RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

How old is too old to be in Children's Ministry?  Not sure there's a specific answer to that question...but I do know this.

The older you get in children's ministry, the more you must surround yourself with younger leaders. 

You'll need them as your energy and stamina wanes.  I remember when I started as a young man 26 years ago, an all-night sleepover was no problem.  I could keep up with the kids.  Now in my late 40's, it's not a sleepover...it's 9:00 pm...time for your parents to pick you up.  That's why I need the leaders in their 20's who can stay up all night with the kids.

The older you get, the more important it is to put younger leaders in front of the kids.  Use high schoolers and young adults for videos, worship, teaching and other up front activities.  This doesn't mean you shouldn't teach or lead up front, but make sure you balance your age with youth.

The older you get, the more intentional you must be to stay in touch with young culture.  You can stay in touch with young culture by being a student of it.  In this post, I share some tips on how to do this.

Notice I said "stay in touch" with young culture...I didn't say "try to be young culture."  You may thing you're still cool at 50...but you're probably not if you're like me...even with skinny jeans on.  And that's okay as long as you surround yourself with young leaders who are.

The older you get, the more you must shift to equipping.  Young children's ministry leaders need your wisdom, experience and guidance.  Instead of trying to be them...pour into them.  When you do this, you leave a legacy that will long outlive you.

The older you get, the more impact you can have.  Talk to older, veteran children's ministry leaders and you will hear stories of how they are now teaching the kids and even grandkids of kids who grew up in their ministry.  The joy of growing old in children's ministry is seeing your ministry bear fruit across multiple generations.

Will I ever retire from children's ministry?  I hope not.  I want to go the distance.  One of my heroes in children's ministry was a lady named Dorothy who taught for us.  She was in her 80's.  While others gave the excuse that they "had put their time in," she kept going.  As she begin to grow more feeble, I asked if she wanted to retire.  Her class was on the second floor and I told her it was getting difficult for her to get up there.  She quickly reminded me that there was an elevator and she would keep on teaching.  She was stubborn that way...a good kind of stubborn.  I was able to talk her into letting me get a younger leader to assist her.  Dorothy taught faithfully until she passed away.  I conducted her funeral...I know she heard the words "well done good and faithful servant" when she entered heaven.  Her faithfulness still inspires me.

If you're reading this and you're not quite as spry as you used to be...be encouraged.  God still has much for us to do.  Let's be like Dorothy and go the distance.  You see...

Greatness in children's ministry is not measured in years...it's measured in decades.

Have you or someone you know been serving in children's ministry a long time?  We'd love to hear your stories.  Share in the comment section below and inspire a younger reader today.

I have noticed something when I visit churches. In many Children's Ministries, the staff and key volunteer leaders are all the same age.  

I'm 46 years old and I've been in Children's Ministry full-time for 24 years.  Someone told me time goes by faster when you turn 40 because you pick up speed going downhill.

As I've aged into my 40's, I've asked myself some questions about my role in Children's Ministry.  If you're reading this and you're 40 plus, I'm sure the same questions have crossed your mind as well.

Should I still be doing this?

Can I still be effective?

Should I move on to something else and let someone younger take my place?

How much longer can I stay in Children's Ministry?

As I've pondered these questions, here are some things God is teaching me. 

I must remain teachable.
I am thankful for what I've learned through years of experience.  Experience that includes some wins and just as many mistakes.  But there is still so much to learn.  I must remain in school for the rest of my life.  Always reading, asking questions, seeking answers, evaluating, and learning from others.

I must remember I'm not 25 anymore.
There are things I could do in my 20's that I can't do now.  This would include all-night lock-ins.  Can I get an amen!  Seriously, I must remember that I have more physical limitations than I did then. 

I must be willing to change.  
The older you get, the harder it is to change.  I must be open to new ideas.  I must hold the ministry loosely and not be tied to philosophies or programs that are no longer effective.  We've all seen older people who are stuck in their ways and refuse to change.  I don't want to be that guy.

I must surround myself with younger leaders.
The older I get, the more important it is to surround myself with younger, creative, energetic leaders.  They can help me think young and stay in touch with the culture.  They can bring fresh new ideas, vision, and passion.  

I must invest myself in young leaders.
I must spend time mentoring, encouraging, and equipping the next generation of Children's Ministry leaders.  I want to help them grow themselves and their ministries far beyond where I am.

I must set a sustainable pace.
If I am going to finish strong, I must find a pace that will take me the distance.  I must remember that God wants me to cross the finish line...not crash and burn.

I must increase the amount of time I spend with the volunteers who minister to the kids. 
I will always spend time ministering to the kids, but as I grow older, I must gradually shift more and more of my time to the leaders who minister to the kids.

I must put young people in the spotlight.  
Children look up to high school and college age kids.  I need to let them be in videos, act in skits, direct the crazy games, lead worship, and be on stage.  

I must confirm my calling. 
I must be committed to my calling.  I am a Children's Pastor...for life.  It is not a stepping stone to another role in the church.  It is the purpose God has for my life.  Yes, the part I play in Children's Ministry will continue to adjust as the years go by, but I will always be in Children's Ministry.

Here's a big shout out to all of my fellow Children's Ministry leaders who are over 40!  You rock!  Now let's go drink our Metamucil and call it a night.