Ministry is not for wimps! There will always be challenges – the need for more volunteers, better facilities, more resources, or solutions to problems with parents and/or children. If you let them, the challenges can overshadow how God is diligently working in your ministry. No matter how things feel, God is still in charge, eager to pour out His love, and ready to reach children.

What you focus on matters! Maintaining your balance is no big deal when your eyes are open and locked on a fixed object. However, balancing gets tricky when you close your eyes – just try it!

The same is true for your ministry. When your eyes are focused on fixed objects, keeping your balance is less of an issue. Without that focus, it is like you are in the dark and it doesn’t take much to throw you off balance.

What “fixed objects” deserve your focus?

1. God: His Love & Power

Thankfully God is not willy-nilly and changing all the time. No! He is steady and consistent. That’s the perfect kind of thing to focus on! Not only does God love you, the other leaders in your ministry, and the volunteers, He also dearly loves the children under your care. He longs to reach them and He has the power to reach them.

And God deeply desires to spend time with you and for you to depend on Him – really depend on Him! What can you do to make time with God more of your focus?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrew 13:8

2. Your Mission

What is your ministry’s mission? What are you trying to accomplish? How are the activities, events, or programs walking out your mission?

3. Simplicity

Over time, adding to what your ministry does seems like a natural progression. However, adding more has the potential to dilute your efforts while forcing you to work harder. If your focus is on keeping things simple you can channel your best efforts into the areas that align most closely with your mission and will have the greatest impact. Less really is more!

What is your children’s ministry doing that is not in alignment with your mission? What are you doing that has minimal impact and can be eliminated?

4. Relationships

The relationships with those on your ministry and volunteer teams are critical and so are the relationships with both parents and children. Relationships take time, and are well worth the investment.

How can you be more intentional about nurturing the relationships within your ministry?

5. Creativity

It is easy to get discouraged by what you don’t have; things like resources, money, volunteers, space, etc. Instead of focusing on what you lack, take the opportunity to embrace creativity. Sometimes the creative solutions to your greatest challenges are even better than what you would have settled for if you had everything you thought you needed.

6. Prayer

God is aware of the needs of your ministry and He is pleased when you bring your requests to Him. How can you make prayer a more significant part of your ministry?

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Whatever you dwell on grows! When your eyes are fixed on challenges they loom even larger! Instead, fix your eyes on the “fixed objects” – the six mentioned above.

Rather than focusing on challenges and all the things you “have to do” switch your attention to the possibilities and the “get to dos.” It is a privilege to serve children. You have the opportunity to influence young lives in a powerful way. Be grateful for the opportunity to partner with Him to influence young lives. Today, more than ever children need Jesus!

Take time to notice what God has been up to in your ministry. How has God been working in big and small ways? What promises has He given you?

Speak out! Share the good things that God is doing in your ministry! And if you dare – reach out to me and share – I’d love to hear how God is working!

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Philippians 4:8 (MSG)