RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Volunteers who work in the nursery, sometimes wonder if what they do matters.  The people they serve can't recite Bible verses they've taught them.  They can't tell their parents about the Bible story you shared with them.  They can't pray with you.  If you want to make a big difference in the lives of kids and parents, the last place you'd think about serving is the nursery.

In spite of that, many people do choose to serve in the nursery.  The reasons?  They may like babies and enjoy holding them, rocking them and caring for them.  Perhaps, their grandchild is in the nursery and it's a way to spend more time with them.  Or they may be in the nursery simply because that's where they were asked to serve when they signed up as a volunteer.

Ask a nursery volunteer if they believe they are making an impact in the babies' lives and you will get mixed responses.  If the volunteer says they feel like they are just babysitting cute little babies so dad and mom can enjoy the service, then it's probably because no one has shared with them the huge impact they can make in the lives of the babies in the nursery.

Some new research reveals that the nursery is one of the best places to serve if you want to make a difference in other people's lives.

Let's look at 3 reasons volunteers can make a huge impact on babies' lives.

The spoken word.  Babies usually start speaking their first words when they are 12 months old.  But new research shows that they understand a lot more than they say.  The University of Rochester ran tests that reveal that even at 6 months old, babies can recognize words that are spoken.

Volunteers in the nursery should understand that though babies may not be able to communicate back which words they understand, they understand much of what you are saying.

Help nursery volunteers see that the words of love, encouragement and validation they speak to the babies in the nursery, are heard and received.  Nursery volunteers can make a huge impact in babies's lives by...

• Reading Bible verses to babies.

• Sharing Bible stories with babies.

• Speaking words of life and encouragement to babies. 

• Singing songs to babies.

Make eye contact.  Research shows that when you are holding a baby, making eye contact helps the child sync up with what you are saying.  Looking into a baby's eyes translates into enhanced bonding and learning.

• When you are quoting a Bible verse to a baby, make sure you look into their eyes as much as possible.  It will deepen the impact it has on the child.

• Have a goal each weekend that every baby in your nursery will be held by a volunteer who looks into their eyes and tells them that Jesus loves them. 

Nurture the babies in your nursery.  A new study at Washington University in St. Louis says that nurturing babies can have a big impact on their brain growth.  Babies who were nurtured in their early years, ended up having better brain growth. You can nurture babies by...

• Having a good ratio of volunteers to babies.  Ideally, you want to have 1-on-1 care in the nursery...2 to 1 at the most.  Without a good ratio, volunteers will not have the time and ability to nurture the babies. 

• Providing training and insight for volunteers about nurturing the babies.

• Only placing people in the nursery who feel called to be there.  Nursery is one of the volunteer roles you might be tempted to fill with anyone who is breathing.  You might also have a policy that says if you have children in the nursery, then you need to sign up to serve there.  I don't believe that is the best way to impact babies.  Rather,  I believe the best way to staff your nursery is to find people who have a clear calling to invest in people at the most critical time of their life. 

• Pray Bible verse promises over the babies.  You can put the verses on the wall as a reminder for volunteers to pray the prayer promises over the babies. 

• Partner with parents.  Invite parents to join you in praying Bible verse promises over their child.  Give them a list of verses they can pray over their baby.  Make parents aware of the impact they can make in their child's life if they will be intentional about nurturing them, reading Gods Word to their baby, having faith conversations with their child and singing Bible songs with their child.

I love the truth found in 2 Timothy 3:15.

"and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

It's time we see the nursery for what it really is.  A critical time in a person's life that will mold and shape them for life.

If we will do what Timothy's mother and grandmother did for him, we will see more of the babies in our nursery grow up to love and serve Jesus.

News flash.  Nursery ministry is NOT babysitting. 

It's time the church understands this if we want to reach the next generation.

It's time children's ministry leaders catch the vision for nursery ministry and make it a priority.

It''s time we help nursery volunteers understand the importance of what they do.

Nursery ministry should be so much more than just soothing away tears, changing diapers, keeping up with bottles and making rocking chairs rock.

The truth is this.  Nursery Ministry is ministry at the most critical time in a person's life. 

Here's 4 big reasons why nursery ministry is not babysitting.

Reason #1 - Nursery Ministry is Prayer Ministry.

Do you believe prayer makes a difference in someone's life?  If so, then the early years are a key time to pray for a person.  The early years are a key time to pray God's promises for a person.  The early years are crucial years, when a person needs spiritual warriors praying hedges of protection around them.

Think about the impact the prayers of nursery volunteers can make in the lives of children.

Pray for the child you are rocking.

Pray for the child you are holding.

Pray for the child you are playing with on the floor.

What if...you put Bible promises on your nursery walls and encouraged volunteers to pray those verses over the children while they were with them?

What if...you created a prayer calendar for parents and partnered with them to pray for their babies?

What if...babies and toddlers saw you talking to God as your best friend in the nursery?

Reason #2 - Babies can process information and be impacted by God's Word.  

I can tell you whether or not you think nursery ministry is babysitting or not.  Here's the test.  Do you teach a lesson in your nursery? 

Churches that know nursery ministry is more than babysitting teach lessons in their nursery.

You may be thinking, "Why teach a lesson?  They can't understand what I'm saying, so what's the use?"

Scientific research reveals something much different than this line of thinking.   

A recent study published in Science shows that babies as young as twelve months old are capable of syllogistic reasoning.  Through a series of tests by experts, it has been determined that even infants are able to entertain hypothesis about complex events and modify them rationally. 

Yes.  The lessons should be short.  Yes.  The lessons should be age-appropriate.  Yes.  The lessons should use visual pictures.  And Yes.  It will help build a foundation of faith in a child's life.

What if...you set aside time in the nursery for a brief lesson?

What if...you empowered volunteers to know when they teach even infants, it makes a difference in their life?

What if...you showed babies the Bible each week and told them it is the Word of God?

Reason #3 - You can show babies the love of Christ. 

They may be babies, but they are watching our body language.  They are listening to our tone of our voice.  They are sensing our attitude.

They know if they are being treated as a bother or a blessing.  Show them by your actions that they are a gift from God.

They can look into your eyes and know if you really care about them.  Let the love of Jesus shine through your eyes and into theirs.

They can hear how you talk to them and know if they are valued.  Use your words and tell them they are highly valued by you and by God.

They can observe your mode of operation during the sometimes stressful times of drop-off and pick-up.  Model the patience that is a fruit of the Spirit.

They pick up on how you interact with other volunteers.  Be an example of Jesus' commands to "love one another" and "think of others as more significant than yourself."

They watch as you sing along to the praise lullabies and worship Jesus. Be an example of what it means to be a worshipper.

They can sense the respect you have for God's Word as you hold it before them.

Reason #4 - Nursery Ministry Impacts the Entire Family.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family....because parents with infants decide if they are going to return to a church based on how their child was treated and cared for.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family...because they help lead parent & child dedication, which is a major milestone in a family's life.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family...because it allows parents to hear the Gospel without being redistricted.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family...because nursery volunteers can speak hope, encouragement and influence into the lives of parents during drop-off and pick-up.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family ....because nursery volunteers can influence parents to pray more for their children.

Nursery ministry impacts the entire family...because it can extend what was taught at church into the home.  

If you serve in the nursery, may you gain a fresh perspective of what that means. 

If you serve in the nursery, may God renew your passion and vision to make a difference in the lives of kids and families. 

If you oversee a ministry, make the nursery one of your top priorities.  

If you have nursery volunteers in your church...remind them often that what they do is NOT babysitting.  It is ministry that matters...a lot! 

Join the conversation.  From your perspective, what are some other reasons why nursery ministry is not babysitting?  Share your thoughts, ideas and comments below. 

Christmas is just around the corner.  As you're making your shopping list, thought you might like some ideas for the children's ministry director in your life.

(If you're a children's ministry director reading this, I'm sure you'll like this list.  Have fun and hope this brings a smile to your face after a long weekend of serving.)

Here's 20 funny Christmas ideas for your children's ministry director.

A hypnosis book so he/she can learn how to hypnotize people into serving in the 3-year-olds room.

A gift certificate to Chuck E. Cheese's.

A bounce house with a leak in it.

A robot that can fill in for no show volunteers.

A sound system that actually works.

Self-cleaning toys for the nursery.

A drone that delivers crying babies to their parents in the adult service.

A puppet that automatically syncs up it's mouth with the words the user is saying.

Easter eggs that hid themselves.

Any clothing except a t-shirt with a ministry logo on it.

A mafia boss to persuade volunteers to come to training.

A timer that shuts down all the power in the auditorium when the pastor goes long with his sermon.

Stock in Oriental trading.

Tweak-less curriculum.

Quiet seat prize candy that has a seal that won't open until a child arrives at home.

Name tags that are impossible for parents to lose.

A collection of hats since he/she wears so many.

A monogrammed baptism towel.

A personal chef for kid's camp to spare him/her from having to eat the camp food.

A case of Red Bull energy drinks for weekend services.

Add to the fun.  What would you add to this gift list?  Share your funny ideas with everyone in the comment section below.

