RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Some people think you only have to be good at teaching kids to be a children's pastor.

The truth is...there are so many more things you need to be good at if you are going to be a successful children's pastor. 

Let's look at what it really takes to be a children's pastor. These are in no particular order.

Skill #1 - A builder of volunteer teams.

If you want to be a successful children's pastor, then you have to know how to build volunteer teams. 

The success of your ministry will rise and fall on the strength of the volunteer team you build.  There is no way around it.  You must be able to build volunteer teams. You can be great with children, but if you can't lead volunteers, you will have a hard time. 

When young leaders ask me what they should be focusing on, I always tell them to become good at building volunteer teams. I believe it is the most important skill you can have.  

The good news is this...you can learn how to build volunteer teams. If you haven't read my book, "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams," you need to get a copy today. It's available at this link - it has been called the best book ever written on the subject.  

Skill #2 - A vision caster.

Where will you take the people you are leading?  

What is the vision you are sharing with them?

People won't follow a person who has no vision.  

Get alone with God and seek His vision for your ministry.  

Point people toward a big vision.  

Be passionate about the vision.  

People will follow someone who is passionate about the vision God has placed before them.

Skill #3 - Public speaker.

You need to be able to teach kids effectively. 

You need to be able to speak to parents and adults effectively as well. 

If you don't feel confident as a public speaker, the good news is you can improve and get better at this.  

Skill #4 - Connect well with kids. 

You are in children's ministry.  They are your ministry.  

Learn how to connect with kids when you talk with them.  

Learn how to make them laugh.  

Learn how to say silly, funny things to them.  

Especially focus on being able to talk with first-time guests. 

Skill #5 - Navigating conflict resolution.

Believe it or not, there are times when conflict arises in children's ministry.

Volunteers will get upset with you.  Volunteers  will get upset with each other.

Parents will get upset. Parents will become disgruntled.  

I am not naturally good with conflict.  I don't like it...but it is important that you learn how to deal with it and solve it. 

There are lots of great books you can read to get better at conflict resolution.  I personally recommend the book "How to Have That Hard Conversation" by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. You can get this book on Amazon.

Skill #6 - Influencer of parents.

Being able to influence parents is even more important than influencing kids.  

No one has more influence in a child's life than his or her parents.  Influence parents and you will influence their children.  

Always be thinking "parents."  

How can I extend this lesson into the home?

Remember...when you reach a child, God changes a life.  But when you reach parents, God changes an entire family. 

You need to be able to connect with parents.  

Skill #7 - Motivator of people.

You need to be able to rally volunteers around a common vision.  

You need to be excited about what God is doing and effectively share this with volunteers.

You need to be able to effectively share the "why" to your volunteers.' 

Skill #8 - Team manager 

You must be able to equip volunteers. 

You must be able to empower volunteers.

You must be able to communicate well with volunteers.

You must be able to help volunteers find their sweet spot and minister in it.

Skill #9 - Event planner and organizer. 

Kid's camp.

VBS.

Fall Trunk or Treat.

Easter Egg Hunt.

You must be able to plan events and empower leaders to own the plans. 

Skill #10 - Counselor and shepherd.  

You must become a shepherd and counselor for your volunteers.  

When they need prayer, they will come to you. 

When they need council, they will come to you.

When they need comfort, they will come to you.

When they need advice, they will come to you. 

Don't feel inadequate when you look at this list...we've got your back. You can do this. These are skills that can be learned and improved in.  

Here are a couple more resources for you. 

The book "Lead Well in Children's Ministry" contains lots of wisdom about leading in children's ministry.  You can get it here.

I have a 6 month coaching experience that you can be a part of.  You can get more info. at this link about Advance Children's Ministry Coaching.  

Keep growing...keep learning...keep stretching...keep pushing yourself.  You got this. 

Feedback and criticism are two different things.  The difference is feedback can help volunteers improve while criticism tends to devalue volunteers.

