What Little League Taught Me About Children's Ministry

I just came from a Little League baseball game where the 8-year-old kids clearly knew the game. The coaches and fans in the stands were constantly offering strategies on how to play the game better.   “Keep your eye on the ball!”  “Play is at second base!”  “Back up first!” “Wait for yours!” “Line drive up the middle!”  You know the drill – the constant calls of a summer ball game.

Along with the sounds of summer, there were also non-verbal commands, such as the pitcher and catcher sharing signals. These boys did not just learned the game yesterday; obviously, their coaches and fans expected them to know the strategy.

From the Dugout to the Discipleship Class

This morning, I wondered how much training the church provides kids about spiritual truths. Yes, they hear all the stories and learn right from wrong. Most of the time, they do grasp the basics: that they are sinners, Jesus is their savior, and how to pray. But are we coaching them on the deeper aspects of the game?

• How many truly listen for the voice of God and are led by His Spirit?

• How many are equipped through the Holy Spirit to pray for the sick and expect results?

• How many are trained to engage in worship and have a genuine encounter with God? Or are they bored during adult worship, because they don't understand it well enough to participate?

• By the time they leave children’s ministry, are they passionate, participating worshipers of God?

  Could it be that, in general, the church believes that kids are too young for this level of spiritual intimacy? Maybe some think there is a “Jr. Holy Spirit” who can't work through kids.  Or, honestly, are we just grateful for a separate room so we can worship without interruption or distraction?

  
  

Shifting Our Perspective on Children's Ministry

When recruiting for children's ministry, I often hear two common reasons why people hesitate.

1) They wanted to remain in adult service "where the move of God is."

2) They didn’t feel called to childcare. (likely picturing it as babysitting.)

Just as those eight-year-old baseball players have been learning the game for years, including positions and strategies, we can also train our church kids in the language, experience, and significance of worship and spiritual disciplines. It is not childcare; it's discipleship. It's not a hold room; it's a training ground.

The Urgency of Early Training

Research shows that by age 12, they believe they know everything about the Bible and are looking for other interests. Through Kids in Ministry International (KIMI), I facilitate a course called "Supernatural School of Children's Ministry," Becky Fischer of KIMI, put it this way in her video, "Evaluating the Church and Her Children:"

 “By twelve or thirteen, a person is who he is, and whatever he believes by then, he will basically live his whole life and die believing those same things – short of a cataclysmic move of God.”  

With KIMI, our goal must be to provide children with an opportunity to experience God and to practice what they learn before that window closes.

A Firefly Story: Putting it to Practice

Recently, I got together with some kids aged four to eight. We met outside. After our games, fun worship, and storytime, we prepared to experience God, thank Him for what we had learned, and listen to His voice. The distractions were everywhere: neighbors talking, a baby crying, and fireflies dancing right in front of our faces. 

I told them, "It's often a challenge to work through distractions when I want to spend time with God. Tonight, we can choose to ignore the neighbors, the fireflies, and we know that another adult is with the baby. Let's close our eyes, listen to the music, and break through to a special moment with God."

Honestly, I wondered how it would turn out. But it was worth giving them the chance. I was pleasantly surprised. When given the opportunity, the kids engaged in worship and had a genuine encounter with God. Later, when I asked the kids what they experienced, most of them said they felt “peace” or had a sense of comfort.

Your Coaching Moment

My point is this: Do not sell your role short. Just as we set high expectations for kids in sports and chores, let’s also set high expectations for their spiritual lives. Coach them with strategy. Provide opportunities. Then step back and watch the Holy Spirit work. By equipping then early, you can influrence their lives forever.

Read to Go Deeper?

If you are a parent or a children’s worker, ready to bring this "new wine" to the younger generation, here are some excellent resources to help you get started.

1. Becky Fischer's Ministry.

   Click here to: Explore her wealth of teaching and examples on YouTube

   
   

2. The School of Supernatural Children’s Ministry (SSCM)

   Click here to learn more about this transformative course you can learn more about on this website.   I can personally help guide you through it.