Ask families what they need from your church.
If you want to truly serve young families, ask them what it is they need from you. You may not always be able to provide it, but asking at least lets families know what they have to say matters.
You can do this through personal conversations, a church-wide survey, social media polls, an email ask—the possibilities are endless. Simply ask parents the question, “How can we serve you better?” and “What do you need from a church family?” I also like to accompany these questions with “What do you love about our church right now?” This helps me see what we’re already doing well—sometimes things I don’t even see!
Honestly, I had no idea what young families most needed until I started asking them. Where I thought they may have needed another program or ministry, they just needed someone to be in their corner. They had—and still have ideas—on how to best serve them, because well, they are them!
Make it a church for their kids too.
Children’s ministry can be a lot of work—but I believe it is some of the most worthwhile work a church can do. Regardless of your church size or staffing, I believe you can offer a ministry for kids that makes them feel like a valuable part of your church family. You don’t need a huge budget or volunteer base to do this. While I love our children’s program on Sundays, people are often surprised to find out it isn’t elaborate or high-tech. It is simply kids in a room with screened volunteers learning about the Bible through teaching and hands-on activities. Sometimes I write the lessons, sometimes we use a set curriculum, sometimes there are tech elements, but most often, there are not.
What it is, however, is designed to be about kids and to allow them to learn about and experience God in an age-appropriate way.
Beyond our kids’ programming though, I want kids to feel like church is for them too.
That’s why every single Sunday, even when it is chaotic and messy, we take time to have a “kids’ time” before we dismiss the children.That’s why we take time every once and a while to have our kids sing on the worship team, take up the offering or hand out bulletins.
That’s why even when we don’t have regular kids’ ministry, we do something—even if its as simple as handing kids a coloring sheet and crayons when they come into church—to make sure they know “Hey! We didn’t forget you today!”
When church is a place kids want to come, it makes it easier for their parents to come too.
Regardless of the size or demographics of your church, I believe every church can be one where young families feel supported, wanted and valued. It may take effort, but it is so worthwhile. A church filled with families is one that has life, is growing and can make an impact for generations to come.
This article originally appeared here.
