Why Nursery Ministry Is Not Babysitting

I want to give a big shout out to the people who serve in the nursery. Nursery ministry is not babysitting. I believe it is ministry at the most critical time in a person’s life. Babies can learn about God.

In fact, infants and toddlers learn more during those early years than at any other time in life.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that those early years are a waste of time. Yes. The little ones do have a memory. Yes. They can retain what you are teaching them. Yes. You can make an impact in their life.

Nursery ministry is not babysitting. You can get down on the floor with the little ones and help them visualize the love that Jesus has for them by using a picture of a heart or other item.

You can sing age-appropriate songs with them. Yes, they will sit or lie down and listen to the songs. They may even get excited and move with the song.

You can hold the Bible in front of them, let them pat it and then share with them that it is the Word of God.

From the earliest age, you are helping children build positive memories about God and the Bible.

This means we should have volunteers on board who see this and are passionate about investing in little ones.

Nursery ministry is not babysitting. It’s about investing in the future leaders of the church. It’s looking by faith into the future and imagining how God is going to use the little one you are holding. It’s about praying over each little one by name and asking God to use them to change the world for Christ.

Nursery ministry is not about babysitting. It’s about investing in the life of new parents. It’s about equipping parents to be the spiritual leader of their children. It’s about partnering with parents to see their children love and serve Jesus for a lifetime.

George Barna said this.

In the race to a child’s heart the first one there wins.

Nursery ministry is not babysitting. It’s about engaging the hearts of children from the time they breathe their first breath. Nursery ministry matters! It is about the future of your church! Nursery ministry is where it’s at!

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.