RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

I have an air mattress I use when camping or when we have company and need an extra place for someone to sleep.

The only thing about the mattress I don't like is this - it has a slow leak and over the course of the night it loses about half its air.

I need to take some time to find the hole and fix it.

My air mattress has something in common with people who volunteer in ministry. 

Just as the mattress has a slow leak, volunteers have a slow vision leak.  

Vision cast yesterday that is not refilled today will be forgotten tomorrow. 

Peter knew this and he had a solution that still works today, if you'll follow it.

Check it out...

"I will always be ready to REMIND you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you."  
2 Peter 1:12

Peter says he will always be ready to remind the believers of the truths He has shared with them. 

Casting vision for your volunteers is not a one and done.   It's an ongoing process.  In fact, it has to be.  Why?  Because our natural tendency is to revert to the "what."   Teaching a lesson.  Greeting a family.  Leading a worship song.  Facilitating a small group.  Setting up crafts.  Checking kids and families in. 

That is "what" volunteers do.  But it must be grounded in the "why."  The why is so families can come to Christ.  The why is so kids can be discipled.  The why is being the arms of Jesus wrapping around families.

And that leaks.  If we don't remind volunteers again and again and again, the why will diminish and you'll end up with volunteers who are just going through the motions without passion and excitement.

If you want the why to be the dominant reason volunteers continue to serve, then do this.

Take people to the "why"  every time you have a volunteer meeting.  Mention it briefly in every email you send out.  Put it on a poster and put it in classrooms and hallways so people see it each week.  Share stories of how people are being reached and discipled. 

Be like the Apostle Peter and always be ready to remind people of the why.

Here's a simple test you can take to see if you're reminding your volunteers sufficiently.   Ask them what the vision statement is for the ministry.  If most of your volunteers can't tell you the answer, then you're not reminding them enough.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking, "I reminded them about the vision a few months ago.  I don't need to remind them again that soon."

I would encourage you to remind volunteers about the vision every single week in some format.  Whether it's in an email, at your pre-service huddle or part of a video, remind them, remind them, remind them. 

You can get more proven insight into building a volunteer team in my book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams."  It's available at www.buildingchildrensministry.com.  

An urban myth is a strange or surprising story that many people believe, but which is not actually true.

You probably remember some you heard growing up.  Here are a few of them.

Alligators in the sewers of New York City.  The myth is that someone (probably a snowbird) brought some baby alligators back from Florida and flushed them down the toilet. They ended up growing into giant gators roaming the sewers.

The fake moon landing.  The myth is that NASA faked the moon landings in a movie studio.

The Jedi religion form.  This myth claims that if enough people fill out "Jedi" as their religion on their census forms, the government will have to make it an official religion.

Walt Disney cryogenically frozen.  The myth says his body was frozen when he died with the hopes he could possibly be brought back to life from technological advancements. It says his body is stored in a deep-freeze chamber under the "Pirates of the Caribbean" attraction. 

Pop Rocks and Soda explosion.  This myth says if you mix pop rocks and soda, it will explode in your chest.

The truth is, these are just myths.  There are not alligators in New York's sewers.  We really went to the moon.  Jedi is not recognized as a religion by the government.  Walt Disney was cremated in 1966.  Mixing pop rocks and soda may give you hiccups and burping for a few minutes, but it won't explode in your chest.

Over the years, there have been some "urban myths" that have circulated about children's ministry as well.  While they are not true, they have been believed by many.  In fact, walk into many churches and you will hear these myths still being perpetuated.  Let's examine some of these and talk about why they are just myths.


Children's ministry is just childcare.  This myth sees children's ministry as a baby-sitting service that is used to keep kids in check while the real ministry to adults happens.

The truth: Children's ministry is ministry at the most critical time in a person's life and is the most important ministry in the church.

If you serve in children's ministry, you are entering a black hole that you will never escape from.  This myth causes people to run from serving in children's ministry.  People fear they will be cut off from other adults forever and be doomed to corral hyper-active kids for the rest of their time on earth.

The truth:  Children's ministries want people who love serving with kids.  Serving in children's ministry is one of the best ways to grow in your faith.  And you have the opportunity to form friendships and deep relationships with the other adults you serve with.

Children are the church of tomorrow.  This myth is partially true and is meant to inspire people to invest in the future of the church.

The truth:  But the complete truth is this.  Children are the church of today and tomorrow.  They can be the church today.  They can make a difference today.  They can be leaders today.

Children can't enter a relationship with Jesus until they turn 12.  This myth often uses the analogy of Jesus going to the temple at age 12 and says kids under the age of 12 should not be allowed to make a formal decision to follow Jesus and be baptized.

