Okay, I know that sounded really demanding. Also I know that school is almost out (two more days in my neck of the woods). However, this needs to be said. If allowed, every children’s pastor needs too be in the schools of the kids they serve. About two years ago I made a commitment to bring lunch to every 3-5th grader who was in small groups. It has been a challenge to bring lunch to 50+ kids in just 12 weeks. However, the investment pays off so big! Usually when having lunch with one of my kids, they invite 2 or 3 friends from their class to sit a the visitor table. At some schools, I actually get to sit at the classroom table. Since all the kids are curious about who I am, the kid I’m visiting explains that I am Mr. Kenny and the proceed to tell everyone about their church. How great is that?
I’ve heard Craig Jutilia of Saddleback (previously) say many times that it is in the relationship department where we’ll find our biggest wins (our secular competitors will usually beat us in the programming department). Hanging out a kid at lunch advances me forward light years in my relationship with that kid. In addition, I begin forming new relationships with all the friends, making it that much easier for the kids to invite their friends to church. This is huge.
Some schools don’t mind me hanging out for recess following lunch. I’ve had a blast taking on 70 school kids at a game of freeze tag. Trust me, the kid I visited was on cloud nine and definitely the talk of the school that day. What a great way to equip our kids to share with their friends.
My plan is to take this to the next level next year. I still plan to do lunch with my small groups kids, but I also intend to be a constant presence at the school closest to my church campus. Our church has a very good relationship to this school (several of the teachers and administration attend our church). My hope is to be this schools number 1 volunteer. As much as they’ll let me, I plan to be a lunch room monitor, class room helper, field trip chaperon… whatever they want. I can take one morning a week and give it to this school. It truly blesses the staff to see volunteers help and love on the kids. It’s also a great opportunity to get to know the kids I pastor and their friends. I don’t have to use this as an opportunity to push Cross Timbers. I don’t even need to mention it. Just being their makes a difference and when you make a difference, self-promotion isn’t necessary. I’ll let you know how this goes!
I have also found having lunch with my kids is an awesome way to meet their friends and have a contact with the schools. I had lunch with one of my girls last week. Her best friend ate with us and was so excited when I invited her to church. She spent the night with my girl and came to church and got saved! I like your idea about volunteering, too. I’ll have to consider that. I always try to think of the possible ways my simple steps may have an impact in the future. When a crisis occurs in the lives of those at the school, they will have a pastor friend that they can call upon.
Kenny,
Thant is great! I think anything you can do to reach into a kids life is worth the effort. What a great idea I have never though of going to a elementary school for lunch. How do you get the school to allow you to come?
One thing we have done for the past 2 years is go to every elementary school in the city and do character education which is basically our kids church minus bible references. It has been very successful it helps the school the kids and us.
Thanks for the great idea, best of luck and God bless.
Well, I live in the great state of Texas where the Bible Belt is buckled. So, schools don’t really have a problem with me coming. I know there are some schools in other states that are not keen on leting pastors in. However, most of the schools around here require the parents send or email the teacher a note. Then I just show up, sign in and have lunch. Over the years I had seen all the youth pastors go to the high schools and thought, why couldn’t I do this with the kids. If a postcard made a kids day, what would bringing a kid lunch be like. It’s always a hit!
I relaly like the idea of your character education deals. I would think that would be harder to pull off than having lunch. Probably the best way is to let the child’s parents make it happen. They’ll get permission for you and then you just show up. That way your aren’t percieved as a minister trying to get in to the school, you’re just a child’s pastor coming to have lunch.