If there is one thing I have learned in my time leading Next Gen Ministry is that it is vital to the health of any church. It can be the reason families do or do not come back, and sadly I have seen a shift where it is the kids pushing the parents to come to church. With that said, we want to create a welcoming space for kids to build a strong relationship with Jesus and each other. So how do we do that?
1. Don’t Underestimate Kids
Kids can understand a lot more than we give them credit for. We just have to present the information in a way they can relate to. Kids want to be challenged and feel like they are learning new things, so when we stay at the surface level, we are not giving them what they need or want. Repetition is good for everyone, especially new church comers who we want to be able to reach at their level. However, we should not avoid explaining harder concepts to them out of fear that they won’t understand.
2. You Don’t Know Everything, and That’s Okay
One issue I have seen in the past is leaders answering questions theologically incorrect to give a quick answer. It is perfectly normal not to have all the answers and tell them you will do your research and get back to them next week. This shows the kids they do not have to pretend they know it all, and neither do you. It also shows the other leaders and parents you care too much to give a careless answer.
3. Volunteers Set the Tone
Kids are learning who they are and who they want to be, so your influence over them matters greatly. It is a huge responsibility and calling to be a leader of any kind in a next-gen ministry, and an anointing from God needs to be present. It breaks my heart when I see leaders showing up out of obligation rather than adoration. The kids deserve present leaders, and they can tell when your heart is elsewhere. Everyone is allowed to have bad days, but the pattern of complacency is something to look out for.
4. Encourage Kids to ask Questions
I love when kids ask questions because it shows they are comprehending what is being taught. Try to implement a time when kids can ask questions either about the lesson or their faith in general. In the past, I have reserved five minutes every Sunday for Q&A for the kids, and the questions were not for the faint of heart. For example, “Why can’t we see God?” or “How do I know Jesus loves me?” This gives kids time to share what’s on their hearts.
5. Have Fun
One of my favorite things about kids' ministry is I get to teach the word of God through art, science, props, and games, which also doesn’t have to stop when you become an adult. Having fun in the church is not any less holy than sitting in a quiet pew out of reverence. God can work through anything, and that includes slime experiments, freeze tag, lego stations, air hockey, etc. Let's not limit God to a box he did not create.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
6. Parents Need to be in the Know
Sundays can be crazy, and the chance of being able to connect with parents is slim, so I try to do this throughout the week. We have so many opportunities for communication that are wonderful tools to make sure parents know what their kids are learning and what is going on. Some resources I have used are a monthly email explaining our themes, weekly parent guides, handouts for upcoming events, social media to show what happens on a Sunday, and personal connections through cards, calls, or texts. This opens the line for communication, so parents know who to go to when they have questions or concerns.
7. Space Does Matter
Creating a welcoming environment is critical, especially for first-time guests. It says you care without actually having to say you care. When they see a clean, organized, intentional space for their kids, it is obvious the church values the ministry.
8. Quality over quantity
Often as Kids leader’s, we can believe we have to offer everything all at once. Sometimes ministry is slow, and that is okay; building something takes time. What really matters is making sure the ministry you are doing is the best it can be with reaching the lost and building up the found. You do not have to have your church doors open every day of the week simply to say they’re open. If we are not offering quality ministry, then who and what are we really serving? Ministry needs to be intentional, not impressive.
9. Try New Things
When I was a kid, felt boards were on the rage in kids' church, but now, not so much. Time changes, and kids learn differently, and we have to be willing to adjust. Just because something is familiar doesn’t mean it is good, and just because something is new doesn't mean it's bad. If you try something new and it fails, do not be hard on yourself; you will only make the ministry better by learning what doesn’t work. When ministry mishaps happen, let’s not be so busy thinking about the so-called failure that we miss all the good that God had done.
10. Invest in Your People
One thing we do not want to do is cut corners when it comes to the materials we give our kids, parents, or volunteers. Whether it is a welcome gift or a volunteer spiritual growth book, we want to make sure we are setting up our people the best we can. Time is an investment, too, so as we set aside time to do coffee dates, phone calls, or meetings, make sure that time is not a waste for either side.
My prayer for you as you take on this huge responsibility and blessing is that you know nothing good is done alone. God will bring the right people alongside you to help you as you build up young ones' faith in God. It is a task not to be taken lightly, and those kids are so fortunate to have someone like you who cares enough to do it right.
Side note: If you need help explaining harder theological concepts to kids and are looking for a way to deepen their understanding of their faith, here is my theology activity book for kids linked below.
Spiral Bound: