Read an Excerpt
Children's Ministry
The Church of the Resurrection
By Judy Comstock, Adam Hamilton Abingdon Press
Copyright © 2006 Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4267-3454-0
CHAPTER 1
Making Children's Ministry the Flagship
Each summer a sailing adventure called the Tall Ships Challenge alternates between the Atlantic, the Great Lakes, and the Pacific coasts of North America. On each ship, volunteers sign up with experienced paid crew members to form a remarkable team. This impressive race draws thousands of spectators. The shape of the ships, the rigging, and the wooden details are notable on these grand sailing vessels. Even more notable is the significant impact the tall ships had on history.
Churches that raise the value of Children's Ministry are making an impact, as well. Even adults with no direct connection as parents or volunteers recognize the importance of our work and routinely bring their friends through the children's area to describe the exciting things that are happening. Sadly, the churches who do not consider younger members of the family will crash into the rocks. Statistician George Barna, author of Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions (Regal Books, 2003), confirms the importance of the work done by Children's Ministry leaders. Barna's message rings clear that the emerging generation is impacting the emerging church.
Growing up in a culture with few absolutes has not eliminated opinions and interests in spiritual things for today's children. The economic sway they have is described in James McNeal's book Kids as Customers (Lexington Books, 1992). In the article "How well marketing works on kids, what the numbers say" (Curriculum Review, no. 42, September 2002), McNeal discusses the fact that children ages two to fourteen directly influence over $188 billion in spending. Kristen Harmeling, a marketing expert on the consumer habits of children, reports that "Before, kids had a say in food; now, they have a say in everything." They have a voice in everything from selecting the family car to deciding the site for the family vacation, she says (Yankelovich Youth Monitor, "Taking Marketing Productivity Higher, "2005).
By assessing our programs and facilities through the eyes of a family with children, we can determine our strengths and discover where adjustments are needed. A family's first impression of Children's Ministries may be the deciding factor for repeat visits. Does the atmosphere indicate that kids count? Providing a safe, clean setting is important to parents. Kids value relationships and the fun factor.
First Impressions ... All Hands on Deck
Starting at the front door of the church building, let's take an imaginary tour through the eyes of that visiting family.
CLOSER LOOK
As we step inside, who will answer their questions about the children's classroom locations? The programs?
-> Post greeters at every entrance. These "first friendly faces" should acknowledge the children and direct or escort the family to the children's area.
-> Recruit a Children's Ministry Hospitality Team. The welcoming team members will be ready to answer questions about Children's Ministry. Staffing a Children's Information Booth can connect families to your ministry.
Where are the nursery and Sunday school classrooms? As with real estate, location is important. Assess your floor plans through the eyes of parents with young children. In doing so, one church decided to rearrange the room assignments to move the nursery nearer the sanctuary. The benefit of this change was noted.
How will I be contacted if my child needs me? Ask parents to leave their cell phone number on the class roster. Encourage parents to set their cell phones on vibrate. Cell phones provide a simple paging solution. Another method is an usher card on which the parents provide their names. The usher will note their pew location and some identifiable indicator, such as the color of the dad's shirt. The usher can use the card to locate the parent in case of an emergency.
TECHNOLOGY
How do I enroll my child? Provide a registration form requesting the child's name, birthdate, address, phone number, a description of the child's unique needs, and parental information. A computer savvy volunteer can add a Children's Ministry page to your church's website. Information on programs and upcoming events may be routinely posted. Keeping the information current is important. Consider adding the convenient option of preregistering children for events and programs on the website. Whether visitor information is noted in your church's computer database or a card file, keeping a record on prospects and members for follow-up and future contact is wise.
What measures are taken so my child is not released to the wrong person? A claim-check approach is an effective security measure. At check-in, the parent is given a numbered tag and the matching numbered tag is pinned to the child's clothing. Laminate the colored card stock tags to extend the use. Parents present the tag at the close of the class time when calling for their child. (See further discussion on page 29.)
How will you know about my child's allergy? Encourage parents to record their child's unique needs on the registration form. Ask them to place a colored sticker dot on the child's nametag or "claimcheck" tag to alert the teachers. Colored wristbands made fromtyvek(r) can serve the same purpose. Parents should indicate their child's specific need or allergy on the band, then place it on their child's wrist. A "lifetime supply" (five hundred wristbands) can be purchased for about $20 through suppliers such as www.wristbandexpress.com.
Housekeeping ... Swab the Decks
Children's Ministry requires a lot of stuff (supplies), and working with children can be messy. Even so, parents expect clean facilities, especially when their children are young.
KEY CONCEPT
As you walk into the children's area, are there distinct odors?