Feedback calls volunteers up while criticism calls volunteers out. 

Feedback starts by observing volunteers in their role.  Look for ways you can help them improve and grow.  Then ask them if they are open to receiving some feedback.  

Feedback should be a dialogue with the volunteer.  Give volunteers margin to reflect on your feedback and share their conclusions about how the feedback can help them. Ask volunteers lots of questions that moves them toward self-reflection and self-improvement.

Criticism goes straight to what is wrong.  Feedback is sandwiched between two positive observations. Starting with positive observations can help put the volunteer at ease. Then ending with another positive observation helps the volunteer to not go away feeling upset or demotivated.

Feedback can be transformational in the life of a new volunteer.  Here are some more tips on how to give good feedback.

• Give it at the right time.  While they are serving is not the best time.  Right after they are done serving is better, but still not ideal.  The best thing to do is set up a time to meet a day or so after you observed them serving.

• Be specific about how the feedback will help them grow in their skills and leadership.
  

• Helps them become more self-aware. Done well, it will cause them to begin seeking out feedback without being prompted.
  

• Be kind.  Criticism stings.  Feedback motivates. You'll find that people respond well to helpful feedback.  Be aware of the tone of your voice.  Remember...it's not what you say, but how you say it.  Don’t “dump” on a person, if you don’t want them to feel like a dumpster.

• The most effective feedback is grounded in relationship.  When someone knows you care about them, they will be a lot more open to your feedback. 

Feedback can be a powerful tool to help people enhance their volunteer role.  It can empower people and equip them to improve in their role.  

Solid feedback comes from observing and gathering unbiased information.  Criticism comes from a place of judgement.  

Many volunteers will not handle feedback well unless you help them understand where you are coming from.  Help them make the shift to seeing feedback as a gift that can help them improve.

Feedback provides helpful ideas and insights that can help the person improve in their role.  It is designed with the purpose of raising awareness and making things better.  This is different than being judgmental which can cause shaming and blaming.  

Feedback should cause a volunteer to walk out feeling invested in, encouraged and helped.  Criticism will cause a volunteer to walk out discouraged and judged.

Feedback is also a great way to help volunteers see their blind spots and improve in those areas. 

You can get more tips on leading in children's ministry in my book - Lead Well in Children's Ministry."

It's available at this link or on Amazon.

Your volunteers need you.  Why?  Because children's ministry is not just about children, it's also about the volunteers who serve in children's ministry. 

I often say this.

The success of your children's ministry rises and falls on the strength of the volunteer team you build.

We must also remember that when it comes to volunteers...you must move beyond what you need from them. It's about what you want FOR them.  

So what should you be doing for your volunteers? How should you be leading volunteers?  

Let's take a look at 7 key things your volunteers need you to be for them.

Listener.  Be a good listener.  Listen about their serving experiences.  Listen to their ideas to improve the ministry.  Listen about the struggles they are going through.  Listen to their feedback.  Listen as they tell you how their week went.  Listen to their prayer requests.  

Don't be a know it all. Be a leader who asks good questions and then listens to learn.

Investor.  Invest in your volunteers.  Pour into them.  Give them resources that will help them grow.  Invest your time in praying for them.  

Empower them.  Release them to do ministry. Remember this.  

 Good leaders are powerful.  Great leaders are empowering.

Equipper.  Rather than being doer, we are to be an equipper.  Ephesians 4 makes this very clear.  Set them up for success with initial and then on-going training.

Coach. They shouldn't look at you like you are their "boss."  Rather they should see you as someone who cares about them and wants to see them succeed.  A coach.

Shepherd. When you lead volunteers, you become their shepherd.  Pray for and with them.  Make sure they are growing spiritually.  Be there when they are going through challenging times.  When this happens, they will come to you and seek your spiritual advice and help.

