How’s Your Balance?
(Annual Planning for Childhood Ministry)
By Sue Harmon
Childhood ministry should have a three-fold focus, according to Carrie Beth Tonks, Childhood Education Minister for Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. Relating to the children and providing activities for them is one part of children’s ministry, but a children’s minister who spends all their time with boys and girls leaves two aspects of ministry neglected. A balanced ministry includes:
- Ministry to children
- Ministry to parents
- Ministry to teachers
Looking at the calendar can help you see if your ministry plans are over- or under-balanced in any of the three focus areas. Use this planning sheet to give you an overview of the yearly plans for your church’s childhood ministry. This is not the place for detailed planning, but simply pencil in the activities, events, or actions that you have scheduled.
Keep in mind that families are busy and over-scheduling is a big issue in our society. There is such a thing as too many church activities! Be sure that your calendar reflects a reasonable number of events, considering the schedules and needs of parents, children, and volunteers in your children’s ministry. How’s your balance?
