"Children 'acting out' a Bible story to narration"
Simple skits like this need little practice if acted to a narrated story, can involve all the children, utilize only simple props, and yet are remembered by everyone!
A good idea to encourage interest in and attract helpers to children's ministry in the local church is to give a better image of it! So many people feel that they are "missing out" on what God is doing in the main service or adult class, if they "only" teach the children! They don't realize that God is working in the children's services too!!
I have used the idea of a special name and logo for the team of children's ministers. "N.E.O.N." in Spanish stands for "New team of children's workers". Each teacher had a special name-tag, we had regular meetings for planning events, on-going training and time to get to know one another better (and recognize ministry gifts and talents).
Not only those "called" as children's ministers are needed - there is a great need for occasional help from others in the congregation who have special talents or are just willing to help:
those with a talent for sewing can help by making puppets
those who can draw, could help by making posters or decorating the children's class
those who like to act or work with puppets can help by preparing a short skit to share once-a-month
those who are intercessors are needed to pray for the children and their families, the teachers, projects etc...
those who can visit homes can befriend the families of new children
and EVERYONE can bring small neighbors or relatives to church with them!
When a big event or outreach is planned, it needs the help and support of the whole church. In rural Veracruz, we worked for three weeks with a small church that had very little experience of children's ministry. EVERYONE was involved in planning a children's outreach for the village. At the actual children's crusade, we did virtually nothing but give encouragement - the local church organized the races (based on Biblical themes) to attract attention, taught the object lessons, acted in the skits, and the pastor gave the altar call! It attracted over 200 people from the village - men, women and children! Over 70 children gave their hearts to Jesus!
"Children's crusade presented by a local church"
But no outreach event is complete without well-organized follow-up by the local church! Children need to be invited to church, families need to be visited and prayed for, and constant contact made with all who showed interest. We have found that there are a number of ways to help with this follow-up.
Every mother knows how to tell stories to her children - what better than to tell Bible stories? Small clubs can be started in many Christian homes by mothers willing to set aside 30 minutes at a regular day and time each week, to invite neighborhood children. A simple Bible story, followed by general discussion and a good Bible-based game will do more than just "keep contact" - it will develop the relationship, demonstrate the love of God and open the door for many opportunities to minister to the neighborhood families.
"A weekly 'children's club' meeting in rural Veracruz"
With 5 or 10 simple weekly clubs like this held by faithful church members, and a special event or outreach planned by the church 3 or 4 times a year, hundreds of children can be effectively taught and brought into the Kindom!
There is a world of children out there that need to know about Jesus. If we all do our part and work together they can be saved and can spend their whole lives serving Jesus!
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