So many thoughts so little time

I was thinking about the vast number of thoughts and ideas about the most effective way to do children's ministry...or any ministry for that matter.
I wonder how often we get caught up in the creativity, coolness, and methodology but miss the heart of the matter? The bottom line is touching lives.
I have been through several different curriculums and have written my own and have come back to try some other things that I thought may freshen up my approach to ministering to kids. I have fought the battle of live skits and puppets versus videos. I have gone through the thoughts of what is better live worship or videos. I have also tried to figure out the right balance between teaching and involvement. I have learned a couple of things through the journey.
1. Kids (at least most kids) are definitely doers and not sitters
2. Small group time with kids is really valuable in connecting them to the heart of the message
3. You have to find a way to extend your influence beyond the church doors and into the homes

The first idea is that kids like to move. They have the wiggles in their pants and the giggles in their heart. This is the way a kid is. Go with it--don't fight it! Leverage this to your advantage. It will take some effort and a lot of energy on your part but have a lot of doing in the lesson. Involve them in everything that you can. Having them do voiceovers during a story, acting out characters, watching for clues, doing games to help the truth of the lesson come alive. Videos are ok too. The only key here is not too long and make sure it is funny.

The second thought is that connecting the kids minds, bodies and hearts to the lesson is vitally important. No better way that I have found than small group time. If you haven't tried it I highly recommend doing so. Just as with adults, the smaller the group the less the intimidation to talk and share. If you get kids broken off into smaller groups where they can share their thoughts and ideas rather than going along with the crowd...you reach them on a deeper level and they have ownership in the discussion and in the lesson.
A-HA! This is what we are shooting for all along.

The third thought is an ongoing discovery. How do we extend the influence? Kids are in church a couple of hours a week but with their parents, friends, teachers and even pets more than that. We must have a strategy for partnering with the parents especially. If we can have a combined effort to learn the Word throughout the week and apply it on a kids level we will have the greatest success. We want lifelong, devoted followers of Christ. Find ways in your setting to reach across to the parents and work with them at helping their children reach this goal.

Some many things to do and work on. As Dori said, "Just keep swimming."

Remember to keep the first things first--Love God and Love People that'll put you...

In The Zone!

PJ