The truth:  Jesus' parents brought him to the temple to fulfill the requirements of the law regarding his confirmation.  At 12, he was supposed to enter the period of life where He would have immediate dealings with the law, receiving it no longer through the instructions of His parents, but having been brought by them into a knowledge of it's requirements.  This was about Jewish tradition.  

The Bible tells us we must have the faith of a child to come to Christ.  Children can understand the Gospel and enter a relationship with Jesus before the age of 12. 

Each child is different and there is no set age of accountability.  Around the age of 7-8, children begin to be able to think abstractly and understand the meanings behind terms such as "Jesus is the bridge back to God."   

This doesn't mean children in kindergarten can't come to Jesus, but it does means that parents and churches should make sure a child has a clear understanding of the Gospel before they make a decision.  

We are not to push children into a decision and on the flip-side, we are not to hold kids back from a decision if God is at work in their life.  Rather we are to walk alongside children as the Holy Spirit draws them to God.

Worship leaders in children's ministry aren't as important as worship leaders in the "main" service.  This myth causes worship leaders to see the "main service" as the ultimate destination and shy away from leading worship in children's ministry.  Children's ministry becomes a place where the "leftover" worship leaders go to serve.

The truth:  Worship is worship.  Children's ministry worship touches the heart of God just like any other worship.  In fact, the Bible tells us that children led the way in praising Jesus in the temple.  All "worship stages" are level at the foot of the cross.  

Babies and toddlers can't understand anything at church, so there's no need trying to do any kind of lesson for them.  This myth causes churches to have no strategy for teaching babies and toddlers.  This myth is closely tied to the childcare myth.

The truth:  While babies and toddlers can't verbalize their thoughts, the early years are the most critical in a person's life.  Children learn exponentially in their first 3 year years.  Churches can make a huge impact by sharing age-appropriate Bible lessons, praying with and singing songs in this age group.

You shouldn't spend as much money on children's ministry, since children can't give enough to pay the church bills.  This myth causes churches to spend major dollars on adult ministry and worship elements for the "main" service, while giving children's ministry the scraps and leftovers.

The truth:  Jesus tells us in Scripture that when you welcome children, you are welcoming Him.  When churches make children's ministry a financial priority, they are ushering in the blessings of God.  God will bless the church financially that invests in children.

Youth ministry should be a higher priority than children's ministry.  You can see this myth play out when churches elevate youth ministry while neglecting children's ministry.  You can also see this reflected in many universities and seminaries who train youth pastors, but not children's pastors.

The truth:  The battle for the next generation is no longer in high school or even in middle school.  It is in the preschool and elementary years.  We are in a race for the hearts of the next generation and the first one there will win.  Children's ministry must be a top priority for churches.

If you fill children's heads with Bible facts, they will grow up to love Jesus.  This myth causes churches to stuff dozens of Bible verses into children's temporary memories.  This myth causes churches to spend much more time teaching information than application.  This myth causes churches to emphasize rules over relationship.

The truth:  Bible knowledge is important.  We must teach not only facts, but also apologetics, to an increasingly Biblically illiterate society.  That being said, teaching kids how to apply and live out the truths of the Bible, is just as important.  We must emphasize that following Jesus is about a relationship with Him, not about just "keeping the rules."

Children should sit still and be quiet at church.  This myth causes children to do their best to endure services and programs that are not geared for their age.  This myth causes teachers to stand and lecture children, while they painfully squirm in their seats for an hour.  This myth fills classrooms and hallways of churches with the sound of "ssshhhhhh."

The truth:  Children are wired to move and make noise.  If we want them to grow up loving church, then we must give them opportunities to do so.  Kids learn best through hands-on, active, participatory lessons. 

Children are too young to serve.  This myth causes churches to place fun events on the calendar that have no long-term spiritual purpose,while neglecting to create serving opportunities for kids.

The truth:  Throughout Scripture, we see children serving and being used by God to make a significant impact.  Children can serve now and make a major difference in God's kingdom, if we'll just give them the opportunity.  

Children's ministry is just about children.  This myth is perpetuated by people who are looking in from the outside.  They think serving in children's ministry is just about ministering to kids.

The truth:  Children's ministry is one of the most difficult areas to lead in the entire church.  When you lead in children's ministry you must know how to connect with and lead not only kids, but students, men, women, grandparents, single adults and young adults as well.

Children's ministry is also just as much about investing in parents as it is investing in children.  

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  What are some other myths the church has believed about children's ministry?  Share your thoughts and insight in the comment section below.

He had signed up to serve in children's ministry.  I was meeting with him to determine what role he would be serving in.  I asked him what role he was interested in.  He said "I see there is an opening in 4th grade boys.  I think I'll serve there."

That sounded great to me.  I knew he could make an impact in the 4th grade boys' lives.  I was ready to say, "That's awesome!  Let's put you in that role."

But I knew I couldn't yet.  First, I had to ask him a question.  A question I asked everyone who signs up to serve.  Here's what I asked him.

"What is your volunteer dream job?  What are you really passionate about?"

He paused and then he said, "Well, to be honest, I love working with older teenagers.  But I see you have the 4th grade boys' role open, so that's where I'll serve."

Everything in me wanted to put him in the role with the 4th grade boys.  It's where I needed someone.  But I knew I couldn't.  I looked at him and said, "As much as I would like to have you serve with the 4th grade boys, I can't.  You need to be in the role you are passionate about.  Let me walk you down to student ministry and introduce you to our high school pastor."

Why would I do that?  Because I had made a commitment to help volunteers find their happy place.

A volunteer finds their happy place when you place them in a role that aligns with their passion, spiritual gifts and personality. 

How do you help a volunteer find their happy place?  Take these steps with each new volunteer.

1. Provide them with a list of all of the serving opportunities.  Give them a week to look over the roles and pray about where they should serve.

2. Sit down with them and ask them the following questions before placing them in a role:

• What are you passionate about?

• What are your spiritual gifts?

• What is your personality type?

• Have you served in children's ministry before?  If so, what did you enjoy doing?

• What special gifts or talents do you have?

• What is your dream volunteer job at church?  If you could serve anywhere, where would that be?

3. Place them in a role that aligns with their answers.

4. If their spiritual gifts or talents don't align with their answer, help guide them.  An example would be someone who wants to lead worship, but can't sing in tune.  This is where you lovingly guide them as a shepherd by providing them training or helping them find a role that fits their giftedness.

5. Give them permission to let you know if they get into a role and find it's not their sweet spot.

6. Take the initiative.  Meet with them one month after they start serving and ask them if they are in their happy place.  If they are not, help guide them into another role.  For some people, they may need to try a few roles before finding their happy place.

As we enlist new volunteers, the temptation is to place them where we need them.  Don't succumb to this. 

Don't place volunteers where you need them.  Place volunteers where they need to be.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will serve with delight rather than just duty.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will go home energized rather than drained.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will thrive.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will make an impact and bear fruit.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, their motivation comes from the inside rather than from the outside.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will be serving with people who have the same passion as they do.

When you place volunteers in their happy place, they will serve for the long haul.

We must remember, serving should be about what we want FOR our volunteers, not what we want FROM our volunteers.

When a volunteer is not placed in their happy place, one of two things happens.  They quit or they continue serving because of their character and commitment...but they serve with little or no joy or fulfillment.  They become demoralized and feel trapped.

Let's be committed to helping volunteers find their happy place.  A happy children's ministry comes from happy volunteers.

You can get more insight and ideas for leading a great volunteer team in my new book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams."  It is available at this link.

It's the end of the service and one of your volunteers asked if they can speak with you in private.  Your heart sinks.  You know what is coming.  You listen as the volunteer says,

"I'm going to have to stop serving.  My life is just too busy right now and I can no longer commit to this.  I'm sure you'll find someone else to take my place." 

Sound familiar?  I've experienced this many times over the years.  Though the volunteer didn't actually use the words "burned out," that is what they were feeling.  And if there was any finger pointing to be done, it should have been pointed at me.  They burned out because of poor leadership on my part. 

They burned out because I had placed them in the wrong serving role.  When I first met with them about serving, I had asked them where they would like to serve.  They said, "wherever you NEED me."  And that's exactly where I placed them...where I needed them.  The problem...it wasn't in a role that aligned with their gifts, talents, personality and passion.  This resulted in their serving becoming a burden rather than a blessing, a chore rather than a cherished hour and a duty rather than a delight.

If you want to see your volunteers go the distance with you, then don't place them where you need them, place them where they need to be.   

You can do this by asking one simple question.  Read more about it in this post. 

They burned out because I didn't set them up for success.  I shoved them into the role without providing adequate training.  I should have provided them with a clear job description, hands-on training for several weeks with an experienced volunteer and the proper resources they needed to succeed.

Rather than just saying "good luck" I should have provided them with "good training." 

They burned out because I didn't help them get connected.  I just assumed they would establish relationships.  I should have helped them by providing opportunities to connect with other volunteers outside the classroom.  I should have had them over for dinner with some other volunteers.  I should have grabbed coffee with them and some other key volunteers with no agenda but to spend time together.

They burned out because I demanded too much of their time.  I required them to come to a "teacher's meeting" too often.  And I made the meetings way too long.  And when VBS rolled around, they were the first person I asked about giving some additional time to help.  They finally stepped back and looked at just how much time I was asking from them and decided the cost was too high to pay.

