Biblical studies show us that God considers children to be very important.  Proverbs 22:6 directs us to “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old , he will not depart from it.”  Jesus impelled even the youngest children to be brought to Him.  Mark 10:16 states “And He (Jesus) took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.”   Jesus mentioned children 205 times in the Bible.

He took time with children.

He spoke to children.

He held children.

He made children feel important.

If Jesus made children such a high priority, it must be important for us today to treat children as Jesus did.

Interactions of a child in a loving and Christ-centered church setting can greatly impact the spiritual development of the child for a lifetime.  Being surrounded by sights and sounds and music that glorifies God can leave an eternal imprint on the life of a child.

So why is volunteer recruitment one of the top issues for KidMin Directors today?  We all know that eager and reliable volunteers can be difficult to find and at times even more difficult to keep.  That is why you need to develop a culture of excitement and enthusiasm in your ministry and not just hours to be served.

Show people that serving in Kids Ministry is an incredible opportunity to develop Christ followers.  Look for all ages, men and women, older and younger.

By recruiting in person, you can communicate the service opportunities and expectations and invite them to join your team.  When approaching a potential volunteer, enthusiastically share your passion for the ministry so they can catch your enthusiasm.

Ask a volunteer to “join a team.”  People don’t need another job, but they do need a place to belong.  Being a volunteer presents an opportunity to build community.  Create an environment where volunteers can know, care for and encourage one another.

Refrain from recruiting through need or guilt-tripping.  Often these recruits are just there out of obligation or just “filling a hole”.  A better way to recruit is surrounding yourself with people who share your passion to help children grow in their faith.  Don’t be afraid to ask people to serve but be prepared to explain what is involved.  Present volunteering as an opportunity to invest in the spiritual growth of a child.  It’s not that people do not want to serve, they want to know their service will make a difference.  They want to know if their time spent is a good investment.  Instead of babysitting children while their parents go to worship, we are investing in times of intentional discipleship.  We want to help children grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord and know how he loves them and cares for them.

Building  relationships is a key factor for volunteers in Children’s Ministry.  Many times, people serve because someone they had a relationship with brought up the opportunity and asked them to serve.  The more people you connect with, the more possible volunteers you will have later.  Most often people do not know where to look to serve if they do not know there is a need.  As you encounter opportunities to share your passion and excitement about your ministry, mention your awesome team and the positive things being accomplished in the lives of the children and the workers/volunteers.

Appreciate the volunteers you have.  You can show appreciation through words of appreciation or small gifts  and cards.  To appreciate someone is to recognize his or her contribution and value.  When we appreciate our volunteers we are recognizing what they have done.  People need to feel that their hard work and dedication matters and we notice their efforts.  Let them know you recognize them not only for what they do but for who they are.  As a director, be visible.  Pop your head in the room, speak to teachers and children.  Greet them by name.  Let them see that you respect and appreciate them. Get to know your volunteers and pray for them.

Lastly and most importantly, DO NOT NEGLECT PRAYER.  Jesus understands our struggles in recruitment.  He says in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few”. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.

This is an article about Scripture memory, so what does that have to do with the beach? Imagine standing on the beach and looking out at the waves. How much is the ocean physically impacting you? It is inspiring and beautiful, but it isn’t truly impacting you. Now, imagine if you go out waist deep into the ocean. The ocean is beginning to move you around. Finally, imagine being neck deep in the ocean. Now, the ocean is really having an impact.

The impact God’s Word will have on our lives depends on how deeply we are immersed in it. There is perhaps no greater way to experience that level of involvement with the Word of God than committing key verses and passages to memory.

The Bible is clear that we should strive to meditate on Scripture:

“Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”
Psalm 1:1-3

The one who meditates on the Word will be blessed in all that they do:

• Business pursuits
• Educational pursuits
• Marriage
• Parenting
• Ministry
• Personal Finances
• Relationships

What does it mean to meditate? It means to ponder, to think about deeply, to ruminate on something. Meditation helps move the Word from our head to our hearts. There is a close connection between meditation and memorization. As you engage in the process of memorizing Scripture, the Word can transform your life and character.

Here are six practical reasons why Scripture memory is so important:

1. Scripture Memory Equips Us For The Spiritual Battles We Face In Life

Scripture memory has probably impacted my life more than any other spiritual discipline, and I have found that it is a great tool for discipling college students. There are so many thought patterns and philosophies that are competing for the minds of students. Their minds need to be transformed by the Word of God.

