Ministering to the Little Ones

It is often said that the experiences we have as a child can have a large impact on us later in adulthood. One instance in which I think there is quite a bit of truth to this statement is within a children’s ministry at a local church. I can still distinctly remember visiting different churches as a small child and the experiences I had along the way. Whether it was the way in which the classrooms were structured, if they taught a lesson or only provided childcare, memorizing scripture that can still be recalled to this day, or being taught foundational biblical doctrine, each one left a lasting impression on me.

A children’s ministry can have an exceptionally large impact on not just the children in attendance, but the rest of the congregation, and even the global church!

So how are we as members of Grace Rancho to consider our children and the ministry we offer to them and their families? I think the answer is twofold.

First, Grace Rancho is committed to providing the opportunity for family worship each Sunday. If children develop habits by emulating others, what better way than to be in the main service watching their parents and other members of the body corporately worshipping together? They are witnessing singing, praying, and teaching that is helping them to shape their perception of biblical worship. On the flipside, there are also benefits to having children attend a more ageappropriate class during worship. This can be a great opportunity to help reinforce what children are learning at home, inspire them with eagerness to learn and answer questions as they see their peers doing, and even provide opportunities for the understanding of the gospel to take root in their hearts. At Grace Rancho, we see both of these opportunities as crucial aspects of young children being involved in worship, as opposed to just providing a generic means of childcare. Once you understand this, it can really help to reshape how you think of a children’s ministry and how each member of a local church has a role to play within it.

Some may serve in class, others dedicate themselves to praying for the ministry, and each should focus on getting to know families and setting an example during the service. It is thrilling to think that some of the children currently attending may one day teach from behind a pulpit as a pastor, or be sent to an unreached people group to share the gospel, or raise the next generation of godly men and women who have an eager desire to come to church excited to learn more about God and eager to serve one another! That is the kind of gospel impact each member of Grace Rancho should get excited about!