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Christopher Strok

I once had a coach who served as a major inspiration and motivator to me.  His name was Tobin.  Tobin pushed me beyond the capabilities I thought that I possessed, he believed in me.  He encouraged me and challenged me to be the best that I could be. 

Perhaps his greatest challenge to me came off the track, in a post-season conversation following our spring banquet.  As a high school junior I had been involved with a vast array of extra-curricular activities.  I had landed the male lead in the school play and another role in that year’s musical, all while simultaneously maintaining a position as a student-athlete on the track and field team.

The challenge he presented was not one of athletic endeavor or accomplishment, but of direction.  I was facing an impending decision and in a conversation I will never forget, he challenged me to make a choice.  He told me that I should pray, weigh out my priorities and then choose a course of action based upon personal reflection and evaluation.

In the upcoming track season, he assured me of my place on the team, and statistically informed me that I would be one of the top athletes in our league.  He also made sure I realized that I would be a contender on the district, regional and state levels.  Excitement began to grow inside me as he shared this promise of potential with me, and then he continued.

He told me I had a choice to make.  He said that if my passion was theatre, that he would support that decision, and would come and watch the performance.  He said this realizing that he could lose an athlete.  His investment in me was greater than that of a coach looking to win a meet, but as a man strategically investing into the next generation.

With too many options to choose from and not enough time for each of them, he challenged me to pick my passion and allow my passion to fuel my dedication in whichever direction I would choose.

I discovered as I’m sure you have, that our problem certainly does not stem from a lack of choices, but in determining which choice we should make.

I’m not talking about what programs we are going to do, which curriculum we should use, the topic for our next speaking series or whether or not to include a puppet skit and song into our upcoming week’s service.  No, what I am talking about carries a much greater significance than any of those things.
I am talking about the decision we have to make about passionately pursuing our relationship with Christ. 

We can’t give out something we don’t already have.  If you feel consistently empty as you’re coming in to your services on Sunday and Wednesday I’ve got some GREAT news for you!  Jesus isn’t only interested in your ministry, He’s interested in YOU!  You are His greatest joy and while He delights in using you, He also delights IN you. 

Sometimes we need to take a moment and listen to what we tell our kids.  Matthew 11:28 says “Come to me all you who are weak and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Trust me, I’ve been there… frazzled, tired and frustrated.  You’ve got supplies everywhere, lesson plans that need worked on, volunteer issues looming over your head, and then you remember that you’re only a volunteer!  You’re not spending the time with your spouse, you’re not spending time with your family and you’re certainly not spending time with the Lord outside of quick “shout-out prayers” to God while racing in your car to church.

You think to yourself, isn’t there supposed to be more to children’s ministries than this?  Is this really what it is all about?  Well, be encouraged my friends, because the answers to those questions are a resounding YES, and the solution is a surprisingly simple one!

First, give God the time he deserves.  It is crucial to understand this point, He deserves your time, He doesn’t “need” it, YOU do!  Just like a relationship with anyone else as you neglect your relationship with Christ and refuse to invest into it, it will begin to fade turning into a faded outline of what it once was.

Secondly, as important as your ministry is, your spouse and your family are even more important!  THEY are your first ministry, and they’ll be around long after you finish your illustrated message, kids worship song, or speaking series.  Is it any surprise that some of the people who are the most turned off towards church are disillusioned spouses and family members who contend that the ministry stole their husband, wives, fathers or mothers?  These are vital relationships that God has placed into your life, and they deserve your full time and attention; not just the exhausted, fleeting minutes you can spare before bedtime.

Thirdly, you must have a vision.  Volunteers will respond to a vision if they can buy in to it.  Organization and structure can be developed out of a clearly defined vision.  If something you’re doing doesn’t fit into the vision God has given you as the leader, cut it out.  It is also important to note how essential it is for your vision to come in alignment with the vision of your senior pastor.  The freedom and creativity God has given you should never compete or strive to move in a direction opposite that of your senior pastor.  You must submit to the authority He has placed in your life. 

You can experience the joy, excitement, passion and enthusiasm you once had when you initially responded to your call to children’s ministry!  As you realign your priorities and shift your focus in the direction it needs to be, you will find the relief that you’ve been looking for, not only in your ministry but in your life as well!  I leave you with the words of Jesus from Matthew 6:33 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”