To the Saints in Christ Jesus at Central,
My previous blogs have shared my desire to hire a part-time children’s minister soon. This position’s purpose and function varies across local churches and can become a debatable topic. The following statements emerge in evangelical discussions: “What is the need of a children’s minister if the parents are the child’s primary mentors?” “There is no mention of a children’s minister in the New Testament,” and “Are we conforming to the consumer-driven culture that seeks to meet kids’ preferences over maintaining a biblical church model?” These are fair questions that I wish to address as I share a synopsis of my theology of children’s ministry and how I believe Central can biblically utilize a children’s minister without diminishing God’s design for parents.
Jesus rebukes the disciples when they prevent children from approaching Him by stating, “Let the children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:14 ESV). He proceeds by placing His hands on the children and praying for them. Children are a gift from God, “a heritage from the LORD” (Ps 127:3). God loves children, and so should we!
However, children enter the world polluted by unbelief. Most (not all) kids in our children’s ministry are not yet the church because they are unregenerate. Therefore, a children’s ministry is not about promoting good morality, good behavior, and definitely not good religion. We desire to help children fix their eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb 12:2). We pray that Central’s kids meet and grow in Christ, which means the ministry must primarily be discipleship-focused versus event and program-driven. Notice I did not say that events and programs are ineffective because they are beneficial; however, they are not the primary focus. I do not plan on drawing families in with extravagant events or structuring the ministry around what will make a child say, “That was fun! I want to go to church there!” to lure parents who have yet reached a spiritual maturity level to know better. Fellowship and outreach events, programs, and fun will all have their place in the ministry, but discipleship will be our primary agenda. This understanding corresponds with our church’s efforts to follow a biblical pattern and Jesus’ discipleship model.
Therefore, strengthening discipleship will be our new children’s minister’s primary agenda. This plan does not mean the minister will uproot the parent’s preeminence in stewarding their child’s spiritual growth. In a recent text we covered on Sunday mornings, Exodus 12:26–27 describes how the Israelites are to instruct their children about the meaning of Passover when they ask. Today’s parents in the New Covenant age carry the same role in declaring Jesus as our Passover Lamb! We are to teach His Word “diligently to (our) children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut 6:7).
The minister’s responsibility will be to strengthen the church’s role in reinforcing what parents teach their children daily. In recent years, Central has made steps towards helping parents understand their role by keeping children in the Sunday worship service until the preaching moment. We also decreased the age of Treehouse ministry (children’s church) on Sunday mornings and evenings from 4k–5th grade to 4k–2nd grade. Children were not worshipping with dad and mom until they turned 11–12 years old before this transition. How can we claim that parents are the primary disciple-makers of their children when they do not worship together in the corporate worship setting until their kids reach preteen years? I am thankful for this move and the church’s support. I encourage parents who are active members with children 4k–2nd grade to begin training their children to stay in the main gathering before they reach 2nd grade. Treehouse teaches children gospel truths and prepares them for consistently attending corporate worship gatherings, especially for children who may not have a church background.
I read a 9Marks article by a pastor explaining his philosophy of children’s ministry: “The longer our children are separated from the gathered church, the more they will confuse the church’s ministry to them as the church itself. In whatever tone, urgency, or volume, parents tell their children each Sunday, ‘It’s time to go to church!’ And upon arriving at the church building, children are dropped off in the children’s wing.” I never want Central to adopt this model. I am thankful that I know each of our children, and I love to see people of all ages at Central interacting with our precious kids!
Therefore, Central’s future children’s minister (if you approve) will have a high view of God, Christ, Scripture, family discipleship, prayer, missions, evangelism, and children! I will post an approved personnel committee job description soon for the church to confirm, but I expect this philosophy and theology from the future children’s minister. They will join families in strengthening our kids’ knowledge of the Word, fellowship with one another, prayer lives, and training in evangelism and missions. The minister will lead our current children’s ministry team in providing organization, structure, safety, and discipline to the ministry. Lastly (but not limited to), the leader will join our remaining staff in developing and implementing ways to reach lost and unchurched families.
Financially, the recent change to our Administrative Assistant position will decrease the amount designated to personnel salaries in 2025. Also, a portion of our New Year New Things Offering will go towards the children’s minister’s first year’s salary. If our offering goal is met, these efforts will allow us to pay for the new position’s first year without changing the current budget for personnel salaries.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments before our next family business meeting when we vote for this position!