They burned out because I asked them to stay over and serve an extra service.  I was short some volunteers for the next service, so I asked them to stay over and serve again.  This meant they would end up missing the adult worship service completely, but having to fill an empty spot was more important than that at the time.  I lost track of how many times I asked them to do this over the course of a year.   

They burned out because I didn't encourage them often enough.  I wasn't purposeful about stopping to look them in the eye and saying, "Thank you for your heart for the next generation.  You are making a huge impact.  Thank you.  I so appreciate you."  I didn't take the time to write them personal thank you notes either. 

They burned out because I didn't help them monitor how much they were serving.  I knew they were serving in multiple areas in the church, but didn't help them navigate what a healthy balance was.  In their zeal, they over committed and eventually something had to give.  And what ended up having to give was their serving role with me.

If you resonated with any of these, then it may be time for some fresh insight in how to enlist, equip and encourage volunteers.  You can get lots of tips and ideas on how to see volunteers go the distance in my new book "The Formula for Building Great Volunteer Teams."  You can order it by clicking on the image of the book below.


Your turn.  The floor is yours.  What are some other reasons volunteers burn out?  What can we do to help prevent it?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

A survey was done among people who volunteer.  The question was "Why did you start volunteering?"  Here are the top 10 reasons from lowest to highest percentage.

10.  External Forces (saw an ad in a bulletin, heard an annnoucement, etc.).

9.  Boredom (looking for something to fill their time).

8.  Guilt (example - were told "if you don't serve, the kids won't have a class" or "if you don't help, the homeless won't get a meal today).

7.  Need experience (example - going to be a teacher so want to get experience working with kids).

6.  Social Need (they want to be part of something that connects them to a social group).

5.  Spiritual Reasons (they believe volunteering will bring them closer to God).

4.  Gratitude (they want to show thankfulness to the church or to God).

3.  Personal Connection (example - someone volunteers in a cancer fundraiser because they or someone they know has had cancer).

2.  Compelling Need (a big issue they see as important or a cause they want to see succeed).

1.  Personal Invitation (someone personally asked them to volunteer).

Notice the number one reason people volunteer - a personal invitation.  87-93% of people who volunteer do so because someone asked them to.  It is by far the most effective way to build a volunteer team.

This is how Jesus built His volunteer team.  Look what it says in Matthew 9:9.

You've got a new volunteer on your team.  You're excited.  But you're also wondering if they will stick around and serve long-term.  Will they stay or will they go?  Though there's no guarantee anyone will go the distance with you, there are some key factors that can cause volunteers to stay.

Volunteers who stick around know why they are serving.  We've talked about this before.  If you only shine the spotlight on the what, volunteers either get bored or burned out.  By "what" I mean the tasks of the role like teaching, helping with crafts, greeting, rocking babies, etc.  While the logistics and responsibilities of a role are important, they are not conducive to long-term motivation.  Long-term motivation comes from the why - the big picture purpose.  A purpose such as helping kids know and follow Jesus.  Volunteers stay motivated long-term when they know they are part of something big.  Something worth giving their life to.

Volunteers who stick around have been given the tools they need to succeed.  They have been given clear expectations, gone through an orientation and received hands-on training.  They are put in rooms where ratios are followed and adequate help is provided.  Don't expect a new volunteer, who is shoved in a room of 30 preschoolers with one other helper, to come out alive, much less stick around long-term.

Volunteers who stick around have built relationships with the people they serve with.  Relationships is the super glue that keeps volunteers.  When volunteers feel like they are part of a family, they lock in long-term.  While you can't force relationships to happen, you can create an environment that gives people the opportunity to establish them.  This can be done with ice-breaker activities and team-building games at meetings, sharing prayer requests each week, having get togethers outside of serving, etc.

Volunteers who stick around are serving from the overflow.  If you want volunteers to serve long-term, then you've got to keep their cup full.  Here are some key ways you can pour into them.

• Make sure they are attending the adult worship service. 
• Have a short devotion ready each week to share in the pre-service huddle. 
• Don't ask them to stay over and serve an extra service. 
• Know what's going on in their lives.  If you don't, you can't help them in their time of need.
• Occasionally give them some time extended time off from serving.
• Share with them things you are learning, books you have read, podcasts you are listening to, etc.

Volunteers who stick around are serving in their sweet spot.  They are in a role that lines up with their spiritual gifts, passion and personality.  Help them find their sweet spot by having them take a spiritual gifts test and by asking questions like, "What is your dream job at church?"  Remember, don't place volunteers where you need them, place volunteers where they need to be.

