In the world of technology, there’s so much information out there on what children’s ministry and family ministry should look like. With varying opinions, strategies, and options available it can be amazing and overwhelming at the same time!
With so many options for programming, there is also an unprecedented number of resources available. This is fantastic! However, as we build our ministries, we need to make wise decisions as we take into consideration the things that our families want.
You see, families have strong opinions about what they are looking for—even if they aren’t expressing those wants directly to you. They are there. If you aren’t sure what families are looking for, the ideas below are a great place to start in your children’s ministry programs.
Long story short, we’re all better when we partner together.
What Do Families Want in Children’s Ministry?
Fun
Plain and simple, parents want programs to be fun for their kids. Why? Because their kids want to keep coming to places that are fun. It’s not that there isn’t depth there, it’s that all the deep learning is surrounded by fun.
Like it or not, if your program isn’t fun, it isn’t going to work.
Investment
Few parents or children will articulate this, but investment is an expectation in most families. They want and expect a spiritual investment in their kids by those in the church.
Yes, parents are primarily responsible for the discipleship of their children, but that does not mean the church has no responsibility in this area.
This may seem obvious, but it requires an intentional approach that many times we overlook.
Partnership
We believe (and studies by Barna Research indicate) that most parents understand their spiritual responsibility toward their kids. Many just don’t know how to fulfill that responsibility, so they want a partnership with the church in two areas:
- A partnership with church where other adults are spiritually investing in their kids.
- And a partnership at home where they can build on what their kids have been learning, with opportunities to own their part in the faith formation of their children.
Long story short, we’re all better when we partner together.
Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?
Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?
Ready to help parents create an environment for spiritual growth?
Flexibility
Families are busier than ever. And while we don’t necessarily like it, families don’t want to be expected to attend every week or shop up for every church event.
The truth is, when we look at the full church calendar—what’s expected of the small groups, ministry teams, men, women, youth, and children—it’s so full that it is almost impossible for parents to choose what’s best. Do they sacrifice their own small groups to make sure their kids get to every event? Should the kids miss opportunities because of what’s expected of the parents in ministry?
Add the weekly activities to regular services and special events, and it can feel overwhelming to a family—especially when parents work and children have other expectations with school as well.
All this to say, flexibility and understanding is key in children’s and family ministry!
Excellence
Nowadays, most people expect excellence when it comes to programming and where they spend their time. And for some, if excellence isn’t found in a church, they will look to find it elsewhere.
We should have high standards in how we work and what we present in our program.
Why? As people today, we have so much access to resources and learning that there aren’t many excuses for “lack” these days. Not that you have to have the highest technologies or super creative spaces. But they should be safe, orderly, and your ministry should have very clear guideposts so that there are clear expectations from families from the beginning.
We should have high standards in how we work and what we present in our program.
Communication
Really, communication in and of itself is not enough. It needs to be quality communication.
There is a tremendous amount of noise in our lives today. We are bombarded more than ever by a consistent stream of gibberish. Our communication is among that noise.
Making our communication stand out, offering it through a variety of channels, and making it consistent, is necessary and expected of us by families. If we are not clear and consistent, our message will be lost.