Dear Children's Ministry Leader, on this Thanksgiving Day, I am thankful for you.

Thank you for taking care of the 1000 little details during the week that make weekends, programs and events run smoothly.  Most people don't know how hard you work.  But you and I know that weekend services, events and programs don't happen magically.  It takes a lot of work.  Thank you for going the second mile week in and week out to make it happen.

Thank you for looking beyond yourself and focusing on the next generation.  I know children's ministry doesn't always get the attention, recognition, budget and promotion that other ministries do.  But thank you for not letting that stop you from serving the least of these.  You and I know that the least of these will one day do the most for the kingdom.  And you are preparing them for that day.  You are investing in leaders who will lead strong in God's kingdom long after you are gone.

Thank you for loving.  Loving children.  Loving parents.  Loving grandparents.  Loving volunteers.  Loving students.  Your heart is synced with the heart of Jesus.

Thank you for not giving up.  For continuing when you aren't appreciated.  For continuing when you are misunderstood.  For continuing when you make mistakes.  For continuing when the pay is little to none.  For continuing when you are discouraged.  For continuing when the needs are great, but the budget is small.  For continuing when you are short on help.  For continuing when someone you've poured yourself into walks away.  For continuing when your motives are questioned.  For continuing when the kids don't want to listen and seem to do the opposite of what you've taught them.  For continuing when people resist the change you know is so desperately needed.  Thank you for fighting on...for keeping your faith...for staying on course.

Thank you for loving the kid that everyone else is down on.  Thank you for looking beyond what he appears to be and seeing what he can be.  Thank you for believing in him when no one else does.  Thank you for not turning your back on him when he disrupts your lessons and acts out the turmoil he is experiencing outside of church.  Thank you for looking beyond the symptoms and doing everything you can to help him overcome the cause of his actions.

Thank you for embracing the messiness of ministry.  You didn't know it would be this messy when you started.  But now you know...because you're right in the middle of it.  Thank you for embracing families who are dysfunctional.  Thank you for walking toward messy conversations rather than avoiding them.  Thank you for being the friend of sinners.  Thank you for reaching out to kids and families that no one else wants to embrace because of the time and attention that will be required to help them out of the mess they have gotten themselves into.  Thank you joining Jesus in the mess.

Thank you for being a good shepherd.  Thank you for the prayers you've prayed for volunteers who are going through a difficult time.  Thank you for helping hold up a mother and father who have lost a child.  Thank you for the hospital visits...for the minor ones like "tonsils out" to the major ones like someone who is battling cancer.  Thank you for gathering some people with you to help a single mom who needed help moving.   When you got into children's ministry, you didn't realize that you would become a shepherd to the kids, parents and volunteers.  But now you are.  Thanks for shepherding well.

Thank you for who you are.  A servant.  A friend.  A counselor.  A prayer warrior.  A protector of children.  An encourager.   A dreamer.  A planner.  An organizer.  An innovator.  A mentor.  A role model.  A vision caster.  A communicator.  A motivator.  You are all this and more.

I thank God for you my friend.  Your best days of ministry are ahead.  You are anointed and appointed by God for such a time as this.  You are going to be amazed by what God is going to do in you and through you over the next few years.

God keeps great records and great is your reward in heaven.  One day you will see the totality of what God has done through your life and it will be worth everything you have given of yourself to reach and disciple kids and families.

Have a great Thanksgiving!  You are loved!  I thank God for you!

There's no ministry quite like children's ministry.  The best people serve in children's ministry.  The biggest impact is in children's ministry.  The most fun area to serve in is children's ministry.  The most rewarding place to serve is children's ministry.

At first, children's ministry might appear to be an easy place to serve, but believe me, it is one of the most challenging ministries to serve in.  It's one of the only ministries that involves multiple generations.  You interact with children...students...adults...parents...grandparents...
single adults...every age demographic in the church.

Let's check out the ABC's of serving in children's ministry:

A - Attention spans.  They are short and we must honor them.

B - Baby dedication.  What a great time to bless families.

C - Crafts.  We prepare them and present them to kids as a way to learn more about God.

D - Discipleship.  It's about discipling kids, parents and volunteers.

E - Easter.  Jesus is risen.  Everyone shows up at the same time.  Easter eggs.  Kids wear cute little dresses and outfits.

F - Fun.  Make church fun for kids.

G - Goldfish crackers.  The "manna" of children's ministry.

H - High fives.  Give out lots of them to kids and volunteers.

I - Inspire.  Keep volunteers inspired through your words and actions.

J - Jesus.  The standard answer to a review question when a child doesn't know the correct answer.

