A Children’s Ministry that Calls, Prepares and Sends?

How is the booger control in the room? How is the children’s room demolition crew during playtime? How are the little creatures, germs, getting along with the kids? How are the goldfish snacks in their new kid’s stomach bowl? These are great questions to include in staff meetings, leading the workers from the humorous state of working with children to the deep issues of life. Going deep in a worker’s meeting needs not be a transition from the children’s Circus-Circus to a library cemetery; rather, let it be enjoyable from the service to the deepest part of the ocean. Part of the depth is asking the question, “How is training other workers coming along?”

How is the booger control in the room? How is the children’s room demolition crew during playtime? How are the little creatures, germs, getting along with the kids? How are the goldfish snacks in their new kid’s stomach bowl? These are great questions to include in staff meetings, leading the workers from the humorous state of working with children to the deep issues of life. Going deep in a worker’s meeting needs not be a transition from the children’s Circus-Circus to a library cemetery; rather, let it be enjoyable from the service to the deepest part of the ocean. Part of the depth is asking the question, “How is training other workers coming along?”

Identifying, calling, bringing close and equipping other leaders internally is crucial for the survival of the gospel spreading to the nations. God revealed this truth through Jesus collecting the first twelve disciples (Mark 3:13-19). As Jesus came to leave, so do we as leaders. We know we have an earthly end, therefore, we must train (equip) others to lead. The time to train is always now and not later. For small churches of 50-150, many times a leader seems to have no one available to teach or train. If Jesus calls smelly, blue-collar, callused hand, sweaty fishermen with an IRS agent (tax collector) mixed in, God most certainly has placed someone in your midst to train. If there is still no one, then examine if the church is making disciples. A disciple can only be trained if they were first made.

Make clear your ministry mission and vision for the children’s ministry. Begin slowly to identify a potential leader. Ask them to have a meal to talk over the ministry. Get them on the mission and ensure the mission is clearly connected to the person and work of Christ. Stay light hearted, don't take yourself too seriously, and allow the depth of who Jesus is direct the meetings and training. People will stand and work with you, not all, but those who are called.

To be continued …

Further Reading:

Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods

———-

This is part of the blog posts series from Missional Education on the gospel in children’s ministry.