Showing posts with label delegation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label delegation. Show all posts

10 Skills Every Children's Ministry Leader Needs

1:43 PM  Dale Hudson  

Being an effective children's ministry leader involves much more than being able to teach kids.  If you really want to succeed, here's 10 skills to focus on.

1. Time management
Children's ministry is very time consuming.  Sunday always returns and you've got to be ready.  Add to that events, volunteer management, guest follow-up and a host of other responsibilities, and you've got a full plate.

And many children's ministry leaders serve in a part-time or even volunteer role.  They are juggling a full-time job while giving as much as they can to their children's ministry role.

With this comes the necessity of managing your time well.  If you struggle in this area or want to improve, there are lots of great time management books and online resources that can help you.

2. Delegation
Your success as a children's ministry leader hinges on your ability to delegate.  Narrow what you do to the few things that will have the most impact and give away the rest.  If you don't, you will become the lid that holds the ministry back.

3. Conflict management
There will be conflict.  You can count on it.  Volunteers will have disputes, parents will get upset and ministry staff will have disagreements.  Managing these conflicts takes skill.  Most people are not naturally good at it, but the good news is it can be learned.  Read all you can about managing conflict and hone this skill.  You'll need it.

4. Listening 
Hearing refers to the sounds that you hear, whereas listening requires more than that: it requires focus.  Listening means paying attention not only to what is said, but to how it is said as well.  In other words, it means being aware of both verbal and non-verbal messages.

5. Inspiring and motivating others
A vital skill for a children's ministry leader is being able to inspire and motivate others.  This means conveying passion for a vision and direction.  It's leading from the front.  Your team will never be more inspired or motivated than you are as the leader.  

6.  Communication
This includes not only communicating with kids, but with volunteers and parents as well.  It is essential to be able to communicate vision and direction to those on your team.  Communication skills are one of the easiest things to improve.  Ask people to give you feedback on your communication.  Video yourself, watch the tape and look for ways you can improve.

7. Leading change
It takes skill to lead change.  You must know how to prepare people for it and then lead them through it.  The ability to manage change and make it happen smoothly is a skill you will want to master.

8. Connect with parents
If you really want to influence kids, then you've got to be able to influence parents.  Be "fun" when you're with the kids, but don't become known as a "big kid' who can't connect with or relate to parents.  You must earn their respect if you want to influence them.

9. Team building
If I had to pick one skill above all else in children's ministry, it would be team building.  The success of your ministry rises and falls on your ability to build a team.  Make this your number one priority.  Master this skill and you will shine.

10. Mentoring
In addition to motivating people, it's also important to be able to help others learn, grow and become more effective.  Once you learn this skill, you will begin to develop leaders of leaders instead of just doers.  This will allow you to multiply yourself. 

The floor is yours.  What other skills do children's ministry leaders need?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below. 
Read More

5 Reasons You're Not Delegating (and how to get over it)

8:59 AM  Dale Hudson  

Delegation is a vital part of being a good Children's Ministry Leader.  But that's easier said than done at times.

Here's five reasons why leaders don't delegate (and how to get over it).

 “It will be quicker if I just do it myself."
Yes, maybe this time, but not if you take the long look.  When you make time to train others, you multiple yourself.  The time you spend training someone will be multiplied many times over.

"I'm afraid I'll be left out of the loop."
It can be hard to give up areas of responsibility...especially the ones you excel at.  You have to move from being a specialist to a generalist.  But as you use your expertise to guide those you are training, you will find the 30,000 ft. view is adequate.

"They won't do it the right way."
Learn to communicate the level of quality you expect but don't try to control how the task is done.  There is probably more than one way to do the task...and theirs may even be more efficient and effective. 

"They can't do it as well as I can."
Even if they can't...sometimes 85% is good enough.  The extra 15% that you won't give up may not be as critical as you think it is.

"It's my baby.  I don't want to give it up."
You have to be willing to give up responsibilities that other people can do so you can focus on what only you can do.  You have to give up to go up.  Your "baby" is hindering you from getting to the next level in your leadership. 

What are you hanging onto that you need to delegate?  Let it go. 
Read More