New to Children’s Ministry? Here Are 10 Things You Need to Know ~ RELEVANT CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

So you are ready to lead in children’s ministry? That’s awesome. I am excited for you. I believe children’s ministry is the most important ministry in the church.

So what should you be focusing on?  What direction should you head in? 

After being in children’s ministry full-time for 35 years, here are 10 things that I believe you need to understand as you begin this journey.

It’s about the volunteers more that it is about the children.

You can be amazing with kids, but if you struggle with leading adults, it’s going to be a challenge for you.  Learn how to lead adults.  Read leadership books.  Read books that will help you with your people skills.  The impact of your children’s ministry will rise and fall on the strength of the volunteer team you build. 

If you don’t come prepared with a program, the kids will create a program for you. 

Don’t “wing” it.  Study.  Be ready.   Bring it.  Give you best.

Repetition is a vital key to kids learning what you are teaching them.  

Repeat…repeat…repeat…repeat…repeat…repeat.  Stats show that if a child hears something once…they will be able to remember about 10% of it.  But if they hear it 6 times, their retention rate goes up to 90%.

People don’t follow a title.  They follow someone they love and respect.  

Show your volunteers that you genuinely care about them.  Teach them that they are valuable.  Teach them that they are a critical part of what God is doing.  Thank them for serving. 

Remember that today’s kids are not yesterday’s kids. 

Childhood has changed.  Don’t do ministry like it is 1985!  Study the unique characteristics about this generation of kids.

Keep up to date with the technology they are using.  Know the sound of their favorite music.  Know who their heroes are.  Know their favorite sport to play or watch. Know their favorite video games. The more you enter their world, the better you will be able to connect them.

It’s not about what you can do. It’s about what you can empower others to do.

Good leaders are stars.  Great leaders create stars. 

Good leaders are powerful.  Great leaders are empowering.

Invest in people.  Raise up leaders. 

If kids say something is boring…99% of the time they are right.

Find out what kids think about your programs.  Do they enjoy large group time?  Are they connecting with a caring leader?   Are the games fun?  How is the worship time?  

You can find out what kids like by doing kids’ focus groups.  Here’s more info. about that.

Family means many things.

Years ago, when you heard the word “family” it meant a husband, wife, two kids and a picket fence.

Today “family” can mean a blended family,  a single mom,  a single dad,  same sex couple, grandparents raising their grandchildren and more.

Change is inevitable.

You have to be willing to change and adjust when needed.  Change will take you out of your comfort zone.  But that’s a good thing.  Growth happens when you are taken out of your comfort zone.

Vision leaks.  

Casting vision is not a one and done.  You must constantly remind your team members of the vision.  Keep taking them back to the vision on a regular basis.  

If you are new to children’s ministry, you should get my books.  You can get 6 books for only $70.00.  These books will give you the foundation you need to lead well in children’s ministry.  You can get them at this link.