I pull in to an empty parking lot. Check-in systems are off. There are no greeters and not a single child to be seen running down the halls. Our team calls one last huddle before we go “live” and it’s not like any huddle we’ve ever had before. We’re reminded to engage the audience, smile at the camera, and remain encouraged that God is Lord over all.
All I could think was, “Who would’ve ever thought we’d close the doors to church on Sunday?”
Churches all across America face the reality of a pandemic that has pressured state health and emergency officials to implement guidance to cancel large events and mass gatherings. COVID-19 remains a global threat with updates by the minute.
I believe the church is called to be the greatest advocate for kids, especially during times of uncertainty and confusion like today. Children lack the voice to express some of their greatest spiritual needs. They may never voice their need for their Sunday School teacher to be more consistent in order to foster Christ-like discipleship. They may never voice their need for a Mother-Daughter event, although perhaps their relationship could use spiritually rooted truths in a world of secular expectations and falsehoods in girls today.
Most ministries within the church can launch programs or offer pastoral care when needed. In ministry terms, one with a voice can cast vision, launch goals, and provide strategies with like-minded servant leaders. For example, if a college ministry recognizes a lack in prayer, they might address the need by hosting a prayer night. Or when a women’s ministry senses a need for mentorship, they can swiftly coordinate a mentorship program. Need better snacks? Our Hospitality Team always comes up with the best lunch menu each time! These are just a few examples of voices that are spoken and heard in the church.
But what would the voiceless say today amid norms of social distancing and #CancelEverything if they could articulate their heart and soul’s desire? Over the years of scattering Gospel seeds to which only God can grow, it’s evident that the need for every human, from youngest to oldest, remains the same: The need for Jesus.
But when the church is closed, how do we give them Jesus? How can we replicate what kids experience at church, right in their own home? What would be the best way to not only share a Bible story, but provide discipleship with the same small group teacher they see week to week? What can we do to communicate to parents that our vision is still, “A church for kids to call home” and that we absolutely love the kids?
How We Did It
In response to COVID-19, our adult service planned on going via live stream. And when the adults can do it, I often think that the kids can do it better (especially when it comes to church)!
So this past Sunday, we went online and hosted services for our early childhood and elementary ministries via Facebook Live. One of our goals was to create a worship experience identical to what children experience on a given Sunday. Children build confidence and thrive in environments with structure and consistency, and this past Sunday, parents were quick to share comments, pictures, and Instastories of their children engaged in worship.
But what about small groups? How would they meet? Our K-5th department is immensely blessed with teachers who have committed a year to shepherd a small group of children. We’ve discovered how important small groups are for genuine discipleship to begin at an early age. This fruit of these relationships last a lifetime, and this would be a time to implement a way for teachers to show how much they care.
So in addition to our Sunday Worship, we decided to have small groups via Google Hangouts Meet. Class links were sent a couple of nights before so that parents could download the app and make sure kids were set up. As a last-minute reminder, teachers made personal videos and shared how much they looked forward to their virtual meeting. We really didn’t know if parents would get involved and how many kids would attend. All I could think was, “Lord, bless the hearts of our volunteers!”
On Sunday morning, 25 of our Children’s Ministry volunteers arrived at church to create a seamless worship experience. I looked through the window as they met and came to the conclusion that in the midst of uncertainty, it is still the hands and feet of God’s faithful servants that make church so beautiful.
The teachers dispersed into their respective meeting spaces. We had much emptier rooms that day, but the Spirit filled each space with the encouragement that He is meeting us there.
We set up the structure so that immediately following the worship service, kids could join a Google Hangouts Meet and their teachers would be waiting to begin a conversation. Though we could only virtually see and hear the kids, each room began to fill. Within minutes, our first virtual small group meeting had 100 kids laughing, smiling, chatting, and praying with their teacher.
After our first week of having church online, we believe there is a great opportunity for children’s ministry today. We listened and heard. We watched and observed. From our experience, we believe the children have voiced these 4 things:
- I Want to Worship
- I Want Community
- I Want to be Engaged
- I Want to be Loved
Sharing Testimonies
The following are 4 testimonials from our Children’s Ministry Staff that show we used this unique opportunity to create a space for kids to worship at home, to cultivate community amid the new normal of social distancing, to provide kid-friendly (parent-approved!) engagement, and ultimately to share God’s love. Please note that we believe what one church can do is not always transferable to another for various reasons. We hope this encourages you and challenges you to be a greater voice for Children’s Ministry, especially with all that is going on today.
