I've always said Children's ministry is the most fun you can have at church! Kids are hilarious and so honest and this makes it such a joy to be a part of and of course gives us Kids Ministry leaders many a story to share! My Kidlings (before school aged children) coordinator - Steph shared a story with me from Sunday that confirmed again that Children's Ministry is the most fun you can have at church.
She was standing at the door of the 0-2year old room welcoming kids into the room. A Dad stopped as he was signing in his son and quietly said "Don't worry... but he might ask you to call him Robot". After stifling some giggles Steph nodded, said "okay", smiled and went in to start the day's activities.
Now, this child is often a problem, he frequently refuses to do what the rest of the children are doing and fights hard against the authority of leaders in his room, but the day we found out that he liked to be known as "Robot" changed all this. Steph had no problem at all. "Robot, we're going outside to play now, are you ready?" "Yep" was "Robots" reply. "Robot, we're going to read a story now, would you come and join everyone so you can hear" - "Yep". It was amazing what Robot would do that he had never done before with an ordinary name.
What an extraordinary and hilarious morning all due to "Robot". Children's Ministry is once again awarded the most fun you can have at church!
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Why Koorong? Why?!!!
I went to Koorong yesterday, I was simply looking for some awesome books on children's ministry to encourage my leaders with. It turned into a bit of a saga...
I was looking all over the store for the "Children's Ministry" section, I presumed it would be with the rest of the ministry resources. There was a section for marriage, a section for counselling a section for men, a section for women, there was even a section called "Church Helpers" which was a selection of communion plates and offering pouches.
But...
I couldn't find the section titled "Children". I spotted the "Youth Ministry" section, It was huge, they had curriculum and devotionals, they had small group resources and large group resources, they had worship books targeted at youth, counselling books targeted at youth and they had a 4 tiered shelf dedicated to "Youth Leaders" I thought "wow, they have really got Youth covered. The children section should be close by" However... it was no where to be seen.
My positivity wasn't lost yet, I thought surely I just hadn't spotted it yet, I thought that if I asked someone where it was they would point out a large, brightly coloured sign that read "Children's Ministry" and I would feel like a bit of an idiot, make a "ha ha blonde" comment and get to my business.
But...
When I asked the lovely customer service assistant at the registers where the children's ministry section was, he pointed me toward the children's section. I said "sorry, I don't mean books for children, I mean books about children's ministry". He assured me they were there as well and kindly took me over to the "children's ministry" section.
I was shocked, expecting to peruse Koorong's children's ministry section like I would any other section, having the freedom to pick up books and read the back, have a look inside and say "yay or nay" and move to the next book, I was deeply disappointed to have been directed to a total of 7 books on children's ministry - 7 BOOKS! I was in a world of disbelief and before I could engage the barrier between my brain and my mouth the words "Is that it?" (said in a very shocked and condescending tone of voice) were out there. I must say I felt terrible for the poor guy trying to help me out. I then went on the exclaim my disappointment in Koorong and wondering why they would have almost an entire stores worth of Youth ministry resources any only 7 books dedicated to children's ministry. He was most apologetic and I was then apologetic for my behaviour, I mean it really wasn't his fault.
But...
Is this where we sit as a church on the importance of Children's Ministry? - 7 Books?!
I don't want to take away from the importance of Youth Ministry, this is a vital ministry in our churches and I know and value many Youth Ministries that are changing lives in the name of Jesus and affecting God's kingdom greatly!
But...
Is not children's ministry that vital and important too?
So why, why you might ask am I so outraged? Well let's ask ourselves, Why does Children's Ministry matter?
Probably the most convincing argument is the probability of people accepting Jesus Christ as their saviour for a lifetime relationship. According to Barna’s research, ministry to children has 5 to 8 times the impact compared to older children or adults. Barna’s research on faith development and discipleship also found that the moral development of children is complete by age 9.
Non-religious oriented research on children’s moral and values development substantiates that the foundation for lifelong values and morals are formed at the earliest years.
Church attendance by children also has a lifelong impact. The majority (61%) of adults who attended church as children still attend regularly, while only 22% of those who were not churchgoers as children attend church today. For parents who were churched as children, 63% take their own children to church. That’s double the proportion among adults who were not churched and now have children of their own (33%).
I hope that that we can wise up and see the value in Children's ministry sooner rather than later. Children are however, the church of Today not just Tomorrow - Amen?
I was looking all over the store for the "Children's Ministry" section, I presumed it would be with the rest of the ministry resources. There was a section for marriage, a section for counselling a section for men, a section for women, there was even a section called "Church Helpers" which was a selection of communion plates and offering pouches.
But...
I couldn't find the section titled "Children". I spotted the "Youth Ministry" section, It was huge, they had curriculum and devotionals, they had small group resources and large group resources, they had worship books targeted at youth, counselling books targeted at youth and they had a 4 tiered shelf dedicated to "Youth Leaders" I thought "wow, they have really got Youth covered. The children section should be close by" However... it was no where to be seen.
My positivity wasn't lost yet, I thought surely I just hadn't spotted it yet, I thought that if I asked someone where it was they would point out a large, brightly coloured sign that read "Children's Ministry" and I would feel like a bit of an idiot, make a "ha ha blonde" comment and get to my business.
But...
When I asked the lovely customer service assistant at the registers where the children's ministry section was, he pointed me toward the children's section. I said "sorry, I don't mean books for children, I mean books about children's ministry". He assured me they were there as well and kindly took me over to the "children's ministry" section.
I was shocked, expecting to peruse Koorong's children's ministry section like I would any other section, having the freedom to pick up books and read the back, have a look inside and say "yay or nay" and move to the next book, I was deeply disappointed to have been directed to a total of 7 books on children's ministry - 7 BOOKS! I was in a world of disbelief and before I could engage the barrier between my brain and my mouth the words "Is that it?" (said in a very shocked and condescending tone of voice) were out there. I must say I felt terrible for the poor guy trying to help me out. I then went on the exclaim my disappointment in Koorong and wondering why they would have almost an entire stores worth of Youth ministry resources any only 7 books dedicated to children's ministry. He was most apologetic and I was then apologetic for my behaviour, I mean it really wasn't his fault.
But...
Is this where we sit as a church on the importance of Children's Ministry? - 7 Books?!
I don't want to take away from the importance of Youth Ministry, this is a vital ministry in our churches and I know and value many Youth Ministries that are changing lives in the name of Jesus and affecting God's kingdom greatly!
But...
Is not children's ministry that vital and important too?
So why, why you might ask am I so outraged? Well let's ask ourselves, Why does Children's Ministry matter?
Probably the most convincing argument is the probability of people accepting Jesus Christ as their saviour for a lifetime relationship. According to Barna’s research, ministry to children has 5 to 8 times the impact compared to older children or adults. Barna’s research on faith development and discipleship also found that the moral development of children is complete by age 9.
Non-religious oriented research on children’s moral and values development substantiates that the foundation for lifelong values and morals are formed at the earliest years.
Church attendance by children also has a lifelong impact. The majority (61%) of adults who attended church as children still attend regularly, while only 22% of those who were not churchgoers as children attend church today. For parents who were churched as children, 63% take their own children to church. That’s double the proportion among adults who were not churched and now have children of their own (33%).
I hope that that we can wise up and see the value in Children's ministry sooner rather than later. Children are however, the church of Today not just Tomorrow - Amen?
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