Serving in Children’s Ministry can be isolating at times. Sometimes because of our own desire, sometimes because it is the nature of ministry. I chose the title that I did because in several churches, children’s ministry is held in the basement of a church building. It is in mine. In others it may be a separate wing, the second floor, or somewhere else separated from the main sanctuary where most people assemble. Wherever your children’s ministry is held, think of it as the basement for purposes of this post.
I have a confession. I am a basement dweller. Our children’s ministry is held in the basement of the church. When I arrive on Sunday morning, I head to the basement to get set up. I make sure that the check-in area is ready to go (which is upstairs, to the side of the sanctuary) and usually make it to the sanctuary in time for the service to start and then lead the children to the basement. Children are dismissed just prior to the sermon. If children are not in the beginning of your service, then you probably remain in the basement as children are brought to you. At the end of the service, most of the people have left by the time the last child is picked up and I clean up from the day. There are many Sundays when I can isolate myself from the entire congregation should I desire to be alone. Most Sundays, it is because of the nature of ministry, not by choice. I am a basement dweller.
Does this describe your typical Sunday morning? Are you a basement dweller?
Do you have trouble adjusting your eyes when you walk into the sanctuary because you have been in the basement so long? Okay, that might be a stretch, but how do we prevent being a basement dweller so people will know who we are and that we are actually there on Sunday?
Be intentional about being available on Sunday morning. That may mean arriving a little early, or staying later, cleaning up after you have had time to fellowship with others. When I mean fellowship, I mean talking about something other than children’s ministry.
If you find it difficult to make it out of the basement on Sundays, then I encourage you to attend other ministry events outside of children’s ministry so you can fellowship with others. In my case, I generally try to attend the monthly men’s breakfast to connect with other men. I do not attend al church events, but I do try to participate when I am able so I can connect with others, and be free of the basement for awhile.
If there is conflict in the church, then the basement can become a place to hide from potential unwanted situations. This is the type of situation I referenced where we can isolate ourselves on purpose. Either way, because of the nature of ministry, or intentional, it is not good to be isolated on Sunday mornings, or ever.
Be intentional about getting out of the basement. Explore the upstairs, meet new people, and realize that there is life outside of the basement.