We can use memorized verses to address specific struggles we may be facing. For example, if you are dealing with fear, memorize some key verses on fear, if you are dealing with anger, memorize verses on anger. I have found that it is easier to memorize verses that relate to the battles I am experiencing in life.

In the book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney says,

“Imagine yourself in the midst of a decision and needing guidance, or struggling with a difficult temptation and needing victory. The Holy Spirit enters your mental arsenal and looks around for available weapons, but all He finds is a John 3:16, a Genesis 1:1, and a Great Commission. Those are great swords, but they’re not made for every battle. How do we go about filling our personal spiritual arsenal with a supply of swords for the Holy Spirit to use? When Scripture is stored up in your mind, it is available for the Holy Spirit to bring to your attention when you need it most.”

2. Memorization Brings Transformation

Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Paul is saying that we are constantly under pressure to conform to the world’s systems and values. When you have memorized verses stored in your mind, you can live everyday with a more transformed way of thinking. Changing how we think is a key to sanctification.

As God’s people entered the Promised Land, which was occupied by hostile enemies, God essentially gave Joshua two instructions. He says in verses 7 and 9 to be strong and courageous, and He says in verse 8:

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

We see here that the Word equips us for all the challenges we face in life. We also see that when we meditate on God’s Word day and night, we are much more careful to obey it.

“If I had to choose between all the disciplines of the spiritual life, I would choose Bible memorization, because it is a fundamental way of filling our minds with what it needs. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth. That’s where you need it! How does it get in your mouth? Memorization.” Dallas Willard

3. God’s Word in Our Hearts Can Help Us Avoid Sin

“How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word….
I have treasured Your word in my heart,
So that I may not sin against You.”
Psalm 119:9, 11

When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Scripture to respond to these temptations.

He answered, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Memorized Scripture gives the Holy Spirit a vocabulary to speak to us. You may be feeling conviction and a prompting by the Holy Spirit in a certain compromising situation. When you have Scripture stored up in your mind, the Holy Spirit can use it to bring clarity to what the Spirit is prompting you to do in that situation.

4. Scripture Memory Equips Us To Be Able To Minister To Others.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Steve Farrar, in the book, Manna, says this:

Jesus used Scripture to explain, rebuke, exhort, comfort and train those around Him. In the Gospel of Matthew alone, we find Jesus directly quoting from the OT seventy-six times. Thirty three of those quotes are from the Pentateuch: three from Genesis, seven from Exodus, six from Leviticus, one from Numbers, and sixteen from Deuteronomy. Nine times Jesus also directly quoted from Psalms and Proverbs. He quoted from all the major prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel), and from eight of the twelve minor prophets. 

5. Memorized Scriptures are a Powerful Tool for Evangelism.

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

When you are witnessing, and you don’t know what to say, give people the Word of God. Share verses about the Gospel!

Memorize the verses that go with the Gospel presentation that you are using or learning. For example, The Bridge Illustration is based on Romans 6:23, and The Romans Road illustration is based on Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 and 10:9. Some of my most powerful moments in evangelism are when I share Jesus’s words instead of my own.

6. Memorizing Scripture Fuels Worship and Devotion

The goal is not to know more verses, but to have more verses know me. By approaching Scripture memory with an attitude of meditation, it helps to keep the process of memorization fresh, rather than allowing it to become a burden. It has become my practice to review my verses every morning along with my daily quiet time. For me, it is a devotional exercise. I review verses with the same anticipation to hear from God as I do when I open my Bible for my quiet time. Some of the biggest decisions in my life were influenced by the Holy Spirit speaking to me through verses I had previously memorized.

So how can you get started with Scripture memory? If you are wondering how to start filling your arsenal with verses, try memorizing the verses God has used to speak to you recently – from sermons, from time in the Word, or even from social media. I put my verses on note cards and review them daily on my own, and weekly with students I am discipling and with an accountability partner. Two of the biggest pitfalls I have seen in Scripture memory are not having accountability with others and not having a plan to review old verses. If the habit of Scripture memory isn’t something you are used to, link it up with something you enjoy. A lady from my church reviews verses every day when she drinks her afternoon coffee!

