Leading Children’s Ministry Through the Lens of Mission and Vision —

Sometimes a renewed perspective on the mission and vision of the church comes from unexpected changes that remind us we are all a part of God’s family.

The sanctuary had such a homey feel. A smaller space with pew doors that closed but evidence of open hearts as we recited creeds and spent time in humble confession. A curly headed little boy ran up to the front, eager to hear what the pastor had to teach him and his friends. As a visitor in my 20s, the relatable children’s sermon reminded me of the gospel of Jesus. I grew up in church and had the foundations of faith, but I had spent much of college running from God. Over the next few months I began putting my trust in Jesus, joined the church, and became part of the beautiful, messy family of His church.

Twelve years later after marriage, two infant baptisms, and two pastors departing, I joined the church staff as Children’s Ministry Coordinator. One Sunday morning, I woke up to a text from a friend that our 180-year-old sanctuary was burning. What? How!? We pulled up with firemen still on site. Many tears were shed for the memories in that place of worship as we set up chairs in the Fellowship Hall, which had been spared from the flames. What a picture of unity as, in our sadness, we worshiped our sovereign, loving God!  Like the early church in Acts, we were banding together and were reminded that the church is the people gathered together, not the building itself.

We eventually called a new pastor and alongside the elders and staff began praying and working on a vision for our church. How could we keep the homey feel of our church even in the midst of change? One word that kept coming up in our discussions was family. Centered in Christ and the gospel, our church is a place that welcomes those from all walks of life, ages and stages: students, singles, married, and widows all finding a place to “gather, grow and go” as our vision statement would eventually state. This was especially exciting for me as a leader of our ministry to children, since it included them as known and honored members of the family. After all, the covenant of grace established in Christ Jesus has always been familial. Our children are not strangers in the house of the Lord but are covenant members even before they are able to understand and believe, which should inspire us to teach and guide the next generation.

So, what are some practical ways our church’s family vision is shaping our children’s ministry?

By Gathering:

• Keeping our children in the worship service once teachable
• Children returning into the service from children’s church to observe the sacrament of Communion
• Using Teach Us to Worship resources during children’s church time
• Incorporating a children’s sermon, which may even soften unbelievers to truth
• Weekly teaching in age-appropriate groups (Sunday school, Wednesday nights)

By Growing:

• Using children’s curriculum that has a whole-Bible picture and points to Christ as the fulfillment of the covenants
• Providing/giving out resources to families; equipping and encouraging them at home
• Learning scriptures, children’s catechism, and hymns during Kid’s choir to hide truth in their hearts
• Praying with children and allowing them to pray
• Having children serve as ushers, passing out bulletins, putting up chairs, picking up hymnals, etc

By Going:

• Developing annual events and giving the opportunity to partner with missions or outreach teams through VBS, Created for a Purpose, Fall Fest, Egg Hunt, or Christmas Play where the greater community is invited
• Encouraging children to pray for missionaries, send cards to shut-ins, help pack care packages alongside Women’s Ministry
• Serving alongside adults on clean-up days or community outreach nights

Though this list is far from exhaustive, I hope it gives you encouragement or sparks an idea as you look forward to your next curriculum meeting, event, or Sunday School lesson. As you go through your own church’s mission and vision, look at the big picture, and then ask how you can apply them to your weekly and yearly rhythms. Remember God knows these little ones. Continue to pray that He will open their eyes to His love and truth in these avenues of faith!