Management or Ministry?

Something my mum said about children's ministry provoked good thought, that there is a difference between management and ministry.  Sitting the kids in front of a TV or allowing them to play on their devices in class may manage their behaviour, but it won't minister to their souls.  A manager conjures up images for me of a hireling, but a minister is a servant of all.  In a Sunday School lesson, the end does not justify the means--especially when our ends do not line up with God's.  Do we tolerate people or do we love them?  To love others requires an investment of time and effort which benefits others.

Jehosheba and the high priest Jehoiada provide a good illustration of the conduct fitting of God's faithful ministers.  2 Kings 11:1-3 reads, "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. ² But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king's sons who were being murdered; and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom, from Athaliah, so that he was not killed. ³ So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land."  Joash was a vulnerable infant facing death when Jehosheba bravely stole him away from his murderous grandmother and hid him in the Temple.  For six years he lived in the house of God.

Whilst kept in the house of God, the high priest Jehoiada made preparations for the day Joash would ascend to the throne and be made king.  Not only did Jehoiada speak with rulers and captains of the guard to prepare for the coronation, but Jehoiada taught Joash about God, His laws, and his responsibilities as king.  Without a godly father to teach him of God and his ways, priest Jehoiada prepared the child to rule righteously.  Now most of the kids who attend church are not facing an immediate threat to their lives, but they all have a desperate need to know God and to learn to trust Him.  Joash was threatened by Athalia, and this world will stop at nothing to steal their formative years, deceive, kill and destroy.  Joash was the rightful king Jehoiada took under his wing, and we have an incredible opportunity to teach kids about our good God who desires for all people believe on Him and be saved.

Jehoiada wasn't just interested in feeding, clothing, and keeping Joash quiet and well-behaved, but to prepare him to answer the call God had placed upon His life.  God had a calling upon Jehosheba, Jehoiada and Joash, and He also has a call upon our lives and the souls of those precious little ones God brings to church.  We have the opportunity to minister to these children, not just manage them.  A manager is more concerned about kids being low-maintenance and well-behaved in class, whilst a minister seeks to communicate God's love, how to walk with Him, and to inspire a child to enter into the bright future God has for those who trust Jesus Christ.  Raising infants, toddlers, and kids filled with energy will be messy business, yet God enables us by His grace to be their ministers as unto the LORD.  When we feel like we can't manage, God ministers to and through us.