…… What is the first thing that comes into your head? mine was Fun. I remember going to a kids program when I was growing up & the story was told by an elderly lady who I am sure had a something that resembled a mustache (very worrying) & used a flannelgraph to tell the story of Jesus calling the disciples. This was not fun! In today’s world kids have so much to pull their attention, wii’s & other computer games, sports, the mall, TV.
I don’t think the church should compete with these as we will never have as much money as MTV or Nintendo, rather we should use these as yard sticks to use their culture to bring in the culture of the Gospel.
Here are some ways to make your kids program fun:
- Make the environment welcoming
If you make sure the room is looking fun the kids will be more likely to have fun, why not cover that table with a sheet? or make some canvas’ with some cool images or paintings. make the music welcoming know what the kids are into & listen to. It doesn’t need to cost much, if you’re stuck for ideas ask some creative people to come & have a look at your service & give you advice on making your service more welcoming for kids.
- Do some research
My friend Stewart works for a marketing firm for Toyota & other big companies, they need to know what their audience want, or they won’t keep the contract. know what your kids are into, watch MTV, The Disney Channel (yes that includes High School Musical), or even Drake & Josh. If you can know what the kids are into then we can present the gospel in a relavent way that the kids will be inspiured & respond (see article on Vodcasting, these often have free video media for kids to give you ideas of what kids are watching, all the big tv shows & stations -Nickolodian, Disney, MTV have Vodcasts for free!).
- Be Prepared
Be Ready for your program so that when Sunday comes around you are ready to go so you don’t have to worry at the last moment about who’s doing what. One top music school in London does not allow mucisians to practice less than 2 days before their peformance, so they can relax & not get stressed out. This is a good way of being prepared! This will free you up to connect with your kids & parents on the Sunday. Set yourself a deadline, mine is Thursday night, by which time I have phoned all my leaders & planned everything, of course their has to be room for last minute changes but if you’re prepared your kids will have more fun.
kids ministry does not have to be boring, I have heard so many people who used to be in church that they got bored with the kids minstry they left church. if we can impact kids from an early age we can see them grow into being world changing men & women of God, our challenge is to keep it fun & present the gospel & God will do the rest. Hope this helps
