[Kid Inspiration]

Various quotes about Children’s Ministry.

“According to a 1999 Barna Survey, children between the ages of 5 and 13 are most likely to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. Nearly half of born-again Americans made their decision before becoming teenagers. The probability of conversion drops dramatically between the ages of 14 and 18 and then picks up again just slightly for those 18 and older.”
- World Relief, Winter 2000, page 19

In the United States, children aged 5-13 have a 32 percent probability of accepting Jesus as their savior … Young people aged 14-18 have a 4 percent likelihood of doing so … Adults over 19 have a 6 percent probability of making that choice.
- The Barna Report, Oct.-Dec., 1999

According to Gary McIntosh, ministry to children has changed since many of us were in elementary school. A popular comparison notes that 50 years ago, the top 7 problems in public schools were: 1) Talking, 2) Chewing Gum, 3) Making Noise, 4) Running in the halls, 5) Getting out of line, 6) Wearing improper clothes, 7) Not putting paper in the waste basket.
- Gary McIntosh, The Church Growth Network, September 1994

The top 7 problems in public schools are: 1) Drug abuse, 2) Alcohol abuse, 3) Pregnancy, 4) Suicide, 5) Rape, 6) Robbery, 7) Assault.
- Gary McIntosh, The Church Growth Network, September 1994

Effective ministry to today’s children goes beyond a basic understanding of developmental issues or simple babysitting. It requires taking risks to walk alongside children weighed down with burdens of divorce, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, over committed parents and stress related disorders.
- Gary McIntosh, The Church Growth Network, September 1994

We lead small people, and small things are what we are about. Whenever you do things in children’s ministry it’s a small version of ‘big church’, but often it is the small things that make the difference.

A brief news item told how an express package from England came to a South African town. The man to whom the box was consigned refused to pay the delivery charges, and for about fourteen years the box was used as a footstool in the express office. The consignee died, and later the box was put up at auction with other unclaimed articles. Out of curiosity a man bid it in at a low price.

When he opened it he was greatly surprised to find several thousand pounds of sterling in English banknotes. Because the consignee had refused to pay comparatively trifling delivery charges, he had missed a considerable fortune.

Point: Don’t miss out on the blessing because you didn’t want to pay the price.

You don’t know what little thing may just unearth a massive harvest.

Termites destroy more property than do earthquakes. More fires are caused by matches and cigarettes than by volcanoes.

Back when Walt’s two daughters were young, he took them to an amusement park in the Los Angeles area on Sat mornings. His girls loved it, and he did too. Walt was checking out the merry-go-round. As he approached it he saw a blur of bright images racing around with the lively music playing. But when he got closer and the carousel stopped, he could see that his eye had been fooled. The horses were shabby, cracked and only the ones on the outside went up and down. This disappointment led to the vision of a park where the illusion didn’t evaporate. The vision became Disneyland and the rest is history.

Children can come into our church services each week, and the blur of activity can disguise the chipped paint of their hurting worlds. Our window of opportunity may only be those one or two hours of time on a weekend.

I am constantly searching for the one powerful, impacting moment with each child that connects with them and sticks in their mind. There is a lot that fights for attention, our local Sunday paper has more information in it than someone living in the 17th century would have had access to in their entire lifetime.

We maybe can on our own provide a few memorable moments during a child’s time with us… I remember watching Star Trek 4 when Captain Kirk and crew went back in time to the 80′s in my ‘Sunday School’ growing up and maybe a couple of other moments. BUT I am believing in that everything I am a part of I am partnering with the Holy Spirit to provide God moments that will be with children forever. Whoever or however they happen… I really couldn’t care less, I just pray that somehow Christ will be revealed to them and I am part of a team creating moments that last forever in the minds and hearts of our kids.

- David Wakerley