I recently stood in front of a large crowd receiving thunderous applause and shouts of “Amen!” when I said that children are not the church of tomorrow because they are the church of today. Every time I make a statement like that it is well received.
I’ve never had anyone disagree with me or shout from the crowd “actually you’re wrong!” The thing about statements like that is they can be powerful, but they are simply words unless we live and operate like we mean it.
How do we practically allow children to serve and grow and even lead alongside of us?
First, we have to change our perception. Kids are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today. They are contributing members of the body of Christ today. Nowhere in Scripture are they told to hide their lights under a bushel until they are a certain age.
Kids have been highlighted, welcomed, and used by God since the beginning of time.
- God used Naaman’s servant girl to change the heart of a warrior and to heal his body.
- Samuel was chosen to hear His voice and obey Him.
- God used Moses as a baby to set the stage for a much larger story.
- A boy with no name but a bag full of fish and bread was used feed an entire city of people while having a front row seat to a miracle.
God’s perception and heart for kids is that they can be used, and we can learn from them. Here are some practical ways you can encourage kids to lead and grow in your context.
Through the years I have humbly realized they don’t need to hear from us nearly as much as we need to hear from them.
Helping Kids Lead
1. Make space.
Literally make space. In your building, in your church sanctuary, in your service structure.
So often kids are given the leftover parts of the building. And while it’s true that their knees are younger than many, that doesn’t mean they should always be in the basement. Give them top billing.
Create space or at least make the space they have bright and inviting and conducive to learning. In your service space consider creating family seating. A place that is warm and inviting and lets families know they are welcome and seen.
I believe every facet of the church service should have kids in mind. Think about them and adjust for them. Explain big words, mention them from the stage, and encourage them to jump around. If you have a separate kids’ church time, invite them to go to their worship service instead of dismissing them from the adult service.
2. Allow them to serve.
I occasionally guest preach at a tiny country church near my hometown, and I love it. I take my little family, and we all get involved. My 10-year-old son helps take offering and the other little boy in the church reverently lights the candles.
They each have a role, and they take it seriously.
The beauty of it is they are not on display as “this is our kids’ Sunday” they are accepted as participants who help serve. Put kids on your greeting schedule, let them help with offering, have them do the welcome prayer. Allow kids to serve not as a token, but because they are capable and contributing members of the body of Christ.
3. Listen to them.
Several years ago, I was doing a church consultation. My job was to simply observe and then share my observations on their children’s and family ministries and their overall appeal to kids and families.
I sat quietly in the service while we sang nice songs, heard nice announcements, and then the kids were dismissed. Once the kids were gone, the pastor made a statement that very much implied that, “Now the kids have left, the Holy Spirit can move.”
Kids are not the church of tomorrow; they are the church of today.
I left my chair and instead of going up front to bring a Word from the Lord to the pastor I headed to the kids’ area. In their time together they were sharing about how God had moved in their week, where they had seen Him show up, what they were learning, and how much they loved God.
We need to be listening to kids. They are hearing from God, and they are seeing things we need to hear. We can’t just say we need to listen—we actually need to do it.
Create space for that to happen. Let them draw pictures or write it down so others can see, let them speak out loud. If they’ve shared throughout the week get permission from them to share with others. We need to hear from them, and they need to know we care about what they are saying.
4. Involve them.
Twenty years ago, I put a 13-year-old boy on the mission’s committee I was leading. He was my youngest member, and my oldest was 80. I shocked everyone, and I was young enough that I was surprised they were shocked.
We kept saying we wanted to appeal to all ages and get all ages passionate about missions. I figured if we wanted that to happen, we needed varying ages on our committee. The young boy had so much to offer, and we learned to listen to him and figure out how to take what he was sharing and contextualize it for our missions’ program.
It was a huge turning point for us. Later that year I led a mission’s trip that was multi-generational and family oriented. Those families were forever changed. All because we involved a kid.
Even now I involve kids. Instead of telling them my plan for the children’s ministry or special event for kids and families, I ask them for their ideas.
I genuinely want to know what they think, and I involve them in the process. This has resulted in kids learning early that they matter, and their involvement makes a difference.
The Action Bible Anytime Devotions
The Action Bible Anytime Devotions
The Action Bible Anytime Devotions
5. Call them out.
Once I’ve done all those things, I love to call out greatness in kids. It’s one of my favorite things. I prayerfully watch them, listen to them, rub shoulders with them, and call out what I see in them.
- “My goodness, you are always so quick to help. God has given you such a servant’s heart! Thank you for serving.”
- “You prayed today in a way that was exactly what I needed to hear. I could tell you were really listening to God.”
- “I saw how you looked out for your friend who was sad. Thank you. You have such a kind and compassionate heart!”
Over the summer this year, I was speaking to a large group of kids. I was asking a question about a Bible story and a 5-year-old girl had the answer to everything. She was spot on every time. I finally brought her on stage and asked her to tell us what we needed to know. She beautifully put the story into context and didn’t miss a beat.
Later I told her in front of her dad I could tell God had given her courage and the ability to help stories make sense. She grinned at me and ran off to color. Her dad had tears in his eyes and thanked me.
Leaders, how we lead matters and who we allow to lead alongside us matters. Stretch yourself and ask how you can truly bring kids along with you. Make it a matter of prayer.
Through the years I have humbly realized they don’t need to hear from us nearly as much as we need to hear from them.
