Children's Church Store

by Susie Pollock

As a children's ministry worker for almost 30 years, one idea I have utilized is that I have a Junior Church Store. People of the church donate items ranging from candy to toys, which I use to "sell" to the children on one specific day. That day is usually three months after the beginning date of the calculation of the "dollars".

Each Sunday I give the children one dollar for being in Children's Church, one dollar for bringing their Bible, one dollar for quoting their memory verse and two dollars for bringing a visitor. Then at the end of the three months, wegive them "play money" for them to go out into the fellowship hall (where the items are on tables) and they purchase the products. THEY LOVE THIS idea!

One other idea is that I give visitors a little packet when they come the first time into our Children's Church. It consists of three small pieces of individual candies, a church business card, a gospel pencil, a bookmark (for their Bible), and several other little pieces of odds and ends. They love this idea, also. Makes them feel special.