The question often comes up about starting, or re-establishing, children’s ministry in a small church. While in a church plant, I was tasked with that very job. To establish a solid children’s ministry as this church began and grew. I was fortunate that there were several young families and they, along with the church supporting this plant, sought to use Awana as the foundation for the ministry to children.
While the children’s ministry had a strong foundation, I struggled establishing a youth ministry. As the children grew into youth, outside activities, sports and fellowship took precedence. One youth would call another to see if they would be attending, and if not, then neither of them would attend. I did hold various events to engage them, but nothing solid that would “stick”. At one point, a youth asked when the next event would be held. My response was that we needed to do more to make sure we had a solid foundation for the youth, and not just activities. They said, but we have devotionals during those events. They were right, we did, but it was not anything deep. It was a simple lesson and the youth acknowledged that I was right, those devotionals were basic.
I could have built the youth ministry based on events or I could work for a solid foundation. I knew what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7,
“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-29 (CSB)
I knew that, although I could generate big numbers with the proper events, I wanted to make sure that the foundation was the Bible, and not mainly entertainment. I knew that if it wasn’t build on a solid foundation, that it would fall.
As you work to begin, or build, the children’s ministry, be sure to build on a solid foundation. One that will last, one that will withstand the storms that will come, drawing children to God. Once you start building a certain way, it is difficult to stop and change course.
What challenges are you facing establishing and building the children’s ministry in your church?
