Here is an excerpt from the children's ministry vision statement that I have
presented to the pastor for next year. Maybe something will inspire someone
here...
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3 G�s - Children�s Ministry in 2001
Overview
3 G�s means that you are experiencing three times the normal pressure of
gravity. It means that there is increased pressure on your body and mind.
This occurs when there is a sharp turn or a sudden change in direction.
This is what these 3 G�s are � a sudden change in direction for the
children�s ministry and an increased pressure on the ones involved in the
ministry.
A church without children is a church without a future. We have seen growth
in many areas of the church in the last few years. I feel impressed that
now it is time for the children�s department to experience that same growth.
The 3 G�s are:
GET, GROW, and GIVE.
GET
Although it is a major part of it, �GET� is not limited to just getting
children to church. �GET� means getting their attention. This will be
accomplished through many different methods. The children reached through
each method may overlap, but there will be a �unique� group that may only be
reached in one way. Some of the proposed methods are listed and discussed
below.
1. Bus Ministry � Unfortunately, there are many children that would never
make it to church if they were not picked up on a bus. This happens many
times because the parents do not attend church but feel that the children
should. Bringing the children of unchurched parents in to church on the bus
gives us a chance to introduce the Gospel to the parents. Often this is
done by the children through the papers and stories that they bring home.
2. Children�s Church � When couples with children visit the church, the
children normally go to the Children�s Church while the adults worship in
the sanctuary. This simple act turns the Children�s Church into an
outreach tool. After the service is over the children will either tell the
parents (usually without prompting) how much fun they had and what they
learned or how bored they were. If the Children�s Church program is
exciting, children will tell other children about it. This applies to
�regular� children at the church as well as the visitors.
3. Sunday School � In much the same way as the Children�s Church is an
outreach tool, so is the Sunday School. In the short time that the children
spend in Sunday School, they will decide if it is something that they want
to come back to. Our responsibility then is to create an atmosphere that
they will look forward to coming back to every Sunday and bring their
friends.
4. Royal Rangers/Missionettes � These two Wednesday night programs(as well
as the Youth group) are a unique outreach ministry in themselves.
Wednesday night tends to draw in many children that go to church elsewhere
on Sunday as well as those that don�t attend anywhere. The Wednesday night
ministries bring in many more children than Sunday morning. Each ministry
has its own particular thing that draws children in to it. The services
are, once again, ones that children (and youth) can�t wait to tell their
friends about and bring them to the following week.
5. VBS / Kid�s Crusade � An event that lasts several days has a special
attraction to it. It tends to be perceived as less of a �recruitment
effort� by the church and more of a community service. It gives children
who go to other churches on Sunday and Wednesday a chance to attend. As in
everything else, children will talk to their friends and invite them. As
momentum builds attendance normally increases every day. A week long event
creates more opportunities for promotions and contests that will also bring
children in.
6. Special Events (at the church) � A one day event is an excellent outreach
tool. The children (most brought by their parents) come to the church to
have fun and then are presented with the Gospel and a chance to be saved.
These events reach the children and their parents at the same time. These
type events cross denominational lines easily because of their
non-threatening approach. Several events of this type a year will help us
to reach out to even more children.
7. Super Saturday (other locations) � There will always be a select group of
children that will not make it to an event unless it is in their backyard or
at least in their neighborhood. This is the group that the Super Saturday
program reaches. An event is heavily publicized in a target area. On that
day a team sets up the portable stage while another team goes out to bring
people in. The crowd that gathers is then treated to an entertaining show,
Gospel presentation, games and prize drawings. Depending on the area, this
can also be combined with a food giveaway or free lunch.
8. After school sports - This is an almost untapped area of outreach. The
idea is simple. Someone who works with the children and is known by them
(and their parents) lets some of the children in the area know that they
will be there one afternoon and want to play some touch-football,
basketball, softball, etc. The children are encouraged to gather their
friends for a big game. Two workers show up on that day and play sports
with the children. In the process of the game the workers have a chance to
tell about the children�s programs and invite the children to church. There
is always the chance to finish off the game with refreshments and a chance
to witness.
9. Visitation � Visitation has always been a key part of outreach � it is
even more important when dealing with children. Through the outreaches
discussed above and others we will come into contact with many children. It
is important that we recognize them and let them know that we appreciate
them. Not only should children visiting a Wednesday or Sunday ministry be
recognized that day, but they should receive a card or personal visit
shortly afterward. This not only lets the child know that they are
important, it also gives us an opportunity to meet and talk with the
parents.
GROW
In the �GET� section many mentions were made of children telling children,
and children working with children. This is part of what �GROW� is about.
The children need to be taught how to reach out to others and share their
faith.
