Childrens Page

The Dropped off Kid

by Terry Waller

I recently read an article in Children's Ministry magazine that really drove a spiritual stake in my heart. I realized upon reading this article just how neglectful I had been in supporting our children's ministry. Not because I did not have an interest in the children or of supporting those volunteers who work countless hours preparing to plant the seeds of the faith in these young hearts and minds. Yet neglectful in the sense that I had not yet thought about some of those critical areas that matter most, how to effectively embrace those young children whose parents want their kids to have the faith, but whose own walk may be a daily struggle. They bring their kids to church and drop them off for Sunday school and children's church, but very rarely do they take the time to attend themselves.

Where do these children find the attention they so desperately need, how can the seed of faith germinate in the absence of daily encouragement. How can we support the child's development and reach the family on the other side of the door?

Their parents let them come, but the church has let them fall through the cracks. How is it that many churches across America have a great week of VBS with many new children being invited to attend each year, record numbers show up, some even accept the Lord Jesus as their Savior, yet the family is often neglected. I see this window of opportunity slowly being closed year after year as more and more parents are so busy with their own agendas and life that is rare to have both parents and in some cases any family member show up at all at VBS even at the end of the week. Where are the families of these young people? How can we embrace all members of the family during this time? How do you encourage participation, cooperation and even invitation into a family's life?

"What do you do about drop-off kids-those kids whose parents drop them off and leave them to fend for themselves in your foreign culture? Drop-off kids don't know your church's language, customs, accepted behaviors, values, or unwritten codes."

Gary Newton proposes in his article "Drop Off or Drop Out", seven areas in which we the church can and should improve upon. I will list them here and place the link here at the bottom to encourage you to read the full article yourself when time allows.

Pair a dropped off child with a mentor family.
Building relationships outside of your church setting.
Make learning personal, interactive, and applicable.
Start with the kid's experience not yours.
Train kids and adults in your church to reach out to guest.
Use wisdom in discipline.
Get to know the drop off kid's parents.

Link to "Droff Off or Drop Out"

I want to encourage each of us to have an ongoing dialog about this issue. Therefore please email me if you have any ideas, suggestions, or even questions. As believers we all have a responsibility to raise up the next generation to have the faith. Will they have our faith or their own? Will it be a biblical faith or an adaptation of the world's culture? The choice is clear what we must do; take a stand for what is right and true. Children are not the future of the church, they are the church today, don't think we will ignore our calling. Won Heart Ministries is dedicated to supporting children and families. Regardless of where you are today, the future depends upon you. Please respond to this invitation and I will be happy to respond back to you.

Forever in Christ,

Terry