As I consult with churches across the country, there is one question that often comes up.
Do we have enough staff members for our children’s ministry?
Before I answer that question, I want to give you some reasons why you should have an adequate number of children’s ministry staff.
Children will bring God’s blessings on your church. Check out what this verse says.
Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me. (Mark 9:37)
Churches that minimize children’s ministry are minimizing Jesus’ blessings on their ministry. But churches that maximize children’s ministry will maximize the blessings of Jesus.
Children’s ministry is important to Jesus. You know the story. Some parents tried bringing their children to Jesus so He could bless them. The disciples saw the children as a bother and tried to deny them access to Jesus. But Jesus saw the children as a blessing. He welcomed them and took time to minister to them. Children’s ministry was a priority to Jesus.
Children’s ministry is one of the biggest growth engines your church can have. Churches that are growing have dynamic children’s ministries. When you reach children, you will often reach their entire family.
Children are the greatest mission field. Children are open and receptive to the Gospel. We have a short window of time to reach them.
Apart from the Pastor, no one influences a broader range of people in the church. Children’s ministry leaders influence adults, children, grandparents, students and parents.
You can see the need for adequate leadership in this important area of the church.
So what should the ratio for staff members to children be?
Ideally…you need to have 1 full time staff member for every 115-125 children. You also have to factor in the number of volunteers that it takes to care for that number of children. Managing that number of volunteers takes lots of effort and time.
This is a good standard to arrange your staffing by. If you have less than this ratio for your ministry, it may be time to have a discussion with your leadership. Bring the above reasons to share with your leadership when you start the conversation of hiring more staff. This will help you present why you need more staff.
When a children’s ministry is short on staff, it can become a lid that hinders growth.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
