10 Reasons Why I Love Kids Church So Much!
Here you go ... my top ten reasons why I love being a Children's Pastor and why I love Kid's Church so much: (drum roll please ............................ hey .................................. DRUM ROLL!)
10. Because we get to play "old fashioned" dodgeball again. Believe it or not, the dodgeball that those of us who are ages 35 and up used to play is nearly extinct. You know ... where two people, officially called "enders" stand on either end of the field and throw overinflated rubber kickballs at a mass of people in the middle who have to avoid being hit by the ball or they are out. And oh yeah, you can't catch the ball and get the ender out ... nice try though. Apparently this game is no longer being taught in our schools and it is to our nations detriment that it isn't. Somebody needs to call somebody ... just saying!
9. Because it's church with themes. That means we get to dress up and act like kids again. Cowboys, pirates, superheroes, soldiers, knights, karate instructors, scientists, the Grinch, etc. Did I mention SUPERHEROES! Ahhhh ... great fun! All the fun of Hollywood with none of the garbage of Hollywood.
8. Because talking to kids often makes more sense than talking to adults. Believe it or not, talking to kids is often more refreshing because they are honest, sincere and hilarious ... well, most of the time. It's so refreshing to listen to kids talk about life and see their limited, yet refreshing perspective. They have such an innocent love for God that inspires and challenges you if you let it.
7. Because I get to hang with some of the best people I've ever known. I love interacting with our kids church leaders each and every week. They are an amazing group of people. (The vast majority of them are young adults whom I have had the privilege of watching grow up in our student ministries.) And I am so blessed, week in and week out, to minister alongside all of our leaders and watch the gifts God has placed in them come out. We laugh a lot (mostly at ourselves), cry sometimes (mostly because of ourselves), and dream a lot (always about how God could use more effectively in the lives of kids). It is the great privilege of ministry!
6. Because doing the chicken dance during praise and worship is fun, no matter how old you are. Really ... you should try it. Well ... on second thought, maybe you should be careful what service you try it in. But watching kids just relax, have fun, and dance during our praise songs is such a blast. Let's face it ... as adults, we just forget how to have fun sometimes. We're too worried about how we look and if others are watching. Who cares?
5. Because you never get tired of watching kids "Get It." There is always those moments in kids church where everything sinks into place and you can see it in the kids eyes ... they got it. They understand what you are saying and it actually makes sense to them. Some, for the first time, just understand that God loves them no matter what. Some, that Jesus will never leave them. Others, that God's Spirit will strengthen them to overcome whatever they are facing. Whatever the truth that just made it's way from their minds to their hearts, it just exploded inside of them and they got it. It's the "ah hah!" moment and it never gets old.
4. Because of all of the free candy. Nuff said!
3. Because watching a group of kids sit in a circle with a leader and talk about life is AMAZING. I love small groups. And I really love watching leaders, spiritual fathers and mothers, sit with a group of elementary school kids and connect with them. It can be about what's going on at school to what a bible verse means. It can be about struggles kids are going through to what their favorite ice cream flavor is. Either way, it's dialogue and its a priceless thing. Here's a newsflash ... adults actually listening to kids is becoming extinct too. Life is too fast and honest communication with our children is not as valued as it once was. (But that's a discussion for another time!)
2. Because kids church is designed to be a creative, exciting and memorable experience where kids can encounter Jesus. As I read about Jesus and how He taught and interacted with people, I'm always astounded. During His time here on the earth, He was an amazing communicator of the Gospel. And communicating to kids pushes us to be creative in our approach and simple in our delivery. We strive to let the kids see Jesus. In a world where more and more pressure is being placed on our kids, it's wonderful to kick back and just enjoy communicating the good news of God's love to them.
1. Because there is this hope deep down inside of me that continues to believe that these kids won't have to go through the pitfalls and potholes of life that most of us went through. With all joking aside, this is why I do what I do. I believe with all my heart
And the wonderful secret of Kid's Church is that, when all is said and done, the kids actually teach you more than you teach them. They teach about God, about yourself, and about life. And along the way you pray that they have grown as much as you have. That's why I love Kid's Church so much.
