Special children’s ministry events for Easter, Christmas, and VBS can be huge for your church. These are typically some of the highest attended weekends of the year, and some of the most demanding for children’s ministry leaders.
After all the hype that comes with a big service or event like these, you are probably exhausted, but hopefully thoughts of the day bring a smile to your face. This is true whether you serve in a small, medium or large church.
The event was HUGE for you! But now what? What should we do once the noise has quieted and the room has stilled?
After an event, take time to thank, reflect, rest, and build.
Children’s Ministry Event Follow-Up That Makes the Biggest Difference
Step 1: Thank the people who served.
We can’t do ministry alone! The church is a unit of believers who work together for the good of the kingdom. Volunteers are giving their free time to serve, and it’s imperative that we say thank you—even if we are volunteers too!
Be sure to express how much it means to you that people showed for the kids in your ministry—and for you. This is true whether the only served at the children’s ministry event or if they serve in your ministry regularly.
Some ideas for saying thank you:
- Send a text or email to volunteers sharing some great stories and saying thanks.
- Make a few calls to core leaders to say thanks. Have a laugh about “that situation” that didn’t go exactly right but worked out anyway.
- Write a few notes to those who don’t serve regularly but helped out for the big event.
- Submit a slide for an announcement loop, social post, or note in the bulletin for next weekend.
- Check out these articles for more ideas:
Volunteer Thank You Cards
Volunteer Thank You Cards
Volunteer Thank You Cards
Step 2: Reflect on what went well and what needs to be changed at your next children’s ministry event.
It’s important that, while the event is fresh in your mind, you capture your thoughts and the thoughts of your team. Getting feedback early will not only help your volunteers by clear, but it will give you plenty of time to reflect on their comments. We can always do better, and it’s important we celebrate the wins.
- Jot down notes as you reflect on the event.
- Send a quick email to your core leaders asking them for feedback. Before the event starts, prepare them to give feedback, so that they know what to be looking for too!
- Ask the kids what they really liked and maybe didn’t like about the event. Get their feedback on the children’s ministry event to understand what they learned or maybe what they didn’t understand.
- Where it makes sense, ask parents for their feedback as well.
- Schedule a specific time with your staff (and/or core leaders) to evaluate the event. This can be casual or formal, do what’s best with your team.
Step 3: Prioritize Time to Rest!
After you’ve cleaned up, reset, and started to evaluate, you need to create space so you’re your mind is clear and your body is rested. It’s time to chill out and rest! Be intentional and take time to rest after a big event—and regularly. Jesus was intentional about His time away with the Father, and it’s imperative that we are too. If you like to run, then take a run. If you like to read, then pick up a book! This is a personal time that allows you to rest and reset your body and mind after a large event. Lean in to the Lord.
- Take a day … or a few days off to give yourself space to breathe. We don’t want you to experience burnout.
- Find something you love to do and enjoy that or take a time of sabbath.
- Encourage your team to do the same!
It’s important we celebrate the wins.
Step 4: Build on the momentum.
You’ve just completed a successful service or event, so don’t fall flat after. Build on the momentum and keep the excitement going from one children’s ministry event to the next service. Some ideas to do this include:
- Incorporate some of the best of moments in your next services: games, songs, or crafts the kids loved.
- See if some of your volunteers would be interested in helping more—to connect with the kids, utilize their gifts, etc.
- Follow up with families that don’t regularly attend to connect with, build relationships, and invite them back.
After an event, take time to express thanks, reflect, rest, and build. It’s a special time to keep the momentum going in your ministry as you connect with parents, volunteers, and children who are discovering more about Jesus and the church with each interaction.
Keep up the great work, we’re cheering you on.