7 things your volunteers need for you to be for them.  How many of these are you doing well with?  Take a look and grow in these areas of your leadership.

p.s. Have you read my book "The Formula for Building a Great Volunteer Team?"  It's been called the best book ever written on the subject.  Get your copy today at this link. 

If you want to improve your children's ministry, listen to your volunteers.  They are on the front lines and can provide you with great feedback.  

If you want fresh ideas, listen to your volunteers.

If you want volunteers to take a more active role in the ministry, listen to what they say. 

When you listen to your volunteers, it makes them feel valued and important. 

The number one reason why volunteers don't take more initiative is because their leader fails to get their input before making decisions. Volunteers want to be heard and feel valued. When we make big decisions without getting their input, they will begin holding back their ideas.

If you want to keep your Millennial volunteers, you should especially listen to their input. In school and college, they have been taught to question things.  

Here are some more benefits that come from listening to your volunteers.

Volunteer retention - listening to your volunteers will improve your retention rate.

Trust - listening to your volunteers gives you the opportunity to build a better relationship with them .

Valuable information - your volunteers can provide you with insights and input about what children and families think about the ministry.

Avoid burnout - listening to volunteers can enable you to help them avoid burnout.  

On a side note - when you ask for feedback, you must be prepared to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.  Don't take it personally.  See feedback as a gift that can help the ministry improve.

Here are some ways you can gather feedback from your volunteers. 

Ask volunteers directly.  After the event, program, class, etc. personally ask a few of your volunteers for their input and thoughts.

Hold a volunteer focus group meeting a few times each year.  Bring in 8 to 10 volunteers and ask for their input and ideas.  You will gather valuable information by doing this.   

Do surveys.   Take a survey with your volunteers.  This can be done with hard copy paper or online.  

Remember this - great leaders are great listeners.  They know how to ask great questions and then listen for answers. 

Do you have a culture that values feedback?  Do volunteers feel free to share their input and ideas?  What are you doing to gather feedback?  

The answers to these questions can help your ministry get to the next level.

If you are looking for help in leading volunteers, you can get lots of great ideas from my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams."  It's available at this link.

I'd love to listen to your ideas and input on how you gather feedback from your volunteers or any other questions or input you may have.  Feel free to share this in the comment section below and I will respond to you. 

What is your greatest need in children's ministry?  

I have asked hundreds of children's ministry leaders this question and they all answer the same way.

"I need more volunteers."

If I were to ask you that question, I'm 99% sure you would say the same thing. 

It has nothing to do with church size.  From the largest children's ministries in the nation to the church that is in a smaller, rural setting, you need more volunteers. 

I learned this when I first started serving in children's ministry.  

The success of your ministry rises and falls on the strength of your volunteer team.

Without volunteers, there is no children's ministry.  Volunteers are the wonderful people who make ministry happen.  Your job as a ministry leader is to enlist volunteers, equip volunteers, engage volunteers and empower volunteers. 

If you have never read my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams," it's a must read for anyone who serves in a ministry that involves volunteers. 

Here are a few highlights from the chapters.

Chapter 1 - Enlisting Your Team

The most effective way to build a volunteer team is through personal invitations.  87 - 93% of people who serve, do so because someone personally asked them to.

Chapter 2 - Equipping Your Team 

Equipping new volunteers sets them up for success.  Give them a clear volunteer job description.  Communicate with them. You can't keep people in the dark all week and then expect them to shine on Sunday. 

Chapter 3 - Engaging Your Team 

How long volunteers stay on your team depends on the depth of the relationships they build with the people they serve with.  Help volunteers get connected with other volunteers. 

Chapter 4 - Encourage Your Team

Over 60% of people who volunteer say they've never personally been thanked for serving.  We must consistently encourage volunteers and show we care more about them as a person than about what they do in the ministry.

Chapter 5 - Empowering Your Team

It's not what you can do, it's what you can empower others to do for the work of the ministry.  Empower your volunteers and let them lead. 

