RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

You see more and more pre-teens with smartphones.  While some parents resist giving their kids phones until they hit their middle-school or high school years, more and more are saying "yes." 

When kids get a smartphone, it immediately becomes an indispensable device.  Want to know how much pre-teens like their smartphones?  A survey was done among them that asked the question, "What device would you choose if you could only have one?"  Would it be their tablet?  Video game system?  Laptop?

45% of pre-teen girls say their smartphone would be their one and only device if they had to choose.  This represents a 36% increase in the last 3 years.  27% of pre-teen boys say their smartphone would be their one and only device if they had to choose.  This also represents a 36% increase in the last 3 years.  These results show that the smartphone has become tween's preferred handheld device.  46% of pre-teens currently own a smartphone.  9% of pre-teens boys and 23% of pre-teen girls say they are saving their money to buy a smartphone.  The number of pre-teens who own smartphones will continue to rise.

Ministries that want to effectively connect with pre-teens will take this into consideration and find ways to connect with them via their smartphones.  Here are some questions to think about.

What smartphone apps can be developed that will help disciple pre-teens?

How can ministries use social media to reach pre-teens?  

How can smartphones be used to bring pre-teens and their parents together for spiritual conversations during the week?

How can ministries ensure that they are following safety and security guidelines and protect kids while interacting with them through their smartphones?

How can smartphones be used during a lesson to teach kids Biblical truth?

How can we equip pre-teens to share their faith with their friends through their smartphones?

Share your thoughts and ideas with us in the comment section below.

What keeps kids coming back to church?  What makes the biggest impact in a kid's life?  What is the key to helping disciple kids?

RELATIONSHIPS.

Building relationships with the kids God has called you to reach is one of the most important things you can do.  Here's 4 easy ways.

1. Say "Hi!" 
This may sound simple, but it's effective.  There are kids who go through an entire service without a single adult speaking to them.

This is especially true for kids who are quiet.  You know...the kid who sits alone or is out on the edge of the group.  Just a friendly "hi" can make a difference.

2. Talk with them.  Talk to kids about their world.  What's their favorite movie?  What did they do this week?  How's school going?  What's their favorite sport's team?  What's going on in their life?  

3. Get involved in their activities.
Rather than standing in the back texting before service,  get involved and play games with kids, do activities with kids, etc.  Don't just watch kids have fun, have fun with them.  When you take an interest in their activities, you'll make a connection with them.

4. Become real.  When you talk with kids and get involved in their lives, you become a real person that they will look up to and care about.  You become not just a "teacher" ...but a friend.  Kids will listen to someone who is their friend.  Kids will participate with someone who is their friend.  Kids will come back to church to see someone who is their friend.

It's not about cool buildings...it's not about big budgets...it's not about great programming...it's not about awesome videos...it's about relationships.

The floor is yours.  What are some other easy ways to build relationships with kids?  Share with us in the comment section below.