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Questions to Evaluate Your Christian Education Ministry

Posted on July 16, 2025 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

A previous post points to how we have a lot to do in the Christian Education ministries of the Church. We need to step back and evaluate whether all this activity yields the right results. What kinds of questions should we ask?

Questions for Help Evaluating Your Christian Education Ministry

The Christian Education Files Download provides some guidelines and helps for some of the areas in this ministry of the church. The embolden parts of the following list describe what you’ll find in that resource. The simple yes/no questions reframe the topics into a simple evaluation of each area. The ideal, of course, would be to respond positively to all the questions. If responding with “no, not sure, or somewhat”, then ask why. Also ask what changes should be made to improve in those areas.

Classroom Evaluation: Are the facilities conducive to learning?

Curriculum Evaluation: Does the curriculum promote learning that takes people beyond the cognitive?

Ministry Description Template: Do workers know not only what is expected of them but how they fit into the big picture?

Policy Guidelines: Are you deliberate in coordinating ministry to meet needs, with some accountability built into the process?

Safety Guidelines: Do people involved in these ministries feel safe physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually?

Supporting Workers: Do people feel appreciated, encouraged, and built up as they serve in this ministry?

Teacher Evaluation: Are teachers growing and continuing to improve in their ministry?

Training Approach: Are you effectively training teachers?

Training Means: Are you using a variety of means to tailor training to your teachers’ needs?

Training Survey: Do you know what your teachers need to make them more effective?

Check out the Christian Education Files Download for help implementing a ministry strategy that positively answers the above questions. Better yet, check out the Christian Education Bundle which include the Files resource plus two other helpful resources.

Quick Solutions or Real Change in Classroom Discipline?

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

Anyone in children’s ministry knows the challenges of maintaining classroom discipline. It becomes even more difficult when we have a “problem child” who constantly disrupts the class. We can become frustrated by it and simply apply a quick solution, or we can seek real change.

The Objective Will Determine if We Seek Real Change or Apply a Quick Solution

If our objective is mere crowd control and somehow making it through the lesson, we’ll tend to apply quick fixes. We’ll do whatever it takes to quiet the child or get them to stop their negative behavior. Often that involves bribing them. Or, we might throw our hands up in despair and permit children to do as they please.

When our goal is to help the child truly learn and grow, we’ll look at discipline problems as opportunities to disciple them. We will want more than external conformity, so we’ll work with the child to correct the problem from the inside out. This means we take the time to identify and address the root cause of the problem.

Results of Our Approach to Classroom Discipline

Quick solutions leave unresolved issues which could become worse and keep the child from learning and growing. Bribery in classroom discipline could translate into them thinking the Christian life is about mere outward conformity rather than heart transformation (1 Sam. 16:7; Ps. 51:10; Lk. 6:45; Rom. 12:2). Ignoring misbehavior can give license to other children to do the same which can eventually erupt in chaos. We’ll find ourselves merely tolerating the “problem child” rather than loving them.

When we seek to use discipline problems as learning tools, we’re helping children learn for the future. We’re getting beyond temporary external conformity. In so doing we’re communicating that we truly care and want what’s for their good. — “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:11)

Get help with pursuing real change in classroom discipline:

The Classroom Discipline Bundle will provide a comprehensive understanding leading to a greater likelihood of accomplishing real change through discipline efforts. Each of the resources in this bundle can be ordered separately.

Priority Objectives for a Youth Director

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

We live in challenging times to be a youth director but more than ever teens need a positive influence in their lives as they face difficult moral choices, mental and emotional turmoil, shattered trust in authority, and attacks on a biblical worldview. They need hope, a sense of belonging, and an identity securely rooted in truth.

Top Priority for a Youth Director

Love the Top Priority for a Youth DIrector
First and foremost, youth leaders need a love for the Lord that spills over into a heart for the teens (Matt. 22:37-40). If one or both of these are missing, teens will soon notice and ministry will be less effective.

Love for the Lord keeps Him first and in the center of what we do.

