A Church on the Corner is NOT Enough!

 

We are blessed to serve in a time where many churches offer wonderful children’s ministries. We strive to make sure our ministries are safe, creative, fun, biblically sound, and attractive to the families that attend our church. We work hard to make sure our programs engage kids, teach them the truth of God’s Word, and provide a welcoming place for families who visit. But here’s the reality that we can’t ignore: 65-70% of American families never attend a Gospel-preaching church—and many of them never will.

It’s easy to focus on how to improve the ministries we offer within our walls, but if we’re honest with ourselves, we know that being a church on the corner, no matter how wonderful, is not enough. There are children in our neighborhoods growing older every day, never hearing the life-changing message of Jesus. Research from George Barna tells us that nearly half of all people who come to faith in Christ do so before the age of 13, and the likelihood of making that decision drops dramatically after age 14.

If we’re waiting for families to walk through our doors, we may lose our chance to reach the children in our communities. And that’s the challenge I want to present to you today.

We must get outside the walls of our church—somehow, some way. Every church is different, and how you reach your unchurched community may look different than what others do. But the question each of us must answer for our ministry is: “How will we reach the unchurched in our community?”

Let me share why I am so passionate about this.

My mom grew up in the inner city of Chicago. She was from a completely unchurched family. She tragically lost her dad at twelve years old and was being raised by a single mother along with her three siblings. Church wasn’t on their radar at all. But through a release-time program—much like the ones offered by ministries such as LifeWise Academy — she met a young man named Jerry. Jerry came every week to her school and shared the Good News of Jesus.

Week after week, he came to tell her more, and over time, something incredible happened. Not only did my mom come to know Jesus personally, but her entire family was transformed by the Gospel. That ministry, outside the walls of the church, didn’t just change the direction of her life — it changed the entire trajectory of our family. My own life and ministry are a direct result of someone being willing to step out of their church and bring Jesus to children who would never have heard otherwise.

That’s why this is so important.

There are children in your community just like my mom. They may never walk through the doors of your church. They may never attend your amazing programs or hear your well-prepared lessons. But they are out there, waiting for someone to bring them the Good News.

So here is my challenge to you: Don’t let your focus only be within the walls of your church. I know you’re busy. Ministry can be overwhelming at times. Some weeks, it’s all you can do to get Sunday staffed, the lesson ready, and prepare for the next meeting or event. But let me encourage you to carve out some time. Maybe over a meal with some key leaders, ask this critical question:

“How do we reach the kids who will never visit? How do we reach the kids who aren’t connected in any way to the families who already attend?”

Pray about it. Brainstorm. Pray again. God will give you an idea, because there’s nothing closer to His heart than reaching lost children.

And know that Kidology.org is here to help you. We offer evangelism tools, event planning guides, and a Facebook Group where you can bounce your ideas off others. Whether it’s through a Trunk or Treat Event, an Easter outreach like Kidology’s EGGstravaganza, or something else entirely, we are here to equip you with the resources you need to take the Gospel beyond the walls of your church.

If you come up with a unique idea that works, share it! As a full-time children’s pastor, I’m always on the lookout for creative ways to reach kids, and I may just use your idea at my church!

The time is now.

Kids in your community are growing up without ever hearing about Jesus, and we can’t wait for them to come to us. We must go to them.

HELPFUL RESOURCE: Karl’s Workshop: Ministry OUTSIDE the Walls of the Church (Includes both workshop notes and MP3)

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