A good children's ministry leader is powerful.  A great children's ministry leader is empowering. 

I am confident that these 5 principles can help you build a great volunteer team.  I have personally used this formula to build great volunteer teams in the churches where I have served.  

You can get your copy of the book for only $12.  If you have a team of leaders, it's a great resource to read and study together.  

It has been called the best book ever written on the subject.  Get your copy today.

I served in local churches as a children's pastor for over 28 years.  During those 28 years, I had the joy of serving with some amazing leaders. 

The best team builder I ever served with was the leader of the nursery and preschool ministries at one of our campuses. 

When I would visit the campus where she served, there was always a great volunteer team serving with her.  Every room had an adequate number of volunteers.  In many rooms, there were extra volunteers.

The volunteers were also smiling and you could tell they enjoyed serving in their different roles. 

I asked her one Sunday how she got her volunteers and how she keep them on her team. 

She paused and then she said this.

"I don't have volunteers.  I have FRIENDS." 

That profound statement made it clear how she was building such an amazing team.  She knew that the way to build a great volunteer team was to treat them as her best friend.  

You see, building a volunteer team that will last in children's ministry, is accomplished through relationships.  

I believe this - 

The amount of time people serve on your team is in direct correlation with the depth of the relationships they build with the other people they serve with.

So how do you build relationships with your volunteers?

Place them in a role that aligns with their gifts and passion.  This shows you care about them and want the best for them.

What do potential volunteers usually say when you ask where they want to serve?

"Wherever you need me."

And the temptation is to place them where you need them.  Don't do that.  Instead, place them where they need to be.  As I just stated.  Place them in a role that matches up with their gifts and talents and passion.

Build a relationship with them.  Take time to get to know them.  Spend time with them.  Have volunteers over to your house for a cookout, game night, etc.  Hang out with them outside of church.  Have parties with no agenda but having fun together.

Honor them.  Remember their birthday.  Recognize them on their serving anniversaries.  

Treat them like a close friend.  Pray for them.  Encourage them.  

Invest in them and help them become a better leader.  Provide them with leadership books to read. Podcasts to listen to. Videos to watch. 

Be there for them.  Be at the funeral home with them when a loved one has passed away.  Be there for them when they are going through a tough time.  Be there for them when they lose their job.  Be there for them when their child is sick.  Just show up.  They won't remember everything you said, but they will remember that you were there for them.

Encourage them.  A thank you note.  A prayer for them.  Kind and comforting words in their time of need.  Show them that you believe in them.

You don't need any more volunteers for your ministry.  You need friends.  Friends that serve with you faithfully and always have your back.  It takes time to build a team of friends.  But when you do get a team of friends serving with you, the ministry possibilities are numerous.  

You can get more ideas for your volunteer team in my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams."  Available in ebook or paperback at this link.

Leading volunteers is one of the most important things you do as a leader in ministry.

Without a solid group of volunteers, a ministry is not going anywhere.

I say it often, the success of your ministry rises and falls on the strength of the volunteer team you build. 

The good news...leading volunteers is a skill that can be learned and developed. 

Let's talk about 3 tips for leading volunteers well. 

Bring volunteers on the team well.  It's critical to have a clear process for bringing volunteers on the team.  It sets the tone for the time they will spend serving.  Here is an example of an effective process for this. 

Step 1 - Gather the person's key information - name, phone number, email, etc.  Have them fill out an application to serve (at this link is a free sample application).

Step 2 - Set up an interview with the person (at this link are the questions to ask for this interview).

Step 3 - If the interview goes well, run a background check on the person and call their references. 

Step 4 - If the background check is green, invite them to an orientation. 

Step 5 - Host a volunteer orientation to cast vision and share the big picture strategy for reaching and discipling children.

Step 6 - Help them find the place where they want to serve.  This should line up with their passion, skill set, personality, etc. 

Step 7 - Hands on training with a veteran volunteer. 