Volunteers who stick around feel valued.  Instead of using volunteers to build the ministry, use the ministry to build volunteers.  Honor them.  Encourage them.  Thank them.  Pray for them.  Believe in them.  Invest in them.  Care for them.

Here's some questions to think through and discuss:

• Are we keeping volunteers long-term?  Why or why not?
• Do our volunteers have a clear understanding of why they are serving?
• Do we set volunteers up for success by setting clear expectations, providing training and following ratios?  How can we improve in this?
• Are we keeping our volunteer's cups full?  How?  What are we missing?  How can we get better at filling their cups?
• Are our volunteers in their sweet spot?  Why or why not?  How can we get them in their sweet spot?
• How are we showing our volunteers we value them?  How can we do a better job at this?

The floor is yours.  What are some other thoughts or ideas you have for keeping volunteers long-term?  Share them with us in the comment section below.

A few years ago, while at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, I stopped to watch one of the  parades.  Everything was over-the-top as usual, but one thing in particular really stood out to me.  It was the age of the characters in the parade. They were all high school and college-age students. 

Turn over to the Disney channel and you’ll see the dominant age of the actors in their sitcoms is high school.  And think about Disney movies like High School Musical that featured high school students.  It was released in 2006 and set a record for viewership with over 7.7 million people tuning in for the first airing.  Disney knows that middle school, high school and college students are kid magnets.  That’s who kids look up to.  That’s who’s “cool” to them.  That’s who they want to be like.  If you want to have a dynamic children’s ministry team, then enlist students.

I believe some of your best volunteers are sitting in the student ministry at your church.  Students have so much to offer kids.  They have energy, excitement and enthusiasm.  They can teach, be in videos, host small groups, lead worship, pray with kids, greet, run tech and fill a host of other important roles.  They can infuse life into your children’s ministry.

Here are some keys to enlisting students:

Build a relationship with student ministry staff and volunteers. Share with them the vision of students serving and making an impact in children’s ministry.  They want to see their students growing in their faith and making a difference.  Partner with them. 

Become a familiar face.  Attend or volunteer at some student ministry activities, classes or services.

Broadcast the vision.  Students are drawn to vision.  They are looking for opportunities to make a significant impact.  Share with them what a huge difference they can make in a child’s life.

Be yourself.  Don’t try to be “cool” or try to “fit in” with them (unless you’re 25 and under).  They will see right through it.  Just be yourself...an authentic leader.

Begin asking students who are currently serving to share the vision with their peers.  Students usually come to serve in groups.  Ask them to invite their friends to serve with them.

Be clear about expectations, structure, and guidelines.  Have it in writing, go over it with them and have them sign an agreement they will abide by before they start serving.  Students, especially middle-schoolers, can still be immature at times and need clear direction and boundaries.

Bring their parents into it.  If the student is under 18, have their parents attend the meeting mentioned above and also sign an agreement that their child will follow the guidelines established.  This helps in case you need to address any issues with the student later.

Believe in them.  They are called out all of the time for what they’re doing wrong.  It’s time we call them up to all that God wants to do in them and through them.  Pour into them.  Encourage them.  Be their biggest fan.  You’ll be amazed at what they can do if you believe in them.

When I was 16 years old, I was your typical student.  All I cared about was my car, basketball and girls.  But then my Youth Pastor approached me about serving in children’s ministry.  He told me he saw something in me and believed I could do great things in ministry.  At first, I said no, but he kept asking and finally, I agreed.  Once I started working with kids, God confirmed my calling and here I am 33 years later still serving in children’s ministry.  There are students in your church just waiting for you to believe in them and give them an opportunity to serve.

This is an excerpt from the chapter Constructing Teams Like Disney in my new book If Disney Ran Your Children's Ministry.  You can get your copy today at www.kidminmouse.com. 

Serving is one of the key factors to seeing kids stick with their faith into their high school, college and adult years.  When you give kids the opportunity to live out their faith by serving, they will respond.

In addition to providing kids with opportunities to serve during the school year, we also do a major serving project with them during the summer.  Instead of paying registration costs for "fun" activities or trips that are all about them...they pay for the opportunity to serve others (registration costs go toward transportation, supplies, food, etc.).  And they love it.  Below are a few pictures from this summer's serving project.













If you really want to see the kids in your ministry grow spiritually, get them serving.  There is something about serving that ignites a child's faith and causes exponential growth.  Looking back at my own journey, it was when I begin serving as a teen that my spiritual life was changed.

We tell kids to "sit still and be quiet" and then we wonder why we can't get them to serve as adults.  It's because we told them not to!  It's time we let kids be the church...today
...right now...they can serve...they can be used by God...
they can make an impact...they can change the serving temperature of your church.