A great thing about Scripture memory is that it doesn’t have to take much time out of your schedule. I read in an article that the average American spends 45 minutes everyday simply waiting. These moments are a great opportunity to review verses we have memorized, thereby redeeming that time… even at the beach.

This article was originally posted on CollegeMinistry.com. Link: https://collegeministry.com/how-to-joyfully-memorize-scripture/

KRAKOW, POLAND–Kelsey Bennett finally felt acclimated to her new role as an International Mission Board missionary in eastern Europe. In a mid-term role, she served with a great ministry team, and her knowledge of the language and culture had grown. Then because of unrest in the area where she served, she had to evacuate quickly to a new location, leaving behind many personal possessions and the relationships she had built.

Suddenly, she found herself serving in Poland, learning another language and culture, and working with a new ministry team. Her home church, Hillcrest Baptist Church in Pensacola, rose into action, packing three suitcases with clothing and other items that were delivered to her by a pastor from the church and his wife.

“What a blessing that was!” enthused Bennett. “That was a really difficult year, and to have the support of my home church to physically help and offer an outside perspective was huge.” Visits from others in her home church also have provided her with an opportunity to introduce the ministry first-hand and to offer suggestions on what they can do to help.

In November, Bennett, along with 48 others, was appointed by the International Mission Board for full-time career service and participated in a Sending Celebration at New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

‘Called to missions’

Bennett never imagined she would be a missionary until she served as the Baptist Collegiate Ministries associate at a northwest Florida university. Developing a strong affection for ministering to university students, Bennett longed for an experience outside of America. After much prayer and with wise counsel from pastors and other missionaries, she began her journey into missionary service with the International Mission Board.

“As followers of Christ, we are all called to missions in some capacity. Whether it be to a location, to a people group, or in our everyday lives, we are called to share the Good News with anyone we meet,” said Bennett.

‘God is working’

Through missions, she has learned to trust God where He leads. She understands that things can change in a very short amount of time and that challenges abound no matter where you take the gospel.

As she serves in a university ministry in Poland, challenges include communication mishaps due to language barriers and cultural differences. Bennett found that in Krakow, Poland, people can come across as blunt and rude to someone who was raised on southern charm in the United States. To smile at or talk with a stranger in Poland is uncommon, she said, but Polish people “are very hospitable and friendly” after you get to know them.

Another challenge is helping Polish people see their need for a relationship with Jesus. Catholicism permeates the culture, with many believing they are “good” because of their religious traditions. “Mostly, they just don’t see their need to be forgiven of sin and saved in Jesus. It is hard soil, but we know God is working,” said Bennett.

She seeks to develop friendships over coffee and evangelism-based activities like karaoke, game nights, movie nights and sports days at a local park. Eventually, those friendships lead to Bible reading, gospel conversations and times of prayer.

A weekly event called Breakthrough Krakow is a time for practicing English conversation skills where topics can be light and fun, but can lead to the deep and spiritual discussions.

Another fun event that Bennett looks forward to is hosting an American Thanksgiving meal for students. Many who attend will have only seen Thanksgiving celebrations in movies and on television shows. It is another way to build relationships and show gratitude to Christ.

Bennett finds discipleship, fellowship and accountability through weekly Bible study with a group of young women at the Polish church she attends. Her mission team is made up of Polish Baptist church members who desire to grow in discipleship, evangelism and sound biblical teaching and preaching.

The goal of university ministry is to connect students with local Baptist churches so they can be discipled by Polish believers in their heart language. “There are many steps to get to that point, but our main goal is getting these students connected to the church. We may not be there for more than a few years, so we want to make sure we pass them to believers who will continue to invest in them,” Bennett said.

No Place Like Home: Creating A Pathway for Spiritual Disciplines in the Home

In a recent study I conducted between parental spiritual maturity and spiritual discipline practices in the home, two key takeaways were noted. First, spiritually mature parents felt less confident to teach their children about the Gospel. Second, prayer was the least practiced spiritual discipline. Therefore, I created a HOME Model to help parents become the primary spiritual caregivers, as was intended from the beginning.

H – Habitual Spiritual Disciplines – We want spiritual disciplines to become a habit. Rather than start a checklist of all the things to accomplish, begin small. Use theologically sound resources. Calendar in when spiritual disciplines will take place.

