Comments on: Can the kids in your ministry stand up in culture?

By: Ryan Frank

Ryan Frank — Wed, 23 May 2007 02:15:53 +0000

Priscilla - you’re going to make a great children’s pastor one day - it sounds like you’re on the right track. You need to attend Children’s Pastors’ Conference this winter (www.incm.org). It would be well worth your time and would help you develop some additional ministry skills. Thanks for your comment!

By: priscilla coffey

priscilla coffey — Wed, 23 May 2007 00:48:40 +0000

i’m a college student two years away from my degree in children’s ministry. currently i am a part time children’s pastor. first, i have to say that i am very much enjoying being able to read through the different postings on this site. second, this particular blog struck somewhat of a cord with me. being in bible college has taught me many things and one of those is how easy it is to preach a “bubble gum sermon”. especially to kids. it can also be difficult to present the real Jesus to kids and teach them how to effectively defend their faith in a way that Jesus would want them to when the expectations of the parent’s are so far under that. some parent’s just want you to babysit their kids for them and while you do so, to throw in a few lessons about being the stereotypical “good christian kid”. sometimes people are more concerned with the physical growth of your children’s church rather than the spiritual growth. i would much rather have two or three kids that i know are experiencing a valid relationship with Jesus over two hundred that know all their bible stories word for word. just my thoughts…

By: Jim Wideman

Jim Wideman — Thu, 17 May 2007 20:00:49 +0000

whooa, hoooo- Evan!
growing up in the deep south, one thing I had to ask my teachers in school during spelling test was “Could you use it in a sentence?”
I think a big part of training the church of tomorrow to be Christ followers today is to teach in a way that shows and helps them to apply the truth of the Word and the person of Jesus in their everyday life. Jesus is their forever friend, Big Bird is not.
Ryan, I like this kid! Put him in a box and ship him to Tulsa!
bj

By: ana shaw:)

ana shaw:) — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:32:47 +0000

Chris, i had to reply to your last question because i have a very inquisitive 6 year old daughter as well as a 5 month old son. i am constantly reiterating to her that God is so much bigger then the things we see on tv or anything she can imagine. that is pretty much the only way i know how to explain that God is not magical… he is Mighty! also… i applaud you for your decision on mythical characters… my husband and i continue to take a lot of critisism for our stance on that within our family.

By: Chris Pedersen

Chris Pedersen — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:16:31 +0000

Wow Evan!!! Not to puff you up but you have an amazing amount of wisdom for a guy your age. I’m sure your parents and mentor are indeed proud of you. It’s obvious they have had a great impact on your life as you have submitted yourself to them over the years.

I agree with everything you’ve said in the blog…I know this breaks the heart of americans everywhere but I never taught my own kids to believe in Santa, The Easter Bunny or any of the traditions that have been passed down. As you can imagine I received a healthy dose of persecution from my family members. I am not anti-santa or anything but I didn’t want to tell them about a Jesus they couldn’t see along with a santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy etc… and then have them find out one by one they were frauds that dominate seasons of time every year but Jesus oh I promise he’s real…

I of course leave this opinion out of ministry and respect parents enough to make their own decisions on it…

One question…On the younger kids 1-5 how would you go about breaking them out of the big bird syndrome???

By: ana shaw:)

ana shaw:) — Thu, 17 May 2007 17:48:11 +0000

kid… your brain blows me away! i echo ryan in that i am so glad and blessed to work in ministry with you as well as to you. (sniff sniff)

as a parent i can say with 100% accuracy that outside of what i know of Christ, i don’t know what i am doing most of the time! lol. in all seriousness i believe that the best policy with teaching children, or anyone, is truth and as you said consistency is key. honesty and love go a long way with kids. they appreciate it, it helps them to respect and obey the authoritarian.

i am also a firm believer that when we study the character of God, while we will never be able to comprehend Him, we can better know His character. He is not big bird or some guy with lightening bolts in His hands waiting to zap us when we mess up. He is a loving and holy God. He is Jehova.

it’s hard to differentiate the water-downed version that most of us (NOT ALL) recieve as children until we have experienced God as our life sustainer. then again their are also many who have come to know this simply by reading the Word and believing it.

their is a very fine line. i think you are very correct to say that many of us, even as adults still have a very flawed view of who Jesus is. it is so important to encourage our kids to seek out the true character of God. not the sunday school billy version. i am thankful that i can not recall a time at liberty when i have ever heard any of our current pastors sugar coat the Bible.

By: Ryan Frank

Ryan Frank — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:59:56 +0000

You’ve hit the nail on the head Evan. I’m so proud of the children’s pastor (cough cough) that I know you are going to be one day. (In all seriousness - I know God has great plans for you, whatever vocation He leads you in).

Kids need to hear the truth. There is a fine line between presenting the message on their level and dumbing down Jesus. You’ve got to strike that balance well, as you have pointed out. We must present the “whole counsel” of Jesus while presenting it in a way kids can understand and apply.

If the church presents a watered-down Gospel we’ll create watered-down Christians. Boy I’m glad you’re on the team at my church Evan. I wouldn’t trade you for the world.