You know one the highlights of my week is hanging out in my office after church on Wednesday nights just talking with the kids. Now, you have to understand my office opens up into the church's main hallway and also has a door and windows into our Family Life Center (or gym). Our Wednesday night adult program and meal take place in the FLC. So, after classes, kids meet up with their parents in the FLC and then wait for them to stop talking and go home. The two Wednesdays I don't have elders meetings to go to after services, I open the door to my office, pull up the blinds and kids come in and hang out.
There's a candy bucket where they can get a piece of candy. The only catch is they have to personally ask me for a piece. It's quite a sight as kid after kid (from toddler to high school) file in and ask for a piece of candy. I have been doing this for about nine years and have only refused on person a piece of candy....because she refused to ask for it.
After the candy craze, kids hang out and play fooseball or look at my fish tank (a big hit with toddlers) or Hunter, my leopard gecko. There are toys around for them to play with. They talk and I listen. Sometimes there are adults in the room playing with the kids or talking, other times it's me and a packed room of kids. Some kids would rather run around in the FLC, but others hang out in my office. Some are Jr. High age, others are two.
In years past, I've been asked if I would like my office moved up to be with the rest of the staff because I am down there by myself most of the time (which isn't all bad) but then I'd miss out on hanging out in my office after church with the kids...so I say, " no thanks."
So, all that to say, create a space where kids gather after services and be available. And don't spend all of your time talking with parents. There's something about hanging out, playing and not being the teacher or the boss. Just be there. Lend an ear and play with a toy. You are building memories and making church a place to belong.
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