-> Place soiled diapers in plastic bags. Use recycled shopping or grocery produce bags. Tie the bag and discard it in a covered plastic-lined container. Wipe the changing area with disinfectant. One part bleach to three parts water is a safe, economical solution.
-> Disinfect toys. Cleaning toys in the top shelf of a dishwasher or regularly wiping them with a bleach-water solution will kill germs and eliminate unpleasant odors.
COST-CUTTING
Does the play area in the early childhood classrooms have an appropriate number of toys? Are the shelves overstocked? Are there enough toys?
-> Reserve the right to discard donated toys. While donations are appreciated, the church often becomes the benefactor of old, broken items. Be selective about what you keep.
POTENTIAL PITFALL
-> Schedule a department gift shower. List specific items that are needed or register at a store in your community, such as Babies "R" Us or a large discount retailer. Decorate for the party. Serve cookies and punch to the guests. Invite a few key volunteers to open the gifts. This fun approach to stocking cabinets may become an annual event.
IDEA TO TRY
Avoid the temptation to overstock the classrooms. Even if your church provides a generous budget for Children's Ministries, it's best to not have an overabundance of toys in the classroom. Rotate the toys by storing unused items in cabinets or plastic tubs. This approach can add anticipation and build some surprises into each week. Reinforce the theme for the week by displaying toys that connect easily to the lesson.
Décor ... Attention!
On our imaginary walk, what do you see on the walls in the children's area? Is there evidence that kids are welcome here? Artist Bruce Barry (www.wackyworld.com) has created some fantastic presentations. However, most of us cannot afford his impressive three-dimensional, interactive themes.
What are some affordable decorating methods?
-> Photograph and enlarge pictures of children. Hang photos enlarged to at least eighteen-inch square and matted on foam core. Processing in black and white adds an artistic flair. Obtain written permission from parents before taking a child's picture.
-> Do-it-yourself. Check out Randy Triplett's website gallery of creative Children's Ministry designs (www.painteroffun.com). With the help of a few volunteers, an entire room can be created in a few hours using his Theme Room Decorating Kits. Or, make transparency patterns from copyright-free coloring books. Let your imagination soar.
COST-CUTTING
At Church of the Resurrection, the hallways depict outdoor scenes common to Kansas City. Scriptures are lettered on each wall. Since being a light to the world is a focus for the church, various forms of light are also incorporated. A candle in a window, a porch light, rays of sunlight, a rainbow, a lantern, and fireflies help make the connection. When asked why the walls are painted like this, a second grader answered, "It's so when I'm driving around and see a place, it will make me think of my church." She got it! What do you want your walls to say?
What can we do with a leased building?
A decorating challenge exists for churches leasing a facility such as a school.
IDEA TO TRY
Signage is needed outside the building for directions to the site, but inside the building, signs help create an atmosphere. Colorful placards with pictures of happy children may be hung on Sunday morning from the grid bars of dropped ceilings. Portable fencing or large carpet remnants can create designated play areas. Portable Church Industries provides a "soup-to-nuts" approach for the church on the move.
COST-CUTTING
-> Affordable canvas. One decorating solution that works in leased space is to airbrush enlarged ministry logos and scenes on economical bed sheets. The cloth can be hung on a wall to add color and connection.
The Fun Factor
Children can learn in an "un-fun" place. However, if given a choice to attend, most children will weigh their decision with an enjoyment appraisal. Parents want their child to increase in knowledge, but their most common question to the child at the close of the programming hour is, "Did you have fun?"
CLOSER LOOK
-> Establish an appropriate ratio of adults to children. To facilitate positive relationships with leaders and other kids, consider a 1:7 adult-to-child ratio for the preschool age levels and 1:10 for the elementary grades. (Keep in mind the two-person rule discussed on page 28.)
-> Engage the children. Waiting for the first activity at the start of the class time is boring. Some children create their own activity that may result in inappropriate behavior. From the moment the first child enters the classroom, have interactive options ready to go.
Floor games
Four Square is a popular playground game. Use a roll of electrical tape to create the game grid on the classroom floor. A nerf-type playground ball can be used with this fun game. Consider the size of your classrooms if using this active game.
IDEA TO TRY
Plastic shoe box activity centers
Play dough, sticky wicks, and other craft tools can be stored and rotated in a variety of activity centers. Curriculum publishers routinely include ideas that connect the story or mission project to the lesson theme.
Leading the Way
On our imaginary walk, did you note places where change is needed? Improving the first impression, taking care of housekeeping needs, and adding kid-friendly decorating techniques are important. Even more important is the link to spiritual exploration.