Love for the teens gives us the motivation to invest into them and the youth ministry with the intent of helping them learn to love the Lord too. As He becomes their all in all, they’ll find Him to be enough even in their most difficult days.

Out of love for the Lord comes an authenticity that speaks volumes to youth, probably more than all the actual words we could speak. Out of love for teens comes an atmosphere of acceptance, respect, and security which appeals to deep-rooted needs within them and opens them to further ministry.

Three Objectives for Those Leading Youth Ministry

With love as our primary driving force, we’re ready for ministry.

Understand youth and their culture and meet them there.

We need to meet teens where they are to take them to where they should be, to go deeper in their walk with the Lord. If we don’t understand how they view life, the messages we send might not get through the way we intend. They might hear something different than what we think we’re communicating. Find help at: Youth Ministry Resources

Build community within the youth group, making the emphasis about relationships — first with God and then with us and the other teens.

Take time to read the blog post, The Focus of Youth Ministry. From this focus, we then strategize or plan out our youth program and meetings. What can we do to help them “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18), to love Him more? What can we do to help them know one another better, not to be cliquish, but to engage in true body life to help each other grow? What can we do to let them know we care?

Disciple, or mentor, them in their love relationship with the Lord.

Youth ministry needs to be about more than fun activities or hanging out. It even needs to be about more than simply learning “about” God or gaining head knowledge from the Bible. Teens need help navigating through life with Christ at the helm. Some of that can happen in a large group setting, but it will take more. They need to see an example. They need to be nurtured. They need feedback and debriefing. This best happens one-on-one and/or in small groups. Some can take place through texting, social media, and the like, but we must never let that replace face to face ministry. Check out the Shepherding Ministry section on the MinTools.com site. Start by reading through all the general pages and then under venues, hone in on the discipleship posts. Though these pages don’t specifically target youth ministry, the principles apply.

Sure, there’s more a youth director must do like planning and scheduling activities, service projects, group dynamic, parent relations, dealing with conflict and discipline issues, staffing, working with a budget, etc. However, with priorities and main objectives as suggested above, we’re headed in a good direction with lots of ministry potential.

School as a Mission Field ?????

Posted on August 17, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Christ's Ambassadors with School as a Mission Field
As children and teenagers head back to school, as well as young people to college, they have increased opportunity for outreach, to share Jesus Christ with their friends, to be a witness in word and deed. But, do they see school as a mission field? … a place to reach out and share Jesus Christ as His ambassador?

Difficulty Seeing School as a Mission Field

It isn’t easy for kids to take a stand unpopular with so many of their peer. (Let’s be honest: It isn’t easy for adults either!) We live in a volatile world that doesn’t look favorably upon what Christians believe. Fear of ridicule and rejection makes witnessing seem overwhelming and stressful. Then, on top of that, we have government regulations and school policies setting limitations on what they can do.

How Can We Help Kids Reach Out in Their Schools?

Recognizing the difficulties of viewing school as their mission field, we need to come alongside of students with the support they need. Here are six ways we can do that:

1) Disciple, or train, them on how to reach out.

Feeling better equipped in knowing how and where to start can alleviate some of the insecurities they might feel.

Resource: Discipling Students in Outreach Worksheet

2) Prepare them by including apologetics in your Bible teaching plan.

Having a better understanding of some of the hard to understand issues, will enable them to be more ready to answer questions and objections they will undoubtedly face. (1 Pet. 3:15)

For Help, Go To: Apologetics Resources

3) Pray for them consistently and let them know you’re standing with them in prayer.

Sensing this kind of support from others encourages them.

4) Pray with them, not just for them.

Taking them to the throne of grace where they’ll find the help they need (Heb. 4:16) serves as a reminder of God’s power available to them.

5) Be a role model, letting them see the adults in their lives sharing Jesus with others in their mission fields (i.e., neighborhood, workplace, unsaved family).

Hearing reports of God’s activity as we witness in our spheres of influence helps them gain a realistic perspective of how life in Christ infiltrates all we do as believers.

To Read: Making an Eternal Difference in the Workplace?

