Hollywood Producer Weighs in on Reimagining Children’s Ministry for the 21st Century

Nine years ago, I asked Coleman Luck, the writer and producer of the original, The Equalizer TV program that aired on CBS in the late 1980’s. I loved that show and years later found out that Coleman, its writer, was a believer in Christ. I wrote about the show a couple of times over the years and Coleman has been gracious to correspond with me over the years. Two days ago, a number of people found one of those old posts and two things happened. One, I went back and read it and the comments again. Two, I found a comment that I had not responded to (embarrassing) and invited Coleman to give his thoughts.

I am so glad I did. Coleman, knocked it out of the park with a seven point outline of how to reimagine Children’s ministry in a local church. I wouldn’t change a thing. So, here is a brother in Christ, whose father and brother were both Moody Bible Institute professors. Coleman is not only a writer and TV producer but also a movie script writer and the producer of a para-normal streaming program that is well worth watching. All that just to say that reading what Coleman just sent me in a text message is well worth your time and maybe, it will revolutionize your thoughts on children’s ministry. One more thing before I turn you loose on Coleman’s challenging thoughts and brutal honesty. If a pastor wrote what Coleman says here, he might be dismissed but somehow, I think it is more powerful coming from a non-pastor.

Hi Marty,

I didn’t want to throw down any thoughts about what your friends have asked without sending them to you first. Use this as you see fit, modify it, or don’t use it at all. BTW, there is a certain irony in a Hollywood writer/producer giving advice about this, but here it is:

Preparation for spiritual war – especially for parents:

Are the parents in the home reading and studying the Bible each day for themselves in a private devotional time? If they aren’t there’s no point in further discussion. And no hellish arguments about being too busy. Satan isn’t too busy to attack your family, especially your children. That’s where he loves to begin his destruction.
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Are the parents reading the Bible to their children regularly and talking about it with them in a family devotional time? Are they all praying together? If not, why not? Get your heads out of your cellphones. Satan loves technology.
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About the church parents attend, does the pastor preach/teach through books of the Bible with the ultimate focus being on sin, redemption and the cross? Or does he just preach entertaining “topical” messages? There is an old Yiddish saying, “The fish stinks from the head.” If a pastor isn’t a serious Bible student and his messages aren’t the result of deep, personal study and prayer, forget that church. (And a good pastor should always remember a basic principle of being a servant warrior, “Live your life worthy to be attacked and don’t be surprised when you are. Satan doesn’t waste his resources.”)
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Does the church have an adult Sunday School where there is a teacher and they actually study the Bible on Sunday morning before the main service? Are the adults being trained to be servant warriors for Jesus, the King? Forget having an effective children and youth Sunday School if the parents aren’t interested in having one for themselves. If a significant number of adults aren’t interested in such study, that church is doomed. It might as well call itself a club. Its members are addicted to entertainment. And if your church marries politics with Christianity, get out of that idol temple while you can. “You are what you spiritually eat.” Another thing, “share groups” that only read and chat about popular Christian books do not replace serious Bible classes. There’s nothing wrong with share groups. They have their place if real fellowship is happening and if they are strengthening people for the battle of their lives, but they don’t replace formal Bible teaching.
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Regarding children and youth Sunday School, if everything above is in position, pray to find gifted teachers who love children and youth and know how to reach them. And, of course, they have to know the Bible. Be sure these people are well-known for their commitment to Christ. Examine them closely and keep them under careful observation. The churches of America are full of wolves. Children and youth are always their target. When you have found the right people, give them a graded Sunday School curriculum. Does such a curriculum exist today? I don’t know. The teachers may have to create it themselves.
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What should be the ultimate message? Let the Sunday School train children, youth and adults to be servant warriors for Jesus, our Savior King in a world of ever-increasing darkness. At early ages, give children the opportunity to minister to others, to put into practical use what they are being taught. Let them help set spiritual prisoners free. And watch carefully for children who are in desperate need because of evil things that are happening in their lives. The call of Jesus is to heal those little ones and the sooner that healing comes in a young life, the more likely that child will grow into a servant warrior.
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The basic message to adults: WAKE UP. What kingdom do your serve? We are in the days of the end, the days of greatest battle, but OUR KING IS COMING and all of us will answer to Him. (I do know something about this war having spent my career on the spiritual battlefield of Hollywood.)

Blessings on your ministry, brother.

Coleman

I hope you will think hard about these things. Better, I hope, if you are a parent, you will take these things to heart, pray over them and share them with everyone you know who claims to be a follower of Christ. We need to take everyone of these ideas, admonitions, and observations to heart.