What will children's ministry look like in the future?

Amy Dolan says that, 'the phrase “I don’t know” will soon become irrelevant. It’s no longer possible for us to not have the information we need at our fingertips.... And, it’s no longer necessary for children to attend Sunday school simply to learn Bible stories and hear spiritual truths." 

Her comments are based on the reality of the internet and the 'democratisation' of information in which children have unfettered access to vast amounts of information and in which they are being encouraged, and indeed are able to, become 'independent learners.'

All of this is producing a subtle but real cultural shift in attitudes to authority. In our day, 'Wikepedia' or 'google it' are the new authorities; not adults or teachers. Our children are imbibed with the culture where the pervasive underlying message is that you need not believe a person just because he or she has a role or a position. Bible teaching presented with a presumptive attitude of the teacher's authority or the Bible's right to be heard ("because the Bible says so"), will jar with children who are have access to a world of information and for whom the validity of any truth is in the 'www'. More and more, behind the sweet faces of those who eagerly look up at us when we share a Bible story, is an attitude that questions why they should listen to us in the first place.  An effective children's minister in the future will no longer primarily need to address the question, 'What does the Bible say?' (they can 'google' that) but rather, 'Why should you be here and accept what is being taught?" 

The solution (if you can call it that) will not be louder and more dogmatic appeals to authority. Rather, the deeper integration of children into the church community  in which they more and more mix with people who genuinely care for them, are willing to explore and examine faith with them and who demonstrate by their lifestyle the truth of the Christian faith.

I think of Paul's approach in 1 Cor 11 when he dealt with the Corinthians who questioned his message when they compared him to the more impressive 'super apostles.' He assured them of his authority by appealing to what they had experienced of his love and life. He summed it up by saying, 'I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.' He followed it up by example after example of the 'truth' impact of Christ in his life. Seeing how he lived convinced them of the truth of the gospel.  

Amy Dolan suggests that the future of children's minstry is to create classrooms, 'that are intended not just for children, and not just for the passing on of information. Instead, creating multigenerational environments that encourage discussion, interactive experiences, art, reflection, and mutual respect between adults and children. I think the future of children’s ministry might not include a separate category of adults in our church called “children’s ministry volunteers.” I think the future of mutual learning includes the entire faith community volunteering to both teach children and learn from children.'

It seems to me too, that the need to create such an environment is more urgent than ever. 

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