Perhaps the most underused resource in the Church is our children and teens. Oh, many churches sink tons of money and people resources into keeping them entertained or from “disturbing” adult activities or if you are blessed, helping them learn more about God. Yet, hardly any church is actually tapping into children and teens as a meaningful part of the body – a resource that will benefit both God’s Kingdom and the young people.
Whether or not your church recognizes your child as a valuable, contributing member, you can find ways for your child to serve the church. The ideas below are ways your child can serve without having to go to leaders and plead your child’s cause. If you are able and willing to do that on behalf of all of the young people, that is wonderful and may God bless you as their advocate. If not, that’s fine, too. Just go to that one person who can allow your child to help them and see how God works through the situation.
Attend many churches and you would think the old adage “children should be seen and not heard” is still in effect. Often children are hustled out for children’s worship as soon as possible or aren’t even really welcomed into corporate worship at all. You may see a couple of kids picking up attendance cards or used communion cups and even an occasional teen participating in worship leading activities. In general though, children are kept out of the way and either entertained or merely prevented from “disrupting” adults and their activities.
Have you ever thought about why Jesus used parables at times to teach people? Perhaps it was because he was trying to help the people understand concepts that were difficult to understand or entirely new to them. Jesus knew that by comparing them to relatable things and circumstances, they could better understand the lessons he wanted them to learn.
One of our goals in this ministry is to give adults the tools to help every child reach his or her godly potential. We believe God wants every child to become a Christian – obeying, worshipping and serving God. We believe God knows every child will be given various opportunities in life to serve others and share their faith. We also believe God has given each child special gifts, that if identified and developed, will be extremely helpful in completing the opportunities God knows will be there for them to serve Him.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the