In children’s ministry, teaching good spiritual truths is the essential foundation. It is the basics. So if your children’s ministry already has the basics covered, here are four areas of children’s ministry excellence that will make you more effective and efficient.

#1 - KNOW (Rules, Culture, & Science)
You need to know your church’s rules for children’s ministry. In other words, you need to know the policies, procedures, and what is expected of you. And of course, you should follow the rules, too. Examples:

• Your church may have a policy for no food in the classroom other than a preapproved snack. Disregarding that policy may evolve into a situation where a child with allergies eats some food he finds and must be rushed to the hospital.
• Your church may require all volunteers to wear official uniforms and identification badges. Disregarding that policy may make the ministry seem less professional or secure to some parents. And regularly disregarding it, may create a security vulnerability that entices a child predator (rare but it has happened).

You should also know the cultures of the kids you are responsible for teaching. You should not only know where the cultures are now, but you should know how the cultures are evolving. Discover the answers to these questions:

• What TV shows, music, and family traditions drive the kids I teach?
• How do these influences change how these kids behave and think?

And know the science behind how kids learn. It does not matter whether you take care of babies or teach middle school students, there are things you can learn to help you better reach them. Examples:

• Nursery workers can become better by studying things like the Dunstan Baby Language, the 5 S’s, Baby Signs, or the latest research studies on educating babies. Read more>>
• Boys interpret the world as objects moving through space. Therefore, a teacher of all boys should move around the room constantly and be that object. But girls work well in circles, facing each other. Using descriptive phrases and lots of color in overhead presentations or on the chalkboard gets girls’ attention. Read more>>

#2 - IMPROVE (Yourself & the Ministry)
All you need to do to improve yourself is push yourself to do a better job than the week before. Always be looking for ways to improve what you do. This month should be better than last month. And this year should be better than last year.

It is also important that you work to improve the children’s ministry as a whole. Create a system for feedback and be sure everyone uses it. The volunteers in the trenches are the ones who best know what is needed, what works, and what does not work.

#3 - DUPLICATE (Yourself)
Imagine if God suddenly called you to a different role in ministry, would there be a replacement that could instantly do the same job as well or better than you?

If you are a leader, you need to always be “working yourself out of a job” by teaching those you lead how to do what you do. You are duplicating yourself but not cloning yourself. Others need to be able to achieve the same results or better but through their own God-given mix of talents and strengths. Read more>>

#4 - STICKINESS (Lessons & Relationships)
A study by the United States Air Force discovered that we forget 95% of what we hear within 72 hours. So how do we get our lessons to stick?

I believe that as long as you have the basics covered and are teaching quality spiritual truths, adding some “wow” factor to your ministry significantly helps a lesson to stick. Without quality teaching, you are wowing for the sake of “wow,” which is superficial and often fleeting.

I still remember spiritual lessons from my childhood that were taught with the “wow” of throwing darts, flash paper, and great storytelling. You can wow kids by delivering an incredibly creative, engaging, multi-sensory lesson. The goal is to make the lesson stick and be memorable so that when the child is older and needing the lesson, they can be equipped with that spiritual truth

Making your children’s ministry “sticky” does not have to have all the “whiz,” “bang,” and gadgets. One of the greatest opportunities that children’s ministries have is to wow their kids relationally. Even some preschoolers are already hurting from broken families or a lack of love. Go the extra mile to make your kids feel loved. At the very least, when they are teenagers or in college, they think fondly about church and say, “Wow, they really loved me!”

For Discussion:
- What tips or areas of focus would you add to this list?

If you want to teach kids, you should understand more than how to reach their culture now. You should understand how your presentation will affect their culture in the future.

This applies to teaching any demographic and any culture, but it is particularly important for younger ages since it is assumed their brains have more plasticity.

How you choose to teach someone will influence their future at least in a very, very small way. Research repeatedly shows how easily molded our minds and behavior are to our environment and experiences.

