As I stood there in front of a couple hundred elementary students, my mind was racing. I was in the middle of telling the story for large group time but realized just as I had started that several of the props for the story weren’t on stage. These weren’t just any props—they were pretty big and necessary to telling the true story from the Bible.
Why weren’t they there? Well, I had gotten comfortable. We had a system for Sunday morning, and we had gotten so used to the system that I didn’t have thorough checks in place. As a result, we had started doing quick run-through’s instead of the step-by-step checks we should be doing.
And I missed making sure all the necessary props were on stage and in place.
I learned a valuable lesson that day: not to get caught in the trap of being comfortable. That’s the first of five traps we’d like to lay out for children’s ministry leaders.
Is there something you’ve gotten too comfortable with in your ministry?
1. The Comfort Trap
Systems, processes, and standard operating procedures are important. Done correctly, they leave plenty of room for creativity, flexibility, and even spontaneity.
But they also open the door for getting a little too complacent. Essentially, we say, “We do this so much, we don’t need to prepare as much.” That’s when we get caught in the comfort trap. And the comfort trap deceives us into thinking that we know what we’re doing and what to expect. This is true to a certain degree, but preparation is always important!
Is there something you’ve gotten too comfortable with in your ministry?
2. The Small-Church-Thinking Trap
Have you ever gotten into this trap?
We’re just a small church and know everyone … we don’t need to worry too much about security.
But don’t buy into this thought. We need to be wise when it comes to security (and all the other matters), no matter how big or small our ministries are. Be it one child or 300, their lives matter and the ministry we serve them with matters too. Being small does not give us an excuse to be less than excellent.
Great ministry happens because the Gospel is primary.
3. The Hoarding Trap
You are the leader of your ministry, and God has placed you there for a reason! But remember that the Church is a Body of Believers. When it comes to the collective job of ministry to children, we have to do it together. We need the full support of the Body, from the toes to the top of the head.
When we forget what the Church is supposed to look like, we tend to keep more things to do them ourselves. Not only does this begin to limit the potential of you and your ministry, but sooner or later it leads to burnout.
What tasks do you need to equip others to do, so your primary focus is on those things that only you can do?
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
How to Guard Yourself from Ministry Burnout
4. The Blame-It-on-the-Big-Guys Trap.
While some of us have great senior leadership and others of us struggle, we can’t point fingers at them. If they lack understanding, let’s work to bring understanding. If they create challenges, let’s work to build bridges.
We can still have a great vision for children’s ministry, even when it’s not cherished by senior leadership (although it should be). You may have greater challenges, fewer resources, and need to take smaller steps in pursuing a great vision, but let’s remember that God is with us, and He cares deeply about children.
What attitudes might you need to adjust in order to pursue a great vision, regardless of the support you receive from senior leadership?
5. The Comparison Trap
You may be thinking at times, “We don’t have [insert your challenge here] like the church down the street, so we can’t really do a lot of great ministry like they do.”
While you may have fewer resources or more challenges, comparison will steal your joy (and many times your creativity).
You see, friends, great ministry doesn’t happen because you have a big budget, great facilities, a lot of people, or any of these types of resources. Great ministry happens as a result of a great vision. It happens because people are equipped, and leaders are developed. It happens because there’s a culture of relationships. Great ministry happens because the Gospel is primary.
It happens because you love God and you love people, and you act on it—plain and simple.
Continue doing the good work that has been laid before you! And beware of the traps. Keep your focus on the Lord and His kingdom and do all things for Him. As Scripture tells us, He will direct your path.
