How Do We Spell Love in Our Children’s Ministries?

by Lynda Freeman

My brother-in-law posted this on his facebook page yesterday . . . and it really got me to thinking. How do we spell love in our children’s ministries?

What do we actually do to show love so the children, volunteers and families in our ministry feel it? We certainly can and do need to tell them we love them, but what do we really do to show it?

Consider the following ideas as ways you can show love so it is “felt” . . .

Show love to children . . .

• Greet them by name when they arrive
• Put your arm around their back or pat them on the shoulder or arm
• Smile :^)
• Send personal notes – notice birthdays, when a child is absent, or is a first time visitor
• Listen to them
• Pray for and with them

Show love to volunteers . . .

• Tell them how much you appreciate them
• Notice when they do something special for a child
• Send personal notes – notice birthdays, anniversaries and if they need encouragement
• Listen to them
• Pray for and with them
• Send them homemade chicken noodle soup if they are sick! :^)

Show love to parents . . .

• Know who they are and who their children are
• Ask them for input and feedback on the children’s ministry and specifically how you can best serve their child
• Listen to them
• Pray with them for their children
• Pray for with and for them as parents

Showing love so it can be “felt” is not difficult, but it does require you to make an intentional choice. It can be so easy to “say” we love others . . . which is something we do need to do . . . but when we make the time to show it, then it can be “felt” and it is then when the children, volunteers and parents in your ministry will believe it is real!