Build relationships with volunteers.  How long they serve is in direct correlation to the depth of the relationships they build with the people they are serving with.  Take time to get to know the people on your team.  Spend time with them outside of serving.  Remember, your role is to use the ministry to build people rather than using people to build the ministry.  

Encourage teamwork.  When you meet with your volunteers, do some ice breakers so they can get to know each other better.

Bless volunteers by honoring them.  Encourage them.  Say "thank you" often.  Recognize them on their birthday,  Honor them on their serving anniversaries.  On occasion, give them a small gift.  Brag on them to other people.  Have the kids honor them by making "thank you" cards.  

Do these 3 things well and you will see your volunteers flourish.

Do you have my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams?"  It's available at this link.

When I started in full-time ministry at the age of 22,  I faced a challenge that all young leaders face. 

Trying to lead volunteers who are older than you.  

And at the age of 22, most of my volunteers were older than me.

One of my professors in Bible college told me that no one will listen to you as a leader until you are 30-years-old.  

I often found that statement was true in my life. 

When you are young, your volunteers will look older than you.  Sound older than you.   Act older than you.  

I remember when I was a young leader a specific incident where this happened.  A lady came by the church for marital counseling.  I had only been married for a year.  I tried to offer her advice as best I could from my very limited marriage experience.  It didn't go well.  At the end of the session, she looked at me and said, "Wow...these ministers keep getting younger and younger."

In spite of this leadership challenge, you can effectively lead volunteers who are older than you.  Here are a few things I have learned over the years about leading when you are young.  

Give volunteers a voice.  Listening is one of the best things you can do.  They want you to hear their opinions.  When you are willing to learn from your volunteers, it will help you become a better leader and mentor. Gathering opinions and feedback will cause your volunteers to respect you.  

Ask them how you can best support them.  Ask them what has worked well in the past.  Ask them what needs to be changed. 

Create a diverse team.  From diversity comes ideas and insight from different ages, genders and preferences.  A balanced team comes from balanced leadership.

Rally people to a vision.  A compelling vision can unite everyone behind a common cause.  Point people to the vision. This makes it not about you, but about the vision God has called you to fulfill as a team.  

Don't micromanage.   Trust your team and their many years of experience.  

Build relationships.  People don't follow a title.  They follow someone they love and respect.  Trust and respect takes time to gain.

Get some wins under your belt.  Even if they are small leadership wins, your team will see this and it will cause them to begin to respect you.  Authority is earned.

Invest in them.  If you invest your time, effort, and energy in helping the people on your team, they will be appreciative of your time.  

Know the difference between leading people and managing people.  A manager delegates tasks and assignments.  A leader invests in people and brings out the best in them.  He/she inspires teammates to do great work, make solid decisions and work toward a common goal.

Be confident.  If you show insecurity while leading, your volunteers will pick up on it and may become unsure about your leadership abilities as well.  This doesn't mean you should come across as cocky or as a know-it-all.  It means you know God has called you to this role and He is with you.  Rather than trying to walk in your own confidence, walk in Godfidence. 

Admit your mistakes.  When you blow it - be honest about it.  Balance strength and humility.  Don't let ambition come across as arrogance. 

Make changes...slowly.  Change should be an open book instead of a secret diary.  Bring people into the process of change.  In my book "Lead Well in Children's Ministry" I show the steps you need to effectively lead change.  You can get the book at this link. 

Ask God for wisdom.  You have a promise in James 1:5.

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking."

Ask God each day to fill you with the wisdom you need to lead well as a young leader. 

Lead on.  Lead well.  Lead with Godfidence.  Lead with God's anointing.  He has called you.  He will provide you with everything you need as a young leader. 

Your turn.  What recommendations do you have for young leaders?  Share your insight and ideas in the comment section below.

As a children's ministry leader, does it matter to you who gets the credit for the wins?  

By nature, we all want to be known, appreciated, recognized and praised for the victories. 

