I drive a Chevy pickup.
It’s 21 years old. It’s rusty.
And it makes some pretty funny noises.
But over the years, I’ve gotten used to it.
On a recent work-trip, the rental car company gave me a free upgrade.
To a brand new Jeep.
It.
Was.
Awesome.
From the minute I sat down, the game changed.
It rode better than my ’95 pickup.
It had about 145k less miles.
It actually had cup holders 🙂
And the noises were replaced by a delightful, V-8 growl.
But here’s the funny thing: It really wasn’t anything huge.
A few small, potent ideas can make a game-changing difference.
In the case of my rental Jeep, it was as simple as a having functional radio. In your Kids Ministry or Awana Club, you already have several game-changing ideas at your fingertips. Here are a few:
1. Names.
Kids deserve to be called by their names. It doesn’t matter if you use a simple peel-and-stick name tag or have a sophisticated check-in system. Use something. Kids feel like they belong when an adult uses their name. Using their name in conversation (small group time, game time, etc.) will help them feel like church is THEIR place too.
2. Welcome Counter.
(Humble brag approaching) Our church does a phenomenal job of making parents feel welcome. When a parent enters the building with their child, there are only a few things on their mind:
- 1. “Where do I go?”
- 2. “What will I do there?”
- 3. “Who will meet me when I get there?”
- 4. “Where will my child go?”
- 5. “Will they be safe?”
If there’s a clear ‘welcome place,’ then a parent or guest will naturally move through your ministry space. Taking a few minutes to create a welcome counter is a small initiative that changes the game. Especially for guests.
3. Pre-Prayer.
Commit the evening to God before you get started. Whether your team is 8 people or 80 people, find a creative way to incorporate prayer into your evening. It could mean taking 5 minutes in small groups before the kiddos arrive. It might look like meeting all together in a large meeting area. Whatever you do:
- – Be vulnerable.
- – Keep it focused on the kids.
- – Stay focused on that night.
- – Pray for kids by name.
4. Smiles.
Just a small smile while you’re walking through the halls, meeting parents, or hanging with kids goes a long way. And it’s free. And – best of all – smiles are contagious. Try this (I’m serious): When you’re saying “Hi” to people make a conscious effort to smile. A few people might get a weirded out, but that’s okay. When your whole team is smiling, it’s a pretty good sign that everyone’s having a good time.
5. Paint.
Churches have a pretty typical color scheme: neutral. I may be stepping on a few toes here, but take this from a 34-year kid at heart: Most kids hate beige. You may not have $45,000 to build a stage, backdrop, or furniture for your KidMin space, but you probably have $45 for a few gallons of paint. Color goes a long way and makes a huge difference for kids. Kill the beige. Go with anything that says “fun, exciting, cool.” Throwing some color on the walls is the biggest bang for your buck.
6. Security.
Check-in systems in churches are becoming more common. And for good reason. But maybe you’re thinking, “Yeah. Nice. But I can’t afford that. And our church wouldn’t do it anyway.” That’s okay. While you’re getting people on board or vying for the needed funding, give some thought to building some level of security into your KidMin strategy. Security measures – even modest ones – help deter potential offenders and provide a sense of safety for families who engage your ministry. They communicate to parents: “Your kids are safe here. Safety is a priority for our church.”
7. Post-Prayer.
The songs are sung. Parents are outside. Kids are done. Before everyone heads out the door, gather your leaders together for prayer. Reflect on the evening – maybe ask someone to share a big “win” – and offer those reflections back to God. Prayer ties the night up in a bow, but it’s also a tangible reminder of God’s presence in your church.
8. Follow-up.
Your leaders are missing out if the only time they hear from you is during midweek club. Many leaders appreciate a touchpoint mid-way between ministry weeks. Consider sending a regular email out every week (a few days after your meeting day) with some important bits of info. Keep it short and to the point. Most of all, keep it helpful.
Game-changers don’t need to be expensive.
Game-changers don’t require a lot of people.
In most cases, incorporating a few game-changing ideas takes a little creativity, and courage.
Here’s to trading in the ’95 Chevy.
