RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

All I can say is "Wow!"  If you teach kids, this video is a must see.

It reinforces what I have been saying for years and presents the best way to teach kids.

This applies if you are a school teacher or you teach kids in a church setting.

If you are reading this in an email, you can find the video at this link.

Watch and be challenged to teach today's kids in new, effective, creative ways.

Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below after you watch it.  What stood out to you?  What do we need to change?  How can we more effectively teach today's kids?

Do you want to improve your skills as a Bible teacher?  As a small group leader?  As a parent?

There's one word you can use that has been proven to make a big difference in communicating with children, helping them grasp what you're teaching and seeing them think about the subject on a deeper level. 

Before I share what the word is, let's look at some of the research behind it.

A team of psychologists in California have been trying to find ways to help children learn more effectively.  Their research has helped them uncover a simple, but powerful way to do just that.

The psychologists gave children a set of blocks with different features.  Some of the blocks played music when put in place.  The children were then asked why they thought some of the blocks caused music to play, while other blocks didn't.

Here's what they found.  By simply following up the activity with the word "WHY,"  the kids were able to learn more effectively.  This one word caused the kids to think on a deeper level because they were asking them to elaborate on something they have observed or been told.

The word "why" also causes kids to focus on abstract information, like cause and effect.  The result - kids learn more effectively.

If you want to improve as a teacher, small group leader or parent, start incorporating the word "why" into your lessons and conversations.

We know many kids are walking out of churches with a shallow faith that can't stand the test of humanism and a secular world view.  Perhaps a big reason is because we haven't been using the word "why" enough.

Teachers.  Look at the lesson you're going to be teaching this weekend.  Are there any "why's" in it?

Small group leaders.  Look at your discussion outline.  Are there any "why's" in it?

Parents.  I know you hear the word "why" a lot.  Especially if your children are younger.  As you're reading them a devotion, you'll hear "Why this?" and "Why that?"  Don't look at those "why's" as a bother, but rather as an opportunity to help your child build a strong faith foundation.  In fact, don't wait for them to ask why.  Take the initiative and ask them first.

The truth is, if we'll start lecturing less and start guiding kids through the "why's," we can see a lot more kids develop a faith that will last.  I was very intentional about writing in a lot of "why's" into the curriculum we developed.  You can see samples and get it at this link.   

Think about this.  Jesus asked a lot of questions when He taught, communicated and interacted with people.  And often when asked a question, He would respond with a question.  The Master Teacher knew the power of "why" long before the psychologists in California did.  Here are just a few examples of the Master Teacher using the word "why."

• Why are you anxious about clothes?  (Matthew 6:28)

• Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye yet fail to perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? (Matthew 7:2)

• Why did you doubt? (Matthew 14:31)

• Why do you make trouble for the woman? (Matthew 26:10)

• Why do you not judge for yourself what is right? (Luke 12:57)

• Why do you not understand what I am saying? (John 8:43)

Our goal must move beyond just having kids parrot back Bible facts to us, but to also have them think about the "why's" behind those facts.  We should not be afraid of asking "why?"  Asking the "why's" will lead kids to a deeper faith.

Asking "why?" opens the door to great conversation.

Asking "why?" causes kids to delve into apologetics.

Asking "why?" can help you transition from being an ineffective lecturer to being an effective facilitator.

Asking "why?" can be the tool that helps kids move beyond a surface faith.

Asking "why?" can turn an activity into a learning, thought provoking experience.

Asking "why? can make a review game more meaningful. 

Let's think about a practical example.  You're sharing the story of Noah.  What are some why questions you could ask?  Here are a few...

Why do you think God chose Noah to build the ark?

Why do you think Noah didn't quit building when people laughed at him?

Why do you think God decided to send a flood and start over with Noah and his family?

Do you think it was hard for Noah to trust God?  Why?

Do you think Noah's family was afraid?  Why?

The people laughed at Noah when he was building the ark.  Why?

Do you think you would have been able to trust God if He had asked you to build a giant boat?  Why?

How many "why's" will you ask this weekend?  Hopefully a lot.  If you do,  I promise you it will make you a better teacher, small group leader, parents and all around kid's ministry Ninja extraordinaire. 

Your turn.  Do you use the word "why" in your lessons, discussions, etc.?  What are some tips or insight you have for this?  Share with everyone in the comment section below.

