Connecting with Families

I’m often asked, “How can we connect with the families in our ministry?” I wish I had a new formula or a “5-Step” process that works miraculously, but I don’t. What I do have is three areas for you to consider when connecting your ministry to the families inside and outside your church.

TRADITIONAL CONNECTIONS: Ask yourself this question, “What did someone do for me and/or my family that really stands out in my memory as a positive connection?” Did someone reach out to you and your family when there was a death or a hospitalization? Did someone connect with you and invest their time and love to support and encourage you? Was there a special friend or teacher who showed up at your piano recital, baseball game, soccer tournament, or school play to support your giftedness?

Those same acts of love, kindness, support, and encouragement WORK TODAY! It’s not rocket science. Consider what worked with you YESTERDAY and give it a try TODAY!

INTENTIONAL CONNECTIONS: One of the biggest problems for folks today is finding time to do one more thing. We’re all over-committed and over-scheduled … right? How can we use the things that are already in our schedule, already on our calendar and turn them into opportunities to connect with families? One example might be simple but effective: sitting with families in worship. You’re already there—it’s part of your weekly routine—why not take advantage of the opportunity to intentionally seek out families in your ministry and worship together? Kids love it and parents appreciate it.

It’s the “two birds, one stone” theory of connecting. Figure out the things you’re already doing and then be intentional to use them to connect.

TECHNOLOGICAL CONNECTIONS: Let’s just say it—technology is here and it’s not going anywhere—and we better figure out how to use it in our Kids Ministries! I recognize that many of you are already very proficient here, but there are many of us who need to “get with the times” and come to the realization that today’s parents are social media savvy. They not only use today’s technologies but actually prefer them to land-lines, paper flyers, newsletters, and pulpit announcements.

I’m sure that we’re still in a “both/and” environment (using all forms of connecting) but know that with every year (almost every day) that passes, we are becoming more and more reliant on our technologies and we had better stay current and fully embrace appropriate technologies for connecting.

What a great privilege to be a part of the lives of kids and their families. It’s worth the effort and the rewards (personal, ministerial, and eternal) are huge.

Bill Emeott serves as Lead Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Kids. A graduate of Mercer University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Bill has served as a Kids Minister and currently teaches 2nd Grade Bible study.