O – Obedience in Christ – The Bible provides evidence of what happens when parents remain obedient in God’s Word and the consequences of those who disobey God and neglect their biblical mandate.

M – Meaningful, yet age appropriate, conversations. Meaningful conversations can be about small and large decisions – job promotions, moves, colleges, etc. Hard situations may involve death of a loved one, global/local crises, a medical diagnosis, etc.

E – Every Day Life – Families are primarily together at meals, in the car, and at bedtime. Spiritual discipline practices do not have to have this fancy setup but can be done as you are going.

The HOME model is the start, but creating a pathway will help maintain spiritual disciplines.

• Set attainable goals. Make your goal vague to give room for flexibility.
• Have someone outside your family to hold you accountable through the triumphs and trials of leading your children.
• If you have a big age gap, focus on disciplines that work best for the youngest. Involve the older kids by asking them to lead in the moment.
• Use a journal to help evaluate your progress. Make changes as needed.

Start with prayer, Bible study, and worship because they are the easiest spiritual disciplines to practice across the lifespan of a child. The examples below are tools you can take or change to best fit your household.

• Worship – Listen to worship songs in the car. Ask your preschooler, “What does this song say about God?” When at home, discuss what God made on your plate. At bedtime, sing a worship song. Allow elementary children to request worship songs in the car and discuss why they chose those songs. While at the dinner table, converse about big words heard in worship. At bedtime, read a chapter in Psalms. Discuss with your preteen in the car about the songs they are singing at youth group. Engage in a worship night at home. Allow your older children to pick the songs and lead. Before bed, compare worship songs to Scripture. Emphasize the importance of understanding what we sing to and about God.
• Bible Study – While in the car, listen to Scripture and emphasize to your preschool children that what they heard was true. While at the dinner table, discuss a characteristic of God, like love. Before bedtime, use a full Old Testament and New Testament, hand-held Bible. Allow preschoolers to hold and touch the Bible as you read. Listen to Scripture in the car with your elementary children and discuss what it says about God. Read the Bible as a family at home. Allow children to read the verses or plan the family devotion. At bedtime, discuss big words heard in Scripture. While in the car with your preteens, have them read the Bible out loud and dialogue what it says about God, but also what we should do as believers. Participate in a Bible study together. Discuss theological concepts at bedtime. “The question of the day is…”
• Prayer – Pray with your preschoolers when you see or hear an emergency vehicle. Pray before mealtimes. Teach and model prayer. While in the car, with your elementary student, pray for the day. Create a family prayer journal at home. At bedtime, pray through Scripture. When you have preteens in the car, discuss how God answered prayers. During a meal, ask how God worked in their lives during the week. At bedtime, discuss prayers that God has yet to answer. Do not give false theology or false hope; yet encourage them to keep praying. God still hears us and wants to be part of our lives.

There are a variety of ways to engage in spiritual disciplines with your children, but the key is to start. Do not wait for a proper time or a calm season. Begin today because we are in a battle for our next generations, everlasting consequences are on the line.

While we have the opportunity every week to prioritize ministry to children and their participation in the Kingdom of God, collectively there is an event that has been the most effective at reaching and leading children. It’s Vacation Bible School. According to Lifeway, “95% of Americans who say they have a child who has attended VBS agree that participating in VBS was one of their child’s most meaningful church experiences.”[1]

Why is Vacation Bible School so impactful? Think about the following:

At Vacation Bible School, kids interact with loving church members of all ages, as well as their peers.

At Vacation Bible School, kids are taught the Bible.

At Vacation Bible School, kids are given the opportunity to receive Christ.

At Vacation Bible School, kids learn in a safe and caring environment.

At Vacation Bible School, it’s all about kids coming to Jesus!

Last year, well over 100,000 kids participated in VBS at a Florida Baptist church! And there are plenty more who would participate, if invited.  “69% of American parents will encourage their child to participate in a VBS event at a church they don’t attend if invited by one of their friends.”[2] What kids will join your church at VBS this next summer?

As you begin to think about your plans for VBS, consider joining us for one of our regional Vacation Bible School trainings this spring. Our trainings are led by Florida Baptist children’s ministers who love kids and love VBS. We’d love to see you and your team at any of the following:

• February 8^th: Jacksonville – Hibernia Baptist Church
• March 1^st: Coral Springs – Parkridge Baptist Church
• March 1^st: Milton – Pine Terrace Baptist Church
• March 29^th: Kissimmee – FBC Kissimmee
• March 29^th: Alachua – FBC Alachua
• April 5^th: Ft. Myers – Crossroads Baptist Church
• April 12^th: Panama City – Hiland Park Baptist Church

[1] It’s Worth It, 48.

