Parents + PCC Children's Ministry = Doing Children's Ministry Together

This is my sixth year serving as Children's Pastor at PCC. I served for about 8 months as a volunteer in PCC's children's ministry prior to that, so you could say that I'm in my seventh year here. I love teaching and working with children. But it wasn't always that way. My degree is actually in math. I have a B.S. in Mathematics (Troy University) and a Masters of Science Degree in Mathematics (Auburn University). I've even published a technical mathematical paper in an international journal. ("A Focal Boundary Value Problem for Difference Equations", THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR MATHEMATICS AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES, 1993. You can look it up on the internet.) I spent the first ten years of my career as a computer programmer. NO WHERE in my makeup was I wired to work with children. Though I loved teaching and did switch careers 8 years ago to teach high school math, I steered clear of children who were 14 or younger. Sure, I helped at church as a volunteer, but only out of duty because of my children. I didn't mind working with youth. They were easy! Nope, younglings were not my cup of tea! But then God did something amazing. He called me to minister to children - the very ones I tried to avoid!

When God first prompted my heart with the calling to minister to children at PCC, I RESISTED! I had NO INTEREST in LEADING a children's ministry. That wasn't my gifting, I argued! It was a HUGE responsibility and who was I to do so? I had NO TIME to do so. It was like God had to THUMP me on my BIG OLD FAT HEAD to get my attention. God answered each of my excuses, tit for tat. He placed an URGENT PASSION for reaching CHILDREN for CHRIST in me that I had never possessed before. He showed me that even though it was a HUGE responsibility, I could RELY on HIM and...I was the one He called to do so. And as for not having the time for children's ministry, God's reply to me was just as audible as a live person speaking to me today, "I don't call the lazy to do my work. I call people who are busy to do my work because I know they will do it!" I remember exactly what I was doing when God said those words to me. I was sitting in my car, waiting on our oldest son to get off the bus in the high school parking lot. After months of resistance, I finally said 'Yes' to God on the matter.

I stepped out on faith, even though I questioned my own abilities and lack of gifting in the area of children. I was out on a limb. God was stretching me, molding me, creating things in me that had never existed before. I was being formed into something brand new! And I LOVE what He had made me into. I also LOVE the children He sends into our ministry!

One of the number one problems I face as a children's pastor is getting parents involved in the children's ministry that their children benefit from. One of the number one reasons parents tell me they can't volunteer is that they aren't 'gifted' in working with children. They are uncomfortable, are intimidated, or just plain don't like teaching kids. Well, sadly, that was me many years ago. Now look at what God has done!

Our excuses are flimsy when it comes to the LIFE CHANGING power of God. So what? You aren't 'gifted' with working with kids. God can change that! Besides, kids don't care whether you're a 'gifted'or not! THEY JUST NEED GODLY PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES TO LOVE THEM AND LISTEN TO THEM!!! You know, at some point, we parents and church members have got to quit making excuses and step out in faith! These children are too precious to not even try! THEIR ETERNAL LIVES DEPEND ON US! They are our responsibility as a church! We - Parents, Teachers, Church Members - WE the BODY are to "train them up in the way they should go!" It's ALL OF US. So, please don't tell me you are not called or gifted to work with children. I assure you, that claim will fall on deaf ears - I was the least talented of ALL and look at what God has done! If you have children, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! (Check it out...it's all over the Bible!) If your children attend with us, YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED! I'm calling you right now! Do you hear your cell phone ringing? That's me! (Oh, you put it on vibrate, my bad.) We have opportunities of service that just about anyone of just about any 'gift' can do.

LISTEN UP: As long as we stay in our COMFORT ZONE, we'll never grow up spiritually! It's only when we STEP IT UP and STEP IT OUT to the point we NO LONGER rely on ourselves, but instead rely on the HOLY SPIRIT that TRUE SPIRITUAL GROWTH takes place! So don't let the thought of working with children intimidate you! Man up! Pray up! Step up!

Let me share with you one last, IMPORTANT, observation. Over the last 7 years, I've noticed a POWERFUL trend. Most of the children whose parents served consistently in children's ministry have GROWN THE MOST SPIRITUALLY when compared to other children whose parents did not. Many of these children are NOW spiritual leaders both in youth group and among their peers at school. They are now bearing fruit, bringing others to the foot of the cross! They are NOW teaching the little ones who have followed them here at PCC. Many are now teenagers, STILL following and maturing in Christ because their family is ENGRAINED in the BODY! What parent wouldn't want these things for their child? Your involvement in serving in church, in children's ministry, in youth ministry, or any other of God's work has a big time spiritual impact for not only you, but your family as well. I've seen it in other families. I can testify about it for my own family. Please understand that serving in and of itself does not guarantee this outcome. These parents are dedicated and faithful followers of Christ, training their children at home and involved in the ministries of the church. I was simply noting a trend that seemed to strengthen the spiritual upbringing of these children.

My deepest desire is for each and every child to have the most wonderful lifelong, growing relationship with Christ! I know that the only way that is possible is for parents and the church to partner in the spiritual training of the child. We want to offer your child programs that are not just fun, but more importantly SPIRITULLY TRANSFORMING. To provide these programs, we must have parental involvement. Ideally, every parent should be involved to some degree in the children's ministry. This is our expectation! Our ministry isn't a babysitting service. We aren't here to give parents a break or just to entertain children with arts and crafts. We are a REAL MINISTRY called of GOD, ministering to CHILDREN! We have an awesome team of people who are great to serve with. We can't wait for you to plug in! So, where can we sign you up?

PARENTS + PCC CHILDREN'S MINISTRY = DOING CHILDREN'S MINISTRY TOGETHER

In His Love, Cathy