K - Keep going.  Never give up.  Go the distance. 

L - Listen.  Ask kids open-ended questions and then listen.

M - Millennials.  They are the young parents of the children in your ministry.  Learn how to connect with them.

N - Nursery.  It's not childcare.  It's planting seeds of faith into a person's life at the most critical time.

O -  Object lessons.  Kids love them.  Use them to teach kids God's Word.

P - Parents.  If you truly want to influence children, then you must influence their parents.

Q - Quality.  Do your very best with what God has given you to make the ministry high quality.

R - Ratios.  They are very important to follow.

S - Students.  What a huge impact they make in children's lives. 

T - Teamwork.  It takes a team to run a children's ministry.

U - Update when needed.  Change is the door to growth and staying relevant.

V - VBS.  While some now call it a different name, it's still the premiere summer outreach / event.

W - Worldview.  It is critical we help children develop a Biblical one.

X - eXcitement.  Create exciting worship experiences and events for kids. 

Y - Yahweh.  We serve for His glory and to advance His kingdom.

Z - Gen Z.  They are the largest generation on the planet and our mission field.

Here are 10 common strategy mistakes that children's ministries make. 

#1 - They target the youngest kids in the room when they are teaching.  When they have a group of kids together, they bring the lesson down to the level of the youngest kids.  In doing so, they alienate the older kids.  The younger kids, who take their cues from the older kids, see this and tune out as well.

You can avoid this mistake by aiming for the oldest kids in the room when you are teaching.  Cool rolls down hill.  Catch the attention of the oldest kids in the room and you'll have the attention of all the kids in the room.  You can reach more about this in the book "If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry."

#2 - They beg for volunteers.  When you need more volunteers, the natural tendency is to panic and make desperate appeals for help.  But this is a mistake because it has the opposite effect.  When people see desperation, they pull away.  People are drawn to vision.  Build your volunteer team by offering people the opportunity to be part of something significant.  You can learn more about how to effectively build a great volunteer team in the book "The Formula for Building a Great Volunteer Team."  

#3 - They fill their calendar with events and programs.  They fall into the trap of believing that busyness = productivity.  This spreads their budget, volunteers, staff, marketing and energy thin and they end up with a lot of mediocre events and programs.  A better approach is to focus on doing a few things with excellence.  People are drawn to excellence. 

#4 - They don't involve parents in their child's salvation decision.  They pray the salvation prayer with kids when the parents are not present.  In doing this, they miss an opportunity to reach not only the child, but the entire family with the Gospel.  Another strategy that has been proven to be effective in reaching the entire family, is inviting kids to a class with their parents where the Gospel is shared. 

#5 - They equate knowledge alone with spiritual growth.  Learning Bible facts and memorizing verses is only part of spiritual growth.  It also takes application, relationships and serving for wholesome spiritual growth to take place.

#6 - They put more emphasis on guest follow up than on providing a great first experience for guests.  Follow up can enhance a great first experience, but it can't overcome a bad first experience.  Yes, follow up, but spend even more time and energy on giving guests a great first experience. 

#7 - They tell kids they are the church of tomorrow, but don't allow them to be the church of today.  Kids are the church of tomorrow and today.  It's vital that we give them opportunities to serve and make a difference now.  Kids who are told to "sit still and be quiet" will grow up to "sit still and be quiet."  But kids who start serving and being the church now, are much more likely to serve God tomorrow when they are adults.  You can hear more about this in the webinar "Making Children's Ministry a Priority in Your Church."

#8 - Not connecting with other children's ministries.  It's easy to get so busy that you don't make time to connect with other churches for ideas, brainstorming and feedback.  Being a silo will shortchange your ministry.  Contact some other churches and arrange to visit them.  This can be a regular source of fresh ideas, insight and inspiration. 

#9 - Using lectures as the primary teaching method.  Studies show that the least effective method of teaching is lecturing.  And yet, many ministries still put a talking head in front of kids for 20-30 minutes and wonder why they are bored and disengaged.  The most effective teaching method is hands-on activities, discussions and games.

#10 - Treating the nursery as simply baby-sitting.  The early years of a person's life are the most critical.  Babies' brains can form over 1,000 neural connections every second.  And these connections are the building blocks of their future.  Children who are read to from the Bible, talked to about God, sung worship songs to and given personal attention in the nursery will have better cognitive capacity and a better opportunity to grow up to follow Jesus.

Your turn.  Do you agree with these?  Why or why not?  What are some other mistakes children's ministries make?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.  

