• Add Some Bells & Whistles

Posted by: kidhelper on Monday, September 24th, 2012

 

Add Some Bells and Whistles

Sometimes, the only thing that separates one children’s ministry from another is Bells and Whistles.

Some time ago, I was conducting a week long-evening series of children’s meetings for a church in Northern California. During day I had some free time, so the church arranged luncheons and something to do in the area every day. After a nice lunch out I was given a tour of this man’s furniture business. I found out that he specialized in nice oak bedroom furniture.

It was an impressive tour featuring the entire process from rough oak logs that were turned into beautiful finished oak bedroom furniture, complete with dressers, nightstands, and custom head- boards for beds. The owner/manufacturer volunteered that all his furniture was not really fancy, like some unique bedroom furniture.

“What do you mean?” I inquired.

“Well, it has no “bells and whistles,” he answered. “They have no extra lights, no fancy wood carving, or even no intricate finish designs or paint work, just generic oak furniture.

In reflecting on this description, in the weeks that followed, I realized that this is the one thing that distinguishes some children’s ministries from others. Any two churches could have identical programs, even similar curricula, and be approximately the same size. But the only difference might be, one church has some bells and whistles! So Adding bells and whistles just might be the only creative difference. You might have to step up your ministry process to add some bells and whistles.

Here are Ten Tips for how you might add some bells and whistles:

1. It might be the way you train your team, thus there might be a great joy and unity among your team.

2. It might be how you publish and promote your children’s ministry.

3. It could be how you decorate and provide a stimulating place for learning.

4. It might focus on your creative leadership, not being satisfied with the way everyone else might be doing it.

5. It could be the extra things the kids take home, that signals ongoing impact.

6. It could be your availability to work with the parents, can they relate?

7. It could be how your vision for reaching children in the community is your program priority. It shows!

8. It could be a generous children’s ministry budget, which is more than just doing the minimum or just getting by.

9. It could be an invisible sign that says, guests are welcome here, especially children!

10. It could be just the way you love kids—intangibles like smiling or caring.

So take a hard look at the extras in your children’s ministry. These extras might just give you that creative edge in being the favored ministry in your community. You might become known, not only for your program, but also for the way you execute your program.

Generic or children’s ministry plain, will not do in a very competitive market place where sophisticated consumer parents are looking for more in children’s ministry.  Add some bells and whistles!

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