Let the Little Children Come: Priorities for Children's Ministries in the Local Church

Children’s ministry is one of the most strategic and rewarding ministries a church can have. 

Yet too often, it is treated as “childcare” or simply a fun diversion while adults gather in worship. It is my conviction that children’s ministry is far more than that—it is gospel work.

Every child in our care is an eternal soul, created in the image of God and capable of understanding and responding to His Word. Our goal is not merely to keep children occupied, but to teach them Scripture faithfully, guide them in Christlike living, and partner with parents in raising disciples.

In this article, I want to lay out the priorities that guide a healthy approach to children’s ministry: what we teach, how we teach it, the role of the volunteers and the church body, and the protections we put in place to ensure every child is safe, valued, and able to grow in faith. 

These priorities are not rules for rules’ sake—they are rooted in Scripture and in a vision for raising children who know and love God.

1. The Ministry of the Word Is Essential

The purpose of children’s ministry is not babysitting, entertainment, or distraction management. Rather, it is to bring God’s Word to children in a way they can understand and apply. It is rooted in our Savior's declaration: "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:14). Children are quite capable of understanding the gospel and coming to Christ. 

Children are not only capable of learning Scripture—they are uniquely suited to do so. At this stage of life, their minds are like sponges, absorbing more than at almost any other time. The limiting factor is rarely their ability, but our expectations. Too often we assume they cannot handle doctrine or deep truth. Scripture shows us otherwise: Timothy knew the Holy Scriptures “from childhood” (2 Tim. 3:15).

We should hold high expectations for children, as children will rarely rise higher than the expectations we have for them. 

We are not simply aiming for them to know Bible stories but to know God, to grasp the gospel, to begin hiding Scripture in their hearts, and to grow as disciples of Christ. If we faithfully sow, God is able to bear fruit even in the youngest lives. This means that children’s ministries should, in some way, convey God’s Word to children.  

2. The Gathering of the Church Is Central

The church is the assembly of God’s people. Every believer—including those who serve in children’s ministry—needs the weekly gathering in order to grow spiritually (Heb 10:24-25). 

We cannot design ministries in ways that spiritually harm those who serve in them. A reservoir that only pours out but never receives will eventually run dry. 

Therefore, while service is vital, no children’s ministry volunteer should consistently miss the main gathering of the church. For this reason, we aim to create rotations in our children’s ministries that ensure that volunteers are regularly in the church’s worship gatherings. The more volunteers we have, the more frequently each one can remain in the main worship gatherings. 

Additionally, one of the aims of our children’s ministries is to prepare children for active participation in the life of the church. For children who have put their faith in Christ, declared that faith through baptism, they are part of the church. We never want to convey the idea that children are a distraction from the church. 

3. The Role of the Body Is Indispensable

In Scripture, we learn that the ministries of the church belong to the members of the church (1 Cor 12; Rom 12). Scripture calls every member of the body to serve and actively engage in the up-building of the church, with each member using his or her gifts to do spiritual good to other people. God has resourced His people with the tools they need to serve Him effectively. 

Practically, this means:

• We should expect and encourage all members to take part in ministry in some fashion. Serving is not an extra for a few but the normal pattern for all. It’s our calling as the church to be the body of Christ and to use our gifts.

• We should limit public ministry, such as serving in children's ministries, to members. If someone is going to represent our church in ministry, it's only reasonable that they be willing to commit to our church in membership. Ministry is a privilege. 

• In staffing, we avoid hiring people to fill ministry “slots” and instead invest in pastors to equip the saints for ministry (Eph. 4:11–12). It is equipped saints (not paid professionals) who perform ministry that builds up the church.  

• Many hands make for light work. Generally, the more people involved in the children’s ministries, the better. It's an excellent way for inter-generational ministry to occur, and it is an excellent way to ensure that multiple people can serve. 

4. The Value of Children Is Immeasurable

Children are precious to God. Jesus Himself affirms this in Matthew 18:1-6. Children are invited to come to Christ, while those who would spiritually harm them face the most serious denunciation. Children are not distractions from “real” ministry—they are ministry. 

Because of their value, we must do three things:

a. Teach Them Faithfully

Children are eternal souls who need eternal truth. We must bring the Bible to them with seriousness and joy, not talking down to them, but teaching with clarity and conviction. 

