Give ‘Em Your Best Ministry Multi-Tool

Most ministry leaders are familiar with Paul’s declaration in 1 Corinthians 11:1. He says, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” This is a great aspiration, but it’s not so great when imperfect people are setting the example. The ultimate goal is for all to be like Christ, not just be like you.

For this to happen, you need a ministry multi-tool to pass on. It’s actually a good thing that your leaders will never acquire 100% of what you know and will never act 100% like you. So, rather than trying to make your leaders into carbon copies of yourself, it’s better to provide them with tips, tools, and techniques they can learn to use in their own style.

Stop Cloning and Start Equipping

Are you familiar with Pampered Chef? If not, ask someone you know who likes to cook. He or she has probably attended or hosted one of their popular product parties. According to the company’s website, “Doris Christopher founded Pampered Chef in 1980 with the belief that quick tips and powerful tools can fuel a faster, no-fuss cooking experience.” And so, for nearly 30 years, Pampered Chef has created gizmos and gadgets of all varieties to make meal prep more efficient and enjoyable. It’s not uncommon today to find several of their custom utensils, bake ware items, or storage solutions in many American homes. The founder’s crystal clear vision for passing along an array of culinary tips and tools is what’s helped make Pampered Chef a common household name. Their custom products give a wide spectrum of skilled and unskilled chefs the freedom to create lots of delicious dishes in whatever way suits them best.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Realize it or not, you have the responsibility as a leader – and the opportunity – to give your team your best ministry multi-tool. Ministry leaders are to be about the work of equipping, not doing all the work or dictating how everyone should serve in the same way. Similar to how Pampered Chef develops solutions for a variety of cooking needs and styles, you can identify and provide your team of kid-influencers with tips, tools, and techniques for uniquely serving kids and families. Figuring out your ministry multi-tool is a great way to become intentional about what you pass on as a leader.

Identify Your Personalized Multi-Tool

When you think of Christ, what do you think was in His ministry multi-tool? What tips, tools, and techniques did He pass on to His followers? Obviously a life of loving God and people mattered deeply to the Lord (cf. Mark 12:29-31). In the same vein, the Last Supper stands out as a remarkable evening of equipping by Jesus. He washed their feet and told them to do the same in step with His incredibly humble example (cf. John 13:14-17). This encounter intentionally ended up in the ministry multi-tool Christ passed on to His disciples, as did so many others.

For you, what tips, tools, and techniques are dear to your heart when it comes to knowing, loving, and serving kids, families, and leaders? You might overlap with someone else’s ministry multi-tool, but how you apply the same tips, tools, and techniques won’t be exactly the same. You need to determine for yourself what matters most and what’s worth passing on to the leaders on your team.

To get you thinking, here are fifteen ways to approach disciple making with kids. As you construct your own ministry multi-tool, you might include some of these or describe them differently. Or, you might add others or take some away from this list. The important thing is to identify and pass along what you believe is vital to helping kids come to know, love, and serve Christ for life. If you show up as an equipper, your team will take what you provide and run with it.

Example: What’s in My Ministry Multi-Tool?

1. Commit – My “yes” and “no” matter; I follow through on my serving commitments.
2. Notice – I actively pay attention to kids and families that God brings my way.
3. Whisper – Hearing is harder when it’s noisy; I tone it down to help kids interact with God and each other.
4. Listen – I want to discover what’s happening in kids’ lives and hearts, not just their words.
5. Encourage – It’s important for me to consistently build up kids, families, and leaders.
6. Connect – I can use my eyes and my words to engage with kids in meaningful ways.
7. Ask – I believe questions inspire curiosity in kids, especially when it comes to matters of faith.
8. Wait – Rather than fill the silence or press kids to respond, I’m comfortable being still.
9. Discuss – Kids are capable of intelligent, heart-felt conversations; I am open to talking.
10. Celebrate – Honoring kids is a valuable part of being in God’s family.
11. Pray – Talking with God alongside and on behalf of kids and families changes lives.
12. Cry – Growing up in today’s families and world is hard; I am moved by the pain kids experience.
13. Give – I sacrificially invest my time, talents, and treasures to serve God and the kids He places in my life.
14. Challenge – I’m on the lookout for opportunities to help kids grow in wisdom and stature.
15. Send – Multiplying ministry through kids can never start too early; I’m dedicated to making disciples who make disciples.

What Will You Pass On? 

Philippians 4:9 is a bold challenge by Paul to all Christ-followers: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Paul knew he wasn’t perfect; yet, he invited people to be like him in the ways worth replicating. You have the same responsibility – and opportunity – as a children’s ministry leader. Identifying and passing on your ministry multi-tool won’t happen if you don’t get clear about the tips, tools, and techniques that matter most. Take time this week to figure out five to ten ways ministry happens effectively with kids, families, and leaders. Write them down, share them with your team, and start passing on your ministry multi-tool. When you take steps to equip others, you’ll see your efforts multiplied in ways you can’t imagine today.