Get Off the Stage: Teach from the Heart, Not Just the Platform
Authority impresses; authenticity impacts. Learn the secret of connecting eye-to-eye with kids.
This Secret of Excellent Kid Communicators is something I rarely see. For those in small ministries, it may not seem immediately relevant—maybe you’re in a room with no stage at all, just a circle of kids and a worn carpet. But trust me, this principle is universal. Whether you’re speaking to a crowd of hundreds or sitting with a handful of wiggly kids on the floor, the key is the same: connection over performance.
When you’re on stage, you have authority. But when you’re among the kids, you have authenticity. And while authority can command respect, authenticity captures hearts.
Over the years, whether leading ministries of 10 or 100+, one of my favorite and most impactful habits has been to step off the stage—literally. I sit among the kids during worship or videos. Sometimes I just plop down beside a child during a game or activity. The effect is immediate. I’ve seen children’s eyes light up as if someone famous just chose them to sit with. I once overheard a little boy run up to his mom after church and exclaim, “Mom, Pastor Karl sat with me!” That simple gesture made him feel seen, known, and valued.
Some kids act up not because they’re “bad,” but because they’re craving attention. And they’ll take negative attention over none at all. But what if we were proactive? What if we saw them and sat beside them first? What if we took away the need to get our attention through bad behavior?
Sometimes I even take it a step further while I’m teaching. I’ll bring my stool down and teach from right in the middle of the kids. I’ll pull up a chair, invite them in close, and just talk heart-to-heart. I don’t stay there the whole time—up front is better for visuals and volume—but when I need to make a point stick, being right there in the crowd makes all the difference.
It’s in those moments I speak from the heart: “Kids, you know I love to laugh and have fun. But before we leave today, I need to tell you something important. What’s popular isn’t always right. And what’s right isn’t always popular. My prayer is that you’ll choose what’s right—even if it means standing alone. I want you to care more about what God thinks of you than what someone at school thinks of you. And if it helps, know I’m proud of you too. Can I pray for you?”
Now imagine hearing that next to your pastor, not from a platform. That kind of moment sticks. This kind of ministry isn’t limited to the classroom either. I call it “living off-stage.” It means seeing your students in the lobby, at check-in, near the donut table, or playing with toys—and choosing to engage. Smile. Ask a question. Say their name. Be present.
“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” That’s 1 Thessalonians 2:8, and it’s a beautiful picture of relational ministry. Sharing the message is essential—but so is sharing yourself. Kids don’t just need a gospel message; they need a gospel messenger who knows their name and cares.
I love the old hymn that says, “And He walks with me and He talks with me…” It paints a picture of Jesus doing life with us. That’s what we’re called to do with our kids. I’ve often heard it said, “To a child, you may be Jesus with skin on.” So be that. Walk with them. Talk with them. Laugh with them. When kids know you off-stage, they’ll listen to you on-stage—whether your “stage” is a literal platform or just the front of the room.
When I speak at events or camps, I always arrive early enough to be done setting up before the first child arrives. Why? So I can be among the kids—chatting, playing, laughing. Often, they don’t even realize I’m the speaker until I walk on stage. I remember one event where a boy blurted out, “I know him!” simply because I’d taken time to talk with him earlier. At camp, I eat with the kids instead of the staff. I visit the activity stations and play games with them. And guess what? I get invited back—not because I’m the best speaker, but because I invest in kids off the stage.
I have to admit, I didn’t invent this idea — I copied it from Jesus. Yes, He drew large crowds preaching and performing amazing miracles. But more often, He walked through villages, ate in homes, and stopped at wells to talk with ordinary people. His power was displayed on the “stage,” but His love was shared in personal moments. As St. Francis of Assisi famously said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” Your best sermon might just be a conversation you had before the service ever began.
So get off the stage. Be present. Be real. Be available.
That’s how you move from being a presenter to a disciple-maker. That’s how you go from being heard to being remembered.
My Prayer for You:
“Lord Jesus, You sat among the crowds, You touched the children, You walked beside the
people. Help us to do the same — to get close, to be real, and to show Your love in how we
engage. Let our authenticity open hearts to Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
