Start With Why

At Northridge Kids, we're not psychologists but let's start out with a little Word Association Game anyways. What's the first word you think of when you see the name of the following organizations? OK...Go!  

Starbucks

Apple

Nike

Got your answers? I'm betting if you're anything like most people, or at least like me, the first word that popped into your mind for these organizations was coffee, computers and shoes. That particular organization's product. Am I right? I hope so, because we're going with those answers anyways. 

Starbucks, Apple and Nike are three of the most culturally relevant organizations in America today. In spite of their differences, they are all similar in one way. They are ALL in the inspiration business. These organizations don't exist to make coffee, computers and shoes. They exist to inspire people to connect, innovate and move. Their products: coffee, computers and shoes are merely the way they partner with you to reach your goals.

If you want to connect with your spouse...enjoy a cup of our coffee together.

If you want to create new ideas...utilize our cutting edge computers to fuel your ideas.

If you want to get in shape...wear our stylish and functional shoes to get started. 

As a consumer, you utilize these product because they help you reach your goal. Kids ministry really isn't any different. The volunteers and staff at Northridge think you, the parent and your child's primary influencer, bring your kids to Northridge because you share our goal. 

Could you name that goal?

Your primary goal (or mission) as a parent is not to produce well behaved kids or even to impress other parents with your parenting skills. As tempting as those goals may be, the Bible reveals that the primary goal of parents is to inspire faith in our children by regularly sharing examples of the love and work of God. Why do we think that? Here are a few examples: 

• Psalm 145:4 - Our generation is to talk about who God is and what he has done.

• Psalm 78:4-7 - Our motivation is the faith and obedience of the next generation. 

• Deuteronomy 6:5-9 - Our rhythm of life should be characterized by regular faith conversations. 

God's plan of inspiring faith is given to parents. Northridge Kids can't and won't take that role away from you. However, we do want to partner with you. 

Northridge Kids doesn't exist as a ministry of Northridge Church simply to create bigger classes or better programs. Our Sunday morning experiences (the Nursery, Ark, Hot Spot and HighPoint) are the product we design to help start faith conversations while also encouraging and equipping parents with the tools they need to succeed in their goal of faith inspiration. So what is the mission of Northridge Kids? 

Our Mission: To partner with parents in order to inspire faith in the next generation. 

Your goals are our goals. Let's succeed together at inspiring faith in the next generation. 

Notes: 

*The Golden Circle image taken from Simon Sinek's book Start With Why.