1. I Want to Worship (by Rachel Cho | Children’s Ministry Intern)
Despite the chaos we are experiencing in our season right now, it’s important to continue to be engaged and worship with the church body — and we especially cannot forget that the children need this too! Live streaming the service for children allowed me to think and pray over new and creative ways to keep the children connected while listening to a 15-minute sermon. That meant no stage, no special lighting, no PowerPoint, no videos. But instead, I could utilize a familiar space to create a warm and welcoming environment.
I sat on our red couch that the children see each Sunday inside our chapel, broadcasted via Facebook Live, and seconds into our live stream, we were met with excited children writing eager comments and rapidly answering the questions I would ask through the camera using their parents’ Facebook identities.
I see it as a huge win that the children sat in front of a screen, opened up their Bible, and intently listened to a sermon, just as they would on a regular Sunday morning. Schools and extracurricular activities may be canceled but we need to communicate with the children that it is important to keep the Sabbath holy, no matter the circumstances. I believe spiritual disciplines should be taught and practiced at a young age and live streaming a Sunday service for children teaches them the importance and value of just that.
2. I Want Community (by Elizabeth Chung | Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry)
Our goal as a Children’s Ministry is to disciple and minister to the kids, and whether we meet in person or not, the goal remains the same. Despite the current situation of not being able to meet in person, we wanted to provide community and a personal experience and environment where the kids could interact with one other, receive encouragements and prayer. It was unique in that we were able to cultivate community despite COVID-19’s push for social distancing.
We decided to have each small group teacher meet via Google Hangouts after our Facebook Live service. Kids joined their respective small groups and said “hello,” shared about their weeks, and even talked about their favorite Pokemon. Our teachers ministered to the more than 100 kids, reminded them they are cared for, asked for prayer requests, and prayed over them.
One of our teachers shared how her class was more engaged in conversation and vulnerable with prayer requests than they would be on a typical Sunday. We began to wonder if this was where the next generation would be able to come out of their shell and speak a little more boldly as they sit behind a camera and keyboard. Maybe this is their way of finding community. We are definitely in uncharted territories, but one thing remains, that we can see that children seek community.
Whether kids were in pajamas, sitting in the kitchen or on their sofas, they were able to worship, hear God’s Word, be in community, and receive prayer. What a reminder for our Kindergarteners to 5th graders, and for us, that church and community are so important!
3. I Want to be Engaged (by Joohee Lee | Director of Early Childhood Ministry)
Our vision for the Early Childhood Department is “A Church for Little Kids to Call Home.” As the church moved in the direction of going online, we wanted to worship God together with our young children and make it still feel like we were connected in some way. Capitalizing on this unique opportunity, we asked the children to come and worship with us in their pajamas and with their favorite stuffed toy. Our goal was to bring a sense of familiarity, predictability, and a feel for the “now” moment.
Our service was very predictable as we kept the same format as we do every week: same order of service, same songs and motions, Cubby (our puppet friend) appearing during Bible time, and ending with offering and prayer.
Lastly, the excitement of going Facebook Live for young children was critical for our kids to be acknowledged and recognized that they were part of the worship service. They loved the shoutouts we gave as we saw the comments from their parents, chiming into service.
One of the wins we had that day was the way in which we were able to connect with the parents. As the parents watched their child worship God in such excitement and confidence I believe it was a moment where the partnership between church and home felt true and beautiful.
4. I Want to be Loved (by Julie Pak | Director of VBS & Associate Director of Early Childhood Ministry)
In the midst of sudden change, an unexpected break in their daily or weekly routine, and not being able to understand why certain things are happening, love and security can go hand in hand. When children feel loved, they also feel safe and secure.
Love can be shown in different ways — a hug, a kind word, a clean diaper. But when we could not be physically present on a Sunday, we had to get creative. Familiar faces on the screen (especially our puppet, Cubby!) speak love. Having a predictable service with the same songs and chants, speaks love. Hearing your name called out on with a happy, “Hello!” from the screen speaks love.
We had wondered whether it would be better to produce a pre-recorded, polished video of the worship service, but seeing our kids and parents interact and get excited while watching showed us that being present — really present in the moment — is so important to children. They want to be recognized. They want to be seen. They want to be valued. In short, they want to be loved.
The funny thing is that the love we wanted to show the children — God’s love — spread to the rest of us. That’s how God’s love works! Parents shared how much they appreciated the service and how excited their children were to watch and engage with the service. I believe that they felt loved as well. Our volunteer staff read the comments, saw the pictures and videos of kids worshipping (which parents shared afterward) and I believe they also felt God’s love.
In serving our children, we wanted to communicate God’s love and the safety and security that only He can offer. But as God always does, the love we want to share overflows and covers us as well. God truly is love.
Final Encouragement
Let us hold onto the calling to be the greatest advocates for the spiritual journey of the next generation. After all, Jesus was the greatest model of this as it is written in Matthew 19:14, “But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”