When I lived in southern California and then in Las Vegas, one of my favorite places to eat was In-N-Out Burger.

Many times, when a person is going west on business or travel, you'll hear someone tell them, "You've got to try In-N-Out Burger!"  I know I make a point to stop by and eat there when I am in the area.

What makes their "fast food" so good?  The answer lies in the owner's commitment to focus on serving a few items with excellence.

They make hamburgers, fries and shakes.  That's it.  All the ingredients are fresh.  There are no microwaves or freezers.  Their shakes are made from real ice cream.  To maintain quality control and service excellence, they remain privately owned with no franchise stores.  Stores are only found in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and Texas.

Their focus helps them create great food.

Let's think together for a few minutes.  Does this same strategy apply to children's ministry?  I believe so.

You can spread your resources, staff, volunteers, budget, time, energy and focus across a vast array of programs, events and other offerings...but you will find it all ends up being so thin, it's ineffective.

Simplicity and focus doesn't just happen.  What does just happen is complexity.  Our natural bent is to equate busyness and volume with success.  And so by default, we begin to fill up our ministry calendars with lots of events.  We begin to spread our resources across everything we're trying to do.  We weaken our volunteer team by trying to fill our many programs and events that all require many volunteers.  This results in us having a lot of mediocre programs and events.

Here are some questions to ask yourself and then talk through with your team...

Are all of our areas lacking volunteers because they are spread across too many options?

What is draining us that is not producing fruit?

What is working that we should shift more focus, resources and time to?

What are we saying "yes' to, just because it makes a few people happy?

If our ministry menu had to be like In-N-Out Burger, what three focused things would we offer?

What is a good thing we need to stop doing so something else can become great?

If we had to cross 5 things off our ministry calendar, what would they be?  What is stopping us from doing this?

Still not convinced?  Let's look at another example of how less is more.

Think about Google and Yahoo.

While Yahoo's site bombards you with hundreds of different choices,  Google only shows 2.  Search and I'm feeling lucky.

Which one has been much more successful?  Obviously Google.

When people look at your ministry, are there so many programs, events and offerings that it leaves them overwhelmed and not engaging fully with any of them?  

And so, I ask you the question from the title of this article.

Is your children's ministry spread too thin to be effective?

Maybe it's time to put some eraser marks on your ministry calendar.  Maybe it's time to decide what your niche' is and focus on doing it with excellence.  Maybe it's time you pour your volunteer force into serving in one or two programs and events.  Maybe it's time you spend your allocated budget on where it can have the most impact.  Maybe it's time to stop doing some things just because it's always been done that way.

Re-focusing a spread out, thinned out ministry and concentrating it on a few key elements can make it much more effective.

Just ask In-N-Out Burger and Google. 

Last week, I taught a session at the Children's Pastor's Conference in Orlando.

It was entitled "Reimagine...Reinvent...Revamp Your Children's Ministry."

Children can't wait any longer for us to change how we do ministry.  While the world around us has changed, many of our ministries have barely changed at all.  Many of our ministries are dangerously outmoded and ill-equipped to reach and disciple Gen Z and their families.

It's time to Reimagine, Reinvent and Revamp our ministries!  In this teaching, I share 10 big challenges today's kids and families are facing.  I also share practical steps we can take to make our ministries relevant, effective and life-giving in the midst of these challenges.

You can download the teaching notes for free at this link. 

The year was 2000.  If this happened to you, I'm sure you remember it.  You got an email that simply said "I love you" in the subject line.  Curious, you opened it and bam!  Your computer was attacked by malware that was downloaded on your click.  The virus overwrote your system files and spread itself over and over and over.  At the time, Guinness World Record named it the most "virulent" computer virus of all time.

Since then there have been a number of viruses that have been unleashed to destroy people's business and personal information.  Some of the most infamous ones were MyDoom in 2004 with losses of $38 billion, Storm Worm in 2006 with losses still being calculated, Slammer with losses of $1 billion and Sasser & Netsky with losses of $38 billion.

CryptoLocker is the most recent virus and is a new strand called ransomeware.  Ransomware is a virus that takes your files hostage.  Released in 2013, CryptoLocker is spread through email attachments and encrypts the user's files so they can't access them.  The hackers then send a decryption key in return for a sum of money.  If you don't pay up, you can lose all your files.  In one month, the virus had over 500,000 victims and costs over $30 million dollars in losses.

