RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

"Remember NOW thy Creator in the days of thy youth."  (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

NOW is the time to reach the next generation with the Gospel.  Why now? Because 80-85% of people come to Jesus while they are children. 

NOW is the time to disciple the next generation.  Why now?  Because their hearts are open and moldable.  

NOW is the time to equip parents.  Why now?
Because parents are the primary faith developers and kids grow up way too fast.

NOW is the time to pray for the next generation.  Why now?  Because the enemy is set on stealing, killing and destroying them. 

NOW is the time to let children be the church of today.  Why now?  Because they have gifts and talents and God can use them to change the world.

NOW is the time to help the next generation develop a love and commitment to God's Word.  Why now?  Because they will be told that it's just an ordinary book, that it contains errors and is not true. 

NOW is the time to teach the next generation about giving tithes and offerings.  Why now?  Because it will set them up for a lifetime of obedience and blessings. 

NOW is the time to teach the next generation how to share their faith.  Why now?  Because they can effectively share the Gospel with other kids. 

NOW is the time reach more families for Christ.  Why now?  Because God doesn't want to see anyone perish. 

NOW is the time to teach children to pray big prayers.  Why now?  Because God answers prayer.

NOW is the time to give your very best to serve Jesus.  Why now?  Because we only have one life to make a difference and it's time we get serious about using it.

NOW is the time to teach preschoolers about Jesus.  Why now?  Because the early years are the most critical in a child's life. 

NOW is the time to be passionate about reaching the next generation.  Why now?  Because Jesus loves children and wants to be their Forgiver, Leader and Friend. 

NOW is the time to invite other people to serve with you in children's ministry.  Why now?  Because children are the greatest mission field in the world.  

NOW is the time to give your best for Jesus.  Why now?  We only have one life to live and one life to leave our fingerprints on the world.

NOW is the Time!  You are the Person!  Walk in God's call on your life.

Did you know Disney park employees (cast members) have special code names they use over their radios when a situation arises?

Here are a few examples.

When someone tries to spread the ashes of their dead loved one on the Haunted Mansion Ride (yes, people actually try to do this), they use the words "White Powder."  The ride is immediately closed and guests are evacuated.  Then cast members in protective clothing vacuum up the departed’s ashes.

If you hear the words "Code V" come across the radio, it means a guest has vomited and it needs to be cleaned up.  It is also sometimes called a "Protein Spill."

"Code 101" means a ride or attraction has a mechanical failure and must be closed.  "Code 102" means the ride is ready to be reopened.

"Signal 70" means a child has been separated from his or her parent and is lost somewhere in the park.

"Signal 25" means there is a fire.

"The Kiss Goodnight" means a guest is lingering in the park after closing has been announced and needs to be escorted out.

"Code Winnie" means someone has peed in a pool area.

Emergency first responders are called "Alpha Unit."

There's one other secret code I want to tell you about.  It's the code "Treasured Guest."  This term is used to alert other employees about a guest who is exhibiting unruly or rude behavior.  

Disney employees are known for their excellence customer service training and skills.  I think this is reflected so well in these words they use to describe a troublesome customer.

In children's ministry, we often encounter "Treasured Guests" don't we?  A child who is refusing to participate and is sitting in the corner alone.  A parent who is ticked off because they forgot their security tag.  A child who continuously disrupts the class.  A baby who won't stop crying.  A toddler who bites another child.  An elementary child who hits another child.  A pre-teen who says unkind words to another pre-teen and hurts their feelings.  A grandparent who is upset that their grandchild didn't get picked to be the lead role in the church Christmas play.  The family who shows up after you've closed check-in and demands to be accommodated.  The child who has major behavioral issues. 

How do we see the kids and families who put us in these situations?  As a bother?  As a pain to deal with?  As a disruption?  As a bad person?  As a problem that has to be endured?  Let's be honest.  That's normally our first reaction, isn't it?

But what if we started seeing these kids, parents and families as treasured guests?   What if we saw them as Jesus sees them?  What if we treated them as treasured guests?

When everyone else saw Zaccheus as a selfish thief,  Jesus saw him as a treasured guest he wanted to dine with and transform into an honest man who loved God.

When everyone else saw Peter as a hot-headed trouble-maker who denied the Savior, Jesus saw him as a disciple with great potential.

When everyone else saw a Samaritan woman who had failed at multiple marriage relationships, Jesus saw a lady who longed for a true relationship with God.

When everyone else saw just a boy with a lunch, Jesus saw the potential for a miracle.

When everyone else saw a demon-possessed maniac living among the tombs, Jesus saw a man who could be forgiven and made whole.

When everyone else saw diseased-ridden lepers, Jesus saw people who could be healed and receive a fresh start.

When everyone else saw a dead man named Lazarus, Jesus saw resurrection and life.

When everyone else saw cruel, sadistic soldiers, Jesus saw people who did not understand what they were doing and needed God's forgiveness.

When everyone else saw a sheep that had wandered from the flock and gotten lost in the wilderness...a trouble-making kind of sheep...Jesus saw a lost sheep that needed seeking and saving.  A sheep that was worth the shepherd giving his life for.

