A recent incident confirmed that a hectic ministry pace can serve as a big, constant distraction in life. On the other hand, maybe I experienced the effects of my ever-increasing age. Right now, though, let’s blame busyness for the near-frequent times that I fail to notice important things.
For example, today I walked to my car after several hours of planning meetings, personnel conversations, and phone calls/emails in abundance. My mind continued to race—okay, slosh—as I fumbled in my pocket for my keys, and for the first time I noticed rust forming around the rear tire well. Great, I thought, that’s one more thing to take care of before it becomes a larger problem. Then I saw the small crack in the windshield, and nearly shed a tear as I imagined the repair bill. While inserting my key in the lock I wondered why I let myself get so busy that I didn’t notice that the car I drive every day was falling apart. When the key wouldn’t unlock the door, I panicked at the thought of a locksmith’s fees.
And it was precisely at that moment when I realized I was trying to get in someone else’s car.
I chuckled with relief that repairs were now unnecessary. Yet I couldn’t laugh away the reality that busyness distracted my mind from noticing the obvious.
Sure, you’ve probably never tried to take the wrong car. But do you ever find that the constant pace to execute children’s ministry every week prevents you from noticing ministry opportunities?
Our ministry recently realized that something obvious was about to escape attention. We have a class of fifth graders that will soon leave our ministry to attend our junior high ministry. Hopefully.
And “hopefully” just doesn’t seem good enough.
From conversations I’ve had with other churches, many of us share a common challenge: to ensure that kids will attend the junior high ministry after they graduate from the children’s program. That process is known by several names: hand-off, baton pass, transition, and the list could go on. The same issue repeats between the junior high and high school ministries. Very real challenges, no doubt. Maybe that’s why children/youth pastors make so much money. Wait a minute; please insert the word “should” in the previous sentence.
Back to the story … So this year our team decided to make a big deal of our fifth grade class’s departure—in part to give them a big push into the junior high program. That won’t make anyone cheer overly loud, though; so there’s an even larger reason to mark this moment.
I’ve heard it said that you can tell what’s important by what gets celebrated. Assuming the validity of that wisdom, we began the process to create a significant spiritual milestone in the lives of our graduates. After all, many of them have been with us for over a decade. Along the way most have started personal relationships with Jesus and now follow Him. Plenty worth cheering about, don’t you agree? At the same time, we want to challenge them to continue their spiritual journey and attend the junior high program.
So what could a graduation celebration look like? We decided to take the idea to our church’s lead pastor and he decided to observe the graduation during a weekend service in “big church.” A great place to start, but our team then had to craft a meaningful time with no obvious place to look for guidance. Maybe other churches have graduated fifth graders during a weekend service, but we had a limited amount of time to research and develop this important 15 minutes. In the event you ever face this challenge, here’s what we came up with:
Video: Choose This Daylow bandwidth | high bandwidth
Worship song: “I’m Gonna Walk” (fifth graders come forward at this time)
Five people from our ministry shared comments that lasted 60 seconds each (or less):
1. Hi everyone, I’m David, the Director of Promiseland, and together we’re going to walk through the journey that these fifth graders have been on over the past several years.
The video we just saw showed Promiseland kids who’ve made great choices because God is at work in them.And God is definitely working in each of these fifth graders. In Promiseland, we want to help every kid learn how to make good choices … and not just for the sake of possibly starring in a Willow Creek video. We want them to learn the choices that matter most are the ones that happen because God is at work in their lives. And one of the biggest choices many kids in Promiseland make is choosing a relationship with Jesus.
(To fifth graders) Fifth graders, I speak on behalf of our entire ministry when I say it’s a thrill to see you graduate from Promiseland to Elevate (our junior high ministry’s name). You’re a great group of kids who’ll be missed. (Out to audience) And fourth graders … be ready because you have some big shoes to fill.
Before you officially graduate, let’s take a look back at your journey through Promiseland … Top of Form
2. I’m Kerri, Promiseland’s Early Childhood Director. Most of you were babies when you first came to Promiseland. But even as a baby you experiencedGod’s love through the arms of the volunteers that held you when you were in infants and toddlers. As two-year-olds you learned about God’s love through His creation. In threes you learned that He always hears you when you pray. And in fours and fives you learned that God loves you so much He sent His Son, Jesus as a gift to you at Christmastime.
