RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Do you want to see your ministry bear more fruit?  It may require some pruning.

I have a tree in my front yard that is growing quickly.  It started just a foot tall and is now over my roof line.  One reason is because I prune it on a regular basis.

If you've grown plants or trees or other types of greenery, you know how important pruning is.

Pruning by definition means to remove dead or overgrown branches or stems...to slim down...to make reductions...to make cutbacks.

Jesus used pruning in John 15 to show us how to be more fruitful as Christ-followers and ministries.  But pruning can't be done randomly.  It involves a clear strategy.  Here's some steps to take when you're ready to prune.

Identify what is bearing fruit.  Notice what Jesus said.  He said to prune the branches that are bearing fruit.  Identify what is working well in your ministry.  Identify what God is using to reach people.  Identify what is God using to grow people's faith.  Identify what is God using to change lives.  These are the branches that you want to keep resources, volunteers, time and energy flowing into. 

Identify what is not bearing fruit.  What is not growing?  What is being perpetuated that is not effective?  What is being kept alive because sister so and so started it in 1978?  What is still happening simply because "we've always done it that way?"  What is no longer culturally relevant but is operating in a comatose state because of resistance to change? 

Explain why you need to prune.  The reason you prune is so the fruit-bearing branches can get the nutrients and minerals they need to produce even more fruit.  Bottom line...if you want to see lots of fruit, you have to send the resources to the fruit bearing branches.

The plethora of good ministries that you are trying to grow may be keeping you from growing a few great ministries.  The multiple programs you staff with a few volunteers each may be keeping you from staffing a few programs with lots of volunteers.  The long list of events you are pulling off each year with mediocrity may be keeping you from pulling off a few events with excellence.  Your budget that is spread across multiple strategies may be keeping you from adequately funding one or two great strategies.

Prune at the right time.  Timing is important in pruning.  You have to be strategic about when you prune.  For trees that bloom in spring, pruning is best done when their flowers fade.  Trees and shrubs that flower in mid-to-late summer are best pruned in winter or early spring.

The same applies to ministry pruning.  You must be wise about when and how you prune.  Don't make the mistake of rushing in and pruning without counsel or process.  I've made this mistake in the past.  In my zeal to see more fruit produced, I either ran over people or didn't take the time to bring people along and help them see the "why." 

Master pruners make pruning a process instead of a surprise.  They strategically communicate to the right people at the right time.  They get the right people on board and gather momentum before starting the pruning.  

Pruning without knowledge or due process can result in damage rather than more fruit.  Make sure you prune at the right time with the right people by your side.

Be prepared for resistance.  I also have very tall palm trees in my front yard.  They grow branch shoots at the top that have to be trimmed.  This is not always an easy task as they grow in between the larger branches and can be hard to get too.  They are also difficult to cut through at times.  Then after I cut through them, they can get hung up in the healthy branches as I try to drag them out of the tree.

One thing is for sure...when you start pruning, there will be resistance.  No matter how much you communicate the "why" there will be someone who just doesn't get it and will resist.  People simply don't like change...and pruning is change.

But you can't let the resistance stop you from pruning.  The health of the plant is at stake.  Bearing more fruit must take precedence. 

Remember that pruning isn't one and done...it's a continual process.  Pruning must be done on a regular basis if want to remain fruitful.

That's why each year you must evaluate everything you do.  That's why you must ask the hard questions about the ministry on a regular basis.  That's why you must be willing to shift and adjust often.

Be willing to prune everything...including "your" branches.  I have found that it's easy to prune something that someone else started or grew...not so easy for something that I personally started or grew.  Are you same way?  But we can't bear much fruit if we follow this mindset. 

People that bear much fruit hold the ministry with open hands.  They detach the ministry from personal agendas,  preferences or personalities.

Pruning means you must die to yourself and put the fruit bearing of the ministry first.

Get ready for more fruit!  The result of pruning?  The parts of the plant that are bearing fruit get more nutrients which results in more health and more fruit.  Check out what Jesus said in John 15.

He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.  John 15:2

Years ago, I was taught that if you want to bear fruit in ministry then you need lots of branches.  The more ministry branches you had...the more fruit you would bear.  But over the years, I found the opposite to be true.  If you want to bear lots of fruit, then prune your ministry on a regular basis.

