We all want to do big things in our ministry. We want to cast a big vision and see our big God bring big results. That’s the way most of us think, and that’s good!
But thinking big can result in missing many of the important little things that bear the real fruit of our ministry. We sometimes miss the little things that make a big difference and, when added together, bring a big impact.
So we don’t miss out on the importance of the small things, we need to act small even while thinking big. Here are a few ideas for you!
Think Big, Act Small
Think Vision, Act Details
As leaders, it’s key that we think beyond next Sunday. Although we don’t know what will happen 6 months or 3 years from now, it’s important that we have a long-term vision for our ministries and the people in them.
Keeping our focus on the vision will help us reach the goals we’re working toward.
However, it’s equally important that we pursue vision while understanding the details that will build the vision. Like a house.
The big things matter, and the small things matter—one doesn’t thrive without the other.
A house is built brick by brick, piece by piece—not all at once. Our vision will be accomplished as we tend to the details of that vision. We need to maintain a standard of excellence. We need to create systems and processes which facilitate our goals. And we need to tend to individual needs as well as the collective needs of our kids, parents, and volunteers.
Successfully managing details enables pursuit of a vision!
Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families
Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families
Growing Volunteers: Building the Body of Christ in Ministry to Kids and Families
Think Programs, Act People
Programs are the structure within which we do ministry. They are essential. We need to plan carefully and build a program fit for the vision of our ministry and the church as a whole.
But programs should never take priority over people. As we all know, ministry happens best through relationships.
So, while we need a solid program structure that clearly leads to our vision, we have to think in terms of the relationships within that program structure. We need to think people and relationships first and create a culture that embraces this kind of thinking.
Think Equipping Parents, Act Engaging Kids
Maybe you have ten, one hundred, or even thousands of kids in your ministry every week. We eat, sleep, and breathe all things children’s ministry. And we have to engage with kids in order to make the time we have with them count.
We have to care for their physical, spiritual, and emotional safety as we teach them in age-appropriate ways. It’s important that we have a spiritual formation plan and support it with our programs. As we act in terms of engaging kids, we have to keep these things in mind.
But ultimately, parents have the most impact on the spiritual formation of their kids. And because of this, we have to think along these lines. How do we support and partner with parents to connect the home and the church?
What does it look like to share a vision with parents in a child’s spiritual formation? What are the ways we can equip them through practical teaching?
We have to care for kids’ physical, spiritual, and emotional safety as we teach them in age-appropriate ways.
Think Leaders, Act Volunteers
Leadership matters in children’s ministry, as it does in every ministry within the church. Without it, we will end up somewhere we never intended to be.
As leaders, we need to be growing as individuals, and the same is to be said about our team. As we grow, it’s key that we develop leaders and create a growth-mindset culture. And we’re not talking numbers, we’re talking depth.
You see, our ministries, with the help of the Lord, will only grow if we are faithful and steward them well.
But our teams also need to be able to do the work of the ministry while seeing the bigger picture (Ephesians 4:12). So, they need to be trained to do the tasks that are involved with their role on the team. This might be teaching, leading worship, or taking care of the resource center. Whatever it is, they need to be equipped to do the work.
Developing leaders and equipping volunteers go hand in hand.
In thinking big but acting small, both things matter. The big things matter, and the small things matter. One doesn’t thrive without the other. Be encouraged today and remember that you can do this! Because our good God in heaven is with you!
