Let’s be honest.
We’re ready for 2021. No, the pandemic won’t magically disappear because the calendar changed, but after the challenges of the past year, this one brings with it a sense of anticipation and hope.
While we may not have a lot of control over social distancing mandates and mask requirements, we do have control over how we’ll enter into this year and what we’ll do with the opportunities it brings.
So, without further ado, here are three resolutions you, as a children’s ministry leader, should make this year.
1. Don't Confuse Doing Things for Jesus and Spending Time with Jesus.
When ministry is the air you breathe, it is so easy to forget that doing things for
Jesus isn’t the same as being with Him.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Doing things for Jesus matters. He calls us to obey
Him, to follow Him, to live for Him. But what we do for Jesus should flow out of
our relationship with Jesus. And, like any relationship, it requires our time.
So, resolve this year to make time to be with Jesus. And don’t resolve to do
more than you will actually do. Don’t resolve to wake up at 4 a.m. and spend
three hours in prayer and Bible study every morning. You probably won’t – at
least not for long. Resolve to start with ten minutes. Resolve to read one
chapter of the Bible. Resolve to pray for one person. Then repeat every day.
2. Take a Weekly Sabbath
Have you ever noticed that it’s really hard to “clock out” in ministry? There is always
one more email to answer, one more person to call, one more order to place, one
more lesson to plan.
I get it. I really do.
When things get crazy, rest is often the first thing to go. But God built rest into the
rhythm of His creation. We have six days to chip away at our never-ending to-do list.
But the seventh day is for rest. It’s for refreshment and restoration.
Resolve this year to set aside one day every week to rest. Spend time with God.
Spend time with the people you love. Read good books. Watch funny movies. Go on
a hike. Take up a hobby. Spend a whole day – every week - doing whatever refuels
you.
You are doing incredible, life-changing, kingdom-expanding work. Don’t let burnout
be the reason you quit. Resolve to rest.
3. Do for One What You Wish You Could Do for All
If you’re in ministry, you’re in the people business. But programs tend to vie for our
attention.
Programs matter. They absolutely do.
But our programs are intended to serve our people.
This year, instead of focusing solely on programs, resolve to focus more on people.
Send a handwritten note to one child in your children’s ministry each week. Call one
parent each week and ask how you can be praying for them – then do it. Choose
one underprivileged or struggling family in your church and commit to raising the
money for their electric bill or rent that month.
Resolve to do for one what you wish you could do for all.
There you have it!
Three resolutions that you – as a children’s ministry leader – should make this year.
We hope this is your most impactful year ever. It’s bound to throw curveballs.
But you’ve got this. Rather, God’s got this.
2020 didn’t surprise Him – and neither will 2021.
Happy New Year!
