Our Children’s ministry is not vision-focused
Your Question:
“How can I focus the CM on the CM vision more effectively?”
The Issues:
Focusing the CM on the CM vision requires that there be a clear and well-known CM vision. This might be the first challenge: to create a clear CM vision. If there is a CM vision that isn’t used as the focus of the CM, you must determine why, and be ready to make needed adjustments. Tradition or “popularity” shouldn’t stop you from making adjustments.
Scripture Foundation:
“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.” Ephesians 4:14, 15
Short Answer:
Ideally, the CM vision should be a foundation, filter, and focus for the CM. The CM vision should answer the questions, “Why are we doing what we do?” or “Should we do this?” and “Does this program ‘fit’ into our purposes?” If there is no clear CM vision, that needs to be fixed. (See the section on Creating The CM Vision in this website.) If there is a CM vision, but it isn’t being applied, there are things you can do to correct that:
1) Make the CM vision better “known.” Referring to the CM vision often in your training and correspondences will help remind the CM team of the foundational purpose for the CM.
2) Reinforce the CM vision prior to each CM program or event. You can do this during planning meetings, or prayer times. This will encourage the CM team members to interact with the children according to the CM vision. Reminding the CM team that a CM program doesn’t exist to fill time or to keep the children occupied, each CM program should work toward fulfilling the “Great Commission” (Matthew 28: 19, 20) as well as the CM vision. Building relationships with the children and becoming mentors to them is how the CM vision and the “Great Commission” is fulfilled.
3) Communicating the CM vision to the parents. The easiest way to do this is by producing posters that express the CM vision and posting them on the walls around the CM facility. Another way to remind the parents about why the CM programs exist is through emails, newsletters, and personal conversations. Train the CM team to communicate the CM vision as much as possible during conversations with the parents at check-in, and check-out.
4) Evaluate the current CM programs in light of the CM vision. If they don’t obviously advance the CM vision, consider adjusting them to do so, or to retire them. Invite the CM team who serve in those programs to participate in this process.
5) Adjust the CM recruiting process to reflect the CM vision. What sort of people are you praying for/attracting to apply to the CM team? How is the CM vision being used as a “filter” to “weed out” those applicants who might not “fit” the CM vision?
The CM vision should be the focus of your evaluations and planning as you fulfill the “Great Commission.” The CM programs, training, and communications should all reflect the CM vision, or the CM could find itself being “tossed to and fro” by opinions or trends. For more help in refreshing the children’s ministry, click on the APPENDIX link below.
Visit other articles in the “Refreshing The CM APPENDIX”
