Word by their parents during the week, but we can't let that discount the fact that children learn and grow in their faith by being at church as well.   

#4 - Children need to develop solid friendships with other children who are believers.  Children become like the people they spend time with.  At church, they can find friends that are walking in the same direction.  At church, they can be around other children who desire to serve God.  At church, they can establish lifelong friendships with children who also love God.

#5 - Children need a parental and church partnership.  It takes both home and church working together to see children follow Jesus for a lifetime.  Children who get Biblical instruction at home, but do not attend church, are being shortchanged spiritually.  And children who get Biblical instruction at church, but not at home, are also being shortchanged spiritually.

#6 - Children need to be part of corporate worship.  There is something special about worshiping God with other believers. Children need to be a part of that dynamic environment. 

#7 - In-person church helps spiritual growth and discipleship become a priority.  How can families show that God is a priority in their life?  Attend church.  How can parents model for their children that God wants to be in first place of their life?  Attend church.  How can children be exposed to God's Word each weekend?  Attend church. 

#8 - In person church helps kids learn to be generous.  They can bring their offering to church.  They can give toward missions.  They can help others in need.  They can give of their time, treasure and talents.

#9 - In person church helps kids learn how to defend their faith.  Like never before, we must help kids know why we believe what we believe.  At church they can be taught apologetics.  At church, they can get the answers to the hard questions.  At church, they can learn the doctrines of the faith. 

#10 - Children can be prayed for and pray for others when they are in person.  It impacts children when they hear their name called out in prayer.  It builds kids' faith when they join others in prayer. 

#Bonus answer - Children can serve others.  We know that kids who are involved in serving have a better chance to follow Jesus for a lifetime.  In person church provides children with many opportunities to serve others.

There are just a few of the many reasons why children need to be at church in person.  Encourage the families in your ministry who have not returned yet.  Help them see the importance of being in church.  

Praise God for online ministry.  It reaches millions of people around the world.  

But...there is nothing like being at church in person.

While I believe online kids' services are making a difference in the lives of kids, I believe we are missing an even greater opportunity to make an impact in the lives of families.

Here's why I am saying this. 

During this pandemic, families have been spending a lot more time together.  That is one good thing that has come out of all this. 

And here's where this can be a game-changer for our ministries.  Families are spending more time together and one way they are doing this is by watching more content (streaming and live) together on TV.  

Shows and movies that appeal to the entire family are trending up.  Producers are increasingly going after content that kids and parents can watch together. 

An example:

Disney+ launched in 2019, declaring that all of its content would be appropriate for any member of a family.  The strategy is working.  They pulled in 53 million subscribers in their first 6 months.  Their growth in large part was due to the fact that families were having to stay home together.  

“TV has become another way to spend time with your family, as opposed to holing up and watching it alone, or parents and kids watching separately.  We have fewer entertainment options right now, so why not make TV one of the things we can do as a family.  What we are going through is trauma, and it’s not going to magically get better.  People are realizing that what is important is family and spending time together.  TV can be a part of that—the right shows can really help people bond, and let them be more of a family through inside jokes about what they’re watching. I think that this trend will continue.”                 Polly Conway, senior TV analyst for Common Sense Media. 

Research currently shows that the most in-demand family friendly series globally in 2020 were The Mandalorian, Supergirl, The Simpsons, Doctor Who, Cosmos: Possible World, Black-ish, Parks and Recreation, Star Trek: Discovery, The X-Files and Fresh off the Boat.

 Conway went on to say this...

“I think the sense of community that TV can bring shouldn’t be understated,” says Conway. “Now that the water cooler is gone, it’s just your own family talking about what’s going to happen to Baby Yoda. TV gives you something to talk about."

Another interesting note is this.  The Millennials, who are young parents now, grew up watching cartoons. But here's the kicker - they have never stopped watching cartoons.  The idea that cartoons are just for kids has been removed.  

That being said, here's where I think we are missing a big win for families.  We are only creating online for kids to watch by themselves.  Kids watch the kid's worship content and parents watch the adult worship content.  Seldom do they watch together.  

What if...what if...what if we changed that and started creating online content that kids and parents watch together.

This fits with what they are doing already...watching content together as I mentioned about Disney+ (the church always seems to be a step or two behind when it comes to cultural shifts).  

Create content that helps kids get their parents watching with them.  Add in things like pause and discuss these questions, do this game together and then talk about how it relates to the main truth of the day, watch this interactive, hands on Bible story together, etc. 

Write this into the content so kids pester their parents to watch with them.  We all know about pester power.  It will work for this as well.  The content should be written in a way that parents must engage for their kids (and them) to get the most out of it. 

Your influence with kids and families will grow as you provide a shared online experience for kids and their parents.  We know that parents are the biggest influence in their kid's lives.  If we truly want to influence kids, then we must influence their parents.  

We all look forward to the day when all kids and families feel safe enough to return to church in person. With the way things are progressing, it looks like this could happen this year. 

Even when the majority of kids and families have returned in person, there is still a huge opportunity to use the concept of shared online experiences for kids and their parents.  What if...what if...you replaced the "take home paper" that few if any parents and kids engage with and instead provided on demand follow-up videos from the lesson that parents and kids watch together?  

I really believe we are missing this and I believe if we will make the shift to online family content, that we can see great spiritual growth and discipleship happening in their lives.

The time is know.  Seize this opportunity.  I believe it can be a game-changer for your ministry. 

Your turn. 

Do you know of any churches that are providing online content that kids and parents watch together?

How can we best engage kids and their parents with an online shared worship experience?

How can we use online content as the new "take home paper" that parents use to disciple their children?