I believe nursery ministry makes a huge difference in a church.  And I believe it provides the greatest opportunity to impact children.  There is no other time frame that has so much potential to lay a spiritual foundation in a person's life.

Babies' brains can form over 1,000 neural connections every second.  And these connections are the building blocks of their future.  Children who are read to from the Bible, talked to about God, sung worship songs to and given personal attention in the nursery will have better cognitive capacity and a better opportunity to grow up to follow Jesus.

And nursery ministry leaders that really want to influence and impact children in a significant way, will not only focus on the time they have with the children at church, but will also focus on influencing their parents.  Why?  Parents are the biggest influencers of their children.  A baby's spiritual foundation is most affected by their day-to-day experiences at home.  Coming alongside parents and giving them the tools, resources and knowledge they need to spiritually lead their children at home is a must. 

Please...please...please...make nursery ministry a priority at your church.  The youngest members of the next generation must have your spiritual influence now.

Here are some more practical ways your nursery ministry can impact babies and their parents.

How Nursery Volunteers Can Make a Huge Difference in Children's Lives

Nursery Volunteers...Don't Underestimate the Big Impact You Have 

Top 10 Nursery Tips

A Simple Tool for Partnering with Preschool Parents

How Parents Affect Their Children's Faith (the latest findings)

Do you have volunteers who are just going through the motions?  Have they lost their passion?  Have they grown "weary in well-doing" as the Bible describes in Galatians 6:9?

It doesn't have to be that way.  If you do this one big thing, you can see your volunteers stay fired up and passionate about the ministry. 

Here's the big key.  Keep taking them back to the "WHY."  If I may, let me share some observations about this.

Observation #1 - If you don't focus on the why, the what will take over because it is the most obvious.  The why is not as immediately visible as the what.  Let me give you an example.  For someone who volunteers in the nursery, changing diapers (the what) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing lives changed).  For someone who teaches 3rd graders, the what (telling a Bible story) is a lot more tangible than the why (seeing the kids grow up to love Jesus).  The natural tendency is for the what to overshadow the why.  

Observation #2 - If you don't keep taking people back to the why, it will be forgotten.  Volunteers won't forget the what.  They do the what week in and week out.  They greet, they hand out crafts, they lead songs, they hold babies, they lead a small group, they pray with kids, they teach preschoolers and all the other what's of ministry.  But the why...if you don't take people back to it, can be forgotten over time.  People will forget why they are doing the what's listed above.

Observation #3 - If you will keep your volunteers focused on the why, they will remain faithful in the what.  When volunteers only see the what, they get burned out.  When volunteers only see the what, they lose their passion.  When volunteers only see the what, they get discouraged.  But when volunteers see the why, they will stay faithful in the what.

Observation #4 - You have to be intentional about keeping your volunteers focused on the why.  The why doesn't promote itself, you have to be the promoter.  The why won't tell its own stories, you have to be the storyteller.  The why won't celebrate itself, you have to do that.

When a child steps across the line of faith, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When a young couple's marriage is healed because the volunteers helped watch their baby while they were in a marriage class, let your volunteers know...that's the why.  When new families walk in your church doors, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a child is baptized, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When kids live out their faith, let your volunteers know, that's the why.  When a family is reached for Christ, let your volunteers know, that's the why. 

Observation #5 - The why is what fuels people's passion.  Volunteers long to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Volunteers want to know they are making a difference.  Volunteers yearn to be used by God.  When you show them how it's happening and they feel the joy and satisfaction that comes from it, they will stay fired up.

Volunteers won't stay passionate about changing a diaper, but they will stay passionate about being part of changing a life through serving in the nursery.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about corralling a group of energetic 3rd grade boys, but they will stay passionate about laying a foundation for kids to build their life upon.  Volunteers won't stay passionate about doing crafts with preschoolers, but they will stay passionate about ministering to children at the most critical time of their life.

The what...is the car.  The why is the fuel that will keep it going.  Make sure you keep your volunteers' tanks full! 

As a children's ministry director, there are some questions you should NOT ask your Pastor or the person you report to.  Here are 20 of them.

1. What's a background check?

2. During your sermon today, can you tell people they're going to hell if they don't volunteer in children's ministry?

3. Can I take off Easter weekend?

4. Do you mind if we use a video clip from Mad Max in children's ministry this weekend?

5. Can I borrow your new car for a Costco run?

6. What do you think about me doing a series on Revelation for the preschoolers?

7. Do you mind if we start using Goldfish crackers for communion bread?

8. Can your wife volunteer in the nursery this Sunday since I can't find anyone else?

9. Can I take all my volunteers to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for an appreciation dinner and charge it to the women's ministry budget?

