Ministry Watch just released their list of the 30 best ministries out there. They call them “Shining Light Ministries.” Click here to get the PDF and learn about all 30.
It is interesting to spend some time on the website and look at the criteria considered when selecting the top 30. Here are the top three criteria in a nutshell.
• They have no significant issues that would be of concern to donors.
• They treat their donors right.
• They aren’t unashamed of being identified as an evangelical Christian ministry.
Maybe we should create a task force or committee to determine the 30 best children’s ministries today. What would be the top three criteria?
1. Credibility/integrity
2. Humility/service orientation
3. Ministry Effectiveness/biblical faithfulness and cultural relevance
Glen, I think you just crammed seven “tops” into three points.
Here would be my top three:
1. Lasting impact on children, not just a happy “come in, hear a happy Bible story, have fun, and leave” ministry, but one that is truly impacting
2. Integrity of leaders (from top to bottom!) and Bible teaching
3. Remarkableness/Sustainablity (It may be cool, but can you keep it alive?)
Bonus: Extra points for being somewhere where it doesn’t snow! (We just got like 8 or 9 inches of snow here in Indiana. Blech.)
Evan,
Thanks for the good-natured nudge.
I can see how it appears that way. What I was intending to convey is the three points, followed about how they are achieved.
1. Credibility achieved through integrity, at least in part. The next two points are also integral to earning credibility.
2. Humility conveyed through a service orientation.
3. Ministry effectiveness as demonstrated to faithfulness to the biblical record and relevance to the culture.
My fast list without giving it too much thought:
1. Love God
2. Love kids because God loves kids and can see the same in them now
3. Helps establish support groups for godly upbringing. Families, friends, church, etc.