But effective leaders go against this natural instinct and shift the credit to the team members who helped them achieve the win. 

Average leaders seek out the spotlight.  Great leaders shine the spotlight on the team members who helped them. 

Average leaders are powerful.  Great leaders are empowering. 

Average leaders seek to build themselves up.  Great leaders seek to build others up.

Average leaders are powerful.  Great leaders are empowering.

Average leaders take the credit.  Great leaders shift the credit to others.

Average leaders want to be known as the hero.  Great leaders make those around them heroes.

Average leaders like to be bragged about.  Great leaders brag about others. 

Average leaders make themselves better.  Great leaders make those around them better.

Average leaders lift themselves up.  Great leaders lift up those around them.

I love this quote by Tao Tzu.

The leader doesn't talk, he acts. When his work is done, the people say, 'Amazing: we did it, all by ourselves.'

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28

If you want to lead like Jesus, then your leadership style should be one of giving and serving others. 

Give away the credit.  

Give away the praise. 

Give away the accolades.  

Give away whose idea it was. 

If you are a great leader, then you should be able to step back in the shadows and the ministry runs the same without you.  

Always remember...your job is to equip other people to do the work of the ministry.  And when they do the work of the ministry in a great way, you should sit back and let the credit go to them.

It's normal to have some volunteer turnover. 

People move.  People have health problems.  People enter a new season of life.  People have changes in their job. 

But if you are having a lot of volunteers leave each year and a high rate of turnover, then there are some deeper issues. 

What causes volunteers to quit outside of the normal rhythms of life?  Why are you having a lot of turnover?  Why do you constantly have to recruit new volunteers to fill the holes of those who left?

Here are a few reasons why this is happening.

Your vision is not big enough.  People want to be a part of something that is bigger than themselves.  Do you have a clear mission/vision statement?  If so, do your volunteers know what it is?  Is it big enough to make their heart skip a beat?  Do you remind them of the vision on a regular basis?  

Remember - people are not drawn to desperation and they don't stay because of desperation.  They stay because they are finding fulfillment in helping make the vision a reality.

You have renters instead of owners. You must help people "buy in" to the ministry.  Invest in them and let them lead the ministry.  The goal is to make it "their ministry" instead of "your ministry."  With ownership comes commitment.  With ownership comes growth.  With ownership comes faithfulness.  With ownership comes effort.

You are not saying and expressing your gratitude enough.  Did you know that 65% of volunteers never hear the words "thank you."  Don't be that leader.  Say thank you every single week.  Show your appreciation with small gifts, good training, encouragement and personal notes.  

You are not giving them what they need to be successful.  Are you setting them up for success?  Do you have a job description to give them?  What does a win look like for their role?  Are you giving them proper training before they start or just shoving them in a room with 30 preschoolers? 

You are not putting people in their sweet spot.  Don't place people where you need them.  Instead, place people where they need to be. You can do this by meeting with them before they start and finding out what their gifts, talents and passions are.  Use this information to help them find their sweet spot.  When someone is not in their sweet spot, they will burn out and quit.  But when someone is in their sweet spot, they will thrive and go the distance with you. 

You are not challenging them enough.  Sometimes volunteers leave because of one simple reason...they are bored.  They have been in a position for years and it's not challenging enough for them anymore.  Challenge them to move to a different role that will be more challenging.  Give them increased responsibilities.  You could call it a "ministry promotion."

You are not caring for them.  The truth about leading volunteers is this.  You are a shepherd to them.  They will come to you when they need prayer, are struggling, are sick in the hospital, are facing a life problem, etc.  Be there for them.  

I remember one of the times I failed at this. One of our key volunteers didn't show up to serve on a Sunday morning.  I found out that his mother had gotten sick that morning and he had to rush her to the hospital.

