By David Michael
It was a delightful meeting with two ministry leaders who were six months into the launch of a new church plant. They expressed much excitement about the growth and impact they were experiencing in such a short time. Their team planned to begin children’s ministry in nine months and asked me to help with preparations.
This is a scenario I am very familiar with, as a pastor and ministry leader who has both experienced and helped others navigate the timing of launching Sunday School, mid-week, summer, and other various ministries for the next generation. I knew what they meant. They wanted to build a vibrant ministry for children and youth to provide programming and activities that would serve younger families. Their reasoning was sound, yet it echoes a common mindset among church leaders about ministry to children, youth, and families—one that can quietly shape priorities in unhelpful ways. It also relates to a common misunderstanding among Christian parents regarding what they and their children most need from a church.
I’m reminded of so many Scriptures that encourage us to keep pressing on in the effort to pass our faith to the next generation:
“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.You shall teach them diligently to your children…” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV).
“He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments…” (Psalm 78:5-7)
“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28)
When we understand children’s, youth, and family ministry as a God-given responsibility and opportunity to wholeheartedly pursue the discipleship of the next generation (versus merely establishing and growing ministry programs in the church), we can take intentional steps right away—for a brand new church, a church without resources or volunteers, and, yes, even a church with few or no children!
The advice I gave to my church planting friends: Why don’t we start this Sunday?!
Here is the mindset shift I suggested to them, that I also commend to you and your church:
Find ways to inspire and equip parents
As you are doing the important work to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:12), you can also be inspiring and equipping parents in their intentional discipleship efforts at home. No matter how many great programs and activities a church may offer, none surpass the spiritual influence that parents have in the lives of their children. Parents benefit greatly from support and encouragement from church leaders and other parents. Offering training and recommended resources to help them flourish in their discipleship efforts at home is a wonderful start.
The great news is that supporting parents in their crucial role does not require volunteer recruitment, building space, curriculum, or funding—yet the fruit that comes from a church’s investment in parents can endure to all generations and for all eternity. Truth78 offers many resources to support the partnership between the church and home, and I’d encourage you to check them out.
Include children in corporate worship
A significant part of your discipleship of the next generation can take place when children are welcomed in your weekly Sunday gathering—which, I believe, surpasses the value of them being in Sunday School. In fact, I often tell parents that if I had to choose between sending children to Sunday School (as outstanding as it may be) or bringing them into the worship service, I would choose the worship service in a heartbeat.
Children can do more than learn how to sit and be quiet in the service. They can experience what it means to engage in worship and personally benefit from preaching, even though it may seem over their heads. From time to time, those on the platform can acknowledge the young people in the room by specifically welcoming them, using illustrations in the sermon that would be especially relevant, and reinforcing that they are a vital part of congregational life. The regular Sunday morning gathering of God’s people, in and of itself, is a tremendous asset for next generation discipleship.
Train staff and volunteers with a vision for the next generation
Another natural opportunity in church life is to build a focus on discipling the next generation within existing ministries. For example, train staff and volunteers to communicate a vision for children and the tools that you offer to maximize their experience on Sunday mornings, as well as at home during the week. You can also involve children as volunteers to help with the welcoming ministry, keeping an eye out for other children and youth, especially visitors. Also look for ways to involve young people in the service, perhaps inviting them to read Scripture, and even helping lead worship when appropriate. Instilling a mindset of passing the faith to the next generation from the very beginning will help prepare your church for implementing a more formal ministry for children and youth.
I hope you can see that opportunities abound for next generation discipleship, and that passing our faith to the next generation is at the very heart of the disciple-making responsibility of the Church. If you begin taking these steps (as early as this Sunday!), parents will be more encouraged, families will understand the benefit and joy of worshiping together, and the greater church body will start catching a vision for what it means to nurture the faith of our children so that they will set their hope in God.
Find support for next generation discipleship in your church plant–including a Discipleship Foundations grant opportunity at Truth78.org/church-plant.
David Michael is the executive director of Truth78. He served in church ministry for 33 years, including 5 years as Pastor for Next Generations at College Park Church in Indianapolis. For 28 years (1986-2013) David served under the shepherding ministry of John Piper, the last 16 years as the Pastor for Parenting and Family Discipleship.