Take an inside look at the ministries across the country that are bearing more fruit and you will see that they are pouring their time, energy, volunteers and resources into a few branches that are bearing lots of fruit.

And...they are relentless pruners.

Do your volunteers know and believe that what they do matters?  Don't assume they do.  Show them.  Here's 5 ways...

Show their work on social media.
Take pictures of your volunteers in action and then post it on social media.  Add comments that highlight their ministry.  Here's a few examples of pictures I've posted on our volunteer Facebook page.

Gardine Demesmin helping kids memorize God's Word at our Boynton Beach Campus.

Andrea Rosario, Maria Gutierrez, Yvette Avila and Tina Sands serve at our Royal Palm campus as part of the welcome/greeter team. They help new families feel loved and at home when they walk through the doors. They're a big reason families feel welcomed on their first visit.

Roxann Taylor and Carol Wegener loving on kids and families at our Stuart Campus yesterday. Thank you ladies for helping kids and families discover how much God loves them.

It's volunteers like Nick Rasek that make CF Kids such a special place for kids to learn about God.

Connect their work to the fruit.
Make sure they know when a family is dedicating their child, when a child steps across the line of faith, when a child follows Jesus in baptism, when a child lives out something they taught, when an entire family is reached and other examples of fruit that has come from their ministry.

Let your volunteers know that they each had a part in the lives that were changed.  Whether they greeted at the door or rocked a baby or taught a class or handed out a craft or led a song...God brought fruit from their ministry.

Here's another picture we posted a few months ago.  We were celebrating with our team.  132 kids had followed Jesus in baptism that past weekend.  I wanted to remind them they each had a part in what God did.


Have the kids and families tell them.
It means so much to your volunteers to hear from the kids and families they're impacting.  Have special appreciation days where you have the kids and families bring notes to your volunteers.  Pause during the children's service and have the kids thank the volunteers for serving and impacting their lives.

One of the most impactful moments I've seen is when kids gather around their volunteer leader and pray for him or her.  Try it.  It's priceless.

Personally tell them.
I personally remind our volunteers on a regular basis that they matter.  That what they do matters.  A lot.  Saying "thank you" helps volunteers feel appreciated.  But don't stop there.  Take it a step further.  Tell them that what they do matters.  This helps them feel valued.

Pass along the good words.
When you get a thank you note or email from a family that has been impacted...don't keep it to yourself.  Share it with your volunteers.

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  How do you show your volunteers that their work matters?  Share your ideas and insights with us the comment section below.

As I read this verse, my heart is stirred.  I want to see God do more in my ministry, don't you?

In Luke 5, we see the story of some people who saw God do far more than they could ever have imagined.  In this passage, there are 7 steps to seeing God do more in your ministry.  Read the passage and then I'll share the seven steps with you.
"One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on Him to listen to the Word of God.  He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fisherman had left them and were washing their nets.

Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water.  So He sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.  When He had finished speaking,  He said to Simon, 'Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.'

'Master,' Simon replied, 'we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing.  But if you say so, I'll let the nets down again.'

And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear!  A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell on his knees before Jesus and said, 'Oh, Lord, please leave me - I'm too much of a sinner to be around you.'  For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.  His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, 'Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!'  And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus!"
Luke 5

Step 1 - MORE JESUS
It was when Jesus showed up that they saw the miracle.  His presence was the difference between no fish and boatloads of fish.  It's His power that brings more!

If you want to see God do more in your ministry, more than anything, you need Jesus' presence and anointing on your life.  Without this, you can labor for a lifetime and you won't see any miracles.  Fun games, high-energy videos, cool videos and awesome class spaces don't change lives.  I'm not against these things, I use them.  But they won't change a kid's life.  Only Jesus' presence can do that.

You see, God can do more in 1 second than we can in lifetime.  When we invite Jesus into our ministries through prayer, we will see great miracles.  You can then walk in Godfidence...knowing that He is going to do more than you could ever imagine or ask for.

Step 2 - MORE OBEDIENCE
When Jesus asked them to go back out into the water and let their nets down, they obeyed...even though it didn't make sense.  Look what Simon says...
You see, more obedience results in more blessings.  What is it that God is asking you to do?  Are you willing to obey even though it may seem unreasonable or not make sense?

