--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is important that the church think…" description: "\"“It is important that the church think outside the box, actively pursuing a relationship with the family, just as Jesus Christ pursues a relationship w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg" --- # It is important that the church think outside the box… ![“It is important that the church think outside the box, actively pursuing a relationship with the family, just as Jesus Christ pursues a relationship with each of us.” quote by Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg) > ““It is important that the church think outside the box, actively pursuing a relationship with the family, just as Jesus Christ pursues a relationship with each of us.”” [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Churches should innovate by forming personal, familial relationships, mirroring Jesus' individual outreach. **In simple terms:** Churches need personal, family connections. Key Takeaway Embrace relational outreach. Themes religion innovation relationships Mood hopeful inspirational Type theological motivational When to use this quote - church meetings - family gatherings - faith counseling Key Concepts pastoral care community building faith practice Questions to Reflect On - How can churches balance tradition with personal outreach? - What obstacles exist in forming family ties? A Different Perspective Traditional structures may resist change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children-s-ministry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-s-ministry/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Inclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inclusion/) [Outside the box](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outside-the-box/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Special needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special-needs/) ## Related quotes > [“Different people do different things. And no one-way of plugging in or serving in the church is more beneficial or valuable than the other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/different-people-do-different-things-and-no-one-way-of-plugging-in-or/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“The best way to connect with such a family is to recognize what's unique about their life story. Your support is felt when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/the-best-way-to-connect-with-such-a-family-is-to-recognize-what-s/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“In many cases, special needs ministry is a "business-to-business" ministry. The ministry exists to support other ministries and to help them successfully include the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/in-many-cases-special-needs-ministry-is-a-business-to-business/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As church leaders, our opinions on these topics aren't necessary to effectively love and support families who have children with disabilities. Encourage ministry team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-church-leaders-our-opinions-on-these-topics-aren-t-necessary-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“When parents don't empower a children's ministry team with information to successfully care for their child, everyone loses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/when-parents-don-t-empower-a-children-s-ministry-team-with/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“By simplifying the goals for the child's church experience, the child is more likely to thrive in church,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/by-simplifying-the-goals-for-the-child-s-church-experience-the-child/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-a-result-the-success-of-the-ministry-volunteers-is-often-every-bit/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“On their own, the leader of a church's special needs ministry can't meet every need of every volunteer or participating family. But that leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/on-their-own-the-leader-of-a-church-s-special-needs-ministry-can-t/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“No one has ever seen the wind. We've only experienced the effects and the results of the wind. And none of us have ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/no-one-has-ever-seen-the-wind-we-ve-only-experienced-the-effects-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Keep in mind that the current generation of young parents desires and authentic, "we-are-in-this-with-you," type of relationship. Receiving interest from a perceived peer is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/keep-in-mind-that-the-current-generation-of-young-parents-desires-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/we-as-the-church-do-not-want-to-lag-behind-society-today-in-terms-of/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/accessibility-means-more-than-adding-a-ramp-between-the-sidewalk-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Everyone wins when the "burden" mind-set is abandoned and where the special needs ministry sees itself as a blessing to those who choose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/everyone-wins-when-the-burden-mind-set-is-abandoned-and-where-the/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Even if the family is wrestling through theological issues related to their child's diagnosis, it is less important that the church leader be prepared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/even-if-the-family-is-wrestling-through-theological-issues-related-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Parents feel a greater connection to their faith community when they observe visible ways the church makes accommodations for their child. Anticipating the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/parents-feel-a-greater-connection-to-their-faith-community-when-they/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) ## More by Amy Fenton Lee > [“Different people do different things. And no one-way of plugging in or serving in the church is more beneficial or valuable than the other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/different-people-do-different-things-and-no-one-way-of-plugging-in-or/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Even if the family is wrestling through theological issues related to their child's diagnosis, it is less important that the church leader be prepared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/even-if-the-family-is-wrestling-through-theological-issues-related-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Everyone wins when the "burden" mind-set is abandoned and where the special needs ministry sees itself as a blessing to those who choose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/everyone-wins-when-the-burden-mind-set-is-abandoned-and-where-the/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/accessibility-means-more-than-adding-a-ramp-between-the-sidewalk-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/we-as-the-church-do-not-want-to-lag-behind-society-today-in-terms-of/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Keep in mind that the current generation of young parents desires and authentic, "we-are-in-this-with-you," type of relationship. Receiving interest from a perceived peer is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/keep-in-mind-that-the-current-generation-of-young-parents-desires-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“No one has ever seen the wind. We've only experienced the effects and the results of the wind. And none of us have ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/no-one-has-ever-seen-the-wind-we-ve-only-experienced-the-effects-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“On their own, the leader of a church's special needs ministry can't meet every need of every volunteer or participating family. But that leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/on-their-own-the-leader-of-a-church-s-special-needs-ministry-can-t/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-a-result-the-success-of-the-ministry-volunteers-is-often-every-bit/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“By