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Children's Ministry Ideas - Seven Steps to Grow Attendance

Beside sound teaching, a healthy children’s ministry is the most important key in growing your church. In fact, it is often said that, “So goes the children's ministry, so goes the church.”

A growing children’s ministry is a sign of a healthy and well-balanced church. Below are several factors that impact growth in this area.

Security

First and foremost, parents must know that their children are in a safe environment. If parents are worried about their children, they will not enjoy the services or get plugged into classes of their own. Run background checks on all those who will be involved with the children. Have a solid check-in / check-out process.

Sound Teaching

Biblically based, age appropriate, material should be used to not only teach but engage children in the Sunday school lesson. Take home pages should be provided to the children each week, which will allow parents to reinforce what their kids learn at church.

Prayer and Worship

It is important, for kids to have a time of prayer and worship. These activities connect children to God in a deep and meaningful way. Many of us still remember the first worship songs we learned at church. Praying for the needs of others builds children’s relationships with God and community.

church growth

An Inviting Environment

I will never forget the time, years ago, when I was looking for a new church home for my young and growing family. During the process, I visited quite a few churches in the community. One Sunday, I visited a church that initially looked wonderful. The church had a nice cheerful sign out front, modest landscaping and a facility that appeared to be well maintained. I attended the service and really enjoyed the sermon. The people were friendly; I thought I might have found the church I was looking for.

After the service, I asked if I could see the children's ministry area. My hosts obliged and took me down a flight of stairs into the basement. My feelings quickly changed, as I saw that the children's area was in total disrepair and clearly not a priority of the church. I thanked my hosts and left, never to return.

Young families want to know that their children are well taken care of and that their kids are being taught in a fun and educational manner. Is that to say that the children's area must be a dream palace or a miniature theme park? No, of course not, but the kids' area of the church is very important, maybe more important than the adult sections of the church. Parents may overlook imperfections in their own facilities, but the standard is raised when it comes to the areas in which their children will be taught.

Considerable thought should be given to the design and upkeep of the children's facilities. The children's areas of the church should be clean and inviting. The walls should be painted in child friendly colors and decorated with murals, banners, posters and other assorted artwork. The artwork should grab the children's attention and draw them into the wonderful world of Sunday school.

Caring Teachers

The teachers should have a genuine interest in children and teach in fun and creative ways. Teachers should use every tool at their disposal to make their lessons meaningful and invite the children to explore all the wonders that God has to offer. Teacher’s should know each child by name. Children's Sunday school should be a fun and exciting place to visit. Children’s trust in the class room is gained by seeing familiar faces each week. It is especially important for kids to see the same teachers on a regular basis. Teachers should pray for each student by name before class starts and pray for students throughout the week as the spirit leads.

Promotion and Recognition

Most of us like to be rewarded for a job well done and kids are no different. Give incentives or prizes during class. Make a big deal about recognizing students’ achievements with award certificates and amble praise. Have a big event once a year for promotion Sunday, which celebrates students’ advancement to the next grade level.

Children’s Ministry Directory

Maps of the various children's classrooms and children's worship center should be predominantly displayed within the entrances into the children's area. This allows parents to locate the area in which their children belong and reassures the children that they will not be lost in the shuffle.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:21. Today's families treasure their children.