Weekends are “game time” for those of us in ministry, too. It’s when most of our planning, preparation, and potential all come together. It’s when we get to gather with those we serve and those we serve with. Plus, it comes around every week!
The players who take the field in any professional sport have all prepared diligently. They study, plan, work out, and prepare for each game for a very long time. Coaches put in long, long hours in order to be ready for any situation.
Some teams will look prepared and polished, while others look messy and uncoordinated.
We must always first and foremost submit to the Holy Spirit, aside from any plans we make.
And this can be true of our ministries as well! Some are prepared for anything, week in and week out. Some are consistently chaotic. No matter, it’s important that we either continue to plan and prepare, or that we begin to.
So, how can we ensure that we maximize our weekends for effective ministry? Here are a few ideas!
Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.
3 Ways To Get the Most Out of Your Children’s Ministry Weekend Services
1. Begin with the end in mind.
- What are you trying to accomplish?
- What does a “win” look like? How will you define this?
- What are the tasks that need to be accomplished to produce that win?
2. End with the beginning in mind.
- What’s the beginning? We do what we do because Jesus did what He did on the cross.
- All of our efforts need to point children, volunteers, and families to God.
- Is what happens in your ministry leading kids to God and His Big Story? Are they hearing the gospel leading to a life of faith and following Jesus? A life of living in their identity of being known, loved, and led?
3. Serve in submission to the Holy Spirit.
- Nothing done in our own strength means anything. It’s time we surrender our children’s ministry to God and His desire for the kids we serve.
- Our ministry ought to flow from our relationship with God. First, sit with Jesus. We can’t expect to show up on Sunday at our best if we’ve neglected our relationship with God during the week. This applies to our staff and volunteer teams as well.
- With all of our preparation and planning, we need to understand that “game time adjustments” are important. Being sensitive to the work of the Spirit and what He wants to do is critical. We must always first and foremost submit to Him, aside from any plans we make.
We believe in you and your ministry, you can do this! Turn to God for guidance and let Him lead your way!
