A Change in Heart Leads to a Change in Ministry

 By: Crystal Mazzuca

A Change in Heart Leads to a Change in Ministry

Are you tired? Weary? Frustrated in ministry? Have you lost some of the spark and passion you had when you first started? 

Unfortunately, that can happen to those of us serving in kids ministry. Between the struggle to find volunteers to behavior issues with kids to frustrated parents, ministry can be taxing and draining. And as we grow tired, so do our hearts. 

So how are we supposed to keep going? A shift in perspective can have a big impact in our hearts, which can lead to a big impact in our ministries. We can see and know kids the way God does. 

God Knows Their Value 
When God looks at kids, He sees their value. In Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16 Jesus demonstrated His value of children by inviting them to come close. In a culture and society where kids were often tolerated but not welcomed, Jesus was intentional to show love, care, and esteem. Kids were important and worthy of His time and affection. 

The kids in our ministries are valuable. Each one is special, important, and worthy of our care and attention. When we see kids as valuable, we see the work we do as important and valuable as well. Stress, weariness, and frustration can melt away as we recognize that these kids matter to God. He loves them and wants a relationship with Him. And He invites us to be a part of that.   

God Knows Their Potential 
Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and His followers talk a lot about what a life devoted to Christ should look like. We get to share Jesus with others, shine His light all around, and be His hands and feet. The one stipulation is that you are to be a Jesus follower. And that isn’t something restricted to adults. 

Kids who love and follow Jesus can make an impact for Him! They can share the good news of salvation, help and serve others, and put the love of God on display. When we look at the kids in our ministries, we should see their potential the way God does. More than that, we can speak into that potential. We can invite and encourage them to be bold for Jesus. We can celebrate their efforts. Making an impact for Jesus isn’t something they have to wait for. God knows they can do it now, and we can help them experience that. 

God Knows Their Hearts 
When Jesus welcomed kids, what do you think the scene was like? Many illustrations of this story paint a smiling Jesus and calm children staring at Him with wonder and love. But it only takes five minutes in a room with nine-year-olds to know that’s not how typical kids behave! Kids are excited, energetic, and busy. They can be non-stop emotional roller coasters that feel impossible to contain. 

And yet, Jesus welcomed them. Kids have the same need for Jesus that adults do—a need for forgiveness. They were made to know, love, and follow God. They have hearts longing to know God and have a relationship with Him. 

No matter how the kids in our ministries speak or behave, their hearts are aching for Jesus. And when we remember this, the behaviors and attitudes that cause us frustrations and weariness start to fade. We see these kids the way that Jesus did—important people who with hearts made to love Him. 

When we see and know kids the way that God does, our ministries change for the better. We change for the better. 

Crystal Mazzuca is a Content Editor for Lifeway’s Hyfi and Kids’ Short Term Studies. With an MA in Christian Education Administration, she has a passion to encourage and equip leaders to impact the next generation for Christ. She’s spent the last 20 years in Kids, Student, and Family Ministry and loves serving both the big C church and her local church in Olympia, WA. Crystal loves reading, going to the beach, and playing video games with her 3 sons.