This week my friend Sam Luce wrote about using Bible Bucks in Kids Church to motivate/reward children. Honestly, a lot of churches do it. Many programs actually have rewards built right into the fabric of it’s DNA. I’ve dismantled this type of program at three different churches (including Gateway where I’ve just landed). I’m not at all saying their wrong. For me it’s been a matter of personal preference. I just don’t like them. Not all the kids are inspired by it, it’s expensive, it can be a beast to manage and too often there are kids who feel left out on the day they get to go to the store (I know, that’s the day the leaders give out Bucks to everyone so that everyone has something to spend and those first time visitors can get at least the smallest prize).
Let me tell you , dismantling the Bible Bucks system is a little daunting. There aren’t people out there who “hate” it and are glad to see it go. The only people who’ve ever told me they were glad to see it go were the staff members who had to stock it and price everything. In fact, most of the kids LOVE it… but that doesn’t necessarily mean its the right thing either.
The question I have to ask is, “why are you doing it? Why is it a part of your program?
For many it is the thing kids are most excited about coming to church. It actually motivates them to come every week, learn their memory verse, bring their Bible and sometimes even bring a friend. However, are kids falling in love with Jesus and his word or are they in love with their Bible Bucks? Are they really connecting with their leaders and other peers or are they motivated simply to earn enough for the scooter in the prize store?
Call me an idealist, but I think our programs should be so good that the kids just don’t want to miss out. Maybe they’ve got such a good relationship with their small group leader that they don’t want to miss them. I understand that we want the experience to be fun as “fun” is the language of kids. However, when the main “fun” part isn’t really associated with connecting with kids or helping lead them to spiritual maturity, then you’ve got a problem (regardless whether it’s a prize system, and environment or games). I’ve been at churches that have spent thousands of dollars on a prize store. My question would be, “what could you do with that extra money that would make a big difference immediately?” I’d figure out the answer to that and then do it.
I certainly don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade. There may be people out there who have a fantastic experience with their prize store and it only “adds” to an already exciting and fulfilling program. If that’s the case, then go for it. I can only speak from my own experience and every prize store experience I’ve had has been negative or has added nothing to the overall experience for the amount of work and resources it took.
Tomorrow I’m going to blog about how to dismantle a prize store, just in case you’re thinking about doing it.
Kenny,
Sounds like this series of your could be a good read and I look forward to it.
I guess in about 3 more weeks when my blog site is done with it’s overhaul and all and I can take it live again, I too may have to blog about: “How to have a positive, fulfilling, close and growing kids ministry all the while keeping your store.”
Have a great day my friend. One idea as you dismantle your store is to maybe a have a salvation sermon message about “Let’s make a deal” and use all your outgoing store items. It could be really fun since Halloween is coming you could really pump the kids even dressing up like they use to do for the old game show of “Let’s make a deal”.
Hello,
I was just reading your post on Bible Bucks. I think they are great if used in moderation and for the right reason. Many of the people I top Children’s Pastors like Jim Wideman, Karl Bastian and others use them with great success. Karl wrote a great article that is posted on Kidology.org about this very subject. I would have to totally agree with everything he said.
I think the bigger problem is having Children’s Pastors boast about how their program is better than someone elses. No one has a right to say someone’s program isn’t any good because they use Bible bucks. I do not know what God has called in a persons heart when they build a ministry. If they feel Bible bucks are a part of that calling then great! I agree ministries can get off point, but I’m gonna keep my focus on God and not allow the ministry God has called me to lead to become focused on pride that my ministry is better than someone elses. If those ministries are bringing children into the Kingdom then that is what matters most. Don’t allow pride to lead you. We are all in this for the same reason, to bring children to Christ.
Thanks for your comments. This is why I love the blogosphere… it’s connecting with people I wouldn’t normally have access to and hear their great ideas. Before I wrote these posts, I’d say that my only personal experience with Prize Stores have been neutral or negative and from my own personal bent, I won’t do them. However I have read some great information that encourages me that maybe there is a place for this type of program… but who am I to say? Thanks for your comments and adding your $.02!
I think i understand where you are coming from, but at the same time, having used bible bucks successfully and seeing the benefits from using it for me is defenitely causing me to not totally agree with you. In the same way that churches use flyers that offer free coffee, or a visitors room with breakfast, or snack, or maybe it is the music that a particular age group or race likes better than another type…..whatever it takes to draw them and get the word in them is what i think…….as long as it is in line with the word and not displeasing to God. You know when God took the children of Israel out of Egypt he had to do some pretty awesome things in the wilderness for these ADULTS to stay in line………and continue to believe, and still they went off track. Well, were dealing with children, and a reward system is something that God is totally into…….however he sees fit. Did your parents ever reward you for anything?