Last fall, one of our fifth graders invited a friend to join him on Wednesday nights at a program designed for their grade level. Before long, the friend started coming to Sunday school. This new boy, who had no background in religious education, was soon telling his parents that he wanted them to be a "church family." Dynamic spiritual changes occurred as Children's Ministry reached into their home. Only months later, members of this family were baptized and joined the church. Children's Ministry is helping the church grow numerically and spiritually.
CHAPTER 2
Recruiting Volunteers ... the Right Bait
Why would a woman dress in white, wrap a yellow feather boa around her neck, tie an orange beak over her nose, and "cluck" an entire melodrama in front of her family and friends? Staff members from a Michigan public school system performed in a citywide variety show in which participation was not mandatory, so why did seventy adults get involved? The answers are simple. We were asked to participate. We used our talents. Yes, talent! The purpose was important. The money we raised put computers in the classrooms. It felt good to be part of something important. And, we had fun!
Adults are often offered the opportunity to volunteer for organizations that impact children. Our ministry volunteer needs can get lost in society's requests unless the mission is articulated, expectations defined, and the benefits celebrated.
Fishing Buddies
Calculating specific volunteer needs and setting realistic job expectations is an important first step.
KEY CONCEPT
-> Divide traditional jobs into smaller tasks. Finding one person willing to fulfill all of the duties of certain positions can be difficult. Some jobs are not in the classroom, but support the classroom teacher.
An important pre-class task is preparing the lesson teaching aids and crafts for the lesson. Invite an organized volunteer to work behind the scenes to prepare consumable items needed in each classroom. On Sunday, when the guides (teachers) arrive, the supply bin is ready for them. If the lesson calls for ribbons, the volunteer has counted, cut, and prepared them. Instead of thinking about glue sticks, the teachers can concentrate on the story, the Bible theme activities, and the needs of individual children.
-> Strive for diverse teams. Connect experienced volunteers with novices. Recruit for a gender mix. Children need to connect with women and men who appreciate the faith journey. Sunday school has traditionally been a place for mothers, but dads enjoy time with their children too.
-> Clearly define expectations. Provide realistic written job descriptions for your dream team. Determine the tenure and the number of times each month the volunteer is expected to participate. Consistency will help the children establish trusting relationships with the leaders.
One church made a radical decision to suspend Sunday school on four holiday weekends. Families worship together in the sanctuary on Easter, Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Christmas. Youth and adult Sunday school classes are also suspended, but a nursery is provided. Volunteers appreciate this accommodation.
IDEA TO TRY
Who Is in the Boat?
KEY CONCEPT
Volunteers want to use their skills or know that training is provided. Adult and youth volunteers like connecting in a friendly, fulfilling atmosphere. Recruiting for the buddy system may include these areas:
Classroom assignments
-> Age/Grade Coordinators: lead quarterly team meetings, guide class time.
-> Guides: teach, assist at check-in/checkout, lead small group discussions.
-> Parent/Youth Helpers: assist with room set-up, crafts, snacks, and cleanup.
Administrative assignments
-> Prayer Team: meets weekly and for special needs.
-> Writers: use curriculum and resources so lesson plans meet your church needs.
-> Crafters and Bulletin Board Artists: plan/implement weekly and seasonal ideas.
-> Supply Prep Team: gathers and sorts classroom teaching supplies.
-> Hospitality Team: takes care of data entry and greets members and visitors.
-> Library Team: purchases, stocks, organizes books and videos.
-> Mission Committee: selects projects and promotes participation.
-> Special Event Teams: operate specific to events.
-> Leadership Board Members: support Children's Ministry and organize related events.
Large group assignments
-> Musicians: vocal and instrumental.
-> Storytellers/Actors/Puppeteers.
-> Tech/Sound Support: runs equipment for music or videos that enhance the presentations. Youth volunteers enjoy this assignment.
Baiting the Hook
My father-in-law's skills as a fisherman included his ability to craft elaborate lures using hooks disguised as colorful feathers, plastic insects, and slimy worms. Some anglers think the color of the bait impacts success. Others say the wrist actions determine the catch. Even the time of day is a consideration. People who fish agree that nothing is caught unless the bait is offered.
What approaches will help us get the volunteers we need?
Recruiting volunteers in Children's Ministries should include an invitation that is both positive and strategic.
KEY CONCEPT
-> Kids invite their moms and dads. Use an "I Choose You" sticker. Children who want their parents to help in the classroom will present their mom or dad with a sticker. If the kids like the program, their parents will hear about it.
-> Register children of volunteers early. This approach is effective for midweek and special events, such as Vacation Bible Camp. Allow early registration for the children of volunteers. At a later date a general registration will fill the remaining spots on the class rosters. This works for popular programs!
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Children's Ministry by Judy Comstock, Adam Hamilton. Copyright © 2006 Abingdon Press. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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