The Top Fourteen Tips for Effective Children's Ministry - Tip #9 - Be Intentional!

How often in ministry do you, "shoot from the hip"? How often do you, "throw everything

at the wall and hope something sticks"? How often do you do things because you have "always" done so? Is your ministry a combination of tradition and jumping from one new thing to the next or is it grounded in prayer and planning?

It is too easy to go through the ministry year, "doing ministry" without ever really being intentional about what we are doing. When and if this is the case, we are limiting how effective we will be. Children's ministry is too important to approach it in a hap-hazard way. We must be intentional about what we are doing and why we are doing it. 

So, if you are serious about being intentional with your children's ministry, consider the following . . . 

• The first step to being intentional in your children's ministry is having a written vision/goals. If you do not have one, focus on doing this as soon as possible!
• Measure all you do by your written vision/goals. Will a potential activity - or even activities you currently do - help you accomplish your vision/goals for the children's ministry?
• Regularly evaluate what you are doing and if you are "hitting the mark". Continue to do those things which you can show are accomplishing the purpose for them.

We need to be intentional about the things we do in children's ministry, because we want to be "hitting the mark". We also want to be responsible about asking for volunteers - to recruit volunteers for activities which do not further the vision/goals of your ministry is not a wise use of volunteer's time - or your own. Be intentional. Seek God's direction. Measure what you do. Be intentional!

What do you do to make sure you are being intentional with your children's ministry?