I’m a Dad.
Well, actually I’m still “Daddy.”
Joseph, Carston, and Hannah are young and hilarious.
People who serve in KidMin get top honors in my book. Honestly. You serve every Sunday (often Wednesdays) in a largely thankless role. You usually miss out on corporate worship. You clean up messes. You deal with tough situations. You’re good at it. You love it. But over time, that pace can get exhausting.
For those of you who hang out with my kiddos: Thank you.
Also: I’m sorry.
I’m not apologizing for their hyper-activity.
I’m not apologizing for the mess they might leave behind.
I’m not apologizing for anything that has to do with them.
I just occasionally ask some really dumb questions.
And for that, I’m truly sorry.
I know there are times when a well-intentioned (but poorly worded) question forces you to swallow hard, breathe deep, dig for grace, and respond in love. Underneath parents’ occasional odd-sounding questions are thankful hearts seeking to understand why in the world you’d bless them by participating in their kids’ spiritual development.
Here’s a helpful translation guide for when parents ask befuddling questions:
1. “When should I pick them up?”
Nothing communicates “you’re a babysitter” like a determining a designated pick-up time. It sorta feels contractual, doesn’t it? “I’ll drop my kid off here. I’ll go somewhere else. And after a a little while, I’ll pick them up.” Rest assured: Although it might feel that way, most parents don’t look at you like that.
Translation: “Thanks for being trustworthy.”
Parents know the tension that comes with leaving their child in someone’s care. When they turn their attention to the service down the hall, it’s only because they feel comfortable with their kids are under your watchful care. Being clear about pick-up times and locations will help parents understand that your ministry has a clear purpose and direction.
2. “What are they learning about?”
If asked at the wrong place or the wrong time, this can feel like an inquisition. Most parents don’t know what their kids are learning. It’s probably been a while (if ever) that they’ve been in Sunday School, Awana, or a kids-based church service. And that’s okay.
Translation: “What will my child see, hear, feel, and learn?”
Healthy parents want to know how to talk about “church” with their kids. They want to understand the church experience from their child’s perspective. Giving parents a quick glimpse into the lesson plan will help them feel better equipped to engage their kids once they get home.
3. “Will my child be safe?”
Few parents will ever ask this. But every parent thinks about it. It’s a scary world out there and if the stats are to be believed, church isn’t really any safer.
Translation: “What steps has this church taken to ensure safety?”
It’s a great question that rarely gets asked. Be up front about safety. Don’t hide your policies and procedures. Show parents that you’ve been proactive. Just taking that step will go a long way in communicating that safety is an important value for your church.
4. “How do I build on what they’ve learned here?”
Okay. If a parent actually asked this, you’d probably have to pick your jaw of the floor. But it’s a question that every parent secretly wonders about their child’s spiritual development.
Translation: “How do I raise them well?”
I’ll say it: Parenting is a mystery to profound me. It seems tougher every day. I want so much for my kids that I don’t really know how to give them. I imagine that many parents feel the same way. Many parents might see you as the expert in spiritual development. Most of them would welcome a word of encouragement and affirmation from you.
To all the KidMin leaders: Thanks.
Thanks for the grace.
Thanks for your faithfulness.
Thanks for how how you build into our kids.
To all the parents like me: Let’s take this summer to actively express our thanks for these leaders. A card, a note, a gift. Something small can mean a lot.