May God give us eyes to see people as He sees them.  Treasured guests.  May He help us see beyond the behavior issues, the rudeness, the anger, the disruption...and see people for the treasure they are.  Kids and families that are diamonds in the rough.

When we begin to see people as treasured guests, no matter their issues, we will minister to them with love, respect and compassion.  We will be able to see below the surface issues and see who they can become through God's grace.

So...this week...when a parent causes a stink...whisper the words "Treasured Guest."

When a child disrupts the entire class...whisper the  words "Treasured Guest."

When a preschooler gets mad and tears up the craft you've placed in front of them...whisper the words "Treasured Guest."

When you're about to lose it because of the baby who is crying on and on in the nursery...whisper the words "Treasured Guest."

When a parent is 30 minutes late picking up their child and you find out they were talking with friends the entire time...whisper the words "Treasured Guest."

When a pre-teen says mean words...whisper the words "Treasured Guest."

There are times when all of us need grace.  There are times when we all need someone to look beyond our faults and shortcomings and still see us as a treasured guest.  Let's do the same for others. If we do, it will be life-changing for the kids and families in our ministries.

You can get more great ideas for your children's ministry in the best-selling book "If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry."  Order your copy now.

What's the secret to growing a church?  Great worship?  Relevant teaching by a dynamic communicator?  Awesome facilities?  A friendly congregation?  Location?  While all of these can play a part, I believe the most powerful way to grow a church comes in a small package.

What's the small package you might ask?  Children.  Though they are the smallest package in the church when it comes to stature, I believe they are the most powerful when it comes to influence and decision making.

Don't think they affect your church operating budget?  Think again. 

In the latest family spending survey, 46% of parents said they've gone into debt buying something their kids wanted.  

Parents (and grandparents) are drawn to a church that loves their kids.  Parents give to a church that invests in their kids.  Parents choose where to go to church based on their kids.  Parents walk into a church thinking, "What do you have to offer my kids?"  The truth is you can have great worship, great teaching, awesome worship facilities for adults and a great location, but if the kids aren't happy when dad and mom pick them up, your growth as a church will be limited.

Remember this important statement.

When you take a child by the hand, you take their parent by the heart. 

If you want to get the attention of a parent, then do something nice for their child.  If you want to win the heart of a parent, then love their child.  I believe children's ministry is the most powerful way to reach people who are far from God and see them connected to the local church.  No matter how far away from God a dad is, when you love his child, you have his attention.  And no matter how hard a mother's heart is toward God, when you invest in her child, her heart softens.

Think about all the times in scripture when adults came looking for Jesus because of their child.  Here's one example found in Mark 9.

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them.  When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.  “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.  One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk.   And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground.  Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.  So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”  Jesus said to them, “You faithless people!  How long must I be with you?  How long must I put up with you?  Bring the boy to me.”  So they brought the boy.  But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.  “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.  He replied, “Since he was a little boy.  The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”  “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”  The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

This man came looking for Jesus because of one reason - his child.  And it's still happening today.  I could fill a book with stories of entire families I have personally seen reached through their children.  And I've had the joy of serving in churches that decided to invest in children in a major way and as a result experienced exponential growth.

Another great example of people being drawn to Jesus because of their children is found in Luke 18.  Check it out.


Show me a church that is growing and I'll show you a church that makes children's ministry a priority.  Show me a church that is growing and I'll show you a church that is focused on the next generation. Show me a church that is stagnant and I'll show you a church that has lost sight of the power of children's influence. 

Do you really want to see your church grow?  Then make children's ministry a priority.  If you'd like help in making children's ministry a priority in your church, then join us for a live webinar called "Making Children's Ministry a Priority in the Church" on Thursday, April 6th from 8-9:30 pm.  Below is more info. and you can register here. 

Are you looking for some fresh ideas and inspiration for your ministry heading into 2017?  Need a ministry jump start?

Then join us for the live webinar "If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry."

For years, Dale, Justyn and Bruce have studied the behind-the-scenes strategies that make Disney so successful at connecting with kids and families.  And now they are ready to share those strategies with you!

In session one, Dale will share how you can capture the attention of today's kids with your lessons so you can communicate the truth of God's Word with them.  Dale has used these strategies to help build some of the largest and fastest growing ministries in the country.  These are strategies that you can immediately put into action and see results...and the good news...they have nothing to do with budget size!

In session two, Justyn will share how to give guest families a great first experience and see them return.  Juystn leads a great ministry in Minneapolis where he has used these strategies to reach thousands of kids and parents.

In session three, you'll have the opportunity to go into the studio of Bruce Barry.  Bruce is a creative genius who has helped hundreds of churches create dynamic ministry environments.  Bruce grew up immersed in Disney.  His father worked as an artist with Walt Disney, the man himself.  Bruce will share practical ways you can enhance your children's ministry environments with even the smallest budget. 

As a bonus, everyone who registers will receive a free ebook copy of the book "If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry."  The first printing has already sold out and is being read by hundreds of churches both nationally and internationally as well as being used as a seminary textbook.

Space is limited.  Don't miss this opportunity to invest in yourself and your ministry.  You can register today at this link.