10. Can we add motions to the worship songs in the adult service?

11. Can you cut the worship ministry budget in half and give it to children's ministry?

12. Can you stop going 5 minutes over on your sermon so the kids don't get restless?

13. Can you please call my volunteers and tell them to be on time?

14. Can next week's offering go to sending me to Hawaii on vacation during VBS?

15. What do you think about you and I switching places next week?  I'll teach the adults and you teach the kids?

16.  Can we start using $50 bills for quiet seat prizes?

17.  Can we have a "bring your pet to church" Sunday?

18.  Did you know I don't like kids?

19.  Can we save some money by not changing the babies' diapers in the nursery?

20.  Do you want us to follow up with guest families?

On a more serious note, you can earn the respect of your pastor by leading up well, asking the right questions and providing solutions to the challenges you face.  In this post, I share 10 big children's ministry questions and how to answer them.

Have a great week and lead well. 

From electronic check-in to magic erasers to parent pagers to HD TV's, there have been a lot of inventions that have benefited those in children's ministry.

But...there are still some tools that we're waiting for someone to invent.

Here are 20 of them...

A copier that never jams at the worst possible time. (to be more specific - that doesn't jam when you need 20 more copies right before service is starting and you're desperate)

A memory enhancing pill that enables parents to never forget their pick-up tag.

A baptistery that automatically adjusts the water level down when a child steps in.

An additive you can put in coffee that causes all the choir members to switch to serving in children's ministry.

Self-cleaning nursery toys.

An express lane at Wal-Mart for children's ministry purchases. (especially when you're buying 50 bags of cotton balls)

A worship song that causes all 5th grade boys to sing.

An alarm clock that causes all volunteers to arrive 30 minutes before service begins.

Crayons that never break.

An alarm that notifies the adult service that the kids' service has ended and it is time to say the closing prayer.

A portable campus that sets itself up and puts itself away.

A drone that goes to Costco and picks up the items you need and returns with them.

Baby food that ends up with pleasant smells.

Music that instantly causes babies in the nursery to stop crying and start smiling.

A follow-up email that causes all first-time guests to return.

Helium tanks that refill themselves.

A cookie that immediately relaxes kids who are homesick at summer camp and helps them enjoy the experience.

A time machine that allows you to bring Bible characters back to tell their own stories to the kids.

Glasses that decipher the scribbling called handwriting on some registration forms.

A machine that clones amazing volunteers.

Hope this brought a smile to your face today.  Have a great weekend and thank you for your heart for the next generation.  You matter and what you do matters.

Here's 20 things you'll never regret doing as a children's ministry leader.

1. Sharing the Gospel with kids and families. There is nothing more important.

2. Leading kids in worship.  The purity of their worship must make God smile.

3. Telling a volunteer "thank you."  Your words remind them that they matter and what they do matters.

4. Getting down on one knee to look into the eyes of a smiling preschooler.  It's one of the best things on earth.

5. Going to the hospital to pray with a family.  They won't remember what you said, but they will always remember you were there.

6. Helping a new family feel welcome.  What a joy to be Jesus' arms of love embracing them.

7. Spending money out of your own pocket to show volunteers you appreciate them.  It's one of the best investments you can make. 

8. Helping kids see that God has great plans for their life.  The seed that you plant will help them walk into their destiny.

9. Taking time to pray with a child who is going through a tough time.  Jesus took time to personally minister to children.  When you pray with a child, you're doing what matters to Jesus.

10. Believing in a volunteer and helping them discover the gifts God has placed in them.  Who you help volunteers become outweighs what you help them do.

11. Creating a place where families who are far from God can come and discover God's grace.  It doesn't get any better than seeing a family changed forever by God's love.

12. Giving a child his or her first Bible.  What a privilege to place a love letter from God into a child's hands.

13. Providing parents with the tools, resources and confidence they need to lead their children spiritually.  When you influence parents, you influence kids exponentially.

14. Baptizing someone who has stepped across the line of faith.  It's worth getting wet for every time.

15. Allowing kids to be kids and have fun at church.  They'll grow up loving to be at church.

16. Spending time with your volunteers outside of serving.  This is where lasting relationships are formed.

17. Staying at one place long enough to see kids grow up and keep serving God as adults.  You'll feel old, but it's worth every grey hair you have to color.

18. Looking in the nursery and smiling at a baby.  There is nothing more precious.  It will make your day every time.

19. Saying "yes" when it would have been easier to say "no."  At the end of the second mile is where you'll find the greatest rewards. 

