This is a quote from Proverbs 29:18 that is often misquoted and used improperly. I will openly admit that I am not using this quote as a scriptural reference, simply as an oft used quote that is familiar to people. This is also not a blanket analysis of children’s ministries, simply observations from a distance as I interact online and in person with others serving in children’s ministry.
2020 was the year many entered with a theme of having clear vision. They would see God’s direction and His path for them and their ministry and then the global pandemic hit. It seemed that many in ministry scrambled to adapt to a time of shut-downs, lock-downs, limitations on gatherings, and some began focusing on perceived persecution of the church (uh-oh – that last phrase alone will yield strong feelings from some) and politics, yes, politics, as an obstacle to ministry.
All of us, I believe, became focused on “how do I continue to reach the children and families that God has placed in my care?” Here is where the lack of vision enters. The global pandemic was a surprise that would be difficult to anticipate fully. For those of us in America, we had ample time to begin a plan to adjust to the coming restrictions, but only if ours eyes were open and we had clear vision.
While we would not know when restrictions would be put in place in our area, we could watch the virus travel across the globe, heading to America. Asian and European countries were shutting down and one could anticipate that as the virus entered the shores of the United States, that similar measures would be put into place. Was your vision clear enough to see it coming? Did you begin to plan, being proactive, or were you reactionary – trying to navigate this season after local restrictions were put into place?
Now, many months after initial restrictions and lock-downs, some churches re-established children’s ministries in-person meetings even with the warning of a second-wave of infections coming in the fall and winter. We have entered that second wave in time for the holidays. When you re-established in-person ministry, did you enter the season with a plan for adapting in case restrictions were re-imposed? If you have been unable to re-establish children’s ministry, are you planning for how it will look when restrictions are lifted?
Yes, this is a season that we have not experienced before in our lifetime and we are all trying to navigate this season. I am not being critical of how you handled it, my purpose is to have you reflect and assess how you handled it. It will be different for each of us depending on our individual situations. Some of us could make our own decisions on how ministry may look, others were guided by the leadership in the church and were limited in what they might be able to do. Church finances, culture, and so much more play a part in what you may have been able to do. Do not assess your response in comparison to others, assess your response in your ability, your gifts, your resources, and the path God has for you and your ministry.
In this season, did your ministry suffer? Did you have clear vision to see what was coming in 2020? We all hear the phrase that hindsight is 2020. Soon, the year 2020 will be behind us. Will we have 2020 vision to assess how ministry looked in 2020 and make changes in how we do ministry as God is leading us, or will our vision be clouded by a desire to return to normal and maintain structures and programs that have been in place for many years?
I cannot tell you how your ministry should look. I simply encourage you to seek God as you reflect on 2020, and look forward to what the future holds, to see the path He would have you take and how you will disciple and equip those that He has placed in your care.
