Baseball is America's favorite summer pastime, and my household is no exception. With it, I've discovered, comes plenty of running. No, not running bases. Running after baseballs thrown past me. You see, this year my son is learning how to pitch, and I serve as permanent catcher and personal coach. He has speed, but struggles to put pitches in the strike zone. Fortunately, there's a simple solution.

"Just keep your eyes on where you want to throw it—never stop looking at my mitt as your target," I told him. "And step toward your target when you throw."

In children's ministry, you have the ball. The question is, do you know where your ministry is supposed to go? You do if your ministry has a strong vision. When you lead with your eyes locked on a vision and help others step toward it, ministry hits the target. If you lack vision, ministry will aimlessly fly and people will needlessly run as they chase errant throws.

A compelling vision not only keeps ministry on course; it serves as the single most effective volunteer recruiting tool. In the same way a pitcher alternates between throwing fastballs and curveballs, we face the challenge of determining how and when to deliver vision. Every good batter comes to the plate hoping to receive a good pitch.

Sounds complicated, but it's really not that tough. Just keep your eyes on the target and step toward it.

Copyright © 2005 Promiseland.

Read more from 'Encouraging Words'

Words Kids Need to Hear To Help Them Be Who God Made Them to Be by David Staal If you could choose just seven statements to share with children, what would they be? Each chapter in this compelling book focuses on a single statement elementary-age kids need to hear from parents, children's workers, and other close adults. These seven statements are simple to share, yet guaranteed to profoundly impact children. They are: I believe in you. You can count on me. I treasure you. I'm sorry, please forgive me. Because. No. I love you. will educate, equip, and motivate parents and children's ministry teams to carefully choose words that building up kids' hearts, to say them frequently, and to do so in creative ways. What children hear from trusted adults significantly influences their self-image, their current relationships, and future relationships—including that all-important relationship with God.