If we expect little from them, they will learn little from us. If we expect much, God will use it to shape them deeply. This means that we call our teachers to prepare well, taking time to study their lesson and pray for the kids they will teach. 

We're in a battle for souls. Children are being bombarded by a godless culture nearly 24/7. We have a just a couple of hours each week to present Scriptural truth to them. We should not squander that precious opportunity by merely entertaining them or failing to teach them. 

Just because children are younger does not mean that we skip preparation. We would not accept that from our pediatrician or our school teachers. It takes thought and care to present the profound truths of basic Christianity to young hearts and minds.   

b. Protect Them Diligently

Children need protection both spiritually and physically. To ensure we are doing due diligence in this area, all volunteers must be church members, undergo abuse awareness training, and complete a background check.  

Additionally, all volunteers are expected to follow basic Child Protective Policies. Basic policies and best practices include:

• Limited Access Rule: Only screened and approved volunteers should be with children.  

• Two-Person Rule: No volunteer should ever be alone with a child. We will deliberately schedule two people for each class. Volunteers need to know and follow the schedule. 

• Hands-Off Rule: With rare exceptions (e.g., preventing injury), volunteers should not put their hands on children. High-fives and safe touch are fine. 

• Bathroom/Diapering Policies: Volunteers should never be alone with a child in the bathroom. If bathroom assistance Is unavoidable, the two-person rule still applies (a second volunteer present, the door cracked open etc.).

• Check-in/Check-out Procedures: When children arrive, it is important that we check them in and/or take attendance. Children should only be released to the parent/guardian who checked them in (or an approved person with matching tag). No child should ever be left unsupervised until pick-up. 

c. Correct Them Kindly

• Whenever possible, correct the child quietly, not in a way that shames or embarrasses them in front of other children.

• Correction should always be verbal and calm—never shaming, mocking, or raising your voice harshly.

• Correct behavior, not the child’s worth (e.g. “Throwing toys is not okay” vs. “You’re a terrible child”).

• Give clear, simple instructions: state expectations positively, not negatively.

• Use proximity and presence: often simply moving closer to a child, making eye contact, or placing them beside you can deter misbehavior.

• Redirect when possible: offer alternative activities and roles when a child is restless or disruptive.

• Give warnings and choices: state the consequences if behavior continues, and then follow through: Example: “If you keep talking while I”m teaching, I’ll need you to sit next to me.”

• Use Time Beside a Volunteer, not “Time Out” Alone: If behavior escalates, have the child sit next to a trusted adult. Never isolate a child in a closed room.

• NEVER use physical discipline: no spanking, shaking, or restraining (except to prevent immediate physical harm).

• Involve leadership Promptly: if the steps above do not resolve behavior, inform the children's ministry leadership. 

• Inform Parents Wisely: if patterns continue, share calmly and factually after class. Frame it as a partnership: “Here’s what we noticed today, and here’s how we responded.” 

5. The Role of the Home Is Foundational

From Genesis to Revelation, God gives parents the primary responsibility of teaching and training their children in His Word (Deut. 6:6–7; Ps. 78:4; Eph. 6:4). Children’s ministry exists to support parents in this central calling—not to replace them. We see this church-wide support suggested in places like Titus 2:1-8 and the fact that commands given to parents are given in the context of statements to God's people. One another-ing extends to helping children find and follow Jesus.

One of the goals of a healthy children's ministry, therefore, is to equip and encourage parents as they disciple their children at home. Volunteers should look for opportunities to communicate with parents about what their children are learning and suggest simple ways parents can reinforce these truths.

At the same time, we recognize that many children without Christian parents will come (or be sent) to church. In these cases, it is our privilege to step in and proclaim Christ to them. Yet even then, we do so with the conviction that the biblical norm is for the home to be the first place of discipleship.

Summary

Children’s ministry is not secondary—it is gospel work. We teach God’s Word so children know the truth, we gather so our people are nourished, we equip the whole body to serve, we treasure and protect the children entrusted to our care, and we support the God-given role of parents.

We are not merely offering childcare. We are teaching God’s eternal Word to eternal souls. And because children are capable of learning, we hold high expectations for them—trusting God to plant deep roots of faith, even from their earliest years.