Children’s ministry comes with its challenges, but statistically, it brings some of the greatest rewards. In fact, 85% of Christians accepted Christ between ages 4-14. According to Barna, the probability of accepting Christ is 32% at ages 5-13, only 4% at ages 14-18, and only 6% at ages 19+.

While the Holy Spirit plays a key role in salvation, I believe that it is what we do that ultimately sets the stage for salvation and discipleship to be possible. That is our responsibility in the Great Commission. Here are some tips to improve the effectiveness of your kid’s ministry (kidmin).

4 Steps to Great Kid Sunday School Lessons

STEP #1 - RELATIONSHIPS

As 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us, it doesn’t matter how eloquently you preach or how skillful you are. If you do not have love, your efforts are worthless. Everyone needs love, but not every kid receives it. Some come from broken homes. Some are abused physically, emotionally, or sexually. Some live in pretty dark realities. Teachers who make kids feel loved are important in the life of every child. But loving teachers are the most important thing a hurting child can experience at church.

A preschooler may attend church only once, not remember a word of the lesson, but look back 15 years later in college and say, “Life hasn’t been fair. I’ve been hurt. But I remember that church. They loved me when no one else did. Maybe I should go to church. Maybe I should give God a chance.” Authentic loving relationships make church sticky and memorable in a very positive way.

STEP #2 - GOD’S WORD

Scripture is a seed that changes lives when planted. Do not water down your Sunday school lessons. Kids are remarkably intelligent and can handle sophisticated theology. Make God’s Word relevant to kids. Relevant kidmin doesn’t mean talking about Xbox and High School Musical. Relevant kidmin lessons address the spiritual needs of the modern child. The spiritual needs of kids who have been molested or tried meth or are dealing with their parents’ divorce are much deeper than sugar-coated lessons and pop culture references.

I encourage children’s ministers to always consider the deepest hurts and teach in a way that provides spiritual support to those who are hurting without robbing the innocence of those who are fortunate enough to be in sheltered, healthy homes.

STEP #3 - DISCIPLINE

Some kids workers feel uncomfortable with disciplining the kids they teach. Certainly, don’t rule the classroom with an iron fist, but you need discipline. Although kids are not fond of being reprimanded, good discipline actually creates a classroom structure that allows for there to be more fun. Discipline keeps kids safe. And ultimately, it makes them feel loved (even if they act like they don’t appreciate it). Without proper discipline, the kids will not respect you, and the environment will distract them from learning.

STEP #4 - WOW

Object lessons with flash paper, slush powder, razor sharp swords, or computer graphics are cool. Kids love them just like they love video games and inflatable playgrounds at church. But these things are novelty. They create a WOW effect.

Adding WOW to your Sunday school lessons makes the spiritual truths sticky. It enables the kids to remember the lessons for years or even decades. But without deep spiritual truths, the WOW is just fleeting novelty. Without spiritual truths, kids will just be waiting for the next gimmick to trump the last trick. So add WOW but not for WOW’s sake. Use it to make God’s Word even stickier.

FOR DISCUSSION:
- What tips do you have for creating great kid Sunday school lessons?

During Catalyst Conference, Perry Noble of NewSpring Church (Anderson, SC) discussed perseverance.

If you’ve followed God long enough, you have thought, “Should I be following you? Because I am not sure this is this place I should go.”

God often leads us to places we think we shouldn’t go but then later realize it is the best thing for us.

Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord , the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.
- 1 Kings 17: 1-7

God tells Elijah to go by the brook and He will feed him by bringing food via birds. So Elijah did what the Lord told him (best ministry advice: do what God tells you). But then in verse 7, the brook dries up.

Elijah thought that brook was his supply. But God brought Elijah by the brook to learn that you don’t depend on brooks or big donors. You depend on God alone.

Have you ever been to a place where the brook was dry. God did not bring Elijah to the brook to punish him. God brought Elijah to the brook to prepare him for something bigger in 1 Kings 18 when Elijah is on top of a mountain calling fire down from heaven. Don’t give up when you are by the brook.

More time on your face and less time on Facebook will help your church.

The greatest thing that has ever happened in our ministry is unexplainable. And if it is explainable then God didn’t do it.

Don’t run from the brook. You are a follower of Jesus, and Jesus is not a quitter.

Don’t you dare give up on a God that has never given up on you.

During Catalyst Conference, Beth Moore of Living Proof Ministries discussed insecurity.

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord  is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
- Proverbs 23:21-26

Insecurity is inordinate self-consciousness. It is just as prideful and self-centered as just the opposite. Insecurity is focusing on yourself.

Our culture preys on our insecurity. Technology allows for instant scrutiny.

If pride is the graveyard for good leaders, then insecurity is the psych ward. If we don’t deal with insecurity, it can turn us into full blown narcissists (i.e., obsessed with ourselves and unaware of others).

The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web.
- Job 8:13-14

When we forget God and rely on ourselves, it is about as secure as a spider’s web.

We better know who we are. We better know who we are not. We better know how we want this thing to turn out and point it in the right direction.

The question today is not, “Do you have what it takes to start?” but “Do you have what it takes to stay?”

During Catalyst Conference, Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) discussed the internal tension that we all carry because of our appetite for more.

God has designed us to be big bundles of appetites and desire. But each one of our appetites create a tension because each appetite demands more.

When it comes to leadership, I think there are some appetites that are heightened more than the average person. No matter how much your appetite is fed, you always want more.

