The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #1

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the second biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: the trap of "gossip". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "gossip" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for gossip as it stifles and/or stunts our ministry and causes real harm to others."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #2

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the third biggest danger to our Children's  Ministry: the trap of "comfort". I said; "Falling into the trap of, "comfort" will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for comfort when it stifles and/or stunts our ministry."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #3

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fourth biggest danger to our Children's Ministry: having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do. I said, "Having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do will stop your Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out, and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for having too big a view of ourselves, what we know, and what we can do."

Today I'm writing about Danger #3 . . . 

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #4

Yesterday I wrote about what I consider to be the fifth biggest danger in your Children's Ministry: selfishness. I said, "Selfishness will stop your  Children's Ministry from being effective . . . it is a big danger; so be on guard, call it out and pray, because there is no room in any Children's Ministry for selfishness."

The Biggest Dangers to Your Children's Ministry - Danger #5

Over the years I've served in Children's Ministry, I've had the opportunity to serve in churches where the Children's Ministry - and the church - were effective! Ministries where it was a blessing and joy to serve! Sadly, I've also served in churches where this was not the case. 

Some Things to Think - and Most Importantly Pray About for Sure

Over the years I have been writing this blog - and the website before it - I have had much to say about the things we could and should do when it comes to Children's Ministry. Today I want to write about some things we need to be careful we do Not do.

Lay the Foundation AND Teach the "Whys" - It Matters

More and more often we hear and read about leaders in the church around the world who are renouncing their faith. And not just leaders in the church around the world, but many of us have children, grandchildren, siblings who have turned from a walk with God. What is happening?

So How Can You Tell if Your Church Has a Vision, Passion and Plan For Your Children's Ministry . . . or Not?

We all want to think, and believe, the leaders in our churches understand how vital Children's Ministry is to the overall health of the church; but sadly in far too many churches this is not the case. You can clearly see this when churches add music staff while their Children's Ministries flounder without vision, passion, and a plan. Don't get me wrong; I believe music ministry can be a very effective way for people to use the gifts God has given them and certainly has a role to fill in leading people in praising God, but when 43% of people get saved before the age of 13 and less than 23% get saved after the age of 21 it is obvious how much it matters if our Children's Ministries are one of the primary focuses of the church.

Children Must Know and Walk with God Themselves!

I was reading in Judges 2 where there are some of the saddest verses in the Bible. It said; "After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord  nor what he had done for Israel. Then the  Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. They forsook the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They followed and worshiped various gods of the peoples around them." 

Take Time to Listen . . . To Children, Grandparents/Parents & Volunteers

Your school year ministries are likely winding down, hopefully you are getting ready to engage children/families in your Summer ministry opportunities, and it is time to begin planning for the Fall and back-to-school as well; as you prepare, do not forget to take time to listen . . . to the children, grandparents /parents, and volunteers. It can be all too easy to just "pay attention" to what we think and then do the things we want to do, but ministry is about far more than our own opinions. We need to listen to others - and act upon what we learn. When we do, our ministries will be far more effective. Consider the following . . .