Posted on November 12, 2009 - by rfrank

9 trends in CM leadership – part 9

Trend #9: A growing percentage of parents are more committed to the extracurriculars than the programs of the church.

The Barna Reseach Group has helped the church understand the spiritual condition of today’s kids. I won’t repeat all of his findings but you should read Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions (Regal). Raising a Modern-Day Joseph affirms this research.

The bottom line is this: it’s not a good picture. Kids are growing up in the church and heading for college with a low commitment to the church, an unbiblical worldview, and decreasing Bible knowledge. At the same time that the spiritual condition of children is declining, involvement in extracurricular activities like sports, piano, and dance is increasing. More and more parents are choosing these activities over other children’s ministries in the church.

There are clear benefits to children being involved in sports and other similar activities. Better health and self-esteem are two such benefits. However, I see an increasing number of parents in the church choose these activities over programs like Awana, Pioneer Clubs, Missionettes, Royal Rangers, or even worship services.

At my church we have Awana. It provides what kids need so desperately—a biblical foundation upon which to build the rest of their lives. It is also one of the best tools we offer parents who want to grow spiritual champions.

I recently wrote a blog post called “What Bugs Me About Little League.” I said it bugs me that so many parents in my church idolize Little League and let it trump Awana night. When faced with the choice of baseball practice or Awana, baseball practice wins. Within hours I was bombarded with comments from children’s pastors that both understood my concern and respectfully disagreed.

Most of those who disagreed took the position that engaging in the community is just as important as involvement in the programs of the church. Carmen Fleck from Bachelor Creek Friends Church said, “The Bible says we are to be salt and light to our communities … sports is a great way to do that. I think sometimes we Christians become ‘too Christian’ and remove ourselves from the community, thus never becoming salt and light.”

Jonathon Cliff from Trinity Church said, “You are assuming that ‘church’ provides the only form of spiritual formation in a child’s life. I’m a children’s pastor, and have struggled for years with the twinge of bitterness when families choose other activities over the ones I’ve planned, and prayerfully organized for their own children, but sometimes spending time together as a family, enjoying sports, can be more beneficial to the life of a family than anything I could ever plan at church.”

Here is my concern. Most Christian parents agree that they want their children to be spiritual champions as adults. However, they lack the strategy to hit those results. Part of the plan must include a commitment to God, His Word, and programs of the church intended to help parents grow godly kids. When anything and everything trumps the plan, the plan is destined to fail. Any strategic planner would tell you that a plan is only as good as one’s commitment to executing it.

Conclusion

It is indeed an exciting day in children’s ministry. The last five years have brought so many changes to the face of children’s ministry. The next five years will be equally as exciting. Children’s ministry leaders must keep their ear on the rail and commit to keeping a keen eye on new trends. Upon discovering them, each must ask, “What impact does this have where I live?” You don’t have to (nor should you) embrace each, but you are wise for keeping them on your radar and embracing the ones that will make you and your ministry stronger.