I have a soft spot for pineapples.  Not only do I enjoy eating them but I also love that they are a symbol of gracious hospitality.  That’s why you’ll find them in and around English manor houses – not the natural habitat for pineapples.  I was thrilled when they became a popular home décor item and I have a beautiful collection.  But where does this fascination come from?  It’s due to a positive childhood experience.

It was the 1970’s.  Mum and Dad would pack us four kids into the back of a Datsun 180B and we’d leave our farm in Central Victoria and head for Tallebudgera, on the Gold Coast of Queensland.  A road trip that would take 25 hours (or less because Dad did not like stopping) so we could attend the Australian Full Gospel Conference.  I remember guest speakers from America and seeing my first vending machine, which only dispensed cans of soft drink, but was still amazing.

It was on one of those trips that Mum and Dad drove us a further 2 hours up the coast to Nambour to see the Big Pineapple.  A 2-level, 16 metre high pineapple you could walk through to view photographs of pineapples in various stages of growth and read how they grew and were harvested.  It was a huge tourist attraction.  But it was the tropical market (aka gift store) that took my breath away.  I can still see the vista in my minds eye.  I stood on the threshold and was overcome by the smell of pineapple, the sound of the Hawaiian music, and the sight of hundreds of pineapple themed gifts and souvenirs displayed on tables swathed in grass skirting.  Could there be anything more exotic?  That’s why I love pineapples.

Childhood experiences influence our lives in adulthood.  The positive experiences and the adverse ones.  Positive childhood experiences can mean a healthier family in adulthood.  And when you think of that in terms of childhood experiences in the Church and the eternal significance they have, I believe it is so important we do all we can, working with the Holy Spirit, so that children attending Kid’s Church enjoy a positive experience.

P is for preparation

Children’s attention is a gift.  If you are not prepared and have gaps in your program where you are deciding what to do next, or you’re running around trying to find props or equipment, you are doing everyone a disservice.  Children will fill in the boring bits of your program with fidgeting, silliness or misbehaviour causing leaders or volunteers to step in which can be a negative experience.  Be prepared so Kid’s Church is a positive experience for everyone.

I is for innovation

Innovation is the process of innovating.  It can be new way of doing things, a new idea or product.  A novelty.  At the time of writing Pop It fidget toys are all the rage. Fads have always been part of childhood.  In my day it was marbles, or yo-yo’s or elastics.  A few years ago it was looms then fidget spinners.  As someone who works with children you need to keep up with what’s new in their world.  Is there a way you can use it in Kid’s Church?  But look for innovative ways to improve other areas of your program, too.  Attending conferences that specialize in Kid’s Ministry can be helpful.  People just like you share their ideas for you to take home and try.  Remember you will have tried and tested ways of doing things that are not new to you but are new to your kids.  I ran a Spy School at Kid’s Church and used ‘box letters’ to reveal important information in a story.  Box lettering was not new to me but it was new to the kids and they were positively amazed!

Visit:   https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Spy-School.pdf

N is for nourish

What are you feeding the children?  What curriculum are you using?  A published one or your own?  There are positive aspects to both.  Adopt a more creative and interactive curriculum that will create fresh positive experiences for your kids.

Visit:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/writing-your-own-kids-church-lessons/

And:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/how-to-choose-curriculum-for-your-kids-church/

E is for environment

Does your Kid’s Church feel warm and welcoming?  Is it clean and tidy?  Portable or permanent, a well thought out space shows children, parents and leaders that you care about your Kid’s Ministry, and that you want it to be a place where children will have positive experiences.

Visit: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/out-of-this-world-kid-church-space/

And:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/6-ways-to-create-an-amazing-kids-church-space/

A is for affirming

Your Kid’s Ministry needs to be a place where children receive positive emotional support and encouragement.  Using praise to affirm children is so easy to do.  Use body language, appropriate actions, words and songs.  Spend time with the kids.  At morning tea, at the craft table, or during games. Be mindful of their needs.  Teach them how much God loves them and how unique and wonderfully He made them so they develop their self-worth.   Make your Kid’s Church a place where they feel loved and they will look back on their time there with affection.

Visit:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/how-will-the-children-you-teach-remember-you/

P is for participation

Invite children to participate in your program.  Allow older children to serve as helpers.  Let children assist you in praise and worship.  Involve them in the Bible story using drama.  Confident readers may like to read Scriptures aloud.  We don’t want children to be spectators.  That leads to boredom.  We want them to participate and be actively involved in a positive way.

P is for parakeet.

Are you still with me?  Just checking.

L is for laughter

Hence the parakeet.  Laughter is a vital part of children’s development.  Children use laughter to make positive bonds with others because it breaks down barriers.  Children’s love of slapstick humour is a gift for teachers.  Being a little silly, telling jokes, or making funny dance moves means you can enjoy yourself, too.  I’m positive it’s good for children to see you laughing and enjoying yourself at Kid’s Church.  And laughter is contagious.  We know a joyful heart is good medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

Lots of fun ideas for Super Sundays:  https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/super-sundays/

E is for evangelism

Telling children about the good news of the gospel is what Kid’s Ministry is all about.  In fact most people receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour before their preteen years so you are best placed to win the hearts of children for Jesus.  And they are likelier to stay a Christian than those who are converted later in life.  Evangelism provides children with the most positive experience ever.  Meeting Jesus!

Okay, I may be going a little overboard with the pineapple but I stand by the principles!  Every now and again it’s good to take time to make an overall assessment of how your Kid’s Ministry is doing.  If you have a heart for Children’s Ministry, you are probably following a lot of these principles already, because you want your children’s Kid’s Church experience to be meaningful and of eternal significance.  Of that I’m positive!

God bless you,

Deb Wassenberg