• All Sites:
  • Pastors
  • Leadership
  • Kids Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Groups Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
Lifeway

Kids Ministry

Dedicated to helping Kids Ministry leaders in their mission of making disciples

  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Training
  • Events
  • Team
  • Resources
Devotional
July 15, 2014

3 Questions to Test Your Love

By Michael Chanley

True love is unconditional. Jesus calls us to “love one another” and to “serve one another.” In Kids Ministry (or any ministry!), it’s vitally important to make sure we break away from thinking like the world and are transformed.

Do you ever think about what businesses mean when they say, “We love our customers?”

I was watching a documentary about a very successful business last week. It was a huge global brand and, in a matter of minutes, they went from talking about how they love their customers to how they love their product to how they can’t stand their competition. I’m not sure the word “hate” was used; but, it was certainly implied. Sadly, I’ve seen Christian businesses and churches act the exact same way.

As people, we have a natural tendency to be drawn to those who are like us. It is a natural emotion to love what is loyal and to care about those who are nearest to us. In business, this often translates to sales. Loyal customers buy more products and drive businesses forward. Is it any wonder why a huge global brand wouldn’t “love” their people? It is their source of income and puts bread on the table for them and their employees.

Have you ever fallen into this way of thinking with your ministry?

This “loyal love” feels natural but it isn’t really love, at least, not in the way Christ demonstrated. His love was unconditional.

Do you love the people at your church more than the ones you pass on the street? How about the people going to the church two blocks down the road? Do you love them?

Here are three questions you can ask yourself to examine your heart to see if you’ve put love for sale in your community:

1. How often do you pray for the other churches in your community?

If you pray for them often then you probably have the right spirit about growing God’s Kingdom and not your own … unless, of course, you are praying they would just go away or come to your church instead.

2. Are you more likely to do something for someone who will repay you?

Sociologist have spent a lot of time studying the “art of gift-giving” and have found it is rarely as altruistic as we think. If you are as generous with people you know as you are with people you will never see again, then your generosity will communicate love — even if all you are giving away is a smile.

3. Do you seek the approval of others?

Approval can be a trap which leads to inward and selfish thinking. If you are willing to have hard conversations, regardless of the pain and potential outcome, you are showing true love.

Love is for sale all over the world; it should not be in the Church. True love is unconditional. Let’s live it out.

Michael Chanley is an ordained minister with over 16 years experience serving families and children. His most recent roles have been as Executive Director of the International Network of Children’s Ministry and as the Parenting Minister at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Michael’s vision to serve those called to children’s ministry led him to create www.cmconnect.org — the free kidmin network. Now, with over 11,400 members in over 85 countries, CMConnect is the premier children’s ministry community.

You may also like -

  • When Plan B Becomes Plan AWhen Plan B Becomes Plan A
  • Christmas From AnywhereChristmas From Anywhere
  • Say YES to VBS! Talking VBS Previews & Duel ThemesSay YES to VBS! Talking VBS Previews & Duel Themes
  • HospitalityHospitality

Filed Under: Devotional July 15, 2014

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to Podcast

Apple PodcastsGoogle PodcastsAndroidRSS

Sign Up to receive the free Kids Ministry 101 Magazine!

Get the Digital Magazine Get the Print Magazine
Want to write for Lifeway Kids?

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 1,218 other subscribers

@LifeWayKids
FOLLOW
My Tweets

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
Lifeway Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
Lifeway Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

Lifeway Network

Lifeway Research
B&H
Ridgecrest

Copyright © 2021 · Lifeway Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved