My how children’s ministry has changed during our 38 years of being involved in this ministry. For most children’s ministries, long gone are the days of not having an abundance of curriculums, using embarrassing props and visuals, suffering with “backwoodsy” (I know that this isn’t a word but you get the idea) music, apologizing for antiquated room ambiance, struggling with poorly trained volunteers and staff, and … I could go on and on. It’s a totally different world today for children’s ministry. And yet, with all of these tremendous advances and improvements, I find many children’s ministry leaders and staff that have come to the realization that something is missing. They aren’t seeing the results that they desire. And, because they don’t know what to do, they continue to do what they have always done. While I am no prophet, until there is a change, I will prophesy that they will continue to see the same results week after week, month after month, year after year.
I am keenly aware that among the blog’s readers from over 80 nations there are many children’s pastors and volunteer team members, Sunday school teachers, and mid-week Bible club ministry teams, people that are desirous of a move of God’s Spirit in their ministry and children. These readers are ones who don’t want to have a children’s ministry just for the sake of keeping children entertained while the “real” ministry is done for the adults in the sanctuary. They don’t want to just be dispensers of Bible information nor do they want to be cultivators of a generation that will be church dropouts when the children come of age. These children’s ministry leaders and workers genuinely want a move of God’s Spirit.
With that in mind, in the blogs posted for the next few weeks, I want to share some thoughts focused towards those involved in children’s ministry desiring to discover that missing something. The old way of doing things hasn’t worked. It’s time to start a ministry revolution so that we can see a Joel 2 Generation. I guarantee that what I am going to share isn’t taught in most children’s ministry conferences. Get ready, get ready, get ready.
There is more to come. A Ministry Revolution – Insight #1 will kick it off next week.
I can’t wait. I am still hanging in there. Still undecided, still questioning, still seeking.