Children’s Ministry is one of the most challenging and complex areas of ministry in the church and focus for the children’s ministry leader is crucial. There are always a hundred things calling for our attention. But focusing on what MATTERS, not just on what’s urgent or even important, is critical to effectively leading our ministry. It’s about leading your ministry into the vision God has given you. Here are a few thoughts on what we ought to be focused on…and what we shouldn’t:
5 Essential Areas of Focus for the Children’s Ministry Leader
1. Focus on VISION…not being a victim.
Virtually every children’s ministry is underfunded, under-staffed, unappreciated and incredibly demanding. It’s hard! You can focus on all of that, or you can focus on pursuing the God-given, leadership-aligned vision for your Children’s Ministry.
2. Focus on developing LEADERS…not followers.
You can give tasks and place people in positions, still dependent on you, or you can equip them to lead. The former leads to burnout (you), the latter leads to growth.
3. Focus on RELATIONSHIPS…not recruiting.
Ministry happens best in the context of relationships—always has, always will. Sure, you need to make the “ask” when inviting someone to be on board (recruiting), but that should flow out of your primary purpose of building relationships.
4. Focus on FUN…not rules.
I get it, rules are there for the kids’ protection. Necessary, important, and all that. Agreed. But when our processes, rules, guidelines—whatever you want to call it—prevent fun from happening, they need to be re-examined. Bottom line: If kids aren’t having fun in your ministry, they likely aren’t learning anything, either.
5. Focus on SYSTEMS…not week to week.
Too many ministries are making it up as they go. There’s no real plan—no real systems—for doing the regular tasks of ministry (and BTW, strategy without systems is wishful thinking, at best). In virtually everything we do—whether it’s assimilating a new volunteer, communicating with parents, promoting our ministry, creating special events…virtually everything—we need to create systems. Without systems we will frustrate others, limit our creativity and repeat tasks over and over again which shouldn’t need to be repeated.
What other areas of focus are important for the Children’s Ministry Leader?
This article originally appeared here.