A companion to growing is KEEPING. This is where the challenge comes. It
becomes almost impossible to help the children grow if they don�t keep
coming back. There will be some children that we only see once. With them
we can only plant a seed and water it with prayers. Other children will
return to the church � these are the ones that �GROW� is aimed at. A
concentrated effort must be made to ensure that every program is exciting
for the children and encourages them to come back for more.
Growing is ongoing process that needs to be carried out on several levels at
once. This process is not just not done in the Children�s Church and Sunday
School, but may also be done in small groups or teams that meet at different
times.
The growth cycle begins with introducing the child to salvation and leading
them to accept Christ as their Saviour. This is followed by teachings on
Baptism and being filled with the Holy Spirit. As the child matures they
are taught about prayer, Bible study, Christian living, etc. This part is
already being done.
It�s time to take �GROW� one step further. This child is a potential
evangelist. He can reach to other children in a way that no adult can � if
he knows how. Many children will listen to a peer more attentively than
they would an adult. We need to teach the children how to reach out to
others and give them a chance to practice doing it. Every child is either
going to be a leader or a follower. We need to teach the children how to be
Godly leaders. Children�s Church is an ideal place for this to happen.
Children need to be given more chances to participate in the children�s
church service. Some of the ways that children will get to participate in
children�s church are:
1. Helpers � These are the ones that mainly help keep children quiet. They
may also have additional jobs like passing out candy or papers and
monitoring the bathrooms. This is normally a job reserved for older
children. The helpers that watch the children are invaluable. When they do
their jobs, the persons presenting the lesson are able to continue without
interruption and the other children are able to hear what is going on.
2. Song leaders � When children lead songs the others seem to respond
better. The children that help lead songs are getting valuable experience
being in front of others. As they do it more often, you can see their
confidence being built up.
3. Puppet team � This is a great way for a �shy� child to get involved. The
puppets can and are used for songs and to tell stories. Children respond to
puppets and the ones doing the puppets are as blessed as the ones being
ministered to.
4. Small group leaders � Sometimes a lesson lends itself to a small group
approach. The group may need to make a list, do a puzzle, or figure out a
way to tell the story in a creative manner. When an older child is placed
in charge of the group, they begin to (unknowingly) learn to be a leader.
The frustrations and joys that they have can be explored at a different time
in a leader�s meeting.
5. Speakers � There is no rule that says that the adults have to teach the
lesson. Some children are excellent speakers. They enjoy doing illusions
or object lessons in front of others.
6. Audio/Visual � Just as in the adult service, there is a need for someone
to operate the sound system and any other audio or visual device being used.
When this is done by a designated person the service is able to flow
without interruptions.
7. Skits � Kids love to act. Humor and skits are an excellent way to get a
point across. Children will be encouraged to participate in skits and to
create their own.
All these skills and talents easily extend beyond just children�s church.
Many of them can be used during outreach functions. As the children use
their talents more they get better at it and build their self-confidence. At
this point, children�s church has evolved into a growing experience for
those that want to use their talents or develop new talents.
Some children will not want to be involved in any of these activities. They
will be content to just sit through the children�s church time. Through the
lessons and truths that are taught every Sunday they will be able to grow in
their knowledge of the Bible and their walk with God.
Children reaching children will allow us to help the children �GROW�. A
variety of exciting activities will allow us to keep the children coming
back to continue to �GROW�.
GIVE
As a result of the child�s experience working in outreach efforts and the
children�s church, they will have developed some valuable talents. These
talents are ones that can be used in other departments of the church.
Whether the child chooses to work in the children�s department, youth
department, or other ministries � they will be more inclined to continue to
use the skills they have learned and practiced. Ministering to others
through puppetry, skits, object lessons, or devotions will have become a
�way of life� for some of the children. The result � we are �giving� the
church a willing, trained worker.
To the child, we are giving a chance to build confidence in themselves. The
children that have chosen to participate in leadership roles will have an
increased confidence in their abilities and higher self-esteem. They will
most likely - because of the responsibilities they have been given - be
better behaved and more spiritually mature. (This will benefit the parents,
community, and schools as well.)
There will be some children that are content to just sit in children�s
church. These children will either take part in a limited way or not at
all. To these children we teach the Gospel, God�s love, the Scripture, and
how to live a Christian life. It is our prayer that the lesson these
children learn will stay with them and keep them through their teenage and
adult years. The fond memories of children�s church and other church
activities should encourage children to continue to come to church and learn
more about Jesus.
SUMMARY
The 3 G�s are:
GET, GROW, and GIVE.
The application of these 3 G�s will not only provide growth in the
children�s department, it also has the possibility of stimulating growth in
the people involved and other areas of the church.
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In His Service,
Allen R. Cook - Cookie
Outpost Chaplain
Belton A/G -- Belton, Missouri
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