104 - Low Hanging Fruit For When Kids Are In | Meaghan Gates, Adam Jolliffe, Al James

We’re thinking about how to make the most of when kids are in the room for church gatherings. In this episode of the Effective Ministry Podcast, Meaghan Gates, Adam Joliffe, and Al James share some simple, practical “low-hanging fruit” to help include children and young people meaningfully.We start with a core conviction: kids aren’t the “future church”—they’re full members of the body of Christ right now. From there, we reflect on how we can unintentionally “other” children, especially through the way we speak, and how small shifts in language can make a big difference.We talk about using accessible (simple, not simplistic) language, speaking directly to children rather than about them, and giving equal weight to both the main gathering and kids’ programs when children are dismissed. We also highlight the importance of celebrating children’s contributions as genuine ministry, not performance.When it comes to preaching, we share a range of practical ideas to help engage all ages—things like creating multiple entry points through sermon sheets, using clear prompts and simple challenges tied to the big idea, incorporating visuals, building in short discussion moments, and intentionally resetting attention throughout the sermon.If you’re planning for Easter—or any all-age gathering—these are ideas you can pick up and put into practice straight away.Timestamps 00:00 — Easter and all-age services 01:35 — Meet the hosts 02:27 — Why kids belong in the church now 03:41 — How language shapes culture 06:35 — A story of preacher anxiety 08:07 — Simple, not simplistic 11:13 — Speaking directly to children 13:51 — Valuing kids’ church alongside the main gathering 15:09 — Celebrating ministry, not performance 18:18 — Praise as ministry 18:45 — Building momentum for kids serving 20:48 — Preaching: low-hanging fruit 22:48 — Sermon sheets and access points 25:22 — Using a simple “challenge” hook 27:38 — Visuals and interaction 30:13 — Re-engaging attention 33:09 — Building a culture of welcome over time 34:27 — Key takeaways and wrap-upConnect with YouthworksClick through to discover more about the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youthworks Ministry Support Team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and how Youthworks can help you have an effective youth and children's ministry in your local church, or check out our Facebook Page.You can connect with the broader Youthworks family by clicking here.You can partner in the ministry of Youthworks by donating here.We would love to hear from you! Send your thoughts, comments, and suggestions to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]