[2] https://vbs.lifeway.com

The good news is that they show up in droves on a weekly basis expecting to be taught, trained, and challenged—and yes, for the pizza. We have an opportunity to not only introduce these young people to Jesus, but to set their hearts ablaze for His mission, “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19).

So, allow me a few moments to share four keys to creating a gospel-sharing culture in your ministry.

 Expand Their Focus

Equipping teenagers starts long before a sermon on the Great Commission. It begins by expanding their focus beyond the walls of the church. Not changing their focus. Expanding it. Every sermon, small group, and event should help to develop both their inward and outward focus.

For many teenagers, church is all about them—their own personal sin, growth, and relationship with Jesus. The focus is mostly, if not completely, inward. But what would happen if we intentionally developed their outward focus with the same priority and passion? I believe we’d see healthy, Spirit-filled teenagers begin to reach their own personal Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 1:8).

Practice, Practice, Practice

There are a thousand reasons believers avoid sharing the gospel, and most all of them begin with the words, “what if…?” This is why intentional equipping is so crucial. Football players run the same play over and over in practice. Drama students rehearse lines 107 times. And yet, we often expect teenagers to seek out meaningful gospel conversations in the real world equipped only with a few verses and a powerful challenge at the end of a sermon.

Instead, consider setting some time aside for students to practice with safe people who love them. Preparation matters because people matter, and as believers, we have a responsibility to represent Christ well (2 Cor. 5:20-21). So, create scenarios, assign parts, and let them screw up, say the wrong thing, and become a little more comfortable sharing what they believe. If it goes poorly, rewind and try again. Giving students time to practice gospel conversations is an incredible way to help them overcome their fears and build confidence.

Walk Your Talk

Teenagers crave authenticity. They don’t want to be told what to do but shown by those they admire. Building a gospel-sharing culture starts at the top. Sure, I could easily preach on prayer and challenge my students to pray with a friend this week, but how much more powerful would it be if I joined them or shared a recent example of how I prayed with my neighbor?

Share your victories, missed opportunities, and gospel-sharing blunders. Invite students to grow with you, not just because of you. Linking arms with young people is crucial to creating lasting change in their lives. Much like Paul was to Timothy, be the vulnerable and authentic leader they will follow into a life of evangelism.

Celebrate Conversations, Not Only Conversions

How are we measuring gospel-sharing success? Many people feel the need to “close the deal,” thinking anything less than a prayer of repentance is a failure. But success in evangelism isn’t measured by conversions. It’s measured by faithful gospel conversations.

When a teenager boldly shares their faith only to be harshly rejected, it’s easy for them to feel like a failure and vow never to try again. While we can’t stop negative reactions, we can help our students understand what true success is.

Instead of highlighting only the positive conversations, salvation prayers, and repentant reactions, highlight the faithfulness and boldness of students. Celebrate together when the gospel is proclaimed, no matter the result. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:7, our job is not to close the deal, but faithfully plant and water the seed. God changes hearts, not us. Regularly reminding your students of this will help to create a bold gospel-sharing culture.

Helping teenagers grow gracefully in their walk with Christ and seek the lost may seem like a daunting task, but once you begin to see the effects of a gospel-sharing culture—one that strengthens the inward and outward focus, that prioritizes practice, that leads with authentic passion for the lost, and that defines success God’s way—you’ll never see student ministry the same way again.

This is one of the beautiful blessings we get to enjoy here on Earth – the fellowship of believers. Jesus modeled this example perfectly. He always found opportunities to spend time with His disciples. From the last supper (Matt. 26:17-29) to eating breakfast after His resurrection (John 21:1-19), Jesus valued fellowship and was intentional about it. Therefore, when leading a youth ministry, I have adopted the saying from a ministry mentor of mine: “Radical Hospitality.”

