Our CM team is In A “Rut”
Your Question:
“How can I inspire our CM team to get out of the ‘ministry rut’ of doing the same things, in the same ways, as they have for years?”
The Issues:
People are “creatures of habit.” People are also prone to do the same thing, the same way, if it seems to be working. In ministry, we understand that the “culture” of children changes over time. Today’s kids are different than the children of 10 years ago. The CM team needs to understand that the message of the Gospel never changes; but how we present it does. A CM team member who refuses to adjust to new teaching methods, new curriculum, or new procedures may need to be “retired.”
Scripture Foundation:
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9: 16, 17
Short Answer:
There are many “things” we do in children’s ministry that continue to “work”: Listening, laughing together, meaningful eye-contact, appropriate physical contact, the use of the child’s name, personal testimonies of God’s presence, application of the scripture to daily experiences, praying for God’s help, praising God for His provision, etc. We should continue to actively use all of those things as often as possible with the children. The “things” that need to adjust to suit today’s kids are: Assuming that they know the Bible, assuming that they know who Jesus is, the use of Christian jargon, assuming that their definition of “good,” “bad,” “right,” and “wrong” is the same as ours, and assuming that they are interested in the lesson content.
Visit other articles in the “Building The CM Team APPENDIX”