Think of each interaction as a small drop in a bucket. A few interactions may not make a noticeable or measurable difference in someone’s future. But if you have the opportunity to teach someone week after week, those small drops will add up into gallons of influence.

For example…

In my early years of children’s ministry, I had the opportunity to be a part of an incredibly creative and highly talented team of staff and volunteers. We knew how to make a lesson stick.

From ages 2 and up, the curriculum had us teach the importance of giving offerings and tithes. In hindsight, we needed more balance to our approach. All too often, the lesson would revolve around the sowing and reaping angle (limitless object lessons), and we needed to focus more on giving just because we love God and because we want to help people. In hindsight, we needed to focus more on selfless giving just to counterbalance the negative effects of consumerism in our culture.

Here’s what happened…

For 7 years, I taught five-year-olds. And for 5 years, I taught middle school students. I taught some of my 5th, 6th, and 7th graders when they were five-years-old, so I got to see how they had grown spiritually through their elementary school years. I was proud to see how well they knew the Bible, but I was saddened to see how many of them had become superficial and consumeristic. It was not uncommon to get prayer requests for a PlayStation3 or a PSP.

So what’s to blame?

Unquestionably, tween culture is growing increasingly consumeristic. I was amazed at the cultural evolution that I watched happen during my five years of teaching middle school students. But now at a different church, I still teach 5th graders, and I do not get any prayer requests for video game systems or shopping sprees. Perhaps, socioeconomic differences are a factor.

But I blame myself. I could have had more balance in my teaching. I did not foresee how my weekly teaching could shape my five-year-olds’ future culture. Sure, they had other teachers, and I was not the only cause. But I do think I was a factor.

CONCLUSION

A good teaching can become a bad thing if not balanced. Be self-aware of the big picture message that your ministry is communicating. And ask yourself, “Do I need balance? Is there anything missing from my big picture message?”

According to NDP Group, kids are increasingly using digital media to acquire information. While this is not surprising, the growth rate statistics are fascinating.

Among kids ages 2 to 14 in 2008:

• 92% use a computer (down from 94% in 07)
• 85% play video games (up from 80% in 07)
  >> 82% of kids ages 2 to 5 play video games (up from 79% in 07)
  >> 57% of girls play video games (up from 50% in 06)
  >> 30% of kids ages 6 to 9 own a portable video game device
• 60%  use portable digital music devices (up from 51% in 07)
  >> 20% of kids ages 6 to 9 own a digital music device
• 51% use a cellphone (up from 49% in 07)
  >> 30% of kids ages 6 to 9 own a cellphone
• 22% download ringtones
• 22% watched TV digitally on a computer, cellphone, gaming device, or music device (up from 17% in 07)

Three trends that particularly stand out to me are:

1. Video Game Momentum
   It has been a long time since Atari, Mario, and Duck Hunt, so I am surprised to see video game usage among kids still growing at such a startling of 80% in 2007 to 85% in 2008. It seems hard to imagine kid culture being more fixated on video games, but clearly the love for gaming will only grow stronger.
2. Diaper Gamers
   Four out of every five 2 to 5-year-olds play video games. Think about that. Some still struggle with pooping their pants or wetting the bed, yet they are learning how to master gaming. While playing video games at such a young age does not completely rewire a kid’s ability to enjoy childlike things, I do believe early gaming makes kids pickier and raises their level of expectations for entertainment.
3. Instant Gratification
   Unless you are 8 years old, it is difficult to imagine growing up in a world where you can often instantly watch your favorite show, listen to your favorite song, call your best friend, look up an answer, or play a game. While these conveniences are wonderful, they also eliminate many opportunities to learn patience and self-discipline.

   Because these conveniences change kid culture, it is important that children’s ministers and parents both emphasize the importance of good character and provide kids with opportunities to develop their character.

For Discussion:
- What do you think of these statistics?
- How do you see digital media changing kid culture?
- What methods work for reaching kid culture?