I recently intiated the Bible Bucks program as the Christian Ed Director at my church and let me tell you that the BB program is a blessing. As adults we often forget when we were children and what excited & motivated us to listen & learn. Motivation is necessary for learning – even with adults. If Bible Bucks is used properly, it does not have to be a nightmare of admistration. Additionally, we forget that Jesus, as a teacher, used motivation Himself. Case in point, feeding the 5,000 with “fish sandwiches” a way to recognize a basic need of humankind – food as a motivation to listen to his Holy Word.
Children are not adults and should not be treated as such. If Bible Bucks motivates them to listen, bring a friend to church, learn memory verses, etc., then why not use it? It also assists in teaching that sometimes you don’t win – sometimes you celebrate someone else’s success. That in itself is a valuable lesson.
I know this is an old post, but I am new at this and just started reading about Bible Bucks. I wanted to respond to the comment by Maxine that said, in summary, that Jesus used food to motivate the people to listen to His Word.
This is not true…the people had already been listening to His Word all day long…for hours and hours…adults and children…and then Jesus recognized they needed to be fed. They were drawn to HIM and HIS WORD and the Power of the Savior’s Truth….they were drawn by His love and forgiveness and the grace He was teaching. It was His Message that drew and motivated the people to listen and learn, not the fish sandwiches.
The food was not a reward, nor an incentive. It was an opportunity for Christ to meet the physical needs of the people in a miraculous way that re enforced the way He fed their spiritual needs first. He was showing them that HE WAS GOD!
I can think of NO WHERE in the Scripture that Jesus used rewards to get the people to come back and listen. He did the things that GOD does–healed the lame and blind, forgave sins, pointed out transgressions…he turned water to wine, made the deaf hear, calmed the storms……but many times He told the people and the disciples NOT to tell about His miracles because He did NOT want to be merely a sideshow……He did not want His message to get lost in the “sparkle”.
Of course there were people who came to see what He would do next! To see who this miracle man was. Maybe that is what drew them to listen and learn His Word. I’m sure it played a huge role–their curiosity. But He certainly was not handing out physical healing incentives as rewards to good listeners…the reward of eternal life is enough! He often said, “Your faith has made you well.” Not, “let me heal you to reward you for coming to my sermon today.”
I recognize the need in today’s kid culture to “entertain” and make the lessons “fun” to compete with all the other things out there like video, TV, and sports to get them in the door. It’s not like the “olden days” when people just wanted to learn for the sake of learning. We have so much “learning” at our fingertips, we are not HUNGRY for learning like we used to be.
i have nothing against rewards and prizes for children doing tasks like Bible Memory, bringing a friend, etc. As long as that is not the focus of the program. What works better for me, in the long marathon of our race to teach children God’s unfading Word and Truth, is to present His Word in a way that engages them, uses their senses and thinking, helps them internalize the Message so that it can take root in their heart and soul. Things like storytelling, puppetry, art, music…getting them involved in “living” the Bible Words for the day….this is what will give them incentive to come back to hear more of the Word. They will be curious to see what God has done for them and what He has written in His Word for them, His children. I do not tell them what they will “get” if they come to Sunday School next week. But they know if they come, they will have a great time learning God’s Word! There is always a surprise for them, given by God, NOT earned by them.
I’ve decided to take my focus OFF of measuring how many passages they learn, how many Sundays they come, how many numbers they bring, how many prizes they earn….and focus instead on making the central truth of each Bible lesson “come alive” with them …plant it together in their heart through active learning…there the Holy Spirit will nurture it and it will take root and grow. God PROMISES to do that!
Of course, a good fish sandwich is a great way to re enforce the story, though! But i will use it as a “surprise”, not as a “prize.”
this has been very thought provoking and I thank you for letting me share my oppinons. I think we are each called by God into different situations and He will guide us through them. Blessings to EVERYONE who takes the time to teach children God’s Word, no matter HOW you do it!
Doesn’t God reward us when we are obedient. I have found that if a child is motivated they are more likely to learn and absorb what you are teaching. Better that than not bringing an offering, their bible, learn a memory verse and behaving badly in class. If you look at it through the eyes of a child, then perhaps you would see the excitement when their good works are rewarded.
There are lots of great ways to motivate a child… I’m not convinced that rewarding behavior is the only way. I believe that if our environments were top notch, kids would want to come without the need to earn prizes. Again, just my opinion.