10. Because we get to play "old fashioned" dodgeball again. Believe it or not, the dodgeball that those of us who are ages 35 and up used to play is nearly extinct. You know ... where two people, officially called "enders" stand on either end of the field and throw overinflated rubber kickballs at a mass of people in the middle who have to avoid being hit by the ball or they are out. And oh yeah, you can't catch the ball and get the ender out ... nice try though. Apparently this game is no longer being taught in our schools and it is to our nations detriment that it isn't. Somebody needs to call somebody ... just saying!
9. Because it's church with themes. That means we get to dress up and act like kids again. Cowboys, pirates, superheroes, soldiers, knights, karate instructors, scientists, the Grinch, etc. Did I mention SUPERHEROES! Ahhhh ... great fun! All the fun of Hollywood with none of the garbage of Hollywood.
8. Because talking to kids often makes more sense than talking to adults. Believe it or not, talking to kids is often more refreshing because they are honest, sincere and hilarious ... well, most of the time. It's so refreshing to listen to kids talk about life and see their limited, yet refreshing perspective. They have such an innocent love for God that inspires and challenges you if you let it.
7. Because I get to hang with some of the best people I've ever known. I love interacting with our kids church leaders each and every week. They are an amazing group of people. (The vast majority of them are young adults whom I have had the privilege of watching grow up in our student ministries.) And I am so blessed, week in and week out, to minister alongside all of our leaders and watch the gifts God has placed in them come out. We laugh a lot (mostly at ourselves), cry sometimes (mostly because of ourselves), and dream a lot (always about how God could use more effectively in the lives of kids). It is the great privilege of ministry!
6. Because doing the chicken dance during praise and worship is fun, no matter how old you are. Really ... you should try it. Well ... on second thought, maybe you should be careful what service you try it in. But watching kids just relax, have fun, and dance during our praise songs is such a blast. Let's face it ... as adults, we just forget how to have fun sometimes. We're too worried about how we look and if others are watching. Who cares?
5. Because you never get tired of watching kids "Get It." There is always those moments in kids church where everything sinks into place and you can see it in the kids eyes ... they got it. They understand what you are saying and it actually makes sense to them. Some, for the first time, just understand that God loves them no matter what. Some, that Jesus will never leave them. Others, that God's Spirit will strengthen them to overcome whatever they are facing. Whatever the truth that just made it's way from their minds to their hearts, it just exploded inside of them and they got it. It's the "ah hah!" moment and it never gets old.
4. Because of all of the free candy. Nuff said!
3. Because watching a group of kids sit in a circle with a leader and talk about life is AMAZING. I love small groups. And I really love watching leaders, spiritual fathers and mothers, sit with a group of elementary school kids and connect with them. It can be about what's going on at school to what a bible verse means. It can be about struggles kids are going through to what their favorite ice cream flavor is. Either way, it's dialogue and its a priceless thing. Here's a newsflash ... adults actually listening to kids is becoming extinct too. Life is too fast and honest communication with our children is not as valued as it once was. (But that's a discussion for another time!)
2. Because kids church is designed to be a creative, exciting and memorable experience where kids can encounter Jesus. As I read about Jesus and how He taught and interacted with people, I'm always astounded. During His time here on the earth, He was an amazing communicator of the Gospel. And communicating to kids pushes us to be creative in our approach and simple in our delivery. We strive to let the kids see Jesus. In a world where more and more pressure is being placed on our kids, it's wonderful to kick back and just enjoy communicating the good news of God's love to them.
1. Because there is this hope deep down inside of me that continues to believe that these kids won't have to go through the pitfalls and potholes of life that most of us went through. With all joking aside, this is why I do what I do. I believe with all my heart
And the wonderful secret of Kid's Church is that, when all is said and done, the kids actually teach you more than you teach them. They teach about God, about yourself, and about life. And along the way you pray that they have grown as much as you have. That's why I love Kid's Church so much.
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