How to Have Successful Family Services
Co-authored by Kathy Zelman & Britney Hinecker (ABNWT CM Intern)
In many churches, "Family Services" have become a necessity because of a lack of volunteers, insufficient kids' spaces, or because it is Summer, which is typically when the Kids' Ministry volunteers take a break. For a visiting family or a family who really prefers Children's Ministry programming in the summer, this could be why that family does not return or relocates to another church. Even worse, they decide to take a break from attending church altogether.
What about taking a different approach or changing our perspective by looking at "Family Services" as an opportunity for intergenerational experiences? Often, the default is providing "busy bags" with colouring pages or Bible puzzles and treats to keep kids preoccupied. How about looking at the intergenerational congregation and intentionally planning an experience for everyone in the room?
Kids Moment at City South Church, Edmonton
"How do you do that?" you may be thinking. I thought you'd never ask! Here are some ideas for good practices in family services:
1. Have a "Kids Moment" – where you have someone in the congregation (if you feel you can't do it yourself) who can engage people to do a 5–8-minute mini-lesson on the topic that will be covered in the sermon that Sunday. In this mini-lesson, you can use an object lesson, do a skit, play a game with the purpose of revealing the main point, tell a story with visuals, or watch a newscast or talk show about the sermon topic. Make sure the main point is clearly delivered and it provides a good lead into the sermon.
Kids Greeting at BP Church in Calgary
2. Give next-generation opportunities to service and participate in elements of the service – doing a song that kids can do and understand during worship time. Creating a kids' leadership team that can lead a song, read/recite Scripture, help with greeting, be part of the sermon, and help with your refreshment time/café post-service.
3. Whoever is delivering the sermon should be someone who can speak to a multiage group with simple language and be engaging. Here are some suggestions:
Kids Leading at BP Church in Calgary
Do an illustrated sermon.
Include objects in your talk.
Do an experiment.
Draw/paint the scene or keywords from the sermon.
Create/include excellent slides for visual learners.
Use different teaching methods to reflect the various learning styles in the room. (I recommend 3).
Invite audience participation through interactive opportunities, such as questions, illustrating a point, and prayer time.
4. Good rapport with people of all ages is critical for their engagement with your message. Take opportunities inside and outside of the message to build relationships from your youngest congregants to your oldest congregants.
Kids Leading in Prayer at BP Church in Calgary
5. Always include an invitation for heart transformation at the conclusion of the message. Children make the most important decisions about faith, values, and spiritual disciplines during their childhood and youth years. The greatest benefit to this practice is that their parents can be part of their spiritual transformation.
Resources:
Life Long Faith, Intergenerational Faith Formation Strategies.
Generations Together, by Jim Merhaut and John Roberto (Chapter 5) pp. 120-121.