Despite exposure to social media, Gen Z (born between 1996 and 2012) is known as the loneliest generation according to the Institute for Family Studies. More than half of Gen Z (56%) has reported to feel lonely at least once a month during their childhood. As students walk in with baggage we are unaware of, how can we show them the same hospitality that Jesus showed His disciples? How can we show our students they are more than just the seat they fill or a check-in statistic through Planning Center? How can we show them they are loved and valued by God and the body of Christ? Our pursuit of radical hospitality to the next generation is modeled through the following practices.

We make them feel at home.

Our church has implemented a mission statement: Connect, Grow, Serve. We first connect people to Christ by showing them that the church  is their home. They are made in the image of God and we show them they can belong with the people of God.  From engaging through sermon illustrations, to shooting hoops after service, we seek to find common interests and provide affirmations on who they are in Christ.

We show them that we care.

There is a saying that I have heard from many experienced youth leaders I look up to: “students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” If we want a ministry that grows with a hunger for God’s Word, we need to be intentional about the process. As we connect students to Christ, we show them we care by helping them grow in Christ. We do this through small groups and Sunday services. Making sure that we are working in unison with our Senior Pastor (who leads and guides us with vision) and our small group teachers, students are being submerged in God’s Word while also experiencing what the church truly is, God’s family.

One name, one story.

I am absolutely terrible with names – ask anyone – which is why I challenge myself and my team to connect with at least one student every Friday night. We do this by learning their name and their story. One of our students made sure to help me understand the importance of memorizing names by challenging me every Friday what his name is for one month straight. Our students want to be known, they want to be loved, they want to be remembered, and they want to be welcomed. They just want us to make the first move.

Vision Statement: To See Christ Elevated

As we connect our students to Christ and help them grow in Christ, we show them what it means to serve Christ. By doing these things we show our students their value as well as the importance of fellowship. Our mission statement helps us keep our focus on our vision statement: to see Christ elevated. By seeing Christ elevated, we put our focus on connecting, growing, and serving to bring our God glory.

Are you involving visuals?

While carrying out His ministry on earth, Jesus repeatedly used visuals to communicate His message (vine and branches, mustard seed, etc.). Truth that is communicated not only verbally, but also visually, can impact teenagers profoundly. We live in a culture where teenagers communicate a lot through images. Instagram, GIFS, and emojis are evidence of that.

According to the Visual Teaching Alliance (1998), 65% of the population are visual learners. The 3M Corporation has also found that visual aids in the classroom improve learning by up to 400% (3M Corporation, 2001). Another source is John Medina’s book, “Brain Rules,” where he states that audience retention of a text based message drops to only 10% after 3 days – but this increases to 65% with the addition of a strong visual image.

Always ask yourself when delivering a message, “What can they SEE with their EYES and walk away with in their HANDS?”

When we ask this question in preparation to speak, we will always speak to the visual and kinesthetic learners in our ministry. I always try to send my students home with something physical in their hands. For example, I have sent students home with a Go Fish card when talking about being a fisher of men. We can easily send them home with a plastic penny when talking about the lost coin or a Lego piece when talking about building others up with your speech.

Are you involving your team?

Maybe you don’t feel like a creative person or maybe you aren’t personally a visual or kinesthetic learner. That’s okay, involve your Youth Ministry Team!

Creativity takes a team. 

I have found that more minds equal better results.

I always try to meet with my leaders before kicking off in the Fall. When I meet with them, I bring with me the series, along with the texts, I am planning on preaching. I involve my leaders by asking them for their ideas on how we can best incorporate visuals, stage design, photo booths, guest experiences, and tangible aids that they can walk away with. When you take your creativity along with the unique strengths, perspectives, voices, and skills of other people, your collaboration will give you great results.

 Are you involving memorable statements?

Jesus delivered memorable statements, “tweet-able statements” if you will. A famous example is Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” One pastor has said, “Memorable is portable.”

Have you ever noticed how easily students remember lyrics to a song? Maybe you’re the same way. Most of the time they’re memorable because they rhyme. Other times, it’s memorable because it’s simple.

If you want to make it memorable, keep it simple. 

Can your students sum up your message in one statement? 

If they remember your statement, they will carry it with them wherever they go. 

Are you encouraging note-taking?

I have found that when I reward note-taking, I not only am helping them recall the message but I’m also helping them pay attention during the service.

