They feel just like you do.
They love the Lord. They care about children. They work hard and long.
They know that what they do is eternally important. And they are ready to
give up now. They feel like kicking over the puppet stage, flushing the
Kool Aid and rolling the helium tank out the door into oncoming traffic.
They are children’s pastors. If my travels have taught me anything it is
that many in children’s ministry feel like this every Sunday afternoon.
We get the calls into our office. We read the e-mail. We read the letters.
Discouragement and frustration apply pressure to scores of children’s
ministers the way the cookie flattens the filling of an Oreo. A few
overcome it. Many learn to endure it. Multitudes eventually give up. The
life span of a children's pastor is less than that of a Latin American
dictator.
There are some solutions to some of the
frustrations that seem to universally chase those who minister to
children. But that’s a different article for a different time. The need
of the moment is a dose of compassionate reality that brings this ministry
into focus.
If you have plans to confront God in
Heaven about why He put you in this thankless ministry you’re going to
have to stand in a long line. There are a few others who feel quite the same.
Don’t entertain any thoughts about other children’s pastors having a
glorious time sailing through their calm waters of children’s ministry
while churches toss accolades and money into their boats. Most of those
boats sank a long time ago. Most of the people leading children’s
ministries can share every one of your feelings. Not many do this for the
gold and the glory and we all know why.
Few people can do what you do. I have
served as a senior pastor, a children’s pastor and in many other church
positions. Being the children’s pastor is the most challenging. Music
directors don’t have to recruit people to give up the adult service to
sing in the choir. The head usher doesn’t have to hold regular workshops
to teach ushers how to pass a plate. Have you ever wondered why they
don’t have conferences for greeters? There’s just not that much to
learn about coercing people into accepting the weekly bulletin at the door
on Sunday. Senior pastors work very hard and the pressure is often
intense. The congregation’s regular demonstration of appreciation of
them is typically deserved and helps to soften the relentless sense of
responsibility. The children’s pastor, however, rarely enjoys anywhere
near the same outpouring of affection or gratitude. With few exceptions,
children’s pastors operate under broad responsibility while experiencing
few of the benefits other ministers receive.
I served as a senior pastor before serving
as a children’s pastor. To the surprise of many, I made the decision to
jump into children’s ministry. My first Sunday as a children’s pastor,
before I had even been given a chance to prove myself, an eight-year-old
boy sat down on the front row before children’s church
began. He glared straight up at me and asked with a stern voice, "Who
are you?"
"I’m Pastor Roger," I replied.
He then asked, "Where’s Larry?"
"He’s not here anymore," I said.
With that he stood straight up and declared for all to hear, "I
don’t want YOU; I want Larry" as he marched out of the room and
into the main auditorium to sit with mom. At that moment I knew children's
ministry was going to be distinct from the lovefest I experienced in adult
ministry. I don’t know of many senior pastors who have ever endured
people stomping out because they expected someone else that morning to
preach. I know children’s pastors who have worse stories than mine.
Leading a children's ministry is beyond the scope of what most ministers
could ever do.
Maybe leading a children’s ministry is
not your calling. Maybe this is only temporary until God moves you into
something different. If that’s the case, there is nothing wrong with
making a change into what God has gifted you to do and you need not feel
guilty about making the switch. But for many of you, quitting is not the
answer. At least not right now.
Congregations do not see you in action and
cannot, therefore, appreciate your efforts. Parents only know in general
terms what you do for their children. Senior pastors rarely reward you
according to your abilities and responsibilities. Even many of the
children lack the ability to express what they feel about you. And that,
dear friend, is the good news. You are uniquely positioned in ministry to
receive your reward from God Himself. The reward Jesus promises in Matthew
10:42 does not apply to choir directors, church treasurers or head ushers.
That unique promise of reward is reserved for those who "receive
little ones." Don’t resent your lack of reward from the hands of
men when the God of the universe has declared His commitment to reward
you. Whether the reward is here, in Heaven, or both, there is one thing
certain-Jesus makes good on His promises.
I tell you this. After thirty minutes of
participating in your first celebration service in Heaven, no one is going
to dismiss the children and expect you to leave with them. Then a few
folks are going to work their way through the crowd to move up next to you
and thank you for what you did for them when they were kids. And you will
be glad you didn't quit. |