Leaders have an appetite for:

• Progress
• Greater Responsibility
• Respect (recognition)
• Winning
• Growth
• Fame
• Achievement
• To Be Envied

There is something in all of us when it comes to our opportunities that want more.

3 Things You Need to Know About Appetites

1. God created them and sin distorted them.
2. Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied.
3. You appetites always whisper now and never later.

Your response to your appetites - you management of them - will determine the direction of your profession, your family, and your life.

People almost never lose their ministry because of bad theology. But many have lost their ministries because of their inability to manage their appetites.

The whole story of Jacob and Esau in Genesis 25 is built around the birthright. A birthright was valuable for three reasons:

1. Financial
   The oldest son would get significantly more than the other siblings.
2. Authority
   The oldest son gained authority over the rest of the family.
3. God’s Blessing
   There was an association/belief that God would bless the oldest son because of the birthright.

So in Genesis 25, Esau gives into an appetite and trades his birthright for a bowl of stew.

Older brothers rarely need or want anything from the younger brother, but when they do the younger brother takes advantage of it. Who would trade a birthright for a bowl of stew? It happens all the time. Who would do that? You will if it feeds the right appetite.

When you have an out of proportion appetite, scientists have discovered that your brain chemically changes in two ways:

1. Impact Bias
   Takes a simple appetite and magnifies it out of proportion. Your brain lies to you and tells you that it will feel way better than it actually will. This is why we have buyer’s remorse.
2. Focalism
   Focuses our mind on one thing and blocks out everything else.

This happens every time an appetite gets blown up out of proportion. Esau did not have anyone to reframe his appetite. And we will not have anyone standing next to us to reframe our appetites.

Whatever you want, you will only want more. Your only hope is to reframe your appetite within the context of what God wants you to be.

There are opportunities that you should never take advantage of because they will pull you away from what God wants you to do. Appetites are valuable, but if you allow them to dictate your future, then you will one day sell it all for a bowl of stew.

So ask yourself…

What do I want to see God do 10 years from now?

Answering that question will reframe your appetites. The clearer your answer, the more control you will have over your appetites.

So what is your bowl of stew?

You have no idea what God wants to accomplish through you. You have no idea what God wants to accomplish through your children. You have no idea what God wants to accomplish through your grandchildren. But God knows.

So whatever you do, don’t trade your future for a bowl of stew.

For the opening session of Catalyst Conference labs, Michael Hyatt, the CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers,  spoke on the importance of platform and how to build one.

Platform is the most common reason why even really good writers can’t be published. If you want to say anything, you need a platform.

Things are changing, but people are bored. People still need direction. Without it, technology is just entertainment. People need purpose. People need leadership to help them to find fulfillment, to organize them as a family, and to mobilize them.

Good leaders influence their audience. Platforms are all about influence.

Good leaders influence people who are already listening. Great leaders influence the world.

A platform is not a pedestal. Fame is a corrosive influence that very few people can handle. Rather a platform is a place where active individuals can interact within their movement. If your cause is important, your influence will grow with your platform.

3 Ways to Grow Your Platform

1. Establish a command center.
   This is a place that you own and control that communicates a concise message. An example is a blog. The number one thing that will drive people to your blog is compelling content.
2. Set up embassies.
   Communicate with others using various tools. Examples are Twitter and Facebook. Often connecting on social media leads to connecting in real life.
3. Create an intelligence center.
   Monitor what others are saying about you. Examples are HootSuite and Google Alerts.

3 Questions to Ask

1. What are you going to do?
2. What are you passion about?
3. Why do you need a platform?

If you can answer these questions, then you have what you need. Essentially, you are answering, “How can I use my platform to connect my passion to solving a problem?”

Without vision, technology is useless.

I like helping people reach their goals, so I’ve decided to launch a fun new project.

It is free coaching and mentorship from me for one year. I will give you monthly advice, encouragement, and training and maybe even leverage my resources, networks, and platforms to help you reach your goals.

Only 1 spot is available.

Click to apply.
UPDATE: Applications are no longer being accepted, and the 1 spot has been filled.

Who is it for?
Pastors or entrepreneurs,
Churches or startups,
Kidmin or marketers,
Bloggers or designers,
My closest friends or people I’ve never met.

It is open to anyone. However, it is not for everyone. My expertise is limited.

At the moment, I provide strategic advisement to a number of nonprofits. Usually it is marketing and Internet strategy, but it sometimes includes leadership development, operations, or holistic organizational strategy. In the past, I spent 10+ years in kid/youth ministry. On the business side, I founded a graphic design, Web development, and marketing firm that transitioned from client work to its own tech startups (mostly in real estate).

If you think that experience could help you, sign up for the free coaching.

Deadline is September 7th, 2010.

In a recent interview, I gave my best advice for young leaders.

Put your benchmarks against what God says is possible and not what man has achieved.

Let me elaborate. In ministry, it is easy to look at how other churches do something rather than how the Bible literally models it. It is easy to look at what other churches are achieving and aim for that rather than what the Bible says is possible. Do not sell yourself short.

Start with the Bible. Take it literally. Model your ministry after its timeless principles. And only then look at other churches for inspiration on how to improve your church within its Biblically defined parameters.

For 9 more interview answers, head over to Ron Edmonson’s blog.

On March 25, 2010, Catalyst One Day is coming to Chicago. Craig Groeschel of LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) and Andy Stanley of North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) will teach 4 sessions about momentum. It is a great place to hear respected leaders talk about current leadership issues.

Catalyst events tend to sell out quickly. So if you are interested, you need to register soon. You can get a special rate of $99 if you use the code “BLOG” when registering on the website.