Step 3 - MORE FRUIT
They saw Jesus do more than they could ever have imagined.  Two boats full of fish!  You may have reached a lot of kids and families up to this point, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.  God wants to use you to reach so many more.

Step 4 - MORE STRETCHING
Did you notice that their nets were stretched so tight that they started to tear and their boats were so full that they almost sank?  Talk about being stretched!

If you want to see God do more, then you have to be willing to be stretched out of your comfort zone.  Always growing...always learning...always teachable.

The temptation after you've been in children's ministry for awhile is to grow complacent...take your foot off the pedal...put it on cruise control.  Guard against it.  Look what Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14.

"Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one things I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude."

Step 5 - MORE HELP
In order to receive all that Jesus had for them, they had to call for some friends to come help them.  If you want God to do more in your ministry, then you've got to prepare by bringing other people to help you receive it.

Build your volunteer base to receive more kids and He will send them.  Check out this verse in Matthew 9:38.

"So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to send MORE workers into His fields."
Step 6 - MORE AWE
When Simon saw the miracle, he dropped to his knees in awe.  He realized the power and majesty of Jesus.  It ushered him into a mode of worship.

That is the response that must come from our hearts when we see God begin to work and bless us with more.  We cannot let the "more" that God sends our way cause us to become prideful or begin to be impressed by ourselves.  We must stay humble....realizing that it is His power that is at work and not our own.

Step 7 - MORE OF WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Look what Jesus tells Simon at the end.

"Don't be afraid!  From now on you'll be fishing for people!" 

If you want to see God do more in your ministry, then you must keep your focus on what matters to God...PEOPLE!

Everything we own is headed to the junk yard.  The car we drive...the house we live in...the clothes we wear...the new 80" flat screen HD TV...it will all eventually be trash.  But there is something that will last forever...something that really matters...and that is people!  People whom Jesus died for and loves.  People who need hope and faith.  People God wants to use you to reach.

May God pour out His blessings on you and your ministry.  May He send you MORE than you could ever imagine or ask for!

McDonald's has been looking for ways to combat declining sales.  One of the strategies they are pursuing is simplifying their menu.

Fortune magazine took an extensive look at the issues plaguing McDonald's and pointed out that they had increased their menu by 75% since 2004 hitting a total of 121 items to choose from.  But instead of helping them, the extensive menu has hurt them.  They are hoping that simplifying their menu will speed up service and make it easier for customers to order.

Many children's ministries make the same mistake by offering too many programs.  They think the more they offer, the more families they will attract and reach.  Unfortunately, this strategy tends to have the opposite effect.  Why?

Families are drawn to quality...not quantity.  They are looking for a few programs done with excellence rather than a boatload of mediocre programs.

Families are looking for simple, clear steps they can take...not a ministry maze they have to try to navigate through.  Don't blame people for not growing spiritually when you make it hard for them to know how.

Families are looking for a few programs that have lots of volunteers....not a lot of programs that each have a few volunteers. 

If your children's ministry is stagnate or declining it may be due to the same issue McDonald's has been working through...too big a menu.  If that's the case, here are some things you can do to simplify.

Take a hard look at what you are doing.  What is working?  What is repetitive?  What are you doing just because you've always done it?

Decide on a few programs that will bear the most fruit.  Which programs are the most effective?  Which programs are making the biggest impact?  Which programs do you want to concentrate your volunteers on?

Prune everything else.  I have a tree in my front yard.  Small branches are always springing up off the big branches.  I have to constantly prune them off.  Why?  They are taking valuable resources and minerals away from the main branches.  If I want to maximize the growth and potential of the main branches, I have to prune those small branches.

I find the same thing happens in ministry.  There are constantly new programs, ideas, initiatives that are springing up.  They are "good" things, but they will take away from the great things that God is working through.  So you have to say "no" to them.

Simplifying is not easy.  Program after program gets added over the years.  And the few people who are attached to them will get upset when you start pruning those programs.  But you can't let the sentiments of a few stand in the way of the growth and blessings that God wants to bring to your ministry.  Pruning leads to more fruit and that must be the deciding factor.

