Encyclopedia salesmen have to hate Wikipedia. After all, it’s a totally free encyclopedia within the reach of every person on earth. A set of encyclopedias will set you back around 1400 bucks. This is nothing to do with this writing except for the fact that I love Wikipedia used it today. It defines empathy as one’s ability to recognize, perceive and feel directly the emotion of another. We need more empathy in children’s ministry. Here’s what I mean.

Do you know what it’s like to be an 8-year-old? Today I did something totally crazy. I walked around the children’s center at my church on my knees. Was it uncomfortable? Terribly. But it changed my perspective. I saw things from the shoes of a second grader.

Empathy will change the way you do ministry, starting with your classroom. Get on your knees and walk around your classroom as I did today. Are the posters and signs on their eye level? Are the chairs comfy? Is the room stale and boring or vibrant and full of life? I walked in one class (on my knees) and realized that the way the room was set up it was nearly impossible to see the teacher.

Empathy will impact your teaching. An eight-year-old has an eight minute attention span. Why do I get upset when they start zoning out after ten minutes? It’s not their fault, it’s the way God made them. If I’d put their shoes on I’d understand. It’s not necessarily that they want to disobey, it may simply be that they can only handle so much. You can lecture adults, but not an eight-year-old. If it’s not visualized forget about it.

Empathy will determine your attitude. It will make you a more patient teacher. A few weeks ago I got upset with a kid in AWANA for taking matters into his own hands when he was being picked on instead of coming to one of the leaders. I got upset, until I put his shoes on. How would I have responded if I was in his shoes? Probably the same way. Understanding this will make me more patient as I correct the child.

Empathy will help me get to know my kids on a personal level. Kids bring stuff with them to class every Sunday. Question: How well do you know their stuff? Until you know their stuff, you’ll never really be able to minister to them on a more significant level.

Are you willing to be a kid yourself and show empathy? Maybe you need to get to the church early this Sunday and spend some time on your knees. That’s they way I see it.