9 Priorities of the Children’s Ministry Leader

Intentional Equipping

• Equipping = to furnish or provide with whatever is needed for an undertaking (Dictionary.com)
• We need to specifically prepare our leaders for the tasks we are asking them to complete. It should be on purpose, with a specific goal in mind, relating to specific skills.

Proactive Development

• Developing = to bring out the capabilities or possibilities
• Developing is less about tangible tasks than it is about intangible investment…which leads to accomplishing more tangible tasks.
• As key leaders, it is our responsibility to shape people spiritually, emotionally, mentally & relationally into better leaders – not just equip them for a task.

Over Time

• Shaping leaders does not happen in a day – it happens daily, over a great deal of time.
• The process of shaping leaders requires a commitment to the process – time, resources, etc. It is hard work.

Multiplied by God

• We need to shape leaders with great sensitivity to the movement of the Spirit.
• We need to shape leaders by first saturating the process in prayer.
• We need to shape leaders guided first & foremost with the principles of God’s Word.

The result of this shaping process is what I call
Quality Leaders 

A few additional thoughts:

• I believe a minimum of 50% of a key leaders (you & me) time should be specifically devoted to shaping leaders.
• Both Intentional Equipping & Proactive Developing are critical. Developing creates width & depth in our ministry, but equipping is easier, so too often we lean toward equipping when, in reality, we need to lean toward developing.
• When you shape leaders over time, you create a team of leaders which expands ministry possibility, creates new options for growth, spreads responsibilities & grows your own leadership influence.
• You can fake equipping, but you cannot fake developing. If you are not growing as a leader, you will soon be unable to develop leaders around you.
• Both equipping & developing should be driven through relationships.
• Everyone should receive equipping, but developing should be fairly selective. Leaders who show potential, have a proven record of growth, are available & willing to commit to the developing process, show spiritual maturity (not necessarily depth, but the right direction in growth), etc., are those who should be focused on for developing. And, just as Jesus did (masses who were taught, 70 disciples, 12 key disciples, 3 core disciples, 1 main disciple), we can identify levels of development on our team).
• Equipping should be the first to be handed off to other leaders (delegated), but part of the developing process is to teach leaders you are developing how to develop others leaders, also. This is when your commitment to shaping leadership really begins to take root & multiply your efforts exponentially.