simplifying the goals for the child's church experience, the child is more likely to thrive in church,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/by-simplifying-the-goals-for-the-child-s-church-experience-the-child/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“When parents don't empower a children's ministry team with information to successfully care for their child, everyone loses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/when-parents-don-t-empower-a-children-s-ministry-team-with/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As church leaders, our opinions on these topics aren't necessary to effectively love and support families who have children with disabilities. Encourage ministry team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-church-leaders-our-opinions-on-these-topics-aren-t-necessary-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“In many cases, special needs ministry is a "business-to-business" ministry. The ministry exists to support other ministries and to help them successfully include the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/in-many-cases-special-needs-ministry-is-a-business-to-business/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“The best way to connect with such a family is to recognize what's unique about their life story. Your support is felt when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/the-best-way-to-connect-with-such-a-family-is-to-recognize-what-s/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Parents feel a greater connection to their faith community when they observe visible ways the church makes accommodations for their child. Anticipating the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/parents-feel-a-greater-connection-to-their-faith-community-when-they/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) [Explore all 56 Amy Fenton Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) ## More Children-s-ministry quotes > [“Different people do different things. And no one-way of plugging in or serving in the church is more beneficial or valuable than the other.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/different-people-do-different-things-and-no-one-way-of-plugging-in-or/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Even if the family is wrestling through theological issues related to their child's diagnosis, it is less important that the church leader be prepared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/even-if-the-family-is-wrestling-through-theological-issues-related-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Everyone wins when the "burden" mind-set is abandoned and where the special needs ministry sees itself as a blessing to those who choose to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/everyone-wins-when-the-burden-mind-set-is-abandoned-and-where-the/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Accessibility means more than adding a ramp between the sidewalk and the front door of a building. It includes the ease in which a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/accessibility-means-more-than-adding-a-ramp-between-the-sidewalk-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“We as the church do not want to lag behind society today, in terms of welcoming people of different cultures, races, and abilities.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/we-as-the-church-do-not-want-to-lag-behind-society-today-in-terms-of/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Keep in mind that the current generation of young parents desires and authentic, "we-are-in-this-with-you," type of relationship. Receiving interest from a perceived peer is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/keep-in-mind-that-the-current-generation-of-young-parents-desires-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“No one has ever seen the wind. We've only experienced the effects and the results of the wind. And none of us have ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/no-one-has-ever-seen-the-wind-we-ve-only-experienced-the-effects-and/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“On their own, the leader of a church's special needs ministry can't meet every need of every volunteer or participating family. But that leader…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/on-their-own-the-leader-of-a-church-s-special-needs-ministry-can-t/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As a result, the success of the ministry volunteers is often every bit as important as the success of the participating kids. And the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-a-result-the-success-of-the-ministry-volunteers-is-often-every-bit/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“By simplifying the goals for the child's church experience, the child is more likely to thrive in church,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/by-simplifying-the-goals-for-the-child-s-church-experience-the-child/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“When parents don't empower a children's ministry team with information to successfully care for their child, everyone loses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/when-parents-don-t-empower-a-children-s-ministry-team-with/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“As church leaders, our opinions on these topics aren't necessary to effectively love and support families who have children with disabilities. Encourage ministry team…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/as-church-leaders-our-opinions-on-these-topics-aren-t-necessary-to/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“In many cases, special needs ministry is a "business-to-business" ministry. The ministry exists to support other ministries and to help them successfully include the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/in-many-cases-special-needs-ministry-is-a-business-to-business/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“The best way to connect with such a family is to recognize what's unique about their life story. Your support is felt when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/the-best-way-to-connect-with-such-a-family-is-to-recognize-what-s/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) > [“Parents feel a greater connection to their faith community when they observe visible ways the church makes accommodations for their child. Anticipating the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/parents-feel-a-greater-connection-to-their-faith-community-when-they/) [Amy Fenton Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/) [Browse all 56 Children-s-ministry quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-s-ministry/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is important that the church think outside the box, actively pursuing a relationship with the family, just as Jesus Christ pursues a relationship with each of us.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Amy Fenton Lee" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/it-is-important-that-the-church-think-outside-the-box-actively/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Children-s-ministry" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/it-is-important-that-the-church-think-outside-the-box-actively/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e5/amy-fenton-lee-12119_children-s-ministry_it-is-important-that-the-church-think-ou_1809659.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is important that the church think outside the box, actively pursuing a relationship with the family…” — Amy Fenton Lee", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Amy Fenton Lee", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-fenton-lee/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It is important that the church...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/it-is-important-that-the-church-think-outside-the-box-actively/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-fenton-lee/it-is-important-that-the-church-think-outside-the-box-actively/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```