Recently, I was at a Woman’s Ministry event and I met one of the speakers who in turn asked me what I do.  I told her that I am a Children’s Minister and I also help other churches with their children’s ministries.  This obviously intrigued her curiosity and she asked, what do you mean, help them?

Well, this excited me because I’m so passionate about Children’s Ministry that I want to tell everyone the loooong version of what I do, but that’s usually not the ‘small talk’ people are after (I’ve found most people ask, “what do you do” in the same way they talk about the weather).  Anyway, with a big smile on my face, and lots of enthusiasm, I told her that I help Children’s Leaders develop their Children’s Ministries to be safer, more relevant, more appealing and more engaging for this generation of kids!

As soon as that came out of my mouth, I felt like she took a straight pin and popped my balloon with her short reply, “that’s sad.”  For a second, I questioned her words in my head, “Did she just say what I think she said?  That’s sad?  Did she really say, “That’s sad?!”  I pulled my thoughts back together and very politely asked her, “Why do you think that’s sad?”   She replied it was sad that we have to change how we do children’s church now just to get it across to today’s kids.  Before I could say anymore, she was called away.

She didn’t get it.  That’s what was truly sad.  She just couldn’t comprehend how different kids are in the 21^st century than when she was young, or when her kids were young, or even her grandchildren (I’m guessing she was in her seventies).  One reason is with all the digital input, kids in this generation process information differently.  Schools are noticing and responding accordingly in order to educate them, but the church…we often hold closer to our traditions than to what will reach and ultimately ‘educate’ this generation about the Savior who wants to change their lives for an eternity.

What do you think?  Is it sad, or is it what we are called to do as those who minister to children?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and passion.

If you would like to learn more about gearing your ministry to really reach today’s kids, contact me to discuss hosting a Dynamic Children’s Ministry Workshop or to set up a  coaching session.

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