June 2009

I wish I could do a Spockian mind meld with you right now. If I could, you
would know how anxious I am getting about the next two months. What’s up in the next two months you ask? Well, I’m glad you did because I would really like to share my heart about what is ahead for your pastor for June & July.
First up is VBS taking place here at HFM June 15-19 and then Family Camp follows July 11-19. Normally, I get pretty geeked up about doing children’s ministry. I love kids. They seem to tolerate me. For VBS, I get to share the Gospel message about 20 times in 5 days to around 70-80 kids, many who have never even opened a Bible, been to church or heard about Jesus dying on a cross or raising from the dead. And for Family Camp I get to share the Gospel to around 180-200 kids twice a day. Besides, I know how much of a priority children’s ministry is to Jesus (see: Matt 10:42; 11:25; 18:2-14; 19:13-14; 21:15-16; Mark 9:36-42; 10:13-16; Luke 9:47-48; 10:21; 17:2;18:16-17) and what kind of a blessing He gives to those who do children’s ministry. In fact, if you want to destroy the effectiveness of any church, simply discourage or diminish that church’s ministry to youth and especially children. In fact, since I have been involved in youth and/or children’s ministry full time for 23 years and part time for another 10 years I am convinced that a good, effective, children’s and youth pastor is much more valuable for church growth and vitality than the senior pastor. And that a church that finds an effective children’s or youth pastor should pay them more than the senior pastor.
Why do I say this? Simply because of the compelling statistics. Did you know
that if a person regularly attends church as a youth their likelihood of attending as an adult is exponentially higher? Did you know that 95% of adults who have made a decision for Christ, did so before they reached the age of 18? Did you know that most people’s character and value system is formed BEFORE they reach the age of 7? Did you know that the writer of Proverbs and Jesus knew all this and that is why children have such an intimate place in their hearts? So, if we as 21st century Christians, want to reflect the values of Jesus, and make the most of our mission to bring others to Jesus; we need to place a high priority on youth but especially children’s ministry.
I also am convinced that one of the main reasons why this church has been
blessed by God over the last decade, when a lot of other churches have struggled, is because this church has always had an interest and a priority in youth and children’s ministry.
So, back to my Spokian mind meld. Why am I so anxious? Because, with over
30 years’ experience in children’s ministry, I know what kind of a physical, emotional, and mental demand children’s ministry (that is done right) can have on its leaders when they don’t have enough help. And, to be quite honest with you, if we don’t get sufficient help, I’m not sure I am up to filling in all the gaps this year.
And now, to the point of this Keith’s Komments: The VBS and Family Camp
leadership could sure use your help. We could use your help with HFM VBS June 15-19 and then Family Camp July 11-19. Sure it will be demanding. Yes, kids can be noisy. I know you have other things you would like to do . . . so do I! But, if you could just understand how important these times are, you would invest in them.
Jean and my daughter Jody Saunders do a great job of simplifying ministry to
children. You basically learn how to do one thing per day and repeat it 3-5 times over. It doesn’t take a genius, and it doesn’t take a lot of time to learn. But, it does take an adult with a heart for kids and a heart that wants to see them come to a saving knowledge of who Jesus is and what He has done for them. We need everyone from adults who simply go with kids and offer crowd control and occasionally take a kids to the bathroom, to craft leaders and helpers, recreation leaders and helpers, and snack leaders and helpers.
Again, this is not rocket science. Last year for VBS and Family Camp, we had
7th graders who were able to pick up what needed to be done in about 10 minutes and were a great help the whole week of VBS and/or Family Camp. But, we (Jean, Jody and I) cannot do it without help.
Won’t you consider helping build the kingdom of God among the most receptive hearts in all of humanity . . . children. Please see myself (Pastor Keith) or Jean or Jody Saunders for answers to your questions, more information or to do us all a great service and sign up to help. Thanks for your prayerful consideration!