How to Kill Children’s Ministry? – Step 3
Does the terms “isolate, avoid, hinder, destroy and separate” the gospel from ministry ever come to your mind? Does the question of “what can I do to keep out every child in the neighborhoods” pop up? Does the statement “you are not welcome because you are human” appear in your mind? Do you take joy in children never knowing the gospel? These questions are weird, crazy, confusing and seemingly untrue – at least I hope. Though we might not say these statements, we sure might come across this way to others – especially to God. Idolatry and pride will produce a defensive, non-self assessing boast of “this is how we do it and never will change” mindset only to produce ministry death.
Does the terms “isolate, avoid, hinder, destroy and separate” the gospel from ministry ever come to your mind? Does the question of “what can I do to keep out every child in the neighborhoods” pop up? Does the statement “you are not welcome because you are human” appear in your mind? Do you take joy in children never knowing the gospel? These questions are weird, crazy, confusing and seemingly untrue – at least I hope. Though we might not say these statements, we sure might come across this way to others – especially to God. Idolatry and pride will produce a defensive, non-self assessing boast of “this is how we do it and never will change” mindset only to produce ministry death.
Ministries surrounding someone’s identity other than Jesus’ will crumble spiritually. The crumbling normally is noticed long term through the children growing up never knowing or honestly taught who Jesus is. Mark 3:1-12 supplies a great contrast between two people not honoring or making known Jesus to the world: (1) Pharisees and (2) Unclean spirits. The Pharisees were self absorbed, self -righteous and lacking any humility to follow Jesus or make him known to others (Mark 2:17). Rather, they were making themselves known, including their appearance, beliefs, knowledge and obedience (Mark 2:16, 18, 23-24; 3:1-6). The unclean spirits recognize Jesus and claim his superiority by stating “You are the Son of God” (Mark 3:11). The unclean spirits obey Jesus more than the Pharisees, but by their very nature dishonor him by disobeying him eternally.
Do our ministries put ourselves on display like a Pharisee – not humble, never self assessing to be corrected, putting others down, never lifting the children up through the gospel, limiting healthy feedback and discussion among the teachers and parents, staying superficial with social permissible conversations, and focusing on our talents instead of developing others? Do our ministries put God’s identity on display but contradict it by what we do like a demon – functionally obeying and professing Jesus is the Son of God but heartless and loveless for others, obeying to save self, saying the right things but empty of confidence in them, teaching others about Jesus but never convinced of him, or willing to hide from others though he wants to be made known among people around you?
How to kill children’s ministry? Keep the towns, cities, suburbs and people’s (Mark 3:7-8) from the Son of God through your mighty throne of self-ministry since the world revolves around your throne!
To be continued …
Further Reading:
Vintage Church: Timeless Truths and Timely Methods
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This is part of the blog posts series from Missional Education on the gospel in children’s ministry.
