Kids in Ministry
Barely older than the kids in the class, our seven year old remembers the week that we helped in the kindergarten class at church. He talks about how they didn't know their verses and he could help them. He owned that role and took it quite seriously.
One principle that has played a role in the upbringing of each of our kids so far is involvement in Christian ministry. For us it came kind of naturally. Both my husband and I majored in ministry in Bible college, and we have rarely had a season in which we were not in either vocational or lay ministry. And, our kids have always come along -- whether to youth group, to the tech booth, to after school programs, to house parenting -- and have seen ministry first hand from their earliest days.
Each of our kids has found their place to serve, although it might change over time. Our oldest enjoyed helping in the production end of weekend services. Most of our girls have enjoyed helping in kids' ministry regularly. One also spearheaded a ministry to homeless people. Our younger boys are still figuring out their place. For now, they help with tech as needed, serve alongside us, and volunteer periodically at places like Feed My Starving Children.
It surprises me when I meet believers that do not serve the body of Christ in some way. They might talk about donating to secular non-profit organizations, taking care of animals, or helping in their kids' classrooms or sports team, but they do not see that missing piece of functioning in the body of Christ. Since we are to do everything we do for the glory of God, even some of those activities can be transformed into ministry with the right focus.
Now, I will also agree that ministry can look quite different in each believer's life. It might involve weekly ministry in the local church, or serving in a soup kitchen, or volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, or serving in your own neighborhood or even your own family. No matter what it looks like, kids need to walk side-by-side as we model for them how to be the hands and feet of Christ.
As we've sought to pass on this habit to our kids these are some tips that have helped along the way:
Find their interest. Even when it doesn't match our own interest, we will at times step into a new area of serving to help kids find their niche. Every skill, gift, resource, and interest can be used for the glory of God and to build the body of Christ. Serving does not need to be miserable, duty-driven drudgery. Finding the area they enjoy is often a key to success and perseverance.
Work side by side. Especially to start with, kids need a role model. They need someone to show them the ropes, to ask the hard questions, to prompt them when they try to hold back, to take the first step so they learn how in the future. And, of course, it is terribly hypocritical to tell our kids they should serve if we do not. 😊
Start them young. Our kids really had no choice, but that ended up as a good thing. So far they have each chosen to do more than we ask of them. They pursue opportunities and find great joy in serving, especially alongside friends and family. Many godly friendships have sprung up from serving alongside other believers.
Encourage and reward them. Although we ultimately want the eternal reward and their love for Christ to drive them, sometimes they need a little more. And, if we reward them for good grades, good behavior, chores well done, or any other character trait, why would we not reward them for serving? We encourage them often, thank them for serving, share positive feedback we have heard from others. And, now and then we do something special just to celebrate their hard work and good attitudes. A special meal out, a small gift or gift card, or even a special outing can help them feel appreciated and press on.
With all of the many opportunities that crowd our kids' schedules, I truly feel we do them a disservice if we allow them to spend much of their time in peer groups pursuing pleasure and recreation and we do not leave time or expectation for regularly serving in and through the body of Christ. Pulling these thoughts together has been an encouragement to me to not let up in this area. Ministry involvement seems to act as a powerful fertilizer for spiritual growth, and it has been such a joy to watch.
One principle that has played a role in the upbringing of each of our kids so far is involvement in Christian ministry. For us it came kind of naturally. Both my husband and I majored in ministry in Bible college, and we have rarely had a season in which we were not in either vocational or lay ministry. And, our kids have always come along -- whether to youth group, to the tech booth, to after school programs, to house parenting -- and have seen ministry first hand from their earliest days.
Each of our kids has found their place to serve, although it might change over time. Our oldest enjoyed helping in the production end of weekend services. Most of our girls have enjoyed helping in kids' ministry regularly. One also spearheaded a ministry to homeless people. Our younger boys are still figuring out their place. For now, they help with tech as needed, serve alongside us, and volunteer periodically at places like Feed My Starving Children.
It surprises me when I meet believers that do not serve the body of Christ in some way. They might talk about donating to secular non-profit organizations, taking care of animals, or helping in their kids' classrooms or sports team, but they do not see that missing piece of functioning in the body of Christ. Since we are to do everything we do for the glory of God, even some of those activities can be transformed into ministry with the right focus.
Now, I will also agree that ministry can look quite different in each believer's life. It might involve weekly ministry in the local church, or serving in a soup kitchen, or volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, or serving in your own neighborhood or even your own family. No matter what it looks like, kids need to walk side-by-side as we model for them how to be the hands and feet of Christ.
As we've sought to pass on this habit to our kids these are some tips that have helped along the way:
Find their interest. Even when it doesn't match our own interest, we will at times step into a new area of serving to help kids find their niche. Every skill, gift, resource, and interest can be used for the glory of God and to build the body of Christ. Serving does not need to be miserable, duty-driven drudgery. Finding the area they enjoy is often a key to success and perseverance.
Work side by side. Especially to start with, kids need a role model. They need someone to show them the ropes, to ask the hard questions, to prompt them when they try to hold back, to take the first step so they learn how in the future. And, of course, it is terribly hypocritical to tell our kids they should serve if we do not. 😊
Start them young. Our kids really had no choice, but that ended up as a good thing. So far they have each chosen to do more than we ask of them. They pursue opportunities and find great joy in serving, especially alongside friends and family. Many godly friendships have sprung up from serving alongside other believers.
Encourage and reward them. Although we ultimately want the eternal reward and their love for Christ to drive them, sometimes they need a little more. And, if we reward them for good grades, good behavior, chores well done, or any other character trait, why would we not reward them for serving? We encourage them often, thank them for serving, share positive feedback we have heard from others. And, now and then we do something special just to celebrate their hard work and good attitudes. A special meal out, a small gift or gift card, or even a special outing can help them feel appreciated and press on.
With all of the many opportunities that crowd our kids' schedules, I truly feel we do them a disservice if we allow them to spend much of their time in peer groups pursuing pleasure and recreation and we do not leave time or expectation for regularly serving in and through the body of Christ. Pulling these thoughts together has been an encouragement to me to not let up in this area. Ministry involvement seems to act as a powerful fertilizer for spiritual growth, and it has been such a joy to watch.
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