Strange Attitudes Towards Children's Ministry

by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger

28 May 2007 06:17 AM

Children's ministry can evoke strange attitudes. In some churches the attitude seems to be anyone can undertake children's ministry. After all, how hard can it be to keep them amused for the time their parents are in church? If they learn something at the same time so much the better. This attitude is likely to stem from the idea within the church leadership that children's ministry is secondary and less important than teaching adults, and therefore anyone should be able to do it.

When my husband took over as superintendent of our Sunday school years ago, he stopped the practice of automatically relegating very young teenagers to come in and teach the younger children the moment they became too old to attend Sunday school themselves. Until this point many of the up to then young teachers felt no great calling to this work. They were only doing what other people expected. Reasoning that young children are extremely impressionable and take in so much of what they are told, my husband decided we needed to have our best teachers and most mature Christians in these positions as teachers and role models.

Children are special and precious. This is in line with what Jesus taught and He wants them to come to Him. There is more chance of a child making a commitment to the Lord, if the teacher is mature in his or her own faith and able to convey bible truths simply and creatively, if they are experienced in teaching and dealing with children and take that responsibility for their care and teaching seriously, not as something to occupy them while parents are in church.

A lot depends on how important we view teaching children. The fist time I ever taught children was when I became a children's leader at BSF international http://www.bsfinternational.org or as it was known then Bible Study Fellowship. My class consisted of two year olds. What can you possibly teach a two year old I hear a lot of people ask? I must admit when I first took it on, I had more than a few thoughts about that myself. But as always God knows best and God undertakes.

The other children's leader and I taught children through a bible stories certainly, but also through finger plays, songs, games and activities that re-enforced the main points of the stories. I remember one boy in the class, who at two was not talking. His first word was 'God' as he pointed to any number of things God had created. It brought tears to more than one leader's eyes.

Another mother used to take her child shopping immediately after bible study. The child used to sit in the trolley and tell all the shoppers about the story he'd heard that day, much to her embarrassment initially. Later she began to see it as a good opportunity for outreach.

When our daughter was two and went to the BSF children's program, I could actually tell which one of the children leaders had told the story that day, as she parroted almost word for word a rendition of the story each week. Any wonder she is now involved in children ministry herself? Because she sees how important it is.

Over many years I have taught two year olds to twelve year olds. The teenage age group, I leave to those more experienced and with a heart for this age group as well as the extra curricular activities like caving and camping etc that go with working with teenagers.

Even if you don't feel able to teach little ones or teenagers you could support those who do by praying for them. Children's ministry should never be undertaken without a lot of prayer. Another way you could help is by taking an interest in what those involved in children's ministry are doing and seeing if there is a practical way you could help by collecting egg cartons and materials etc for craft activities. Maybe you could supply a meal for the kids club or wash up or do some other behind the scenes activity that will free the teachers to do what they are called to do.

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Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults.

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Julie Gentry (5915) 11 Jun 2007 12:40 PM

"After all, how hard can it be to keep them amused for the time their parents are in church?" Unfortunately, in a lot of churches we've been to, children's church is just that - amusement. We've chosen instead to keep ours with us to listen to the pastor.

Dale Harcombe (10373) 11 Jun 2007 02:09 PM

Given that situation, I'd have probably made a similar choice. We never sent our children to creche for that reason but kept them in church with us, but when we had a good Sunday school that taught them at their level of undertsanding, then they went out to it. It's sad to see children's ministry undervalued and just used as babysitting. I've always been amazed at how much children can take in and how well they repond to God's message when taught. We taught our son to read from the Bible. Not an children's bible but the NIV.

Valorie Delp (49340) 13 Jun 2007 05:35 AM

Our church doesn't have children's church. We have Sunday school and it is viewed as an 'accomodation to the parents.' Which if you're gifted at children's ministry type things--is really annoying to hear. However, our kids stay with us. . .at least older than 4. . .and glean some pretty fantastic stuff from listening to the pastor.

Dale Harcombe (10373) 13 Jun 2007 02:33 PM

Sounds like a smart move Valorie, to keep them in church, if there's no real passion and commitment to children's ministry. It's something that's always been close to my heart and is now for my adult daughter as well. Her prime concern is children's ministry. I also listen to my young grandchildren (my son' s kids) and hear how much they have learned from an effective Sunday school program as well as from teaching at home.

Bridie (5) 15 Jul 2007 12:41 AM

I do agree as well that parents at times use Children's Church as a daycare or a babysitter...... some of the children that come to class on Sundays do not want to be there, refuse to be there and are throwing tantrums..... my questions is....... you can't force a kid to do something they don't want to do unless they have a desire and passion to do so. I really have this strong tug in my heart that is pondering on their lifestyle at home........Going to church is not going to cut it....... it's to feed us and equip us... it's to "restore and preach" to the lost and "teach" to the found. Think about it everyone needs to do their part.... we all have a responsibility to know the word and apply it with wisdom.......If the teachers want to teach then of course they have to have a passion and desire to teach, but most of all to have a heart of Christ for the lost....then again how is the parent and children interaction at home like when it comes to buidling a relationship with Christ as a family. Parents are the ones that have the most influences towards their kids.... remember we all have different functions.... it's not just up to the teachers to be the only ones to teach, preach/exhort to the kids once a week one and half hour...... How much are the kids being fed at home? Almost each week I see the same faces in class... after class I walk them out to their parents and some kid's parents aren't in the church service each weekly. How much do the kids really want to be fed... You can't force feed someone and oppress them ..... but it does take discipline and being persistant to sharing the Word with them..... They are kids they are young so they are open minded and clear conscience to whatever you feed them...... feed them more of body of Christ instead of feeding them more spiderman and spongebob..... but don't shove it down their throats... it's a process....how are they suppose to set their hearts first on Christ if they don't know who he is except that they know he is a God in image of man that came down from heaven to die on cross for our sins.....it's important that they build up a spiritual appetite..... they see the parents more than they see the teachers... so take advantage of that time to let them know Christ is not only about dying for our sins, but he did it so we can have life and enjoy life through him and glorify God and have a personal one on one relationship with him.... We all need to lead by example..... teachers and parents..... But at home is where the tender most crucial years start.... you gotta build foundation and go from there.

Dale Harcombe (10373) 16 Jul 2007 02:32 PM

I agree Bridie that 'everyone needs to do their part.... we all have a responsibility to know the word and apply it with wisdom.......If the teachers want to teach then of course they have to have a passion and desire to teach, but most of all to have a heart of Christ for the lost.... ' . As a child I went to Sunday school but my parents did not go to church and the Lord graciously got though to me through faithful Sunday school and Scripture teachers, for which I'm eternally thankful. But I see my son and his wife building up a relationship with the Lord by teaching their two children and building on what is taught in Sunday school or Kids' Church and that is so precious.