Blog
Ministry and family are not meant to be in conflict. In fact, when they are woven together with intention, they become a powerful reflection of the Gospel.
When you imagine pastoral ministry, what comes to mind? A sermon being preached? A couple being counseled? A board meeting? Now try picturing all that with a baby monitor on the table, a toddler on your hip, or teenagers throwing a football in the backyard.
At Cedar Creek Ministries, we know what it means to do life and ministry with children in tow. It doesn’t mean everything moves slower. It means everything moves deeper.
Ministry and family are not meant to be in conflict. In fact, when they are woven together with intention, they become a powerful reflection of the Gospel.
The Mess and Beauty of It All
Let’s be honest: family-integrated ministry is messy. Schedules are unpredictable, toys end up under church pews, and someone always seems to need a snack right when the phone rings. But beneath the chaos is something sacred. It’s a lived-out testimony of grace. It’s showing your congregation that faith isn’t polished, it’s practiced.
Your children see you praying with people. They see you clean up after potlucks, show up when others need help, and serve even when you’re tired. And yes, they also see your imperfections. But even that is beautiful, because they see faith as real.
Inviting Your Kids Into Ministry (Without Burning Them Out)
The goal isn’t to make your children mini-ministers. The goal is to help them feel they belong.
Here are a few simple ways to invite them in without overwhelming them:
- Let them greet people at the door with you.
- Include them in service projects that are age-appropriate.
- Involve them in prayer time.
- Ask for their thoughts after a Sunday or event. Let them feel heard.
- Don’t force them to be involved in everything, just invite.
When they participate by choice, they feel like contributors. When they’re pressured to perform, they feel like props. The difference matters.
Set Rhythms of Rest and Reconnection
At Cedar Creek Ministries, we offer something rare: unscripted rest for the entire family. Because ministry families need space to slow down together.
In your own routine, consider establishing:
- Regular Sabbath rhythms where no one is "on."
- Family dinners with intentional conversation.
- Open-door time at home, not for guests, but for your own kids.
- Seasonal check-ins where you ask, “How are we doing as a family?”
These moments are just as important as the sermons preached or the meetings led. They ground your children in the truth that they matter.
Your Children Are Not a Pause on Your Calling
Too often, parents in ministry feel torn: "I want to be present for my kids, but I also have this calling."
What if it’s not either/or?
What if the calling includes your kids? What if the lessons they learn watching you love, lead, and serve become the very tools they carry into adulthood?
At Cedar Creek Ministries, we believe that ministry done with children is not second-best. It’s holy. It’s formative. And yes, it’s refining.
The Fruit You Might Not See Right Away
Serving with your children in tow means planting seeds you may not see bloom for years. But here are some of the fruit that often comes:
- Stronger family bonds rooted in shared purpose
- Kids who grow up seeing service as a joy, not a burden
- A generation who sees ministry as family-friendly, not family-fracturing
- Spiritual maturity that comes from watching real-life discipleship daily
Why This Matters to You
Whether you’re a ministry family yourself or someone who supports them, here are a few takeaways:
- Ministry families need your encouragement, not your expectations.
- Your church culture can affirm kids as part of the calling, not a disruption.
- If you're raising kids in ministry, give yourself grace. You’re modeling more than you know.
- If you're a church member, consider how you can support the whole family, not just the pastor.
Come Be Refilled as a Family
At Cedar Creek Ministries, we don’t just offer a place to stay. We offer a space to reconnect. No programs. No pressure. Just room to breathe.
Here, your kids are welcome to be kids. Your marriage is invited to slow down. Your soul is safe to rest.
Because ministry with children isn’t slower. It’s deeper. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Cedar Creek Ministries is funded by Christians and churches who believe in the call to offer our leaders the double portion! If you feel the desire to make sure all those men and women called to serve God in missions and ministry have everything they need to personally rest, restore family relationships, and revive ministry vision, consider joining us in regular prayer and financial support!
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for weekly encouragement!
This post was written by Nickole Perry, co-founder and Director of Operations at Cedar Creek Ministries.
