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7 Surprises for New Children’s Ministry Leaders

Read books about how to deal with difficult people. Know your own personality type and what can trigger you at times. Learn how to have hard conversations. Work on your emotional intelligence.

People sometimes think that church staff members live in a happy bubble, where each day is a joy. Realize that when you lead people, there will be times you will have to walk through the valleys. But know that no matter if you are on a mountain or in a valley, God is with you.

Surprise #5 – You will never have enough volunteers. Someone said you will always have about 85% of what you really need to operate at peak performance. It’s the 15% that will keep you on your knees, praying for God to send more laborers for the harvest.

Building a volunteer team is not a twice a year deal. It’s actually an every day task of enlisting, equipping and empowering volunteers to lead well.

Surprise #6 – You won’t hear a lot of “thank you’s.” Don’t let your fulfillment come from what other people think about you and your ministry. Get your “thank you’s” from God.  Be a good and faithful servant whether you are thanked for it or not. Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord as David did in the Old Testament.

Surprise #7 – People will walk away from you. Volunteers that you have poured yourself into will get upset and leave the church. Teachers will quit on you. Families that you have heavily invested in will move to another state. You will make a leadership mistake and have to deal with the after shock.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. Lean heavily into Him for wisdom and understanding as you lead. With Him, all things are possible.  Walk in this confidence and don’t let the surprises startle you. 

p.s. Your turn. What are some other surprises that you’ve had to you face when you were a new children’s pastor / director? Share them in the comment section below.

This article about surprises for children’s ministry leaders originally appeared hereand is used by permission.