RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

If you're a children's ministry leader, someone has probably told you, "You're just a big kid at heart." 

That's a good thing!

There are 2 skills I believe effective children's ministry leaders have.

First, the ability to lead adult volunteers.

Secondly, the ability to connect with kids...aka...be a big kid-at-heart. 

Here's 25 signs you're still a big kid-at-heart.

1. You get just as excited as your kids when you're at Disney World.
2. You play with the toys your kids got for Christmas.
3. You still spend a lot of time playing video games.
4. At church, you'd rather be in children's service than adult service.
5. You don't just chew gum...you blow bubbles.
6. You build sand castles at the beach.
7. You still go down the slide at the playground when you get a chance.
8. You like to eat the same cereal as your kids.
9. Sometimes you order a kid's meal.
10. You still get really excited about your birthday party.
11. You know the names of at least 4 shows on the Nickelodeon channel.
12. You eat Lunchables.
13. You still get cotton candy whenever it's available.
14. You have an urge to jump on the bed when you stay at a hotel.
15. You look for the shapes of animals or characters in the clouds.
16. You go in the toy store when you are at the mall...even when kids are not with you.
17. You play practical jokes on your friends and co-workers.
18. You hate brushing your teeth...and sometimes don't.
19. Sometimes you watch cartoons with your kids.
20. You eat the same candy as your kids.
21. You watch Wizard of Oz every time it comes on TV.
22. You watch Charlie's Brown's Christmas every Christmas season.
23. When you're washing the car with someone...you spray them.
24. You get really excited when you see water balloons.
25. You love serving in children's ministry!

Remember...growing old is mandatory...growing up is optional.

Share some other signs you're still a kid-at-heart in the comment section below.

Have you ever watched someone who can capture kids' attention and draw them into the lesson?

Not that person?  You can be.  It just takes a few key elements.  Use these and you'll become a pro at speaking to kids.

Energy
Get excited about the lesson.  The kids will get excited when they see you excited about what you're teaching.

Vary your voice level from loud to a whisper.  Imagine yourself in the story you're sharing.  Describe what you're seeing, what you're hearing, and what God is doing.  

Laughter
Kids love to laugh.  Have fun.  Tell jokes.  Bring humor into your teaching. 

Graphics
Create simple slides to go along with your lesson.  Use lots of pictures and keep the text to a minimum.  Kids hear with their eyes.  

Keep it Short
Kids have short attention spans. (adults do too - they just hide it better) Keep your lesson to 10 minutes or less.

What are some other tips for speaking to kids?  Share them with us in the comment below.

Have you looked lately at the demeanor of your volunteers?  Are they happy?  Smiling?  Laughing?  Energized?

Or are they just going through the motions?  Frowning?  Complaining?  Irritable?  Burnt out?

The mood of your team is a key indicator of team health.  And no matter how happy or unhappy your team currently is, things can improve. 

Here's 7 steps to creating a happier volunteer team.

Be happy yourself.  It's contagious.  Everything rises and falls on leadership.  You set the happiness tone for your team.  If you're team isn't happy, take a look in the mirror.  Start smiling more.  Don't take yourself so serious.  Have fun. 

Make time for jokes and pranks.  Purposefully build in time during your meetings and get togethers for jokes and pranks.

Place people in their sweet spot.  Nothing will make a volunteer more unhappy than placing them where you "need" them instead of where they are gifted.  When someone is in their sweet spot, they will go home smiling and energized.

Emphasize the "why" of serving more than the "what" of serving.  People are looking for purpose.  They want to be part of something bigger than themselves.  Constantly remind them why they are doing what they are doing. 

Encourage people to use their creativity.  When creative people are not allowed to use their creativity, they will be unhappy.  Provide avenues where they can express their creativity. 

Make time to celebrate.  Set aside time to throw parties.  No agenda but fun, food, games, and hanging out together.  Celebrate off-site at a park, someone's home, or other location.

Share the God stories.  Your volunteers want to know they are making a difference.  When you hear a story of God working in a child or family's life, share it with the team.  Don't just tell them they are making a difference, show them the evidence.

What are some other ways you help your team have a happy mood?  Share your ideas and thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Look at them not past them.

Listen to them.

Know their name.

Ask them questions about their life.

Just show up.

Brag on them.

Remember their birthday.

Go to their sports game.

Write them a handwritten note and mail it to them.

Forgive them when they mess up.

Spend time with them.

Giggle with them.

Notice when they are absent.

Laugh at their jokes.

Be excited when you see them.

Notice when they grow.

Love them...no matter what.

What are some other ways you can let kids know they matter?  Share with us in the comment section below.