Just as there are viruses that can hijack and destroy your computer, there are viruses that can destroy your children's ministry.  It's important to watch for signs of them and know how to protect the ministry.  Let's take a look at five of the deadliest ones and how to prevent them.

DISUNITY 
The disunity virus can destroy your children's ministry if left unchecked.  It spreads through backbiting, competing visions, lack of communication, ministry silos and not following core values.

Unity doesn't happen by accident.  You have to fight for it.  Protect it.  Work for it.  This means everyone being committed to a common vision that is empowered by a set of core values that everyone embraces and lives out.  Unity doesn't mean complete agreement on everything.  But it does mean when there is a disagreement, the two parties talk it out face-to-face and stack hands before walking out of the room. 

COMPLACENCY
This virus works by lulling your ministry into a spiritual stupor.  You lose your passion for reaching kids and families for Christ.  You become comfortable with mediocrity.  The baptistry being dry for weeks on end doesn't bother you.  The status quo is okay.  Lukewarm is the temperature the ministries' thermometer is set on.  The light in the prayer closet is seldom on.  The Bible is read by duty rather than by delight.  Lack of growth is never questioned.

Complacency enters the ministry through complacent leaders.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  Leaders must be a thermostat that set the spiritual temperature rather than a thermometer that just measures the temperature.  Refuse to rest on your laurels.  Refuse to accept the status quo.  Get with God and get a fresh vision and passion for the ministry.  Set some new goals that you'll have to go outside of your comfort zone to reach.  

HISTORY
This virus keeps you focused on the past to the point that it hinders you from moving forward.  You know it's present when you hear words like "we've never done it that way before" or "that program was started by Sister Johnson in 1968 and we can't change it" or "people might not like it if we changed that." 

The past history of a children's ministry is to be honored but it cannot set the agenda for the future.  Every year, you've got to evaluate and take a hard look at each part of your ministry.  Is it still effective?  Is it helping us reach people?  Is it still relevant? 

BUSYNESS WITHOUT PRODUCTIVITY
This virus sneaks in and fills up your ministry calendar with lots of events, programs and other ministry happenings.  It is sneaky in the fact that it makes the ministry very busy, but a closer look reveals there is not much productivity.  Countless events are held, but very few families are reached.  Volunteers, resources and program funding is stretched thin.  The ministry becomes like a merry go round.  Lots of noise and movement, but just going around in circles.

This virus can be prevented by carefully guarding your ministry calendar.  Remember, less is more.  Focus your volunteers, resources and program funding on a few things you can do well.  You can stop this virus with one little, but powerful word - NO.  Remember, what you say no to is just as important as what you say yes to.  Sometimes you have to say no to something good so something great can happen.

NEGATIVITY
You know this virus is trying to get in when you begin hearing words like "can't" or "we already tried something like that and it didn't work" or "we're too small to do that" or "that's a bad idea" or "what if we fail?"   The negativity virus is usually spread by a few Debbie Downers who see life through a negative lens and want everyone else to wallow in their misery with them.

You can combat this virus by perpetuating a "I can do all things through Christ" attitude.  Surround yourself with positive people.  Place positive people in leadership.  If you have a few people that are extremely negative, meet with them individually and let them know they are welcome to share their thoughts but they should come to you directly rather than talking sideways.  If you determine someone's negativity is starting to infect the entire team, it may mean asking them to step out of their role on the team. 

You can also combat this virus by consistently sharing the praise reports and stories of how God is at work.  When people see lives being changed and spiritual fruit happening, it will help overcome negativity. 

Are any of these viruses trying to make their way into your children's ministry?  Is disunity trying to divide the ministry?  Is complacency trying to pour cold water on your fire?  Is dwelling on the past hindering the future of the ministry?  Is the ministry busy, but not productive?  Is negativity trying to hurt the ministry? 

Expel these viruses.  Don't let them stop the ministry from fulfilling God's calling and plan.

We want our ministries to be effective, don't we?  But how do we measure effectiveness?  Here are some practical ways.  These are not blanket statements and there are lots of factors involved like what part of the country you live in, how densely populated your area is and the demographics of your community.  That being said, these measurements are a great place to start.