Brand new position as Children’s Director for our Bus Ministry in a very rural, poor area. I was considering implementing the “Bible Bucks” program/store at our church to encourage our bus children to come each Wednesday night and Sunday morning (attendance is fraction on Sun am vs. Wed pm). Memorization of Scripture. Participation in class. Store would only be open maybe 1x monthly for children to accumulate their bucks and buy items from store. Most items are related to needs they may have such as school supplies, small trinkets they can give to others for gifts, church tee-shirts, bible, etc. Your thoughts?
I still haven’t changed my position from when I wrote this post eight years ago. I don’t do Bible Bucks. I’ve seen little correlation between offering a store and better behavior and/or general motivation of kids. Setting up a Bible Bucks program takes work. Managing it can be a pain. I’d just try to find a way to give away fun stuff for no reason from time to time because you can and let kids enjoy being a part of the experience. I’m not opposed to occasional rewards, maybe for a specific challenge here and there, but I have no interest in setting up a system that needs to be maintained year-round.
Hi, just came across this post and thought I would give some insight as I am a Children’s Pastor and have a store with KidzBux. I use the kidzbux and store as a way to teach the kids lots of different life goals and character that I hope they develop in their young life. We talk to them about tithing and offerings and the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen is when the kids use their KidzBux for their tithes and offerings. It’s the only “money” they have, they earned it, and they could use it in our store, but every week our offering bucket is full of Kidzbux and I don’t mean the little $1, they put in their $25 bills! I talk to them and challenge them to tithe from what they have earned and then to give some extra as offering so they can learn to help above and beyond their tithe. They are generous givers I must say!
I’ve also had some of my kids use their KidzBux to buy toys and gifts from the store to donate in our big blue bin that is for the homeless shelter our church supports. I’ve had kids buy toys and gifts using their KidzBux for other kids that they know have less then them and I’ve had them buy things for kids that are part of our giving tree and need a Christmas present. I am so proud of their hearts and they feel so good about having earned their own “money” and bought these items themselves without any parental involvement…none of my parents knew their kids were doing these things until I told them. I have also watched as some of our lower income parents have asked if they could use some of their KidzBux to buy a toy or electronic for their kids for Christmas and then go and hide it in their car so they would have a gift for their kid on Christmas and it was what the child was saving for in the store (we help those families, but some of them wanted to buy some things themselves so it was from them so to speak and made them feel better about giving a gift they had helped earn – by helping their kids do their take home pages, bring their Bibles, learn their scripture memory – bring friends – etc…) I’ve watched as kids have come into our store only to buy things for other kids who didn’t have any KidzBux at all or just hand them some of their own KidBux to go into the store themselves.
In addition to all that wonderfulness, the kids are taught how to earn things – which we could all agree our current generations need to learn to earn and not expect things just given to them. They learn to save their “money” when they have a goal in mind and it takes them a long time to buy one of our 12,000 items – I mean a long time!! But they have learned to do the things to earn KidzBux and to also learn self-control in not spending them when the store is open, but to instead see the item they want as an investment and to save for that. It teaches them responsibility, dedication, self-control, and the joy of when they can finally buy what they have saved for and know that they earned it by hard work and in turn by filling themselves with more of Jesus!
Our parents have been very complimentary of the positive role our store has played in their kids and all the ways it teaches them some very needed and valuable life lessons. In addition to this, it’s fun and motivational! For kids whose parents aren’t as involved in helping them earn, I throw out KidBux randomly around ministry rooms on various Sundays and at various special events.
We don’t use them to motivate our kids to come to kids ministry – they come whether we pass them out or not. I’ve not experienced any negative to our store. yes it takes effort and yes it takes money, but I also balance that by setting aside funds and knowing that whatever is in the store for that time period must last until the next time I have set aside funds. I don’t let the store dictate our budget or run our and fill it if it’s a bit depleted. We close it two times a year to reset for Summer (May) and Fall (September). We only open the store the first two Sundays of each month and our staff buys the items and prices them. We actually love doing this and have so much fun picking out things we know the kids are gonna want to earn. I think it’s a matter of not letting the tail wag the dog. The store is awesome and we’ve really loved having ours, but it’s not our main focus and admiringly, if budget had to be cut, that is where I would cut first or slim down first. I see great benefit in the store, but our number one goal has always been to teach kids to Love Jesus (ask Him into their life), Know Jesus (through prayer/fasting, worship, and His Word), and Share Jesus (through missions, evangelism, serving, and their community).
Just thought I’d offer a little different perspective on things. It’s a preference thing I think and can see why some may not want to dive into it, but for us it works 🙂