Great children's ministries don't happen by chance. They are built with intentionally. Here are 10 building blocks that you can use to build a great children's ministry.
Vision.
Great children's ministries have a clear vision that fuels the ministry.
Put the vision in writing. Keep in simple. Make sure every volunteer on your team knows what the vision is.
Since vision leaks, consistently take people back to it.
The vision is why you do what you do. This is a foundational building block that you must have in place if you want to build a great children's ministry.
- Do the people on your team know what the vision is?
- Can the people on your team quote the vision?
- Do you have the vision in writing? Plaster it on everything.
Principles.
If the vision is a building block, then principles are the mortar that holds the vision together and makes it become a reality.
If the vision communicates the "why" of your ministry, then principles communicate "how" you do ministry. Here are some examples.
All for One. Unity centered on Jesus and our core beliefts.
Inside Out. Living a life marked by prayer and integrity
Grow to Go. Remaining teachable to become usable.
Live to Give. Stewarding our lives for eternity.
Passion for People. Impacting humanity with the love of God.
- Do you have principles in place that help guide the ministry?
- Have you trained your volunteers to know how to do ministry?
Parent Partnerships.
Great children's ministries know that parents are the greatest influence in the life of a child. They seek to influence the influencers. They equip and empower parents to lead their children spiritually.
- How are you extending the weekend lesson into the homes during the week?
- Do you have milestones in place that help you join hands with parents at the high-impact points in a child's discipleship?
A clear discipleship pathway.
Great children's ministries don't just randomly teach lessons. Instead, they start with the end in mine and create a clear discipleship pathway that takes kids from point A to point Z.
- Have you sat down and mapped out what you want kids to know and believe when they graduate out of your ministry?
- Is the curriculum you are using or writing providing a clear pathway to spiritual growth for kids?
Church Support.
Great children's ministries are built by the church's overall support and encouragement. Their church is committed to reaching and discipling kids and families.
- Does your church show that they value the children's ministry? Does their budget reflect this? Does their staffing priorities reflect this?
- How can you elevate the importance of children's ministry in your church or ministry?
Volunteer Teams.
The foundation of a great children's ministry is built by volunteers. The success of your ministry rises and falls on the strength of your volunteer team.
You must understand this if you want to build a great children's ministry. Spend a big percentage of your time on enlisting, equipping and empowering volunteers to do the work of the ministry.
- How much time are you spending each week building your volunteer team?
- Are you equipping your volunteers to do the work of the ministry or are you trying to do it all by yourself?
Relevant connections.
It is important to stay in touch with today's kids. Today's children are not yesterday's children. Become a student of today's kids. Know what is popular with them. Know the unique qualities and characteristics of the coming generation.
- Are you intentional about keeping in touch with the world of today's kids?
- How are you staying relevant for today's kids?
Engaging Lessons.
Do you teach and share engaging lessons with the kids in your ministry? Today's kids need interactive, hands on, experiential lessons that capture their attention. We have the greatest news every written on paper...God's Word. It's vital that we teach it so it is memorable and applicable.
- Are kids saying your lessons are boring? If they are, they are probably right. It's time for some major changes.
- Are you striving to make God's Word come alive for today's kids?
Outreach.
If you want to build a great children's ministry, then outreach must be one of your top priorities. We are commanded by Jesus to go and share the Good News of the Gospel.
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15
Are you reaching kids and families with the Gospel? Are you baptizing kids and parents on a regular basis? Are you out in the community sharing the Gospel? We are told to get outside the four walls of the church and take the Gospel to the world.
- How can we get out in the community with the Gospel?
- How can we help the kids in our ministry spread the Gospel with their friends, team members, schools, and neighbors?
Great Facilities.
It's not just about the building. It's about making a statement to kids and families that they are important. I believe the best part of a church's facilities should be the children's ministry.
Remember - good facilities will make your children's ministry seem better than it is. Bad or subpar facilities will make your children's ministry seem worse than it really is.
- What are your children's ministry facilities saying to kids and parents?
- What are some needed changes that need to happen with your facilities?
Put these 10 bricks in place and you will experience growth and improvement for your children's and family ministry.