20. Helping young parents dedicate their child to God.  It's awesome to be able to share in the joy and prayers of young parents as they dedicate their child to God

Babies who don't receive positive interaction have worse functioning, attention, processing, language, memory and social skills when they are older.  The first few years of a child's life are critical periods because the brain is rapidly changing.  Studies show that early input has a material effect on brain outcomes. 

I believe the number one way a children's ministry grows is word of mouth.

When a parent finds a place that takes safety and security very seriously, they will tell other families.

When a parent sees his or her child come home from church excited, they will tell other families.

When a parent discovers a church that makes children's ministry a top priority, they will tell other families.

When a new mother walks into a nursery that is calm and loving, she will tell her friends.

When a parent asks his or her child what they learned today at church and the child knows....they will tell their friends.

When a parent walks into a children's area that is clean and well prepared, they will tell other families.

"Good gossip" will grow your children's ministry while "negative" gossip will have the opposite effect.

How do you know if you're creating good gossip?  You will consistently have new families walk through the door who heard about the ministry from another family. 

People will talk...what they say about your children's ministry depends on what you give them to talk about.

Today I give thanks for children's ministry leaders everywhere.

Thank you...for your heart for serving.  You are an extension of the heart of Jesus who came not to be served but to serve.

Thank you...for working behind the scenes to prepare crafts, clean toys, buy goldfish crackers and put together curriculum.  Children's Ministry wouldn't happen without you.

Thank you...for seeing into the future of the church and investing in it's leaders.

Thank you...for loving kids even when they are having a bad day and are being difficult.  They feel your unconditional love and it marks their hearts forever.

Thank you...for being the arms of Jesus hugging a child whose parents are going through a divorce.

Thank you...for leading kids in worship.  You help them connect with their Heavenly Father.

Thank you...for making new families feel welcome.  Your smile is a big reason why they return.

Thank you...for serving when you've had a crazy week and are tired.  That's the weekend God uses you the most.

Thank you...for listening to prayer requests for dogs, cats, and goldfish.  You're showing kids that God cares about even the smallest details of our lives.

Thank you...for encouraging the single mom who's having a hard time balancing everything by herself.  Your encouragement means more than you know.

Thank you...for your passion to teach kids God's Word at the most critical time in their life.

Thank you...for choosing to teach the kid's class over sitting comfortably in an adult class.

Thank you...for changing diapers so a parent's life can be changed as he listens to the Gospel in the adult service for the first time.

Thank you...for staying 30 minutes longer than normal with a child after the service so his parents can talk with the pastor about struggles they are facing.

Thank you...for helping kids memorize God's Word.  It will pop back into their mind one day when they are in college and are about to make a moral decision.

Thank you...for your faithfulness to teach even when it seems the kids aren't listening.  God's Word never returns void.

Thank you...for investing in my kid's lives.  You are one of the reasons why they love Jesus now as adults.

Thank you...for speaking purpose and life into the child's life who is being bullied at school and feels worthless.

Thank you...for whispering a prayer over the baby you are holding in the nursery.  Your prayer makes an eternal difference.

Thank you...for reading my posts, sharing your wisdom through your comments and being my friend in ministry.  I am thankful for you!

May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with joy, good memories and love. 

The smile on a parent's face as dedicate their newborn child to the Lord.

Listening to a child pray.

Watching a child worship God in simple, sincere devotion.

Hearing a child excitedly tell their parent what they experienced during the service.

Seeing a brand new family walk through the door.

Seeing the smile on a volunteer's face when you tell them how God is using them.

Seeing a parent and child baptized together.

Hearing someone say "yes" when you ask them to join the volunteer team.

The contagious giggles of a child when you tell a them a joke and they get it.

Watching the energy of a group of 3rd grade boys in action.

Seeing God use a child to bring a whole family to faith in Christ.

Seeing a volunteer discover and walk in the gifts God has placed inside them.

Watching kids grow up and become young adults who love God.

Hearing a child say, "bababatized."

Looking in the nursery window.

Doing life with volunteers you consider family.

The good tired you feel after a big event.

Seeing a child step across the line of faith.

Listening to a child recite a Bible verse they have memorized.

Watching a father and mother pray a blessing over their child.

What do you love about Children's Ministry?  Share your favorite things with us in the comment section below.

There are some danger zones in children's ministry when it comes to safety and security.

Taking kids to the bathroom is one of those areas where there is the potential for something to happen that could devastate your children's ministry.  I know of several cases where abuse took place in this situation.

The best defense is to have a policy in place that clearly defines the procedure for taking a child to the bathroom.

Here are some of the best policies to have in place.