6) Encourage them to get involved in some sort of on-going campus ministry.

Knowing they’re not alone can give them added boldness.

For some popular campus ministries, go to: Back to School Resources

7) Provide tools and resources to help them.

Having something in their hands can help them feel more ready when opportunities come:

Ideas: Tools for Teachers to Share the Gospel (same tools listed in this article could be good for students to use)

The bottom line?
Don’t just tell kids they should be witnesses at school. Help them in practical ways to be ready.

The Focus of Youth Ministry

Posted on August 10, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

Focus of Youth Ministry to Reach Teens
If we want to truly reach today’s teenagers, we must get beyond programs and activities. More than ever, today’s young people need real connections — community. With that in mind, let’s keep the focus of youth ministry on relationships that build into their lives.

Reach Teens by Keeping the Focus of Youth Ministry on These Relationships

Relationship with God: Make youth ministry about knowing God personally and intimately, not just learning about Him. Get beyond religion or a bunch of rules to presenting a God who cares about them and has their best interests at heart. — to grow to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37)

Relationship with One Another: Face it. Most teens initially attend youth group because of their peer, unless a parent forces them to go. Purposely incorporate activities to build them into a community of believers, not just friends. Give them a taste of Body Life, what God intends the Church to be. — to be able to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11)

Relationship with the Youth Leader(s): Trust and respect grow out of relationship, not control or superiority. Be affirming and encouraging. Truly listen to them, actively, with your heart, to their feelings and body language, not just their words. Be available. Be a friend … an adult friend, not an overgrown teenager. Be real. Be genuine. — to care for them so much that we delight in sharing our very lives with them, not just the message(1 Thess. 2:8)

Relationship with the Total Church Body: This is often overlooked in youth ministry. Students need to realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves. If you don’t incorporate them into the total church body while they are still teens, why should they stay in the church when they can no longer attend youth group? Treat them like they are the church of today, not just the church of tomorrow. — to sense they belong as members of the whole Body (Rom. 12:4-5)

Everything we do in youth ministry should be seen as a tool to building these kinds of relationships.

For More: Youth Ministry Resources

A Place for Near All Spiritual Gifts in VBS

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Vacation Bible School requires a lot of detailed preparation in the months leading up to it. Then, at the last minute, comes a flurry of activity to set up and decorate. During the VBS program, people enjoy a Bible lesson, games, snacks, crafts and perhaps a general assembly time which all require time to prepare. Afterward comes clean-up and follow-up. With so much to do, certainly there’s a place for near all spiritual gifts in VBS.

An Effective VBS Takes a Lot of Organization and Coordination

Think of all that needs to be done: recruiting, delegating responsibilities, choosing curriculum, promoting, scheduling, planning the most effective use of the facilities and church grounds, working with the budget, etc. — Someone with the spiritual gift of administration can provide the organization needed for this ministry event.

As director of VBS, this person would do well to co-direct with someone having the gift of leadership to help him/her think outside of the box, to see all Vacation Bible School could be. People with the gift of administration could also be ones to coordinate specific aspects like crafts, games, snacks, etc.

A Variety of Spiritual Gifts are Needed to Accomplish All the Details

All Gifted for Effectual Ministry but Some Lack Evidence of Spiritual GIfting One person, or even a handful of people, cannot do it alone if we want to experience an effective Vacation Bible School. Since spiritual gifts are God’s power for serving, it only makes sense that the more we pull on people’s gifting, the more effective VBS will be. Delegating to a broad base of people according to their spiritual gifting, should increase the potential impact of VBS.

The Ministry Handbook: Spiritual Gifts in Use, includes a page that suggests the spiritual gifts that may best fit the various tasks that need to be accomplished in VBS. The handbook is a helpful tool for determining who to recruit in other ministry areas as well, fulfilling different ministry needs.

The Vacation Bible School Ministry Manual describes some of the staffing needs for an effective VBS along with some tips for recruiting and training these volunteers. The resource also helps with praying for VBS, planning, curriculum, and follow-up.