Book: Redefining Children’s Ministry in the 21st Century
Author: Becky Fischer
Chapter 1: Kids Need to Experience God

Premise of the Book: We have a crisis in the modern and postmodern church concerning ministry to children. According to George Barna, 70% of the children we have raised in church will leave the church as young adults.

Chapter 1
We have tried better programs, better curriculums, better technology, bigger budgets, and made it more entertaining. Yet, something is still missing. Becky Fischer asserts that Jesus Christ is seldom made real in their lives. Sunday School classrooms feel dry, dull, and boring because we have not invited the presence of Jesus Christ. Our classrooms should be the place where children experience the throne room of God.

One of the errors we have made is assuming that children are not capable of understanding or acting on the deep things of God. We have underestimated the spiritual potential of our children. All around us are children who are future prophets, preachers, and prayer warriors. We cannot wait until our children are adults to spiritually disciple them.

Kids are hungry for the “real thing”. Children want to really experience His presence, really hear His voice, and really experience His power. If we, as the teachers and volunteers, consider the class boring or a waste of our time (after all, we could be spending our time in the adult service where all the “real” action is taking place), why would we expect our children to feel any different?