[via Advertising Age]

QUESTION:
What are parents looking for when they visit a church?

My friend says in the past parents were concerned about what a church had to offer their kids and would sacrifice their own interests. He also says today parents are more interested in satisfying their needs.

I don’t know that I agree with this. I see a majority of parents today, more than before, that sacrifice to make sure their kids are taken care of. I think it was true in the past but even truer today.
- James

ANSWER:
There is no black and white answer because there is no universal style of parenting.

Parenting styles vary by culture (i.e., age, race, religion, income, location, education, career, etc.) as well as each parent’s unique personality. It is the infusion of these variables that influence and usually determine each parent’s priorities.

NOT A PRIORITY SHIFT BUT AN INCREASE OF EXPECTATIONS

I believe a greater percentage of parents are looking to find a church that meets both their needs and their kids needs.

I do not think there has been a priority shift. Rather, I believe that parents have increased their expectations.

As technology advances, we become accustomed to having more options and customization, which consequently, causes us to have more expectations. Two centuries ago, parents were likely content to have a church to attend and thrilled if it was the “right” denomination. Obviously, parents have more expectations today.

Parents choosing a church is similar to buying a house. A home buyer may be looking for a home with walk-in closets and a two-car garage, but they may choose a home that is neither because they fall in love with the kitchen.

Some parents want a church that has a great children’s ministry, but they may choose a church because of the congregation’s friendliness or the pastor’s preaching. And other parents may want a church with great small groups, but they may choose a church because the children’s ministry loves their kids and teaches them valuable lessons.

SO WHAT DO PARENTS WANT?

Each parent has their own mix of “wants,” but here is a list of things that every parent seems to like:

• A children’s ministry that makes their kids feel loved.
• A children’s ministry and church with good security.
• A children’s ministry that effectively teaches their kids valuable lessons.
• A children’s ministry that is fun and “wows” their kids.
• A friendly church.
• A church with good preaching.
• A church with good worship.
• A church that makes it easy to make friends.
• A church that offers opportunities to get involved.

For Discussion:
- What do you think parents want in a church?

If you have a question you want Church Relevance to answer, submit it via our Q+A form.

If you want to have a creative church environment, consider doing something fun with the walls. Companies like Design Public (USA) and Wallpaper from the 70s (Germany) offer a wide variety of creative wall products. But the scope of resources extends far past these two companies.

To help guide you through it all, here is a toolbox of links to some of the best wallpapers, wall murals, paints, primers, stickers, and wall applications available.

DESIGN YOUR OWN MURAL OR WALLPAPER

• Design Your Wall (USA)
• Murals Your Way (USA)
• Totally Custom Wallpaper (USA)
• Rollout (Canada)
• myfotowall (United Kingdom)

RUST-OLEUM PAINT AND PRIMERS

• Magnetic Primer
• Dry Erase Paint
• Chalkboard Paint
• Glow in the Dark Paint

UNIQUE WALL DECOR

• Braille Walls by Inhabit (USA)
  A wall application that gives walls braille-like bumps.
• Colouring-In Wallpaper by Jon Burgerman (United Kingdom)
  Coloring book wallpaper.

• Fruit Cocktail Wallpaper by Flavor Paper (USA)
  Scratch n’ sniff wallpaper that comes in cherry, banana, and tutti frutti scents.
• Fingerprint Wall Sticker by ferm LIVING (USA)
  Giant fingerprint wall sticker.

• Prose Stickers by blik (USA)
  Custom wall stickers of any text you want.
• Seesaw Wall by Inhabit (USA)
  Give smooth walls an alternating seesaw effect with this wall application.

• Warped Walls by Surrealien (Germany)
  Custom fitting wallpaper that “warps” around the room.
• Words Spoken by Rollout (Canada)
  Wallpaper with empty word bubbles that can be written in.

• Versa TILE by Element Labs (USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong)
  LED panels that create walls of changing color, pattern, and movement.

