A. Crapper Legacy

I'm not being crude. Really!

A. Crapper left us a legacy. He was the first man to successfully mass produce and sell toilets. While he didn't invent anything particularly new concerning the porcelain throne, but he played a big role in getting it mainstreamed.

This gives the phrase "I'm going to sit on the Crapper" a whole new meaning! The phrase didn't start out as an uncouth way to refer to using the restroom, it was a statement of fact. It's as innocent as saying you are going to take a ride in your new Honda (car), buy a Mac (computer), or listen to your iPod (mp3 player).

Ok... it WAS that innocent. Now it's a bit rude.

That leads us to an interesting point. No matter how well something starts out, it might end wrong. We as children's pastors have to orient how we minister to children so that it will create a legacy of faith and personal responsibility. It is possible to teach kids about Jesus, but leave no lasting impression. I know how easy it is to fall into the "let's just get through this Sunday" mentality. However, there is so much more at stake. Kids need a lasting foundation, not flurid prose and spiritual fluff.

Here is my challenge: every week as you prepare ask yourself this question, "does my plan just fill the time, or will it build a Godly legacy for the kids I teach?"

10 Ways to Grow A Children's Ministry

Here are 10 ways to grow your kids ministry.

1. With 3 year olds
2. With 4 year olds
3. With 5 year olds
4. With 6 year olds
5. With 7 year olds
6. With 8 year olds
7. With 9 year olds
8. With 10 year olds
9. With 11 year olds
10. Never have a to-do list that does not have "prayer" as a line item.
    

Evil Video Games?

Yep, they are bad for kids. Well... they are bad in large doses. A small amount of gaming isn't going to send a kid into a crime spree or relegate them to a life of nerdy seclusion. However, the tendency for young boys to get wrapped up in video games remains an issue children's ministers have to deal with.

I'm not a professional therapist nor a gifted researcher, but I do have an observation on why young boys like video games so much. It's because they get a maximum of adventure and a sense of accomplishment with a minimum of effort. Think about this:

• They can be a sports star even if they stink at sports in real life.
• They can drive a race car 10 years before they are eligible for a driver's licence.
• They can become a super hero.
• They can explore an imaginary world with mythical creatures.

Here's the kicker... they can do things they could never do in real life, and they can do them well. Only about one out of five kids are good at sports. It's about the same for musical instruments, school work, and people skills. All of these skills can be developed, but it takes HARD WORK. Video games don't, they are much easier.

However, these little facts give us as children's ministers a few useful insights into the minds of kids.

1. Kids want to succeed.
2. Kids want adventure.
3. Kids find meaning in accomplishment as much as adults, they just find it in different places.

As children's ministers we can take this fact and tailor our programs to fit. Give them specific and attainable goals with well defined rewards. Give them a clear path to excellence. Give them another chance when they fail. Spark their imaginations. Don't forget to let them know before hand that they don't need to be perfect, they just need to keep trying.

So when you develop your programs make sure they have specific goals for you AND the kids. Make sure they have a clearly laid out path for success. Make sure that kids know about and can understand the developmental path you are taking them on. Plan for some kids to fail and make sure they are able to get back on track quickly. Most of all, make sure they get a tangible reward for their work.

While this requires more planning and more forethought, I think you'll find your kids more engaged and better able to grow spiritually.