Listen in as kids offer constructive
input to their children's ministers.
Feedback is something all good children's ministers want; you seek
it from parents, colleagues, and leaders. But what about kids?
Children's Ministry Magazine decided to "open the lid" to
find out what kids really think about their children's
ministries-and how they'd change them if they could. Tune in --
it's an interesting conversation!
If you could change one thing about your children's
ministry, what would it be and why?
"Nothing! It's great for second grade now!" -Elijah
"A longer kids service and longer Bible story and teaching time. I
think it's really important to hear about God and what the Bible
says." -Brandon
"Play more games so we can understand our lesson better."
-Katherine
"I'd have more get-togethers." -Macy
"Kids could rule the church." -Jeremy
"I'd change our new song back to the old one because it's a little
bit better. It's different and easier to dance to." -Daniel
"Play on computers more." -Luke
What's your favorite thing about children's
ministry?
"I like the games we play." -Erin
"Music." -Nathan
"Doughnuts!" -Jeremy
"Singing!" -Aaron C.
"I like being part of the praise and worship team." -Brandon
"The take-home family pages." -Aaron M.
"Seeing my mom! (She teaches.)" -Olivia
"Being part of the kids worship leaders team." -Daniel
If you could be the boss of your children's ministry for
one day, what would you do?
"I'd let the children have a snack." -Olivia
"Watch TV." -Aaron M.
"I'd have a doughnut party." -Macy
"I'd teach." -Aaron C.
"Play lots of games." -Christian
"If I were the boss, I'd have one giant worship service for all
the kids with lots of music. I'd also have more snack bars for all
the kids to use." -Brandon
"I'd have a toy day." -Jackson
"I'd make every girl do push-ups." -Austin
"I'd do more coloring!" -Erin
"I'd have pizza all day." -Jonathan
"I'd read the story and have a project to go with it."
-Katherine
read between the lines
It's easy to hear kids' comments and think, Well sure,
all kids want to play and eat doughnuts all day. But the
critical question to ask is, What are kids really saying?
Consider these insights based on kids' comments.
• Kids want their needs met. Does your ministry
meet kids' needs for comfort, acceptance, care-and even
sustenance?
• Kids want to understand. Kids learn in
different ways, so layering how you teach your lesson-adding games,
crafts, and other lesson enhancers-will help all the kids in your
class learn better.
• Kids want community. Kids are relational little
creatures. Give them opportunities to build on this strength by
encouraging friendships and interaction.
• Kids want to be challenged. Kids are
smart-really smart. They don't respond well to the "duh" factor in
class. They long to be challenged, so whether it's through
leadership roles, critical thinking, or creative projects, find
ways to stretch kids intellectually and spiritually.
• Kids want to have fun. You can have the best
curriculum, the most articulate teachers, and the most expensive
building...but if you don't have fun as a vital ingredient in your
ministry, the other stuff won't make a bit of difference to kids.
Kids are wired for fun. cm
Special thanks to children's ministers Lisa Mohler, director
of children's ministry at Carmel Lutheran Church in Carmel,
Indiana, and Heather Douglas, minister to children at Sagemont
Church in Houston, Texas, for contributing to this
article.