What gets rewarded gets repeated. When students take notes, I have them post a picture or screenshot of their notes to their Instagram story and tag our Youth Ministry Instagram account. The next week, we will randomly choose one of them to walk away with a Starbucks gift card. We have also partnered with a local fast food place that rewards our students with a free cookie or ice cream when they show up that Wednesday night with their notes.

Lastly, and most importantly, we strive to model our methods after Jesus. When we study Jesus, how he communicated, how he led others, we will be effective in communicating His word to the next generation. 

Make Your Ministry a REMARKABLE Experience 

Leaders will flock to an exciting experience. Think of companies that go out of their way to impress their customers. Disney, Chick-Fil-A, Target to name a few. Your ministry can be remarkable on a small budget. Think of ways to go over and beyond on a Sunday morning.  You may add fun kid’s background music in your hallways. Use bright and cheery decor. Think of inexpensive “SWAG” the kids could take home that drives home the lesson of the day. Anything that is out of the ordinary!  Use social media to create excitement!  We have all heard the saying “no one wants to join a sinking ship.”  Potential Leaders will be the same.  They will want to join a remarkable experience.

Build a Strong Biblical Foundation

As you train leaders and the kids in your ministry, have a consistent “go to” way that you will study every lesson. In our ministry we use the 4 W’s. After every lesson on Sunday mornings, Wednesday Nights, after school Bible studies, or VBS, we ask the kids to consider the 4 W’s.  Why did God include this in the Bible, Where is Christ in this story, What can I do with this story in my life and Who can I tell and why?  The discussions that come from these simple questions will be very rich. It is easy for leaders to catch on and lead these discussions. Soon, the kids will start to lead the discussion on their own. It has been a great addition to our kids small groups.

Recruit Continually

As a Kids Pastor/Director, our job is to be continually recruiting. Everyone you meet is a potential member of your team. As you meet people, learn about their life, gifts, and passions. Chances are, there is a place for them in the Kids Ministry.  Get everyone on board, even if they start out with a very minimal task. Adding to the team will help create excitement! Get creative and use the gifts potential leaders possess.  You will find that they may start in one position and grow into a position that you had not considered for them.

Prepare and Train Leaders for the Role

Start your potential leaders with a “Test Drive” Sunday. Match them up with a seasoned leader to try out the ministry before they commit. Use this time to convey the ministry’s vision and see how a typical day runs. Try to provide them with the resources they will need so they can come in with minimal preparation.  Think of leaders that may be available during the week and may only want to serve behind the scenes to help with curriculum and supply preparation.

Evaluate Regularly 

After every Sunday, there is a lesson to be learned. As you develop your strongest leaders, take time to have a conversation each week on what could have made that day run smoother. Celebrate wins together and share how the Gospel was presented that week. Take these conversations and communicate them with your team. As your team builds, they will begin to understand expectations and begin to lead newer members of your team.

Every ministry, no matter what size can use these steps to build a strong team. To begin, find a few leaders to start the process. Give leaders a time frame so they feel like they have a way to step out at some point if they need to. Our goal as Kids Leaders is to help others develop the passion to lead the Next Generation to Christ!

This year, LifeWay’s Spark Studios is centered on Ephesian 2:10. We are all created in God’s image, designed for a purpose. Kids will discover that God made them, loves them, and has a plan just for them. What a timeless truth that kids need to hear today. Kids are being bombarded with so many negative impacts with they way that they see themselves. The mixed message of this world can distract and derail us. But God’s message is true, He created us to be His masterpiece, designed our paths and gives us strength to do His will.

Mark your calendars to bring your whole team to one of the seven trainings across Florida!

This year, we have added classes that are not theme specific to Spark Studios but specific to any VBS or Kids Ministry training. Topics that are great for any VBS and Kids Ministry training include: Sharing the Gospel with Kids, Small Church? No Problem, Helping your Volunteers shine, Classroom expectations for the Church and Unchurched, and Follow-up.

I pray that you and your church will say YES to VBS and that I will see you at VBS training.

2022 VBS Trainings:

March 5 East Florida VBS Regional Training | Jacksonville

March 26 West Florida VBS Regional Training | Pensacola

April 2 North Florida VBS Regional Training | Tallahassee

April 2 Central Florida VBS Regional Training | Kissimmee

April 9 Southwest Florida VBS Regional Training | Palmetto

April 23 West Florida VBS Regional Training | Panama City

April 30 Southeast Florida VBS Regional Training | Fort Lauderdale