When I think about these great children's ministries, I am often tempted to believe I need to become like them. Which brings me to today's post: Why NOT To Start a Children's Ministry.
1. Do not start a ministry to be like someone else's ministry or because everyone else is doing it. Unless that someone else is Jesus, don't do it! Trying to be like someone else is not serving the purpose of the ministry, it is serving the purpose of yourself. Your church and your people and your city is unique. Your people have different needs, and you have different capabilities than that cool "big D" director. Meet THOSE needs, not some other city's or church's needs. Granted, a lot of admirable children's ministries have things that you can and should do. Here's an example of what I am talking about:
My husband and I got an opportunity to visit Mars Hill Church Downtown Seattle in the spring. Of course I looked at their kid's areas (I also was dropping off my toddler while we attended service). The Director met me personally, I got a tour of their rooms, as well as some information about their home-made curriculum. Their place was simply stunning and safe (a bodyguard all of service!). I got a pamphlet and some handouts as well to take home. When we got home to good ol' hot Fresno, I sat on my green couch looking at the pamphlets and wanted to cry! They had PAMPHLETS! With really cool graphics! The pamphlets were about parenting resources and seminars and meetings. We didn't do anything like that. I was tempted to run to my computer and start planning a parent's group and make a pamphlet. Thankfully my husband grounded me and talked to me about my own capabilities and limitations and what OUR church needs, not what Mars Hill Church needs. It is still a goal of ours to serve our parents in a way that is helpful. Since then, we have implemented a once-a-month date night drop-off for children. It is really low-key and no fancy pamphlets, but our parents are being served.
2. Do not start a ministry to tuck children away. I think it is necessary to have a place for children who are young. Babies cry, kids can't sit still or stop talking, and their distractions interrupt everything. Because of this (and other reasons), our church currently has a classroom cut-off at the age of 8. We are still working on how old we wish to hold classes for; however, many churches have children's ministry ranging in ages from pre-utero until awkward 25 years-old-but-still-a-teenager group. It can seem like children get their own church, even until the point where they are full-grown adults who should be in the main service. If the preacher is speaking in such a way that is not understandable or completely boring or your service is three hours long, then "children's church" might make sense. Outside of that, it really doesn't. Children are smart and they understand many things. Even complicated things. They get to see examples from their mommies and daddies worshipping God in service. They get to see communion being served and learn about the blood of Jesus Christ.
3. Do not start a ministry because you think YOU are awesome and the ONLY one who can run it. Wrong! God uses the humble to do great things. And there will be a day when you cannot superman enough to make the thing work. Only God can make a ministry work and be blessed. I am constantly tempted to think and function in this manner because I have had a lot of training and experience in child care and ministry. I may be gifted with these skills, and I intend to honor God with my abilities, but at the end of the day, I am a tool. A clay pot in the hand of my Potter. My purpose is to hold the water God gives me and rely on the One who made me.
I'm sure there are more reasons not to start a ministry, but these seem to be the most obvious reasons to me. I want to leave you with an awesome example of what it looks like when you have started a ministry for the wrong reasons. Watch the video below and laugh away ; )
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