I live in Arizona and in the summertime no one wants to go out in the heat. Many take off for cooler climates, either up to cabins in the mountains or on vacations. Attendance at church drops and children’s ministries flounder. I’m guessing it can be the same for churches during the winter in cold climates when people aren’t thrilled about battling snow and ice to get to church. So how can we keep the enthusiasm up and ministries thriving in these dry seasons?
This is something I’m struggling with right now and I’m searching for answers. My church is small and doesn’t have a lot of kids to begin with. But here are a few things I’ve done.
- Cancel Jr. Church. Now this may seem counterproductive at first glance, but hear me out. When there are only a handful of kids each week, it hardly seems worth the effort for teachers to plan and implement a lesson. Instead, I’m providing activity packs for the kids to work on during the church service as they sit with their parents. The packs include Bible puzzles, coloring sheets, activity pages, a pencil, and a box of crayons, all packaged in a large Ziploc bag attached to a clipboard. We encourage kids to participate in the worship service as much as they’re able and save the packs for when they get bored.
- Incorporate a Children’s Time in worship. In addition to the activity packs, we often have a children’s time where the kids come up to the front of the church and participate in a lesson at their level. I use my book Interactive Children’s Sermons when I do them. I’ve also enjoyed using Donald Hinchey’s 5-Minute Messages for Children and 6-Minute Messages for Children. Having a short children’s time allows them to get up and move part way through the service, and shows them church is for them, not just for grown-ups.
- Hold some special events. Special events like vacation Bible school, camps, picnics, and water days bring lots of enthusiasm and build relationships in the church. Children look forward to these things and encourage their parents to bring them. Even in hot Arizona, we’re having an “indoor picnic” after church and providing water play afterwards to cool off. Squirt guns, sponge balls, water shooters and games will be provided for kids of all ages. I know some churches that have a “Blessing of the Bikes” Sunday during the time when everyone’s enjoying the nice weather. Anyone who wants to ride their bikes to church that week can do so, and then receive a special blessing and prayer for safety as they ride.
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- Organize some kid-friendly service projects. Our church is going to fill backpacks with school supplies for needy kids in a nearby school. Children love helping others in a practical way and enjoy feeling they’re part of something bigger. It’s great to see adults and kids working side-by-side, too, the whole church body working together toward a common goal.
- Send notes to the kids in your church. These can be notes that say you missed them when they weren’t at church, or maybe a congratulations on passing their swimming lesson or winning an award. You can even send a word of encouragement when you notice them doing something kind or if you see they’re growing in a particular area of their life. Kids love to get mail. Stay connected with them by letting them know you’re thinking of them and praying for them.
It’s not easy to keep things going strong when weather, vacations, or different schedules work against you and attendance drops. But your consistent enthusiasm and connection with the kids in your church will go a long way to keep your children’s ministry on track.
What has your church done to keep children’s ministries thriving in difficult seasons? We can all use some fresh ideas, so share them in the comments below.