Of course, there are plenty more resources than these. Are there any that you think should be on the list?

There are still many areas of technology left for children’s ministry to explore. One technology that I am sure will eventually find its way into Sunday school classrooms is interactive tables.

Scheduled for a spring 2009 release, SMART Technologies has created a SMART Table for primary education that is similar to Microsoft Surface. Its initial cost is expected to be $8,000.

The table allows kids to collaborate together using a variety of tools such as sketching, moving, and scaling objects. It also appears the platform is open for developers to create new applications for the SMART Table.

Such innovations in children’s ministry curriculum are not expected anytime soon, but it is fun to dream of what could be.

[via Engadget & Engadget]

Reader’s Digest has a fascinating article on how boys and girls learn differently. It asks the opinion of David Chadwell, South Carolina’s coordinator of single gender education.

BOYS TEND TO PREFER

Boys interpret the world as objects moving through space. The teacher should move around the room constantly and be that object.

Colors that appeal to males are cooler colors such as silver, blue, black, grey, and brown.

Boys respond better to speaking that sounds matter of fact and more forceful. This is because, for boys, stress increases the blood flow to their brains which helps them stay focused.

The ability to stand or move also helps them to be more alert by increasing their blood flow. And a room temperature of 69 degrees Fahrenheit creates optimum alertness.

Boys will rise to a risk and tend to overestimate their abilities. Teachers can help them by getting them to be more realistic about results.

So when teaching boys, stand and move around while speaking forcefully and realistically. Allow the boys to occasionally move and keep the room at 69 degrees Fahrenheit. Use cooler colors in your environment and teaching.

GIRLS TEND TO PREFER

Girls work well in circles, facing each other. Using descriptive phrases and lots of color in overhead presentations or on the chalkboard gets their attention.

Colors that appeal to females are warmer colors such as reds, yellow, and oranges. The female eye also tends to prefer textures and visuals with more details (e.g., faces).

Girls have more sensitive hearing than boys. They interpret speaking in a loud tone as yelling and anger, which can cause them to shut down. Stressful environments make girls feel nervous or anxious because stress sends their blood to their guts.

Girls focus better while sitting down. And a room temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit creates optimum alertness.

Girls at this age shy away from risk, which is exactly why lots of girls’ programs began in the private sector. Teachers can help them learn to take risks in an atmosphere where they feel confident about doing so.

So when teaching girls, sit in a circle with the girls and speak descriptively and in a nurturing tone. Keep the room at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Use lots of colors, particularly warmer colors, and use visual and/or tactile textures. Create a secure yet stimulating environment where they can feel comfortable in taking risks that you encourage them to take.

For Discussion:
- What tips do you have for teaching boys specifically or girls specifically?

During May and June of 2008, the Economist Intelligence Unit asked 164 corporate executives from around the world what techniques they have found are most effective at marketing to the millennial generation (the generation born between 1982 and 2001).

How to Reach the Millennial Generation

• 41% say participate in viral marketing and peer-to-peer recommendation sites
• 36% say sponsor or advertise in areas of interest to millennials
  (e.g., extreme sports, music venues, chat rooms, social networking sites)
• 35% say deliver a great product at a great price
• 30% say focus on millennials’ key influencers
  (e.g., parents, peers)
• 28% say contribute to social causes that millennials support
• 21% say contribute to corporate or issue blogs
• 21% say message millennials through wireless text messaging
• 19% say exploit contests, promotions, and retail tie-ins
• 12% say develop online games for company website

In other words, if your church wants to reach the millennial generation, create a great church experience that is remarkable (creates word of mouth) and targets the key influencers and social catalysts of your local millennial community.

Also, show that you care about the things that they care about by sponsoring local events or participating in causes that they are passionate about. Blog about what you do and use text messaging. And be sure that you keep things fresh and fun with occasional special events, games, etc.

For Discussion:
- What techniques have you found are most effective at marketing to the millennial generation?

[via eMarketer]