When we as a children’s ministry make any decision, whether it’s what the next weekend series will be or where to place a new volunteer, we always begin by asking one important question, “Is this the best thing for our kids?” Now that may seem like a no-brainer but after 3 1/2 years of directing our children’s education department I’ve noticed that this is much easier said than done.
In my time here, I’ve had to make several decisions that were…let’s just say…less than popular. The reason? It wasn’t the best thing for our kids. If there is one thing I’ve learned from my Dad over the years, it’s that making choices based on principle will always serve you better than those based on popularity. I tell my team this all the time – I have to. It’s amazing how many things come up on a week-to-week basis that challenge this belief. Let me give you an example.
When I first came on, the vast majority of our 4 year old – 6th grade classes were taught by our volunteers. And although they were good, faithful people who had been teaching our kids for years, we knew it was time for a change. You see, it would have been impossible for us to achieve the level of ministry we were shooting for while relying on people who worked 40 hours a week somewhere else. I wish I could tell you that every volunteer gladly received this news and wholeheartedly bought into the vision we had laid out before them but that wasn’t the case. Although many of them stuck and are a tremendous help to us today, several got offended and quit. Even though it was the right decision and has proven out over the course of time, it was not a popular one. As children’s ministers, we are called by God to teach kids His Word and the best thing for our kids is that we start engaging them in the classroom and assume the role of pastor and shepherd, not just oversee or administrate.
Even though this decision wasn’t the most popular at the time, we knew it was right because it was based on a principle: Is this the best thing for our kids? When the answer to that question is yes, we know we are on the right track.
Now there have been other times we have made decisions based on this very same principle and the outcome was quite popular. Last October I was meeting with Stephen Posey, our Elementary Pastor, about the upcoming schedule for Kids on the Move. We got talking on the subject of kids bringing their Bibles to church and how it seemed they were using them more as seat holders than for following along with the message. As we discussed how to fix this problem, it occurred to me that the kids weren’t following along because they had no idea how to navigate through their Bible. It was time to put our principle to use. The best thing for our kids was that they learn the value of God’s Word, as well as memorize all the books of the Bible, so we began an 8-week series called “I Love My Bible”. As part of this series we gave each child a CD with a catchy song we wrote to help them remember all 66 books. The disc also included a message from Pastor Stephen explaining its purpose as well as asking parents to encourage their kids to commit the books to memory. (Click here to download the series)
Our kids absolutely loved it and so did their parents. At the end of the series, we gave kids the opportunity to earn a certificate for memorizing all the books of Bible. We handed out over 200 of them in one weekend (there were some interesting interpretations given by some of our younger kids, i.e. the book of Jonicles – Chronicles, The Very Kiss – Leviticus, and also Have A Cake – Habakkuk). I must say, we’ve received more pats on the back and recognition from that series than any other series we’ve done but honestly, that never entered my mind when we came up with the idea. We didn’t create this series for people to tell us what a great job we were doing. We didn’t write a song and give out a CD to gain popularity throughout our church. We did it because it was the best thing for our kids.
You see, there are times when choosing to do what’s best for your kids brings great recognition and praise but that can’t be what you aim for. There are other times when your decision isn’t popular, but you can’t let that hinder you. Either way, making choices based on principle will always serve you better than those based on popularity. In John 21:15, Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My lambs.” Making that your #1 priority will always be the best thing for your kids.
Comments
13 comments
Jody Earley
August 26, 2010
10:37 pm
Solid stuff Gabe. Thanks for the insight.
Dan F.
August 27, 2010
07:18 am
In our house, we sing about the books of Keyphesians and Corrossians.
David Walker
August 27, 2010
07:18 am
You have a great team assembled to teach our children! Keep it coming!
Tracy Dickinson
August 27, 2010
08:00 am
My children are 21 months and 5 months, and I am so blessed to be at COTM where decisions are made on the basis of what is best for them. Thank you COTM for always making the best, not most popular decisions.
Misty
August 27, 2010
10:01 am
Yay Gabriel. Your Dad pioneered creative engaging ministry to kids. He was on the forefront. Sounds like you are continuing that trend to not just program but to think STRATEGY and leveraging influence.
That’s why I am grateful for your Dad’s pioneer days and now I partner with ORANGE to continue impacting kids! Way to go
Carlos Dyonisio
August 28, 2010
07:45 am
While I love the idea of your post, I disagree with what you said about the volunteers. Some volunteers are not just volunteers, and even though they might work on something else during the week, many of them are pastors to the kids (with the *only* difference that they don’t have a title or don’t get paid for it).
I believe in empowering volunteers to do the work of the ministry so they can empower the kids to do their part in the Kingdom of God.
Gabriel George
September 01, 2010
03:09 pm
Carlos. I have to say I completely agree with you. I believe volunteers are more than just helpers. I believe they are called by God to help the church teach children His Word and show them His love. We use volunteers in this role every single week and will always do so.
What I am trying to get across is that it is the best thing for OUR kids that we, as a children’s ministry staff, be the pastors and shepherds. We have 18 people on our children’s staff. 3 of them are pastors. It does not make sense for us to delegate the teaching to volunteers when we are completely capable of doing it ourselves. Not only is it our job, it is our call and duty. Volunteers still play a very important role in our classrooms. If they did not we would never be able to accomplish what God has given us to do.
I believe it is vital that every children’s ministry do what is best for THEIR kids. That may look completely different to me then to you. That is totally fine as long as we are putting our kids first and doing what is best for them.
I hope that clears things up. Thank you for your feedback.
Heather
February 08, 2011
02:59 pm
I LOVE your concept! Totally makes sense, I love your statement about assuming the role of pastor & shepherd. It is so easy to oversee & administrate. Cannot wait to get a children’s ministry staff the size of yours but in the meantime, we are using your resources to make the best, engaging services possible!
How does your age groups look? Nursery, preschool, elementary, etc
Thanks for all you do & your heart of service for the kingdom!
Joey Pittman
February 21, 2011
12:53 pm
We are needing some help within our children ministry. I am looking for training for childrens worlkers and have been familiar with COTM over the years and my children growing up loved the camps. I am wondering if there is anyone on the west coast doing any training. We are using your childrens material but need to train our leaders. Thanks Joey
Crystal H
March 09, 2011
05:20 pm
Greetings,
I am curious although I love the concept of as the Pastor/Shepherd being the one teaching in the classroom I want to know when do you get fed the word and participate in the congregation if you are always in the classroom.
Eric H.
April 14, 2011
12:11 pm
Gabe-
Thanks so much for the talk you gave on this at “Seeds”. It had revolutionized my children’s ministry. Having just come into a new church setting within the last 6 months, I saw many of the same things you saw when you got to COTM.
While, I KNEW what to do, your opening talk at “Seeds” kind of acted as a catalyst……I am pounding into my team that EVERYTHING we do is going to be hostage to “What’s best for our kids?”……we’re going to stay true to mission.
Again…thank you. Your dad has always been a pioneer in kids ministry, and after witnessing what God is doing in KOTM thru you, Stephen, Adam, etc, I know that you and your team are going to keep inspiring and planting “seeds” in guys like me.
Nate R
July 26, 2011
01:05 pm
Great post i just have 1 question What do you use your volunteer worker role for then?
Gabriel George
August 02, 2011
12:12 pm
Hey Nate I’m not sure exactly what you’re wanting to know but am happy to answer any questions.