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-up
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