Krisann Durnford, field editor for Word Aflame curriculum, makes the case for helping your team grow through relational children’s ministry.
Krisann recalls a memory: “Remember the time we drenched you in the water fight?” The mischievous grin playing across the face of my six-foot-four friend made me chuckle.
“Yes, and I remember how many times you crossed the middle line instead of staying on your side of the field!” Our laughter rang out as we shared memories from a decade-old summer camp experience. Relational ministry. It’s not a new term, but it is relevant to today’s ministry.
Relational Ministry
A relational children’s ministry creates interaction and engagement. It offers youngsters clear, grounded touchpoints within God’s church. Jesus understood relational ministry and instructed His disciples to “suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).
The essence of ministry is relationships and must be the heartbeat of every children’s ministry. Consider three areas your team can grow in relational children’s ministry.
By engaging with individuals, the children’s minister observes their deep needs while quietly offering love and compassion. This engagement resonates with families and draws them toward the gospel. Click To Tweet1. Connections
At the core of ministry is the connection between the minister and the one needing ministry.
By connecting with children and their families, you are planting seeds for future growth.
Families need to feel that connection and your team’s most important opportunity is making connections with others.
How to connect?
- Use personal contact such as in-person visits and calls.
- Take advantage of digital resources like texts, emails, and social media.
- Maintain and assign contact lists to each team member. Encourage your team to pray over each name before making a connection that week. This activity is not a one-time outreach method. It is a ministry lifestyle—one for the long haul.
By connecting with children and their families, you are planting seeds for future growth.
2. One-on-One Engagement
Connections are team driven by intentional contact efforts. One-on-one engagement is more relational as team members are drawn to specific families and begin connecting on a deeper level. One-on-one engagement includes listening and loving others. It requires time and resources.
How to engage?
- Intentionally create activities that build relationship. Perhaps it is a backyard BBQ meal, a trip to the zoo, or a school concert.
- Look for one-on-one opportunities. One-on-one engagement can occur in groups—shooting hoops together or sitting at the kids’ table during the church picnic.
By engaging with individuals, the children’s minister observes their deep needs while quietly offering love and compassion. This engagement resonates with families and draws them toward the gospel.
3. Growth Challenge
Relationships cultivate growth. Trust is built and opportunities appear, allowing the minister to challenge families’ growth patterns. These challenges open new dimensions and create more relationships. The children’s minister must find the balance of friendship and mentoring before extending a growth challenge. Once that balance is established, growth occurs as the mentor leads the students toward God’s kingdom.
How to offer growth challenges?
- Make memories and have fun learning together.
- Talk about life and address its challenges.
- Share personal testimonies that reflect your own growth patterns.
Above all, encourage families to continue growing through easy and difficult circumstances. Step alongside them and offer assistance.
Ministry is all about relationships and your ministry can grow through these relationships.
Supporting a relational children’s ministry isn’t difficult, but it requires dedication and commitment. The rewards far exceed the effort. Your team’s experiences will invigorate them to reach more, teach more, and minister more. Ministry is all about relationships and your ministry can grow through these relationships.
Resources and Links
Backyard Bible Stories with Crash McDash (Check out our new downloadable Sunday school classes.)