Best Foundational Policies for all ages:
1. Everyone who serves must have a background check, reference calls, and a personal interview before serving.  No exceptions.
2. No one is ever alone with a child.  There must always be two adults present.
3. The bathrooms the kids use should be "Kids Only" bathrooms.  Make this clear with signage, etc.

Best Policies for Nursery:
1. Only females are allowed to change diapers.
2. Have a security camera in every room.

Best Policies for Preschool:
1. Have direct access to the bathroom from the classroom.
2. If you have to walk the child to the bathroom, always make sure at least 2 adults accompany the child.
3. Look and make sure no one is in the bathroom before allowing the child to enter.
4. Stand outside the door while the child is going to the bathroom.
5. If a child can't get his or her zipper back up and you have to help him or her, make sure you have two adults present and if possible help in an area that is in the sight of others (without embarrassing the child of course).  Another option is to call the parents and ask them to come and help.

Best Policies for Elementary:
1. Have direct access to the bathroom from the classroom.
2. If you have to walk the child to the bathroom, always make sure at least 2 adults accompany the child.
3. Look and make sure no one is in the bathroom before allowing the child to enter.
4. Stand outside the door while the child is going to the bathroom.
5. Do not send older elementary kids into the bathroom with younger elementary kids. 

What are some other policies you follow?  Share with us in the comment section below.

Ready for some fun?

Nursery pager signal sent...where is mom?

Name tag printer jammed...remaining calm...kinda.

Third grade boys...never a dull moment.

Looking for volunteers...everyone is running away.

Four-year-old crying...separation anxiety showing.

Child needs bathroom break...ten friends following.

Last day of VBS...out of energy.

Lesson preparation...stoplights on way to church.

Lesson done...adult service is going over.

Choir...hiding place for AWOL kidmin volunteers.

Kid moving to middle school...parent freaking.

Take home paper...litter on the ground.

50 bags of cotton balls...Wal-Mart shopping.

Copier...not working... at worst possible time.

If you like to talk to tomatoes.

Event over...one hour ago...child remains.

Praying for healing for dogs and cats.

All-night preteen event finished...thank you Jesus.

Deep question asked by kindergartner...left speechless.

Lost and found...30 Bibles stacked up.

Can't remember child's name...he is asking.

Out of breath...worship songs have motions.

Arm is cramping...holding up a puppet.

Driving to hospital visit...tonsils getting removed.

Parents asking...did you have fun today?


On a more serious note...

Child accepting Jesus as Savior...joy overflowing.

New family walking in church door...anticipation.

Listening to child pray...music to ears.

Parents going through divorce...wiping child's tears.

Volunteer going through tough time...praying fervently.

Dedicating parents and babies today...lots of smiles.

Kids are getting it...heart skipping beat.

Listening to kids sing to Jesus...goosebumps.

Family being baptized together...tears in eyes.

Looking at kids...seeing so much potential.

Tired...weary...little appreciation...worth it all.

Add some more seven word stories in the comment section below.  God will use your words to bring a smile to someone today.

Your car has a dashboard that tells you lots of important things.  It's a big indicator of the health of your car.

It's important to have a dashboard for your ministry.  Key elements that you check each week that help you determine the health of your ministry.

Here are 10 items I have on our ministry dashboard.  I check these every Monday morning.  They are not the only indicator of health...but they are key indicators of kids and families taking significant spiritual steps.

Overall church attendance
Are we growing?
How is our attendance compared to this time last year?
What percentage of the overall church attendance is children?

Children's Ministry attendance
Are we growing?
How is our attendance compared to this time last year?
How is the attendance in each area? (nursery, preschool, elementary, pre-teen, etc.)
How is the children's ministry growth compared to the overall church growth?

Small Groups
How many children did we enroll in a small group this week?
How many total children do we have enrolled in small groups?
What percentage of the overall children's ministry attendance is enrolled in a small group?

Volunteers
How many total volunteers served?
How many new volunteers joined the team this week?
How many volunteers do we have compared to this time last year?
What areas do we need more volunteers in?

New Believer's Class
How many children went through our new believer's class? (parents must attend with them)
How many children have been through the class this year?

Baptisms
How many children were baptized this week?
How many children have been baptized this year?

Kids serving
How many kids served this week as greeters, ushers, praise team, tech team, etc.?

Parent & Child Dedication
How many parents and children have we dedicated this year?

New families
How many first-time families did we register?
How many first-time families have we registered this year?

Returning new families (we have a system to track new families who return)
How many new families came back for the second time?
How many new families came back for the third time?
How many new families have returned this year?

What's on your dashboard?  What other indicators do you check?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.