God’s not calling us to copy — He’s calling us to create.
When it comes to teaching and reaching kids, the best path forward might not be found in what you did last year — but in what’s never been done before.
I love the saying — and I repeat it often:
“There are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say, ‘What just happened?’”
Obviously, I’d like to consider myself in that first category.
When Steve Jobs introduced the iPad, he was told, “No one’s asking for that.” He replied, “They will after I make it.” And now? We all carry tablets. When he merged music players with phones, he didn’t just improve the phone — he changed the way the entire world consumes music. That’s what it means to break the mold — to challenge assumptions, rethink the “normal,” and reimagine what’s possible.
And this kind of bold innovation is just as powerful in children’s ministry.
For years we did Easter egg hunts where we invited the entire community to the church. But one year, we flipped the script. We stuffed 50,000 eggs (like always) — but instead of doing one big event at church, we invited families to host small egg hunts in their yards and neighborhoods. We brought the Easter Bunny and a magic show to them. We ended up reaching more kids than ever before — because we went to them instead of asking them to come to us. Our Neighborhood Egg Hunts broke the mold, and were a hit!
My life is full of things I love because someone dared to break the mold — from my iPhone to my drone to my Tesla that can drive itself to me in a parking lot. We live in a world shaped by mold-shattering innovators. They got rich. But in ministry? If you break the mold for Jesus — heaven gets richer.
Breaking the mold starts with asking different questions. Not “What did we do last year and how do we improve it?” but, “What’s our goal — and what’s the best way to meet it?”
Like my friend Shelly, a children’s pastor in Florida, who wanted to reach unchurched families. Instead of hosting VBS at her church, she rented the local community center and branded it “Kids Camp.” She advertised through the community center itself, rather than through the church as usual. Hundreds of kids came who would never have stepped into a church — and afterward, many of those families came to visit her church because they’d already experienced the warmth of her church family. She broke the mold — and Jesus used it.
As Paul said in Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…”
That’s what mold-breaking ministry looks like.
So ask bold questions like:
- What could we do?
- What should we do?
- What’s never been tried?
- What might actually work?
- What would kids go crazy for?
- What would make parents curious?
- What would inspire volunteers?
- What’s impossible… unless God shows up?
You may need to ask your leadership for permission. Be honest — it might flop. But behind every high tech gadget you carry is a long list of failures. Behind every unforgettable kids event is someone who took a risk.
When you see something creative another church is doing, don’t just copy it. Ask, “What led them to that?” Study the why, not just the what. If possible, contact them. Many leaders would love to share their creative journey with you. But remember — not every idea transplants well into a different setting.
Most importantly, gather a team. Pray. Dream. Ask crazy questions. Some ideas might seem too big — but if God is in it, provision will follow. People love to support bold, creative, Jesus-centered visions for reaching kids.
God specializes in new things. As He declares in Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
God’s always ready to break the mold — and He often does it through leaders just like you.
So what now? Take a serious look at your ministry. It may be humming along just fine — or it may be feeling stuck. Either way, there’s always room to break the mold and try something new, bold, and creative for the sake of the Gospel.
And hey — if God gives you a crazy, wacky, mold-busting idea and it works? Please tell me. I’d love to celebrate with you!
My Prayer for You:
God, give us boldness to break the mold. Help us forget what’s behind and press on toward what You have ahead. Give us courage to innovate, passion to reach kids in new ways, and the humility to seek Your vision over comfort or tradition. Do a new thing through us, Lord — and let it spring up for all to see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FINAL THOUGHT:
God can’t bless a ministry you’re just copying — but He’ll breathe life into one you create in faith.
