Want to have the least impactful, bare minimum ministry to kids possible? In this post we will share four proven ways for you to minimize your kids ministry.
No matter what your specific role is, there are many different facets to a kids ministry—many things that you can do that can go right or wrong. Here are four of the top ways that you can minimize your ministry to kids.
Have a Utilitarian View of Your Kids. A mediocre ministry to kids begins with how you view them. If you want to minimize your ministry, start with being content just to know the names of your kids. Don’t worry about their hobbies or interests. Don’t waste time asking them about how they are doing in school, or where they went on vacation. And surely don’t waste your time visiting them, watching them play sports, or taking them out for ice cream. These things have nothing to do with them learning the Bible, right? All you need for them to do is sit quietly and absorb the information you pass along to them. As long as you know their names, you can call on them to read or pray and that makes you golden. You are the teacher; they are the learners. Period.
Disregard Your Kids’ Families. While you will need to know your kids’ names to have a mediocre ministry, you will not need to know anything about their families. Don’t waste any time getting to know their parents or guardians. Don’t worry if your kids have any siblings, except, perhaps, for younger siblings who will become your future learners. Once again, their family lives have no bearing on you teaching them the Bible. Remember that you are the Bible expert in your kids’ lives; their parents and guardians are just there to keep them alive and bring them to you for all their Bible needs.
Stay Comfortable. If you want to minimize your ministry to kids, seek to always be comfortable. In fact, the only time that you should be uncomfortable is when you have to sit in one of those tiny kids chairs. Other than that, be sure to put your comfort first. That means only preparing to teach each week when you have time and when there is nothing better to do. Don’t spend any money out of pocket for treats in the classroom, extra supplies, or anything else. And for sure, don’t volunteer to be at special events such as VBS or kids camp.
Ignore Your Relationship with God. Remember that you are the expert. You have this all handled. Don’t worry about spending time reading the Bible, praying, and worshiping. All you need to do is teach the content exactly as it appears in your curriculum’s leader guide, follow your brilliantly planned ministry calendar, and basically trust in your abilities, skills, and power to fuel your ministry.
There you have it. Four sure-fire ways to develop a mediocre ministry to kids. Of course, if you want more than that for some reason, just turn each one of these on their heads. Strive to know your kids well—to truly love them and care for them as you value who they are. Partner with parents and families. See them as teammates with the shared goal of discipling kids. Get out of your comfort zone. Stretch yourself and die to yourself to serve your kids. And pour into your relationship with God so that your service is done in His power and out of the overflow.
Brian Dembowczyk is the managing editor for The Gospel Project. He served in local church ministry for over 16 years before coming to Lifeway. Brian earned an M.Div. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his family live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
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