How Fear Can "Stifle" Your Children's Ministry

Children's Ministry can be one of the most joy-filled places to serve in a church; after all,

what can possibly be more joy-full than listening to children sing praises to God, or hear children pray, or hear children talk about how much God loves them and they love Him?! 

But, it can also be an area where we serve with "fear". While we may not say we are serving with "fear", we may actually be doing so. Let's take a closer look at what, "serving with fear", looks like and what we might do to no longer do this . . . 

• When do not do something because someone else might get upset; we are serving with fear.
• When we do not recruit with enthusiasm because people are tired of hearing how we need volunteers; we are serving with fear.
• When we allow things to continue as they are so we do not, "rock the boat"; we are serving with fear,.

These are just a few ways "fear" can show up in our ministries and when it does, it stifles our ministries. So, what does God have to say about serving with "fear"? Look at this verse . . . 

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Paul told Timothy to use the gifts God gave him, to not be ashamed and to, "hold fast" to God's Word! Sound advice; which we often need to hear and be reminded of as well!

God did not give us a spirit of fear! We do not have to be afraid in our ministries to do what God wants us to do! Stop and think about this for a minute! You do not have to be afraid to do what it is God wants you to do!

God did give us power, love and a sound mind so we can do what it is He wants us to do! Stop and think about this for a minute, too!  What do these things look like in our ministries? Consider the following . . . 

• Power - to me, means, we will have what we need to do whatever it is God wants us to do. I have experienced this for the past several months! 
• Love - while we have God's power to do what we need to do, and we do not need to be afraid to do what God wants us to do, we still need to do it with love. This love needs to be shown to those who may still be operating in a spirit of fear. If others are afraid to do what God wants, treat them with love. Don't stop doing what it is God wants you to do, but also don't "mow them over" in your "quest" to do what God wants you to do. Show love always.
• A Sound Mind - one which is worry free; a mind which is focused on God and filled with His peace! Look at Isaiah 26:3; "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." This past Summer I've learned the power of this verse - as I kept my mind on God and trusted Him, He gave me His perfect peace!

So, move forward in your children's ministry with power, love and a sound mind! Keep your mind on God and trust HIm; He will give you His perfect peace! Don't let "fear" "stifle" your children's ministry!