On Monday, I called to let him know I was praying for his mother.  When he picked up the phone, he said, "Hi pastor Dale, I'm sorry I wasn't able to serve yesterday, my mom go sick."  Looking back on that phone call made me realize I wasn't caring for him properly as a volunteer.  His first thought wasn't, "Pastor Dale is calling to check on my mother.  Rather it was, "Pastor Dale is calling to see why I wasn't there to serve."  It was a wake up call for me and made me realize I needed to work on showing volunteers that first and foremost, I care about them as a person.

Remember...it's not about what you can get from your volunteers.  It's about what you can do for your volunteers.  Serve them.  Invest in them.  Be there for them.  Do life with them.

Maintain an "open door" policy.  Make sure people have the freedom to ask questions, express concerns and vent when needed.  Listen to them and do your best to resolve any issues that arise.

Recognize and celebrate their faithfulness.  Honor them on years of serving.  Brag on them in front of other people.  

p.s. If you haven't read my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams," be sure to do so. It has been called the best book ever written on the subject. It contains lots of proven ideas and strategies for leading a volunteer team.  It's available at this link.

Here are 20 mistakes children's pastors make.  I know this because I have made many of these. 

If you are reading this, hopefully it will save you from making these mistakes. 

Experience is a good teacher. You can avoid making the same mistake twice if you are teachable and learn from your mistakes.

Okay...let's take a look at 20 mistakes children's pastors make.

#1 - Doing more than equipping.  Ephesians 4 makes it clear that our role is to equip people for the work of the ministry rather than trying to do it all by ourselves.

#2 - Not paying attention to the details.  We had just gotten in new ministry shirts for our volunteers. One of our team members was assigned to send out an email to all of our volunteers to remind them to come by and pick up their shirt on Sunday.  But the person missed one small detail in the email. Somehow she left the "r" out of shirt in the email.  Yep.  You got it.  An email went out to all of our volunteers to come by and pick up their sh#t on Sunday.  Details matter a lot. Even when it's something as small as one letter.

#3 - Skipping a quiet time because you have too much going on.  You can get so busy that you start missing your time with Jesus.  If you are not careful, you will end up working for Jesus, but not spending time with Jesus. This will lead to a powerless ministry.  It is by spending time with Jesus that we experience God's anointing and power at work in us and through us.

#4 - Taking your eyes off of Jesus.  Just like Peter trying to walk on the water, we can let the problems, issues, decisions, politics and doubt cause us to take our eyes off of Jesus.  It's a fact. You will experience heartache, betrayal and disappointment in ministry.  But don't let those things take your eyes off of Jesus.

#5 - Reacting instead of acting.  I was away one weekend and when I came back to my office on Monday, it was filled with decorations.  One of the ladies in the church had chose to put all her decorations in my office for a day or so.  I could barely move around in the office.  Instead of acting, I reacted.  I took all her decorations out of my office and piled them up in the hallway.  I even put a sign on the decorations that said, "Dale's office is not a storage room."  

The lady came in and found out what I had done and started crying.  I then realized how my reacting had caused drama and sadness.  I should have acted by first calling her and asking if I could help her find a place for the decorations or better yet, let her know she could leave them in my office for as long as needed.

#6 - Trying to lead by your title.  People don't follow a title.  They follow someone they love and respect.  The old saying is true - people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.

#7 - Not following through on a promise.  Your word should be your bond. When you make a promise to a staff member, parent, volunteer or child, make sure you follow through and do what you promised. People should know when you tell them you will take care of something that it will be done.

#8 - Bringing problems to your direct report without possible solutions.  Just sharing a problem is whining and complaining.  Sharing about a problem and bringing 2-3 possible fixes, is called leadership.

#9 - Not focusing on your #1 priority - building a great volunteer team.  The success of your ministry will rise and fall on the strength of the volunteer team you build. If you had to sum up your job description in one word, that word should be "volunteers."

#10 - Not reading.  Leaders are readers.  Schedule yourself a minimum of 5 books to read per year and preferably 10 books a year. 

