Why Children's Ministry?
When I began seeking volunteer positions for this semester, I asked myself what I would be most passionate about and what would make the biggest impact.
I considered doing hospital volunteer work, or helping in a nursing home, but then I remembered something I had been wanting to do for a while. I remembered my
desire to be involved with youth programs. I wanted to offer a supportive outlet for kids because I feel it is crucial for their development.
Society today is troubling and full of despair, anger, and hatred.
Kids must fend for themselves, so to speak, else they fall prey to abuse, bullying, or stereotyping. The issue is not that this spiteful enviornment exists for children, but rather that too few people acknowledge the problem and/or are willing to change it.
Take any pre-teen or pre-adolescent, aged 9-13 years. Do you remember that time? Fifth grade through middle school. Need I say more?
I didn't think so.
Typically, this is the time of uncertainty, bullying, jealously, new perspectives, accelerated change, and inconsistency.
Preteens do not have it easy.
In fact, their lives are much harder than any CEO or physician. In a world full of scary new hallways, intimidating lockers, harder classes, and 'frenemies,' life gets rough.
For most kids, home life and school life are not places to be themselves. At home they have rules, regulations, and lots of homework, and at school there are bullies, teachers, and those scary lockers.
Where, then, is a preteen able to let his or her hair down, relax, and (gasp) have fun?
You're right--At programs specifically designed to accomodate their need for relief!
Most youth programs, like a children's ministry, are fully aware of the problems pressing on today's youth. Their main goal is not to teach kids something or make
them do their homework. No. Their goal is to support their development- mental, physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. A Sunday School Children's Ministry does
all of the above and then some.
Imagine
a preteen who has had a horrible week. She started the week off with three big exams: one in Native American history, another in Geometry, and the last
one in English. Then at lunch on Wednesday her 'best friend' was gossiping about her behind her back but still in ear-shot. While overhearing the mean words,
a boy accidentally threw up all over her new dress her mom just got her that weekend. To even out the week, she went home on Friday with a mean note from her
'frenemie' and a huge amount of homework. Her weekend looks so great, doesn't it? Just so many wonderful memories from school for her to ponder and lots of happiness to go around!
Not exactly.
This weekend actually sounds Miserable for this girl.
Luckily, however, she is a member of Platte Woods United Methodist Church, and has been a member of the Children's Ministry for a long time. She attends Sunday School each week and looks forward to it because there are no expectations, frenemies, bullies, or teachers that assign homework. It is her place to go to regain her strength, reflect on her values, morals, and attributes, and genuinely interact with her peers. Without the hour to decompress and express her concerns and blessings of the week, she would feel isolated, lonely, and pretty stressed the next week. It would build up and could cause some serious issues later in life. Not only that, she would not have the chance to realize her full potential and all of her skills. It brightens her morning to see familiar faces, and to work on service projects in which she can give back to the community that is kind to her. She realizes that her small contribution can improve her life and those she is serving.
It is rewarding for her to make others feel special while alleviating the hostility and sadness brought on at school.
Through the activites, lessons, and videos she learns at PWUMC, she is always re-energized and ready to head back to school on Monday morning. She knows that whatever happens, she can leave it at lower school and find her balance again on Sunday. She truly capitalizes on the opportunity to unwind at Sunday School and reflect on her week so that she does not become depressed. It is remarkable that she values taking care of herself at such a young age, because it is often neglected and ignored by kids. Childhood depression can lead to much more severe psychiatric disorders, suicides (see statistics below), and an unpleasant adulthood.
This may seem a bit exaggerated, but most likely not.
If you think back to those years, this narrative will feel incredibly realistic.
I see the problem, but so what?
You are wondering. Does this problem really matter considering the other problems our society is facing?
Yes. It matters.
Children are our future. Fortunately, we are still here. We are able to guide them and help prevent tragedies from occuring.
The incidence of suicide increases dramatically during and after elementary school, as per these statistics. What does that mean to You? It should start to make you wonder and question the effects of teen bullying, depression, and insecurity. Does it make you want to help? It does for me.
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Children ages 10 to 14 — 0.9 per 100,000
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Adolescents ages 15 to 19 — 6.9 per 100,000
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Young adults ages 20 to 24 — 12.7 per 100,000
Statistics taken from http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml.
Photo courtesy of centreville community church.
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