I'm sure you've seen one of these recently. Pretty much if you've connected to Facebook, Twitter, or the Internet in general, or haven't been living under a rock, you've come across one. Normally, they are quite humorous, often irreverent, sometimes irrelevent, and occasionally a bit naughty. They almost always have a specific point: Do not judge. Do not buy the stereotypes. Look past where I live or what I do.
In Children's Ministry, we often feel somewhat stereotyped. We know that parents value what we do; personally, I enjoy a kid-free service as much (or maybe more) than anyone. We know that everyone who doesn't have a child is thankful for kid-free services. Yet still, in this modern time of the Church, Children's Ministry sometimes feels sidelined. We sometimes feel that we are Glory-fied babysitters.
But this isn't a post to complain, beg for respect, or demand attention. It's simply:
THANK YOU
When it seems like no one (including you) remembers why you keep showing up on Sundays and Wednesdays, remember that Jesus emphasized how important it was to teach the children. He told His disciples to let the children come to Him (Matthew 19:14), warned that leading children into sin or disbelief was worse than drowning (Mark 9:24), and told Peter that teaching children is an act of love to Him (John 21:15). Over and over in the Bible children are used as examples of fatihfullness, innocence, and purity.
We shape lives. As children's volunteers, leaders, or pastors, you've heard it (or said it) before: We may be the only Jesus the children in our classes see each week. That is not a responsibility to take lightly. Nor should your gifts, your willingness, and your sacrifice be treated lightly.So again, THANK YOU for what you do. ~~ Melissa McGinnis
Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF.
No comments:
Post a Comment