#11 - Not attending the adult service.  It's important to be part of the adult service so you can first and foremost grow spiritually.  It will also help you keep in touch with the big picture of the church.

#12 - Not having mentors.  You should have 3 mentors in your life.  One mentor should be younger than you.  They can help you stay in touch with current culture.  Another mentor should be a person that has been in ministry about the same time as you.  They face many of the same problems that you do.  The final mentor should be someone who has been in ministry longer than you.  They have been down the road farther than you and can help you navigate what is coming.                       

#13 - Working on your day off.  Take your day off.  Don't fall into the trap of working 7 days in a row and not taking a break.  It will catch up with you.  You can burn out doing what you love.

#14 - Not using your vacation time.  This goes along with the previous point.  Make sure you are using your vacation time.  You need the time away. 

#15 - Trying to save the world. A passion for reaching people who are far from God is so important in ministry.  Your heart should break for the families in your community that don't know Jesus.  But remember. you can't save them.  That job has already been filled by Jesus.  Your role is to sow faith seeds and then watch God bring the harvest.

#16 - Not setting a sustainable pace.  Ministry is a marathon not a sprint.  Find a steady pace that you can maintain for the distance.

#17 - Not getting parents involved.  Parents are the number one influence in a child's life.  Create a spiritual partnership with them.  When you get parents teaching their children what you are teaching them at church, the impact is exponential. 

#18 - Trying to copy 100% of what another ministry is doing.  I used to go to conferences or visit churches and come home ready to put what I saw into action.  The problem was in some cases it wasn't a fit for our church and I tried to force it.  Learn from other churches.  But be the church God has called to reach your community.

#19 - Trying to run in someone else's lane.  Paul reminds us that he has finished His course...not someone else's.  God has created a course just for you.  Your only competition is yourself.  You have unique abilities and gifts that God has given you.  Always strive to be a better you.  No one else can be you.

#20 - Not being flexible.  Change.  It's inevitable in ministry.  Hold onto the ministry with open hands.  Be ready to shift and adjust as needed.  

Your turn. 

What are some other mistakes children's pastor's make?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

More than ever, volunteers are a critical part of children's ministry.  Without them, there would be no children's ministry.  

As I connect with churches across the country, I am finding that many have lost a significant number of volunteers due to Covid-19.

I believe and am praying that as the impact of Covid-19 lessens in the months ahead, many volunteers will return and re-engage in the most important ministry in the world - children's ministry. 

One important factor in keeping volunteers and seeing them serve for the long haul, is by showing them how much you appreciate them.  This includes volunteers that are currently serving and for those who will join you as you re-build your team.  

Let's look at 10 simple ways you can show your volunteers how much you appreciate them.  

1. A handwritten note.  In the age of technology, where everything is digital and printed, a handwritten note is gold.  Keep a stack of thank you notes by your desk and send out at least 3 a week.  In the note, let the volunteer know how much you appreciate them and thank them for their heart for the next generation.

2. A small gift.  Their favorite candy bar.  A gift certificate to an ice cream shop.

3. Thank you. Two powerful words.  Say them every single week to your volunteers.

4 Have the kids make a card for the volunteer. 

5. Meet them at a coffee shop and hang out with them for awhile.  The tab is on you.

6. Recognize their years of service.  Keep tract of how long they have been serving and recognize them for this.

7. Have them over to your house for a cookout.  Just have fun hanging out with them. 

8. Recognize their birthday. 

9. Brag on them.  Brag about them to the Pastor.  Brag about them to parents.  Brag about them in your newsletter or church bulletin.  Brag about them on your ministry Facebook page. 

10.  Text message them.  Just a few sincere words of thankfulness for them and their ministry.

Which volunteer will you acknowledge and thank God for this week?

p.s. Have you read my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams?"  It's been called the best book ever written on the subject."  You can get it at this link.