Do you remember “open them, close them,” celebrating Jesus by singing and dancing with scarves and instruments, answering every question with “God,” “Jesus,” or “the Bible,” and making friends with everyone around you … because there were no such things as cooties in Early Childhood!
Well, those of us in Early Childhood remember those moments and so many more. Promiseland fifth graders we’re glad that we got to be a part of your story! Congratulations on your graduation!
3. That Early Childhood is a tough act to follow! For those of you who might not know me, I’m Mr. David … one of the teachers in the Kindergarten/1st grade room. I hope you don’t mind, but I wrote a poem especially for your graduation! (Pulls out paper and unfolds it … clears throat).
Promiseland Fifth Graders, we celebrate you today In K/1 there were no cooties … no matter what some may say. But there were many moments full of fun and full of laughter Because teaching you the Bible creatively was the thing that we were after. Do you remember a silly character … who went by the name of Spot? As funny and goofy as he was, he taught you quite a lot! And your leaders won’t ever forget the day that made them rejoice When some of you chose to make the salvation prayer choice. So today I say congratulations as you prepare to graduate You’ll have an amazing time when you get to Elevate!
4. (Mission Impossible theme music plays) Hey Promiseland Fifth Graders … I’m Sandy and I teach 2nd and 3rd grade. Not only is that the theme music from Mission Impossible, but it’s was the music for an amazing unit we did in 2nd and 3rd grade called … say it with me … (Kids respond) Mission Unstoppable! Mission Unstoppable is one of my favorites because we learned that Jesus and His disciples were on an unstoppable mission to save the world!
And, does this sound familiar? (Sandy does the boom shaka-laka-laka, boom shaka-laka-laka chant). Do you remember the name of the camp where you learned about the 5 “G’s?” C’mon guys shout it out … Camp Iwannabeagee!
During your time in 2nd and 3rd grade, small groups became a big part of your Promiseland experience. But because those things called “cooties” were on the rise, small groups looked a little different. There were girl groups and guy groups where you really connected, made friends, and grew together.
You also grew in your faith and love for Jesus! And because of that, many of you made the choice to become a Christian.
It’s my hope you’ll remember all those great moments as you head off on your next adventure. Congratulations on your graduation! And remember … (MI music theme plays again) … your own Unstoppable Mission as you head off to Elevate!
5. (To congregation) I’m Ed and I’ve been teaching this group of graduating fifth graders for two years and I’ve loved every minute of it!
(To kids) And man, have you guys grown! Not only have you grown physically, but you’ve grown in your relationship with God and with each other.
In the past couple of years you’ve learned the importance of using your spiritual gifts to serve God and the importance of loving and serving others … just like Jesus did. Remember, we even had someone walk through tubs of Dr. Pepper, flour, and sand just to get their feet all gross so that someone else could wash them! Even though it was a dirty job, you understood how important it was that Jesus made the choice to serve His disciples by washing their feet. We might not wash anyone’s feet on a regular basis, but we can choose to do good stuff for other people—especially when it’s not expected.
And don’t forget all the times you guys just hung out together … like when you were dodging balls traveling at 50 miles an hour, finishing first in Mario Kart, or scoring combos by dancin’ and struttin’ your stuff playing DDR. Man … I’m really going to miss you guys. But it’s time for you to move on to Elevate where you’ll have a blast!
So, Promiseland Fifth Graders … today is your day! Today you have choices to make: A choice to go and be an example for others. A choice to keep going and make a difference inside the walls of Willow Creek and outside in the world! Today I challenge you to go! Go and make choices that will have not only impact your own lives … but the lives of others!
At this point, our lead pastor joins the fifth graders and asks the congregation to join him in a prayer and then give the students an ovation they’ll remember the rest of their lives.
Worship song: “Joy to You”
As you can imagine, all who attended that service experienced a brief, yet lively, overview of our children’s ministry. Parents proudly watched their fifth graders receive recognition and challenge from the church body. The fifth grade students, now gone to the junior high program, left our ministry with momentum and a memory.
I left the service that day thankful that we gave an important moment in the lives of our kids the attention it deserves. And, coincidentally, out in the parking lot I found my car on the first try.
Marta Johnson is the creative writer for Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois.
David Staal, senior editor of Today’s Children’s Ministry, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. Prior to this assignment, David led Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. David is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear (2008) and lives in Grand Haven, MI, with his wife Becky, son Scott, and daughter Erin.
Copyright © 2006 Promiseland.
