Talking to Mike Worrell, our lay pastor over Discovery (the Wednesday night children's ministry) had some thought provoking questions about ministry in the summer. I wanted to bring you guys into the conversation.
PAUL: Mike, I saw that you have some tentative dates to keep Discovery going through June. We saw what happens last year. I just don't want your staff to become discouraged and/or stop coming because there are no kids. If things end by fizzling out then the leaders will come in the next semester with a defeated sense about the ministry. Discouraged staff = Downfall in Ministry.
MIKE: In regards to when we end. This is hard for me. In all honesty - why do we stop at all in the summer? I'm not married to the idea of keeping Discovery going until June (the end of the school year), but to me it makes logical sense. We are self defeating when we automatically say "no one ever comes, so let's just not have it". I totally understand what you are saying about discouraged staff. That could be happening already because of the low numbers. It's not about numbers. It's about sharing the Gospel with those that God chooses to be at Discovery (insert any other ministry here). How many kids need to show up for Discovery to be worthwhile? How do we (I) shepherd my staff through something like this? On the other hand - we should do what makes sense. What would you do? I am totally fine with ending whenever you would suggest.
I know, I know, you all want Mike to serve at your church, but he's not for sale. :-)
Please give me your thoughts about these questions:
Do you keep a ministry going through the summer that doesn't have enough participation to support it?
Do you fight against the culture hoping to change it?
Do you contextualize and minister to people when they are available?
What do you do at your church?
Mike also launched and administers Sermonize.us - great website, check it out, contribute something.