I want to challenge you to take a look at your ministry menu.  Is it too big?  Is it confusing?  Is it keeping you from reaching more people?  If so, it might be time to simplify. 

We are all looking for ways to keep people connected to our churches.  Every church I know grapples with how to close the back door.

Lots of different strategies have been used to keep people connected such as Sunday school classes, home groups, men's ministry, women's ministry, activities, church fellowships (with food involved of course) and more.

These are good strategies, but after years of trying many of them, I have discovered what I believe is the SUPER GLUE that keeps people connected to a church.

Here it is...VOLUNTEERING.

I believe volunteering will keep people connected to your church more than anything else.  Here's why...

Volunteering connects people to a FAR GREATER CAUSE than themselves.  People long to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Something that will enable them to make an impact and leave a legacy.  When you have a clear, God-sized vision, people will connect to it and be a part of it long-term. 

Volunteering helps people continue growing in their FAITH.  Serving is a catalyst for spiritual growth.  The reason many people grow discontent and leave a church is because their faith has grown stagnate.  And usually a stagnate faith is a result of someone only being a hearer of the Word and not a doer of the Word.  Take a look at the people in your church who have an active, growing faith.  They are the ones serving. 

Volunteering connects people to FRIENDSHIPS.  People stay connected to a church because of relationships.  One of the best avenues to build relationships is through serving.  People become friends with the people they serve with and I believe a serving group is one of the best models of a small group.  They pray together, encourage one another, bear each others burdens and do life together.

Volunteering connects people to FELLOWSHIP.  People want to spend time with other believers.  If you are intentional as a leader, you can provide opportunities for volunteers to fellowship outside of serving.  It might be lunch after church, meeting at someone's house on a Friday night for a cook-out or doing an activity together.  Get them started and soon it begins to happen organically.  When people are in fellowship, it keeps them connected.

Volunteering helps people bear FRUIT.  When people see they are bearing fruit, they will stay connected.  You can help them see their fruit by sharing the stories of lives that have been changed and people who have been impacted.  Fruit-bearers stay long term.

How do I know volunteering keeps people connected to a church?  I see it work each week in the lives of the friends I serve with.   Here are a few of them. 

I get calls from churches asking if I can recommend someone to lead their children's ministry.

Many times, they also ask what qualities they should be looking for.  Here's 8 things I encourage them to look for when hiring.

A PASSIONATE FOLLOWER OF CHRIST
Look for someone who is first and foremost in love with Jesus.  Their ministry must be the overflow of their personal relationship with Jesus.

A COLLABORATOR
Look for someone who works well with others.  They must know how to work in a team environment and build solid relationships with other staff members.

A TEAM BUILDER
The person must be able to enlist, equip, and empower volunteers for the work of the ministry.  Their success will hinge on this.

A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF FAITHFULNESS
If you want to know how the person will do, then simply look at what they've done in the past.  Want to know if they can build a volunteer team?  Have they built one where they are now?  Location doesn't change people.

If they're currently a volunteer, have they been faithful?  If they're coming from another staff position, how did they do in that position?  What you see is what you get. 

A LEADER
You must be able to lead people if you're going to be successful in children's ministry.  Look for someone who not only knows how to connect with kids, but also knows how to lead adults. 

A LEARNER
Look for someone who is a life-long learner.  What are they reading?  What are they listening to?  Do they ask questions?  Are they always in personal growth mode?

A VISION CASTER
The person should know how to cast vision.  They should be able to inspire people and move them to what can be.

A FRUIT BEARER
Look for someone who has God's hand on their life.  Someone who sees people come to faith on a regular basis.  Someone who has a heart for people far from God and a passion to reach them with the Gospel.  

What are some other things a church should look for in a children's ministry staff person?  What do you look for?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Sondra Saunders is one of my heroes in Children's Ministry.  She has been the Director of Children's Ministries at the great Prestonwood Baptist Church in the Dallas area for over 34 years. 

Sondra, I honor you for your...

Friendship.  She has been a friend to hundreds of children's ministers.  She has personally impacted my life and ministry through phone conversations, conferences, and visits to her church. 

In the fall of 2010, she allowed me to bring our Early Childhood team to visit and glean ideas from their ministry.  Our team brought back so many valuable ideas.  Sondra has been a mentor and friend to many.

