How Do We Spell Love in Our Children’s Ministries?

I have an important question for you - how do you show love in your Children's Ministry? What do you actually do to show love to the children, families and volunteers in your ministry? While we certainly do need to say we love them, we must also show it, so how do you show your love? Consider the following ideas . . .

Show love to children -

• Greet them by name when they arrive.
• Put your arm around their back or pat them gently on their back or arm.
• Smile.
• Send personal notes - notice when they visit, are absent or have a birthday.
• Listen to them.
• Be patient.
• Engage them actively in learning.
• Pray for and with them.

Show love to the families -

• Know who they are and which children "belong" to them.
• Ask for, and listen to, their input on your Children's Ministry.
• Ask what you may do to better serve the children they love.
• Listen to them.
• Pray for and with them.
• Pray for the children they love.

Show love to volunteers - 

• Tell them how much you appreciate them.
• Notice when they do something special for a child.
• Send personal notes when they need to be encouraged and for special days.
• Listen to them.
• Pray for and with them.
• Give them tangible items to show your appreciation.
• Send them homemade chicken soup if they are ill.

Showing love so it is felt is not difficult, but does require you to make an intentional choice. It is so easy to say we love others - and this is something we need to do, but when we make time to show it, then our love is felt and it is then when the children, families and volunteers in our ministries will believe it is real.