Posted on October 27, 2009 - by rfrank

Trophies and spiritual milestones

Kids love awards. I remember as a child cherishing the few trophies that I had received in coaches pitch and little league. Those were about the only trophies I ever received for sports – I’ve never been the athletic one in my family. My dad, on the other hand, has more trophies than I can count. His basketball number is retired at Indiana Wesleyan University and he still holds NCCAA records to this day.

Sunday night at church we honored 14 Sparks with Awana awards. You should have seen the glow on each of these kids faces. They were grinning ear to ear as they were publicly recognized for their hard work in Awana. Kids love awards.

Yesterday in staff meeting my pastor was talking about how proud those kids were to be recognized and how excited they were to receive their awards. He asked a good question, “Why do kids have to go to the world to get their awards?” which led to some good discussion points.

Kids love awards. Heck, we all do. I love getting a raise every January. I love the bonus points that I accumulate on my credit card. I love it that after I buy six coffees I get the seventh free at the gas station in town. Back to kids – it’s too bad that, more often then not, to get an award, they have to play sports or be musical. I wonder if we are missing something here.

Kids love motivation and rewards just like the rest of us. I wonder if church leaders and parents would be smart to start recognizing kids more for spiritual milestones and growth. It might raise the spiritual temperature of your ministry – that’s what I’m thinking at least.