Training

You may be taking on a whole new step in kid’s ministry, at a new position. Or perhaps you are tasked with relaunching your church’s kid’s ministry after a time of stagnation or closure. Starting from scratch can be daunting. Do these 5 things during the first year of your launch/relaunch: 1. Get acquainted. Learn the culture. What does this group of people hold sacred? Your leadership success in your new position will be based on the quality of your relationships, not on positional power or titles. What is working well? What seems to be broken? If you are from...

I still remember my teacher explaining to my third-grade classroom what to do in case of a fire. “Stop, drop, and roll!” she said, and then demonstrated it before having us do the same. Watching my teacher roll around on the floor is a memory I’ll have forever. But Mrs. McDonnell knew that if we remembered that statement, it could save our lives in a dangerous situation. “Stop, Drop, and Roll” also works when a “fire” breaks out in the classroom. I’m not talking about a literal fire — I hope that never happens to you! Instead, I’m talking about...

Most ministry leaders experience hills and valleys as well as twists and turns in their work. Changes of all kinds can leave us feeling uncomfortable in our circumstances, unqualified to do much of anything, or uncertain of the plan God has for us. But this is not a new challenge. Joseph had dreams as a teenager, dreams that led him first into slavery and then into prison. Neither situation came with any kind of “ministry leader” title, but Joseph was doing the work of ministry in the household of Potiphar and in the walls of his prison cell. He was...

Going into my last children’s pastorate, I definitely had several red flags to consider. I was the eighth children’s pastor in eight years. There were not enough volunteers to manage even the kids we had left. We had resistance, distrust and seven different curriculums in use! Yet, in less than one year, the kids’ church attendance doubled. Many fantastic new volunteers came on board to join the loyal diehards who had stayed with us. Parent participation was at an all-time high. And the question I got asked time after time by children’s leaders and lead pastors: “How did it happen?...

It is very common in ministry to take personality tests and giftedness/aptitude tests. It can provide a great framework for understanding strengths and weaknesses. But there is more to ministry than just our “ability.” Did you know that you have an “ability rating” and a “likability rating?” That’s right. You may have an amazing “ability” to get something done. However, your “likability” also plays a vital role in how you can lead others and work in a team. You need to have ABILITY, but you also need to have LIKABILITY. Competence gets you in the room. Character keeps you in...