What are you waiting for?  Ask them and watch what happens!

Have you been wondering if you're in the right ministry role?  Maybe even wondering if the church where you're serving is the place you're suppose to be?

If that's you, here are 5 questions to ask yourself to figure out if you're in the right position or place.

Would I attend church here if I weren't in a leadership role?  Are you only attending the church because of your role or position?

Do I passionately believe in the vision of the church?  Are you on board with the overall vision and direction of the church? 

Does the role energize me or drain me?  Are you excited about what you do?  Is the role aligned with your gifts and passion?

Can I wholeheartedly follow church leadership?  Do you have confidence in your leader?  Can you follow him or her? 

Does my philosophy of ministry line up with the other people sitting around the table?  Is your " this is how I want to do ministry" the same as the other people you serve with?

If the answer to any of these questions is "no," then it may be time for a change.  Of course, any big changes or decisions should be bathed in prayer and preceded by wise counselors.

God made you for a specific purpose, plan and place.  Don't settle for anything less.

Last week, I shared about our annual children's ministry staff retreat.  On the second day of the retreat, I asked our children's ministry directors to share a leadership lesson that they've recently grasped as they are doing ministry.  They shared some great insight and I wanted to make it available to you.

Josh Danielson

Josh oversees the children's ministry at our Boynton Beach campus.  This is one of our fastest growing campuses and it meets in an active mall.  You can read more about Josh's campus at this link. He is a team builder, creative thinker, puppeteer extraordinaire and dynamic children's speaker.

• Jesus laid down His life for His friends.
• It's not about being a hero...it's about laying down your life for others...it's about serving others and making a difference in people's lives. 

Hannah French

Hannah oversees the children's ministry at our Royal Palm Campus.  This is our second largest campus and Hannah and her team minister to thousands of kids and parents each month.  She is a brilliant thinker, strategic leader and excellent creator/writer of children's lessons.

• We must lead with compassion. 
• Jesus was the best example of this.  He showed compassion for everyone He led. 
• People must know that you care about them and want to understand them. 

Rebecca Vardian

Rebecca leads the children's ministry at our Stuart Campus.  This is another fast growing campus and Rebecca and her team minister to hundreds of kids each week.  They recently moved into a brand new facility.  You can read more about it here.  She is one of the best team builders I know.  She knows how to enlist volunteers, equip them and empower them to do ministry.  She is also a strong prayer warrior and leads with a servant's heart.

• Psalm 92:13-14.
• We need to have a large amount of love, wisdom and God's Spirit. 
• When you do this, you will flourish and continue to bear fruit.

Charlotte Allison

Charlotte is our Associate Core Director of children's ministry which means she helps look after the children's ministry at all of our campuses.  She is a organizational genius and helps set up all of our new campuses.  She loves investing in people and has an incredible heart for equipping and empowering leaders.

• Feeling like a failure can be worse than failing. 
• Failure is an opportunity to have fear or faith.
• Hard endings can be new beginnings.
• If you give up, you can't get up.
• Proverbs 29:25, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 27:1, Romans 8:20, Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 34:4, 2 Timothy 1

Shelby Colman

Shelby oversees the children's ministry at our Okeechobee Campus.  She is amazing at caring for volunteers and is a true servant leader.  Her entire family serves each week and they make a huge impact.  She is a difference-maker.

• Focus on one child at a time.  Jesus went after the one. 
• Don't despise the small things. 
• The little thing you do for someone may be huge for them. 

Tracy Robinson

Tracy leads the children's ministry at our newest campus in Port St. Lucie.  Her campus is our fastest growing and she is already ministering to hundreds of kids and volunteers each week.  She is a stellar, dynamic leader.

• We must spend time alone with Jesus...listening to Him.  There is no podcast that can replace this.  The best podcast is being in the Word with Jesus. 
• Focus on the great commandment, the great commission and great prayer.
• Let prayer do the hard work.

Noemy Munoz

Noemy oversees the children's ministry at our CFE Campus.  She is an amazing team builder.  Her campus is always full of happy, committed leaders and it comes from her care for them.

• Leading is about serving and giving.  Leaders are servants.
• Matthew 28:20.
• Jesus gathered regular people around Him and developed them. 
• Are you looking for people to serve you or are you looking to serve people?
• Servant leaders maintain a low profile and give the glory to God. 
• Treat your volunteers like family.

Arturo Parham

Arturo leads our City Place campus.  He is a proven, strong leader and has a genuine love for kids and families.  He recently got married and he and his wife enjoy serving in children's ministry together.

• Control your attitude. 
• When you look up it makes looking ahead easier.
• Seek God first (Matthew 6:33)
• Don't worry.  Relax...God's got it.

