Thursday, August 1, 2013

14 Ways to "Blow" Your Children's Ministry - Use Negative Labels & Show Favoritism

Positive Signs For Restaurants The Restaurant BrokersIt is easy, far too easy, to label others. We label some kids as "good" kids and others as . . . "not so good". We label some volunteers as "amazing" and others as . . . "not so amazing". We label some parents as "great" and others as . . . "not so great". We label some church leaders as ones who "get it" and others as . . . "ones who don't". Any way we use labels we are "blowing" our children's ministry. Consider the following . . . 
  • When we label some kids, volunteers, parents and/or church leaders as "good", we end up showing preference to them - whether we want to or not. Jesus clearly taught us not to show preference. (See Luke 14 and also Romans 2 and James 2 to see what the Bible teaches about favoritism)
  • Others will be able to tell what you think of them and people live up . . . or down to our opinions of them.
  • How can you effectively ministry to and/or with anyone who you have a negative view of?
  • When you show favoritism  you are NOT reflecting Jesus and are absolutely "blowing" your children's ministry.
So, how do you get a "do over" if you have used negative labels and showed favoritism? First, apologize to any who you need to apologize to and then make it right by changing your attitude and actions. Look for positive things in children, volunteers, parents and church leaders and compliment them on those things. Pray for them and for you and commit to making your children's ministry a place where the positive is noticed and all are loved equally!

The bonus for doing this . . . your ministry will reflect Jesus!

No comments:

Post a Comment