Fruit.  Sondra has been invaluable in the life of her church, reaching countless thousands of children and their families for Christ.  Under her leadership, the children's ministry has grown to minister to thousands of kids each week. 

Further learning.  Some veteran children's ministers make the mistake of thinking they know it all.  They develop a "been there...done that" mentality. 

Not Sondra.  She has always been committed to growing, learning, and looking for ways to improve her ministry.  I have seen her sit in conference workshops taking notes when she probably knew more than everyone else in the room combined...including the speaker.  She has taught me that "great leaders are always in school."

Facilities.  Sondra has been a leader in creating cutting-edge space for children.  She has led in the completion of several building projects designed just for kids.  In many churches, the children's ministry space is an afterthought.  Not at Prestonwood!  The children's ministry building that is named after her is a testimony of a leader and church that loves kids and shows it by investing in facilities and resources.

Faithfulness.  I once heard it said that "greatness in ministry is not measured in years...but in decades."  I couldn't agree more and when I think of faithfulness in children's ministry...I think of Sondra. 

Her life verse is, "Be ye therefore steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 

She has not just quoted this verse...she has lived it.

Thank you, Sondra, for being a hero, leader, and example that we can follow in children's ministry.  We honor you!

If you know Sondra and would like to share what she has meant to your life, feel free to leave your notes in the comment section below.

In our volunteer orientation class, we share 6 benefits of serving in Children's Ministry.

First of all, you’re joining a FAMILY.  You’re going to find you develop friendships with the people you serve with.  You’ll laugh together, share prayer requests, support each other, pray for each other and encourage each other.

You see, we weren’t meant to do the Christian life alone…and serving in Children's Ministry means you will be surrounded by friends who will walk with you on your journey.  You’re gaining a family.

You’re also getting ready to be a part of FUN.  Yep…that’s right.  Fun.  And lots of it.  No matter your age…there’s still a little kid inside you who wants to have fun.  And now that you’re a part of the Children's Ministry team…you can let that little kid out and have fun.  Laugh…smile…enjoy yourself.  Have a good time!

Another benefit of serving in Children's Ministry is FAITH.  You’re going to find your faith growing.  You see, serving is a key component of growing your faith.  So get ready to see your spiritual growth accelerate as you begin serving.

There’s something else you’re going to be part of by joining the team…and that’s a FOCUS.  We are focused on one thing – impacting our world with the love and message of Jesus Christ…everyone...everyday...everywhere.

This is WHY you will be serving.  This is why you will be holding babies in the nursery, this is why you will be helping preschoolers color a Bible story picture, this is why you will be greeting new kids and families, this is why you will be leading group of kids, this is why you will be running a computer presentation or sound board, this is why you will be passing out take home papers, this is why you will be helping families check in, this is why you will be leading kids in worship, this is why you will be sharing a Bible story, this is why you will be helping keep the kids safe.

It’s so they can be impacted by the love and message of Jesus Christ…so they can discover the hope that's found in Him.  This is the focus of the team you are joining.  It’s a focus that’s worth giving your best to.

You’re also going to experience FULLNESS of joy.  There is a joy that comes from serving others.  It’s a deep, abiding joy that comes from knowing God is using your life to help other people.  You’re going to discover it truly is more joyful to give than to receive.  As you give yourself away...your joy will be full.

And finally…you are going to be a part of FRUIT.  The Bible tells us as Christians we are to bear fruit.  By fruit, it means helping other people come to Christ.  And boy did you pick a great place to bear fruit.

Did you know that 85% of people who come to Christ do so before the age of 18.  I believe the heart of a child is the most fertile soil in which to plant the Word of God.  Studies show children learn more in their early years than at any other time in life.

You’re going to see spiritual fruit. You’re going to see kids step across the line of faith and become lifelong followers of Christ.  You’re going to see kids immediately grab hold of what you share and begin to live it out.

And not only will you see the fruit now…but later as well as your ministry continues to bear fruit in their lives as they grow up.

So get ready to experience family…fun...your faith growing…a focus that matters…fullness of joy…and lots of fruit.

(Below is the video we show at orientation that shares the benefits of serving.)