Most churches claim to value children… but few actually do where it counts. A friend recently sent me to this blog post, and I thought it was fantastic, so I am re-posting a part of it here for feedback. (italics is quoted)
These questions are good food for thought for those who claim to value children and/or children’s ministry in their church:
Are your kids’ rooms painted beige, so they can be “multi-purpose”? (preferring to be attractive to adults who may share them)
Could you answer specific questions about the curriculum in your kids’ rooms?
Do you believe it’s the parents’ job to lead their kids to Christ, while they assume it’s the church’s? Have you addressed this disconnect?
Does your children’s ministry struggle to get and keep passionate volunteers?
Even if you can list the activities you offer children, can you show how they support your desired outcomes?
Do staff salaries/prestige increase in proportion to the age of the people they serve?
Are your children’s ministers regularly challenged to update their strategies? Can they demonstrate a healthy return on resource investment?
Are you satisfied with merely “entertained kids” and “satisfied parents”?
GOOD QUESTIONS! Thank you Kendra Golden for these questions. I can tell you that in over 15 years serving as a children’s pastor, while I’ve had countless parents ask me how their children behaved, I’ve had ONLY ONE parent, a dad, ask me to explain my philosophy of ministry and why/how it effects the way I teach and lead. He really put me on the spot – and I loved it. He wanted to know the reasons behind the “fun” and “excitement” and why it was considered important in his daughters spiritual training. After explaining how my use of puppets and toys was a critical part of engaging kids in learning spiritual concepts, he made a large donation to the church to help build the incredible puppet town I had in my previous ministry. Once he got the “why” he helped make it even better. But why has only one parent ever asked me to explain why I do what I do? I know a lot of it has to do with trust, (and that’s a good thing), but now that I am a parent I want to remember this dad and also BE a dad who is engaged in the how’s and why’s of my church that will impact my son’s spiritual development.
Let me be quick to say, I have been blessed to serve in many churches that DO value kids in the ways it counts, especially my previous and current churches… So if you attend either of those (!) I am not slamming my churches! But I am asking why more churches don’t place a higher real value on kids.
How well do think churches actually value kids… what ways show it beyond mere words?
I enjoyed the questions as well. I would also be interested in adding one more question to the batch.
Out of those churches that say they value kids, how many value them more from a “church growth tool” direction, than valuing them just because God values them?
I have seen in my lifetime where churches can temporarily value children, not because they know what God can do in their life, but because of what the kids can do for their church.
Absolutely Todd! Kids usually come to church with their parents, so happy kids equals a great way to draw in more adults to church. That’s the extent of some churches’ thought process. But it’s not just their parents Jesus is after.
My church is known in our community for having great-looking kid’s spaces that draw in new families and that’s a real blessing. But it’s life-changing ministry inside the muraled walls that matters.
Like Karl expressed, I hope parents don’t blindly trust me.
Great post. I am always amazed by those who “say” they value children, and yet constantly demonstrate by “actions” that they really don’t. I find that in many churches there is a contradiction between words and actions.
Here’s another question. “Do facilities people make sure that spaces used by adults are cleaned and well kept but consistently let the kids areas remain unclean from week to week?”