In kids’ ministry, fall typically means back to a “regular routine.”
Programs restart, kids are back to church, and we gear up for exciting outreach events.
This year, though, fall looks anything but “regular.”
Depending on where you are in the world, your ministry routine is still some level of disrupted.
In my setting, in-person gatherings have yet to resume. When I think about kids’ ministry this fall, I’ve had to embrace the fact that our “regular routine” has pretty much gone out the window.
Saying goodbye to our normal pace though, doesn’t mean we’re saying goodbye to ministering to the next generation.
While we still don’t have a sure-fire plan for fall, I would love to share some ideas I’ve been working on to get your creative juices flowing for how you can minister effectively this fall.
Rethink your events!
In many places, mass gatherings are still being discouraged. That means large events like Fall Festivals – that have become such a staple in children’s ministry – may not be possible this year.
Just because these events can’t happen though, doesn’t mean no events can happen.
I’ve revamped one of our favourite fall events –Fall Family Night to include a drive-thru and take-home option. This kit is available in the Equip Family Shop for download – as a bundle (3 options!) or in an individual format!
With each of these options, families can still have fun together, play games, eat food and enjoy each other’s company, whether in the safety of their own vehicle or at home!
Whatever event you’re planning, consider keeping it:
- Simple: With so many guidelines to follow surrounding health and safety, keep your activities simple! Simple games (like the ones included in our Fall Family Night) are a blast, but require minimal set-up, supplies and instructions! This allows you to focus on the important things – like keeping everyone safe & things running smoothly!
- Safe: Creating a healthy and safe environment for families during this season can be one of our greatest witnesses! As you plan your events, be sure to think through safety protocols – and communicate them! Reassure families that your facilities are clean, volunteers are screened and sanitizing regularly, and even consider providing masks for those who may not have one! Whatever the protocol are in your area, follow them to show people you really care about ensuring they’re comfortable and safe.
- Super Welcoming: Okay, I couldn’t think of another S-Word, but seriously – you want to make sure kids and families who are attending your events feel like they are the most important people in the universe! Make a big deal of kids as they arrive on your parking lot (think signs, confetti or lots of happy volunteers!), and be sure all the people involved are taking a deep interest in kids (and their parents!)
Keep offering at-home discipleship options!
Regardless of guidelines in your area, there are still a lot of families who feel most comfortable staying at home for now. Instead of weighing in on what you think about their decision, meet them where they are – and continue to provide quality, fun at-home discipleship options!
Here are a few ideas:
- “Take-Home Kits” are still one of my favourite at-home discipleship ideas! I wrote a whole post about making great take-home kits for summer here. Take-Home kits can be a great fit for fall too, especially this year! Consider blessing families with a Back to School Survival Kit to start off the school year!
- Provide options that will fit into their busy routine! Families will be back to busy life, and are often looking for simple options. This free Family Guide to Abide may be the perfect fit for those families! I also love this “Start Little” guide from my friend Christie Thomas on this front!
- Give parents the tools they need to teach at home! If you’re back to meeting in person, keep parents connected with what you’ll be teaching. Send home the Bible passages, activity ideas and videos they can watch with their families to be engaged with what’s happening in-person. If you’re looking for a place to get started on this, check out our Journey through Jonah Curriculum that has a great at-home component, just for this season!
Contextualize, contextualize, contextualize!
One thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has really brought to light is that every single context is unique. What works in my corner of the world may not work in yours – and that’s okay!
As you plan for the fall, consider the context you’re in. Don’t plan for the place you wish you were or the place you ministered previously – plan for where you are right now.
Don’t plan for the place you wish you were or the place you ministered previously – plan for where you are right now.
That means asking key questions like:
- What is the comfort level of families in my ministry with in-person or drive-in events right now?
- What guidelines and restrictions exist in my local context?
- What needs do families in my setting have right now?
- Are families feeling screen fatigue? Is online still a viable option?
- What sorts of topics do kids need to hear about right now?
- What does school look like in my setting? What supports do families need as that reopens – in person or virtually?
In this season, we need to focus on creatively ministering in our own context. We have to look for creative ideas and solutions that will work for us – not the church down the street or in the next town over!
The brand new Creative Ideas for Family Ministry Course from Equip Family has a whole unit on Knowing Your Context – and it’s currently available for a free preview! You can check that out here.
I’d love to hear what you’re planning for fall in your ministry – and what creative solutions you’re coming up with!