Every year, without fail, the Moreno household dives headfirst into a chaotic—yet strangely satisfying—Spring cleaning marathon. We roll out the big guns and bring in a contractor-sized dumpster that’s practically begging to be filled with years of forgotten stuff. I’m talking clothes, broken furniture, that weird jar of buttons I’ll “totally” use one day, and—let’s not forget—the mountain of random toys our kids swore they’d play with but clearly have no idea even exist anymore.
The goal? To let go of the old and make room for the new. Simple, right? Well, as I stood there this year, eyeing that dumpster like it was the lion’s den, I realized something. My heart rate was up. I was practically sweating. I had full-blown “analysis paralysis” (who knew that was a thing while cleaning?!). Letting go of old stuff is way harder than you’d think, especially when some of those things are like old friends—comforting, familiar, even if they no longer serve a purpose.
And guess what? The same thing happens in our ministries.
When I finally sucked it up and started tossing things in that dumpster, it felt like a trust fall. You know the kind—the one where you’re like, “Okay, God, I’m trusting you, but if I fall, please make sure someone is there to catch me and preferably with a soft mat.” That’s what it feels like to let go of old mindsets, outdated methods, or even those long-standing traditions that have more dust on them than actual use. It’s scary. But it’s also necessary.
Here’s the deal: There’s a lot of pressure in children’s ministry to hold on to old ways of doing things. We cling to the familiar because, hey, it worked before, right? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” we say. But what happens when the world around us changes, the needs of the kids change, and the families we serve are now doing the 21st-century version of juggling flaming swords?
It takes courage to break free from those old patterns, especially when the people around us are attached to them like a toddler to their favorite stuffed animal. (Can you blame them? Old traditions are cozy!) But here’s the thing: We’re not just purging for us. We’re making space for God to move. And when we clear out the old, we create room for fresh ideas and new ways to reach kids who might not respond to the same things anymore.
So, here’s the challenge to all you courageous children’s ministry leaders: What’s your old stuff? What events or programs no longer fit the needs of today’s families? What outdated methods need to go? And let’s be honest—what stinkin’ thinkin’ do you need to toss out like last year’s leftovers? Letting go is scary, yes. But here’s the secret: You don’t have to do it alone. When you trust God with the space you create, He’s going to fill it with something better—new ideas, fresh vision, and a deeper connection with the kids and families you serve.
So, grab your metaphorical dumpster, take a deep breath, and let’s clear out the old stuff. Trust that the new things God is about to bring into your ministry will blow your mind (and maybe even give your heart a little happy dance).
Here’s to purging, trusting, and making room for the new thing God has for us—and for the next generation! 🌱✨
Always Rooting for you!
Esther
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