Measurement #1 - The Percentage of Children Attending Your Church
An effective children's ministry will be a minimum of 10% of the congregation.  In other words, if you have 100 total people in attendance, 10 of them will be children.  Highly effective children's ministries will make up 15-20% of the congregation.  I have seen some as high as 30%.  Here are some tips for growing your children's ministry.

Measurement #2 - Children Taking Spiritual Growth Steps
How many children are committing their life to Christ?  How many children are following Christ in baptism?  How many children are part of a small group?  How many children are practicing spiritual disciplines like reading their Bible, spending time with God, sharing their faith, serving, etc.?  Here are some tips for helping kids take spiritual growth steps.

Measurement #3 - Equipping Parents
How many parents are you equipping to disciple their kids?  What tools and resources are you providing them?  How many parents are taking parenting classes, child dedication classes, etc.?  Here are some tips for equipping parents to lead their children spiritually.

Measurement #4 - Percentage of Guests Returning
How many of your first-time guests are returning?  The national average is 7%.  Are you above or below that?  Here are some tips for seeing guests return.

Measurement #5 - Teaching That Sticks
Is your teaching making it into kids' long-term memory?  Do kids remember what you are teaching weeks later?  Months later?  Years later?  (here are some tips on how to embed your teaching into kids' long term memory)

Measurement #6 - Volunteer-to-Child Ratios
Do you have good volunteer-to-child ratios?  Here is a guide for this:

Here are some tips for building a volunteer team.

My prayer is that God will help our ministries be effective for His glory and the furtherance of His Gospel.

The number one question parents asked their kids when they picked them up from your children's ministry this past weekend was, "Did you have fun today?"

Did you have fun today?

At first glance, it may seem like a shallow question, but take a closer look and you'll see it's really one of the deepest questions a parent can ask.

Why?  Because what they are really asking is this.

"Did they capture your attention today?"

"Did they teach you anything that is relevant to your life?"

"Were you engaged today?"

"Did you feel loved and cared for today?"

"Did you have a good experience?"

Want to know how effective your children's ministry is?  Stand by the exit door and watch how the majority of kids respond when their parents ask them that question.  If they are responding with a shrug and a half-hearted "yeah," then it's an indicator some major changes are needed.

Here's some ways to see kids respond with a smile and "Yes...I had a blast."

10 Reasons Kids Should Play at Church

Why Kids Are Fidgeting in Your Ministry

Hey Children's Ministry Leaders...Make It Fun

Want to Find Out If Kids Like Coming to Your Church? Ask Them These Two Words

Let's define simple children's ministry.

Simple children's ministry...

• has a focused, clear strategy
• thinks discipleship steps instead of programs and events
• keeps ministry areas aligned with the strategy
• does a few things with excellence
• eliminates the unnecessary

The simple strategy works.  Look into the business world and you'll see that the top brands keep things simple.   They cut through the clutter and deliver what customers want, when they want it, without hassle.  They simplify the customer's experience in a complex world.  Here's some examples...

• Google
• Netflix
• Publix
• Amazon
• Chipolte
• Zappos.com
• Dunkin' Donuts
• Burger King
• KFC
• Pizza Hut 

When children's ministries build a culture of simplicity, they can provide families with a great experience.  When families have a great experience, it leads to growth.

When growth begins, the tension of complexity will resurface and come back into play.  The natural bent is to move toward complexity.  It takes hard work to remain simple.  As you grow, you must remain very intentional about keeping processes and steps simple.  You must be committed to saying no to "good opportunities" that are complexity in disguise.

How do you create a simple children's ministry model?  Here's a blueprint.
1. Define who you are as a ministry.
2. Define what your discipleship goals are for kids and families.
3. Create simple steps they can take to get there.
4. Let the steps dictate your ministry calendar and programming.
5. Build your staff and volunteer team to support the steps.
6. Say no to anything that is not part of the steps or strategy.
7. Constantly evaluate the effectiveness of the steps you have in place.  Tweak and adjust as needed.

Look across the country and you'll see the most effective children's ministries follow this simple model.  If you feel like you're spinning your wheels, it could very well be due to the complexity of your ministry.  Remember...less truly is more.  Simplifying can be a catalyst for children's ministry success.