Seth Ray

Seth oversees our Gardens campus, which is our largest campus.  He and his team minister to thousands of kids and families.  He is a visionary leader, strategic thinker and is passionate about developing people and empowering them to do ministry.

• A clear vision is a necessity. 
• Vision leaks. It must be reinforced.
• People must see and know that what they do matters.
• Tap someone on the shoulder and have them run with you. 
• Remind people what they are running toward.
• When people get the vision they will help other people get it as well. 

Dale

• I shared about being an idea gatherer vs. an idea generator. 
• Good leaders generate ideas.  Great leaders go around and gather the best ideas from others. 

It's such a joy to do life and ministry with these leaders.  I learn from them each week and I'm a better leader because of them.  I pray God will surround you with people who can help you grow as a Christ-follower and leader as well. 

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  Share with everyone in the comment section below about a leadership or ministry thought you've been meditating on lately.

There is a shortage of men volunteering in the average children's ministry.  But it doesn't have to be that way.  If you'd like to see more men serving in your children's ministry, here's five ways to bring them in.

Cast vision for the unique impact men can make.  Men are searching for significance.  They want to leave a legacy.  What better way to do this than investing in the next generation.  Show men the significant impact they can make in children's ministry.  An example would be showing men the impact they can make in a boy's life who is from a single parent home.

Instead of begging men to serve in your ministry, invite men to a vision that is bigger than themselves.  Instead of inviting them to a need, invite them to an opportunity to make an impact.

Make your ministry more male friendly.  Make sure your print pieces, volunteer gifts, decorations for training events, etc. are appealing to men as well.  If you cover your tables with pink tablecloths or only give away tote bags to volunteers, don't expect men to be drawn to your ministry.

Create additional roles that are a good fit for men. How many roles do you have that are a good fit for men? Creating additional roles for men is a great way to bring more men onto your team.  Here's an example.  We created a safety and security team.  This new opportunity brought many new men onto our team.  Some start on this team and then move into roles inside the rooms as they get involved.

Celebrate the men who are currently serving in the ministry.  Highlight some men who are currently serving in your ministry.  Perhaps you could honor them in the church bulletin or make a poster in the hallway with their picture on it.  When men see that other men are serving in children's ministry, they are much more open to serving.

Ask the men who are currently serving to invite their friends.  Be intentional about asking the men who are currently serving to invite their friends to serve with them. They can influence other men to join your team.

It's time for men everywhere to step up and make a significant impact in the lives of kids.  It's time we turn the shortage of men in children's ministry into an abundance of men who are investing their time and talent into the next generation.

God wants to use your children's ministry to not only impact children, but your entire church.  Here's 7 ways you can see your children's ministry make a big difference in your church. 

#1 - Realize that children's ministry will bring God's blessings upon your church.  Look what Jesus said.

"And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me."  Matthew 18:5

When you welcome children into your church, you are welcoming Jesus.  Ministry to children ushers in Jesus' presence.
  
#2 - Grow your children's ministry...grow your church.  Nothing grows a church like a vibrant children's ministry.  One of the top reasons families pick a church is the children's ministry.  Focus on growing your children's ministry and your entire church will grow. 

#3 - Children's ministry can help your church reach unchurched families.  The best way to reach unchurched parents is through their children.  When you take a child by the hand, you take a parent by the heart.  No matter how lost a father is, he has a soft spot in his heart for his child.  And no matter how far away from God a mother is, she cares about what her daughter is interested in.  Focus on reaching kids and you will reach parents. 

#4 - Children's ministry helps people grow as disciples through serving.  One of the keys to spiritual growth is serving.  Children's ministry offers many opportunities for people to serve.  Serving in children's ministry can deepen the spiritual walk of your entire church.

#5 - Children's ministry will bring life and vitality to your church.  The future of any church is found in the young families and children who attend.  Without them, your church is just one generation from closing its doors.  The sounds of children laughing, giggling and talking in the hallways of your church is life-giving.

#6 - Children's ministry can help close your church's back door.  One of the best ways to help families get connected once they start attending is through their children.  Focus on providing ways for kids to get connected through small groups, family activities, family classes and more.  When kids get connected, parents get connected.

#7 - Children's ministry can impact the entire church through spiritual milestones.  When you involve the entire church in the spiritual milestones of children, it makes a significant impact.  Here's an example.  If you hold child dedication during a service and as part of the dedication, you ask the entire church to pray for and invest in the children, it raises the spiritual commitment of the church as a whole.

The fastest growing churches in the country have something in common.  They have dynamic children's ministries that are impacting their entire church.  Their story can be your story...if your church is willing to make children's ministry a top priority.  In this post, I share more tips about how to make children's ministry a priority at your church.

