Children’s ministry has taken many different approaches so far this year! Ministry has moved to online worship, wearing PPE as you visit family's porches, drive-by VBS curriculum pick-up, and even drive-in communion for families. However, what is not different in ministry are caring Children’s Ministers planning ahead for a time when we can all come together in a space and learn the scripture, share a snack, play a game, and maybe even a side hug! I want to share with you three Children’s Ministers who not only have moved their ministry to online classes but when they are not behind the camera they are redesigning their educational spaces in their churches.
So often evaluating the use of a space and its aesthetics gets put at the bottom of the list of things that need to be done. Tiffany Jones, Stephanie Dunn, and Jessica Butler are Children’s Ministers who took advantage of weeks of empty classrooms and a little creativity sparked by Pinterest. They never have time during normal ministry seasons to freshen up an entrance hallway or go through old material that has been “stored” in what was once a viable classroom. It may take time, but eventually, we will all be together again. Why not use this time to clean and redesign? Use it as a promotion when you get to open the Children's Ministry programming again!
Here are five helpful suggestions before you begin:
1.
Organizing materials helps you know what you have and how to get to them quickly. You end up spending less of your education budget on duplicate items.
2.
A fresh coat of paint and a decluttered space creates a warm and welcoming environment for children and adult who volunteer in the space.
3.
No need for big-budget renovations. A can of paint $35, wall stickers $100, new curtains (ask the church sewing group) I am sure they will donate supplies and talents. Dollar Tree or Five and Below have many affordable storage containers for classrooms.
4.
Normally children’s education rooms are left to that ministry to choose how it is decorated, but always check with your senior pastor before painting over something that you may not know has historical value to the church.
5.
Often purging outdated material, re-homing furniture, and stocking the room with spiritually inspirational material is all a room needs.