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Hindsight is always 20/20 By Dan Morgan |
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Coming up to the new year before me, I've made it a habit to evaluate
the year behind me. The past year has been one of excitement and also
disappointment. The excitement of children understanding the truths of Gods
word, and the disappointment of them forgetting those truths right after
they leave the church building. I'm sure other ministers and workers sometimes
feel the same way. But what can be done? How can we change these disappointments
into triumphs? I believe God spoke to my heart, "Hindsight is always 20/20."
What on earth is he talking about? This Children's Pastor is hearing some
really weird stuff! I thought it to be strange as well, but as I thought
about this word and relied on the Holy Spirit for insight, I saw that there
was truth to this word.
The phrase, "Hindsight is always 20/20," is a phrase that I heard when I was a kid. I don't remember when or where I heard it, but I'm sure it was during a time that I really screwed up. The words were spoken to me and it brought such enlightenment to my heart. Actually what I was saying to myself was, "I'll never do that again." Which is exactly what we should get out of the phrase "Hindsight is always 20/20." I thought about this word that was given to me and I didn't understand how and why it applied to the last year of ministry. In seeking the Lord on this matter, I soon discovered that I was to blame for my own disappointment. I discovered that that I was guilty of doing ministry rather than providing ministry.
When I was called to the ministry, God placed on my heart a burden for children. I accepted a mandate from God to lead children to Him. This is what we are called to do, "Discipleship." I fell into a trap that many of us fall into. The trap of routine! The woman at the well was into a routine in John chapter 4. Her routine was to go to the well around the noon hour. She did this to maybe avoid others who would throw accusing looks or hurtful words at her. She was alone until a Savior came and delivered her from her routine and brought her living water. Praise the Lord! He can do this for me also! The woman was so thrilled by meeting Jesus the Savior, that she left her routine at the well. She left her water pot and ran back to town to tell everyone about who she met. Look it up. Study this text. Let it get a hold of you. Let it break you out of your routine. We need a Savior everyday. Christianity is more than a lifestyle it is Faith! It is the passion of a Savior's redemptive work on a cross for our lives. Our Christian walk should never be routine. This is what the Holy Spirit showed me. I had fallen into a routine of ministry, going through the motions.
Looking over the past year I saw that this was true. I would teach, they would understand, they would forget. I was doing ministry. The children would leave the church knowing the truth in their mind, but I did not provide the time for them to get it into their hearts. This takes place at an altar. The children need to know what an altar is. They need to know that the alter is a place of sacrifice and a place that leads to God's heart. Providing an altar experience for children will allow the Holy Spirit to seal the message that was given to us for them. We cannot forget that we are not in the business of doing ministry, but God has placed us in a position to provide a time for children to know Him. Children can learn to enjoy this time. There are steps that need to be taken when offering an altar experience for children.
1. Pray for it to happen. Ask for God's annointing for you. Ask for God's annointing for the kids Ask for God's annointing at the altar
2. Plan for it to happen. In your planning time, give enough time for the altar.
3. Prepare for it to happen. During the service/classtime have everything lead up to the altar. Have music ready for Prayer time. This helps kids not feel like someone is listening to them. Make sure that there is a commitment or decision to be make. Prepare your workers to pray with the children.
4. Provide for it to happen. Give the call
5. Proclaim it. Let parents know what is happening. This way the parents will be sensitive to the time that the children need at the altar.
I encourage you. As you look over your past year and plan for the next year to come, make sure in your planning that there is time at an altar for the children. Hindsight is 20/20. "Let us all never make that mistake again."
My prayer for the year ahead, "Lord, forgive me for doing and help me to lead the children to you. Help me not to fall into the routine of ministry again and lead my path for the children's sake. Let the children know what it is to have passion for you. Meet them at your altar and seal in their hearts your truths. Holy Spirit have your way in them. Amen." © Dan Morgan This article may be copied to help others. This article may not be used for profitable purposes or reprinted in other publications unless permission from the author is granted. |
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Dan Morgan (pictured with wife, Erica and daughter, Amanda) Dan is a former Children's Pastor and Evangelsit and holds a BA degree in Children's Ministry from North Central University. He has over ten years of experience in ministry to children and training others to minister effectivly to children. Dan and Erica currently serves as Senior Pastor at Northside Assembly of God Church in Southbend, IN. To contact Dan E-Mail Him at: pastor@northside-ag.com |
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