Kidshaper Conference

This week I spoke to 800 children's ministry leaders at the Kidshaper Conference in Melbourne. What a buzz! I so appreciate those who minister to children in our local churches. Children's ministry is so vital. Consider the research:

• 85% of those who become Christians do so before the age of 15.
• Only 1 in 10,000 people come to Christ after the age of 30.
• Only 1 in 750,000 come to Christ after the age of 75.

Obviously, no one is unreachable but there is no doubt that people are more open and tender during the early stages of their life. Missiologists refer to the '10/40 window', that section of our planet where the most unreached people live. We could also refer to the '5/13 window', the ages when people are most receptive to the gospel . Almost 50% of the world's 6 billion+ population are in that window right now. What a mission field we have right here in our local communities.

Well-known evangelist, D.L. Moody was once asked how his evangelistic meeting went. He was reported to have said, "Two and a half people came to Christ tonight." He was asked, "Do you mean two adults and one child?" "No", he replied. "Two children and one adult. The adult's life is half over while the children have their entire life ahead of them." What a perspective!

Children's ministry is important - to the children, to the family and to the church. I have observed that any healthy growing church is doing children and youth ministry well. Any declining church is usually not.

Let's join together to reach out to all generations but especially to the children. After all, Jesus himself loves children and said, "Let the children come!" He also commissioned the Apostle Peter to "feed my ... lambs" ... not just the "sheep".

Our priorities for ministering to children should be: leading them into a relationship with Jesus Christ, helping them discover their purpose in life, and teaching them God's principles for living life to the full.

Hug a kid today!

Comments

[Brett Ryan]

Mark was fantastic as always. I was very proud to call him my Senior Pastor to the other delegates at the conference. Many of them commented on how relaxed he was and yet be so profound whilst he shared his insights on leadership. (many of them were surprised on how young he looked) It was great connecting with other kids leaders from all over the nation. I hope more ROAR leaders will be able attend next year's Kidshaper. The theme for Kidshaper 07 was One Dream, One Heart, One God. It is amazing that the theme for ROAR this year is One team, One Spirit, One Purpose. Do you think God is trying to get us on the same page?

[Lilian Low]

Hi Mark!

On your comment "any healthy growing church is doing children and youth ministry well" my belief is that church leadership needs to invest in them. Most churches I know are not prepared to have paid staff in these areas or even have a budget to support them.

I am glad to be in CityLife Church, whereby the leadership not only invests significantly in children's ministry but its Senior Minister champions it and makes the time to speak at a children's conference.

Thank you.

[U-Wen Low]

As always, a fantastic effort from our Senior Minister... Speaking as a regular volunteer and not a staff member, it is absolutely great to know that the Childrens' Ministry at CityLife is valued and appreciated.

It was a great priviliege for us to be able to tell others at that conference that we were from CityLife, or as I said to one leader "y'know, the church that Pastor Mark Conner is Senior Minister of"

Keep up the great work!

[John W.]

This topic reminds me of the uniqueness of Australa's primary education system where Religious Education is usually allowed. The biggest problem is getting Christians to step up and go to the schools. This is a mission field right in our own back yard that has significant potential. I wonder some times if that door will close.