RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Looking for ways to not just meet, but exceed the expectations of the families who walk through the doors of your children's ministry?

Here's a simple way to add a "wow" factor that will have families singing your praises.

Occasionally surprise them by having treats for them as they are coming out of the worship service. 

It can be cookies, ice cream, hot chocolate, hot dogs, candy, lemonade, etc. 

Remember the feeling you get when you walk into a hotel or other place of business and you are pleasantly surprised by the freshly baked cookies they have waiting for you?  It sets them apart from other businesses and makes you want to return.  That's the same feeling families will get when you do this at church.

Disney is a great example of this.  They consistently find ways to "wow" their guests.  Recently, they celebrated the 60th anniversary of Disneyland.  They surprised all the guests in the park with cupcakes.

We surprised families this past weekend with ice cream coming out of our last service.  There were smiles everywhere.

"Wow" new families and they will be back.  The ability to provide "wow" factors is a key to seeing your ministry grow exponentially.

Do your attempts to converse with the kids in your group or class get met with awkward silence? 

Do you have a hard time making new kids feel welcome in your ministry?

Here's 20 tips that will improve your kid communication skills and help you become a pro at one-on-one kid conversations.

1. Ask, "What was the best thing that happened this week for you?"

2. Ask, "What was the worst thing that happened this week for you?"

3. Ask, "What makes you happy?"

4. Ask, "Who would you like to meet that you've never met before?"

5.  Get on their eye level.  Remember you're bigger than they are.  Imagine what it would feel like if you had to look up at someone every time you were talking with them.  When you get on their eye level, it shows you care about them and want to connect on their level.

6. Speak as simple as possible.  It's not the time to use the latest medical term you've learned.

7. Avoid leading questions like, "Don't you want to be a part of that small group?"

8. Avoid general questions like, "How was your week?" or "Did you have a good visit to your grandmother's house?"  These will normally lead to one-word answers, such as, "good," "bad" or "okay."

9. Listen. Really listen.

10. If a child complains about something, ask what they would like to see happen or want to change.  This will validate their feelings and help them focus on a solution.

11. Ask what their favorite movie is?

12. Ask what their favorite video game is?

13. Don't talk down to them.  Baby talk is okay in the nursery, but no where else.

14. Ask what they like to do for fun?

15. Ask, "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?"

16. Ask what their favorite flavor of ice cream is?

17. Ask them to tell you a joke and then share one with them.

18. If you are leading a group, ask the kids to listen to the person who is talking.  Let them know they will be shown the same respect when it's their turn to talk.

19. Ask if they have a pet? If they don't, ask what their favorite animal is.

20. Ask about their family. 

Remember...kids don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.  When you connect with them, it opens their heart to receive what God wants to do in their life through you.