Do you have volunteers who are on the edge of burning out?  You can see it in their eyes but are not quite sure what to do.

Here's some practical ways to help your volunteers avoid burnout.

Make sure they are serving in their sweet spot.  Make sure they are in a role that syncs with their gifts, personality and passion.

When someone is not in their sweet spot, serving becomes drudgery.  When someone is in their sweet spot, serving becomes a delight. 

Model balance.  Show your volunteers what balance is.  Here's an example.  As the children's ministry leader, make sure you are attending an adult service each week.  This models for your volunteers that they must be fed themselves in order to be able to feed others.

Encourage them to take time off.  Encourage them to occasionally take a weekend off.  Give them a few back-to-back weekends off during the summer months.

Keep them focused on one area of responsibility.  Zealous volunteers will be take on as many responsibilities as you will give them and serve in other ministries simultaneously.  Avold asking them to stay over and serve for extra services as well.

Provide regular care and support.  Care and support will significantly improve volunteer performance, engagement and retention.  Listening to, showing compassion and supporting your volunteers is one of the best ways to help them avoid burnout.

Your turn.  The floor is yours.  How do you help volunteers avoid burnout?  Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Here's some telltale signs your children's ministry is on life support and needs an infusion of health and vitality.

You have to close classrooms because you don't have enough volunteers to open them.  Here's help.

You don't see kids, parents or volunteers smiling.

Parents are having to make their kids come to church.   Here's help.

First-time guests don't return.  Here's help.

The number of kids in your church is less than 10% of the overall attendance.

You don't have any teenagers serving in your children's ministry.  Here's help.

You ask the Pastor to beg for volunteers.  Here's help.

People are serving out of necessity rather than passion.

When parents ask their children the famous question - "Did you have fun today?" - The answer is "no."  Here's help.

There is no money to purchase supplies, resources, crafts, etc. Here's help.

You don't hear giggles and laughter in the hallways.

Your ministry calendar is full, but not effective.  Here's help.

Kids' attendance is declining.  Here's help.

All of the volunteers have been serving since Noah got off the ark and are burned out.

The kids are shoved in the basement or get the leftovers when it comes to ministry space.  Here's help.

Volunteers are having to serve in multiple areas to keep things going.

There is more talk of what God did in the past than what He is doing now.

Your elementary playlist includes Father Abraham, Deep and Wide and I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy...Down in my Heart.  Here's help.

There were very few, if any, babies dedicated last year.

There were very few, if any, kids that stepped across the line of faith last year.  Here's help.

There were very few, if any, kids who were baptized last year.  Here's help. 

This past weekend, we signed up lots of new volunteers.  How did we do it?

First, we decided to honor all our current volunteers.  There were several ways we did this.

We put up "thank you signs" across the campuses.



We also gave each volunteer an appreciation gift.  In addition, we recognized volunteers during the worship service.


Secondly, the Pastor talked about the value of serving.  When you're intentional about creating a church-wide culture of volunteerism, people will grasp the importance and jump in.

Thirdly, we invited people to begin serving.  We had areas set up across the campuses where people could stop and sign-up.  Staff and volunteers were there inviting people to join a serving team.



Lots of people said, "Yes...I'm ready to start serving."

This week, we will follow up with the people who signed up and help them take their next step.

People are willing to serve.  They are simply waiting for you to make the ask. 

Can you stay over and serve for the next service?  One of the other volunteers called in sick.

I have faith in you.  You can handle this class of twenty 3-year-olds by yourself.

It's okay.  You can go ahead and start serving.  We can run your background check later.

Sorry, I wasn't able to email you the lesson until Saturday night.  It was a busy week.

I know you said you wanted to serve in the nursery, but I really need you to teach 5th grade boys.

Don't worry about attending the adult service.  Serving will provide you with all the spiritual growth you need.

We will be having volunteer training every week and I need you to be there.

You're serving in two different ministries already?  I'm sure you can handle one more.

We don't have any budget money set aside for snacks for volunteers while they're serving...but you're welcome to bring your own.

I know it's your very first week serving...but I need you to be the leader in the room.  You'll figure it out as you go.

The floor is yours...
What are some other things you should never say to volunteers?  Share them in the comment section below.

A couple of weeks ago, we decided to provide families with a way they could make a difference by serving together.

We dismissed our worship service 15 minutes early.  Outside we had areas set up where families could go and work together to prepare meals that would be shipped to people in Haiti.

It was awesome seeing dads, moms and kids working together to make an impact.  Thousands of families participated and they prepared over 280,000 meals.

Think about some ways you can give families the opportunity to serve together.  It's always a win.  In this post, I share more ideas about how you can do this. 

Here are a few pictures from the serving event.